Beckham East and West Parish Council

Present.  

Cllrs. R. McNeil Wilson (chairman) G. Place,  K. Lord,  R. Batt, D. Barrass

    J.Stibbons (clerk)

The chairman opened the meeting at 7.31pm, 

1. Election of Chairman. It was proposed by Cllr. Lord that Cllr. Wilson should remain chairman for another term. This was seconded by Cllr. Batt and approved. The chairman then signed the acceptance of office.

2. Apologies  Cllr. J. Dovey,  Dist Cllr. M. Knowles.

3. Declarations of interest. Cllr. Batt declared an interest in item 9 (East Beckham disused churchyard).       Cllr. Wilson declared an interest in item 11 (Chestnut Trees)

4.  The minutes of the Parish Council meeting held on Thursday 8^th March 2018 having been previously circulated, it was proposed by Cllr. Place that they be accepted as correct. This was seconded by Cllr. Batt and approved by the members present.

The chairman then signed the minutes.

5.    Matters arising from the Minutes.  Cllr. Dovey will be the point of contact with the Felbeck Trust and keep the council informed of progress.

6   Reports There were no reports from the Police, County or District Councillors

7. Solar Community Fund Committee.(Report)

 The allotment track will need attention in the near future. The old bench has been replaced. 

Allotment uptake is much better. The entire West side is not taken and four plots on the East side  have been allocated for this years crops. There is a problem with Daffodils and trees on the East side and it may require a digger to remove the trees.

A water catchment scheme is being investigated. The chairman offered to provide a 1000 litre tank if the project went ahead.

A “Village Clean-up” had been arranged for 28^th April but due to very bad weather it had to be cancelled.

Another date will be set a little later in the year.

A suggestion box has been placed in the bus shelter and the household information sheet is to be reviewed.

8. West Beckham Village Sign The present sign is not correct and should be revised when a new one is produced. The church should have a round tower. Possibly the solar farm could also be included.

Four quotations for supply have been received. The design favoured by the members was for a double sided sign produced in cast aluminium. The quoted price was £5700+VAT and installation. This quote would be held until 9^th July. It would take approximately one year to complete. It was proposed by Cllr. Place that the aluminium sign should be ordered on the understanding that the final draft of the design be approved by the council. This was seconded by Cllr. Barrass and approved. Cllr. Lord will place the order.

9. East Beckham Churchyard. The churchyard shows up on the definitive map of registered common land but appears to be included in the adjoining land on the Land Registry map. This will be discussed at a further meeting.

10. Risk Assessment. A revised risk assessment was presented to the meeting. It was proposed by the chairman that this should be adopted for the Beckham Parish Council. This was seconded by Cllr. Lord and approved.  An annual re-appraisal will be carried out to ensure all items remain up-to-date.

11. Maintenance of the two Chestnut Trees at Chestnut Farm.  Both trees have a Tree Preservation Order on them. NCC highways suggested that they should be felled. A safety inspection was undertaken. The alternative to felling is to reduce the crown and remove dead wood. NCC highways then concluded that the trees were old boundary trees and  were not the responsibility of County Highways. It was suggested that the trees should become village property. No decisions will be made until the Safety inspection report has been scanned and circulated to all committee members. This item will be discussed further at the next parish council meeting.

12. General Data Protection Regulations. The terms of reference for the Beckham Data Protection committee was discussed. It was proposed by the chairman that these terms of reference should be adopted by the parish council. This was seconded by Cllr. Place and carried.

13. Financial matters.

Audit The Certificate of Exemption was approved by the members and signed by the chairman and Responsible Financial Officer.

The Annual Governance statement was agreed by the meeting and signed by the chairman.

The accounting statement was reviewed by the committee and approved. The chairman signed the accounting statement.

Bank Balances at 21/5/2018 Current a/c £2338.29  Savings a/c £6613.81

To approve the following payments and sign cheques.

Cheverton Printing £76

Internal Auditor Audit £30

NALC Subscription £132.75

J. Stibbons (clerk) Salary and expenses £578.45

H.M.R.C. P.A.Y.E. £122.80

14. Correspondence  New ward boundaries map was inspected by members

15. Matters for information or the next agenda.

The seat at Allotment Lane has been damaged beyond repair. An insurance claim will be made.

There being no further business the chairman closed the meeting at 9.32pm

Present.  

Cllrs. R. McNeil Wilson (chairman) G. Place,  K. Lord,  J. Dovey, R. Batt, 

    J.Stibbons (clerk)

The chairman opened the meeting at 7.34pm, 

1.   Apologies  Cllr. D. Barrass

2.   There were no declarations of interest. 

3.  The minutes of the Parish Council meeting held on Thursday 11^th January 2018 having been previously circulated, it was proposed by Cllr. Place that they be accepted as correct. This was seconded by Cllr. Dovey and approved by the members present.

The chairman then signed the minutes.

4.    Matters arising from the Minutes.

The pic-nic tables have not yet been placed on the common.

5   Any reports from the Police, County or District Councillors

Dist Cllr M. Knowles.  NNDC have levied the first increase in council tax for eight years. This will add £4.95 to a band D property. The budget for next year will show a small surplus but deficits could reach £2.8 million in 2021/22. Central government funding to Local Authorities will decrease to nil by 2021.

The current contract with KIER is due to expire in 2019. A new contract is being procured jointly with Breckland District Council. An analysis of black bag waste has determined that around 40% of that is food waste. It may be that food waste collections may be undertaken in the future. Waste collection is responsible for around one third of NNDC`s spend on services.

6. Solar Community Fund Committee.(Report)

The Felbeck Trust, which is a conservation group based at Aylmerton, have been working for three years, initally as part of the Concervation Volunteers. They work on an irregular basis when the work needs doing. and have a wide expertise in all branches of conservation. They would expect a donation and payment for any materials used.  A formal ten year agreement (which was presented to the meeting) would need to be signed to cover the volunteers for insurance. 

It was proposed by the chairman that the agreement should be signed but an annual review and control of expenditure would be needed. This proposal was seconded by Cllr.Lord and carried.  The chairman then signed the agreement. 

7. West Beckham Village Sign

One quotation has been received  for a replacement sign in cast Polyeurathane of £6950. Ouher quotes are awaited.

8. Safety Mirrors.

The Parish Council cannot supply safety mirrors because of safety regulations.  Mirrors are available for individuals to purchase and one supplier has quoted £115 for three mirrors.

9. To review and approve the updated Risk Management Scheme. Final revision to be approved at the Annual General  meeting.

10. To review the draft revised Standing Orders. To be approved at the May AGM

11. Financial matters.

Bank Balances at 11/1/2018 Current a/c £833.87  Savings a/c £6853.74

To approve the following payments and sign cheques

TCVClearance work£1080

Zurich MunicipalInsurance£460.95

ChevertonPrinting£85

12. Correspondence  None

13. Matters for information only or for the next agenda.

It was queried wether the disused Church Yard site at East Beckham was actually common land belonging to the parish.

It should be noted that the Annual Parish Meeting will be held on Monday 21st May at 7pm. Not on 3rd May as previously advertised This Annual Parish Meeting will be followed by the Parish Council AGM.

There being no further business the chairman closed the meeting at 9.21pm

Minutes of East and West Beckham Parish Council

Meeting Held on Thursday 11^th January 2018

Present.

Cllrs. R. McNeil Wilson (chairman) G. Place,  K. Lord,  J. Dovey, R. Batt, D. Barrass.

J.Stibbons (clerk)

The chairman opened the meeting at 7.34pm,

1.   Apologies  None

2.   There were no declarations of interest.

3.  The minutes of the Parish Council meeting held on Thursday 9^th November 2017 having been previously circulated, it was proposed by Cllr. Batt that they be accepted as correct. This was seconded by Cllr. Dovey and approved by the members present.

The chairman then signed the minutes.

4.    The Nectar mix has now been planted on the West Beckham allotment. It was suggested that the weeds should be topped when necessary. It was agreed to ask Mr Wilson to carry this out when required.

5 Report :- Dist Cllr M. Knowles Written report was read to the meeting. A copy is attached at the end of these minutes.

6. Solar Community Fund Committee. It was reported that the Daffodil bulbs donated by Mr. Wilson had been planted at the village gates and at the cemetery.

The bench has been put in place at the allotments and the pic-nic table is to be going on the common in the near future. TCV is cutting back on the common.

Another volunteer group is to be approached to consider doing some of the work as they are local, which should reduce costs.

The Christmas bus service was successful.

7. Defibrillators  These should be installed within the next week.

8. Village Sign.  Quotations are to be obtained for a replacement sign keeping the design mainly the same.

9. General Data Protection Regulations. (GDPA) It was decided to discuss this subject further when more information was available.

10. Review of Risk Management and standing orders. These were to be finally updated over the next few months in line with the GDPA.

11. Finances. Bank balances at 11/1/2018  Current a/c £1219.07  Savings a/c £7993.74

The completed cash book, which was made up to 11 November 2018, was examined by the councillors

The following cheques were approved and signed:-

No. 100503 J. Stibbons Clerks salary and expenses £547.98

No. 100504 HMRC PAYE £115.24

12. Correspondence.  Information update on the Horsey project 3

There being no further business the chairman closed the meeting at 8.53pm

Page 163

Report from Dist Cllr. M. Knowles, read to the meeting

Police Budget

A motion was passed at the December meeting of NNDC that the Council considers setting aside a sum of £200,000 to go to bolster the Police budget and that this money is used to provide a number of PCSO’s specifically for the North Norfolk District. No doubt the Police and Crime Commissioner would welcome the contribution – the Government has increased the precept limit, but it may not be enough to give the Police Authority sufficient funds to meet their needs. The consultation goes on and when the Police Crime Panel meet again on 22nd January, the Commissioner will give his thoughts and members of the Panel can discuss.

Coast

During this past Holiday period, the Coastal and Assets teams at NNDC have worked very hard to repair storm damage along the coast and the Duty Officers were busy on call to a variety of matters, including the fire at the Fakenham Connect building.  They must be congratulated for an excellent job.

Splash, Sheringham

On 19th December, NNDC voted in favour of proceeding with the re-provisioning the Splash with a modern state of the art facility. This approval was made subject to external funding being in place. The provisional funding is made up of part land disposal, a Sport England grant; capital receipts/reserves of NNDC, and borrowing. The success of this project will depend upon achieving these different elements. It is very good that we have got so far but getting to completion will require even more very hard work and close cooperation among everyone involved.

The Council will also be working to procure a new leisure leisure contract for the management of Splash and the other facilities covered by this contract.

Council Tax Discounts

NNDC members voted in December to end the discount previously given to second home owners. Councillors remain very conscious of concerns over the high number of second homes in North Norfolk and the change enables a council tax charge for a second home to be aligned to that of a main or sole residence.

At present the County Council returns some of the council tax income it receives from second homes to NNDC and the discount enabled those second homes to be identified.  That second homes tax ‘return’ goes into the Big Society fund, which in turn gives out grants across the District. The use of this ‘second homes money’ (which is, in fact, just another part of the tax take) has been the subject of much discussion and focus, including the Forum asking for a senior level meeting at NCC last year. However, given the current economic issues facing councils, it is felt unlikely that NCC will continue to give NNDC this “refund” for much longer.

Pedestrianisation – Sheringham

There has been a further meeting of the Working Group to finalise the project plan to help progress the trials, scheduled for 5 weekends over April, August and December 2018. Updates and FAQs will be published in the Sheringham Independent between now and the April trial.

Economic Development

(1) There will be a ‘Coffee means Business’ monthly networking event hosted by NNDC’s contractor Genix on 16th January from 9 30 am at Northrepps Cottage. Details at:  www. genix.org.uk

(2) NWES, in conjunction with NNDC, are running a free training event to support local businesses with their customer service training needs. This workshop is aimed at businesses that interact with customers either face to face or via the telephone. There will also be information on how to apply for a range of business grants within the region

The training will be at NNDC offices on 31st January 2.30-5.30. To book a free place, businesses should email:  [email protected]

Planning 

A flurry of Planning Applications has appeared after the holiday period. Happily, there will be some new planning officers coming along to NNDC after months of advertising, which should ease the lot of the present, overworked, team.

And finally, Politics….

Your members will be aware of the number of defections from the Conservative Group at NNDC, and we now have a sizeable “Independent” group within the Council’s make-up. Whilst I can only assume there will be further developments on this particular front, I would like to assure your members that in terms of the day-to-day workings of NNDC, all is well – we have a dedicated team of senior officers and NNDC is regarded very highly amongst its peers as an efficient, well-run body.

Mike Knowles District Councillor – Chaucer Ward.

Present.

Cllrs. R. McNeil Wilson (chairman) G. Place,  K. Lord,  J. Dovey, R. Batt, D. Barrass.

J.Stibbons (clerk)

The chairman opened the meeting at 7.34pm,

1.  Apologies  None

2.  There were no declarations of interest.

3.  The minutes of the Parish Council meeting held on Thursday14^th September 2017 having been previously circulated, it was proposed by Cllr.Place that they be accepted as correct. This was seconded by Cllr. Dovey and approved by the members present.

The chairman then signed the minutes.

4.  There were no matters arising from the Minutes.

5.  Report :- Dist Cllr M. Knowles

NNDC Finances. Budget forecasts: 2017/18 There will be a small surplus in 2017/18 and 2018/19, but the pending national pay award could introduce an additional £450k in staff salaries which has not been accounted for.

2019/20 The potential deficit for 2019/20 is £1.2million and £2.3 million in 2020/21

If council tax were to increased by £5 per household, the effect would be to reduce those deficits by c. £600k.

The return of second homes Council Tax is in question and the total removal of central Government Rate Support Grant still seems to be planned.

The position is not as dire as the figures might suggest. The average balance invested during 2017 was £40million with an interest yielded of about £1million.

Police. All 150 PCSO’s under threat of redundancy by March 2018, Plans are to replace them with 96 warranted officers. Cromer Division currently has 40 officers.

Sheringham Splash Complex/Cromer Tennis Club. Initial proposal are to rebuild Splash with a more modern pool,  part funded by a small hotel development on the same site. Ongoing Initial proposal are to construct indoor court complex.

6.   Solar Community Fund Committee.

The proposed costings for the woodland management were circulated to the meeting.

There has been a successful distribution of the bird and bat boxes.

Quotes are being obtained to repair the track on the allotments, present quotations are

between £7500 and £9000. It was pointed out that there is only £7900 left in the account

until the next grant from Hall Solar which was not due until October 2018.

The meeting agreed that a cash reserve should be maintained.

It was noted that the cost of the Mini-bus for Christmas shopping was £90.

7.  Amalgamation of SCFC and Parish Council.

It was proposed by Cllr. Dovey  that the Solar Committee (SCFC) should continue to meet

but on alternate months when there was no parish council meetings. This was seconded

by Cllr. Lord and approved.

Page 161

8.  Defibrillators.  Two semi-automatic Defibrillators in stainless steel cases have been

ordered at a cost of £790 plus the Lottery Grant of £3900  bringing the total to £4690+VAT

This price includes the following:- Cardiac Arrest Response Seminar.  Webnos governance

system,  Post event counselling,  AED signage pack (X4),  and Personal safety kit,

9. Allotment Rents. The allotment rents have been the same for many years and it was proposed by Cllr. Wilson that they should be increased to £20 per plot for residents and £40 for tenants living outside the parish. This was seconded by Cllr. Barrass and approved. The new rents to take effect from October 2018.

10. Village Sign  The West Beckham village sign is in very poor condition and an

estimated cost of repair/replacement is £5000.  This item is to be discussed further at a

later meeting.

11. Playing Field

The gate post has rotted and instructions were given for it to be replaced.

12. Financial matters.

Bank Balances at 9/11/2017 Current a/c £9097.58  Savings a/c £18592.74

To approve the following payments and sign cheques:-

TCV Management plan £360

Community Heartbeat Defibrillators £5628

J. Stibbons Salary/expenses £497.87

HMRC PAYE £102.72

13. Clerks salary review. As the clerks salary had not been reviewed for several years.It

was proposed by the chairman that it should be raised to £10.50 per hour. This was

seconded by Cllr. Dovey and approved.

14.  Budgets 2018-19  After discussion, it was proposed by the Chairman that the

budget for 2018-19, as presented to the meeting, should be adopted. This was seconded

by Cllr. Lord and approved.

This included approval to set the precept at £3300 for the coming year.

15.  Planning Ref. PF/17/1773  At Last, Sheringham Road, West Beckham.

The parish council have no objection to this application.

16.  Correspondence None

17.  There being no further business the chairman closed the meeting at 9.55pm

Present.  

Cllrs. R. McNeil Wilson (chairman) G. Place,  K. Lord,  J. Dovey, R. Batt, D. Barrass.

J.Stibbons (clerk)

The chairman opened the meeting at 7.34pm,

1.    Apologies  Dist Cllr. M. Knowles,

The meeting was informed that Cllr.A. Sweeney had resigned from the council due to ill health. The chairman, on behalf of all the councillors, thanked Mrs. Sweeney for all her help and support during her time as a council member.

2.    Declarations of interest. Cllr.Place declared an interest in item 8b (planning)

3.    To approve the minutes of the Parish Council meeting held on Thursday13^th July 2017 having been previously circulated. The following corrections were made and initialled by the chairman and clerk.

Item 7 the word viability was replaced with visibility.

Item 8 inserted after “the pillars are to be of flint” add “and wider apart”

Item 10 the quotation should read £3367.

After these corrections had been inserted the chairman signed the minutes.

4. Matters arising from the minutes.

Item 7 – Allotment rents are to be reviewed. Tenants who are not resident of the parish will more than residents

Item 9 – it was noted that the quotation from N. Thompson had been raised considerably.

Item 10 – three quotations should be available before expenditure can be approved.

but the proposed work had been approved at the July meeting.

Item 12 – A fitment had been placed at the top of the swings to stop Pigeons roosting.

5. Reports. (Dist. Cllr. M. Knowles)

The green build event at Felbrigg was a major success.

There seems to be a potential to begin a concerted effort to get a roundabout at the top of Holloway road along the lines of the one at Felbrigg, but that will be a long time in coming.

In the latest news of the forthcoming district plan, it appears that Beckham has some fairly substantial swathes of land that may be considered for development, although currently classified as “more constrained” so perhaps will not be considered going forward. The draft plan, once completed, will go out for consultation, so it is a way off yet. But it is as well to be aware.

6. Defibrillators. There has been some hold-up in obtaining permission to use the telephone box at West Beckham and the proposed site at East Beckham is under review as an alternative may have to be found.

7. Parish Plan (phase 2)  It was decided not to pursue a formal Parish Plan as the parish was not large enough and there appeared to be no advantages to a Parish.

8.(a) Solar Community Fund Committee (Report)

The latest Beckham Bulletin gives an up-to-date picture of activities.

The chairman congratulated Kathryn Lord, the secretary of the SCFC on the excellent news letter. This was agreed by all the members present.

8.(b) Planning. PF/17/1372 Erection of rear extension, raised roof height, insertion of velux windows and bay window to front elevation at –  At Last, Sheringham Road, West Beckham.

Beckham parish council objects to this application. The proposal is not commensurate with the size of the plot. The NNDC framework item 3.6.1 (existing buildings) states that the effect of the extension will have to be in character and appearance of the host property and on the amenities of any neighbouring properties.

This proposed plan is virtually a rebuild and is totally out of character with existing properties which all have a roof pitch facing the road where on the proposed development the gable end faces the road.

Beckham parish council would like this application to be discussed by the planning committee.

9. Financial matters.

The Audit for 2016-2017 is now complete and signed off.

Bank Balances at 11/9/2017 Current a/c £2452.27  Savings a/c £18592.74

The following payments were approved and sign cheques:-

Mazars Audit £150

TCVGroundwork£1080

ChevertonsPrinting£80

E. BoydellTree surgery£100

J. StibbonsSalary/expenses£504.67

HMRCPAYE£103.60

.

A letter to Barclays Bank for transfer of funds  of £11288 was signed to cover expenditure  incurred to date

by the Solar Fund.

10. Correspondence

Playdale

CAB appeal for funds

11. Matters for information only or for the next agenda.

There being no further business the chairman closed the meeting at 9.50pm

Present.  

Cllrs. R. Wilson,(chairman)  A. Sweeney K. Lord, G. Place,

County Cllr. S. Butikofer  Mrs. R. Batt.   J.Stibbons (clerk)

The chairman opened the meeting at 7.32pm,

1.    Apologies  Cllr. J. Dovey Dist Cllrs. M. Knowles,

2.   To elect a chairman for the year. It was proposed by cllr. Lord that Cllr. Wilson be asked to remain as chairman. This was seconded by Cllr. Sweeney and carried.

It was proposed by Cllr Wilson that Cllr Place be elected vice-chairman. This was seconded by Cllr. Sweeney and approved.

Mrs. Rosabelle Batt has indicated her interest in becoming a parish councillor to fill the vacancy left by the late Mr. R. Moreton.  Mrs. Batt was invited to join the council.

3.    To receive declarations of interest.

Cllrs. Sweeney and Lord declared an interest in item 6.  It was noted that a dispensation

could be granted to allow council members who are also on the Solar Committee to vote

on this item.

4.    The minutes of the Parish Council meeting held on Thursday 9^th March 2017 having been previously circulated, it was proposed by Cllr. Sweeney that they be accepted as correct. This was seconded by Cllr. Place and approved by the members present.

The chairman then signed the minutes.

5.    Matters arising from the minutes. The bench has been installed in the Nature Area and the one in the bus shelter is being installed when the fixings are finished.

6   Any reports from the Police, County or District Councillors

County Cllr. S. Botikofer. As she was recently elected she has been in training sessions. The first full council meeting will be on the following Monday. She will attend Parish Council meetings and help in any way she can.

7. Financial matters.

To approve the accounts of 2016/2017 for audit. There were no comments from the internal auditor. After answering all the questions in Section 2 of the Annual Return and approving the accounting statement the return was duly signed.

Bank Balances at 30/3/2016 Current a/c £10712.87  Savings a/c £18592.74

The following invoices were approved and cheques signed:-

TCV Maintenance £720

NALC Subscription £101.14

J. Stibbons Salary/expenses £506.75

HMRC PAYE deduction £102.60

S. Thurtle Grass cutting £180

Page 155

8. Planning The Pylons, Osier Lane. Permit removal of Agricultural occupancy restriction.

9. Solar Community Fund Committee.  The bus service is still under discussion.

The Bus shelter has been painted.  A design for the gates at the churchyard is under discussion. A

wider entrance will be provided and it was felt that flint gateposts would be more in keeping that the

brick posts suggested.;

Cllr. Lord proposed that three more days work by the TCV should be arranged for early autumn.

This was seconded by the chairman and approved. Cllr. Wilson will also provide some daffodil

bulbs to go round the village gates.

It was agreed to allocate up to £5500 for the play equipment after the second quotation was

received .It was suggested that the new swings, proposed for the play area should have metal bases for the posts to allow for strimming.

It was agreed to spend up to £100 for a notice board in the bus shelter.

It was agreed to purchase of two defibrillators in July, after all the quotes were received.

10. Correspondence

• Electoral review – final recommendations
• Coasthopper time tables

11. Matters for information only or for the next agenda.

It was noted that the annual inspection of the play equipment by ROSPA would take place in early June.

There being no further business the chairman closed the meeting at 9.26pm