Co-option of Parish Councillor

Mr Hicks proposed that Hazel Dormer be co-opted on to the Parish Council, all agreed.  Ms Dormer was welcomed by the Chairman and joined the meeting

Matters Arising

  • Grit Bin The Clerk reported that every household in Gaymer Close had responded to her letter asking for their preference to the bin’s site.  Four chose the junction with Mill Road, 3 at the far end and 8 in the centre of Gaymer Close. It was agreed that the bin be sited at the centre of Gaymer Close, Mr Archer to provide a plan for NCC and the Clerk to purchase the bin, once permission was received from NCC.

Action: Mr Archer to provide planClerk: To purchase grit bin once site agreed by NCC

  • Speed Restrictions  The Clerk reported no response from NCC to date.

  • Externalisation of Planning The Clerk said that BDC had sent Minutes of relevant meetings showing the decision process and that she had distributed these to Councillors. These showed that BDC had entered into a 15yr contract with Capita to run its planning and building control operation.  The Chairman thought it strange that BDC was entering a 15yr contract when the Boundary Committee may eradicate District Councils under the unitary authority scheme, and a new authority may not take on the contract.  In the summer Capita will create a planning portal, an online service for the public to see applications, be able to add comments and to monitor their progress.  Mr Archer, Mr Burrell and the Chairman will attend a meeting on the planning portal on 22 April, in Attleborough.

Mr Archer

Clerk

Anti Social Behaviour

Mr Burrell reported that BCC met on March 27 to discuss proposals for dealing with anti social behaviour.  A meeting between BCC and BPC would be called in April.  BCC had responded to his recommendations and had taken the issues seriously.  BPC would continue to work with BCC to establish how BPC can help and support.

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Unitary Authority

The PC considered further comments from the Boundary Committee.  These detailed a larger Norwich and the rest of Norfolk under a single authority, with no option for the status quo.  This would mean huge expenditure of public funds to achieve little.  A further impact would mean that, to be properly functional, more Parish Councillors would need to be elected rather than co-opted.  Mrs Eggleton proposed that BPC write to Christopher Fraser, MP, to reiterate its opinion that BDC was a most effective District Council, that the majority of residents wished for the status quo and that the proposed changes were a profound waste of public funds.  All agreed.

Action: Clerk to write to MP.

Clerk

District Councillor’s Report

Mr Askew made the following comments:

  • Gordon Partridge, of BDC, would be asked to attend a BPC meeting to explain BDC’s policy and powers in dealing with empty buildings in disrepair, such as Lucy’s shop.

  • The externalisation of planning and building control would not affect the present involvement of Parish Councils.

The Pride Awards had been a very successful event; it was very reassuring to see so many good works in the area.

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Forward Planning

The Chairman asked for ideas which would assist the PC to become more proactive.  He proposed that the PC renew its regular publication of highlights of the Minutes on the Banham & Bucks website, all agreed.

Action:  Clerk to arrange.

Mr Burrell proposed that the PC has a regular table at the farmers’ market to meet parishioners and bring their concerns and comments to the PC.  It was agreed to give this a trial at a future date to be determined. 

The Chairman suggested meetings with surrounding parishes to grow communications, this was deferred until an issue required this.

Clerk

Review of Standing Orders and Risk Assessment

The Chairman said that the Standing Orders, which the Clerk had distributed to all Councillors, had last been revised in 2005.  He recommended that there was no need for amendment, all agreed.  The Financial Risk Assessment was implemented in 2008.  The Chairman proposed that Item 9 be amended to read that VAT claims be made when the amount due reaches £1000 or biannually, whichever is the sooner, all agreed.

Action: Clerk to amend the Risk Assessment.

Clerk

Planning Matters

Planning Applications

  •  Mr & Mrs C Harper, Gaynes Cottage, Mill Road; 3PL/2009/0266/F:  Two storey side extension & single storey rear extension.   Recommended for approval.

Action:  Clerk to inform BDC.

Planning Decisions

Heath Farm, Cherry Tree Road, 3/AG/2009/0003/AG: Erection of portal framed building to cover proposed manure pad.  No prior approval needed.

Clerk

Accounts

a)  The following accounts were approved for payment:

  • E.ON Energy                                         £138.61

  • NALC (sub)                                           £214.82

  • Clerk (wage arrears)                               £17.56

b) Income received                                       

  • Interest                                                      £0.79

c) Present account balances

  • Current account: £1018.80 

Savings Account: £5653.44

The Chairman presented the draft accounts for 2009 for information.  They would be presented for approval at the next meeting.  He reminded the PC that it needed a new internal auditor for the next audit.

Highways

  • Pothole on Church Hill by the white bridge

Footpaths

The Clerk had distributed a reply from Mr Mills of NCC, in which he said that the PC could make footpath repairs at its own expense.  The Chairman asked that it be established if the PC had any liability if it did so and whether NCC would approve any work done.

Action: Clerk to report pothole to NCC.

Action: Clerk to contact Mr Mills.

Correspondence

It was noted that BDC was promoting regular litter picks, for which it would provide equipment.  Mr Askew will ask BDC to contact BPC with more details.

Action: Mr Askew to contact BDC.

Mr Askew

Any Other Business

Mrs Eggleton said that empty cartons from the takeaway were littering the village, and suggested that the shop be asked to request its customers not to do so.  She asked if litter bins could be provided.  Deferred until the next agenda.

Date, time and place of next meeting

The next Parish Council meeting will be held at 7.30pm, on 6 May 2009, at the Community Centre’s small hall, preceded by the Annual Parish Meeting at 7pm.