MINUTES OF BUXTON WITH LAMAS PARISH COUNCIL MEETING
held in BUXTON VILLAGE HALL on MONDAY 21 MARCH 2005

PRESENT
COUNCILLORS: Mrs R. Roth (Chairman)
Mr G. Halliwell (Vice-Chairman)
Mr D. Folland Mr E. Nichols Mrs Y. Powell
Mrs B. Rix Mr N. Rudrum
District Councillor I. Evans
CLERK: Mrs R. Rose
Seven members of the public

1. APOLOGIES were accepted from Mr G. Forster, Mrs P. Goodman, Mr C. Tomlinson, Mrs M. Wickham, County Councillor D. Turnbull and P.C. Cook

2. THE MINUTES OF THE PREVIOUS MEETING held on 14 February 2005, and the minutes of the Planning Committee meeting held on 7 March 2005 had been previously circulated; proposed by Mr Nichols, seconded by Mr Folland, these were AGREED, and signed by the Chairman as a true record.

3. MATTERS ARISING

3.1 Siting of proposed youth shelter
(Mr Nichols and Mrs Powell declared an interest in this item, as they were members of the Village Hall Management Committee. They gave information as requested, but took no part in any decision).
Mr Nichols reported on the meeting with the Permanent Trustees, who were asked to give their permission for siting the youth shelter on Village Hall land. Mr Nichols, in consultation with the Youth Worker and P.C. Moore, had suggested a site between the football pitch and the hedge bordering Mill Street. He reported hat the Trustees were reasonably happy with the siting, but less so with the proposed portakabin design.
Two letters of objection to the proposed siting had been received from local residents; main objections were potential disturbance from youths within the shelter, and the loss of visual amenities from the siting of an unattractive structure.

The Chairman reminded the meeting that the Parish Council was acting as 'facilitator' in this matter, and needed to have regard to the concerns of all parties, including the local residents. Mr Nichols remarked that the object of the exercise was to encourage the youths to gather somewhere other than the playground.

It was AGREED to adjourn the meeting to allow members of the public to speak.

Dr Briscoe (Village Hall Permanent Trustee) reported that he and fellow Trustees had met to discuss the issue on 19 March, and were in favour in principle of providing somewhere dry for youths to meet. They appreciated the efforts made by Mr Nichols to move the project forward, but felt that before a decision was made, more time should be spent liaising wit the youths themselves, the Youth Worker and Police, and looking at alternative designs. Owners of the neighbouring properties should also be consulted. He noted that any structures placed on Village Hall land would be vested in the Charity Commissioners and become the property of the Village Hall.

There was discussion on the history of the project, arising from a Parish Council meeting in March 2004, when the Youth Worker first came to talk to the Parish Council, and the Vicar had given his support to any initiative to help the young people.

Residents asked various questions about the design of the shelter, supervision, and the potential for attracting youths from other communities to meet in Buxton. Various past incidents of vandalism were quoted, and questions raised about the future of the shelter should its purpose be abused. Mr Nichols replied that a local contractor was willing to screen the structure with trees, and should it be abused, it could easily be locked and its purpose revert to storage. Mr Mitchell pointed out that its proposed siting could further damage the football pitch.

The Chairman closed the matter by asking that the Trustees and the Village Hall Management Committee reconsider the siting, and a meeting would be arranged between them, representatives of the Parish Council and the Youth Worker. Consultation with neighbouring properties would be carried out before any decision was taken. Mr Nichols asked that the matter be progressed with some urgency.

Three members of the public left the meeting at this point.

3.2 Land Registry entry for land off Aylsham Road
The Council's solicitor had indicated that the Transfer could be corrected by both parties simply signing a copy of the plan with the relevant points A, B and C marked on it. He suggested an on-site meeting with Mr Balmforth of Balmforth Homes to agree the location of the points. The Clerk suggested that herself and the BALAY Project Manager (representing the tenants) should meet Mr Balmforth - this was AGREED.

3.3 Clerk's Contract of Employment
The Clerk had ascertained the statutory periods of notice, which were AGREED as a minimum of one month and a maximum of three months on both sides. A fair copy of the contract had been produced, which she and the Chairman would sign at the end of the meeting.

4. POLICE MATTERS

4.1 Crime Statistics
Figures for the period 24 January to 7 March 2005 showed a nil return.

4.2 Mobile Police Office
Visits from the mobile office would recommence on 6 April. The office would be parked at Buxton Village Hall from 10.15 to 12.30; further dates had been arranged for 1 June and 27 July.

4.3 'Bogus' callers
Mr Nichols asked the meeting to be aware that suspect tradesmen were calling on properties offering to clear drains.

5. PLANNING MATTERS

5.1 Applications
20050161: 15 Aylsham Road: Amendment - removal of window from southern elevation
DECISION: Supported

5.2 Permissions and Enforcement Matters
No matters to report.

5.3 Any Other Planning Matters
Permission had been granted by Broadland District Council for works to an oak tree with a TPO at 17 Bulwer Road, Buxton.
It was AGREED to adjourn the meeting to allow members of the public to speak.

Mr Smithson, as Fabric Officer of Buxton PCC, spoke on the cost of maintaining the churchyards at St Andrews, which he acknowledged was heavily subsidised by the Parish Council (item 6.3 on the agenda). The total cost for the 2004 season had been £2,462, of which the Parish Council was asked to pay £1,995.
The current contractor had last received a pay rise in 2001, and Mr Smithson wished to ascertain the level of the Parish Council's future support before agreeing an increased rate with the contractor.
The current hourly rate was provided, and a rise of 30% was sought. The contractor himself paid £5 per time for petrol for the church mower, which lasted for one cut taking approximately 8 hours. The grass had been cut through the winter months, and was cut twice-weekly in the summer.
Mr Smithson emphasised that, if the churchyards were closed (full), it would be the Parish Council's responsibility to provide land and run a cemetery for the parish. He repeated that the PCC was very grateful for the continued financial support from the Parish Council.

Dr Briscoe spoke on item 8.1 on the agenda. He had asked the Parish Council to support his request in the summer/autumn of 2001 for double yellow lines on Lion Road to the north of the entrance to Dudwick Park, to prevent vehicles being parked at this location and obstructing the view for vehicles emerging from the Park. The Police Traffic Support Officer had made a report on the situation at the time, but this had been withheld from the Parish Council, which felt it could not make a decision with no supporting evidence.
Dr Briscoe had acquired a copy of the report under the Freedom of Information Act, which he had made available to the Parish Council; this supported his view.
Mr Mitchell, landlord of the Black Lion PH, disagreed with Dr Briscoe's analysis of the problem. He felt that if the hedge at the location concerned was trimmed back to reveal the wall, of which he gave the Council photographic evidence, there would be ample space for cars to park and not obstruct the view. He had never experienced problems with the sight line when emerging from the Park.

Mr Mitchell left the meeting at this point, and the adjournment ended.

6. FINANCE

6.1 Payments
(The Vice-Chairman declared an interest in the payment for his travelling expenses)
Proposed by Mr Nichols, seconded by Mr Rudrum, payment for the following was agreed:
Buxton Primary School: Photocopying; March Round 133.91
Buxton PCC: Churchyard maintence, 2004 season 1,995.00
Tiscali UK Limited: telephone charges 5.98
G.V. Halliwell: Travelling expenses, East of England Plan seminar 11.20
Clerk's salary - March 267.51
Less 6% pension contribution (16.05) 251.46}
Expenses, December - March 27.98} 279.44
Norfolk Pension Fund: Pension fund return - March 51.63

6.2 Application for financial assistance
Buxton Pre-school Playgroup had recently extended its age range down to 2 year-olds, to cover the shortfall experienced when the Primary Schools changed their intake dates and a large proportion of the Playgroup children left. It sought assistance with the purchase of resources for these younger children.
Proposed by Mr Halliwell, seconded by Mrs Rix, a donation of 100 was AGREED. The Clerk would ask if some of the older, possibly redundant, toys and equipment could be disposed of.
6.3 Churchyard maintenance, 2005 season
The meeting had regard to Mr Smithson's participation during the adjournment.
There was discussion on the need for twice-weekly grass cutting in the summer months.
Proposed by Mr Halliwell, seconded by Mrs Rix, a ceiling of £2,100 was AGREED as a donation to Buxton PCC for the 2005 season. The matter of the frequency of cuts would then be for the PCC itself to decide.
Mr Smithson reiterated that he PCC was grateful for the Parish Council's assistance. He further asked if the brass plaque for the village's enhancement award, recently rediscovered, could again be attached to the village sign; this was AGREED.
Mr Smithson then left the meeting.

6.4 Advertising space in 'The Round'
The Clerk reported that there was a long waiting list for advertisers, and sought the Parish Council's opinion on further allocation of space for this purpose. An extra A4 sheet with advertisers could be almost filled and inserted into the current folded A3 format. At present this would give an extra half side of A4 for other content, or filled with advertising space as and when this was sought.
The meeting AGREED that an extra A4 sheet could be inserted; the Clerk would try to arrange this for the May issue onwards.

6.5 Any Other Financial Matters
The Clerk sought approval for a virement from Miscellaneous Expenditure to S.137 Payments for the current year of £100 to cover the donation to Buxton Playgroup, and an increase in the budget allocation for 2005/06 for Buxton PCC to £2,100 - AGREED.

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 Bus Services
The Clerk drew the meeting's attention to the withdrawal of Service 11 (Aylsham to Wroxham), and the new timetable for Service 210 (North Walsham to Norwich).

7.3 Council Tax Bills 2005/06
Broadland District Council had asked Clerks to draw attention to an error on the percentage increase presentation on some Council Tax bills; it did not affect the total amount due or the legality of the billing process. This had been placed on the noticeboards.

8. VILLAGE MAINTENANCE & HIGHWAYS MATTERS

8.1 Double Yellow lines, Entrance to Dudwick Park
The meeting had regard to Dr Briscoe's participation during the adjournment.
At Mrs Rix's suggestion, it was agreed that Councillors should meet on site. This was arranged for 1 April at 7.00pm, and the matter would be brought up again a Parish Council meeting to be held immediately after the Annual Parish Meeting on 18 April.
The Clerk would try to ascertain ownership, and responsibility for maintenance of, the hedge to the north of the entrance.

8.2 Village Highways Projects
8.2.1 The County Council Programme and Finding Manager had confirmed that the junction re-alignment project outside the church was not within the Forward programme for 2005/6/7. it was held on a list for possible inclusion in future programmes, but at present others were of higher priority.

8.2.2 The Clerk would pursue progress with the safety improvements for Lamas.

8.3 Village Name Sign, Stratton Road
Proposed by Mr Nichols, seconded by Mr Rudrum, it was AGREED to request a further village name sign for the approach to the village from Stratton Strawless. The most recent sing purchased had cost £125.96.

8.4 Any Other Village Maintenance and Highways Matters
8.4.1 The Clerk would report the following matters to the appropriate authority:
large pothole, Scottow Road;
leaning signpost at the junction of Norwich Road/Stratton Road;
blocked ditch at the base of the Bure Valley Railway bridge, adjacent to Mill Street;

8.4.2 The Clerk would pursue the following matters with the appropriate authority:
permanent traffic lights at Buxton Mill, for the reasons of pedestrian safety;
trimming of trees at Buxton Mill overhanging The Street;
'one-way' traffic on slip road to RAF Coltishall from Scottow Road.

8.4.3 The Clerk would prepare a document for inclusion in the Village Hall's cabinet showing the Council's donations to the Village Hall annex.

8.4.4 The Clerk reported on her ongoing liaison with Playgroup personnel to achieve safety measures and improvements to the playground.

9. BALAY AGM

The Chairman reported on hers, Mr Tomlinson's and the Clerk's attendance at the BALAY AGM. The arrangements were ongoing to install the car park for 48 cars to a permanent standard, and planning permission had been given for temporary standing of changing and storage facilities.
The Football Association and indicated their support for the youth football element of the final project, and a 'modular' building could be considered in this respect.

10. REPORT FROM DISTRICT COUNCILLOR

District Councillor Evans reported on his attendance At the full council meeting held on 22 February, at which the budget statement was presented. Councillors voted for a 2.9% increase to the council tax, representing £98.46 for a Band D property.

The implications for local authorities taking over responsibility for licensing was discussed. The portfolio holder felt that local members should be notified of applications in their wards, in a similar way to planning applications.

Councillors' allowances had been set at £3,000, plus sums to reflect costs for IT consumables.

The agenda for the meeting to be held on 29 March included a motion that Ian Gibson MP be asked to withdraw his comments made in the press about Broadland District Council and its sale of Norwich Sport Village.

The Council had voted for a total council election on a four-year cycle, but the Deputy Prime Minister had responded that the Council should retain the status quo.

District Councillor Evans had attended an update seminar on the Code of Conduct, as certain cases would now be dealt with locally. He would again be attending the National Conference in September.

District Councillor Evans took questions from the Parish Council regarding licensing and upgrading of property bands for Council Tax.

He was thanked for his report.

There being no further business, the meeting closed at 9.30pm.