RUNTON PARISH COUNCIL Draft. MINUTES OF A MEETING HELD BY THE ABOVE ON 26TH SEPTEMBER 2023 AT WEST RUNTON CHURCH HALL COMMENCING AT 7.15 PM.
PRESENT:
Cllr. S. Gurney – In the Chair. Cllr. C. Hawkins, Cllr. R. Smith, Cllr. B. Memish, Cllr. A. Debacker, Cllr. M. Lerego, Cllr. P. Nichols, Cllr. G. Baker.
The Clerk Ms. B. Emery. Two members of the public.
23/126. TO AGREE OPEN SESSION FOR PARISHIONERS/GUEST SPEAKERS BY
INVITATION FROM THE CHAIRMAN
Members of the public spoke of their concern for the safety in West Runton street. A
group is being formed to liaise with the Parish Council who are furthering their
communications to get a scheme implemented by Highways. The details of this was
outlined by the Chairman. The group would be kept informed.
23/127. TO RECEIVE AND ACCEPT APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE
Cllr. Annis, Cllr. Edwards, Cllr. Jonas and Cllr. Davidson. Reasons given and accepted.
NCC Cllr. E. Vardy and NNDC Cllr. K. Toye also tendered apologies.
23/128. TO RECEIVE ANY DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST IN FORTHCOMING
ITEMS
Cllr. Debacker declared an interest in Planning PF/23/0333
23/129. TO AGREE THE MINUTES OF MEETING HELD 25th JULY 2023.
The above having been circulated previously were agreed as a true record of what took
place and signed by the Chairman.
23/130. MATTERS ARISING
None to report
23/131. CLERKS REPORT
Windows are installed in Reading Room. Had a visit from planning dept to check because of conservation area. We were informed before that planning not needed because they were the same. A photo had been sent as requested of the originals.
Parishioner has again complained about the large puddle of water on ER common. It has been explained that the Parish Council have no powers to do anything.
A parishioner asked for a street lamp to be installed on Lower Common north of the bridges. The Parish Council are concerned with conserving energy, therefore no more street lamps would be considered at this time.
23/132. PLANNING
PF/23/1568 – 28th July Conversion of garage, raising roof for accommodation. at Squirrel Copse East Runton – No objections
PF/23/1596 – 1st August Several major alterations and upgrades at Camping & Caravan Club Holgate Lane West Runton. No comments made except that dog waste bins were needed.
PF/23/1599 – 3rd August Single storey extensions to front and rear of dwelling, replacement of external materials and windows. at Briarwood, East Runton. No objections.
PF/23/1630 – 4th August Single storey side and rear extension alteration to roof to provide accommodation external alterations and garage. at The Nook West Runton. No objections.
Original Ref: PF/21/0694 The Links Hotel West Runton – appeal dismissed.
PF/23/0333, new Dwelling at The Stance Water Lane West Runton – previously no objections. Some discussion and the comment remains the same.
23/133. COMMONS/PONDS/PURCHASE OF RAKES FOR POND WORK AT WR
Rakes will be purchased with today’s cheque signed. Agreed by all.
Commons have been cut and Anglian Water is soon to be changing the switch on the borehole to allow water to fill the Spring Pond as reported by Cllr. Debacker. Cllr. Davidson will update when she is back in October. Cllr. Debacker also reported that some Himalayan Balsam has been cleared from the Spring Pond. Top common East Runton pond needs attention, also Lower common pond.
A contractor does some clearance for us in autumn.
23/134. ALLOTMENTS CHECK OR REPORT
Letters have been sent to offending tenants. Notice to Quit sent and placed on plot 8 Lugger. This plot and one other will now be re-let. The allotment group would check up on other plots previously deemed untidy.
23/135. TO CONSIDER REPLACEMENT OF SWING SET AND HEAR QUOTES
The need for new swings was discussed and two quotes have been obtained. One more will be sought and registration has taken place for a grant initially. Cllr. Nichols offered details of another local company. Cllr. Smith asked if a path to the play area could be laid to enable access to a possible installation of equipment for disabled. This was thought not possible as it is common land.
It was agreed that replacement should take place with funding if possible. Two flat seats and two cradle seats. The Clerk advised that to apply for funding we need to have all quotes and details to hand.
23/136. TO HEAR A REPORT OF THE INSTALLATION OF CCTV AT READING ROOM
Cllr. Baker, had installed the “Ring” system, was monitoring it at the moment and explained the operation. It was agreed that it is an acceptable form of CCTV. An account would need setting up for the Parish Council to take this forward costing approximately £80.00 per annum. It was agreed to make the system permanent. Cllr. Baker offered to donate the cameras. When online banking was set up this could be implemented. This was being done with the bank as soon as it can be put in place.
23/137. TO CONSIDER INITIAL STEP TOWARDS A NEIGHBOURHOOD PLAN
Cllr. Gurney was interested in taking a plan forward and explained that it was a long term
operation which would involve mostly parishioners with the Parish Council as the
responsible body. Cllr. Baker had a sample of a Neighbourhood Plan and read out a
paragraph. After some discussion it was generally accepted to look into a plan
initially. The Clerk advised that some training is obtainable from time to time with NALC.
23/138. TO AGREE DISPENSATION TO ALLOW COUNCILLORS TO VOTE ON PRECEPT
The Clerk explained why the above is necessary as all councillors as tax payers would have pecuniary interests in the amount of precept set. This dispensation is renewed every three years and at an election. It was agreed to accept the dispensation and it was signed by the Chairman. Proposed by Cllr. Nichols, seconded by Cllr. Hawkins.
23/139. TO AGREE THE HIRE OF THE MARQUEE AND APPROVE HIRE AGREEMENT
The Clerk had produced a simple hire agreement in case anyone asked to hire the marquee. The agreement had been circulated and accepted as a usable document.
23/140. TO SET UP A WORKING GROUP TO OVERSEE COMMUNICATIONS WITH
HIGHWAYS REGARDING THE WEST RUNTON TRAFFIC CALMING MEASURES
Cllr. Annis had offered to be part of the group. Others appointed were, Cllr. Gurney, Cllr. Memish and Cllr. Davidson as Chair. Agreed.
23/141. FINANCE
AUGUST
i. Income: Received £100.00 being wayleave from UK powernetworks
ii. Direct Debits paid:
Unicom water for allotments £122.50
Unicom for Tel/Broadband/Reading Room Elec £49.17
npower – street lighting electricity £88.32
iii. August Invoices retrospective agreement
Beverly Memish reimbursement for RAGS £244.97
Kevin Richardson – commons/playing field £962.00
NALC training £201.60
Ben Darling – footpaths/commons £330.00
Barbara Emery – salary £1142.50
HMRC – tax/NI £298.41
SEPTEMBER
i. Income – none to report
ii. Direct Debits paid
Unicom – Tel/Broadband £118.38
npower Street lighting electricity £87.56
Unicom – water on allotments £118.51
iii. Invoices to agree September
Toolstore for rakes £360.00
North Norfolk Plastics – windows £2178.22
Ben Darling – Commons £180.00
NCC – data request – regarding grant £174.00
NNDC dog waste and general waste bins £3123.12
Barbara Emery – salary £1146.46
HMRC Tax/NI £298.61
RG Brownsell – Lugger wall repairs £3563.82
Kevin Richardson commons/playing field £728.00
PKF Littlejohn – External audit £378.00
SLCC – subs £187.00
Beverly Memish – reimbursement RAGS £68.42 items for event
Above all accepted and agreed.
23/142. CORRESPONDENCE
Parishioners complaint of noise nuisance. Clerk directed him to NNDC.
Parishioners complaint of having trouble with Beach Road car park. Clerk directed them to the owner.
23/143. MEMBERS REPORTS
Cllr. Nichols reported that some wire from a fence has impeded the cutting of the vegetation along the bridleway/footpath around Incleborough on the Links Hotel side of the path towards the fork.
Cllr. Nichols and Cllr. Gurney would have a look to see if the wire could be removed.
Cllr. Memish expressed thanks that the problem with coaches parking for people to alight close to Boulevard road, has been dealt with. The Clerk had spoken to the police who had liaised with the coach company requesting that they are mindful of the junction when stopping there.
Also there had been a complaint about pampas grass impeding vision at the junction Rosebery Rd/A149. It had been looked at and the grass was back far enough not to be a problem.
Cllr. Memish announced the next Councillor Surgery at West Runton on Friday October 6th and asked for volunteers. Cllr. Smith will attend. Next on on November 7th, at East Runton.
Cllr. Debacker – reports that the West Runton sign in Sandy Lane is not visible enough. Plus the vegetation on Station Rd WR overhanging the road.
Cllr. Smith has studied crime figures and revealed 12 crimes for Runton eg; 5 in WR, 4 in ER in July and has asked for a review of figures as many crimes are unreported.
Cllr. Smith has also looked at investments and has found the best at 6% but will see if rates improve.
23/144. TO CONFIRM DATE TIME AND PLACE OF NEXT MEETING
Confirmed as Tuesday 24th October 2023 at East Runton Reading Room.
The meeting closed 9:00 PM.
Signed Chairman Date