Beckham East and West Parish Council

Present.
Cllrs. R. McNeil Wilson, (chairman),G. Place, D. Barrass, R. Batt, J. Dovey, K. Lord, T. Toyn.
Dist. Cllr. P. Butikofer. J.Stibbons(clerk)

The chairman opened the meeting at 7.00pm,

1. Apologies None

3.There were no declarations of interest.

4. The minutes of the meeting held on Thursday 12th September 2019, having been previously circulated, it was proposed by Cllr. Dovey they should be confirmed as correct. This was seconded by Cllr. Toyne and carried.
The chairman then signed the minutes.

5. There were no Matters arising from the Minutes

6. Reports from County, District or Parish Councillors
Dist.Cllr. P. Butikofer.
Splash – started construction. Careful consideration  had been given regarding wave machine. proved to be too expensive.
Sandscape project completed. After the latest storm, some sand has been moved, but then it was always known that some sand would shift and it is not a concern.
Won a bid for the heritage High `street Action Zone Fund. government initiative £975K. North Walsham has been the beneficiary. All of it has to be spent on heritage projects.
Passed a bid for electric vehicle charging points. received a grant from OLEF.

Long term empty properties, looking at higher council tax – 200%-300%. Will be next year dependent on how long they have been empty.

Corporate plan – will be coming to full council. This will be implementing the Lib Dem manifesto which outlines the strategic direction of the council for the next four years. This included – local homes for local people, environment, quality of life, coast climate change, financial sustainability and boosting and sustaining business growth.

Year Four of `Sporting `centre of Excellence initiative. To encourage children with talent for sport to get involved and take advantage of specialist coaching at Gresham’s. Running from October during school term – hockey, netball, cricket and running.
Prosecution of asbestos offences – two firms fined over £30K. BES Safe Removals Ltd (1st Choice Asbestos) – six offences fined £30K. Park Wright Training Services £800 – non removal of asbestos – not following procedures.

Successful application for local investment in future talent (LIFT) grant towards cost of skills training workshops for people employed in small business – tourism and hospitality – b&B, cafes, restaurant, leisure. Workshops will run from November 2019 to February 2020
Solar farm – planning given for extension from 20years to 40 years.
Karen ward has been nominated as the PPC for Lib Dems replacing Sir Norman Lamb.
Wind turbines at Selbrigg – still with the planning inspectorate.
Graham Allen Award winner 2019 – just announced. Winner was the Lookout on the Holkham Estate. Its an esteemed award given each year to the project considered to have made the most significant contribution to the build environment within the district.
No Broadband in East Beckham was discussed and Cllr. Butikofer explained how parts of Aylmerton had obtained connection from the Rural Broadband Scheme with grants obtainable.
A survey needs to be carried out to get all households and businesses involved.

7. Solar Community Fund Committee.
The committee are reviewing past projects and considering new ideas.
The new West Beckham village sign will be completed in 2020. No decision has yet been taken on
what to do with the old sign.
Heavy rain has caused some washing down of the East Beckham allotment track and the
Cllr. Barrass has agreed to keep the channel at the top of the track cleared. The bonfire heap at the
top of the allotments is now becoming a tip, with old carpets being dumped. Enquiries are to be
made to find someone who will pull the pile apart and burn it. It should not be burnt in situ as there
may be hedgehogs hibernation in the foliage
The Felbeck Trust have planted 350 trees at the West Beckham allotments.

8. Playing Field.
The gate has been repaired and replaced. The October inspection was completed by Cllr. Batt. It was noted that the condition of the equipment was satisfactory but the fence would soon need attention.

9. Financial matters.
Bank Balances at 14/11/2019 Current a/c £8957.59 Savings a/c £7083.30
A provisional budget for 2020-2021 was circulated to members. This included a precept figure of £3250.
It was proposed by Cllr. Dovey that the budget should be approved. This was seconded by Cllr. Barrass and carried.
The request for the payment of the precept for £3250 was then signed by the chairman and clerk.

The following invoices were approved and cheques signed:-
Chevertons Printing £100
J. Stibbons Salary and expenses £595.30
HMRC PAYE £122.80
Bodham Village Hall fee for meetings £54

10. Correspondence None

11. Matters for information only Highways are to asked if SLOW can be written in the road at
Church Corner (approaching from Gresham) and at Long lane. Also the ditch needs cleaning and
the hedge cutting near The Garth to prevent more flooding.

There being no further business the chairman closed the meeting at 8.08pm.

Present.
Cllr. G. Place, (chairman), R. Batt, J. Dovey,, T. Toyn. J.Stibbons (clerk)
Dist. Cllr. P. Butikofer.
The chairman opened the meeting at 7.00pm,

1. Apologies Cllrs. R. McNeil Wilson, D. Barrass, K. Lord.

3.There were no declarations of interest.

4. The minutes of the meeting held on Thursday 11th July 2019, having been previously circulated, it was proposed by Cllr. Dovey that the minutes should be confirmed as correct. This was seconded by Cllr. Toyne and carried.
The chairman then signed the minutes.

5. There were no Matters arising from the Minutes

6. Reports from County, District or Parish Councillors
Dist.Cllr. P. Butikofer.
A decision not to proceed with the North Norfolk Sports Hub because the exchange of land
between the tennis club and the school did no happen. There will be other investments in tennis
across the district.
Egmere Enterprise Zone. Is not financially viable without a tenant signed up for at least one
unit. Tax payers money cannot be spent on speculative development. It will still keep its Enterprise
status at no extra cost. No more money will be spent until a new contract is signed.
Sheringham Leisure Centre It was decided not to proceed with a wave machine at the
because of the additional cost. There were 2000 signatures on the petition for a wave machine but only 400 of them were from Norfolk.
Work on the Leisure Centre will start on 16th September and be complete by September 2021.
A Deep History Marathon and half-marathon will take place on May 17th 2020. This will
draw attention to the beauty of the coast line and the importance that NNDC attaches to physical and mental health in the community.
Better Broadband goals have been achieved with NCC and other district councils to provide
high speed broadband. By end of March 2020 North Norfolk should have 92% coverage.
Planning enforcement teams have been active. A Demolition Order for a two storey building
has been served on a property which had been in breach of planning control and alleged further
amendments to an unlawful dwelling. This included a swimming pool and an area of hard standing.
Electrical vehicle charging points are to be installed in six council owner car parks with a
total of 48 points.
The Felbeck Trust have won an Environmental Award.

7. Solar Community Fund Committee.
It is planned to try and establish a “Good Neighbours” scheme. This will be discussed further at the
next committee meeting.
The members agreed that a reserve of between £5000 and £10000 should be retained in the Solar
Fund account to cover on-going maintenance in the future.

8. Allotment Track Repairs.
The roadway and car park have been repaired in a very satisfactory manner by S. Witham.
It was agreed to ask Withams to cut the road hedges back when they were in the area.

9. Playing Field.
The gate has been removed for repairs. The monthly inspection was satisfactory.

10. West Beckham Allotments.
The Felbeck Trust have agreed to put a plan in place for the maintenance of the West Beckham allotment site. A short letter of approval for this scheme to be added to the existing agreement was urgently required and was signed by the Vice-chairman in the absence of the chairman.
It was proposed by Cllr. Dovey that a donation of £1700 should be made to the Felbeck Trust to assist in the first phase of four cuts and cleaning up at the West Beckham old allotment site, Also the planting of trees. The shed will also be made secure for the storage of tools and other equipment.
This proposal was seconded by Cllr. Toyne and unanimously approved by the members present.
11. Financial matters.
Bank Balances at 11/7/2019 Current a/c £12238.01 Savings a/c £7072.98
The following invoices were approved and cheques signed:-
K. Lord Travelling (Village sign inspection/commission) £42.14
S. Witham Allotment track repairs £2160
Felbeck Trust Donation (see item 10) £1700

12. Correspondence None

13. Matters for information only
Norfolk County Council have agreed that “Lefty`s Lane, East Beckham is listed as a public
carriageway. It was accepted as a road but never surfaced.
It was reported that many road side hedges were becoming very overgrown in places and are
encroaching onto the carriageway.
There was an accident at Lodge Hill Corner on 12th August when a car coming from the Beckham
Road was in a collision

There being no further business the chairman closed the meeting at 8.08pm.