HICKLING PARISH COUNCIL
MINUTES OF PARISH COUNCIL MEETING HELD ON
Monday, 12th May 2008, at 7.15pm in the Community Hall
including the Annual Parish Council Meeting

PRESENT: MRS V TALLOWIN, CHAIRMAN, MR H PURNELL, VICE CHAIRMAN
COUNCILLORS: MRS M ELLIOTT, MRS M BUTCHER, MR I WATTON, MR D PUGH
MRS K MOODY, MR R COOK
Mrs S Chapman, Clerk/Treasurer

7.15PM Public Participation - The following point(s) were raised:
1. Mr K Barnes & Mr E Lindo, were both elected at the Annual Parish meeting to be joint
co-ordinators to take forward the fight against Natural England & the Environment Agency's
Option 4 proposal which will result in the flooding of Hickling. They gave a brief overview of their progress so far and the probable future finance problems and requested whether the Parish Council will reimburse their expenses.
This will be brought up at next Parish Council meeting.
An update will be published in the monthly news sheet and on the parish notice boards and a possible forum on the Hickling web site.

2. Mr Scott & Mr Piggin both introduced themselves as they had applied for the vacancy of Parish Councillor. The third applicant Mr McGrory sent his apologies.

7.55PM The Parish Council meeting commenced with no public participation -

The Chairman welcomed five parishioners

1. APOLOGIES were received from Cllr A Rich, Cllr G Smith, District Councillor S Partridge and County Councillor C How

2. MINUTES OF LAST MEETING
These were approved as circulated

3. MATTERS ARISING - None

4. ELECTION OF CHAIRMAN AND VICE-CHAIRMAN
The Clerk took the chair and asked for nominations for the position of Chairman.
Cllr K Moody nominated Mrs Tallowin, and this was seconded by Cllr H Purnell. There were no further nominations and Mrs Tallowin was unanimously elected. The Chairman then resumed the chair and asked for nominations for the position of Vice-Chairman.
Cllr R Cook nominated Mr H Purnell, and this was seconded by Cllr I Watton. There were no further nominations and Mr H Purnell was unanimously elected.

APPOINTMENTS TO WORKING PARTIES -

Non Parish Council Committee - Chapel Pit Conservation Group - David & Amanda Skinner
Cllr M Elliott Proposed and Cllr K Moody seconded and all were in agreement that the Working Parties as above be accepted, with the proviso that it is revisited when the new councillor has joined the Parish Council.

5. Declaration of Councillor's interests for the meeting - None

6. CORRESPONDENCE
a) Allianz Insurance - Renewal Summary, see item 7

b) NNDC - Casual Vacancy closure date of the 8th May and relevant paperwork.

c) Mr Harding - Flooding issues on his property 'Byways' The Smea, and a copy of a letter from Norman Lamb MP to NCC. Clerk to respond with letter of support for him.

d) NALC - Annual Conference & Exhibition 20-22 May in Eastbourne. No one wished to attend.

e) Mr M Scott - Application letter for the parish councillor vacancy.

f) Mr Thrower - A copy of letter he had sent to District Councillor S Partridge regarding some land he would like to put to good use in Hickling ie affordable housing. It was felt that the Parish Council would only be able to help in supporting any planning application received.

g) Stalham & Happing - Statement in response to the recent flooding issues.

h) Environment Agency - Letters with their decisions on the 3 building plots in Hickling.

i) NHS - Consultation of Improving Access to Primary Care booklet.
This was passed to Cllr H Purnell who will complete questionnaire enclosed.

j) NPFA - Certificate of membership for 2008-2009.Clerk to place in Community Hall.

k) Safer Neighbourhoods - Community Speed Watch update.
Clerk to ask if we can still join the scheme although we only have one volunteer.

l) Hickling Local History Group - A letter regarding various topics including Archive days, and if the parish council would like to share any 'old' documents that maybe in the parish council files and an update meeting with the HLHG & PC as the last one was in 2003.
Also the parish hearse requires some attention, but councillors felt an experts opinion should be sought first, in case any restoration devalues it. Clerk to respond.

m) NNDC - John Beales plot in Stubb Rd, is now known as Beales Lodge.

n) Mr Winter - Query on his boat length which has already been resolved and new agreement sent out and returned with berth rent cheque.

o) Internal Drainage Board - No objections to the erection of new Community Hall/Hub on the recreation ground.

p) Broads Internal Drainage Board - Rate Increase.

q) Parish & Town Councils - Boundary Committee review, AGM & Training Courses.

r) Parish & Town Councils - Norfolk Link booklet & planning conference.

s) Mr P Piggin - Application for parish councillor vacancy.

t) Kings Lynn & West Norfolk - Boundary Committee & Local Government Review.

u) Mr McGrory - Application for parish councillor vacancy.

v) NNDC - Stalham Forum meeting on the 12th June in Stalham.

w) Stalham & Happing - Petition on 'Option 4' proposals deadline 24th May.

x) Mr H Nudd - Letter regarding an increase in his grass cutting remit for 2008-2009 season. Deferred until the next meeting.

7. TREASURER'S REPORT
a)

b) Budget to Date - Distributed quarterly
c) Mr R Clarke has agreed to audit the Parish Council accounts for 2007 - 2008.
d) The Play Area refurbishment cheque was £40 over budget due to incorrect figures being supplied, but Cllr H Purnell proposed and Chairman V Tallowin seconded and all agreed that this extra amount be paid. Clerk raised cheques accordingly and they were duly signed.

8. PLANNING
a. NNDC New Applications
1.Between Golden Gables & Harrow Weald, Staithe Rd - Erection on Single Storey Dwelling - no objections
Cllr K Moody declared a personal interest in the above application and refrained from voting.
2. Timber Gables, Hill Common - Construction of Pitched Roof over Entrance Lobby
& Dormer Window to Facilitate Conversion of Roof Space to Studio -
no objections

9. PARISH COUNCIL PROPERTY REPORTS

a) Staithe.
1. The final decision as to whether the chippings are kept or increased was deferred until a site meeting had been held on the 21st June and the Health & Safety report had been distributed to all councillors.
The Chairman & Clerk had discussed the grass cutting with the staithe warden but this was also deferred until the site meeting.
2. The request from the staithe warden for more gravel at the staithe, this was proposed by Cllr M Elliott and seconded by Cllr R Cook and all agreed for the Clerk to go ahead and organise.

b) Community Hall
1. A new kettle has been purchased.
2. The cooker has ceased working and it was proposed by Cllr K Moody that it be disposed of correctly as the microwave in full working order for hirers to use. Clerk to contact the caretaker.

c) Recreation Ground -
1. Cllr M Butcher informed the council that the new equipment had been installed and the work completed. The Play Area group will take over the maintenance of the play area, i.e. strimming of the grass, emptying bins and the opening and closing of the toilet in the changing room building with the Parish Council providing cleaning materials. All were in agreement with this although the football club should be consulted over the toilet issue.
2. We have had confirmation from the Parish & Town Council that we are within our rights to remove the plants on the recreation ground and as a goodwill gesture pot them and leave in the front garden. Chairman & Clerk to arrange.
3. An update on the crossroad bench was deferred until the next meeting.

10. FLOODING UPDATE
1. Stalham & Happing flooding poster outlining their proposals on the Option 4 scenario from Natural England.
2. There has been two meetings arranged on this matter, one for Hickling parishioners on the 19th May, organised by Ken Barnes & Eric Lindo to update everyone with their progress so far and their future plans. Another meeting on the 22nd May for parish councillors only from all the affected parishes, Chairman V Tallowin, Vice Chairman H Purnell and Cllr K Moody will attend on behalf of
Hickling Parish Council.

11. VILLAGE PLAN - Deferred until the next parish council meeting as the lastest draft had not been seen by all councillors to enable them to note their comments.

12. PLANNING UPDATE - The flood risk assessments had to be revisited to satisfy the Environment Agency specifications and are still outstanding. The original planning for the Sports complex on the recreation ground can be renewed, after being told some months back it couldn't be, at a cost of £170, but Clerk to confirm if a Flood Risk report has to be submitted.

13. ANNUAL PARISH MEETING MINUTES
1. Coastal flooding update, (see item 10.2), at this meeting Ken Barnes & Eric Lindo were elected to pursue this matter on behalf of the Hickling Parish Council and parishioners.
2. The issue of starting a Business plan for the new Community Hall/Hub on the recreation ground was heavily endorsed at the Annual Parish meeting so the Chairman, Vice Chairman, Clerk and Mr P Berrie had a meeting to investigate initial costs, another meeting will be arranged when more costs are available.

FUTURE DATES - Monday 14th July & 1st September

DATE OF NEXT MEETING - Monday 16th June at 7.15 pm in the Community Hall

There was no further business and the meeting was closed at 10.45 pm