Hickling Parish Council

1. APOLOGIES were received from T Woodman, H Purnell and County Councillor C How.

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

3. MATTERS ARISING
In item 8. Seats/Benches, in the third line the word 'have' should be 'has', all agreed that this should be changed accordingly.

4. CORRESPONDENCE
a) NCC - Possible Changes to Local Government in Norfolk - District Councillor Simon Partridge gave a brief overview on the matter which reflected the District Council's support for the change, but the County Council were against the bid as County Councillor Christopher How's briefing last month revealed. Hickling Parish Council's opinion was a unanimous vote against the change because of the costs involved.
Clerk to respond.

b) NCC - Confirming they will investigate the blocked drain(s) in Ouse Lane.

c) NCC - The Winter Gritting schedule. Clerk to put copy in GAM.

d) Norfolk Deaf Assoc. - Leaflet asking whether we had any suitable venue for a mobile bus to visit monthly with supplies and information for the hard of hearing in Hickling. The councillors all agreed that the bus could park beside the Methodist Church.
Clerk to respond.

e) Parish & Town Council - News letter.

f) NNDC - Area Forum meeting 28th February at Waxham & Sea Palling Village Hall, starting at 7pm. Clerk to respond with numbers.

g) NNDC - Healthy Working Leaflet, this was passed to Richard Cook who has kindly offered to do a Health & Safety/Risk Assessment on areas in Hickling.

h) NNDC - Play Strategy in North Norfolk.

i) Hickling Wind Surfers Club - A letter to the council regarding some vandalism at their site in Ouse Lane. The police have been contacted and a crime number has been allocated.
Clerk to respond

j) Environment Agency - Dredging License Exemption

k) Happing Festival 2007 - A letter enquiring if we have any events planned for 2007 and whether they could use the Community Hall for any of their events during the month of June 2007.
Clerk to respond with vacant dates and offering to advertise their events in the GAM and news sheet.

l) Broads Authority - Windsurfers Beach Footpath to viewing area in Hickling has been confirmed with the BA that there has been no breach of planning regulations regarding parishioners/public access.

m) DVLA - Mower Road Tax confirmation for year 2007-2008

n) Stalham & Happing - Agenda for 16th January & minutes from 7th November. They have agreed to assist us in applying for grants/funding on various projects in Hickling.

o) Clerk to Barton & Irstead Parish Council - Email informing the Parish Council & parishioners about a public meeting on the 18th January in Happisburgh church at 7.30pm for discussion about coastal management.

p) T Gill, Police Officer - Email confirming dates for January for a Home Security meeting in Hickling, but as the dates cannot be included in the monthly news sheet until 1st Feb it was decided to delay the meeting until after the news sheet has gone out in February.
Clerk to arrange.

5. TREASURER'S REPORT
a)

b) Budget to Date - Distributed with minutes

c) Annual Return Accounts for 2005-2006 have been approved and signed off by the Audit Commission.
The accounts can be viewed at the Clerks house by appointment only and a copy is on the web site.

6. PLANNING

a) NNDC New Applications
1. Hickling First School - Construction of 2-classbase Ext with raised terrace with canopy, temporary mobile units and repositioning timber shed - supported

2. 21 Broadlands Road - Erection of Replacement Garage - no objection

3. Timber Gables, Hill Common - Raising of Roof to Provide First Floor Living Accommodation and Erection of Detached Double Garage - no objection

7. PARISH COUNCIL PROPERTY REPORTS
a) Staithe
1. The discrepancies in boat lengths for wet berths will be revisited in January 2008 before the wet berth agreements are sent out in March 2008. This was proposed by K Moody and seconded by L Beales and all were in agreement that this motion be passed. Clerk to diary.
Councillor D Pugh declared an interest in the above item

2. Dry Berth rents are to be increased by rate of inflation (RPI) only. This was proposed by
D Pugh, seconded by L Beales and voted on with 7 fors and I abstention so the motion was passed. D Pugh to supply Clerk with relevant data ready for the invoices in February.
Councillor M Elliott declared an interest in the above item and did not vote

b) Community Hall - none

c) Recreation Ground
The entrance into the recreation ground from Ouse Lane was cleared of vegetation by H Nudd so the contractors AJS could access the field to use the soil for infilling at the new quay heading on the Staithe. It then became clear the gate was in disrepair and a new one was required. This was proposed by K Moody and seconded by D Mayhew and all agreed that a gate be ordered from E Doe & Son at a cost of £93 15 including hinges as required and H Nudd will install gate in due course.
Chairman V Tallowin to arrange.

8. ALLOTMENTS
The allotment by the school is still vacant. Representatives from the Parish Council are to meet with C Birch and associate from Brown & Co to discuss various options on this site on Tuesday 16th January 2007.

9. VILLAGE PLAN UPDATE
The Village Plan Committee need to meet with the Parish Council to discuss which way forward for the village community hall and to begin compiling the draft overall Village Plan.

10. VILLAGE SIGN SEAT
As previously agreed a new seat was to be ordered from R Uff at a cost of £220 and H Gibbons has agreed to install when delivered. Clerk to enquire if there is anyone in the village who could engrave the back of the seat with the words 'Hickling Parish Council'.

11. GRASS CUTTING AT ST MARY'S CHURCH
As Rev Khambatta has not come back to the council with a date to meet with them to discuss the grass cutting for next season this was deferred until the next meeting.