RUNTON PARISH COUNCIL MINUTES OF A MEETING HELD BY THE ABOVE ON 19TH DECEMBER 2023 AT THE READING ROOM EAST RUNTON COMMENCING AT 7.15 PM.
PRESENT:
Councillors: In the Chair. Mr. S. Gurney
Ms. T. Edwards, Mr. R. Annis, Mr. G. Baker, Ms. A. Debacker, Mr. C. Hawkins, Mr. K. Jonas, Mr. M. Lerego, The Clerk, Ms. B. Emery. Two members of the public.
23/177. TO AGREE OPEN SESSION FOR PARISHIONERS/GUEST SPEAKERS
23/178. TO RECEIVE AND ACCEPT APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE
Received from Cllr. Smith, Cllr. Nichols and Cllr. Davidson. Also Cllr. Eric Vardy (NCC)
23/179. TO RECEIVE ANY DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST IN FORTHCOMING ITEMS
None.
23/180. TO AGREE AS CORRECT THE MINUTES OF MEETING HELD 26th July 2022
The minutes having been circulated beforehand were agreed by all as a true record of the meeting.
23/181. MATTERS ARISING for information only.
None.
23/182. CLERK’S REPORT
The Clerk reported letters had been sent to defaulters in allotment rents. Also letter about fly tipping sent to Treehaven (no reply).
At this point the Chairman allowed a late member of the public to speak concerning flyers having been sent.
Also at this point Cllr. Kim Toye had arrived and was invited to give a report: Points mentioned were:
* The news that the water quality in East Runton was now excellent which means the Blue Flag award would be reinstated.
* Raised awareness that the telephone system would be going digital by 2025. The Clerk had informed residents in the newsletter.
* Cllr. Toye had been asked about the marquee at the Links, but there was confusion about which construction it was. The Clerk confirmed that it was the tent being used for items for the now refused lodges. This would be looked into.
* The situation of the flooding in East Runton was brought up and Cllr. Toye has spoken to Cllr. Eric Vardy. Cllr. Gurney explained the situation again and it was suggested that Mr. Steve White (Highways) should be contacted and MP Duncan Baker be informed this time, as this is an ongoing situation which has been reported many times.
* There was concern that a ditch had been filled in near 2nd tee of Golf Course at The Links. Cllr. Toye would investigate.
* Cllr. Annis asked about the continuing placement of the orange “hare” at Dormy Hotel. Cllr. Toye informed that the owners had not been asked to remove it although there had in the past been some complaints.
23/183. PLANNING
To consider applications;
Decisions issued by NNDC for: PF/23/2232 Slade Court new windows – Approved
PF/23/2277, Corrigans Cromer Rd. Alterations to dormer – Approved
PF/23/2238 Northenden Cromer Rd, Extension – Approved.
Cllr. Debacker asked if there had been an application for a building in Renwick Park lately. The Clerk had not received anything as yet.
23/184. TO HEAR A REPORT ON COMMONS AND WORK ON RETTING PIT
Cllr. Davidson has a report on this, but is not present, therefore the matter is deferred.
23/185. TO AGREE TO IMPLEMENT A POLICY FOR BIODIVERSITY
A policy had been circulated. Cllr. Smith promoted this and the Clerk said it was necessary to accept it before January. The motion to accept the policy as it stands was proposed by Cllr. Gurney and agreed by all.
23/186. TO CONSIDER PROVIDING APPRECIATION FOR VOLUNTEERS (Newsletters)
Cllr. Annis had suggested a small token of appreciation for our volunteer deliverers outside of the Parish Council. Also for the people who cut the grass near the Retting Pit.
It was agreed that boxes of chocolates would be purchased and delivered as soon as possible.
23/187. TO CONSIDER PROVIDING A NOTICE BOARD FOR RENWICK PARK AREA
After discussion it was confirmed by the Clerk that the Parish Council own the one on The Hurn, but that all the others there belong to someone else.
Cllr. Gurney suggested another board for further up the common in ER. The costs of two boards would be looked into.
23/188. TO AGREE AND SIGN BARCLAYS MANDATE TO ADD THE CLERK
This matter had been agreed at a previous meeting and signatures were needed by the Chair and Vice Chair to further the matter and then apply for online banking. Cllr. Gurney signed the document and the Clerk would collect a signature as soon as possible from Cllr. Davidson (chair).
23/189. TO HEAR ANY FURTHER REPORT ON ALLOTMENTS
West Runton and Moyes Close had been inspected. Cllr. Annis gave a report including a plot only paying £20 instead of £30. The Clerk explained that this was because the access path was on their plot. It was thought that it should not have been reduced and the Clerk would reinstate the £30.00.
Agreed. Most have seemed okay for winter. The refuse/waste heap at WR had been inspected and Cllr. Annis had asked two contractors about removing it but it would be expensive and advised that it isn’t necessary. No decision to remove them was taken.
One plot at Moyes was unused and the Clerk explained the reason.
Another tenant had asked if a plot could be kept on as he was taking the adjacent one and asked if he could cut some branches off the tall trees. Permission would not be granted for this work to be done by the tenant. Also the tenant would be asked to relinquish the plot 5c at the west end. The middle plot had not been done but the tenant had promised to do work. A second letter would be sent. The plot would be checked again in Spring.
Plot 1 was discussed and Cllr. Edwards was to take it on. It was agreed that because of a lot of inherited rubbish it would need a skip. It was agreed that a skip would be ordered for the last week in January. Cllr. Gurney had walked around Lugger stile and all seemed fine. Cllr. Memish reported that a plan of action would be presented before the January meeting and invite Wyndham Park tenants to an informal meeting to show them the plan. Cllr. Memish would inform the Clerk when the meeting was needed and letters would be sent.
23/190. TO CONSIDER THE IDEA OF SWITCHING OFF STREET LAMPS AFTER MIDNIGHT
The Clerk advised that it may mean having timers fitted to all the lamps and consulting residents as it was objected to once before.
After discussion it was thought not to be necessary. Highways would be asked about the possibility of sensors activated by car headlights to allow the lights to be off for overnight.
23/191. TO AGREE A TERMS OF REFERENCE FOR THE EVENTS GROUP
The TOR had been circulated and was presented by Cllr. Gurney. Accepted and agreed by all.
23/192. FINANCE
i. Income
Caravan site rent for 2023 – 2024. £30,000.00
RPA – (Stewardship payment) £724.50
ii. Direct Debits to report
npower for street lighting electricity £108.51
Unicom – Tel/broadband/office electricity 171.48 October-November
Unicom – Tel/broadband/office electricity £294.07 November-December
iii. Invoices to agree for payment
Viking Direct – calendars/diary/paper/envelopes £96.18
Adam Jones – work on ponds in East Runton £580.00 includes disposal of waste
West Runton Church Hall 2023 bookings £126.00
Barbara Emery – Salary to report £1211.73
HMRC Tax and NI to report £327.77
DJ Clack – re: items for Christmas event £124.58
Chevertons – newsletters £220.00
CB Arnold Ltd – Retting Pit dredging £237.60
INVOICE FROM NCC TO APPROVE FOR PAYMENT £24,000.00 Agreed to part pay
£8000.00 (eight thousand pounds) to start the legal parts.
23/193. MEMBERS REPORTS
Cllr. Debacker had spoken to Anglian Water about the work on WR Top Common proposed by them as there was concern for the toad migration. AW confirmed that it should be finished by February.
Cllr. Annis reported on a very good turnout and evening’s entertainment at the Carol service/tree light switch-on at West Runton supported by about 100 people. The Chairman thanked everyone concerned. It was agreed to book the band again for next year.
Cllr. Memish confirmed the councillor surgeries for 2nd January at Reading Room East Runton and 26th January at Church Hall West Runton.
Cllr. Gurney – West Runton allotments would like to amend numbering system as the numbers don’t seem to make sense. Intends to number differently. The Clerk pointed out that nothing can be agreed under members reports.
Cllr. Gurney listed achievements by the Parish Council in the past year. The list would be reported in the newsletter and included, the new “trod” under the bridge, good Christmas shows. Ponds work, events as the Vegetable show with ideas for another event this year and the reduction in speed for West Runton being implemented with Highways.
23/194. COUNCILLORS TO RECEIVE CALENDAR OF MEETINGS FOR 2024
The Clerk had circulated the calendar and gave out cards with into on councillor information and dates of meetings.
23/195. TO CONFIRM DATE TIME AND PLACE OF NEXT MEETING
Scheduled for Tuesday 23rd January 2024 at West Runton Church Hall.
Meeting closed at 8.40PM
Signed C. Davidson Chair. Date 23rd January 2024