Page 253
Draft Minutes of East and West Beckham Parish Council
Meeting Held on Thursday 13th March 2025
Present. Cllrs. R. McNeil Wilson, (chairman), D. Barrass, R. Batt, J. Dovey, G. Place. T. Toyn
Dist. Cllr. Callum Ringer. J. Stibbons (clerk)
The chairman opened the meeting at 7.00pm.
1. Apologies for absence. Cllr.R. Lewis.
2. There were no declarations of interest
3. There were no Comments and Questions on the agenda from members of the public.
4. Dist. Cllr. C. Ringer
A Report from Broadland Housing was read to the meeting.
Both sites are progressing well internally and now moving onto external works, roads, driveways and landscaping. We are working towards a completion in Mid-May, all being well and with hopefully the end of the wet and cold weather.
We will be looking to host a formal opening ceremony at some point in the summer, after completion and when we have a better steer of a fixed completion date and residents have moved in. In advance of that we are looking at holding a pre-completion community event. This is an opportunity for us to come to the Village Hall late afternoon/early evening, with some site layouts and floor plans to show people what we have been doing but mainly to try and tease out and inform residents who would be eligible to bid for the new homes under a local connection and let them know about the advertising process etc. It is our intention to hold this event 09 April, from 4-7, however, is still tbc while we make final arrangements.
Cllr. Ringer continued: – Between practical completion and the first lettings taking place we will have an opportunity to invites local councillors to both sites to have a visit – again date tbc but I will give you good notice when we have a proposed/fixed date.
I will chase this up, I was hoping that someone from Smiths would have made contact to discuss directly but leave it with me to finalise.
In addition, please again accept my apologies for the parking over the last couple of weeks. I have informed site this is unacceptable in the strongest possible terms.
Wheatsheaf. The application for creating an Asset of Community Value has been withdrawn as the landlords have bought the freehold.
The meeting agreed that the withdrawal of the application should have been decided by the parish council. There should have been an emergency meeting called.
It was proposed by the chairman that the application should be re-submitted. This was seconded by Cllr. Barrass and agreed by the members present.
Cllr. Place reported on the meeting that was held to discuss road safety on the a148.
Present. Stefan Aquarone MP, (Chairman).
Sarah Taylor, the Police and Crime commissioner for Norfolk
Senior police officers and Norfolk County council highways department.
Representatives of most of the parish councils along the A148 were also present.
Sarah Taylor has 25 years in transport and engineering experience which led to a national role in road safety she is an advocate for the safe system approach to road safety which is good towards preventing road deaths and serious injury rather than waiting for an accident to occur and then doing something about it which is a more Pro preventative and proactive approach
Page 254
From East and West Beckham parish council attention was drawn to the speed on the road, the quieter the road the higher the speed of many vehicles.
Some people would sooner leave the village through Badham in preference to the Lodge Hill junction because of the lack of visibility and high speeds of oncoming traffic.
It was queried how the 40 mile limit in High Kelling was instigated at the wind farm site and yet nothing can be done elsewhere on the road.
Village bus services have been lost because of the reluctance of the drivers to cross the Sheringham Park junction.
It was formerly agreed a full review of road safety on a148 would take place and councillor Callum Ringer would keep all parties informed.
5. The minutes of the meeting held on Thursday 9th January 2025. having been previously circulated, it was proposed by Cllr. Batt that they be approved as correct. This was seconded by Cllr. Dovey and carried.
6. There were no Matters arising from the Minutes.
7. Information Commissioners Office. It was proposed by Cllr. Barrass that Beckham Parish Council should register with the Information Commissioners Office. This was seconded by Cllr.Dovey and approved.
The fee will be paid by direct debit.
8. Horsey 3 Community Fund. The committee met on Monday 3rd of February 2025
Present David Barris(chairman) Julia Dovey, Rosabelle Batt, John Stibbons.
Object. To take forward the application for funding from Horsey 3
After discussing the requirements needed for completing the application it was decided to consider two projects.
Playing field. The renewal of existing equipment apart from the swings bracket and the rock band. The addition of further items to include half children’s and half adult fitness equipment.
Allotments It was agreed that a community orchard and rewilding at the top of the allotments could be considered. The repair of the roadway would be necessary.
The notes from Grantscape detailing the requirements for completing the application stated:-
The projects need community support, and they must demonstrate a benefit to the community and have an environmental benefit
Costings are to be obtained before the next meeting.
9. Planning.
PF/24/1570 Camp Farm Building, Osier Lane, West Beckham Extension to commercial workshop to provide workspace and w/c on ground floor and first floor welfare space.
Full planning permission granted.
PO/23/2643 Land East of Williams Barn, Beckham Appeal against decision to refuse planning permission for erection of dwelling and car port
10. Bulletin.
11. Playing Field. The hedge on the roadside has been cut back to improve the vision splay from the affordable housing.
Page 255
12. Financial matters.
Bank Balances at 13/3/25: –
Current a/c £1857.08 Savings a/c £1793.27 Investment a/c £47607 + interest £175.30
There following invoices were approved and cheques signed.
Zurich Insurance£646.82
NALCSubscription£127.06
13. Correspondence The following correspondence was received:
Letter of thanks from Community Transport for donation.
N. Norfolk local plan. Consultation
Horsey 3 newsletter
Banking Hub. Holt
14. Matters for information only or for the next agenda.
A discussion on registering the East Beckham allotments, the West Beckham old allotments and the Nature area with the Land Registry. The costs and necessary information required are to be investigated and reported to the next meeting.
Cllr. Place reported that a large hole had appeared on the verge next to the nature area. A car has already grounded and needed to be recovered. Highways to be informed.
There being no further business the chairman closed the meeting at 8.57pm
The next meeting of Beckham Parish Council will be held on Thursday 8th May 2025