HICKLING PARISH COUNCIL
MINUTES OF PARISH COUNCIL MEETING HELD ON
Monday, 16th June 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, M SCOTT
Clerk: Mrs S Chapman

7.15PM Public Participation - The following point(s) were raised:
1. HEARA - Mr K Barnes & Mr E Lindo gave a brief update, announcing that they will now keep
working more under the umbrella of the North East Norfolk Parish Coastal Group, instead of being a separate entity but with keeping Hickling to the forefront, this is to ensure all are talking with one voice. The message does seem to be making an impact and there are, and have been numerous meetings arranged with the official bodies concerned of which Ken & Eric will keep us informed etc. They hope that Hickling will get a copy of the Natural England/Environment Agency draft report before it is published.

7.30PM The Parish Council meeting commenced with no public participation -
The Chairman welcomed four parishioners.

1. APOLOGIES were received from County Councillor C How.

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

3. MATTERS ARISING - Cllr K Moody asked for the comment on item 8a1 to be amended as follows 'Cllr K Moody refrained from voting due to living opposite'

4. DECLARATION OF COUNCILLOR'S INTERESTS FOR THIS MEETING
Councillor M Butcher declared a prejudicial & personal interest in the planning application for 1 Lilac Cottage, The Street, Hickling.

5. CORRESPONDENCE -
a) Mr H Nudd - Explanation of his accounting procedures.

b) Norfolk Police Authority - Policing Plan for 2008-2011

c) Norfolk County Council - Local Transport Plan Delivery Seminar on 15 July at Mattishall

d) NNDC - Local Code of Conduct Complaints Procedure. Clerk to file.

e) NNDC - Health & Safety at Work a list of legislation that may apply if the new building goes ahead on the recreation ground. Clerk to file with the plans.

f) Hickling Ladies Group - Complaint letter, re heating in Community Hall (see item 8b2)

g) Norfolk Playing Field Assoc. - News Letter. Passed to Cllr M Butcher

h) NCH, Poppyland Surestart - Stalham Children's Centre.

i) Mr G Jones - Reply concerning Wet Berth Waiting List request. (see item 8a2)

j) Mr H Harding/Mr N Lamb - Flooding at Byways, The Smea.
Clerk to arrange date with Mr C Dawdry.

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

l) Mr T Goodwin - Flood Risk assessment changes (see item 11)

m) Norfolk County Council - Notification of impending Highways Inspection.
Clerk to forward any queries and include in the next news sheet.

n) Parish & Town Councils - Summer Conference 22 July at Carrow Road, at a cost of £40 per head the Parish Council decided to decline the invitation. Clerk to request minutes.

o) NNDC - LDF Bulletin update.

p) NNDC - LDF Documents - Public Consultation 9 June - 21 July.

q) Norfolk County Council - Post Office Closures fight update.

r) PCSO SNT Stalham - Abandoned boats on the Parish Staithe dry berth area. (see item 8a4)
Cllr David Pugh had sent his apologies for being late and joined meeting at 8.10pm

s) Mr N Lamb - Campaign to Maintain & Protect our Coast Line. Clerk to forward copy to HEARA

t) Potter Heigham & Stalham - Requesting help with petition signing for the above campaign.

u) NNDC - Planning for Dwellings at the Community Hall site. (see item 11)

v) Norfolk Rural Community Council - AGM invitation 16 July. No one was available to attend.

w) Mr Hilton - Public Exhibition for Wind Turbine in Hickling. Clerk to liaise with Mr Hilton for suitable date.

x) Charity Commission - Confirmation of the Recreation Ground Annual Return

y) Mr D Skinner - Update on the Chapel Pit and request for a 'clear up' day for all villagers to be involved. Clerk to liaise and organise date

z. Mr Cutbill - Letter with concerns regarding the Wet Berth Waiting List. (see item 8a3)

6. TREASURER'S REPORT
a) Expenses

b) Budget to Date end of Year - Distributed Quarterly

7. PLANNING
a) NNDC - Decisions -
1. Community Hall, The Street - Erection of Semi-Detached Dwellings - recommended for approval subject to signing of agreement under Section 106.

2. Andrews Garage/Bay Cottage, The Street - Demolition of Garage/Workshop &
Erection of 4 Two-Storey Dwellings - permitted

b) NNDC - New Applications -
1. 1 Lilac Cottage, The Street - Erection of Two Storey Side/Front Ext, Single Storey Rear Ext. Front & Rear Dormers windows, Porch & Detached Garage and Change of Use of Land from Agricultural to Garden - supported
Cllr M Butcher declared a prejudicial and personal interest in the above application and left the room while discussions took place.

2. 9 & 10 Heron Way - Variation on previous plans - no objections

8. PARISH COUNCIL PROPERTY REPORTS
a) Staithe
1. The Staithe Warden's yearly remit for grass cutting was discussed and as this had not been increased since 2005, Cllr R Cook proposed and Cllr M Scott seconded and all agreed for an increase of £50 bringing the total to £150 pa. It was suggested that the Staithe Warden liaise with the Clerk in respect of the time spent on various jobs at the staithe then the situation can be monitored as there is a need for improvement in the general upkeep of the staithe area.
Clerk to respond.

2.The request from Mr & Mrs Dust of Maryland Cottage, Stubb Rd to be added to the wet berth waiting list, all agreed that once they have confirmation of being on the Hickling electoral roll to apply again in writing. Clerk to respond.

3. The Clerk explained that there is some confusion over the general rules of the Wet Berth Waiting list; this query was passed to the Staithe Working Party to formulate the procedure, i.e. length of boats allowed and refusal of offer of berth etc.

4. It was decided to put a notice on two boats on the Staithe dry berth area, Berth 71 and an abandoned dinghy, informing the owners that they are incurring charges of £40 per month from the 1st June 2008 and boats will be disposed of by the 30th Sept if no contact from owners beforehand. Berth 71 has not paid any rent since 2006 and subsequent letters have gone unanswered and the police have been notified of the abandoned dinghy.
Clerk has requested legal advice from Parish & Town Councils.

5. Cllr R Cook explained the Health & Safety Report that he compiled on the Parish Staithe, and it was recommended to enquire about the safety aspect of the winches and the provision of lifebuoys. Clerk to contact the Broads Authority for advice and Cllr R Cook to meet with Staithe Warden and go through the procedure of working the winches.

b) Community Hall
1. It was agreed last year that Hickling School could store their piano in the Community Hall whilst building work was undertaken, due to delay in this the subject has been brought up again, all councillors were in agreement but Clerk to reiterate the fact that the piano is insured under the schools insurance policy.

2. The Hickling Ladies Group have experienced a lot of problems with the heating in the Community Hall this year especially concerning their meeting on the 16th April, so it was agreed that there would be no charge for that evening and a letter be forwarded to the caretaker to ensure the heating is available in future. Clerk to respond

c) Recreation Ground
1. The Clerk informed the council about complaints of cars on the playing field when the gate should be shut. The combination padlock had been opened as the combination number had been left visible on the padlock. Clerk to change combination number and inform all necessary people of change.

2. The electric and water costs exceed what income is received from the recreation ground. This was deferred until next month when the Clerk will have an expense breakdown available.

9. CONTACT LIST & WORKING PARTIES LIST
Due to change of councillors both the above lists were amended accordingly.
Clerk to update and distribute both lists.

10. VILLAGE PLAN UPDATE
As all councillors had now seen the draft copy and noted down their comments, the Clerk will meet with Mr P Berrie ready to finalise the report for printing and distribution.

11. PLANNING UPDATE
Due to time restraints the Clerk had contacted all councillors and received approval to instruct Mr T Goodwin to go ahead with the extra work as required by the Environment Agency, which may cost in the region of £500. Also all agreed to go ahead with the Section 106 agreement on plans for the existing Community Hall site, once all planning had been finalised.

12. COASTAL DEFENCE UPDATE
1. Chairman explained that notes from the 19th May & 22nd May were available and a further meeting has been organised for the 23rd June when Shaun Thomas will attend.

2. Out of pocket expenses for HEARA were discussed and it was proposed by Cllr D Pugh and seconded by Cllr K Moody that expenses be capped at £500 at the present time, and all agreed on this decision. This to be revisited at a later date as they are now working with the NENPG which includes all other affected parishes.

13. PARISH COUNCIL INSPECTION WALK IN AUGUST
Date agreed as the 4th August beginning at the Parish Staithe at 6.30pm

The Chairman spoke about the Parish Hearse as the HLHG had asked whether the Parish Council agreed about doing restoration work on it, all agreed that it should be left untouched as any work may de-value it but an inspection will take place on the 4th August on the Parish Council Property Inspection Walk.

DATE OF NEXT MEETING - Monday, 14th July at 7.15 pm in the Community Hall.