HICKLING PARISH COUNCIL
MINUTES OF PARISH COUNCIL MEETING HELD ON
Monday 1st February 2010, at 7.30pm in the Community Hall

PRESENT: CHAIRMAN: V TALLOWIN,
VICE CHAIRMAN: H PURNELL
COUNCILLORS: M ELLIOTT, R COOK, M J ELLIOTT, L WEST, D BEALES
Clerk: Mrs S Sainsbury

7.15PM Public Participation -
The Chairman welcomed PCSO J Hawes and one parishioner.
The following point(s) were raised:

Work on the staithe had begun but the issue of the bank being eroded away between the dyke and seat by the road was raised. See item 8.a.2

PCSO J Hawes gave an update on the extra patrols and speeding issues, the extra patrols (KINS) has been downgraded from priority although they will still visit the area frequently.
Speeding is now a priority with extra speed watch patrols and visits from the traffic department. This is an issue with all villages so a concentrated effort will be in evidence. But, any information that the public can give to the PCSO's on regular offenders would be welcomed as they cannot be on watch 24/7.

7.40pm The Parish Council meeting commenced with no public participation -

1. APOLOGIES - Councillors I Watton, K Moody, D Pugh, N Baker, District Councillor
S Partridge and County Councillor P Rice.

2. MINUTES OF LAST MEETING -
These were approved as circulated.

3. MATTERS ARISING - none

4. DECLARATION OF COUNCILLOR'S INTERESTS FOR THIS MEETING -
Cllr N Baker expressed a personal interest on NNDC Planning Item 7.
Chairman V Tallowin expressed a prejudicial and personal interest and refrained from commenting on NNDC Planning Item 7, as being her application.

5. CORRESPONDENCE -
a) NALC -Your Parish - Your Decision funding application for £5k was unsuccessful.

b) Broads Authority - Informing the council that they will be importing materials to the Hill Common area - max 600 tonnes of clay and topsoil for the new earth bank, application ref BA/2009/0300/FUL, the work to be undertaken autumn/winter.

c) Broads Authority - Planning Parish Forum on the 28th April in Norwich.

d) Norfolk County Council - The gritting schedule is available on line at www.norfolk.gov.uk/gritting.

e) NNDC - North Norfolk LDF Site Specific Changes. No comments, as not relevant to Hickling.

f) O A Chapman & Son - Valuation report on the Community Hall. See item 8.b.1.

g) NNDC - Site inspection of Wind Turbines Planning Application at Ingham, meeting at Brumstead 4th Feb.

h) NALC - Initial Training for Clerks and Councillors dates 2010. Cllr's L West & D Beales wished to attend the 9/16th February in Norwich. Clerk to organise.

6. TREASURER'S REPORT
a) Expenses

b) Budget to Date - Distributed July, Oct, Jan & March

c) Transfer of money into the charity 270199 bank account via name change. A letter to Nat West was signed by the Chairman & Vice Chairman to this effect and a cheque raised for £10k from the parish council's current account to the Charities 270199 account.
Abbey Time Deposits account name change to the charity's name was deferred to a later date , due to the fact that it has been confirmed by HMRC that VAT can be reclaimed on any associated expenses regarding the new build if the invoices are made out to the parish council and paid out of the parish council's funds.
See cheque no 101858 - £264.38

7. PLANNING -
NNDC - Prior Notification of Intention to Erect Agricultural Storage Building - Land at Willow Farm, Stubb Road - supported due to time restraint this application was circulated to all councillors before this meeting

8. PARISH COUNCIL PROPERTY REPORTS
a) Staithe
1.The staithe wet berth rents will be raised in line with the terms of the agreements, from £14.23 to £14.62 per linear foot but all agreed to leave the dry berths at the same rent as last year.

2. The staithe working party is still progressing with various issues at the staithe, although Cllr MJ Elliott had spoken informally with the contractors about what solution would be advisable to reinstate the bank that is eroding away near the seats, although sandbags had been suggested there is no guarantee to how long they would last.
Also the state of the dry berths i.e. debris left around was mentioned and the suggestion that a letter included with the dry berth invoices be sent out to this effect.

b) Community Hall
1. The valuer's Report has been received giving an independent valuation of the site so the parish council has a guide price for the best price possible on sale of the hall.

2. Abbott's estate agents confirmed that we are not bound by dates, price or buyer, incase we have to suspend selling for any reason.

3. We have confirmation from both the Methodist Hall and Hickling School that their halls are available for the parish council use. Clerk to respond.

4. In the event that the deeds cannot be located it is possible for indemnity forms to be signed via the solicitors. A letter to HKB Wiltshires of Great Yarmouth was signed confirming the release of any documents held in their strong room, number 10528.
Clerk to deliver by hand Tuesday 2nd Feb.

c) Chapel Pond
1.The update from David Skinner was that they hope to begin the bore hole process on the 20th February.
The Clerk bought up the subject of the picnic table being re oiled as this was not in Mr H Nudd's original estimate.
It was agreed for this to be quoted for by H Nudd.

9. Annual Parish Meeting Date
It was agreed for the meeting to be held on Monday 26th April at 7.30pm.

10. New Build Update
Cllr R Cook gave a brief update on the current position. We are still having consultation with the Charity Commission and solicitor Nick Hancox, who will clarify the position with the commissioners.
The project Manager has all the facts and is in the process of producing the final risk register.

11. Allotments
The rents are to remain at the same rate subject to no increase from the Mills Estate. Clerk to check. The clerk has been unable to speak with the hirer of the two overgrown plots.

12. Grit Bins
At the last meeting CC Paul Rice was finding out how much it would be to purchase extra grit bins for villages that were interested. This has been confirmed at an approx cost of £95 + VAT, but it was decided by the parish council not to go ahead at the present time, also the question as to whether we could become liable if any accident happened was raised.

DATE OF NEXT MEETING - Monday 1st March 2010 at 7.15 pm in the Community Hall.

There was no further business and the meeting was closed at 10.05pm