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Draft Minutes of East and West Beckham Parish Council
Meeting Held on Thursday 10th March 2022
Present. Cllrs. G. Place, (chairman), D. Barrass, R. Batt, J. Dovey, K. Lord, T.Toyne,
County Cllr. E. Vardy.J.Stibbons(clerk)
The chairman opened the meeting at 7.30pm.
1. Apologies Cllr. R. McNeil Wilson,
2. There were no Declarations of Interest.
3. Comments or questions from members of the public. J. Dovey reported that the Felbeck
Trust annual meeting has been held and the minutes are to follow.
4. The minutes of the meeting held on Thursday 12th May 2022 having been previously circulated, it was proposed by Cllr. Lord that they be confirmed as an accurate record of the meeting. This was seconded by Cllr. Toyn and approved by the members.
The chairman then signed the minutes
5. There were no matters arising from the Minutes.
6. Reports from County, District or Parish Councillors.
County Cllr. E. Varley.
A consultation is underway regarding moving the re-cycling centre to a larger area opposite.
It was asked why only one item could be tipped at a time? Cllr. Vardy will investigate.
A feasibility study is underway concerning a possible roundabout at the top of Holloway Road.
It was decided that the further discussions concerning Lodge Corner would be postponed until after
a decision had been reached on the Pretty Corner roundabout
7. Playing Field The RoSPA safety report was discussed. The climbing frame needs replacing. It was agreed that as the proposed bench was still unavailable a similar pattern but in blue/grey should be ordered.
It was agreed that as there were several items of play equipment to be discussed, councillors should visit the playing field after the meeting.
A report by Kathryn Lord on the findings of the visit is attached at the end of these minutes.
8. Road Safety. See item 6 (Reports)
9. Financial matters.
Bank Balances at 14/7/2022 Current a/c £6369.76 Savings a/c £30887.86
Outstanding invoice were approved and cheques signed:-
Playsafety Inspection report £88.20
J. Stibbons Salary and Expenses £664.60
HMRC PAYE £140.40
G. Place Expenses £50
10. Correspondence. Request for a donation from NARS.
It was agreed that Donations were not being considered at this meeting.
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11. Matters for information only or the next agenda.
Allotments. The un-let allotments are very overgrown and need cutting, action J.S.
Some plots need tidying up as they are becoming weed infested.
Three properties in Church Road have overgrown hedges obstructing the view for traffic. Householders to be contacted and asked to cut them back.
There being no further business the chairmen closed the meeting at 8.22pm
Report on discussions of the Committee visit to the Playing Field. By Kathryn Lord
Further to Item 7 (Playing Field) After the meeting councillors moved to the Playing Field to inspect the play equipment.
The following minutes of the discussions and observations were recorded by Cllr. Lord.
After the Parish Council meeting (14/7/22) we adjourned to the Play Area to urgently review the equipment in line with the recent ROSPA inspection and decide a course of action.
1. It was agreed the wooden Cube Climbing frame should be removed and disposed of asap. If necessary storage of wood can be placed in the ‘garage’ on site.
Action: RB to buy hazard tape to stop anyone using the equipment. (action completed Friday 15th)
TT to discuss with R Wright how the equipment can be removed.
GP to chainsaw sections as needed.
Further discussion about what should replace this unit needed. ALL
2. Picnic bench will be removed and disposed of. If necessary storage of wood can be placed in the ‘garage’ on site.
Action: RB to buy hazard tape to stop anyone using the equipment. (action completed Friday 15th)
TT to discuss with R Wright how the equipment can be removed.
GP to chainsaw sections as needed.
JS to order Grey coloured recycled plastic replacement bench as per PC Meeting. (Not a picnic table)
3. Sprung Rocking car
Action: KL to clean with soap and water.
ALL discuss rust removal and painting, possible repairs needed to top spring?
Plastic cap missing – needs replacement
4. Three in line swings
Action: KL to investigate cost of replacement rusty shackles or complete chains/seats to present to the PC at the next meeting.
Requires tightening to the existing hanger bolts
(who can action this asap?)
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KL spoke with Playdale who supplied the swing equipment. Unit was to standard when supplied but standards have changed since.
Action: ALL Discuss purchase of TSSS/01 the spare part. The price for this £249.00 + VAT and delivery. (14 July 2020)
Dismantle and inspect regularly according to manufacturers instructions (who can action this asap?)
5.Fencing and Gates
These are still under discussion but it was felt the proposed affordable housing scheme should be integrated with the play area. If this was so it should be reviewed inline with this but removal of the fencing may also improve the site.
Action: Further discussion needed. ALL
6.Kick Wall with Basketball Post
Action: Back board (previously removed)
Splits in timber and timber decayed especially central post rotted at ground level – suggested to be replaced.
ALL Discuss further.
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County councillor’s report for July
Delivering local highway improvements in with Town and Parish Councils
This is to inform you that due to the success of working in partnership with Parish/Town Councils for the last nine years the Parish Partnership Scheme Initiative will again be repeated in the financial year 2023/24. Further supporting information, including possible funding sources for your share of the bid, is available on our website.
The County Council has provisionally allocated £350,000 on a 50/50 basis (There is an upper limit on Norfolk County Council funding support of £25,000 per bid) to fund schemes put forward by Town and Parish Councils to deliver projects that are priorities for local communities. We are particularly keen to encourage and support first-time bids.
This report provides more information on the process, invites you to submit bids, and explains how the County Council can support you in developing your ideas. The closing date will be the 09 December 2022. Please contact your local Highway Engineer based at the local Area Office for agreement and any advice in developing your ideas, especially around the practicalities and cost estimates.
Once all bids have been received, we will assess them and inform you of our decision in March 2023 following approval by the Norfolk County Council Cabinet.
To encourage bids from Town and Parish Councils with annual incomes (precepts plus any another income) below £2,000, we are offering the following support;
• 75% County Council contribution • £5,000 maximum bid value
What sort of schemes would be acceptable?
• Small lengths of formal footway • Trods (a simplified and low-cost footway),
• Improved crossing facilities • Improvements to Public Rights of Way.
• Flashing signs to tackle speeding. We would encourage you to consider Speed Awareness Mobile Signs (SAM2) – which flash up the driver’s actual speed rather than fixed signs (VAS) – which flash up the speed limit. The number of VAS in Norfolk has grown, and checks show that speed reduction benefits can be minimal. Whilst we will still consider bids for fixed VAS, we will need to be satisfied that they will be effective in reducing speed. We consider that SAM2 mobile signs, which are moved around on an agreed rota, are better at reducing speed; SAM2 can be jointly purchased with neighbouring Parishes and would be owned and maintained by the Parish/Town Council.
• Part-time 20mph signs with flashing warning lights, outside schools. The County Council generally supports these as they do show a moderate reduction in average speeds during peak times.
• “Keep Clear” carriageway markings outside schools. Applications will be considered for new school keep clear carriageway markings (which must be supported by the local school) however, these will not be enforceable without a Traffic Regulation Order which is outside the scope of the Parish Partnership Scheme. If you wish to enforce the Order, it would have to be wholly funded by the Parish or the Local Member. (Cllr Vardy)
• New Bus Shelter or Shelter Lighting. A copy of Norfolk County Councils guidance for new bus shelters is available on our web site (click on this link). Any new shelter would be owned and maintained by the Parish/Town Council.
• Electric Vehicle Charging Points. In the first instance we would expect Parish/Town Councils to investigate available grants, for more information please email [email protected]
scheme may be dependent upon NCC securing additional funding from the Norfolk Safety Partnership
