12/01/ :31 Susan Holden (Chair), Richard Barr (Vice Chair) Richard Kimble, Nigel Lee, Hannah Gent, Jim Turner, Tricia Myles and Ian Witham

Transcription

1 Bacton & Edingthorpe ORDINARY MEETING OF THE PARISH COUNCIL Elaine Pugh - Clerk to Council Raynham house,10 new road, north walsham, Norfolk, nr28 9df Minutes of the ORDINARY MEETING OF THE PARISH COUNCIL Held on Monday 10 th June 7pm 12/01/ :31 Present: Apologies: Others: Susan Holden (Chair), Richard Barr (Vice Chair) Richard Kimble, Nigel Lee, Hannah Gent, Jim Turner, Tricia Myles and Ian Witham Lynn Preston Members of the public 7, PCSO Alex Spinks Wyndham Northam - NNDC & NCC, Kate North - Village News 1. To receive declaration of interest in items on the Agenda & receive Pecuniary Dispensations and authorisations Nigel Lee declared a personal interest in item To consider apologies for absence Lynn Preston - accepted by the Council 3. To approve outstanding Minutes Bacton & Edingthorpe Annual Parish Council Meeting Monday 13 th May 2013 Resolved that these be approved. ACTION 4. Resolution to adjourn the meeting for public participation (15 mins), Norfolk Police, District and County Councillor Reports Resolved that the meeting be opened to the public. Wyndham Northam - NCC Hilary Cox was appointed as the new Chair and George Nobbs was appointed as Leader of the Council. NNDC a reduction of 185,662 had been under spent on resources for revenue and benefits. This was extremely pleasing as the Council Tax had not been increased for the first two years of the administration. For the first time in several years there is a car parking charge income surplus of 67,773 which is the equivalent of 1% of council tax benefit for all NNDC tax payers. Legal Services who undertake work for other authorities turned in a surplus of 347,033. Council tax and business tax returns is one of the highest in the country. The achievements for 2012/13 was 97.9% for residential and 98.4% for business. The Council encourages payment by direct debit and this eases administration work and the Council is able to estimate the amount of revenue coming in. Currently 76.4% of residents and 53% of business rates are paid in this way. PCSO Alex Spinks - informed that 2 crimes had been reported to the police - 1 common assault and 1 criminal damage to a vehicle. There 1

2 were 8 calls made to the police 3 of which were for the routine Bacton alarms. The next street surgery will be on 27th June from at the Bacton Superstore. Mr B Servey, Secretary to the Cricket Club - outlined a list of problems and issues which the Cricket Club considered unfair and these were as follows: A concrete base had not been allowed for the practice nets - The Council responded that this had never been asked for by the Cricket Club and that is why the safety matting for the cage had been purchased by the Club. The cricket cage was not able to be used due to safety issues - The Council responded by stating that it was the duty of the Cricket Club to maintain their assets and this should be undertaken on a regular basis. The Cricket Club were not allowed to undertake fielding practice on the field. The Council informed that it was only batting practice which was required to be in the cage as per item 15 of the Rules and Regulations there were no issues with fielding. As the public participation session had been open for 15 minutes the Council resolved to extend the time limit for a further 10 minutes to accommodate the Cricket Club's issues: The Cricket Club outlined that they had complied with the insurance request. The Council responded by stating that this had been extremely difficult to obtain with the information only being supplied to the Council on Thursday 6th June at 9pm by Jane Drake; prior to the threat of immediate suspension of play at the weekend. The Cricket Club requested that grass cuttings were collected - The Council explained that this was not part of the grass cutting contract and that there was no mechanism for this. The Cricket Club requested that the Bowls Club combination be changed so that Mr Gale did not know it; only the 2 Captains would know the number and would then be responsible for retrieving the ball. The Council would pass this request onto the Bowls Club. There was no where to sign on the Rules and Regulations. The Council suggested that they just sign at the bottom of the last page and this was no excuse for not returning them completed. Use of mechanical equipment - this is not used before 10.00am on a Sunday. The Council informed that the roller was used on Sunday at 9.20am without authority. 2

3 The Cricket Club has been at Bacton for more than 30 years and longer than the Bowls Club. The Bowls Club is favoured more than the Cricket Club and has its own enclosed space and a Pavilion. The Council responded by informing that both clubs have always been treated fairly and equally where possible. The Council had just obtained funding for better changing facilities at the Pavilion as requested by the Cricket Club. The Chair of the Parish Council thanked the Cricket Club for their comments and outlined that on a number of occasions she has offered to meet with the Cricket Club to discuss their issues but no one member has come forward. The Council is prepared to meet with the Cricket Club and sort out their issues when it is convenient to them to do so. The extended time period of 10 minutes had been exceeded and The Council agreed to extend the discussion for a further 5 minutes in order that the Cricket Club and members of the public could speak. The Chair further outlined that too much time and effort has gone into getting the Cricket Club to co-operate with the Parish Council. If the Cricket Club have legitimate concerns then they will be heard at a one to one meeting. As there was no one present from the Bowls Club it would be unfair to bring them into this conversation as it is the Cricket Club who will not co-operate with the Parish Council on many issues not the Bowls Club. A member of the public outlined that he had a response from Anglian Water and would forward this to the Clerk for the Council to try and resolve the issue with concerns of the pumping station. The Council agreed to take this forward. The Chair on closing the public participation session outlined that the Council has always treated both Clubs the same and the Parish Council has always been fair. It has been a mammoth task extracting information from the Cricket Club and has taken up many hours. It is disgusting and intransigent not to comply with the regulations. Any Parish Council would put rules and regulations in writing and why they cannot be complied with is beyond comprehension. Not all the requests have been dealt with and the insurance was not received by May 31st as required and part of the documentation was put up in the Pavilion and not sent to the Clerk as requested. It was finally hand delivered at 9pm on Thursday 6th June It was totally unacceptable if the club really cared they would make sure that they had dotted the i's and crossed the t's. Offensive and aggressive behaviour is unacceptable and bad manners will not be allowed. The Cricket Club have been given many opportunities to meet the parish council to air and discuss their grievances and no one has come forward to discuss the issues at a separate meeting. The playing field is for everyone not just the Cricket Club. 3

4 Resolved to close the meeting to public participation. 5. To consider and review Bacton Cricket Club's continued use and access of Bacton & Edingthorpe Parish Council's Playing Field and Pavilion including but not limited to: Acceptance and adherence to Playing Field rules - 24 sets had been supplied to the Cricket Club - these had not been returned signed as requested. Scoreboard shed - The Cricket Club had not removed this item as requested. It was removed by the Council and placed onto the car park for their collection. Completion of Pavilion Booking form - This was received on 10th June 2013 prior to the meeting. Supply of fixtures list prior to start of season - These had been received after numerous requests and after 31st May 2013 Use of practice net - this could not be used as the flooring had been taken up and needed a concrete base. Provision of insurance policy - received Thursday 6th June 9pm Removal of Cricket Club container - this would need to be removed Removal of roller - this would need to be removed Removal of Cricket Club shed - this would need to be removed Deadlines - to be confirmed The Clerk detailed the various correspondence and dealings with the Cricket Club over the last 6 months and updated the Council with the information as listed above; copies of correspondence was available for Members to read if required. General issues were use of machinery outside of hours, general noncompliance/co-operation of any requests by PC, deadlines are not adhered to, increase of cricket square without authority and use of the cricket nets is mandatory if they are not up to standard they need to be repaired. The Council resolved in fairness to the Cricket Club to open the meeting for an additional 5 minutes to allow them to engage and inform the Council why all the information had not been received. The question was why no one had come forward to open important dialogue with the Council? The Playing field is a public area and we have a duty to ensure that rules and regulations are adhered to. Fielding was discussed and the Parish Council outlined that they had no issues with this however, batting and bowling needed to be inside the nets to protect the public. The Chair outlined that the Council appreciated that it was important to have a Cricket Club in Bacton. However abusive and intransigent behaviour and an apparent resolve to make everything difficult and to bad mouth the Council and Clerk in the village is not acceptable. If it were a cohesive Cricket Club it would have sent this information in time to the Council. We need to get together and discuss a way 4

5 forward. There is no reason and no hidden agenda the Cricket Club has been given the opportunity to furnish the Council with everything; the Club must understand that actions have a consequence. There is an opportunity for the Cricket Club to meet and get themselves into a cohesive group and it is time to act as a Club Resolved to close the meeting to the public The Council reviewed the evidence and all agreed that the Cricket Club's behaviour was unacceptable and it was time to take strong action in order to get the Club to comply and work with the Council. It was proposed that there be an immediate ban and withdrawal of the facilities placed on Bacton Cricket Club utilising Bacton playing field for the rest of the season; with the provision that if after 2 months the Cricket Club feel that they are able to satisfy and comply with the Council's requirements then, the Cricket Club could apply to have their games reinstated but there would be no commitment from the Parish Council at this time. Resolved unanimously that this ban be put in place and the Clerk would write to the Cricket Club outlining the decision of the Council. The Chair stressed that the Council had allowed every opportunity for this situation not to occur. The members of the Cricket Club have a voice and they can have their own say. Rules and regulations have not been adhered to and this has gone on for a very long time. The Council wants this situation sorted as there are other important issues in the villages that need to be addressed for the public. It is a very sad day. The Chair again offered to hold a meeting with the Cricket Club in the near future and invited the club to suggest dates for a meeting. 6. To consider request to use the Playing Field and Pavilion for a Bacton & Edingthorpe adult Village Football Team The Clerk outlined that the Council had been approached to set up a Village Football Team on the playing field. There would be a need to move the cricket square over to accommodate the full size pitch. Both sports in the past had used the playing field there would be a summer season of Cricket and a winter season of Football. The Football Team were currently registering with the FA and sorting out all their paperwork and insurance. It was resolved that the Clerk, Richard Kimble and Jim Turner be given delegated authority to progress this matter. 7. To report on grant funding and delegate responsibility for installation of portable changing facilities and items for football/sports use The Clerk outlined that a grant of 4, had been awarded to the Council from the Norfolk Community Fund to purchase and extend medium term changing facilities together with football equipment. 5

6 It was resolved that the Clerk, Richard Kimble and Jim Turner be given delegated authority to purchase items and progress this matter within the terms of the grant. 8. To consider purchase of framework to erect banners It was resolved that 195 be allowed for this item which would include installation. Clerk to organise. 9. To report on Matters Arising (updates and for information only) 9.1 Police Report This had been dealt with at item Website update - Richard Barr Minutes had all been updated and were on the site. There had been 1,545 hits over the last month. 9.3 Footpaths (previous reference ) Ian Witham FP 12 was overgrown on the cross field and edge of field. Clerk to report. The Clerk informed of the previous reference and was requested that the car parking space across footpath 14 Rainbows End be enforced. Clerk to inform. 9.4 Land at Edingthorpe - Hansells are progressing and the Clerk read out a letter from Hansells and would forward this to Richard Barr for consideration. 9.5 Allotment invoices - banked and funding still being received 9.6 Bases for picnic tables & Ground Guard - contractor instructed and this would be undertaken over the next month 9.7 Replacement safety netting - received and to be installed by members in due course hopefully at the next Multisports night. 9.8 New notice boards - these were to be ordered 10. Planning 13/ Newlands Estate 13/0678 Norton House, North Walsham Rd Replacement front extension and porch and single-storey rear ext Erection of detached 2 storey dwelling permitted 11. Finance 11.1 Approve monthly payments supplied to Council members EXPENDITURE DUE FOR PAYMENT PAYEE AMOUNT CHEQUE Secret Gardens Bacton Primary School PFTA (computer equipment) Elaine Pugh (expenses) NNDC - bin emptying Nigel Lee - reimbursement for metal framework Resolved to pay enbloc. FUNDS RECEIVED Allotment rents - still being received Bacton Cricket Club (not banked) * NCC - recycling credit for donation to Village Clubs as per Superstore agreement excluding collection charges The Clerk was requested to return the Cricket Club's cheque of

7 12. To consider request for skatepark There was discussion on this matter as it was an idea which had been discussed previously but no resolution had been forthcoming. It was resolved that Hannah Gent investigate this and report back to the Council. 13. To review correspondence list Hansells - letter re access from Rectory Road to the land Bacton Bowls Club - completion of paperwork for use of playing field Norfolk Community Foundation - grant funding confirmed of 4,138 Various letters to Cricket Club and s - circulated to members and responded to by Clerk Shell - monthly report 14. To Receive Reports from Councillors Hannah Gent informed that at last the grass verges had been cut and asked when the tyres will be removed from the car park. The Clerk would investigate. Ian Witham - unauthorised signs needed to be removed - Clerk would ask Highways to undertake this. Richard Barr - Multisports - 38 children attended. Richard Kimble - the door to the outside loo needed a closer. Nigel Lee - shelving in the container needed to be addressed. Beach Road, is still overgrown and needs Highways to trim it back. 15. To confirm the date of the next meeting Bacton & Edingthorpe Ordinary Parish Meeting Monday 8 th July 2013 The Pavilion at 7.00pm 7

8 8