RUNTON PARISH COUNCIL MINUTES OF A MEETING HELD BY THE ABOVE ON 25TH JULY 2023 AT THE READING ROOM EAST RUNTON COMMENCING AT 7.15 PM.
PRESENT:
Councillors: Ms. C. Davidson – Chair. Mr. S. Gurney – Vice Chair.
Mr. R. Annis, Mr. G. Baker, Ms. A. Debacker, Ms. T. Edwards, Mr. C. Hawkins, Mr. K. Jonas, Mr. M. Lerego, Mrs. B. Memish, Mr. P. Nichols, Mr. R. Smith.
Ms. B. Emery – Clerk. Also present: Ms. K. Toye (NNDC). One member of the public.
23/107. TO AGREE OPEN SESSION FOR PARISHIONERS/GUEST SPEAKERS
Open session agreed. One parishioner expressed concern over a personal dispute. The Chair explained that the Parish Council has no powers to engage in personal matters and went on to clarify that if it involved a councillor, then it must be referred to the Standards Committee through the Distict Council, or if it involved the clerk then it could be dealt with in house. There was also a correct procedure to follow on a form which was available to all.
Cllr. Kim Toye gave a short report from NNDC: Mobile libraries in Runton are inline to be cut. Answered a question about the shelter at West Runton beach and confirmed that it was the property of NNDC. New recycling centre proposed for Sheringham has been delayed. Cllr. Toye will be holding a surgery at West Runton Church Hall. A question was asked about any further information about the owner of the car wash on Cromer Road. WR, but no further info. The Clerk asked if anything could be done about a sewage smell emanating from Moyes Close caravan park. It was being reported. Cllr. Gurney asked about a sign to indicate the toilets in Beach Road ER. The sign was not readable and needed replacement. Cllr. Annis asked if the issue of the toilets being replaced in WR have been resolved and the answer was negative.
23/108. TO RECEIVE AND ACCEPT APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE
None.
23/109. TO RECEIVE ANY DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST IN FORTHCOMING ITEMS
None.
23/110. TO AGREE THE MINUTES OF MEETING HELD 27TH JUNE 2023 no discussion to take place on the Minutes except for their accuracy.
The above minutes having been circulated were agreed by all as a true record and signed by the Chair.
23/111. MATTERS ARISING for information or queries only.
No queries.
23/112. CLERK’S REPORT for information only.
To hear update on “Trod” being implemented under the PPB: Having checked with Highways Engineer on 11th July was told that it should be implemented by the end of August.
Footpath alongside Clifton Park had now been registered as a footpath and it has been signed.
The PC was asked also for their support if the “Runton Gap” land could be designated as a wildlife area. English Nature were inspecting it. Cllr. Jonas suggested that PC should lend weight to the effort. The Clerk also reported that the Playing Field lease was with the solicitors and no further report.
23/113. PLANNING
WR. At 3, Golf Close – extension – approved by NNDC.
Consider:
Ref: PF/23/1337 Quorn Cottage Church lane WR – extension etc.
Ref: PF/23/1355 Broadband cabinet playing field application.
Ref: RV/23/1476 Foxgloves ER. Variation of condition.
Ref: CL/23/1459 Land at Thains Lane – lawful certificate application. No comments requested.
Ref: PF/23/1345 Solar panels for Banville Barn ER.
Ref: PU/23/1512 Pepperpot WR. pre planning request to determine if permission required to change from commercial to dwelling.
The above all sent by email to councillors and there were no objections to any.
23/114. TO DISCUSS COMMUNICATIONS
Cllr. Memish: In addition to the website, notice boards and newsletter, suggested that social media could be used more to inform residents of the general work done by the PC. There was a general agreement that this is the way forward. After discussion, the Chair asked if councillors were willing to work with Cllr. Memish and bring ideas for discussion. Cllr. Baker is attending an online course about Digital Engagement in September and the result could work with others towards a presentation for the October meeting. Cllr. Smith suggested a public consultation.
23/115. ALLOTMENTS
To hear an Inspection report. Done on 11th July on all sites. Some tenants will get letters about neglected plots and misuse of the land. The Clerk would be given a list. The tree and hedge work on Moyes had been finished. A draft of a lease for plots at Wyndham Park had been circulated. The Chair indicated that it would need more work or a short amenity land lease could be sought. Cllr. Annis suggested that PC should decide if this was the way forward and asked if there was a pro forma lease. There was much discussion. The Clerk would investigate a lease. A terms of reference was produced and would be discussed with the Clerk.
23/116. TO HEAR AND CONSIDER A QUOTE FOR REPAIR TO LUGGER STILE WALL
Repairs to the wall had been agreed some time ago and some parts had been done. This estimate is for further work: Estimate: £4,000.00 (four thousand pounds) including foundations if needed after inspection. £3,200.00 (three thousand two hundred pounds) excluding new foundations.
It was proposed by Cllr. Gurney seconded by Cllr. Hawkins and agreed that the estimates be accepted.
23/117. TO DISCUSS AND CONSIDER FOOTPATH ADOPTERS
(Councillors to each take on and Walk a footpath to check condition and report) List provided by Clerk. this was discussed and Councillors agreed to take on paths and names were allocated.
Also general cutting in connection with NCC. Cllr. Smith reported on work that he’s done with other councils and has worked to a NCC proforma form and their cutting regime is altered according to the results sent in. RPC has never heard of this. The Clerk had been in touch with Sarah Price and this “proforma” was not mentioned. However there is a possibility that we could resurrect the regime we had years ago for us to cut paths and get a remuneration for it. Cllr. Smith
will obtain a copy of this form for RPC. Cllr. Baker suggest that the OS map can be used.
23/118. COMMONS – TO CONSIDER POSTS FOR COMMON IN FRONT OF “HOLE IN ONE”.
Cllr. Davidson reported that there are problems of parking on this common and caravans waiting there before they are allowed to enter the caravan site. After discussion it was agreed that a quote would be obtained to put some posts in to stop parking there.
ALSO UPDATE ON GRANT (Chair) A walk around on the commons will be held on 4th August on both West and East Runton commons with our consultant and with Norfolk Wildlife Trust representative. The grant has been officially signed off. Cllr. Davidson asked if we can progress with expenditure of £145.00 for the searches involved.
EAST RUNTON: TO CONSIDER SAFETY REPORT ON PLAY EQUIPMENT. RoSPA.
A report received flagged up some issues on the play equipment. The Clerk highlighted the parts which were mentioned as needing attention.
Cllr. Gurney has contacted NGF Play to obtain costs of replacement swings and will investigate grants.
Options are to replace or repair one part or all. Cllr. Gurney will bring findings to the September meeting.
23/119. TO CONSIDER A REQUEST FROM HOLY TRINITY CHURCH FOR A REGULAR ANNUAL DONATION.
The above was discussed. It was agreed that a regular donation without being asked each time was not ethical and in public interest as any requests for donations would need to be considered with regard to the annual budget. It was agreed to give £600.00 this year to Holy Trinity Church as requested for help for the upkeep of the graveyard, but with a request that it be applied for each year and a reason given. Proposed Cllr. Annis seconded Cllr. Jonas.
23/120. TO HEAR FURTHER REPORT OR QUOTE FOR CCTV IN READING ROOM
Cllr. Baker: Having researched the business of CCTV cameras for the safety of the people who use the Reading Room, has some cameras and a simple system which can be used and would trial these with a view to installation with a cloud account. The trial would be for two or three months and was agreed that Cllr. Baker should go ahead with signing RPC up for the subscription.
There was concern that sound would be picked up but it was confirmed that sound can be disabled.
23/121. PLAYING FIELD – report of meeting if available (Cllr. Jonas).
Cllr. Jonas explained for new members what the Playing Field was used for and by whom. The bank details have been updated and some regular jobs are being done to the pavilion and looking into developing the toilets into disabled friendly.
23/122. ANY UPDATES ON WORK NEEDED ON NOTICE BOARDS (Cllr. Gurney)
Cllr. Gurney has put some temporary boards in the History Society board, but the Clerk explained that the History Society board belongs to the Society and they would repair it.
It was confirmed that the footpath map board belonged to the Coastal Path people of NCC and was in poor condition.
17. FINANCE
ii. Income None this month.
iv. Invoices to agree for payment
npower Street lighting elec £86.26 NALC Training for councillor £36.00 TT Jones Street lighting maintenance/repair £342.10 Chevertons Newsletter £220.00 (Norfolk A2Z) Website charge annual plus work £155.00 Viking Direct Two “A” boards for displays £304.80 Dr. Stump Tree and hedge work £3,480.00 RoSPA Playsafety Inspection play equipment/report £126.00 NALC Training for councillor £39.22 B. Emery Salary £1,142.50 HMRC Tax and NI month end 5th August £298.41 Ben Darling Commons Footpaths 2 months £460.00 Manor Farm ER Hedgecutting £63.00 Adam Jones Greens Common bracken cut £210.00 Beverly Memish Items related to Allotment show £244.97 The above were all agreed.
The allotment show came within budget as agreed last year. It would be agreed again next time.
v. TO HEAR A REPORT FROM INTERNAL CONTROL OFFICER Cllr. Smith.
Cllr. Smith had researched the role of Internal control officer. The role is to show parishioners that money is being spent in the correct way. Cllr. Smith would like to see all invoices in parish council
It would benefit our bank account if some of the capital could be moved into a high interest account. It was agreed that the Clerk would work with Cllr. Smith to find better interests.
23/123. CORRESPONDENCE FOR INTEREST not dealt with above.
None.
23/124. MEMBERS REPORTS for information only not included above.
Cllr. Gurney has been researching costs for rotovating the ground at Moyes Close with a view to installing a communal garden. This has not been decided yet by the parish council but would be on an agenda to decide what actually this area will become and how to pursue it as various options have been put forward in the past.
Cllr. Nichols on behalf of a parishioner about the footpath along the golf course is in a poor state.
Some discussion took place. The Clerk has contacted the Links and a local landowner also has been contacted. The path is not one which the parish council cut. Cllr. Nichols also reported concerns about the position of the new bench on Top Common as it is a wet area. Discussion took place on that.
Cllr. Jonas asked that Mill Lane verge could be cut. Manor Farm will do a cut.
Cllr. Smith offered to check the path up to the allotments.
Cllr. Annis reported that a brass band had been booked for the Christmas event at West Runton and the date would be 9th December.
Cllr. Edwards asked if there could be a sign to point dog walkers to the waste bin across the road.
Cllr. Gurney offered to cut the bracken obscuring the said dog waste bin.
Cllr. Memish had been asked if WR Station adopters could be supported by letter to ask if trains stopping at West Runton Station on each run on Sundays, could be reintroduced, instead of every other run. The letter would be sent.
Cllr. Gurney asked if Neighbourhood Plan could be on the next agenda.
23/125. TO CONFIRM, DATE TIME AND PLACE OF NEXT MEETING.
September 26th West Runton Church Hall 7:15pm.
Signed S. Gurney Chair Date 26 Sep 2023