HICKLING PARISH COUNCIL
MINUTES OF PARISH COUNCIL MEETING HELD ON
Monday, 14th April 2008, at 7.30pm in the Community Hall

PRESENT: CHAIRMAN: V TALLOWIN, VICE CHAIRMAN: H PURNELL
COUNCILLORS: A RICH, R COOK, M BUTCHER, G SMITH, M ELLIOTT,
I WATTON, D PUGH, K MOODY
Clerk: Mrs S Chapman

7.15PM Public Participation - The following point(s) were raised:

1. It was reported that some volunteer grass cutters were cutting more than their specified area.
A letter to be sent to all volunteers requesting they only cut where specified.

2. It was brought to the attention of the Parish Council that the hedge running alongside the road by the village sign is in desperate need of trimming. Clerk to investigate who is responsible for this and act accordingly.

3. Mr Scott brought up the matter of speeding in the village, especially at the four crossways,
where the school bus stops. It was explained that the Parish Council are investigating various
options.

4. The question of the Wind Turbine in Hickling was mentioned with a request that the subject
be fully investigated before any decision is made, it was explained that a public meeting, arranged by the company director Mr Hilton, should take place in the summer when any questions or concerns can be discussed.

7.45PM The Parish Council meeting commenced with no public participation -

The Chairman welcomed six parishioners.

1. APOLOGIES were received from District Councillor S Partridge & C Stockton and County Councillor C How.

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

3. MATTERS ARISING - None

4. DECLARATION OF COUNCILLOR'S INTERESTS FOR THIS MEETING
Chairman V Tallowin declared a prejudicial & personal interest in planning application for Plummers Farm Barn.

5. CORRESPONDENCE -
a) The Boundary Committee - Structural Review of Norfolk & Suffolk. In July 2008 the committee intends to publish detailed draft proposals for consultation. They will contact us nearer the time inviting our views.

b) Listen Hear, Norfolk Hearing Support Service - Requesting permission to visit the Methodist Car Park with their mobile unit where volunteers offer advice and support on all hearing problems including hearing aids. Leaflet in notice boards.

c) NNDC - Street Name Signage - Newsletter summarising recent developments and the current position of our signs in Hickling.

d) Mr Harding - For information only, copies of letters between Mr Harding & N Lamb MP, re flooding at 'Byways' The Smea.

e) NPFA - Annual Report & Accounts 2006/2007

f) Norwich International Airport - Letter confirming that the changes to the proposed instrument Approach Procedures will not extend to the vicinity of Hickling.

g) Barclays Bank - Confirmation of transfer of £5000 from our Abbey Deposit Account.

h) Allianz Insurance - Confirmation of change of mower on insurance documents.

i) East of England - Planning for Gypsy & Traveller Accommodation in the East of England consultation period 25 Feb - 16th May.

j) Environment Agency - Reply concerning the re visiting of the Yare Barrier.

k) Mr N Lamb MP - Copies of letter with regards to the state of the road in Heron Way.

l) Mr M Scott - Letter with his concerns over the possibility of a Wind Turbine in Hickling.

m) Mr & Mrs Beitler - Letter with their concerns over the possibility of a Wind Turbine in Hickling.

n) J Overton - SAM follow up/J Hawes - PCSO Speedwatch Scheme. Information to be placed in news sheet for volunteers.

o) H Bates, Capital Programme Manager - Email confirming that the Hickling First School redundant mobile classroom has already been reallocated so cannot be used for the Hunnies playgroup.

p) Mr A Tansley - Letter with concerns over the Staithe & Dog Control Orders.

q) Mr G Jones - Request to be added to Wet Berth Waiting List. Clerk to respond.

r) Stalham & Happing - Minutes of the 22 January.

s) Postwatch - PO Closure Programme, Public Consultation 26 Mar - 2 June.

t) NNDC - PO Closures. Clerk to request for a mobile PO to visit Hickling.

u) Norfolk County Council - Stubb Mill Lane details for which Highways is responsible

v) NNDC - Receipt for Hickling Parish Council Planning Applications x 3.(see item 7)

w) R Sandys - Re Andrews Garage Planning Application.

x) Ben Burgess Garden Equipment - Letter re the Roll Bar on the Mower.

y) Audit Commission - Annual Return for 2007-2008.

z) Greenoak Homes - Quotation for Decking around the Parish Staithe quay Heading.(see item 8a1)

aa) Mr B Noye - Resignation letter.

bb) Norfolk County Council - Temporary Road Closure for Stalham Road 29 Apr-1 May.

cc) NNDC - Full Council Agenda. Passed to Cllr K Moody.

dd) Norfolk County Council - Highways Inspector visiting Hickling. Clerk to respond with any problems, Broadland Rd, 30mph sigh - Sutton Rd, flood signs & potholes - Stalham rd, Town St & hedge at village sign.

ee) NNDC - Casual Vacancy notification & poster.

6. TREASURER'S REPORT
a)

b) Budget to Date end of Year - Distributed
c) Rates for 2008-2009 for Community Hall - £412.00
d) Rates for 2008-2009 Changing Rooms - £196.35

7. PLANNING
a) NNDC - Decisions -

1. Claygate, Town St - Erection of Single-Storey Side/Rear Ext with Balcony & Detached Garage - permitted

2. The Croft, Stalham Road - Erection of Stables - permitted

3. Lilac Cottages, The Street - Erection of One and a Half Storey Rear Ext. & 2 Front Dormer Windows plus new Access - permitted

b) NNDC - New Applications -
1. Andrews Garage/Bay Cottage, Demolition of Garage/Workshop & erection of 4 Two Storey Dwellings - A vote was taken with the results as 5 abstentions, 3 objections, 1 no comment and 1 support, the application was objected to on the principle that we would like to keep businesses in the village.

2. The Recreation Ground, Ouse Lane - Erection of Village Hall - supported

3. Old Bowling Club, Mallard Way - Erection of Two Detached Two-Storey Dwellings - supported

4. Community Centre, The Street - Demolition of Hall & Erection of Two Semi- detached Two Storey Dwellings - supported

5. Plummers Farm Barn, Pockthorpe Loke - Conversion of Barn to single unit holiday accommodation - supported
Chairman V Tallowin left the room while item 7b5 was discussed and voted on due to declared interests as stated in item 4.

8. PARISH COUNCIL PROPERTY REPORTS
a) Staithe
1. The cost of paving slabs for around the quay heading and suitability was discussed, but due to the uneven ground it was decided the ongoing costs made this option too expensive in the long term and from the safety aspect as well. The quote for the decking was deemed to be expensive so all agreed that before a decision was made Cllr R Cook would do a Health & Safety report on the area to see if the decking would be a safer option. Clerk to diary.

b) Community Hall
1. The oil surcharge meeting,

2. The Hickling Local History Group rent for the Archive room has been brought forward due to their accounting year changes, Cllr M Butcher proposed and Cllr M Elliott seconded and all agreed that the rent remain the same at £150 pa.
Vice Chairman H Purnell took the discussion on item 2, due to the Chairman V Tallown, Cllrs K Moody, I Watton and D Pugh all being members of the HLHG.

c) Recreation Ground
1. Cllr M Butcher gave an update on the Play Area saying that the Hickling Recreation Group had received funding for £4917 on behalf of the Parish Council, on confirmation of matching funding from the Parish Council. To purchase 3 pieces of equipment the group required an extra £345, it was proposed by Cllr I Watton and seconded by Cllr R Cook and all agreed that the Parish Council would help by giving in total £5262.
The group will still be applying for other grants for more equipment in the future.

2. Cllr D Pugh briefed everyone and supplied the costings for the servicing of the mowers in the last 3 years. It was suggested that this servicing goes out to tender but it was explained that you would only get labour costs not parts, so the decision was taken not to go ahead.
Cllr A Rich will look into the prices for a gang mower for the recreation ground cutting.

3. The plants on the recreation ground are still there and the Parish Council are waiting for advice regarding the legal aspect of removal. Clerk to diary.

4. The Parish Council had sent a letter to the Hickling Football Club asking for the changing rooms to be cleaned and tidied up. Clerk reported that this had been done.

5. The drain cover at the corner of the changing rooms has been damaged by the mower, so it was proposed by Cllr G Smith and seconded by Cllr H Purnell and all agreed to ask Mr B Brookes to lower the cover.

9. VILLAGE PLAN UPDATE
Mr P Berrie has promised a draft for the Annual Parish Meeting on Monday 21st April.

10. PLANNING UPDATE
The three plans for Hickling Parish Council have been submitted to the NNDC planning department and the Chairman V Tallowin would like our thanks extended to Mr P Brown for all his hard work in getting these plans ready. Clerk to write.

11. PUBLIC MEETING 8TH APRIL
A public meeting was arranged at very short notice after an article about flooding of a large area including Hickling was reported in the EDP. Malcolm Kerby of the Coastal Concern Action Group had already organised meetings in Potter Heigham & Sea Palling and also Hickling.
This was very well attended and succeeded in bringing this to everyone's attention including the media. There are various options to be discussed before a final decision can be made in how to follow this through to ensure this is not a blight on Hickling for years to come.

12. ANNUAL PARISH MEETING 21st APRIL
The issue of Coastal Erosion will be discussed under Any Other Business as the agenda had already been issued.

DATE OF NEXT MEETING - Monday, 12th May at 7.15 pm in the Community Hall.

There was no further business and the meeting was closed at 11.10 pm