MINUTES OF BUXTON WITH LAMAS PARISH COUNCIL MEETING
held in BUXTON VILLAGE HALL on MONDAY 10 JANUARY 2005

PRESENT
COUNCILLORS: Mrs R. Roth (Chairman)
Mr G. Halliwell (Vice-Chairman)
Mr D. Folland Mr G. Forster Mr E. Nichols
Mrs B. Rix Mr N. Rudrum Mr C. Tomlinson
District Councillor I. Evans (later)
County Councillor D. Turnbull
CLERK: Mrs R. Rose
Two members of the public

1. APOLOGIES were accepted from Mrs P. Goodman, Mrs Y. Powell and Mrs M. Wickham.
2. THE MINUTES OF THE PREVIOUS MEETING held on 29 November 2004 had been previously circulated; proposed by Mr Nichols, seconded by Mr Forster, these were AGREED, and signed by the Chairman as a true record.

3. MATTERS ARISING

3.1 Ongoing Liaison With District Youth Worker
The Clerk reported that Mrs Stone had been working in the Buxton area for a number of months and wished to share some of the ideas that the youth had raised with her. The Clerk had arranged to meet her on 14 January.

3.2 Visit to Materials Recycling Facility
Mrs Rix reported on the visit made by herself, the Vice-Chairman and Clerk to the new facility at Costessey. All had been very impressed with the efficient running of the operation, and the large volume of recyclable material that could be handled.

4. POLICE MATTERS

4.1 Staff Changes, Broadland Sector
The meeting noted a letter from the new Sector Inspector, Roger Clarke, and staffing at the Acle and Aylsham offices.

4.2 Village Policing Matters
The Clerk would ask P.C. Cook to monitor trespassers at an empty property in Church Close, and to give some attention to cars parked close to the junction of Brook Street, Bulwer Road after dark, making emergence from the junction difficult.
Mr Forster reported on the vandalism to the floodlighting at Buxton church.

The meeting AGREED to suspend Standing Orders to allow members of the public to speak.
A representation was made on the planning application for Bridge Terrace.
Standing Orders were reinstated.

5. PLANNING MATTERS

5.2 Applications
20041973: Heath Cottage, Coltishall Road: Conversion of Barn to Holiday Let Accommodation
(Mr Tomlinson declared an interest in this application)
DECISION: Supported change of use in principle, but would wish to see details of the final design.

20042038: Bridge Terrace, Mill Street: Extension to Existing Dwelling
DECISION: Supported, subject to the omission of the timber cladding. This decision was made on a vote of 6 for, 1 against, 1 abstention. The Vice-Chairman wished his vote against the decision to be recorded; the Chairman wished her vote to abstain to be recorded.

5.2 Permissions and Enforcement Matters
The application for annex accommodation at Heath Cottage had been refused.

5.3 Any Other Planning Matters
5.3.1 The Clerk reported that Parish Councils were being encouraged to have input into the consultation for the East of England Plan, which would ultimately replace County Council Structure Plan and District Council Local Plan. A series of consultation meetings had been arranged; the Vice-Chairman and Clerk would attend the meeting at Cromer. The plan was also available on the East of England's Regional Assembly website.
County Councillor Turnbull reminded the meeting that a consultation form was available on the website.

5.3.2 County Councillor Turnbull confirmed that no further information was available on the future of RAF Coltishall. A decision was awaited from the Ministry of Defence. The Clerk had sought membership for the council on the County Council-led Liaison Group.

6. FINANCE

6.1 Payments
Proposed by Mr Halliwell, seconded by Mr Nichols, payment for the following was agreed:
Clerk's salary - December 267.51
Less 6% pension contribution (16.05) 251.46
Tiscali UK Ltd: Telephone charges 5.99
Audit Commission: Audit of accounts 2003/04 293.75
Society of Local Council Clerks: Annual subscription (30%) 31.50
Clerk's salary - January 267.51
Less 6% pension contribution (16.05) 251.46}
Stationery 12.02} 263.48
Norfolk Pension Fund: December & January contributions 103.26

6.2 Budget and Precept 2005/06
The meeting considered the draft budget for the next financial year. It was agreed to earmark a further £1,000 for playground improvements, and £5,000 for the Parish Partnership for Highway improvements.
Proposed by Mr Tomlinson, seconded by Mr Nichols, the budget was approved and the precept for the financial year 2005/06 was set at £21,000.

6.3 Clarification of Agreements for BALAY Land Acquisition
The Council authorised the Clerk to approach the solicitor to clarify details of the agreements dated April 2001 and September 2001 made with Balmforth Homes; if the cost of consultation was likely to exceed £250 the Clerk would refer to the Council again.

7. CORRESPONDENCE

7.1 A list of the correspondence received had been circulated, and is attached to the signed copy of these minutes. All items were available from the Clerk.

7.2 The Clerk reported that night flying would take place from RAF Coltishall between 17-20, and 24-27 January until 11.30 pm.

7.3 The Clerk reported that Broadland District Council's Leisure Aid Scheme had fallen into decline and would be withdrawn, subject to the full Council's approval. A new scheme would be launched using an electronic card, which would have to be issued at Thorpe Lodge. Accordingly the District Council would write formally giving three months' notice of the termination of the delegated function agreement for issue of Leisure Aid passes.

8. VILLAGE MAINTENANCE & HIGHWAYS MATTERS

8.1 Various Highways Matters
The Clerk reported on correspondence received from local residents indicating their disappointment at the Council's decision not to replant trees on Bulwer Close Green.

The Clerk would pursue the relevant action for the following matters:
Damaged seat opposite the Crown PH;
Damaged road name sign for Church Close;
Replacement of the litterbin in the playground;
Extension of the railing between the playground and Village Hall car park;
A listing tree in the Dell;
Fly-tipping in Back Lane;
Vehicles parked facing oncoming traffic between Lion Road and Bulwer Road, and parking on the footway;
Damaged lights at Buxton Mill car park;
Additional reflector posts at the Crown Road/Church close junction;
Branches on trees on Buxton Mill land overhanging the carriageway.

(District Councillor Evans entered the meeting at this point)

9. REPORTS FROM DISTRICT / COUNTY COUNCILLORS

9.1 County Councillor Turnbull reported that the Leader of the County Council, Alison King, had been awarded the OBE for her services to Social Services matters at a national level.

There had been a drive to ensure that the Council Tax increase for 2005/06 did not exceed 4%.

The Audit Commission had reported on the County Council for 2003/04 and found it a "good and improving council".

County Councillor Turnbull confirmed that, at the consultation meetings held around the county regarding the East of England Plan, the County Council personnel would be acting as agents for EERA. The biggest concern about the Plan had been that the infrastructure could be insufficient to accommodate the number of houses proposed for Norfolk. EERA had refused to endorse the proposals until the Government supported the necessary infrastructure, especially the improvements to the A11 and A47. In particular the increase in housing should be job-led, as the numbers involved would equate to a whole new settlement. The County Council would give its views on the proposals at the end of February.

County Councillor Turnbull expanded on the recent PFI failure for improvements to Norfolk's schools; the County Council had been given permission to borrow up to £56 million to carry out some necessary improvements.

Mr Rudrum expressed his concern at losing the 'green belt', should permission be given for a large increase in housing under the East of England Plan proposals. County Councillor Turnbull confirmed that an allocation for housing would be made to each District Council, and it would be up to the individual District Councils to decide where these should be sited.
On a question from Mr Forster, County Councillor Turnbull explained the financial implications of terminating the contract with Capita for finance services. The County Council should save £3.5 million by locating the finance and personnel services in-house.

9.2 District Councillor Evans reported on his attendance at the District Council meeting on 7 December, at which he had presented a report on his attendance at the Standards Assembly.

It seemed likely that there would be no increase in members' allowances in the next financial year.

The internal drainage boards had been amalgamated into fewer, larger boards; the Upper, Middle and Lower Bure boards together with the Wensum formed the Norfolk Rivers IDB.

An Extraordinary Council Meeting had been held on 20 December to discuss the Thorpe Lodge accommodation issue. A motion from the portfolio holder had been approved, to the effect that, given the Council's financial position, it would be unwise to commit £4 million of taxpayers' money for new-build or major refurbishment of the existing offices. Accordingly £1 million had been placed in the budget for essential work.

Councillors Tumbull and Evans were thanked for their reports and attendance at the meeting.

There being no further business, the meeting closed at 9.15 pm.