RUNTON PARISH COUNCIL MINUTES OF A MEETING HELD BY THE ABOVE ON 27TH FEBRUARY 2024 AT THE READING ROOM EAST RUNTON COMMENCING AT 7.15 PM.

PRESENT:

Councillors: Ms. C. Davidson – Chair. Mr. S. Gurney – Vice Chair.
Ms. T. Edwards, Mrs. B. Memish, Nr. P. Nichols, Mr. R. Annis, Mr. G. Baker, Ms. A. Debacker, Mr. C. Hawkins, Mr. M. Lerego, The Clerk, Ms. B. Emery. Also attending: Ms. Kim Toye (NNDC) One member of the public.

24/021. TO AGREE OPEN SESSION FOR PARISHIONERS/GUEST SPEAKERS

A parishioner introduced himself as having moved to East Runton recently and was willing to help if possible in parish matters.
Ms. Toye gave her report from NNDC and spoke about:
An increase of 3% on Council Tax. NNDC is facing a shortfall of £1.5m next year.
Banking hub at Holt.
Sheringham Recyling Centre – no further developments on the new site.
A request for the footpath leading from A149 to Beach Road to be widened with improved better access to the coast area. The land owner would be asked. The Clerk confirmed that the Parish Council cut the path for County Council.
Reports and questions put to Ms. Toye were:
Cllr. Gurney concerned about cliff falls along the coastal paths also a covered area appeared at the Dormy front area. Both will be looked at.
Cllr. Davison concerned about the area leading onto the beach at the bottom of the slipway. It was confirmed that the ramp had been repaired. Cllr. Toye had no further information.
Also reported was a land slip on the steps at East Runton. This had been reported before.

24/022. TO RECEIVE AND ACCEPT APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE

Cllr. Jonas.

24/023. TO RECEIVE ANY DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST IN FORTHCOMING
ITEMS

Cllr. Gurney as a playing field committee member. Personal only.
Cllr. Debacker as a neighbour of a property near a planning application. Personal only as not
affected.

24/024. TO AGREE AS CORRECT THE MINUTES OF MEETING HELD 26th July 2022

Having been circulated the minutes were accepted as a true record.

24/025. MATTERS ARISING for information or report only.

Cllr. Davidson reported that the Anglian Water work to provide water from the borehole WR to Spring pond was going on at the Shire Horse Centre at the moment. Also the sludge which was reported in the ditches has been identified as iron ore and is not a threat to the environment.
Cllr. Gurney reported that the flooding in Greens Lane has been alleviated, but, one gully is still blocked near Manor Farm. Cllr. Gurney will chase it up.

24/026. CLERK’S REPORT for information only.

The Clerk had been contacted by a person from a development company who would like to meet councillors on the Kraft site initially. Cllr. Memish and Cllr. Annis would come up with some dates and the representative would be contacted. Cllr. Davison had looked at the Company and it appears that they are looking at sites on the North Norfolk coast.
The free portrait of King Charles III had been ordered.
MP Duncan Baker had invited people to a webinar concerning the digital telephone switchover. The letter will be displayed.

24/027. PLANNING TO CONSIDER OR REPORT

Decided by NNDC. 2328 20 Renwick Pk Approved. 2709 15 Renwick Pk East: Refused.
To consider: 0288, single storey side extension at Alfred Ho. Newell Crescent WR. No objections or comment on this.
0012 Pinebank Shawcross Rd WR extension, application withdrawn.

24/028. ALLOTMENTS REPORTS

Tree planting Moyes Close had taken place with thirty eight trees being planted. Clearance of plot 1, Moyes Close. Cllr. Gurney reported a lot of rubbish and broken glass etc to still be cleared. This is ongoing and the Chair pointed out that there are limits as to expenditure for this type of work. Further reports would be made at the next meeting.
Wyndham Park report on residents meeting.
The Clerk reported on a letter from a resident which had been circulated, concerning the heap of spoil/rubbish. Cllr. Annis had explained the situation previously about the spoil heap and that there are three or four piles which have been there for a number of years. The advice had been that it was difficult to get a grab lorry or similar to clear this spoil. Cllr. Annis was prepared to meet with the parishioner on site. Answering the question of the cost of clearance of bamboo. It had been necessary to avoid the spread of this invasive plant. It was suggested that plot holders could be informed of the activities performed by the Parish Council over the years.
Cllr. Memish reported Cllrs are to visit the area to see what improvements can be made, and then a further meeting is arranged for 12th March at Reading Room at 7pm and take it forward from there.

The Clerk was asked to provide the money spent on West Runton allotments over the last few years.

24/029. PLAYING FIELD COMMITTEE – To consider financial help towards construction of toilet facilities for the disabled.

There were two alternative plans; to extend or to incorporate a section inside.
Cost of materials ex plumbing and electrical. One £2500 or £3500 for the larger plan.
The Clerk asked if the football club were raising money or working on the plan. It was confirmed that the car boot person gives a percentage regularly. Also have we got access to the Playing Field accounts? These were not available at the moment. The Clerk confirmed that the Parish Council only own the land.
The Chair urged members to bear in mind that we have two requests for money and some money likely to come in and our budget is not making large surpluses.
After discussion it was suggested that the Playing Field committee demonstrate which grants may have been applied for and should provide more information to members in advance of the next meeting.

24/030. WEST RUNTON CAR PARK – To consider a request for financial help towards providing free time of 30 minutes per car for shoppers.

Details with costs have been circulated and Cllr. Lerego explained the situation. The amount requested is £520.00 per annum. However it was not determined how this figure had been calculated or which other avenues to increase revenue had been explored. The Clerk explained the previous lease and what had gone on before and explained the legalities which may possibly affect this type of grant. After much discussion during which Cllr. Lerego answered some questions on behalf of the Social Club, the motion was put that the Parish Council pay £520.00 per annum towards free car parking. On being put to the vote there were two votes for with ten against. Therefore the motion was not carried.

24/031. COMMONS

To hear further reports on new management.
Cllr. Davidson reported that there had been good input from Norfolk Wildlife Trust.
The Management Plan had been circulated summarising key things and suggested that it be approved, which would allow it to be furthered and/or added to. Volunteers would help with work on the ground. A group was being co-ordinated to clear the footpath around Incleborough Hill on the Links land. Cllr. Memish asked what was done with the cuttings and Cllr. Davidson informed that they were formed into a “dead hedge” thereby providing habitat for wildlife.
It was agreed that this path needed to be added to Parish Council cutting plan.
Cllr. Davidson proposed that the New Management Plan be accepted. It was unanimously agreed.
To consider the cost and purchase of sandbags for the Retting Pit Sandbags around £50.00. Agreed that the Clerk purchase the sand bags and reclaim the cost and Cllr. Gurney would order the sand. Anglian Water work on pipe across WR Common.
To agree numbers of posts needed for the Clerk to order for prevention of parking on The Hurn and Common. Cllr. Davidson had paced the area out and it was about 20 posts of a composite material was agreed. It was thought not necessary to put any on The Hurn.
To consider safety measures around Top Common pond East Runton. The Clerk had had a letter that a child had fallen into the pond and had said that it should be fenced. The area had been looked at and it was a good distance between the trees and the water. Members concluded that it should be obvious that there is water. After discussion it was agreed that children should be supervised and there was no legal requirements to put up signs or fences.

24/032. TO CONSIDER A MOVE TO IMPROVED I.T. AND GENERIC EMAIL ADDRESSES

Details with costs have been circulated by Cllr. Baker which was self explanatory. Cllr. Baker then proposed that The Parish Council adopt the NALC contracted service to provide a .gov.uk domain which gives all councillors a dedicated @runtonpc.gov.uk emails and to take on a fully managed website. Seconded by Cllr. Davdison the motion was carried unanimously. Cllr. Baker was thanked.
The cost of this should not exceed £500 per annum. Hardware would be replaced in future accordingly.

24/033. BATTERY BOX INSTALLATION WYNDHAM PARK –

To sign initial agreement to allow further investigation of the Playing Field, with a view to a second box. The Clerk had dealt with this initially and it was in hand. A planning application would be submitted by the company.

24/034. VILLAGE HALL DRAINAGE – to hear further costs and reports.

Two quotes had been obtained and circulated. One of £3500.00 and another of £6,700.00. Both plus vat. As the quotes were very different it was thought that a further quote would be obtained. It was agreed that if a further quote was obtained similar to the lower one then it would be accepted.

24/035. TO CONSIDER A PROPOSAL BY NCC TO REDUCE STREET LIGHTING.

The Norfolk County Council are proposing to switch off some one thousand street lights. One section of which is three lamps which cover between Boulevard Road and Rosebery Road in West Runton. There was a consultation details of which the Clerk would circulate. It was generally agreed that these particular lamps are necessary especially for locals living in both those roads which do not have lamps. The traffic is quite heavy in the area which also has narrow pavements.
Proposed by Cllr. Gurney seconded by Cllr. Memish that the Clerk would object on behalf of the Parish Council with eight members agreeing to this and two abstaining. Cllr. Annis asked if there was any update on the Highways project to reduce the speed limits to 20mph. The Clerk replied in the negative and it would be chased up for an update.
TO CONSIDER REPLACEMENT OF LAMP NEAR VIADUCTS ER £412.80 +VAT
The above lamp was still awaiting replacement under the guarantee and TT Jones had informed that the manufacturers were very slow in replacing lamps under guarantee. There was no guarantee however that payment would speed the replacement up. It was agreed to leave it for now as the longer evenings were imminent.

24/036. FINANCE

Income none to report
Direct Debits paid
Unicom for Broadband and electricity January £325.88
Unicom for Broadband and electricity February £465.89
npower for street lighting electricity £119.47
Payments for agreement
Carl Bird for Skip Moyes Close £325.50
Benthams for inks £52.68
MW. Finnemore commons management £830.00 subject to grant funding
Barbara Emery (Clerk) salary £1225.88
HMRC tax and NI £327.57
Cllr. Nichols disputed the cost of the skip. The Clerk would check.

24/037. MEMBERS REPORTS

Cllr. Baker: Reported on a meeting of the History Society and an idea was to try to effect a merger into the Parish Council website of the historical photos. A volunteer had come forward to help catalogue the photos.
Cllr. Debacker: Notice boards. It would be on the next agenda as the Clerk had got prices.
Cllr. Nichols: Would cut along Mill Lane.
Cllr. Memish: Asked about the vacancy. The Clerk had placed the notice and there had been no candidates. It would be in the newsletter.
Cllr. Annis: The Stance garden was overgrowing the footpath. Also asked for confirmation that bonfires would be banned after 1st March. The Clerk confirmed that it would go in the newsletter.
Cllr. Gurney: Asked about the setting up of a finance group/committee. Cllr. Davidson asked for expressions of interest. Volunteers were: Cllr. Gurney, Cllr. Nichols and Cllr. Lerego would join Cllr. Davidson. A first meeting would be set soon. A litter pick was reported around West Runton.
It was asked about the East Runton litter pickers. The Clerk would check.
Cllr. Gurney reported bottles being fly tipped near the viaducts.
The Clerk asked for deliverers for Cromer Road West Runton and Cllr. Memish volunteered to take this on.
Cllr. Memish: Asked for memorabilia for the D Day remembrance for this year’s event. The request would be in the newsletter.

The meeting closed at 9.05PM.

Signed CG Davidson Chair Date 2nd April 2024