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Draft Minutes of East and West Beckham Parish Council
Meeting Held remotely by Zoom on Thursday 24th September 2020
Present.
Cllrs. R. McNeil Wilson, (chairman),G. Place, D. Barrass, R. Batt, J. Dovey, K. Lord, T. Toyn.
County Cllr. S. Butikofer, Dist. Cllr. P. Butikofer, Mr. C. Ringer (community shop)
J.Stibbons(clerk)
The chairman opened the meeting at 7.02pm, and welcomed everyone
1. There were no Apologies or Declaration of Interest
2. There were no comments or questions from members of the public.
3. The minutes of the meeting held on Thursday 16th July 2020, having been previously circulated, it was proposed by Cllr. Lord they should be confirmed as correct. This was seconded by
Cllr. Dovey and carried.
The chairman will sign the minutes at a later date.
4. There were no Matters arising from the Minutes which are not covered later in the agenda.
5. Reports from County and District Councillors.
County Cllr, S. Butikofer. There was a disappointing meeting of the County Council recently with no cross party cooperation. There is a budget deficit of £55million Main discussions were on food poverty and the environment.
The possible closure of Holt Hall was announced. The Project Manager is to enquire what consultation should be undertaken.
A new system of Track and Trace has been implemented. The focus must be on how to control Covid and help for businesses.
Dist. Cllr. Butikofer,
Electric vehicle charge points have successfully been launched in two car parks Albert street in Holt and Morris street in Sheringham. This is part of on-going works to get electric vehicle charge points in six locations across the district.
They use a web-based system called “genie-point” to operate charging and payment.
Two different charging tariff – standard 08:00 to 18:00 0.30p/KWh +50p connection fee plus
normal parking fee. Resident tariff 18:00 to08:00 30p/Kw h ( no connection fee) plus parking is free between these hours.
Successful prosecution of a man in Stalham pleaded guilty to three noise offenses including a noise abatement notice. He was playing amplified music over the Christmas period. He was fined £68, victims surcharge of £32 and costs of 31325, totaling £1425 with forfeiture order
New sea-side car park opens giving easy access to Bacton’s beautiful sandy beaches which has been brought about by the recent landscaping project.
The car park will be operating on a pay and display basis.
Council awarded funding to regenerate historic North Walsham town center. Secured a double funding boost from Historic England and government throughout the New Anglia Local enterprise Partnership (LEP). Received £975K from Historic England’s High Streets Heritage action zone and the LEP gave £1.17M, part of the Getting Building fund. Key features – town center “re-stitching”
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improved connectivity and access through the town center via likes and gateways. To support improvements to current buildings and business premises and support new businesses or uses of vacant space, making Market Place more accessible and attractive for users and repair and restoration of the Cedars (old council offices)
There is an understanding that another branch of funding is coming down from government. NNDC has already given over £52M
The new splash is progressing well and is currently on target to be completed next year
6. Community Shop (Report given by Mr. C. Ringer). A short presentation of the history of shops in Bodham was given.
The results of the survey conducted in Bodham and Beckham received 166 replies, 103 from Bodham which was 40% of the households. 83% of the people who replied would use the shop at least once a week.
A preliminary meeting was held at the Red Hart on 10th of September. No chairman or committee was selected at this meeting which was attended by the district and county councillors. Unfortunately no Parish Council members attended from either parishes.
The parishes have a high population of young people and many of them are willing to get
involved.
A volunteer Steering Committee is to be formed in October and if possible this should include a representative from Beckham. This committee will be independent from both parish councils.
Initially the idea is to take on a an area of land, possibly the car park with a modular building or on land opposite the Red Hart. Another alternative is to use the village hall which would be multi-purpose.
All these ideas are to be explored further by the steering committee.
The chairman thanked Mr. Ringer for his presentation. Mr. Ringer left the meeting 7.56pm
The proposal of a community shop was then discussed further by the members. All wished the project well but agreed that it must be run on business lines and have the commitment of the community.
An item will be placed in the Beckham news letter asking if anyone from the parish would like to join the committee.
7. Solar Community Fund Committee. The Felbeck Trust have cut and cleared the docks and weeds on parts
of the West Beckham Old Allotment to boost the restoration process. Some areas of longer vegetation will be
left to encourage bio-diversity. A circular path has been created around the property.
A visit from the Operation Turtle Dove project manager confirmed that the area already has many of the
required conditions for breeding Turtle Doves.
There have been complementary comments on the bench at the bus stop, it makes the village look very
welcoming.
With the present Covid restrictions there will be no chance to celebrate the installation of the new village
sign.
8. Playing Field
The following quotations were submitted for the replacement of the fence.
Simon’s Landscaping £6500 Prestige fencing £4835 Dodd & co £3171
It was agreed to circulate these quotations and enquire if NNDC will extend the lease before any final
decision was made.
The trees near the gate need cutting back. Cllr. Lord will obtain quotations for the trimming of the whole hedge.
9. Extension of the Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty.
It was proposed by Cllr. Barrass that the parish council should press for both East and West Beckham to
come within the AONB This was seconded by Cllr. Lord.
On a show of hands the proposal was approved by a majority of five in favour with two against.
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10. Financial matters.
Bank Balances at 16/9/2020 Current a/c £12883.23 Savings a/c £6495.54
Outstanding invoice to be approved:-
K. Lord Paint £12.34
Chevertons Printing £100
11. Correspondence there was no correspondence.
12. Matters for information only or for the next agenda.
An advertising board has been placed at the Lodge corner junction by a local estate agent advertising business premises for lease. This board is restricting the view towards Cromer. Cllr. Place will arrange to have the board relocated.
Dog walkers are not keeping to the footpaths and an article is to be put in the next news letter. Visitors in holiday accommodation are also the be informed.
Cars are speeding through the village. It was asked it 30mph signs could be put near the village gates.
The hedge at allotment lane has become overgrown as have various garden hedges with a road frontage.
Highways are to be contacted.
There being no further business the chairman closed the meeting at 8.59pm
The next meeting of E&W Beckham parish council will be held on Thursday 12th November 2020
