RUNTON PARISH COUNCIL MINUTES OF A MEETING HELD BY THE ABOVE ON WEST RUNTON CHURCH HALL 28TH NOVEMBER 2023 COMMENCING AT 7.15 PM.

PRESENT:

Councillors: Ms. C. Davidson – Chair. Mr. S. Gurney – Vice Chair.
Mr. R Annis, Ms. T. Edwards, Ms. Debacker, Mr. C. Hawkins, Mr. K. Jonas, Mr. M. Lerego, Mrs. B. Memish, Mr. P. Nichols.
The Clerk Barbara Emery. Cllr. K. Toye for NNDC. One member of the public.

23/160. TO AGREE OPEN SESSION FOR PARISHIONERS/GUEST SPEAKERS BY
INVITATION FROM THE CHAIRMAN

Cllr. Toye gave a report from NNDC and spoke about meeting with the action group for
West Runton road safety. The Local Plan had been submitted. Also spoke about finance
policies and the latest Finance Review.
Cllr. Annis asked if the reasons for the temporary structure at the Links having been
allowed to stay there until August 2024, could be confirmed.
Cllr. Davidson asked if anything was known about the drainage ditch filled in by the Links,
in preparation for possible lodges being built, permission for which is refused. This is
possibly an important wildlife site for amphibians and toads and may compromise the flow
of water into the Retting Pit. Cllr. Gurney asked if the matter of surface water not draining
in Greens Lane could be looked at. The above matters would be looked into.
Cllr. Davidson asked if, when the Local Plan is considered, the Clerk be informed of any
issues which may affect Runton.

23/161. TO RECEIVE AND ACCEPT APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE

Cllr. Smith, Cllr. Baker. Also Cllr. Vardy (NCC).

23/162. TO RECEIVE ANY DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST IN FORTHCOMING
ITEMS

None declared.

23/163. TO AGREE THE MINUTES OF MEETING HELD 24th OCTOBER 2023

The above minutes were agreed as a correct record of the meeting and signed by the Chair.
Proposed SG seconded KJ.

23/164. MATTERS ARISING

None.

23/165. CLERK’S REPORT

Reported that the newsletter should be printed by the weekend. The matter of telephone lines being changed to digital had come to attention and this had been briefly highlighted in the newsletter.

23/166. PLANNING

Planning next meeting
PF/23/1977 Grantchester, Cromer Rd WR extension. No comments
PF/23/2277 Corrigans extension. No objections
RV/23/2348 Brambles: variation of conditions to allow raising roof. No objections.
PF/23/2328. 20 Renwick Park replacement dwelling. Overlarge but no objections.
PF/23/2232. 24 Slade Court – replacement windows pvc. No objections
2238 Northenden – extension – No comments
2494 Dilleys Leap extension. No objections.
PF/23/2496 single dwelling for Richard Brownsell – Approve.
The Clerk reported that NNDC had said that they enforced the removal of the sign for the Dormy Hotel and the erection of a smaller one has been installed.
Also reported that reasons given by an NNDC director to allow the marquee to remain at the Links Hotel, was to use until the constructed cabins are moved to another site and had used discretion to allow the tent to remain until August 2024. It was agreed to express formal dissatisfaction.
Cllr. Gurney had attended a planning training session.

23/167. TO CONSIDER SIGNING THE AGREEMENT TO RELEASE FUNDS TOWARDS THE REDUCTION OF SPEED IN WEST RUNTON. ALSO TO APPROVE THE FORMING OF A COMMUNITY SPEEDWATCH GROUP

The above was discussed again in detail during which there were still concerns by Cllr. Nichols that speed reduction wasn’t enough. Members had been informed that when the process went to consultation, there would be provision for extra mitigating measures to be considered. Cllr. Jonas asked if a representative from Highways could come and speak to a meeting. The Clerk reported that this was asked but only a remote meeting was offered, which had taken place. However the release of funds had been approved at the last meeting to go ahead and the agreement was agreed for signing. The signed copy would be posted. The funds will not be released until the signed agreement is returned.
Cllr. Davidson will try to get another call with Mr. Reilly to confirm some details.
The Parish Council agreed approval for the Community Speedwatch Group.

23/168. COMMONS.PONDS – To consider a quote for work on the Retting Pit.
and hear an update on progress on the Commons Management Plan.

Cllr. Davidson reported that the final draft management plan had been received for the work and the commons management group will present a précis of it at the January meeting, but the full version will be available. Also the Retting Pit quote was for £2,100.00. However Cllr. Davidson had been contacted by one of the contractors who had met to discuss the larger Retting Pond project,and was keen to meet again with the digger driver. The meeting took place and a verbal quote was given for much less for the same work. Verbal quote about £1000.00. It was agreed to delegate Cllr. Davidson and Cllr. Gurney to make a decision on which contractor would supply the work.

23/169. ALLOTMENTS To consider further the proposed Wyndham Park amenity agreement with regard to the solicitor’s questions. These had been circulated.

Also consider possible removal of a spoil heap on West Runton plots.
Cllr. Davidson: The situation of Wyndham Park had been going on for decades as it is. A solicitor had been contacted and had asked questions which needed to be considered. It was thought to be a difficult situation to deal with in a simple agreement. Cllr. Memish reported that originally it was hoped that the plots could be put into a better order and some of the overgrown shrubbery removed to enable easier inspections. The Clerk pointed out that historically the plots had been accepted by the Parish Council as extensions of the gardens. Cllr. Edwards agreed that the plots need tidying. An idea put forward was to have an informal meeting with the residents to get a feeling of what they would want and inform them of the issues. It was agreed to implement this before the PC meeting in January. Proposed CD seconded SG. All agreed.
Cllr. Annis confirmed that the heap of spoil at the end of one plot at W. Runton site was the result of dumping from various plots over the years. Claims, that it was put there after a fence was erected were refuted. There was no digger used in the construction of the fence. Other contractors who had worked on different issues including the fence erectors had been asked if the heap could be removed, but it was thought too difficult to get trucks in. No decision was made.
Cllr.Gurney had purchased posts and numbers to enable the plots on all sites to be numbered as had been agreed at a previous meeting.

23/170. TO AGREE TERMS AND CONDITIONS FOR WORKING GROUPS

TORs had been circulated for the Commons Working Group and the Allotments Working Group. Circulated and seen by all it was agreed that both should be accepted. Proposed CD seconded BM. Still needed was a TOR for the Events Working Group. Cllr. Gurney would produce one.

23/171. TO CONSIDER HIRING CLEANERS FOR THE READING ROOM

Cllr. Davidson explained that it should not be the Clerk’s job to clean the office and meeting room and could ask a person she knows. Cllr. Hawkins offered to approach the cleaner for the village hall. This was accepted, but the Clerk asked how she would be paid as we can’t pay in cash. An invoice would be needed. The hiring of a cleaner was the proposal by CD seconded by SG and agreed.

23/172. TO DISCUSS THE BUDGET AND DECIDE THE PRECEPT FOR 2024-2025

The Clerk had produced the budget and with Cllr. Davidson had scaled it down for ease of understanding. The figures were discussed along with the precept amounts over the past few years. It was thought that although the capital bank account was healthy, the revenue was likely to be in deficit. Cllr. Annis asked about the movement of funds to get higher interest. Cllr. Smith had looked into it and a business account cannot have the same rate of interest as a personal one. The Clerk informed that any movement of funds would need to be implemented by signatories. No further decision.
The precept in the past had been kept very low. An increase of 5% was suggested by Cllr. Davidson based on the figures. Cllr. Gurney had calculated that the increase would result in only £21.61 per annum for council tax payers.
After discussion it was agreed to approve the budget proposed SG seconded CH.
Motion proposed to request a precept of a 5% increase on the £15000 previous figure. Proposed CD seconded PN agreed by all.
Regarding the income, Cllr. Davidson had asked about the proposed POP cabinet which would have generated some income from rent of a piece of the playing field. The Clerk confirmed that the planning application had been withdrawn and no more was heard.

23/173. TO HEAR THE FIGURES OF THE NATIONAL PAY AWARD 23-24

The details had been circulated and were explained by the Clerk including it being back paid to April 2023. It was accepted that the figures for the back pay were correct; proposed CD seconded SG.

23/174. FINANCE

i. Income allotment rents of £1540 so far.
ii. Direct Debits
Unicom – water on allotments £50.05
npower – street lighting £97.30
iii. Invoices to agree for payment.
Benthams for inks £46.80
J. Lynes electrical work £319.02
Barbara Emery salary&backpay £1696.94
HMRC tax and NI £532.65
Ben Darling – footpath £60.00

23/175. MEMBERS REPORTS

Cllr. Nichols brought up the subject of the Ploughlet Trust. The Clerk explained the situation so far. Cllr. Davidson and Cllr. Nichols would liaise to find a way forward.
Cllr. Gurney asked for the Top Common pond to be considered for silt removal, possibly
to couple it up with the Retting Pit work. Also reported street lamp not functioning south
of bridges ER. The Clerk would report. Also an oak tree branch overhanging Church
Lane.
Cllr. Edwards – would like to see street lights switched off in High Street at night. The
Clerk explained that they were Highways lamps and on an ‘A’ road. It may be possible to
do this on footway lighting. Agenda item for December.
Cllr. Debacker – asked when Anglian Water are to do the work across the common in
connection with the borehole as it should have been done by now. Also concerned about
cars parking on the white line near Renwick Park. Could be reported to Highways but not
illegal parking.
Cllr. Annis – reported councillor surgery on Friday morning at the Church Hall. Regarding
the lights switch on and carols, a gazebo will be found for the evening. All is progressing
and the Clerk would print carol sheets. Cllr. Annis also reported that the piling on the
slipway at West Runton beach has been repaired to stop the tide creating dangerous holes on
the slipway slope.
Cllr. Davidson – West Runton common has had branches dumped on it possibly from
nearby properties. The Clerk would write to find out.

23/176. TO CONFIRM DATE TIME AND PLACE OF NEXT MEETING

Confirmed as Tuesday 19th December East Runton Reading Room 7:15pm

The meeting closed 8:55pm.

Signed Chairman Date