HICKLING PARISH COUNCIL
MINUTES OF PARISH COUNCIL MEETING HELD ON
Monday, 7th January 2008, at 7.30pm in the Community Hall

PRESENT:
CHAIRMAN: V TALLOWIN, VICE CHAIRMAN: H PURNELL
COUNCILLORS: A RICH, B NOYE, M BUTCHER, G SMITH, M ELLIOTT,
R COOK
Clerk: Mrs S Chapman

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

1. The flooding on Ouse Lane alongside Hickling Broad and the state of other roads around the village. County Councillor C How will pursue the matter with highways and the Clerk to contact the Environment Agency and Broads Authority with regards to the flooding problem.
2. Mr & Mrs Simmonds requested Parish Councillors opinion on draft plans for a stable block at
Burwell Acres.
3. County Councillor C How explained the current position of the Unitary debate and that it is in the government's hands and not inactivity on the local council's part.
Also the Care for Elderly in Norfolk has received a slightly better settlement this year, although after 2/3 years of under funding this will only go some way towards the deficit.

7.30pm The Parish Council meeting commenced with no public participation -

The Chairman wished everyone a Happy New Year and welcomed six parishioners,
District Councillor S Partridge and County Councillor C How.

3. MATTERS ARISING -
The minutes of the 5 Nov to be altered to record the voting on item 8b1 as 3 objections and 2 abstentions, all agreed and the minute book was duly altered and signed accordingly.

4. DECLARATION OF COUNCILLOR'S INTERESTS FOR THIS MEETING -
Cllr Butcher declared a personal interest in NNDC New planning application - 2 Lilac Cottage, The Street.

5. CORRESPONDENCE

a) Norfolk Link - November 2007 Issue

b) Norfolk & Norwich NHS Trust - Inviting people to join their member's board. The invite to be placed in this month's news sheet. Clerk to respond.

c) NCC & North Norfolk Parish & Town Council - Conference on the 16th Jan at the Blakeney Hotel. No councillors were able to attend.

d) NNDC - Agenda 12 Dec 2007.

e) NNDC - Notes from Planning Matters meeting Held at Edgefield. Clerk to keep on file.

f) NNDC - Confirmation of Dog Control Orders that came into force on the 1st January 2008 and further orders to be adopted later in 2008.

g) Norfolk Association of Village Halls - News letter Dec 07 and application form to join the association. At a cost of £10 pa it was proposed by Cllr H Purnell and seconded by Cllr R Cook that Hickling become a member, all agreed and the cheque was signed. Clerk to complete registration.

h) NNDC - Request for Full Register of Electors. Clerk.to respond.

i) Norfolk NHS Primary Care Trust - Their Proposed Vision & Priorities 2008-2011 information. This was passed to Cllr M Butcher.

j) North Walsham CAB - Confirmation of receipt of our donation of £25.

k) North Norfolk Community Partnership - Conference on 23 Jan at Binham.
No councillors were able to attend.

l) NNDC - Winter Gritting schedule,
Clerk to enquire whether other roads could be included in schedule.

m) Audit Commission -
Return of certified Annual Return by the Audit Commission for 2006-2007 accounts.

n) Broads Authority LDF - Preferred Options & Development Control policies booklet, includes specific areas around the Staithe, the Causeway and Town St. Clerk to keep on file.

o) Stalham & Happing - Renewal of membership. Clerk to respond.

p) Mr Tansley - Letter with his concerns about the Staithe. See item 8a1

q) Norfolk Police Authority - NPA Budget 2008/9 open meeting 24 January in Wymondham.
No councillors were able to attend.

6. TREASURER'S REPORT
a)

b) Budget to date - Distributed

7. PLANNING

a) NNDC - Decisions - None

Broads Authority - Decisions - None

b) NNDC - New Applications
1. 2 Lilac Cottages, The Street - Erection of One and Half Rear Extension - supported
Cllr M Butcher refrained voting and any discussion of above plans due to personal interest

Outstanding Applications -
1. Martins Nest, The Street - Further to the Enforcement Officer's visit to the premises, the owners have until April 2009 to comply with the report.

8. PARISH COUNCIL PROPERTY REPORTS

a) Staithe
1.The letter from Mr Tansley about the placing of chippings on the Staithe, the Parish Council will monitor the situation but have no plans to remove them at the present time, also the Clerk will investigate the matter of the road leading to the sailing club/beach area to see if repairs can be done. Clerk to respond to letter.

b) Community Hall
It was brought to the Parish Council's attention that the brown microwave in the kitchen was broken; all agreed that it be disposed of in the correct manner. Clerk to respond.

c) Recreation Ground
1. Cllr M Butcher reported that the Play Area update was still in progress but with the holiday season etc no further news was available.
Cllr R Cook to do a Health & Safety inspection on the equipment, but the concrete pipe was going to be a problem with disposal. The toilet situation for children was also an ongoing matter.

2. The purchase of the new mower was delayed until February.

9. VILLAGE PLAN UPDATE
Clerk to contact Mr P Berrie for an update.

10. PLANNING UPDATE + PROJECT PLANNING NOTES
It was confirmed that the plans would be available for public viewing in the Community Hall between 10-12pm on 19th January.

DATE OF NEXT MEETING - Monday, 4th February 7.15 pm in the Community Hall.

There was no further business and the meeting was closed at 8.35pm