Council Minutes

The minutes of the most recent meeting are draft and will not be adopted until they have been approved at the next meeting.

Minutes - September Council held on 12th September 2017

at Colkirk Village Hall at 7.30pm

PRESENT: Cllrs Colin Barron, Charles Joice (in the chair), Nick Loades, Steve Mulford, Michael

Stamford and John Whiteside were present.

The clerk Charles Brindley was in attendance. One member of the public was present. County Cllr

Kiddle-Morris was present for part of the meeting.

17/089 APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE: Apologies for absence were received and accepted from Cllr

Smith (prior engagement). Apologies for absence had been received from District Councillor

Carter and County Councillor Kiddle-Morris advised that he would be late

17/090 DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST: There were no declarations of interest

17/091 MINUTES OF MEETINGS DATED 18 JULY 2017: as previously circulated, draft minutes

were considered. By resolution proposed by Cllr Whiteside and seconded by Cllr Barron, it

was unanimously AGREED that the minutes were a true record and were duly signed

by the chairman

As the County Councillor hadn’t arrived, the chairman deferred item 4 until his arrival.

17/092 MATTERS RELATED TO THE ALLOTMENTS: An email was considered from a tenant with

regards the sale of produce by tenants; the author also provided additional information at

the meeting and it was AGREED that the item should be further considered at the

next meeting.

Security at the site was discussed and it was considered that this had been brought forward

on the back of a serious incident of vandalism on one plot and as this had now been

resolved, it was AGREED that no further action should be taken at this time.

The clerk explained that the joint tenancy on plot 21 had been cancelled and a new sole

tenancy to one of the previous tenants had been offered and accepted. This was NOTED.

17/093 VILLAGE HALL ROOF REPAIRS: The clerk reported that the roof repairs had been completed

during the summer holidays and additional works to replace the rear barge boards

and fascias had also been done, these extra works being paid for by the Village Hall Management

Committee. Borrowing approval had been granted by DCLG on 27 July and a

loan application to the PWLB had also been approved. This would be drawn down on 15

September so that the contractor’s invoice could be paid. The verbal report was NOTED.

It was AGREED to write to the Village Hall Management Committee to thank them for

their contribution to cover the cost of the replacement of the fascias and barge

boards.

17/094 MATTERS RELATING TO THE GROUNDS MAINTENANCE CONTRACT: The clerk reported

that he had met with the contractor to obtain a quotation for the inclusion of works to

the playing field car park and footpath to the playing field on the current contract. The contractor

had quoted for a one off tidy and then monthly works to the car park and cutting of

hedges and the footpath four times a year. This had been passed to the chair and vice

chair who had confirmed that the quotation should be accepted. An amendment to the

contract had been signed.

The clerk had met with Richard Ravencroft of Ravencroft Arboriculture to discuss a tree

inspection for the Campyngland and subsequent works to the trees. Receipt of these quotations

was awaited. The verbal report was NOTED.

17/095 OUTDOOR GYM EQUIPMENT PROVISION: The clerk advised that the funding for the

project had been received. The working group had met twice and, at those meetings, had

met with five potential suppliers. The group would meet again in early October with a view

to proposing the type of equipment that should be provided as a recommendation to the

council when it next met. The report was NOTED.

17/096 PLANNING: The council NOTED the following response that had been made to a recent

planning application:

3PL/2017/0959 Brook Cottage, Hall Lane No objection

The Council NOTED that the following decision notices had been received:

3PL/2017/0535 Land adjacent to 7 Jarvis Drive Approved with conditions

3PL/2017/0959 Brook Cottage, Hall Lane Approved

The clerk advised that he had received notification of a new application for the Oaks,

Whissonsett Rd

17/097 BRECKLAND LOCAL PLAN PRE-SUBMISSION PUBLICATION CONSULTATION. It was

NOTED that the consultation was taking place and that the council had nothing further

to say.

At this point, Cllr Kiddle-Morris arrived

17/098 COUNTY COUNCILLOR REPORT. Cllr Kiddle-Morris reported that a new highways engineer,

Ben Rayner, was now in post. He advised that work was taking place on a new Minerals

and Waste Local Plan but nothing was proposed in this area. Work had started on

the budget for 2018/19 and further savings would need to be made over the next 4 years.

He advised that the PCC was reviewing whether the fire responsibility should be transferred

from the county council to him, but the county council were against this proposal.

Finally, there was potentially an opportunity to join a new SAM2 syndicate led by

Gressenhall as one parish could no longer participate.

The Council considered this and it was AGREED to approach Gressenhall parish to

see if it could join the syndicate.

17/099 FINANCE:

The Council NOTED the following receipts in July and August

Gym equipment grant from NCF £ 9859.50

Colkirk FC rent £ 50.00

Bank balances were reported at 25 August 2017 as:

Business Premium Account £ 4425.41

Community Account £ 16454.35

Reconciliation with the cash book was confirmed against a cash book balance at 25 August

2017 of £ 20879.76

17/100 CLERK’S TRAINING ON NEW DATA PROTECTION REGULATIONS. It was AGREED to

fund the training at a cost of £17.50

17/101 ACCOUNTS FOR PAYMENT: By resolution proposed by Cllr Joice and seconded by Cllr

Mulford, the following payments were unanimously APPROVED for payment

100802 CGM Grounds maintenance contract Jul - Aug 17 £ 675.86

100803 K & M LIGHTING Annual street lighting contract Ag 17 - Jul 18 £ 152.87

100804 C BRINDLEY Clerk’s salary Aug-Sep 17 £ 405.46

100805 HMRC Income Tax Aug-Sep 17 £ 2.80

100806 PROCTOR ROOFING Village hall roof repairs £ 8406.00

100807 C BRINDLEY Clerk’s expenses Apr - Aug 2017 £ 121.96

100808 NORFOLK PTS Data protection trading course £ 17.50

100809 J WHITESIDE Key for playing field pavilion £ 5.25

17/102 RESIDENT”S CORRESPONDENCE: It was AGREED that a litter bin should be

purchased for the playing field. Cllr Loades agreed that he would look at available seats

and bins and recommend suitable for the playing field.

17/103 PENSIONS REGULATOR: Submission of the declaration of compliance was NOTED.

17/104 FAKENHAM TOWN COUNCIL: It was AGREED that the council had no specific views

on the issue but that it should respond that Fakenham Town Council was best placed

to voice local concerns and therefore Colkirk Parish Council would support its views

on this particular matter

17/105 CLERKS AND COUNCILS DIRECT SEPTEMBER 2017: Receipt of the magazine was

NOTED

17/106 ITEMS FOR FUTURE MEETINGS: Review allotment T and C’s with regards selling of produce;

SAM2

17/107 DATE OF NEXT MEETING: Tuesday 14th November 2017

There being no further advertised business, the Chairman closed meeting at 20.53

Notice is given of a meeting of the Parish Council to be held on Tuesday 12th

September 2017 in the upstairs meeting room at the Village Hall starting at

7.30 p.m. to conduct the business detailed below. Please enter through the

kitchen.

Yours sincerely

Clerk to the Council

September 6th 2017

Agenda

1 To receive and accept apologies for absence

2 To receive declarations of interest on any items on the agenda

below

3 To agree as a true record the minutes of the meeting held on

18th July 2017 and to authorise their signature by the

chairman

4 To receive reports from County Councillor Mark Kiddle-Morris

and District Councillor Trevor Carter

5 To consider matters relating to the allotments

- to consider email correspondence from an allotment holder

- to consider site security as raised by an allotment holder at

the last meeting

- to note actions with regards plot 21

6 To note completion of the village hall roof repairs, the granting

of approval to borrow funds and the submission of the loan

application to PWLB

7 To receive a verbal report on grounds maintenance issues

8 To receive a verbal report on funding the provision of outdoor

gym equipment on the Campyngland

Minutes - May Council held on 18th July 2017

at Colkirk Village Hall at 7.30pm

PRESENT: Cllrs Colin Barron, Steve Mulford(in the chair), Bernard Smith, Michael Stamford and John

Whiteside were present.

The clerk Charles Brindley was in attendance. Three members of the public were present.

17/068 APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE: Apologies for absence were received and accepted from Cllr

Joice (holidays). Apologies for absence had been received from District Councillor Carter

and County Councillor Kiddle-Morris advised that he would be late

17/069 DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST: There were no declarations of interest

17/070 MINUTES OF MEETINGS DATED 9 MAY 2017: as previously circulated, draft minutes

were considered. By resolution proposed by Cllr Whiteside and seconded by Cllr Stamford,

it was unanimously AGREED that the minutes were a true record and were duly

signed by the chairman

As the County Councillor hadn’t arrived, the chairman deferred item 4 until his arrival.

17/071 STANDING ORDERS: The clerk outlined the origins of the new standing orders. By resolution

proposed by Cllr Barron and seconded by Cllr Smith, it was unanimously AGREED

that the revised standing orders be adopted for use immediately.

17/072 VILLAGE HALL ROOF REPAIRS: Following the pubic meeting held on 11th July, it was

AGREED that the parish council would pursue the loan for £5000 as proposed and

agreed by those present at the public meeting

17/073 MATTERS RELATING TO THE GROUNDS MAINTENANCE CONTRACT: The clerk reported

that difficulties were being experiences with works in the churchyard. Meetings had

been held with the contractor and actions to resolve had been put in place.

A quotation had been received from the contractor for crown lifting to the young trees on

the Campyngland. It was AGREED that further quotes would be sought.

In the light of the branch falling from one of the oak trees on the Campyngland and the

fact that the last tree inspection was undertaken in 2011, it was AGREED to seek quotations

for a tree inspection

17/074 PLAY EQUIPMENT INSPECTION: The clerk reported that the annual inspection had been

undertaken and no major issues had been found. The verbal report was NOTED

17/075 OUTDOOR GYM EQUIPMENT PROVISION: The clerk advised that the application for

funding for the equipment had been successful and the council had been awarded

£9859.50 for the project. A suggestion that the project should be taken forwarded by a

working group consisting of councillors and villagers was considered and AGREED by

resolution proposed by Cllr Smith and seconded by Cllr Whiteside. The working

group would include Cllr Mulford and Whiteside and three residents and would be tasked

with recommending to the council the equipment to be provided and the suppliers qualified

to provide. The council would then take forward a tendering process.

It was AGREED to authorise the signature of the funding agreement by Cllr Mulford

and the clerk

17/076 ALLOTMENTS: A complaint was considered by the council and it was AGREED to write to

all tenants to remind them of the contents of the terms and conditions of tenancy

At this point, Cllr Kiddle-Morris had arrived and the chairman moved to take deferred item 4

17/077 REPORTS FROM DISTRICT AND COUNTY COUNCILLORS: Cllr Kiddle-Morris reported

that the parish partnership fund for highways improvements would run again in 2018/19

and that any projects should be discussed with the highways engineer before submission

in December. He plans to use his personal budget to support non-precepting parishes.

Adult social care had received £35M from central government to pug holes in its budget

and children services had received a good rating from its latest Ofsted inspection.

17/078 COLKIRK FOOTBALL CLUB: A letter from the secretary was considered and it was

AGREED to retain the rent for the playing field at £150 for the forthcoming season.

It was further AGREED to have repairs undertaken to the door to the pavilion

17/079 PLANNING: The council NOTED the following responses that had been made to recent

planning applications:

3PN/2017/0022 The Oaks, Whissonsett Rd Objection (the application

has subsequently been refused)

3PL/2017/0647 Farm Cottage, Dereham Rd No objection

3PL/2017/0535 Land adjacent to 7 Jarvis Drive Objection

The Council NOTED that the following decision notice had been received:

3PL/2017/0647 Farm Cottage, Dereham Rd Approved

17/080 FINANCE:

The Council NOTED the following receipts in May

Recycling Income 2016/17 £ 574.31

Allotment rent £ 10.00

VAT refund 2016/17 £ 1524.57

Bank balances were reported at 27 June 2017 as:

Business Premium Account £ 4425.41

Community Account £ 9068.87

Reconciliation with the cash book was confirmed against a cash book balance at 27 June

2017 of £ 13494.28

17/081 ACCOUNTS FOR PAYMENT: By resolution proposed by Cllr Mulford and seconded by Cllr

Whiteside, the following payments were unanimously APPROVED for payment

D/D E-ON Electricity - streetlights - Apr - Jun 17 £ 99.88

100794 NORFOLK/NORWICH BLIND ASSOCIATION Donation £ 200.00

100795 PLAYSAFETY Annual play equipment inspection 2017/18 £ 92.40

100796 FRIENDS OF COLKIRK Gala day insurance £ 212.00

100797 CGM Grounds maintenance contract Apr - Jun 17 £ 962.35

100798 C BRINDLEY Clerk’s salary Jun-Jul 17 £ 405.66

100799 HMRC Income Tax Jun-Jul 17 £ 2.60

100800 VILLAGE HALL COMMITTEE Refund of Vat 2016/17 £ 538.57

100801 ANGLIAN WATER Water supply - playing field - Apr- Jun 17 £ 10.56

17/082 ANGLIAN WATER BUSINESS: The correspondence was NOTED

17/083 SEAFARERS UK: The correspondence was NOTED.

17/084 VATTENFALL: The correspondence was NOTED

17/085 CLERKS AND COUNCILS DIRECT MAY 2017: Receipt of the magazine was NOTED

17/086 CLERKS AND COUNCILS DIRECT JULY 2017: Receipt of the magazine was NOTED

17/087 NCC PARISH PARTNERSHIP FUND 2018/19: This will be revisited at the next meeting

17/088 ITEMS FOR FUTURE MEETINGS: Street furniture for the playing field; security of the allotment

site

There being no further advertised business, the Chairman closed meeting at 20.37

Notice is given of a meeting of the Parish Council to be held on Tuesday 18th July 2017 in the upstairs meeting room at the Village Hall starting at 7.30 p.m. to conduct the business detailed below. Please enter through the kitchen.

Yours sincerely

Clerk to the Council

July 12th 2017

Agenda

1 To receive and accept apologies for absence

2 To receive declarations of interest on any items on the agenda below

3 To agree as a true record the minutes of the meeting held on 9th May 2017 and to authorise their signature by the chairman

4 To receive reports from County Councillor Mark Kiddle-Morris and

District Councillor Trevor Carter

5 To adopt revised Standing Orders

6 To confirm the funding of the village hall roof repairs following the public meeting held on 11th July

7 To receive a verbal report on grounds maintenance issues.

To consider a proposal for tree maintenance works on the

Campyngland.

To agree to commission a tree inspection report on the oak trees on the Campyngland

8 To receive a verbal report on the play equipment inspection

9 To receive a report on funding the provision of outdoor gym equipment on the Campyngland and to authorise signature of the funding agreement

10 To consider a complaint from an allotment holder

11 To consider correspondence from Colkirk Football Club.

Minutes - May Council held on 9th May 2017

at Colkirk Village Hall at 7.30pm

PRESENT: Cllrs Colin Barron, Charles Joice (in the chair), Nick Loades, Michael Stamford and John

Whiteside were present.

The clerk Charles Brindley was in attendance.

17/045 ELECTION OF A CHAIRMAN: Cllr Joice was nominated by Cllr Barron and seconded by

Cllr Whiteside. There being no other nominations, it was AGREED that Cllr Joice would

be the chairman for the year 2017/18 and he duly signed his declaration of accep

tance of office

17/046 APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE: Apologies for absence were received and accepted from Cllr

Mulford (holidays) and Cllr Smith (personal emergency)

17/047 ELECTION OF A VICE CHAIRMAN: In his absence, the clerk confirmed that the outgoing

vice-chairman had indicated his willingness to restand. Cllr Mulford was nominated by Cllr

Loades and seconded by Cllr Whiteside. There being no other nominations, it was

AGREED that Cllr Mulford would be the vice-chairman for the year 2017/18.

17/048 STANDING ORDERS: A proposal from the clerk was made by the clerk that the standing

orders should be updated to reflect current legislation. It was AGREED that a revised

draft of standing orders should be brought to the next meeting for consideration

and adoption

17/049 CONFIRMATION OF RFO FOR 2017/18: It was proposed by Cllr Stamford and seconded

by Cllr Whiteside that Charles Brindley should be confirmed as RFO for 2017/18 and this

was AGREED unanimously

17/050 MEETING DATES FOR THE YEAR 2017/18: It was agreed that the dates for ordinary

meetings of the council should be July 18th, September 12th, November 14th, January

16th 2018, March 13th 2018 and May15th 2018

17/051 DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST: There were no declarations of interest

17/052 MINUTES OF MEETINGS DATED 14 MARCH 2017: as previously circulated, draft minutes

were considered. By resolution proposed by Cllr Loades and seconded by Cllr Barron, it

was unanimously AGREED that the minutes were a true record and were duly signed

by the chairman

17/053 CLERK’S REPORT: The clerk reported that he was still waiting for responses from Breckland

regarding the houses adjacent to the Crown. It was AGREED that the district

councillor would be asked to assist with getting answers to outstanding questions.

A response to the application for funding for outdoor gym equipment was expected by the

end of May. The clerk’s report was NOTED

17/054 MATTERS RELATING TO THE GROUNDS MAINTENANCE CONTRACT: The clerk reported

that the new contract had now started and works were progressing as per the contract.

It was reported that the church yard looked better this year than last. The council

AGREED unanimously to include the maintenance around the war memorial in the

contract

1

17/055 REPORTS FROM DISTRICT AND COUNTY COUNCILLORS: Neither were present and no

reports had been sent.

17/056 ANNUAL ACCOUNTS 2016/17: The annual accounts were presented and considered. It

was AGREED unanimously, by resolution proposed by Cllr Barron and seconded by

Cllr Stamford, that the accounts as presented were a true record of the council’s

financial performance durian the year ended 31 March 2017 and the chairman and

RFO were authorised to sign accordingly

17/057 ANNUAL RETURN FOR YEAR ENDING 31 MARCH 2017: The council considered its responses

to section 1 of the Annual Return and agreed to the proposed responses by the

clerk. Having authorised the signature of the annual accounts, the council similarly agreed

to the information contained in section 2. It was therefore AGREED unanimously to authorise

the chairman and the clerk/RFO to sign sections 1 and 2 of the Annual Return

on the council’s behalf. The report of the internal auditor contained in section 4 was

circulated and the report was NOTED. Finally it was AGREED to set the dates for public

inspection of the accounts from 5th June to 14th July inclusive

17/058 PLANNING: The Council NOTED that the following decision notices had been received:

3PL/2017/0126 Manor House Cottage, School Rd Permitted

3PL/2017/0155 Pantiles, Dereham Rd Permitted

3PL/2017/0197 Bottle Brake Farm, Oxwick Lane Permitted

17/059 FINANCE:

The Council NOTED the following receipts in April

Precept 1st half 2017/18 £ 3697.00

LCTS grant 1st half 2017/18 £ 98.50

Bank balances were reported at 27 April 2017 as:

Business Premium Account £ 4425.41

Community Account £ 9320.20

Reconciliation with the cash book was confirmed against a cash book balance at 27 April

2017 of £ 13745.61

17/060 ACCOUNTS FOR PAYMENT: By resolution proposed by Cllr Joice and seconded by Cllr

Whiteside, the following payments were unanimously APPROVED for payment

100787 C JOICE Gift for T Rand £ 49.95

D/D E-ON Electricity - streetlights - Jan - Mar 17 £ 90.31

100788 PLAYDALE Repairs to play area equipment £ 1185.15

100789 NORFOLK ALC Annual subscription 2017/18 £ 143.21

100790 ZURICH Insurance Premium 2017/18 £ 559.70

100791 C BRINDLEY Clerk’s salary Apr-May 17 £ 405.66

100792 HMRC Income Tax Apr-May 17 £ 2.60

100793 ANGLIAN WATER Water supply - playing field - Jan-Apr 17 £ 13.94

17/061 NORFOLK AND NORWICH ASSOCIATION FOR THE BLIND: It was AGREED to donate £

200 to the charity using powers under LGA 1972 s137

17/062 NORFOLK FAMILY MEDIATION: IT WAS AGREED to make no donation to this request

17/063 ANGLIAN WATER BUSINESS: The correspondence was NOTED

17/064 HAGS: The correspondence was NOTED and this might be needed if the application for

outdoor gym equipment is successful

17/065 RESIDENT’S CORRESPONDENCE: The suggestion to site a bench on the playing field

was thought to be a good idea and it was AGREED that a budget of £300 should be allocated

for its provision

2

17/066 GLASDON: Receipt of the catalogue was NOTED

17/067 ITEMS FOR FUTURE MEETINGS: The request from the football club for use of the playing

field for the 2017/18 season will be considered

There being no further advertised business, the Chairman closed meeting at 20.23

Notice is given of a meeting of the Parish Council to be held on Tuesday 9th

May 2017 in the upstairs meeting room at the Village Hall starting no sooner

than 7.30 p.m. to conduct the business detailed below. Please enter through

the kitchen.

Yours sincerely

Clerk to the Council

May 3rd 2017

Agenda

1 To elect the chairman of council for the year 2017/18 and to

receive his declaration of acceptance of office

2 To receive and accept apologies for absence

3 To elect the vice-chairman of council for the year 2017/18

4 To agree to conduct a major review of standing orders for the

year 2017/18

5 To confirm Charles Brindley as responsible finance officer for

the year 2017/18

6 To agree meeting dates for the year 2017/18

7 To received declarations of interest on any items on the

agenda below

8 To agree as a true record the minutes of the meeting held on

14th March 2017 and to authorise their signature by the

chairman

9 To note the clerk’s report on outstanding matters

10 To discuss matters relating to the grounds maintenance

contract

11 To receive reports from County Councillor Mark Kiddle-Morris

and District Councillor Trevor Carter

12 To consider and authorise the signature of the Annual

Accounts for the year 2016/17

13 To authorise signature of the Annual Return for year ending

31st March 2017 sections 1 and 2, to note the internal

auditor’s report contained in section 4 and to confirm the

dates for the inspection of accounts by the public

14 Planning

To note the following decision notices received

PL3/2017/0126 Manor House Cottage, School Rd - permitted

PL3/2017/0155 Pantiles, Dereham Rd - permitted

PL3/2017/0197 Bottle Brake farm, Oxwick Lane - permitted

15 Finance

To note the finance report attached

To authorise payments as per attached schedule

16 Correspondence

(i) Norfolk and Norwich Association for the Blind - to consider

correspondence

(ii) Norfolk Family Mediation - to consider correspondence

(iii) Anglian Water Business - to note correspondence

(iv) HAGS - to note correspondence

(v) Resident’s Correspondence - to consider correspondence

(vi) Glasdon - to note receipt of catalogue

17 Items for Future Meetings - to raise any items for future

meetings

Notice to All Electors of Colkirk Parish

Dear Elector

I inform you that the Annual Electors Meeting is to be held in the Village Hall on Tuesday 9th May 2017 at 7.00 p.m.

The meeting will be held in the upstairs room and should be accessed via the kitchen door.

Yours sincerely

Charles Joice

Chairman, Colkirk Parish Council

Charles Brindley

Clerk the Council

Tel (01328) 701425

Springfield

Fransham Rd

BEESTON

PE32 2LZ

Agenda

1. To confirm the minutes of the Annual Parish Meeting held on

20th April 2016

2. To receive the Colkirk Charity Accounts.

3. To receive the Oxwick Charity Accounts.

4 To receive any reports from the County and District Councillors

5. To discuss any other matters relating to the Parish of Colkirk

Minutes - March Council held on 14th March 2017

at Colkirk Village Hall at 7.30pm

PRESENT: Cllrs Colin Barron, Charles Joice (in the chair), Nick Loades, Steve Mulford, Michael

Stamford and Bernard Smith were present. County Councillor Mark Kiddle-Morris and District Councillor

Trevor Carter were present.

The clerk Charles Brindley was in attendance. Three members of the public were present

17/023 APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE: Apologies for absence were received and accepted from

Cllr Whiteside (another meeting).

17/024 DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST: Cllr Mulford declared a personal interest in agenda item

8 as a resident of Conference Way

17/025 MINUTES OF MEETINGS DATED 17 JANUARY 2017: as previously circulated, draft minutes

were considered. By resolution proposed by Cllr Loades and seconded by Cllr Barron,

it was unanimously AGREED that the minutes were a true record and were duly

signed by the chairman

17/026 CLERK’S REPORT: The clerk reported that the planning application to build 21 dwellings at

land off Whissonsett Rd had been withdrawn. He updated the council with regards the situation

with the two new build houses adjacent to the Crown Inn. Both had been issued

with completion certificates in May 2016. Enforcement action was being considered by

Breckland Council with regards highways issues but this was complicated because the

owner is serving a prison sentence. The issues of use as a HMO were being investigated

by the housing department. A reply on the resurfacing of the Whissonsett Rd car park was

still awaited from the contractor, MW Resurfacing, who caused the damage. The clerk’s

verbal report was NOTED.

17/027 MATTERS RELATING TO THE VILLAGE HALL: The council received a report from Jenny

Filby, a member of the village hall management committee on proposed updates to the

hall. The council AGREED unanimously to support the proposals by resolution proposed

by Cllr Barron and seconded by Cllr Smith

The clerk advised that a grant for £500 towards the costs of the proposed roof repairs had

been secured from the Norfolk Village Halls Fund and it was AGREED unanimously to

sign the Funding Agreement by resolution proposed by Cllr Mulford and seconded

by Cllr Smith

A report on the funding required for the roof repairs was considered. A proposal to seek

Borrowing Approval for the remaining funding requirement was considered and, by resolution

proposed by Cllr Loades and seconded by Cllr Stamford, it was AGREED unanimously

to apply for Borrowing Approval for £5,000 to be taken over a 10 year period.

17/028 REPORTS FROM DISTRICT AND COUNTY COUNCILLORS: District Cllr Carter reported

on the Better Broadband for Norfolk project and provided a copy of the latest newsletter.

The current project aims to provide greater than 95% high speed broadband coverage in

Norfolk by spring 2020. He reported that proposals for upgrades to the A47, including

dialling the section from Honington to Easton were being consulted on by Highways

England at present. Details of the latest proposals for cable routing to another sub station

at Necton for the Vattenfall off shore wind farms were being consulted on at present.

Council Tax for the Breckland District Council would rise by £4.95 per annum for a band D

property.

County Councillor Kiddle-Morris gave his apologies for missing the last meeting of the

parish council. He confirmed that the county council had agreed an increase of 4.8% to

the council tax for 2017/18. Following comments from the EDP about children services,

the paper was invited to shade officers to see the service at work. No report was

subsequently seen in the paper as nothing contentious was seen by the reporter. The

parish partnership fund for highways improvements will again operate in 2017/18

17/029 MATTERS RELATING TO THE PROVISION OF OUTDOOR GYM EQUIPMENT: The clerk

updated members on the submission of an application to the Breckland Outdoor Sport

and Play Fund for the cost of the equipment and its installation and the feedback that he

had received from the fund administrator. He confirmed that he had advised the

administrators that further quotes for the project would be secured if the funding bid was

successful and confirmed that further canvassing of residents would be undertaken to

gauge support for the project. Finally, he explained that a decision would be taken with

regards the location for the equipment.

The council considered the location issue and AGREED unanimously that the

equipment would be installed on the Campyngland. The clerk’s report and update

were NOTED

17/030 STREETLIGHTING: Members considered various options to reduce the ongoing cost of

the streetlights in Bramley Drive and Conference Way including installing timers, fitting

LED heads and removal of the lamps. After consideration and because of capital costs

involved and long payback periods, it was unanimously AGREED to do nothing at this

time.

17/031 MATTERS RELATING TO THE PLAY AREA: Cllr Loades updated members on the repairs

that had been undertaken under guarantee. The completion of these works was NOTED

17/032 MATTERS RELATING TO GROUNDS MAINTENANCE: The clerk advised members that

he had spoken to the new contractors about setting up a three year contract for the works,

the triggering of years 2 and 3 being implemented if both parties were happy with the

contract after year 1. This had been written into the contract for the works and members

AGREED unanimously to authorise the clerk to enter into the contract.

17/033 YEAR END 2016/17: The council considered the appointment of its internal auditor and

AGREED that, as Mr Andrew Stewart was both competent to under take the audit

and independent of the council, he should be asked to complete the internal audit

for 2016/17

17/034 PLANNING: The Council NOTED that the following responses had been made:

3PL/2017/0155 Pantiles, Dereham Rd No comments

3PL/2017/0126 Manor House Cottage, School Rd Comments about prior

removal of trees on the site

3PL/2017/0197 Bottle Brake Farm, Oxwick Lane No comments

17/035 FINANCE:

The Council NOTED the following receipts in January

Allotment Rents £ 160.00

Playing Field Rent - Colkirk Football Club £ 100.00

Bank balances were reported at 27 January 2017 as:

Business Premium Account £ 4425.41

Community Account £ 6071.95

Reconciliation with the cash book was confirmed against a cash book balance at 27

January 2017 of £ 10497.36

17/036 ACCOUNTS FOR PAYMENT: By resolution proposed by Cllr Joice and seconded by Cllr

Mulford, the following payments were unanimously APPROVED for payment

100783 ANGLIAN WATER Playing Field Water Supply £ 13.15

100784 C BRINDLEY Clerk’s salary Feb - Mar 17 £ 404.22

100785 C BRINDLEY Clerk’s expenses Oct 16 - Mar 17 £ 79.57

17/037 RESIDENT’S CORRESPONDENCE RE PEAR TREE CORNER: The correspondence was

considered and it was AGREED to establish where the pear tree was located on the

corner before taking the matter any further as the corner is split between Colkirk and

Whissonsett parishes

17/038 ANGLIAN WATER BUSINESS: The correspondence was NOTED

17/039 NORFOLK AND NORWICH ASSOCIATION FOR THE BLIND: It was AGREED to defer

this item to the next meeting

17/041 E-ON: The correspondence was NOTED

17/042 RYBURGH PARISH COUNCIL: The correspondence was NOTED

17/043 CLERKS AND COUNCILS DIRECT: Receipt of the current issue was NOTED

17/044 ITEMS FOR FUTURE MEETINGS: The date for the Annual Parish Meeting was confirmed

as Tuesday 9 May 2017 at 7pm with the annual council meeting following immediately after

the annual parish meeting

There being no further advertised business, the Chairman closed meeting at 20.54

Colkirk Parish Council

Notice is given of a meeting of the Parish Council to be held on Tuesday 14th

March 2017 in the upstairs meeting room at the Village Hall at 7.30 p.m. to

conduct the business detailed below. Please enter through the kitchen.

Yours sincerely

Clerk to the Council

March 8th 2017

Agenda

1 To receive and accept apologies for absence

2 To received declarations of interest on any items on the

agenda below

3 To agree as a true record the minutes of the meetings held on

17th January 2017 and to authorise their signature by the

chairman

4 To note the clerk’s verbal report on outstanding matters

5 To discuss matters relating to the Village Hall

- to receive a report from the Village Hall Committee

- to note the grant application to the Norfolk Village Hall Fund

and authorise signature of the funding agreement

- to consider a report on funding the village hall roof repairs

and agree to seek Borrowing Approval to fund the balance

outstanding

6 To receive reports from County Councillor Mark Kiddle-Morris

and District Councillor Trevor Carter

7 To discuss matters relating to the provision of outdoor gym

equipment

8 To discuss a report regarding options for changes to street

lighting

9 To discuss matters relating to the play area

- to note completion of the works by Playdale previously

authorised

10 To discuss matters relating to grounds maintenance contract

- to consider an option to extend the contract after first season

11 Year End 2016/17

- to appoint the internal auditor

12 Planning

To note the following responses made

3PL/2017/0155 Pantiles, Dereham Rd - No comments

3PL/2017/0126 Manor House Cottage, School Rd -

Comments re trees already removed

3PL/2017/0197 Bottle Brake Farm, Oxwick Lane

13 Finance

To note the finance report and budget monitoring report

attached

To authorise payments as per attached schedule

To confirm the clerk’s remuneration for 2017/18

14 Correspondence

(i) Resident’s Correspondence - to consider the

correspondence

(ii) Anglian Water Business - to note the correspondence

(iii) Norfolk and Norwich Association for the Blind - to consider

the correspondence

(iv) Eon - to note the correspondence

(v) Ryburgh Parish Council - to consider the correspondence

(v) Clerks and Councils Direct - Mar 2017 Issue - to note

receipt

15 Items for Future Meetings - to raise any items for future

meetings

Minutes - January Council held on 17th January 2017

at Colkirk Village Hall at 7.30pm

PRESENT: Cllrs Colin Barron, Charles Joice (in the chair), Nick Loades, Steve Mulford, Michael

Stamford and John Whiteside were present.

The clerk Charles Brindley was in attendance. Three members of the public were present

17/001 APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE: Apologies for absence were received and accepted from

Cllr Smith (illness). District Councillor Carter sent his apologies and George Freeman MP,

who had been invited to attend, advised that he had to be in London that evening

17/002 DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST: Cllr Loades and Stamford declared personal interests in

planning application no 3PL/2016/1309 as licensees of the land proposed for development

in the application

17/003 MINUTES OF MEETINGS DATED 15 NOVEMBER AND 2016: as previously circulated,

draft minutes were considered. By resolution proposed by Cllr Whiteside and seconded by

Cllr Barron, it was unanimously AGREED that the minutes were a true record and were

duly signed by the chairman

17/004 CLERK’S REPORT: The clerk reported that allotment rent renewals and new terms and

conditions had been sent out in early December. To date £160 in rent had been received

and two plots had notified that they would not be renewing - these will be advertised in the

magazine. An inclusion had been made in the magazine rescinding the incorrect information

about dogs on the playing field. A grant application was to be made to the Norfolk Village

Halls Fund for support for the roof repairs needed. The clerk’s verbal report was

NOTED.

17/005 REPORTS FROM DISTRICT AND COUNTY COUNCILLORS: Neither member was present

and no reports had been received

17/006 PLANNING APPLICATION NO 3PL/2016/1309: The application was discussed at length by

council members and the members of the public who were present. The clerk had drafted

a response for consideration and this was done. Additions to this document were agreed.

Upon putting the motion to object to the application, it was AGREED to object to the

application by 4 votes for a nd 1 abstention for the following reasons:

1. The proposals were outside the parish settlement boundary and therefore

contrary to policy CP14

2. The application fails to provide detailed trees and landscaping proposals

3. The argument regarding 5 year housing land supply is no longer applicable since

Breckland demonstrated that it meets the requirements

4. The application does not accord with emerging local plan policy PD05b

5. Comments made by residents in their responses were supported and should be

taken seriously, particularly those that were traffic related

6. The application failed to demonstrate that the foul sewer and water supply

problems in the village could be overcome.

7. The application failed to improve public transport links as required by policy

CP13

The response would further refute comments made in the planning statement

indicating that the parish council had advised support for the application at a

meeting in July 2016

Should permission be granted for the development, the parish council would want

to see s106 funding towards improvements to those assets in the village referenced

in the applicant’s justification for development.

Finally, if the application was refused, the council would wish to hear Breckland’s

plans for the future of the land

17/007 MATTERS RELATING TO THE ALLOTMENTS: Members NOTED that guidance had

been issued to tenants with regards the protection zone requirements for Avian Flu.

It was also AGREED that the clerk would undertake regular inspections of the site

and report back.

17/008 MATTERS RELATING TO THE PLAY AREA: It was AGREED that the quotation from

Playdale for repairs at a cost of £1055.24 should be accepted when the cost of the

caps for the scramble net fixings was confirmed.

17/009 PLANNING: The Council NOTED that the following decisions had been received:

3PL/2016/1055 Star Corner, 1 Crown Rd Permitted with conditions

3PL/2016/1284 Land at 2 Whissonsett Rd Permitted with conditions

17/010 BUDGET 2017/18: The Council considered a draft budget as proposed by the RFO.

Members asked questions of the RFO which provided for the inclusion of grounds maintenance

for the playing field and borrowing to repair the village hall roof. After discussion, it

was AGREED unanimously budget, by a motion proposed by Cllr Loades and seconded

by Cllr Mulford, to set the revenue budget as proposed by the RFO and noting

the reserves position. It was further AGREED unanimously to set the precept

demand for 2017/18 as £7297

17/011 FINANCE:

The Council NOTED the following receipts in November/December

Bank Interest £ 0.55

Bank balances were reported at 23 December 2016 as:

Business Premium Account £ 4425.41

Community Account £ 6353.50

Reconciliation with the cash book was confirmed against a cash book balance at 23

December 2016 of £ 10778.91

17/012 ACCOUNTS FOR PAYMENT: By resolution proposed by Cllr Joice and seconded by Cllr

Mulford, the following payments were unanimously APPROVED for payment

D/D E-ON Streetlighting Account Oct - Dec 16 £ 92.33

100781 GEOFF CLARK Website hosting fee 2017 £ 45.00

100782 C BRINDLEY Clerk’s salary Dec 16 - Jan 17 £ 404.22

17/013 ANGLIAN WATER BUSINESS: The correspondence was NOTED

17/014 RESIDENT’S CORRESPONDENCE RE STREET LIGHTING: The suggestion to consider

switching off the lighting on Bramley Drive and Conference Way was considered and it was

AGREED to investigate the use of timers to allow the lights to be turned off during

the night

17/015 RESIDENT’S CORRESPONDENCE RE OUTDOOR GYM EQUIPMENT: The correspondence

was considered and it was AGREED to investigate the provision of equipment

on the playing field as this was felt more suitable than the Campyngland

17/016 BRECKLAND COUNCIL PLAY AREA AND OUTDOOR SPORT FUND: It was AGREED to

make an application to the fund for equipment as agreed at min 17/015 above

17/017 BRECKLAND COUNCIL: The correspondence was NOTED

17/018 CLERKS AND COUNCILS DIRECT: Receipt of the current issue was NOTED

17/019 NCC COUNCIL TAX CONSULTATION: It was AGREED to make no response

17/020 ITEMS FOR FUTURE MEETINGS: No items were put forward for the next meeting agenda

At this point, the chairman moved to exclude members of the press and public in accordance with

Public Bodies (Admissions to Meetings) Act 1960 sect 1.2 to discuss a contract containing

commercially sensitive information.

17/021 VILLAGE HALL ROOF REPAIRS: The quotations for the village hall roof repairs were considered

and it was AGREED to award the contract to Proctor Roofing

17/022 GROUNDS MAINTENANCE 2017: The quotations for the grounds maintenance contract

2017 were considered and it was AGREED to award the contract to the CGM Group

There being no further advertised business, the Chairman closed meeting at 21.15

Signed

Colkirk Parish Council

Notice is given of a meeting of the Parish Council to be held on Tuesday 17th

January 2017 in the upstairs meeting room at the Village Hall at 7.30 p.m. to

conduct the business detailed below. Please enter through the kitchen.

Yours sincerely

Clerk to the Council

January 11th 2017

Agenda

1 To receive and accept apologies for absence

2 To received declarations of interest on any items on the

agenda below

3 To agree as a true record the minutes of the meetings held on

15th November 2016 and to authorise their signature by the

chairman

4 To note the clerk’s verbal report on outstanding matters

5 To receive reports from County Councillor Mark Kiddle-Morris

and District Councillor Trevor Carter

6 Planning Application No 3PL/2016/1309 - to agree the

Council’s response to the application for development of 21

dwellings on land at Whissonsett Rd

7 To discuss matters relating to the Allotments

- to note the letter sent to all tenants re Avian Flu Prevention

Zones

- to consider establishing working group to oversee the day to

day running of the Allotments

8 To discuss matters relating to the play area

- to consider quotation from Playdale for repairs to

equipment and boundary fence

9 Planning

To note the following decision notices received

3PL/2016/1055 Starre Corner, 1 Crown Rd - Permitted with

standard conditions

3PL/2016/1284 Land at 2 Whissonsett Rd - Permitted with

conditions

10 Budget 2017/18

To agree the budget for 2017/18

To set the precept demand for 2017/18

11 Finance

To note the finance report and budget monitoring report

attached

To authorise payments as per attached schedule

12 Correspondence

(i) Anglian water Business - to note the correspondence

(ii) Resident’s Correspondence re Street Lights - to consider

the correspondence

(iii) Resident’s Correspondence re Gym Equipment - to

consider the correspondence

(iv) Breckland Council - to consider any bid to be made

(v) Breckland Council - to note the correspondence

(vi) Clerks and Councils Direct - Jan 2017 Issue - to note

receipt

(vii) Council Tax consultation - to agree any response

13 Items for Future Meetings - to raise any items for future

meetings

14 To move to exclude members of the press and public in

accordance with Public Bodies (Admissions to Meetings) Act

1960 sect 1.2 to discuss a contract containing commercially

sensitive information

15 Village Hall Roof Repairs

- to award the contract for the works (assuming that the

funding has been agreed in agenda item 10 above)

16 Grounds Maintenance 2017

- to away the contract for the works (assuming that the

funding has been agreed in agenda item 10 above)

Colkirk Parish Council

Notice is given of a meeting of the Parish Council to be held on Tuesday 15th

November 2016 in the upstairs meeting room at the Village Hall at 7.30 p.m.

to conduct the business detailed below. Please enter through the kitchen.

Yours sincerely

Clerk to the Council

November 9th 2016

Agenda

1 To receive and accept apologies for absence

2 To received declarations of interest on any items on the agenda below

3 To agree as a true record the minutes of the meetings held on 13th September 2016 and 12th October 2016 and to authorise their signature by the chairman

4 To note the clerk’s verbal report on outstanding matters

5 To receive reports from County Councillor Mark Kiddle-Morris and District Councillor Trevor Carter

6 To discuss matters relating to the Allotments

- to consider feedback from tenants to the proposed revised

Terms and Conditions

- to adopt revised Terms and Conditions for tenancy

- to consider establishing working group to oversee the day to day running of the Allotments

7 To discuss matters relating to the play area

- to receive a verbal report on site meeting with Playdale

- to consider the subsequent written correspondence received from Playdale and agree how to proceed

Minutes - October Special Council held on 12th October 2016

at Colkirk Village Hall at 7.30pm

PRESENT: Cllrs Colin Barron, Nick Loades, Steve Mulford (in the chair), Michael Stamford and John

Whiteside were present.

The clerk Charles Brindley was in attendance.

As apologies had been received from the chairman, the vice-chairman took the meeting

16/104 APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE: Apologies for absence were received from Cllrs Charles Joice

and Bernard Smith and also from County Councillor Kiddle-Morris and District Councillor

Trevor Carter

16/105 DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST: Cllrs Loades and Stamford declared personal interests in

agenda item 3 as they both had interests in land at Whissonsett Rd that could be affected

by the proposals being considered. This was noted and the clerk advised that they would

be allowed to participate in the discussion and vote on the matter

16/106 BRECKLAND LOCAL PLAN PREFERRED SITES AND SETTLEMENT BOUNDARIES

CONSULTATION: Members considered the proposals contained in the consultation. It was

noted that no sites are allocated for development in the parish in the plan. Members then

moved on to discuss the merits of having a settlement boundary and whether this would

provide any benefits moving forward. The council noted the new policies PD05A and

PD05B relating to rural settlements with and without settlement boundaries respectively

and particularly the prospect of having reduced development in the village under policy

PD05B. However, members felt that assurances should be sought from Breckland that

policy PD05B would be strictly adhered most particularly the limit of 5% total development

in the parish as proposed.

By a vote of 4 for and 1 abstention, it was RESOLVED that Colkirk Parish Council

would agree to the removal of the settlement boundary around the village provided

that assurances were provided by Breckland that policy PD05B would be strictly

adhered to, most particularly the clause limiting development in the village to a

maximum of 5% of the total housing stock from the baseline as established at the

start of the plan period in 2011

There being no further advertised business, the Chairman closed the meeting at 20.08

Colkirk Parish Council

Charles Brindley

Tel: (01328) 701425

Springfield

Fransham Rd

Beeston

PE32 2LZ

Notice is hereby given of a special meeting of the Parish Council to be held on

Wednesday 12th October 2016 in the upstairs meeting room at the Village

Hall at 7.30 p.m. to conduct the business detailed below. Please enter

through the kitchen.

Yours sincerely

Clerk to the Council

October 6th 2016

Agenda

1 To receive and accept apologies for absence

2 To received declarations of interest on any items on the

agenda below

3 To agree a response to the Breckland Local Plan Preferred

Sites and Settlement Boundaries Consultation

Minutes - September Council held on 13th September 2016

at Colkirk Village Hall at 7.30pm

PRESENT: Cllrs Colin Barron, Charles Joice (in the chair), Nick Loades, Steve Mulford, Bernard

Smith, Michael Stamford and John Whiteside were present.

The clerk Charles Brindley was in attendance. One member of the public was present

16/084 APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE: Apologies for absence were received from County Councillor

Kiddle-Morris

16/085 DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST: There were no declarations of interest

16/086 MINUTES OF MEETINGS DATED 19 JULY 2016: as previously circulated, draft

minutes were considered. By resolution proposed by Cllr Whiteside and seconded by Cllr

Mulford, it was unanimously AGREED that the minutes were a true record and were

duly signed by the chairman

16/087 CLERK’S REPORT: The written report was considered and it was pointed out that the

hedge at the corner of Crown Rd and Dereham Rd was obscuring sight lines at the junction.

Cllr Loades agreed to visit the property owners to request attention to the hedge.

With this action, the clerk’s report was NOTED.

16/088 REPORTS FROM DISTRICT AND COUNTY COUNCILLORS: Cllr Kiddle-Morris provided a

written report that the clerk read to the meeting. This report updated the situation with

devolution advising that the next meeting of NCC to discuss the matter would be on 3rd

November. He also advised of general unhappiness of feedback from Highways on

reported highways defects and a meeting that he had held when an acton plan to address

the issue was outlined. This would include a new post to deal with PROW issues, a new

defect reporting and feedback procedure and a policy that ensures that rural verges and

visibility splays receive regular cuts during the growing season.

At this point, the chairman moved to bring forward item 8(iii) on the agenda and suspend standing

orders

A member of the public discussed the issue of the previous decision of the council to take

back responsibility for the management of the playing field. members expressed their views

as to why they felt that this was the right decision. The clerk undertook to have the standing

article in the parish magazine, requesting volunteers for the playing field committee, removed

as this was no longer needed.

The Council resumed standing orders

16/089 ANNUAL RETURN 2015/16: The clerk reported that an unqualified report had been

received from the external auditor and the notice fro the conclusion of the audit had been

posted. By resolution proposed by Cllr Barron and seconded by Cllr Smith, it was

unanimously AGREED that the council noted the response from the external auditor

and the conclusion of the audit for 2015/16

16/090 MATTERS RELATING TO THE PLAY AREA: The clerk summarised the findings in the

annual inspection report and it was AGREED that the signage suggested should be

installed. Inspection of the chains on the basket swing was considered impractical and

Cllr Loades advised that this could be done more easily by visual inspection of the chains

that were not covered by the chain protectors. The installation of the voluntary no-smoking

signs in the play area was NOTED. A discussion then followed on the dispute with

Playdale about whether installation costs should be chargeable on the replacement of

defective components. Cllr Loades advised further issues with the boundary fence and the

picnic bench and it was AGREED to arrange a site meeting with the Area Sales

Manager to discuss all issues.

16/091 MATTERS RELATING TO THE PLAYING FIELD: The report of the site meeting held in

early August was reviewed and the subsequent actions were NOTED.

It was AGREED to accept the quotation of £ 31.32 + vat from Norse Eastern to

include the strimming around the pavilion and goal posts in the current contract for

mowing.

16/092 MATTERS RELATING TO THE VILLAGE HALL: The Council considered the project plan for

the hall roof repairs that had been provided by Community Action Norfolk. It was AGREED

that this was acceptable and provided the clerk with details have local builders who

might be interested in quoting for the works.

16/093 MATTERS RELATING TO THE ALLOTMENTS: The council considered a document that

outlined proposed terms and conditions for a tenancy of the allotments and AGREED

that, with minor changes, the document should be distributed to existing tenants

for their comment.

It was AGREED that a site meeting with all tenants would take place on Saturday

22nd October at 10am

It was unanimously AGREED, by resolution proposed by Cllr Mulford and seconded

by Cllr Smith, that the rent for the 2017 season should remain at £10/plot

16/094 PLANNING: The Council AGREED its responses to recent planning applications as

follows:

3PL/2016/0997 Unit 6, The Orchards No objection

3PL/2016/1055 Starre Corner, 1 Crown Rd To comment that the

proposed metal cladding was out of character with the original building and the immediate

surroundings

3PL/2016/1041 13 Fairview Drive To advise that no evidence

could be provided but suggest that a search of Google Earth might help

The Council NOTED that the following decisions had been received:

3PL/2016/0671 Farm Cottage, Dereham Rd Permitted with conditions

3PL/2016/0764 Pantiles, Dereham Rd Permitted with conditions

The clerk reported that the interim consultation on Preferred Sites and Settlement

Boundaries would take place from 19th September to 31st October. It was AGREED that

a Special Council Meeting would take place on Wednesday 12th October at 7.30pm

in the Village Hall for the Council to agree its response to the consultation

16/095 FINANCE:

The Council NOTED the following receipts in July/August

Grant for scanner purchase £ 89.99

Sale of tractor from playing field equipment £ 1800.00

Sale of gas barbecue from playing field equipment £ 25.00

Bank balances were reported at 26 August 2016 as:

Business Premium Account £ 4424.31

Community Account £ 9931.45

Reconciliation with the cash book was confirmed against a cash book balance at 26 August

2016 of £ 14355.76

16/096 ACCOUNTS FOR PAYMENT: By resolution proposed by Cllr Smith and seconded by Cllr

Stamford, the following payments were unanimously APPROVED for payment

100770 C BRINDLEY Clerk’s salary Aug /Sept £ 412.22

100771 NORSE Grounds maintenance Apr - Aug £ 2710.62

100772 K & M LIGHTING Street lighting contract £ 152.87

100773 MAZARS Annual Audit Fee £ 120.00

16/097 EACH: The correspondence was NOTED

16/098 CITIZENS ADVICE MID NORFOLK: It was AGREED to ask the organisation to provide

information on the number of villagers that it had helped in the last 12 months

16/099 BT: The Council considered the request to remove the telephone box and CONFIRMED its

previous decision that it wished to retain the service in the village and therefore

wanted the line installed

16/100 CBRE: The Council considered the request and AGREED to sign the pledge that supported

a request to all principal councils asking that no further housing development

sites be allocated until development had taken place on all those already allocated

16/101 CLERKS AND COUNCILS DIRECT: Receipt of the current issue was NOTED

16/102 ITEMS FOR FUTURE MEETINGS: Whilst no specific items were brought forward, the following

were discussed. The clerk agreed to report to NCC the planning from pavement

repairs to Fairview Drive that appear to have been dumped in Pudding Norton. The clerk

will also write to Breckland to establish whether the houses at the Crown had been signed

off and whether dropped kerbs for access were a require of the planning permission. Finally,

the clerk would bring to NCC’s attention the difficulties that the parish council were

experiencing in having re-instatement works done by MW Surfacing at the playing field car

park following its use as a depot when the pavements were resurfaced in Timperley Estate

16/103 PLAYING FIELD CAR PARK AND PLAYING FIELD SURROUNDS: It was AGREED to

award the contract for the one-off maintenance works to Norse Eastern

There being no further advertised business, the Chairman closed meeting at 21.05

Colkirk Parish Council

Notice is given of a meeting of the Parish Council to be held on Tuesday 13th

September 2016 in the upstairs meeting room at the Village Hall at 7.30 p.m.

to conduct the business detailed below. Please enter through the kitchen.

Yours sincerely

Clerk to the Council

September 7th 2016

Charles Brindley

Tel: (01328) 701425

Springfield

Fransham Rd

Beeston

PE32 2LZ

Agenda

1 To receive and accept apologies for absence

2 To received declarations of interest on any items on the

agenda below

3 To agree as a true record the minutes of the meeting held on

19th July 2016 and to authorise their signature by the

chairman

4 To note the clerk’s report on outstanding matters

5 To receive reports from County Councillor Mark Kiddle-Morris

and District Councillor Trevor Carter

6 To note the completion of the External Audit for the year

2015/16 and the conclusion of the Annual Return for the year

ended 31st March 2016

7 To discuss matters relating to the play area

- to consider the Annual Inspection report from Playsafety

Ltd

- to note the installation of voluntary no smoking signs

- to consider correspondence with Playdale with regards

replacement timber supports for pieces of equipment

8 To discuss matters relating to the playing field

- to review actions from members’ site meeting in early

August

- to agree additional costs to include strimming around

pavilion and goal posts in current maintenance contract

- to consider a resident’s email on the subject of the

management of the playing field

9 To discuss matters relating to the village hall

- to consider a project plan for repairs to the roof

10 To discuss matters relating to the allotments

- to consider proposed revised terms and conditions for

allotment tenancy

- to agree a date to meet on site with all tenants to establish

plot boundaries and consult on revised terms and conditions

- to confirm the rent level for the 2017 season

11 Planning

To note the responses to the following planning applications:

3PL/2016/0997 Unit 6, The Orchards -

3PL/2016/1055 Starre Corner, 1 Crown Rd

To note the following decision notices received

3PL/2016/0671 Farm Cottage, Dereham Rd - Permitted with

conditions

3PL/2016/0764 Pantiles, Dereham Rd - Permitted with

conditions

To receive a verbal report on the upcoming consultation on the

Breckland Local Plan interim Consultation on Preferred Sites

and Settlement Boundaries and to discuss how a response will

be agreed

12 Finance

To note the finance report and budget monitoring report

attached

To authorise payments as per attached schedule

13 Correspondence

(i) EACH - to note the correspondence

(ii) Citizens Advice Mid Norfolk - to consider the request

(iii) BT - to reconsider a request from BT to remove the phone

box on Dereham Rd

(iv) CPRE Norfolk - to consider the correspondence and agree

any response

(v) Clerks and Councils Direct - Sept Issue - to note receipt

14 Items for Future Meetings - to raise any items for future

meetings

15 To move to exclude members of the press and public in

accordance with Public Bodies (Admissions to Meetings) Act

1960 sect 1.2 to discuss a contract containing commercially

sensitive information

16 Playing Field Car Park and Playing Field Surrounds - to

consider quotations for works

Minutes - July Council held on 19th July 2016

at Colkirk Village Hall at 7.30pm

PRESENT: Cllrs Colin Barron, Charles Joice (in the chair), Nick Loades, Steve Mulford, Bernard

Smith, Michael Stamford and John Whiteside were present.

County Council Kiddle-Morris and District Councillor Carter and the clerk Charles Brindley were in attendance.

Three members of the public were present

16/060 APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE: There were no apologies for absence

16/061 ELECTION OF A VICE CHAIRMAN: It was proposed by Cllr Whiteside and seconded by

Cllr Smith that that Cllr Mulford should be vice chairman of the council for the year 2016/17.

This was agreed unanimously and therefore it was AGREED that Cllr Steve Mulford

would be vice chairman of Colkirk Parish Council for the year 2016/17

16/062 DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST: There were no declarations of interest

16/063 MINUTES OF MEETINGS DATED 24 MAY 2016: as previously circulated, draft

minutes were considered. By resolution proposed by Cllr Barron and seconded by Cllr

Smith, it was unanimously AGREED that the minutes were a true record and were

duly signed by the chairman

16/064 PROPOSED DEVELOPMENT OF LAND AT WHISSONSETT RD: A presentation was given

by Nigel Robson and colleagues of the Land Group. The proposals are being made by

Breckland Bridge, a joint venture between Breckland Council, the land owners and the Land

Group. The joint venture was established in April 2015 to look at developable assets around

the district. The presentation proposed the development of 22 units on the site with 40% af

fordable, grouped around a central green space. The site would be served by new vehicle

and pedestrian accesses onto Whissonsett Rd. Improved footpath links to School Rd and

the playing field/allotments would be provided as well as traffic calming on Whissonsett Rd

(which was challenged by the council as would be too narrow for farm vehicles). Members

and the clerk asked questions and a tentative timetable was given that indicated a planning

application would be submitted in the early autumn 2016 and assuming permission received,

building would start in 2018. The presenters were thanked for their attendance and

left the meeting

16/065 CLERK’S REPORT: A verbal report given was considered and the following actions were

AGREED

(i) as works had not been undertaken to the car parks owned by Flagship, to contact

Flagship again and progress with a site meeting to be attended by Cllr Smith

(ii) to contest the invoice from Playdale for repairs to the play equipment as Cllr

Loades had been advised by the Playdale engineer that the original poles were

manufacturing defects as they had not been pressure treated and that there were a

further 10 poles on site that needed replacement for the same reason. The clerk

will write to Playdale to contest

With these actions, the clerk’s report was NOTED.

16/066 REPORTS FROM DISTRICT AND COUNTY COUNCILLORS: Cllr Kiddle-Morris reported

that the policy previously agreed has been reviewed and all verge cutting will be done in the

next two weeks with two cuts for everything each year. He advised that a leaflet on the

proposed devolution deal was being distributed to all households. He commented that

Breckland had misunderstood what they were being asked to consider when they recently

voted against devolution. The final decisions on devolution will be taken by the county and

district councils in October 2016. Finally, he offered help with any bid to the parish

partnership fund that the council might wish to make.

Cllr Carter endorsed the comment made about Breckland’s misunderstanding of the

devolution vote, but expressed the concern that, as Breckland is asset rich, it could be

stripped of those assets. He promoted the police and crime commissioner’s meeting in

Breckland later that week. The clerk updated him on the situation with the listing of the

Crown Public House as an Asset of Community Value.

16/067 MATTERS RELATING TO THE PLAYING FIELD: The written report was considered and

it was AGREED:

(i) that a site meeting would be held to consider what is needed

(ii) that the rent charged to Colkirk Football Club would be £150 and this would be

payable in two tranches, £50 at the start of the season and £100 at the start of

January 2017

(iii) that the policy for hire of the playing field would be

“The Colkirk Playing Field is an asset of the village and is therefore available for

use by parishioners at no charge for private functions. This will include the use

of the pavilion. Requests for private hiring by non-parishioners will be

considered by the council as and when they arise.”

(iv) that the difficulties and the actions taken be noted.

Cllr Loades presented the cheque for £1800 for the sale of the tractor with the gang

mowers and topper to the RFO. He advised that the hurdles contained in the container had

been returned to the school and then went on to advise that the school had stopped using

the playing field as they were being charged for its use. the Council considered this point

and AGREED to write to the school to offer it the use of the playing field at no charge

Cllr Whiteside advised that the General Townshend Club in Fakenham had offered to buy

the gas barbecue of £25. It was AGREED to accept this offer

16/068 MATTERS RELATING TO THE VILLAGE HALL: The clerk reported that he had met with an

officer from Community Action Norfolk who were supporting the project to seek funding for

repairs to the village hall roof. He was now waiting for a project plan.

16/069 MATTERS RELATING TO THE ALLOTMENTS: The council considered the request from a

tenant to keep pigs on a plot. The council AGREED that this would not be allowed. It was

further AGREED that a site visit would be undertaken to review the current situation

with the site

16/070 PLANNING: The Council NOTED its responses to recent planning applications as

follows:

PL3/2016/0671 Farm Cottage, Dereham Rd Object as contrary to

conditions on previous application

PL3/2016/0764 Pantiles, Dereham Rd No objection

The Council NOTED that no decision notices had been received

The council received a report on a meeting of the Breckland Local Plan Working Group held

in Swaffham on 12 July. The purpose of the meeting was to receive the views of parishes on

proposed revisions to settlement boundaries and site allocations in the upcoming consultation.

This proposed the removal of the settlement boundary for Colkirk. This is aching from

the previous consultation which proposed its retention and is supported by council members.

The issue appears to be whether the parish is classed as having employment options and

this is to be clarified with Breckland before the consultation starts. The report was NOTED

The clerk tabled a report on neighbourhood planning and its appropriateness for Colkirk. He

concluded that at this time, the council would be best to fully engage with the emerging local

plan for Breckland and then reach a final decision when the content of that plan was finalised.

The report was NOTED

16/071 CAPITAL ASSETS: The list was reviewed and it was agreed that streetlights, playing field

and the allotments should be added. It was AGREED to defer the item until inspections of

these assets had been completed

16/072 FINANCE:

The Council NOTED the following receipts in May/June

Interest £ 0.55

HMRC Vat Refund 2015/16 £ 1100.62

Breckland DC Glass Recycling Scheme 2015/16 £ 384.56

Awards 4 All Grant for Hall Re-lighting Scheme £ 750.00

Bank balances were reported at 27 June 2016 as:

Business Premium Account £ 4424.31

Community Account £ 10033.38

Reconciliation with the cash book was confirmed against a cash book balance at 27 June

2016 of £ 14457.69

16/073 ACCOUNTS FOR PAYMENT: By resolution proposed by Cllr Whiteside and seconded by

CllrStamford, the following payments were unanimously APPROVED for payment

D/D E-ON Quarterly street lighting account £ 78.63

100763 ANGLIAN WATER Playing field account £ 13.12

100764 EACH Grant awarded at min 16/052 using LGA 1972 s137 £ 384.56

100765 CPH COMMITTEE Awards 4 All grant transfer £ 750.00

100766 C BRINDLEY Clerk’s salary June/July £ 400.22

100767 C BRINDLEY Reimbursement of cost of new scanner £ 89.99

100768 FRIENDS OF COLKIRK VILLAGE Cost of insurance for gala day £ 208.00

100769 PLAYSAFETY Annual inspection of play equipment £ 92.40

16/074 PLAYING FIELD BANK ACCOUNTS: By resolution proposed by Cllr Barron and seconded

by Cllr Smith, it was unanimously AGREED the the playing field bank accounts should be

closed and the funds transferred into the parish council’s bank account with the funds

to be held in an earmarked reserve for the playing field in the parish council’s accounts

16/075 CLERK”S SALARY: The national pay settlement for clerks was considered and, by resolution

proposed by Cllr Mulford and seconded by Cllr Stamford, it was AGREED to award the 1%

increase from 1 April 2016 and the further 1% increase from 1 April 2017

16/076 RESIDENT’S CORRESPONDENCE RE MAINTENANCE OF CAMPYNGLAND: The council

considered the request, but AGREED that the current maintenance program should be

retained

16/077 E-ON: The council NOTED the increase in street lighting electricity costs with effect

from 1 July 2016

16/078 NORFOLK COUNTY COUNCIL HIGHWAYS: The correspondence regarding the parish

partnership fund 2017 was considered and it was AGREED to consider further at a later

meeting

16/079 BARCLAYS FINANCIAL COMPENSATION SCHEME: The correspondence was NOTED

16/080 CLERKS AND COUNCILS DIRECT: Receipt of the July issue was NOTED

16/081 BRECKLAND DC - CROWN PUBLIC HOUSE: It was AGREED a request for the asset to

be listed as an Asset of Community Value should be resubmitted

16/082 ENVIRONMENT AGENCY: The correspondence was NOTED

16/083 ITEMS FOR FUTURE MEETINGS: No items were brought forward for future meetings. The

clerk agreed to put a reminder in the parish magazine asking residents to attend to hedges

that obstruct street furniture and highways signs. He also agreed to report damage to the

footpath at the new houses beside the Crown and damage to SV manholes on Whissonsett

Rd at the Timperely Estate junction

There being no further advertised business, the Chairman closed meeting at 21.55

Notice is given of a meeting of the Parish Council to be held on Tuesday 24t^h May 2016 in the upstairs meeting room at the Village Hall at 7.30 p.m. to conduct the business detailed below.

Agenda

PRESENT: Cllrs Colin Barron, Charles Joice (in the chair), Nick Loades, Steve Mulford, Bernard Smith, Michael Stamford and John Whiteside were present.

The clerk Charles Brindley was in attendance. County Councillor Mark Kiddle-Morris and District Councillor Trevor Carter were also present. There were no members of the public present

16/013 APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE: There were no apologies for absence. County Councillor Kiddle-Morris had advised that he would be late arriving

16/015 MINUTES OF MEETINGS DATED 19 JANUARY 2016: as previously circulated, draft minutes were considered. Cllr Loades questioned whether the Council had agreed to apply for the Crown Public House to be listed as an Asset of Community Value. Members confirmed that the minute was correct and by resolution proposed by Cllr Mulford and seconded by Cllr Smith, it was unanimously AGREED that the minutes were a true record and were duly signed by the chairman

Village Hall Roof Repairs. The clerk expanded on the situation with the village hall roof and its need for repair. He had met with a member of the hall management committee who had shown him the extent of the problem. As, at this time, it was stated that the repairs weren't needed urgently, the clerk proposed that the council should target having the works done in Summer 2017. A proposition to this effect was considered as well as a proposal to engage Community Action Norfolk to investigate funding streams and by resolution proposed by Cllr Loades and seconded by Cllr Stamford, it was unanimously AGREED to put a project together to have the repairs completed in summer 2017 and to utilise Community Action Norfolk to investigate funding streams.

Asset of Community Value - The Crown Public House. The clerk advised that the application had been made to Breckland Council in early February and acknowledgement of the application had been received. Subsequently, a request had been received from Breckland for further detailed justification support the application and several members of the community responded to this request. Notification has now been received back from Breckland that the application has been successful and the Crown has now been placed on the register of assets of community value.

Cllr Loades advised the Council that he understood that a couple from Whissonsett were looking to take on the lease and it looks positive at the moment that it will reopen as a pub although there is much work that needs doing to the property.

16/017 MATTERS RELATING TO THE PLAYING FIELD: Cllr Loades advised the Council that he had gone thro' the records that he had and provided the following as a list of assets that are owned by the playing field. Tractor, gang mowers, container, cricket equipment, Hayter mower. It was queried as to when the mowing contract would start and the clerk UNDERTOOK to find the answer to this. Cllr Joice undertook to have the field cut in the meantime.

The Council considered what to do with the main asset, the tractor, and AGREED to solicit offers and make a decision at its next meeting as to whether to dispose of it.

16/018 MATTERS RELATING TO THE VILLAGE HALL: In the absence of a formal report from the village hall committee, the clerk reported that he had been advised that the committee were planning to apply to Awards for All for a grant towards the replacement of the lighting in the main hall with LED lights.

District Councillor Trevor Carter reported that Breckland had agreed a balanced budget through to 2020 and this included non-reliance on any government grants from 2019 onwards. He stated that past prudent asset investment made this possible as assets now generate £2.5M per annum. No services will be cut and the council is investing a further £1M into broadband which will enable new ways for its provision to be investigated. It is hoped that 98-99% of residents will have provision within the next year.

He then went on to outline the situation with devolution of powers to the Eastern Counties group of Norfolk, Suffolk, Cambridgeshire and Peterborough, stating that this is very much a moving feast at present.

Finally, he advised that a Clean for the Queen grant had been awarded to a community group in Colkirk.

County Councillor Mark Kiddle-Morris advised the NCC had agreed a budget for 2016/17 at a consensus meeting to late February. Council Tax will rise by 3.99% with 2% of this ring fenced for adult social care - raising £6.1M additional for that service. He stated that NCC has a low council tax base of only 50.1% of total revenues and is paying for a lack of past increases in council tax.

He was asked whether the additional funds would mean that there would be no cuts in adult social care. He confirmed that would be the case and that NCC had been awarded additional funding from government of £4M in 2016/17 and £3M in 2017/18 to make up for previous shortfalls.

Cllr Smith reported a missing cul-de-sac sign at Jarvis Close and he was advised that this should be reported to Breckland Council as they are responsible for street signs.

16/020 CONFIRMATION OF APPOINTMENT OF CLERK: It was proposed by Cllr Barron and seconded by Cllr Stamford and AGREED unanimously that Charles Brindley was appointed as clerk to the council and its responsible finance officer with effect from 1 February 2016.

16/021 PLANNING: The Council NOTED its responses to recent planning applications as follows:

Reconciliation with the cash book was confirmed against a cash book balance at 26 February 2016 of £ 12025.32

16/023 ACCOUNTS FOR PAYMENT: By resolution proposed by Cllr Smith and seconded by Cllr Mulford, the following payments were unanimously APPROVED for payment

16/024 CHANGE OF CORRESPONDENCE ADDRESS: It was AGREED that the correspondence address for the bank should be changed to the new clerk’s home address

16/026 BRECKLAND COUNCIL - VOLUNTARY NO SMOKING SIGN IN PLAY AREA: By resolution proposed by Cllr Whiteside and seconded by Cllr Loades, it was unanimously AGREED that the offer of a free sign would be accepted on the understanding that the installation of the sign would be at the parish council’s cost

16/027 SMALLER AUTHORITIES AUDIT APPOINTMENTS LTD: The council NOTED the contents of the letter and most particularly that Colkirk Parish would fall into option 3 that being an authority that had opted in to the scheme and having an income or expenditure less that £25K per annum

16/029 ITEMS FOR FUTURE MEETINGS: Nothing was put forward at this time. Cllr Loades reported that the path on Timberley Estate was programmed to be resurfaced and that he was meeting with NCC about the hedges on School Rd later that week.

Cllr Smith advised that he had been asked by residents if the council could write to Flagship about the need for maintenance of the two car parks on Dereham Rd that were breaking up. The clerk agreed that he would write a letter.

16/031 DATE OF ELECTORS MEETING: Wednesday 20 April at 7.30pm at the Village Hall

There being no further advertised business, the Chairman closed meeting at 20.39

Notice is given of a meeting of the Parish Council to be held on Tuesday 15^th March 2016 in the upstairs meeting room at the Village Hall at 7.30 p.m. to conduct the business detailed below.

Agenda for 15th March 2016

Minutes of Parish Council Meeting

Councillors Present: Mr Joice, Mr Mulford, Mr Barron, Mr Stamford, Mr Smith, Mr Loades, Mr Whiteside, Mr Carter and Mr Kiddle-Morris.

In attendance: Charles Brindley (new Clerk) together with five parishioners.

The minutes of the meeting dated 24 November were read, and it was proposed by Mr Smith and seconded by Mr Barron that the minutes be adopted. All were in favour.

Invoice received for posts to War Memorial. Mr Whiteside is to seek reimbursement from the parishioner who damaged them. Remaining posts to be repainted in the Spring.

Mr Joice has removed some moss from roof of shelter and further work will be carried out in the summer along with replacing two broken tiles. Mr Loades has replaced the pin in the gate to the play area. The goal posts on the playing field will be removed in the Spring..

The Clerk asked Whissonsett if they would like to share their SAM sign but they do not.

An application to Awards 4 All is to be made for the maximum of £10,000 with the Parish Council contributing £1,000. Further 50% match funding can be applied for to Breckland for up to £5000. The Clerk is to find out whether the Awards 4 All grant can be used towards the match funding.

Mr Kiddle-Morris met with County Highways at Oxwick but it is not deemed suitable for a 30 mph speed limit through Oxwick. Mr Kiddle-Morris will advise Mr Settle of the decision.

Mrs Filby has run a Land Registry search to find out who the lane belongs to and it is unregistered. Mr Joice will arrange for more of the pot holes to be filled.

Mr Loades will look at what assets the Playing Field has with a view to selling some of them. He will speak to the School about their equipment in the container on the playing field and put de-icer in the tractor.

The tenant landlords of the Crown PH have left and the pub is currently closed. Parishioners are concerned that Hawthorn Leisure will run the pub down and sell the site for development. One Parishioner had been in touch with Hawthorn Leisure and was assured that they are seeking the “right” tenant landlord to revert the pub back to what is was – a destination eating pub. Hawthorn Leisure hopes to have the pub re-opened by Easter. It was agreed that this would be the right way to go but that to be cautious, the Parish Council could apply for a community right to bid for an asset of community value. This would give the Parish time, in the event of Hawthorn Leisure wishing to sell the site, to look at ways of keeping the pub operating. In the event of this happening, the Plunket Foundation gives grants for feasibility studies Shouldham Parish has gone down this route with the Kings Arms and would be willing to give advice. It was proposed by Mr Barron and seconded by Mr Whiteside that the Parish Council applies for community right to buy. All were in favour.

Mr Carter reiterated that there has been a lot of contaminated recycling waste although this is mainly in towns rather than rural areas. It was suggested this could be due to the colour of the bins, with visitors and new residents being confused at having green bins for general waste.

A Help Hub is being created in Thetford which will provide a “one-stop” advice centre with a second hub proposed for Dereham in the future.

Grants are available for the Queen’s Birthday celebrations and clean up. The Clerk advised that the Village Hall Committee has been successful in their bid and will be organising a Quiz and Clean for the Queen.

Breckland Council is putting £1m into broadband to reach the 6% of the Breckland population who don’t get good quality broadband resulting in 96% getting good broadband.

Mr Kiddle-Morris reported on two bye-elections. The Lib Dems retained their seat but UKIP lost theirs to the Conservatives. This has made a difference on certain committees such as ETD, Resources and Pensions & Personnel. Council Tax will be increased by 2% with a further 2% for adult social services.

It was proposed by Mr Whiteside and seconded by Mr Loades that these be paid. All were in favour.

Parish Councils are being given the option to opt out of the new audit regime. It was agreed not to opt out and that the Parish Council does not need to do anything.

The Breckland Local Plan Preferred Directions Consultation is open from 11^th January to 22^nd February. Various drop in sessions are being held around the district. Mr Stamford and Mr Joice took the plans.

Minutes of Parish Council Meeting

Councillors Present: Mr Joice, Mr Mulford, Mr Barron, Mr Stamford, Mr Smith, Mr Loades and Mr Kiddle-Morris.

The minutes of the meeting dated 22 September were read, and it was proposed by Mr Barron and seconded by Mr Smith that the minutes be adopted. All were in favour.

This has been removed and a replacement tree donated by Nick and Elaine Loades has been planted.

The new posts have been installed. Mr Joice is to ask the joinery company for an invoice so the cost of materials can be recharged to the resident who caused the damage. Thanks were expressed to Mr Loades for installing the posts in time for Remembrance Sunday.

Mr Kiddle-Morris will speak to other clerks in the area and there is one possible candidate who has emailed about the position.

Mr Joice still needs to clean up the roof of the shelter and Mr Loades still needs to replace the pin in one of the gates to the play equipment and remove the old goalposts on the playing field.

The cost of one solar powered flashing sign for School Road is £4505 plus VAT. It was agreed that there are other areas in Colkirk where speeding takes occurs which are also dangerous so purchasing one light would not be adequate. The Clerk is to contact Whissonsett to see if there is the possibility of buying into their speed monitoring light which is placed in strategic places for a period of 10 days at a time. The Clerk will also contact DPD as their delivery driver has been seen driving very fast through School Road and Hall Lane.

Jenny Filby had circulated two reports. The first was to seek permission for the Village Hall Committee to submit a grant application to Awards for All for 40% of the cost of wood panelling to the main hall and bar room. The Village Hall Committee will fund the remaining 60% from reserves. It was proposed by Mr Mulford and seconded by Mr Smith that permission be granted. All were in favour.

The second report was on an area of roof to the village hall which will need renewing in due course and is the responsibility of the Parish Council as owners of the village hall. It was agreed that a grant application to the Big Lottery should be made as soon as possible with the Parish Council paying 10% of the cost. This would come from the £750 ring fenced to date for accessible toilets which will not be needed for some time and the £1000 put aside to fund the 2015 elections which was not required due to the Parish Council elections not being contested. The aim should be to have the work carried out during the 2016 summer holiday.

Mrs Filby also sought permission to do a Land Registry search to see whether the lane running from Gormans Lane past the Village Hall is registered. Once this has been ascertained, it will be easier to decide how to deal with the potholes in the lane. There are also large pot holes in the car park which need addressing. Mr Joice will see if he can supply hardcore to fill these.

Bank mandate forms were given to Mr Joice, Mr Mulford and Mr Barron for completion. They will be the three signatories on the Playing Field account.

Mr Carter asked that the Council be advised that a lot of recycling waste is being rejected as some residents still bag up their recycling which is prohibited and food waste is being put in recycling.

There are grants available from Breckland for the Queen’s birthday celebrations.

All allotments are currently being used. It was proposed by Mr Barron and seconded by Mr Smith that allotment rents remain at £10 per allotment for 2016. All were in favour.

Quotes have been received as per the 2016/17 budget for Churchyard and Campyng Land. In addition, a quote of £630 plus VAT to cut the playing field 14 times from April to end October has been received. It was proposed by Mr Loades and seconded by Mr Mulford that all three quotes be accepted. Mr Loades will keep a record of when the churchyard is cut.

It was proposed by Mr Barron and seconded by Mr Stamford that the budget be adopted and that a precept of £7000 should be set. All were in favour.

It was proposed by Mr Smith and seconded by Mr Barron that these be paid. All were in favour.

A letter had been received from an Oxwick resident about speeding vehicles and the condition of the road which runs through Oxwick and alongside their home. Mr Kiddle-Morris agreed to visit Oxwick with a Highways Engineer to survey the road for repairs in the first instance. He will also see if there are any other measures that can be taken to calm and reduce the traffic.

Minutes of Parish Council Meeting

Councillors Present: Mr Joice, Mr Mulford, Mr Barron, Mr Stamford, Mr Smith, Mr Loades and Mr Kiddle-Morris.

The minutes of the meeting dated 21^st July were read, and it was proposed by Mr Mulford and seconded by Mr Barron that the minutes be adopted. All were in favour.

Mr Loades explained that the ditch had caved in further down the road and that the posts are preventing the grass along the road being cut. Mr Kiddle-Morris will look into this.

Breckland does not supply litter pickers. They can be purchased on Amazon at a cost of approximately £7.50. No decision was made as Mr Whiteside wasn’t present.

Permission has been granted to remove the dead Oak with the proviso that a specified Oak (Quercus Robur which is container grown with a minimum 8-10 inch girth) be planted near to the site. Nick and Elaine Loades have requested that they provide the tree in memory of Ellie. Geoff Clark has agreed to source the tree. The tree guard already in use on the Campyng Land can be re-used and Mr Clark will erect a frame to support the older tree. The Clerk has instructed Ben Carter to go ahead with removing the Oak.

A suitable replacement hasn’t yet been found. The Clerk has agreed to remain in post until she moves or until a replacement can be found – whichever is sooner.

New fire doors have been installed to the side entrance and consideration is being given to putting wood panelling on the lower part of the main hall walls.

Mr Loades advised that the Football Club manager has keys to the pavilion and the gate. The white lining machine has been repaired. It was agreed that the signatories on the Parish Council will also be signatories on the Playing Field Account and the Clerk will get mandate forms for completion at the next meeting. Norse has been instructed to cut the field for the remainder of the season. Mr Whiteside and Mr Loades are the only two members of the committee.

Due to a potential overspend on the Northern Distributor Road, not all highway improvements will take place. This does not affect the winter and summer programmes.

Flagship has agreed to pay for 2/10^th of the cost of the street lighting to be invoiced at 31^st March each year.

Mr Loades will put a new pin in one of the gates to the play area. Mr Joice will arrange for the moss to be removed from the roof of the shelter and the old goal posts still need removing.

It was proposed by Mr Loades and seconded by Mr Smith that these be paid. All were in favour.

New Transparency Code for Smaller Authorities – draft minutes must now be published on website no longer than one month after meeting and list of Councillors and assets to be published on website and on notice board.

Mr Loades has been asked by a Parishioner whether measures can be taken to slow traffic in School Road after an incident involving his child. The Clerk is to get a quote for a flashing speed sign with a view to applying to the Parish Partnership for 50% funding. Applications must be in by mid-December.

Mr Smith reported that D Camps has resigned as a trustee of the Colkirk Charities. Jeanette Paul has indicated that she would be happy to become a trustee and it was proposed by Mr Smith and seconded by Mrs Stamford that she be appointed. All were in favour.

Minutes of Parish Council Meeting

Councillors Present: Mr Joice, Mr Mulford, Mr Barron, Mr Stamford, Mr Whiteside, Mr Loades, Mr Kiddle-Morris and Mr Carter

The minutes of the meeting dated 19^th May were read, and it was proposed by Mr Barron and seconded by Mr Whiteside that the minutes be adopted. All were in favour.

The trees have been cut back by Breckland and the ditch repaired although it is beginning to cave in again.

This was reported to Anglian Water who visited site, capped the water supply which had been turned on by the developers and an invoice will be issued to the developers.

A quote for £280 has been received for removing the dead oak to 18 inches above ground, cut wood to manageable sizes to leave on site for parishioners and remove all smaller arisings. To grind out the stump completely would be a further £250. It was proposed by Mr Whiteside and seconded by Mr Loades to have the work done and leave the stump. All were in favour. It has since been realised that this tree is subject to a TPO. Clerk to apply to Breckland for permission to have the work carried out.

Mr Whiteside has now got two oak posts and will purchase the necessary primers, preservatives and paints. When the job has been completed, the Parish Council will invoice the lady who knocked the posts over for materials only.

There have been three expressions of interest in the Clerk vacancy but two have withdrawn. The Clerk will contact the remaining applicant to arrange a meeting.

A meeting has been held with the Football Club who have agreed that the pitch will be turned around to avoid balls going into the paddock and the allotments. Work will start on this immediately as well as removing the old goalposts and pinning back the loose barbed wire..Terry Gage will continue to mow the field this year but it will be contracted to Norse next season. A Bygone’s day is being organised for 6^th September.

Mr Kiddle-Morris reported that there have been two by elections. Applications for the Parish Partnership scheme (50/50 split) for highway projects are to be in by December.

Mr Carter reported that the number of scams is on the rise and they should be reported and discussed to stop others falling prey to them. The Textile Bank contract has been awarded to Cookstown Textile Recyclers.

Mr Kiddle-Morris advised that the Parish Council should engage with Breckland on the consultations for the Local Plan and wait until it is finalised in 2016. There is a Local Plan working group meeting on 28^th July at 10 am.

It was agreed to keep the street lights as they are as the Parish Council is not, and cannot foresee a time, when they will be in a position to pay to hand these back to NCC or to have them taken away. It was agreed to have them safety checked and that the Clerk will look into recharging Flagship for a percentage of costs to cover the two lights on their land.

It was proposed by Mr Barron and seconded by Mr Mulford that these be paid. All were in favour.

A letter had been received by Mr and Mrs Howells, whose son is buried in Colkirk Churchyard, who are distressed at the way their son’s grave has been treated by Norse. The Clerk has spoken with them and also to Norse. Norse has written to Mr and Mrs Howells with assurances that they will no longer strim in the vicinity of this plot. Mr Loades asked the Clerk to ask Norse for the same assurances for Ellie’s grave.

Mr Kiddle-Morris will ask Highways to trim back the ferns along Market Hill where they have collapsed into the road. They are also covering the 30mph repeater sign.

Minutes of Parish Council Meeting

Councillors Present: Mr Mulford, Mr Barron, Mr Stamford, Mr Whiteside Mr Smith and Mr Loades

The minutes of the meeting dated 20 January were read, and it was proposed by Mr Barron and seconded by Mr Loades that the minutes be adopted. All were in favour.

The Hall Family have resigned from the Playing Field Committee, leaving Mr Whiteside as the only member. Mr Joyce will arrange a handover of paperwork and equipment. Mr Gage agreed to return to the Committee and Mr Loades expressed an interest in joining. An AGM of the Playing Field Committee will be held immediately after the Annual Parish meeting on Tuesday 21^st April. In the meantime, Mr Mulford will purchase a padlock for the gate to the Playing Field to give to Mr Whiteside.

The Clerk has not been able to make contact with Sophie Acton (Speed). Mr Loades will pin back the barbed wire and the Parish Council will pay for any materials needed.

This has still not been repaired by Norfolk County Council. However, Stangrooms have cleared the ditch and it is now funning freely. The highway still requires making up to the ditch and the Clerk will suggest to Mr Kiddle-Morris that concrete pipes be inserted in the ditch and the ditch filled in. The ditch attracts rats.

Mr Ellis has attracted six volunteers (not including himself) operate a Speedwatch programme. Mr Loades proposed and Mr Whiteside seconded that he Parish Council advise Mr Ellis to go ahead. All agreed..

Mr Whiteside will organise this for 18 April and will put posters around the village asking for volunteers. The Village Hall committee will provide refreshments at 9.30 am and afterwards when volunteers return equipment to the Village Hall. Mr Loades volunteered to collect full bin bags from around the village and bring back to the Village Hall car park for collection by Breckland.

The Clerk advised that the full cost of this would have to be borne by the Parish Council. The Clerk is going on a streetlight workshop on 31^st March and will get an idea of cost.

The tenancy agreement has been amended and signed by the Chairmen of Parish Council and Parish Hall Committee. The Clerk has a copy.

It was agreed that the Parish Council should strongly consider formulating a Neighbourhood Plan. The Clerk had hoped to attend a workshop but it was oversubscribed. If another workshop is not planned, then the Clerk will ask for someone to visit Colkirk and speak to the Parish Council about the benefits and the way forward.

A parishioner has asked the Parish Council to contact Anglian Water about the frequent interruption to the water supply.

Breckland advised of the changes affecting the ability to provide affordable housing and open space.

In Whissonsett Road, the trees running alongside the ditch are overhanging a BT line and Mr Loades is concerned that a heavy wind will bring the line down and this will affect a housebound parishioner who relies on the telephone. The Clerk will report his to Openreach.

Dog fouling is continuing to be a problem in the village but the Clerk advised that unless we have the name of the owner or description of the dog, the dog warden cannot do anything to help.

Date of next meeting – Annual Parish Meeting - 21 April 2015 (to be followed by Playing Field AGM)

Minutes of Parish Council Meeting

Councillors Present: Mr Joice, Mr Mulford, Mr Barron, Mr Stamford, Mr Whiteside and Mr Loades

The minutes of the meeting dated 18 November were read, and it was proposed by Mr Mulford and seconded by Mr Whiteside that the minutes be adopted. All were in favour.

June Hall presented accounts to the Parish Council showing an increase in the bank balance of just over £400 for the year. Only one event was held (Tractor Run). The Parish Council advised that it is a legal requirement to hold an AGM each year and June Hall agreed that an AGM would be held at the Playing Field Pavillion after a football match in the Spring in the hope that some of the footballers would join the committee. June Hall was asked to notify the Clerk of future AGMs as well as publicising it in the Upper Wensum Diary. It was agreed that all cheques should be signed by June Hall and one other and that more details accounts should be available at the AGM.

The Clerk has been advised that it will take several months for the phone box to be re-connected and BT have asked whether Colkirk wishes to retain the phone box. It was agreed that it is necessary as mobile coverage is not always good on all networks and not everyone has a mobile phone.

Kayleigh Hall gave the Clerk a phone number for Sophie Speed. The Clerk will endeavour to make contact.

The car park has been made good and some improvement made. There is still a tree trunk to be removed. The Clerk will contact Morrisons about this.

Mrs Filby made several suggestions to amend the Village Hall lease Mr Barron Proposed and Mr Whiteside seconded that these amendments be adopted. Mrs Filby will amend the lease for the Chairman to sign.

Planning Progress has advised on the benefits of Neighbourhood Development Plans. There are grants available for expenses in formulating these plans. This will be discussed at the next meeting.

There have been complaints about the state of the hedge around the Churchyard. It is thought that the damage has been caused since the hedge was trimmed by Norse and Mike Barter asked the Clerk to compliment Norse on the excellent job they had done.

Mr Whiteside would like to organise a litter pick. The Clerk will contact the Village Hall Committee to see if they would be prepared to have everyone meet at the Village Hall and return for a coffee afterwards.

Mr Ellis has asked whether a Community Speedwatch group could be set up. The Clerk will find out whether there is funding for this.

A resident in Timperley Estate has asked whether there could be a street light put on the corner of Timperley Estate and Whissonsett Road. The Clerk will ask Mr Kiddle-Morris about this.

Minutes of Parish Council Meeting

Councillors Present: Mr Joice, Mr Mulford, Mr Barron, Mr Stamford, Mr Smith, Mr Whiteside and Mr Carter

The minutes of the meeting dated 16 September were read, and it was proposed by Mr Mulford and seconded by Mr Smith that the minutes be adopted. All were in favour.

A date has still not been set for an AGM and a letter was received from Mr Gage who has resigned from the committee. It was agreed that the remaining committee would be asked to attend the January meeting.

Mr Carter advised that nforcement has visited the site, drilled into the fottings and agreed that the footings comply with Building Regulations. Mr Carter will chase for an answer about the position of the properties on the site and raise the issue of the properties being marketed as four bed houses when they only have sufficient parking for three bed houses.

The Clerk has notified the Dog Warden that there is a dog in Dereham road being let out on its own and, possibly as a result, there has been a lot of dog mess outside some of the Flagship bungalows in Dereham Road. Mess has also been reported on the public footpath that runs alongside the end of Conference Way. If a culprit can be spotted, this too can be reported to the dog warden.

Mr Kiddle-Morris has advised that Norfolk County Council will take responsibility for the damage to the ditch and it will be repaired by Christmas.

Mrs Filby will attend the January meeting to discuss the renewal of the Village Hall lease.

Mr Kiddle-Morris had advised that the BT exchange in Fakenham is now enabled for “fibre to cabinet” but the cabinet in Colkirk is not yet operational. This should be done by the end of December this year. Residents will not be automatically connected to the superfast fibre system. Internet Service Providers must be contacted by individuals to arrange connection.

Mr Carter reported that Council Tax will remain the same for 2015/16 but that the support grant received from Breckland will be slightly lower. Bottle bank revenue will be paid at the same rate in 2014/15 as the previous year to compensate for kerbside collection of glass and the viability of bottle banks will be considered after March 2015. There is a Town and Parish Forum in January. Breckland Council won the Community category in the Green Apple Awards recognising the achievements of the European-funded Grants4Growth initiative in promoting business growth, efficiency and job creation throughout the eastern region. The Master Gardeners Project is proving successful.

The Options Stage of the Local Plan was discussed. Mr Stamford had been to the drop in session at Breckland and as a result identified four questions which are relevant to Colkirk. The Clerk will put together a package of the relevant pages and questions for circulation to the Parish Councillors. If necessary, an extraordinary meeting will be convened in December to formulate a response by 9^th January.

It was proposed by Mr Mulford and seconded by Mr Smith that allotment rents would remain at £10 per allotment for 2015.

The budget was discussed and it was proposed by Mr Barron and seconded by Mr Smith that the precept should remain at £7000 for 2015/16. It was agreed that an increase in the donation to the Royal British Legion for the Poppy Wreath will be increased next year if funds allow.

It was proposed by Mr Barron and seconded by Mr Stamford that these be paid. All were in favour.

Norfolk County Council has advised that the consultation on the budget and services proposal for 2015-18 is open until 19^th December.

A parishioner has complained that they were sprayed with mud by a scrambling bike while walking in the lane which runs past the Village Hall. Without more information, the Parish Council is unable to act.

Mr Whiteside reported that the playing field car park has been left in a worse mess since Morrisons used it to park their plant and machinery. The Clerk will write to Morrisons asking them to make this good.

Minutes of Parish Council Meeting

Councillors Present: Mr Joice, Mr Mulford, Mr Barron, Mr Loades, Mr Stamford, and Mr Kiddle-Morris

The minutes of the meeting dated 22 July were read, and it was proposed by Mr Mulford and seconded by Mr Barron that the minutes be adopted. All were in favour.

Enforcement at Breckland have been notified of the Parish Councils concerns re closeness to Poppywell and the footings and this still has to be processed.

Mr Loades will re-concrete the gates posts within the next few weeks. The Clerk will chase Playdale to come and repair the equipment.

Mr Kiddle-Morris advised that Highways will be visiting School Road to assess the state of the hedges.

We cannot find an address for the Acton’s. Mr Loades will see if he can pin the wire back.

Decoration and re-carpeting of the stairs and upstairs meeting room has been completed. Pre-school is being given a reduction of 25% on their hire fees for one year with termly reviews. The ramp to the main entrance has been completed. New crockery has been purchased. The Village Hall Committee have asked the Parish Council to arrange for the car park to be sprayed twice a year.

Mr Kiddle-Morris advised that Switch and Save is being carried out again and that there will be recycling workshops held around the district as what can and cannot be recycled is changing. The Parish Grant will be available again next year and the Ward review has been carried out and Colkirk is not affected by any changes.

Requirements for next year are to include one hedge cut per year, spraying of the village hall car park twice a year, spraying round the posts to the play equipment and fence to avoid strimmer damage. The Clerk is to voice the Council’s concerns at the state of the church yard and see if a neater job can be done in future.

It was proposed by Mr Mulford and seconded by Mr Barron that these be paid. All were in favour.

Dog mess is prevalent again in the Village. The Clerk is to contact the dog warden about one particular dog.

The ditch in Whissonsett Road has collapsed due to traffic mounting the bank during the pipe laying. The Clerk to report.

Minutes of Parish Council Meeting

Councillors Present: Mr Joice, Mr Mulford, Mr Whiteside, Mr Barron, Mr Loades, Mr Stamford, Mr Carter and Mr Kiddle-Morris

The minutes of the meeting dated 6^th May were read, one minor amendment was made to show that it was Mr Stamford who seconded Mr Mulford’s election as vice-Chairman and it was proposed by Mr Barron and seconded by Mr Whiteside that the minutes be adopted. All were in favour.

It has been agreed to lower the threshold of the main door into the Village Hall and create a concrete ramp up to the door on the outside and install a rubber ramp on the internal side. This will be carried out during the summer holiday.

This site is now under construction. Mr Carter will speak to Building Control as the houses appear to be very close to the road and the Poppywell side looks to have a very narrow driveway. Building Control will also be asked to look at the footings.

The upstairs meeting room is being redecorated and re-carpeted along with the stairwell.

Mr Carter advised that individual residents will have to complete an electoral registration form with effect from 21^st September. Breckland is working with Norfolk County Council to help rural broadband and has put £950,000 into a fund to do this. Information was handed out about the Breckland Art Trail, Festival at the Farm and Sportivate which is aimed at 18 to 25 year olds. Breckland has set its budget for the next two years and will not be increasing council tax or introduce parking charges.

A minor adjustment to the gates to the play area is required which Mr Loades will look at together with a loose post. There is stimmer damage to some of the posts which the Clerk will report to Norse. At the same time she will remind Norse to take care when strimming around the trees and that strimmer arisings are not being cleared up.

The shelter continues to accumulate rubbish. The Clerk will make a sign advising that there is a bin in the play area.

Two trees on the Campyng Land have had surgery carried out on them and all trees will be checked in the autumn.

Mr Whiteside will wash the Village Sign and ask the Playing Field Committee to remove the old goalposts.

It was proposed by Mr Whiteside and seconded by Mr Barron that these be paid. All were in favour.

The maintenance of the Churchyard needs further discussion and will be discussed at the September meeting so any changes can be incorporated into the budget.

Village Hall car park is looking untidy and the Clerk will mention this to the Village Hall Committee.

One hedge in particular in School Road is encroaching on the pavement making it difficult to walk along. Mr Kiddle-Morris will look at this and report back to the Clerk.

Allotment holders have asked again about water to the allotments. It was agreed this is not financially viable and would make the allotments very expensive to rent.

Telephone box in Dereham Road isn’t working and requires cleaning. Clerk to contact BT.

There is loose barbed wire along the boundary of the playing field and the Acton’s smallholding. Mr Loades to find out contact details so the Clerk can write to them.

Minutes of Parish Council Meeting

Councillors Present: Mr Joice, Mr Mulford, Mr Whiteside, Mr Barron, Mr Smith, Mr Loades and Mr Kiddle-Morris

The minutes of the meeting dated 4^th March were read and it was proposed by Mr Mulford and seconded by Mr Barron that the minutes be adopted. All were in favour.

Mr Loades and Mr Whiteside will endeavour to get this installed within the next two weeks.

Highways have been informed of the uneven footpath in Crown Road/Church Road as well as the tree by the Scott Berry memorial bench. Mr Kiddle-Morris advised that County Highways has been given an increased budget for highways improvements. Mr Whiteside has spoken with Highways about the ditch in Whissonsett Road where the ditch needs clearing and the bank made good.

A second quote for tree surgery has been received and accepted in the sum of £290. Work on one tree has been carried out.

Three options were put forward by the Village Hall committee (see minutes of extraordinary meeting held on 14^th April 2014). Mr Loades would prefer to see Option One carried out but after the meeting and having looked at the problem, he felt there was a cheaper alternative and agreed to speak to Jenny Filby about it. Mr Kiddle-Morris advised that Breckland will soon be announcing a grant source for disability projects and we may be able to apply for funding to make alterations to the door.

Mr Joice has spoken to June Hall who advised that there has not been an AGM yet but as soon as it has been organised, she will let Mr Joice know the time and date.

To ban dogs from the playing field would require a dog control order which would be permitted if in the public interest. This would then have to be enforced by the Parish Council. It was agreed to leave things as they are for now.

The Clerk has contacted Breckland who will visit to decide whether the original enforcement notice has been breached. Mr Kiddle Morris advised that the enforcement is on the property, not the owner.

These have now been filled by Banhams. It was agreed that the Clerk could order planings at £15 per ton when necessary.

It was proposed by Mr Barron and seconded by Mr Smith that Mr Joice be re-elected as Chairman. All were in favour. There were no other nominations so Mr Joice accepted.

Mr Whiteside proposed and Mr Smith seconded that Mr Mulford be re-elected as vice-Chairman. All were in favour. There being no other nominations, Mr Mulford accepted.

Matters arising from the Annual Parish Meeting and the Extraordinary Meeting

There were no matters arising from the Annual Parish Meeting and matters arising from the Extraordinary Meeting were discussed above (Entrance Door to Village Hall)

To Adopt the Accounts for the year to 31.03.14 and the Statement of Assurance

It was proposed by Mr Mulford and seconded by Mr Barron that the Accounts and Statement of Assurance be adopted. All were in favour.

Mr Kiddle Morris reported that an extraordinary council meeting was held on 28^th April when it was agreed the Council would adopt a Committee system.

It was proposed by Mr Smith and seconded by Mr Barron that these be paid. All were in favour.

Bottle bank revenue is up by approximately £80 this year over the past two years. Note of the Town and Parish Forum have been received.

Mr Whiteside sought permission to purchase white masonry paint and weed killer for the war memorial. Mr Joice offered to provide the weed killer and Mr Whiteside was given the go ahead to purchase paint.

The Clerk was given permission to purchase a gift for Andrew Stewart, internal auditor.

Mrs Cram asked whether the Parish Council was commemorating the start of WW1. The Parish Council does not feel it appropriate.

Minutes of Parish Council Meeting

Councillors Present: Mr Joice, Mr Mulford, Mr Whiteside, Mr Barron, Mr Smith, Mr Loades, Mr Stamford , Mr Kiddle-Morris and Mr Carter

The minutes of the meeting dated 7^th January were read and it was proposed by Mr Mulford and seconded by Mr Whiteside that the minutes be adopted. All were in favour.

It is hoped that installation will take place as soon as the field is dry enough. The Clerk read a letter from a parishioner asking when this would be done and whether it would be possible to have a small skate park in the village. Mr Kiddle-Morris advised that the cost of a small skate part would start at approximately £35,000. It was agreed that there are not enough children in Colkirk to justify this expenditure so obtaining any funding would be very difficult. The Clerk is to write a letter to the parishioner explaining this.

Mr Smith reported that the pavement from Crown Road into Church Lane is very uneven with weeds lifting the pavement. The Clerk will report this to Mr Kiddle-Morris.

A quote for ££525 plus VAT has been received from Ravencroft for tree surgery works to two mature oaks on the Campyng Land. It was agreed that a second quote should be sought.

Mr Joice has looked at this tree and feels it to be the responsibility of NCC Highways. Mr Kiddle-Morris will ask Highways to check it out.

The AGM was held on 12^th February. New blinds have been fitted in the main hall, a hot air heater installed above the door into the main hall, and a new distribution board has been installed. The toughened glass has now been put in the internal door into the main hall and a carpet donated by a parishioner has been laid in the upstairs room.

The Village Hall Committee has asked the Parish Council to provide planings with which to fill the potholes outside the Village Hall. The Parish Council agreed to do this and the Village Hall Committee will carry out the work.

Mr Loades questioned what is being done with the entrance door into the hall to make it wheelchair accessible. It was proposed that if nothing can be done with the existing door, a replacement one should be installed which meets disabled access requirements. The Parish Council are to ask the Village Hall Committee to look into this.

Mr Kiddle-Morris reported that the NCC budget has been set. While resulting in a freeze in Council Tax, there will be cuts. The mobile library service is being cut back to once a month in most areas and cut completely in others. There will be a £1m cut in highway maintenance.

Mr Carter advised that matters surrounding the Parish Support grant have been resolved and that parishes will now receive this. In the case of Colkirk this will be £393.79. This has come too late to incorporate into budgets for 2014/15.

Mr Carter informed of the Breckland Book Festival and Breckland Master Gardeners Scheme. He also suggested the Parish Council contacts Breckland again about the state of the bungalow next to the Crown. There are grants of £500 for organisations wishing to commemorate WWI and there is a grant pot of £1.4m for other projects. A parishioner has approached the Parish Council about the noise of quad bikes riding around the village in the evenings. Mr Carter asked that this situation be monitored and reported back to him.

Accounts have been received from the Playing Field Committee. Mr Joice is to speak to the Chairman of the PF committee to advise that in line with other Parish Council sub-committees, these accounts must be checked and signed by an independent person. He will also ask that a member of the committee attends one PC meeting each year and that it is a requirement to hold an AGM.

It was proposed by Mr Smith and seconded by Mr Barron that these be paid. All were in favour.

There is to be an electoral review of Breckland and comments are welcomed by 14^th April

There have been complaints of dog fouling in the village. The Clerk advised that unless Breckland can be advised of the address of the person’ allowing their dog to foul, they can do nothing about it. Mr Whiteside suggested finding out whether Breckland could put a banning order on dogs on the playing field.

Mr Joice is seeking permission to fell a few of the trees on the moated land in Longs Lane. This work will be carried out with the full support of Natural England, English Heritage and Norfolk Council. Mr Joice asked for Parish Council support and it was proposed by Mr Smith and seconded by Mr Loades that the Parish Council writes a letter of support. All were in favour.

Mrs Cram advised that retrospective permission has been granted for the extra 15” height to the single storey garage at Azure, Market Hill with a condition that pleached hornbeam be planted along the garage wall. Mrs Cram is seeking to have this condition removed.

Date of next meeting – Annual Parish Meeting – Tuesday 15^th April at 7.30 pm

Minutes of Parish Council Meeting

Councillors Present: Mr Joice, Mr Mulford, Mr Whiteside, Mr Barron, Mr Loades, Mr Stamford and Mr Clark representing the Village Hall

The minutes of the meeting dated 20 November were read and it was proposed by Mr Whiteside and seconded by Mr Stamford that the minutes be adopted. All were in favour.

Still awaiting installation and due to wet weather this is now likely to take place in the Spring.

Highway rangers have filled a pothole on the main Dereham Road. Whissonsett Road junction with Timperley Estate will be closed from 27 to 31 January for sewer repairs.

The roof to the shelter on the Campyng Land has been repaired. The moss does require removing but this is not a safety issue. Mr Clark has surveyed the trees on the Campyng Land. Two of the oak trees with TPOs have a large dead limb on each and can be removed without permission. Mr Clark will get a quote for the work which needs to be carried out before the trees start to leaf.

Mr Barron reported that a tenancy agreement has been negotiated with Abington Farms for the Oxwick Charity land bordering the land purchased by them from Raynham Estates. This has been agreed at £300 per annum for the 1 acre 3 roods 35 perches involved. The rent for the remaining three sitting tenants has been reviewed and agreed at £80 per acre. There is also an ongoing agreement regarding the laying of cables for a North Sea Wind Farm development on the Whissonsett

A new kitchen door and window along with main front door has been installed and laminated glass has been ordered for the internal door. Mr Loades questioned why a level access door hadn’t been installed.

It was proposed by Mr Mulford and seconded by Mr Barron that these be paid. All were in favour.

Mr Mulford has been approached by a parishioner about the state of a tree by the Scott Berry bench in Dereham Road. Mr Clark has been to look at this and in his opinion doesn’t think it poses a danger. Mr Joice will look at it as it is on the boundary of his land.

Minutes of Parish Council Meeting

Councillors Present: Mr Joice, Mr Mulford, Mr Smith, Mr Whiteside and Mr Stamford

The minutes of the meeting dated 17 September were read and it was proposed by Mr Smith and seconded by Mr Whiteside that the minutes be adopted. All were in favour.

Mr Joice will repair the roof to the shelter on the Campyng Land when work commitments permit.

Defibrillator box has been installed on the wall of the Crown. The actual defibrillator will be delivered on 26 November. A drop in evening will be held at the Crown on Wednesday 8^th January for the community to find out more and learn some basic first aid.

Mr Joice had not felt it appropriate to erect the signs at either end of the drift between Market Hill and Hall Lane as it is not a public right of way.

This was carried out on 9^th November with 15 local residents volunteering. Residents donated bulbs and the hedging was provided by Fakenham Garden Centre for £160.

Various improvements have been carried out including a new stable door to the kitchen, new handles and ball catch on bowls store door and two leaking areas of the roof repaired. During the Christmas holiday, the external kitchen door and window and main front door are being replaced and a new laminated glass panel will be fitted in the door leading into the main hall. A decision from Awards for All for the toilet project is still awaited. The Hooray for Hollywood event raised £460 and there is a Christmas Quiz on 7^th December. Four events are being planned for 2014. The Crown is holding a quiz on 29 November with proceeds going to Village Hall. There will be another Colkirk cookbook in 2014

It was proposed by Mr Mulford and seconded by Mr Whiteside to keep allotment rents at £10 per allotment for 2014. All were in favour.

It was proposed by Mr Mulford and seconded by Mr Smith that the quotes from Norse Commercial Services for 2014 be accepted. All were in favour.

The budget was discussed and it was proposed by Mr Mulford and seconded by Mr Smith that it be adopted and that a £7000 precept be set. This will reduce reserves by approximately £1,000. All were in favour.

It was proposed by Mr Smith and seconded by Mr Mulford that these be paid. All were in favour.

Various items of correspondence were read out. Kerbside bin collections will include glass from part way through 2014/15. Residents need to be encouraged to continue to use the bottle banks as this is a valuable form of revenue for the Parish. If the bottle banks are not viable, they could be removed completely.

Mr Smith proposed thanks to Mr Whiteside for the good condition the War Memorial is kept in not just for Remembrance Sunday but all year round. Mr Whiteside advised that the children from Colkirk School visited the War Memorial for their own service.

Minutes of Parish Council Meeting

Councillors Present: Mr Joice, Mr Mulford, Mr Barron, Mr Smith, Mr Whiteside, Mr Stamford and Mr Clark (representing the Village Hall Committee)

The minutes of the meeting dated 9 July were read and it was proposed by Mr Mulford and seconded by Mr Smith that the minutes be adopted. All were in favour.

This is proving to be much more of a logistical problem than initially thought. Mr Clark will liaise with Mr Joice and endeavour to get the goalpost installed in October.

The Clerk has been chasing Gary Palmer to erect the fence but had not had any response.

Mr Whiteside reported that he had been informed that the resident of a cottage in Dereham Road where the frontage is very close to the carriageway is planning to put a porch on the front which could encroach on the carriageway. It was agreed that as soon as something more definite is heard, Highways will be asked to intervene.

Hedges will be removed on 9 November and, on the same day, crocus bulbs will be planted on the banks. Fakenham Garden Centre will match the number of crocus bulbs purchased for the scheme up to a maximum of 2000.

The War Memorial Bench has been refurbished by Linda and Richard Linford. Unfortunately, immediately after revarnishing it, someone scraped off some of the varnish and as soon as this was remedied, it was scraped off again. The Parish Council expressed their thanks to Richard and Linda Linford for volunteering for this task.

The notice board has been revarnished by Brian Stenning and the Parish Council expressed their thanks to him.

Holt First Responders are about to take delivery of the units and they should be available anytime soon. Once available, the Clerk will agree with the Landlords of The Crown where it can be fixed bearing in mind they have submitted plans to extend the toilet area where the defibrillator is due to go.

It was proposed by Mr Mulford and seconded by Mr Smith that the street lighting maintenance contract be renewed. All were in favour.

Mr Clark reported that the kitchen had been completed in time and under budget. £525 had been returned to Awards for All. The Parish Hall committee contributed £209 as opposed to the £500 they had agreed and the Parish Council did not need to contribute anything. A grant application has now been submitted for toilet refurbishment. The Pub is holding a quiz on 29^th November with funds going towards the Village Hall. The Parish Council expressed their thanks to the Village Hall Committee, and in particular to Jenny Filby, for the new kitchen which is a real asset to the Village Hall.

It was proposed by Mr Barron and seconded by Mr Smith that these be paid. All were in favour.

The Audit for the year to March 2013 has been concluded and advertised on the notice board.

Mrs Cram had requested sight of the minutes when the Code of Conduct was adopted. The Clerk has provided these.

George Freeman MP has written asking us to let him know of anything we would like to bring to his attention.

Mr Barron reported that the Oxwick Charity is having difficulty in agreeing rent with Abington Farms and Savills is now acting on behalf of the Oxwick Charity in this matter.

Mr Stamford reported that Colkirk School has had a Very High and Outstanding Ofsted inspection.

Mr Stamford reported that Anglian Water will be working on sewage pipes in Whissonsett Road and the road will be closed for some time. The Parish Council has not been informed of this.

The Clerk has been approached by Whissonsett Parish Clerk about sharing the cost of temporary speed signs. It was agreed that Colkirk does not have a big problem with speeding so are not interested.

The Clerk has been asked whether dog fouling signs could be erected at each end of the drift running from Market Hill to Hall Lane. Breckland will not supply these if the land is not theirs. The Clerk will order three signs, two for the drift which will be put on posts belonging to Joice’s Farm and one for outside the Village Hall.

The garden of the derelict bungalow next to The Crown has been cleared to a certain degree and the brambles left on the footpath. If these are still there in a week or so, the Clerk will contact Greene King.

Mr Smith advised that Mrs Dee Camps has agreed to become a trustee on the Colkirk Charity. Her appointment was proposed by Mr Smith and seconded by Mr Barron. All were in favour.

Mrs Lawrence advised that she has sent proposals for screening between her property and Azure to Breckland Council and presented them to the Parish Council. The Parish Council had no objection to this type of screening.

Minutes of Parish Council Meeting

Councillors Present: Mr Mulford (Acting Chair), Mr Barron, Mr Smith, Mr Stamford, Mr Clark (representing the Village Hall Committee) and Mr Kiddle-Morris

Also Present: June and Kayleigh Hall (representing the Playing Field Committee and Mrs Maureen Cram

The minutes of the meeting dated 21 May 2013 were read and it was proposed by Mr Barron and seconded by Mr Stamford that the minutes be adopted. All were in favour.

Mr Loades is unable to commit to helping with this. Mr Clarke will ask a couple of members from the football team if they will assist with the digging of the holes.

Gary Palmer has all materials and will erect the fence as soon as his other commitments allow.

Mr Joice was not at the meeting so this will come up under Matters Arising in September.

Common End is being monitored. Once there is a heavy rainfall, engineers will visit the site to see what can be done. Mr Joice needs to email Mr Kiddle-Morris with details of the number of equestrian movements per day as “Horse” signs are usually only put up where there is a riding school.

A report from Jenny Filby had been circulated with the Agenda. Grant applications have been unsuccessful. It was proposed by Mr Barron and seconded by Mr Mulford that the Parish Council commit to paying £250 towards this scheme. This will cover the cost of materials. The labour will be carried out by volunteers to be arranged by Jenny Filby. All were in favour.

June Hall provided the Parish Council with accounts for the past two years to December 2012. At December 2012 there was £4600.38 in the bank compared with £4591.80 the previous year. Whilst the Playing Field Committee is managing to keep afloat, they are having difficulty fundraising due to lack of help and are concerned that the fee paid by the school for using the Playing Field could stop as they aren’t using it very much. The Pavilion is in desperate need of electricity if it is to keep the football club as users. June Hall would really like to have a brick pavilion with extra facilities. Geoff Clarke suggested Jenny Filby speaks with June Hall about possible grant applications. The committee currently comprises the Hall family, John Whiteside and Terry Gage.

Gravel has been delivered and spread outside the front of the Village Hall. £450 was received from Friends of Colkirk Village from Gala day proceeds. The kitchen is being installed over the summer holiday and should be completed by September. Quotes are being obtained to replace toilets and wash basins in both ladies’ and gents’ toilets and to install two urinals in the gent’s toilets. Match funding grants are being sought for this work.

It was agreed that the Parish Council would write a letter supporting this proposal. Mrs Cram advised that she had been a governor at a school in London for several years and that for a small school such as Colkirk, this would be a very good move as resources, teaching staff, peripatetic teachers could all be shared much more efficiently giving the pupils a better education and extra curricular activities.

A risk assessment was carried out. Trees on Campyng Land will be assessed in November when leaves have fallen, The Clerk will check with Mr Whiteside on War Memorial, Village Sign, War Memorial seat, Goal Posts and Pavilion on Playing Field. There is a small repair needed to the roof of the shelter on the Campyng Land and Mr Joice is to be asked to do this. The Clerk is to write to Brian Stenning to see if he would be happy to stain the notice board as the varnish has been eroded by the sun. The dog bins are all okay and the staging in the Village Hall is checked before each use. Play Equipment should have been inspected by RoSPA in June – awaiting report.

It was proposed by Mr Smith and seconded by Mr Barron that these be paid. All were in favour.

The defibrillator will hopefully be with us by the end of July. The Clerk has contacted the new landlords of the Crown and they are happy for the defibrillator to go on the pub wall as agreed with the previous landlord.

The Gala Day was extremely successful making a profit of approximately £2900. Some of this was spent on new gazebos and a total £2700 was distributed to village organisations.

Minutes of Parish Council Meeting

Councillors Present: Mr Joice, Mr Mulford, Mr Barron, Mr Whiteside, Mr Stamford, Mr Clark (representing the Village Hall Committee) Mr Kiddle-Morris and Mr Carter

The Clerk advised that Mr Smith was recovering well from his stroke and all members of the Parish Council wished him well.

The minutes of the meeting dated 19 March 2013 were read and it was proposed by Mr Whiteside and seconded by Mr Barron that the minutes be adopted. All were in favour.

Mr Whiteside will arrange a convenient time with Mr Loades and then advise Mr Joice and Mr Clark. Mr Joice will arrange for the concrete to be delivered to site.

Gary Palmer has ordered the fencing and will install it as soon as it is delivered.

Mr Clark has received a quote from Longwater Gravel - £18 per ton or £30 delivered. Mr Joice will speak to Banhams again to ask if they will fill in the holes.

A planning application has been received seeking to withdraw certain conditions and to apply for a variation to the height of the property which has been built higher than the original plans stipulated. Mr Joice will contact the Lawrences and arrange to meet to see how the Parish Council can support them by asking for adequate and sympathetic screening to be a condition of any approval.

This was unsuccessful. Mr Kiddle-Morris suggested re-submitting it as there is still money in the pot.

Mr Kiddle-Morris has arranged for the Highway engineers to visit Common End when there has been considerable rainfall to see how this problem can be treated. He will visit Hall Lane to see where Mr Joice would like to see a “Slow Down Horses” sign and advised that the hedge in Hall Lane has been removed and the resident has been given licence to cultivate the verge.

Mr Barron proposed and Mr Stamford seconded that Mr Joice continues as Chairman. All were in favour and Mr Joice accepted.

Mr Whiteside proposed and Mr Stamford seconded that Mr Mulford continues as Vice-Chairman. All were in favour and Mr Mulford accepted.

It was proposed by Mr Mulford and seconded by Mr Stamford that the annual accounts be adopted and the Statement of Assurance was approved. All were in favour. Thanks were expressed to Mr Andrew Stewart who carried out the internal audit.

Mr Clark advised that the recent Quingo raised £330 but feedback hadn’t been good so the event will not run again. The Afternoon Tea is going ahead on 8^th June. 3 tons of gravel is being delivered to treat the area to the front of the Village Hall and Jim Hall has made and erected a direction sign.

It was proposed by Mr Barron and seconded by Mr Mulford that these be paid. All were in favour.

The Environment Agency has given a summary of works carried out and work planned for the coming year. There is a consultation on Breckland Community Infrastructure Levy open until 28^th May and CAMRA are encouraging communities to nominate their pubs as assets of community value.

No one from the Parish Council attended the Playing Field AGM and it was agreed that a member of the Playing Field Committee should attend one Parish Council meeting each year to report on its activities and present the accounts.

Permission was granted for Friends of Colkirk Village to hold their Gala on the Campyng Land on 29^th June and the Parish Council agreed to meet the cost of their public liability insurance.

Mr Stamford advised that there had been difficulties on the narrow bends in Market Hill where two very large lorries came face to face and neither were prepared to give way. Cars backed up behind both lorries and eventually one reversed back quite a long way causing considerable chaos. It was agreed this is not acceptable but as the Parish Council has asked for something to be done to widen the road at this point on numerous occasions and nothing has been done, it is very unlikely that anything will be done until there is a serious accident.

Minutes of Parish Council Meeting

Councillors Present: Mr Joice, Mr Barron, Mr Loades, Mr Whiteside, Mr Stamford, Mr Clark (representing the Village Hall Committee) and Mr Carter

The minutes of the meeting dated 15 January 2013 were read and it was proposed by Mr Whiteside and seconded by Mr Barron that the minutes be adopted. All were in favour.

The ground is still too wet. Due to an injury, Mr Clark does not think he’ll be able to erect the goalpost but is happy to act in a supervisory capacity. Mr Loades, Mr Whiteside and Mr Joice agreed to help with the installation as soon as weather permits.

A grant from Norfolk Community Foundation (Love Norfolk) has been secured for £1000. The Clerk is to place an order with Gary Palmer.

An order has been placed with Fakenham Garden Centre for topsoil at a cost of £335.00. A deposit of £100 has been paid.

Mr Joice contacted Banhams about this and they said they may do something in the Spring. In the meantime, Mr Joice had provided planings and filled the potholes. Mr Clark and Mr Whiteside will get prices for planings and Mr Loades volunteered to arrange delivery. It was not felt appropriate at the moment to contact Banhams again or ask Stangrooms for a contribution towards them.

This is now in the hands of the Breckland enforcement department who have contacted the owners of the field.

Mr Carter reported that the property was a little bit higher than the plans showed and that the necessary permissions were being sought.

Highways have contacted householders in School Road asking them to cut back hedges. Mr Loades is aware of three householders who have received letters and one, Mr Dixon’s, is not overhanging the pavement as there is a telegraph pole causing an obstruction. Mr Loades also pointed out that the pavement was created after the hedges were planted and is very narrow in places as there was insufficient width of the road. The Clerk will write to Highways.

Ms Filby had previously submitted a report to the Parish Councillors advising that £5350 has been awarded from Awards for All for the installation of a new kitchen. It was proposed by Mr Barron and seconded by Mr Whiteside that the Parish Council contributes up to £500 towards additional expenditure if necessary. All agreed. The new kitchen will be installed during the school summer holiday. After installation there will be an open morning to invite potential hirers and those involved with the project.

The outcome of the grant application for the toilets will be known in about ten days but Ms Filby is not hopeful of success as there are far more applications than money in the pot.

The grant application for the Campyng Land hedgerows has been submitted. There were no objections to the proposals submitted in the Upper Wensum Diary but Ms Filby and Mr Clark will speak to the residents of Beach Acre before taking out the hedging in front of their house.

Mr Clark reported on a successful Mystery Object Night and advised that there will be a Quingo (Quiz Bingo) on 20^th April and an afternoon tea on 8^th June for residents who are not able to get to evening events and don’t have transport.

It was proposed by Mr Barron and seconded by Mr Loades that these be paid. All were in favour.

Breckland had written to advise that Central Government has indicated it will provide funding to billing authorities to lessen the impact of an increase in the council tax charge for a given precept. Breckland is distributing this in the form of grants to Parish Councils. Colkirk’s grant is just under £400 so Colkirk Parish Council precept is to be reduced from £7000 to £6600 for 2013/14.

Mr Glossop from Pre-school has asked the Parish Council for permission to install a telephone line with Broadband internet access at the Village Hall. All costs will be borne by Pre-school. The Parish Council are happy for them to go ahead.

Mr Loades reported laying water in the Dereham Road near Common End. This is despite drainage channels being dug out. Mr Joice will look at this and will liaise with the Clerk on a way forward.

Mr Joice asked the Clerk to contact Mr Kiddle-Morris about the possibility of a “Slow Down – Horses” sign being installed in Hall Lane.

Minutes of Parish Council Meeting

Councillors Present: Mr Joice, Mr Mulford, Mr Barron, Mr Smith, Mr Whiteside, Mr Stamford, Mr Clark (representing the Village Hall Committee) and Mr Carter

The minutes of the meeting dated 20 November 2012 were read and it was proposed by Mr Smith and seconded by Mr Barron that the minutes be adopted. All were in favour.

The stile between Conference Way and Hall Lane has been removed. Road markings have been reinstated and the signpost in Raynham Road has been removed.

The Clerk had received an email from the Chairman of Pre-school which she had circulated prior to the meeting. The Clerk will respond as agreed and advise that this is the Parish Council’s final decision.

Mr Joice signed a grant application for Love Norfolk/Norfolk 100, Mr Carter provided a reference and Mr Kiddle-Morris is to give a letter of support.

The Estates Manager and the Landlord of the Crown have given permission for the defibrillator to be attached to the wall of the Crown. The Clerk has contacted Holt First Responders to ask them to go ahead with ordering one.

A grant has been submitted to Awards for All for the kitchen and a decision is expected mid-February. A grant for the toilets, entrance hall and kitchen will be submitted to the Community Construction Fund by 15 February. If the Awards for All application is successful then the kitchen will be withdrawn from the Construction Fund application.

Surveys have been carried out on the Church Tower and it is deemed suitable for Wi-Spire. It is now a matter of waiting to see what happens next. Residents should express their interest.

Mr Whiteside will ask Fakenham Garden Centre for a quote for providing topsoil and seeding.

Village Hall AGM will be on 13 February. Mystery Object Night on 16 March. Mr Clark was given permission to investigate the possibility of having solar panels installed on the Hall roof. Proposed by Mr Mulford and seconded by Mr Smith. Mr Joice will speak with Mark Banham about providing planings for the lane to the Village Hall. If these are provided, the Village Hall Committee will organise the filling of the potholes up to the Village Hall.

There were no objections to the application for solar panels adjacent to Kilma, Main Dereham Road.

It was proposed by Mr Barron and seconded by Mr Smith that these be paid. All were in favour.

Mr Carter was asked to find out from Breckland whether the cars parked in the field behind the grain store are contravening planning regulations.

Mr Smith asked the Clerk to contact Highways about the hedges in School Road. Whilst many of these have been trimmed on top, the depth of some hedges is preventing people from walking on the footpath.

Mr Joice has been advised by the owners of the new house next to the Rectory that the house being built behind it is approximately 3 feet higher than the plans specify. Breckland will be visiting site to look at this.

Minutes of Parish Council Meeting

Councillors Present: Mr Joice, Mr Mulford, Mr Barron, Mr Smith, Mr Loades, Mr Whiteside, Mr Stamford, Mr Kiddle-Morris and Mr Carter

Also present: Mr Clark – representing Village Hall Committee, Ms Filby, and Mr Watson

Before the meeting commenced, Peter McAllister and Carol Newman of Holt First Responders gave a demonstration of the defibrillator which they have offered to Colkirk. The defibrillator will be provided to Colkirk free of charge. The battery will run out after 4 to 5 years and costs £200 to replace. If Holt First Responders still have sufficient funds they may be able to help with this. The defibrillator is guaranteed for 7 years and a replacement at today’s cost would be £1250. Again, if sufficient funds are available, Holt First Responders may help with replacement costs. The unit should be in as central a place as possible. There should be one nominated contact who will perform a weekly check. The electrical installation has to be paid for by the Parish Council. Once installed there will be an awareness afternoon. The Clerk is to contact Greene King to see if they would be prepared to have the defibrillator on the wall of the Crown. If not, it will have to be the Village Hall.

The minutes of the meeting dated 18September 2012 were read and it was proposed by Mr Mulford and seconded by Mr Smith that the minutes be adopted. All were in favour.

It is the responsibility of the landowner to replace or repair the Conference Way/Hall Lane stile. Mr Joice will deal with this. Winter gritting routes were discussed and it was agreed that Dereham Road is the safest route out of Colkirk. The dip in the road at Starr Corner will be dealt with in March and road markings will be reinstated within two weeks. The lay-by in Jarvis Drive has been cleared. The landowner in Raynham Road has been given notice to remove the signpost.

Due to recent weather, the playing field is too wet for heavy vehicles to drive on and when it dries up it may be too frozen to dig the holes required so it is unlikely this will be erected until the spring.

Breckland is not prepared to serve a Section 215 notice on Mr Dixon as they do not feel the two sites in question are sufficiently untidy. They have visited the sites seven times since 2001. Mr Whiteside proposed we accept Breckland’s decision. Mr Loades seconded and the majority were in favour.

Mr Joice has inspected the map and feels the Perspex could be replaced but as there is no-one at the moment able to carry out the work, it was decided to leave this for the time being.

Mr Joice has now spoken with Mr Davidson-Houston who is prepared to use the lease written up a few years ago. This will have to be formalised for which there will be a cost. The Parish Council will advise Pre-school that the lease will have to be between them and Mr Davidson-Houston and any costs should be borne by them as the bowls club paid their own fees for a similar lease.

The Clerk is looking at grants available to erect a fence to one side of the play area. In the meantime, Mr Joice has made a temporary repair. Mr Loades will speak with Gary Palmer to clarify what fencing he quoted for.

Mr Clark reported that the annual electrical check has been carried out and that a new cooker has been purchased as it is an OFSTED requirement that pre-school provide cookery lessons. 1940s Night was a huge success and future events include Quiz Night on December 8^th and for 2013 there will be a Mystery Object night, Beer and Barbeque, Hollywood themed night, Afternoon tea for elderly residents who don’t like going out in the evenings and the Christmas Quiz.

Ms Filby had circulated a report prior to the meeting. The Parish Council approved the proposed works to the toilets, entrance corridor and kitchen and authorised Ms Filby to make the necessary grant applications on behalf of the Parish Council. The Parish Council agreed to contribute 50% of the costs associated with preparing the grant applications (total approximately £700) and would contribute £1000 towards the costs of the works.

Ms Filby had circulated a report prior to the meeting. The Parish Council approved the proposed boundary treatments and authorised Mr Clark to remove all unwanted shrubs. Ms Filby was given authorisation to apply for a grant to part fund the purchase of new hedgerow, plants, canes and stakes and to pay for these if a grant is not obtained. Ms Filby offered to run another Crocus Corner scheme in the autumn of 2014 and the Parish Council agreed to pay the £40 cost of promoting the scheme. Ms Filby will publicise these proposals in the Upper Wensum Diary.

Mr Watson asked the Parish Council whether it would look into the WiSpire initiative which, in theory, provides faster broadband to rural communities. The Clerk advised that the Church has already got the ball rolling on this proposal.

It was proposed by Mr Mulford and seconded by Mr Loades that allotment rents stay at £10 per allotment for 2013. All were in favour. The Clerk will issue rent demands and remind allotment holders not to leave the padlock open at any time.

Churchyard maintenance - £1450.12 plus VAT and Campyng Land maintenance - £1170.26 plus VAT. It was agreed to accept these quotes and award the contracts to Norse Commercial Services.

The Clerk handed out letters of dispensation to all Councillors enabling them to take part in the discussions. It was agreed to increase the donation to The Royal British Legion to £70 and reduce the donation to the school for leavers’ gifts to £5 per Year 6 leaver. The Clerk will find out how many this was for 2012 and how many it will be in 2013. It was agreed that a dog bin for Hall lane would not be purchased yet as other expenditure is more important. The £1000 towards the work on the Village Hall alterations will be spread over four years. It was proposed by Mr Mulford and seconded by Mr Loades to indent for a precept of £7000 for 2013/14. All were in favour.

It was proposed by Mr Smith and seconded by Mr Loades that these be paid. All were in favour.

Mr Stamford reported on the Breckland Site Specifics. They are as adopted in 2010 and include buildings for which planning permission has been granted. The plan will remain in existence until 2026

Breckland has confirmed that Street trading licences will not be required for householders, whether in private or housing association properties, who wish to sell surplus allotment produce from their front gardens.

Mr Smith said he had received very favourable comments about the care given to the War Memorial. The Parish Council thanked Mr Whiteside for taking care of this. Mr Whiteside advised that he had surveyed the War Memorial and it requires more top soil and turf or seed to cover the foundations.

Minutes of Parish Council Meeting

Councillors Present: Mr Joice, Mr Mulford, Mr Barron, Mr Smith, Mr Kiddle-Morris and Mr Carter

The minutes of the meeting dated 10^th July 2012 were read and it was proposed by Mr Barron and seconded by Mr Mulford that the minutes be adopted. All were in favour.

The broken Stile from Bramley Drive into Hall Lane field has been reported. Mr Kiddle-Morris will follow this up if nothing is done. Mr Kiddle-Morris explained that Market Hill cannot be gritted during winter months as it is a U classified road whereas Dereham Road is a C classified road. The Parish Council were asked whether they would like Market Hill to be reclassified. This would not take place until the winter of 2013/14. It was agreed to discuss this at the next meeting when more Councillors were present. In the meantime, Mr Kiddle-Morris will look into the matter of gritting the Crown Road corner area which has been gritted by Mr Barron in the past but NCC has stopped delivering grit to Mr Barron. Mr Smith asked Mr Kiddle-Morris to look at the deep hole on Starr Corner which wasn’t levelled during the recent resurfacing works as well as the lay-by in Jarvis Drive which needs clearing.

The goalpost has been delivered and we are now waiting for volunteers to erect. Grant money has been received.

Mr Joice has spoken with Mr Davison-Houston but has not yet been able to meet with him to discuss this further.

Some parishioners are still receiving NNDC, some Breckland Voice and some aren’t getting either. The Clerk will inform Breckland.

Mr Kiddle-Morris advised that it was advisable to adopt either the Breckland Code or the NALC code and to revisit the code in a few months time to see how it has changed. Mr Barron proposed that the Breckland Code be adopted, seconded by Mr Smith. All were in favour. Declaration of Pecuniary Interests are to be completed by all councillors and returned to the Clerk for submission to Breckland.

Mr Clarke advised the the Antiques Fair will not be taking place. There is a 40s night on 6^th October and Christmas Quiz on 8^th December. Zumba Gold has started on Wednesday evenings. The main fuse box has been replaced and a light has been installed at the bottom of the stairs. The boiler has been replaced with a smaller, yet larger capacity and more economic boiler. This will enable a small amount of water being heated as opposed to the whole tank. All electrical equipment has been PAT tested, more shingle has been spread outside the main entrance and a monthly deep clean is now being carried out by volunteers.

Payments marked with an asterisk were made prior to meeting. Mr Smith proposed these payments, seconded by Mr Mulford. All were in favour.

The hedgerow replacement notice was circulated. In consideration of contemporary farming imperatives, Breckland require the hedges to be replanted along two boundaries (not a direct replacement of the hedges removed).

With effect from 1^st October, Breckland will no longer put up site notices for householder type applications (eg extensions to existing houses). This is to speed up decision making for small scale applications.

Breckland are consulting on Street Trading – Designation of Consent Streets whereby, if this goes ahead, anyone who wishes to operate as a street trader in Breckland will be required to hold a valid Street Trading Consent. Whilst the Parish Council agrees with this in principle, it would like to see dispensations granted for householders who sell surplus produce from their gardens/allotments outside their houses whether on private or council owned land as the cost of the street licence will be prohibitive.

The Clerk advised that she had been approached by Holt First Responders who have sufficient funds to install defibrillators on public buildings. The Parish Council would be responsible for the cost of the electrical installation. The defibrillator will be housed in a box on the outside of the village hall and anyone calling the emergency services on behalf of a potential heart attack victim will be directed to the Village Hall, given an code to access the defibrillator and will be instructed on how to use it. It was agreed that the Clerk should contact Holt First Responders to advise we are interested.

Mr Loades advised that the hedging to the side of the play equipment is no longer providing a safe boundary for children and asked whether bottle bank revenue could be used to replace this with fencing. The quote received for fencing this area earlier this year was £722.80. The Clerk is to find out whether this quote still stands and whether it is for Playdale fencing. In the meantime, Mr Joice will look to see if something can be done as a temporary measure.

Mr Clark asked about the trimming of hedges to the Churchyard and Campyng Land as they are looking very untidy and not due to be trimmed until November. The Clerk advised that the earliest Norse would have cut the hedges this year was August as birds were still nesting up until then. If they are cut in August, they will start to look untidy earlier during the following season. It was agreed that this year’s weather had promoted exceptional growth and that there isn’t really a solution to the problem.

Mr Clark also asked whether some of the hedge stumps on the Campyng Land could be removed. Mr Joice and Mr Clark will meet on site to discuss this.

Minutes of Parish Council Meeting

Councillors Present: Mr Joice, Mr Mulford, Mr Barron, Mr Smith, Mr Whiteside and Mr Stamford

The minutes of the meeting dated 15^th May 2012 were read and it was proposed by Mr Smith and seconded by Mr Mulford that the minutes be adopted. All were in favour.

Mr Whiteside reported that the Community Rangers had been in the village and had carried out various works. The Clerk is to report to Norfolk County Council a broken stile on the footpath alongside Conference Way and the Footpath sign which points into a hedge in Raynham Road.

The goal post and nets have been ordered. Mr Whiteside is to discuss with the Playing Field Committee where this will be placed.

Norfolk County Council has cut back the hedges along this stretch of road and dug out the carriageway which has resulted in some improvement.

This is no longer the responsibility of Norfolk County Council. Endeavours will be made to replace the Perspex to make the map more visible.

After further discussions it was agreed that the Parish Council should not take out a lease on this piece of land bearing in mind the Bowls Club is in a similar position and has had to make its own arrangements for a lease. Mr Joice will speak with Mr Patrick Davidson-Houston to explain the reasoning behind the decision and pre-school will be informed.

It appears that there has been a mis-understanding with Royal Mail who are contracted to deliver Breckland Voice and the North Norfolk magazine. Some residents have been receiving the North Norfolk edition. It is hoped this has now been remedied.

The Clerk read out a report from Mr Clark. Fire safety measures have been put in place. Five radio-linked smoke detectors and more fire exit signs have been installed, a full fire risk assessment has been completed, whistles to alert users of a fire have been installed upstairs and downstairs and a hammer and instructions for breaking a double glazed unit to create an escape route have been installed in the upstairs meeting room. The mystery object evening made a profit of approximately £440. The taster session for Strictly Colkirk was a success so this will become a regular Tuesday evening event in September and an antiques fair is to be organised. A new fuse box and light above the heater control will be installed in July together with PAT testing of all appliances and the new hot water system will be installed in August.

A risk assessment was carried out. Due to routine maintenance of trees, benches etc throughout the year there are no items that require attention.

Payments marked with an asterisk were made prior to meeting. Mr Smith proposed these payments, seconded by Mr Barron. All were in favour.

MHB Services (street light maintenance contractors) have gone into liquidation. It was agreed that the contract be awarded to K&M Lighting. This was proposed by Mr Mulford and seconded by Mr Barron.

The summary of the court case brought by Breckland District Council concerning the hedgerow removal in Colkirk was read out.

A resident has asked for a dog bin to be installed outside the Village Hall. It was agreed that this was an unnecessary expense as there is a bin fairly close by which is passed by most dog walkers who return from walks past the Village Hall.

Mr Whiteside reported that he has carried out a survey on the War Memorial on behalf of the War Memorial Trust of which he is a member. The War Memorial is sound but the bank around the base may require lifting. He also advised that he has seen some children acting disrespectfully around the War Memorial. He has reported this to the Head Teacher at Colkirk who has spoken to the whole school about what the War Memorial stands for.

The bottle bank revenue for 2011/12 was £278.31. The Parish Hall Management Committee has asked whether funds from the bottle bank could be given to the Village Hall. Over the past few years the Parish Council has used this income to keep the precept at a reasonable level and does not see any change in circumstances over the next few years so regretfully decided not to pass on this source of revenue to the Village Hall.

Minutes of Parish Council Meeting

Councillors Present: Mr Joice, Mr Mulford, Mr Barron, Mr Stamford, Mr Whiteside and Mr Smith

Also Present: Geoff Clark representing Village Hall Management Committee, Ivan Glossop, Sally Dye from Pre-School plus 2 Colkirk residents.

The minutes of the meeting dated 20^th March 2012 were read and it was proposed by Mr Barron and seconded by Mr Mulford that the minutes be adopted. All were in favour.

Mr Glossop (Chairman of Colkirk Pre-School) explained that he had been approached by Patrick Davidson-Houston about formalising the lease on the piece of land outside the village hall which Pre-school use for outdoor play. It was agreed that the lease should be held by the Parish Council and the Parish Council would take care of the matter.

2 Colkirk residents had come to the meeting to hear the discussions on the motor paragliders but due to there being no other interested parties present, there was nothing to discuss.

The hedge in Hall Lane will be trimmed back this week and the edge of the carriageway will be sided out to return the carriageway to its original width. The Highway ranger team has been in Colkirk and filled several potholes. There will be a road closure in Crown Road from the Dereham Road junction to the Church Road junction starting on 6^th June for 3 days. Access to properties will still be possible.

Funds have been awarded for the purchase of the goal post but not for the fencing to the play equipment.

Geoff Clark has removed some of the lower branches on the large oak. A resident from Timperley Estate has asked for permission to have tree surgery carried out on an Oak on the allotments which is close to her boundary. The Parish Council are happy for this work to be carried out but are not in a position to be able to offer to contribute towards the cost.

This has now been refurbished by Jim Hall and returned to site. The Parish Council expressed their thanks to Jim Hall for doing a superb job.

Mr Carter has advised that as the bridleway is owned by the farmer, neither Breckland nor NCC has authority to control the area.

Mr Carter has advised that as this is private land, unless it can be proved that the owner is allowing others to dump rubbish on the site, nothing can be done. Geoff Clark raised the possibility of a section 215 notice being served. The Clerk will contact Breckland.

Despite continued complaints to Breckland, they have advised that it is currently not expedient to serve another notice on Greene King as they do not feel the site is in as bad a state as it was when the first notice was served.

Mr and Mrs Reeve have now moved out of the caravan into rented accommodation. They are using the caravan as a lambing shed. Photos have been taken by Breckland to substantiate this.

It was proposed by Mr Whiteside and seconded by Mr Barron that Mr Joice be re-appointed as Chairman. All were in favour. Mr Joice accepted and thanked the councillors for their continued support.

It was proposed by Mr Whiteside and seconded by Mr Smith that Mr Mulford be re-elected as Vice-Chairman. All were in favour. Mr Mulford accepted.

To discuss matters arising from Annual Parish Meeting held on Tuesday 17^th April 2012

We have not been advised yet why Colkirk residents are not receiving Breckland Voice. The Clerk will make enquiries.

Highways have visited the area in Market Hill where the bends are very narrow. It was found that brambles and other vegetation have grown up on the eastern side of the road at the ‘S’ bend area. These will be strimmed back this week.

Mr Barron advised that he has had a meeting with the Oxwick Charity trustees regarding land registration. After thorough consideration it was decided that the Charity would not proceed with registration as the land is let long term to four separate farmers and situated within their existing fields. The trustees were of the opinion that the onus to preserve the land, according to the principles of good husbandry, explicit in their tenure, lies with the tenants. Mr Barron then went on to report that some 1000 acres of land owned by Raynham Estates in Pattesley is to be sold and having spoken with Duncan Blyth (Raynham Estate manager) was informed that the field in which the Oxwick land is situated was part of the area to be sold. However, the Oxwick land was not included in the Title and therefore is not in the sale particulars. Jane Kenny of Savills has confirmed that irrespective of future ownership of the Raynham Estates 1000 acres, Raynham Farms Co will continue to be the tenant of the Oxwick land as the sale of the Pattesley land is subject to a contract farming arrangement.

The Clerk has contacted Mr Mills at NCC re No7 footpath and Colkirk and Horningtoft. Any problems relating to footpaths now need to be reported on the NCC website but Mr Mills did advise that FP7 at Horningtoft was opened up in the early spring of this year and was waymarked. Gaps/gates were created for access and no stiles were necessary.

The accounts were circulated and it was proposed by Mr Barron and seconded by Mr Smith that they be adopted and the Statement of Assurance approved. All were in favour. The Clerk advised that David Rogers was resigning as internal auditor and has audited the last set of accounts. The Parish Council recorded their thanks to David Rogers for the many years he has performed this task.

Geoff Clark is to attend future Parish Council meetings in his capacity as a member of the Colkirk Parish Hall Management Committee which is a sub-committee of the Parish Council.

Mr Clark reported on maintenance and improvements carried out at the Village Hall. A full fire safety inspection has been undertaken by Norfolk Fire and Rescue and all suggestions are being acted upon. Mr Clark advised of the three fundraising events to be held in the hall this year. The Parish Council were happy for these to go ahead. Mr Clark also advised that there are plans for two “come and try” dance/exercise evenings with a view to getting regular bookings on Tuesday and Wednesday evenings which are currently available for hire.

Mr Whiteside proposed these payments, seconded by Mr Barron. All were in favour.

Parish Hall insurance is due for renewal with effect from 1^st June 2011. The Clerk has sourced alternative quotes and the best premium was for a joint Parish Council and Village Hall policy with Zurich. If the Parish Council and Village Hall committee commit to insurance for 3 years the premium is £1147.92. This compares with approximately £1500 between the two entities for last year’s premium. It was proposed by Mr Barron, seconded by Mr Stamford and all were in favour to go with this quote.

Letters from Jason Abram and Richard Sidell concerning the motor paragliding were read out.

Mr Stamford took the NCC Mineral Site Specific Allocations Development Plan together with crime figures for Colkirk and letter about the CAG meeting to be held on 30^th May which he hopes to attend.

Colkirk School has asked to use the Campyng Land for their sports day on the afternoon of 13^th July.

Reverend Robin Stapleford has offered to make an annual report to the Parish Council on Colkirk School.

Mr Barron asked the Clerk to find out who is responsible for the footpath map on the wall of The Crown as it is illegible.

Mr Smith brought attention to the concerns of some parishioners about the problems facing Colkirk School due to falling numbers and temporary head teachers.

The Parish Council agreed to pay the insurance policy for Friends of Colkirk Village Gala event at a cost of £174.00

Minutes of Parish Council Meeting

Councillors Present: Mr Joice, Mr Mulford, Mr Barron, Mr Stamford, Mr Loades, Mr Whiteside and Mr Carter, Mr Kiddle-Morris together with ten parishioners

The minutes of the meeting dated 17^th January 2012 were read and it was proposed by Mr Mulford and seconded by Mr Barron that the minutes be adopted. All were in favour.

Parishioners had attended the meeting to ask the Parish Council to do something about the low flying paragliders and model aeroplanes which have, once again, been flying very low and close to homes and gardens. The way the pilots are flying is impacting on parishioners’ peace and privacy. The Parish Council will write again to the owner of the field from where the paragliders take off and launch their model aeroplanes, Mr Carter will take the matter to Breckland and Mr Kiddle-Morris will speak to RAF Marham to see what measures can be taken to prevent this from happening.

It was asked whether anything can be done to improve the narrowness of Market Hill – particularly on the bends. Mr Kiddle-Morris will speak to Highways but the Parish Council was reminded that this matter was raised several years ago and as there has never been a serious accident on this stretch of road, the County Council are unlikely to sanction any improvements.

The Parish Council agreed to write to Mr Dixon to ask him to clear up the mess on his site which runs alongside the bridle path from Church Road. Mr Carter will find out from Breckland whether measures can be taken against the landowner.

A Parishioner complained about the state of the bungalow and garden adjacent to the Crown. The Clerk read an email from Breckland stating that action cannot be taken against the notice previously served as Greene King complied with it so a new notice needs to be served. The site will be photographed and a report submitted to the Planning Manager to confirm whether it is untidy enough to warrant another notice being served.

Community Emergency volunteers will soon be visiting vulnerable residents to make them aware of what help they can receive in an emergency from Colkirk and Breckland. Warm packs have been delivered from Breckland and these will be given to all vulnerable residents who have requested a visit.

Thanks were expressed to Jim Hall and Geoff Clark who, along with Nick Loades, installed the swing barriers.

Work has now been completed outside the flagship bungalows. Highways filled some holes in Crown Road and Church Road.

Highways have written to the homeowner advising that the hedge requires more cutting back.

The split and hanging limbs have been removed from the Oak Tree on the Campyng Land. The Clerk is to ask Geoff Clark about removing some of the lower branches. It was also noted that Geoff Clark and Jenny Filby have completed works on the smaller trees on the Campyng Land and thanks were expressed for this.

This was amended as agreed and adopted at the Village Hall Management Committee AGM.

Mr Kiddle-Morris will continue to lobby for changes but was unsuccessful in getting anything changed this year.

This will start its eight week stint in Colkirk on 12^th June and a £50 donation will be given.

A final letter will be sent to Mr and Mrs Reeve giving them 28 days to find alternative accommodation before action to remove the caravan commences.

It was unanimously agreed to accept Geoff Clark’s offer to become the Tree Warden for Colkirk.

Mr Whiteside proposed these payments, seconded by Mr Barron. All were in favour.

The Clerk advised that Breckland (as part of their Warm and Well scheme) has a supply of heating oil available to vulnerable parishioners who have been unable to secure a fuel delivery. They will be charged for this. There is also a free heater loan scheme for homes where the heating system has broken down.

Following a enquiry from a Parishioner, the Diocese of Norwich has advised that the pond alongside the bridle path from Church Road has never been in the ownership of the Diocese.

Anglian Water responded to the sewage smell problem in Hall Lane and this now seems to have been remedied.

Mr Joice has been asked by a Parishioner whether the Parish Council are organising a Diamond Jubilee event. As such events have been organised by Friends of Colkirk Village in previous years, the Parish Council had not intended to do so. Furthermore, as Friends of Colkirk Village has just re-formed and have no plans for the Diamond Jubilee, Mr Joice will speak to Jenny Filby to see if the Village Hall Management Committee would be prepared to get involved.

Mr Loades has received a complaint about the dog mess on the bridle path running from the Church Road. Mr Carter will find out from Breckland what measures can be taken to minimise this.

Mr Carter handed out various leaflets – New grant will assist independent living, Facing Financial Challenges, Olympic Inspired wildlife counts this spring, Championing the cause of older people, village events in Horningtoft and Tittleshall, Breckland Youth Council, Tri-Council shared management and an email asking people to sign the on-line petition to exempt air ambulance services from fuel duty in the same way RNLI are exempt.

Mr Clark will be asked to look at two trees on the allotments behind 5 Timperley Estate as a resident is concerned about them.

An allotment holder has asked whether they can keep goats on their allotment. The Clerk will advise that as the Parish Council do not have a holding number for the allotments, goats are not allowed.

Minutes of Parish Council Meeting

Councillors Present: Mr Joice, Mr Mulford, Mr Barron, Mr Smith, Mr Stamford, Mr Loades, Mr Whiteside and Mr Carter together with three parishioners

The minutes of the meeting dated 8^th November 2011 were read and it was proposed by Mr Smith and seconded by Mr Barron that the minutes be adopted. All were in favour.

This still requires completion but is in sufficient detail to be of use should an emergency occur. The Clerk has emailed copies to Mr Joice and Mr Barron who are willing to assist in an emergency situation.

Thanks were extended to Mr Clark who has re-hung the baby swing and has offered to install the nest swing barriers with Mr Hall. This should be done within the next two weeks.

Village Hall and Playing Field have been successfully registered. The Clerk has made copies of all documents and returned the originals to Hays + Storr. Mr Whiteside and Mr Loades will collect a box of documents from Mr Spinks to see if it contains any information on the allotments.

Work has been carried out on the broken drainage in Dereham Road and it is hoped that this will solve the problem of flooding outside the Flagship bungalows. However, the drain is still sitting above the road so the Clerk will report this to Highways. Mr Whiteside has asked that Highways notify him of Ranger visits so he can meet them.

An application has been submitted for a single goal post for the playing field and the Clerk now has a quote from Gary Palmer for fencing to one side of the play equipment. An application will now be submitted.

Highways has advised that the hedge has been but back at high level but work still needs to be done lower down to widen the highway. A further letter will be sent from Highways to the residents of Colkirk House.

The tree inspection has been carried out and work needs to be carried out on the Oak next to the play equipment where there is a split limb. Mr Joice will get a quote for the work . Mr Clark has read the report and will carry out work on the smaller trees. He also advised that HSE guidelines state that people with a working knowledge of trees are able to carry out inspections and that he is happy to do this in the future.

The hedges around the Churchyard and Campyng Land have been re-measured resulting in a reduction in hedge trimming charges of £22.50.

The original constitution together with a proposed new constitution had been circulated to Councillors. This is to be amended to show that the Village Hall Committee is a sub-committee of the Parish Council and with this amendment it was proposed by Mr Smith and seconded by Mr Barron that this is put forward for adoption at the Village Hall Committee AGM to be held on Wednesday 22^nd February 2012. All were in favour.

The winter gritting routes do not appear to have changed. The Clerk is waiting to hear from Mr Kiddle-Morris about this.

There has been correspondence between Mr Wilson Firth of Hall Lane, Anglian Water, Breckland and the Parish Council re sewage smells. It is hoped that this has now been resolved with a system of regular topping up of chemicals at the treatment works in Whissonsett.

EP Youth has asked if the Big Red Bus can visit Colkirk again for a period of 8 weekly sessions. The Clerk is to ask whether this can be done once the clocks change and what sort of donation they require.

Friends of Colkirk Village have asked for permission to hold the Gala Day on the Campyng Land on 7^th July 2012. The Clerk will write giving permission.

Mr Carter advised that various authorities have visited North Pole Farm such as Education, Housing etc and it is hoped that the caravan will be removed from the site by the end of February 2012.

Terry Gage advised that he had had problems when booking the Village Hall for a Fit Together walk when it was made difficult for members of the group to use the toilets by the pre-school supervisor. It was explained by Mr Smith that it is an OFSTED ruling that when pre-school is using the Village Hall no-one else is allowed to be in the Hall and that when he accepted the booking for Fit Together he was under the impression that they would be using the Hall after pre-school had finished. It was agreed that there was a misunderstanding and apologies were expressed to Mr Gage.

Mr Whiteside advised that he had been contacted by Mrs Havers’ son. Mrs Havers is trying to sell her house in Timperley Estate and a potential purchaser had expressed concerns about the Oak Tree on the allotments. Mr Whiteside advised Mrs Havers’ son that major tree surgery had been carried out on this tree a few years ago and that it should not cause any problems.

Minutes of Parish Council Meeting

Councillors Present: Mr Joice, Mr Mulford, Mr Barron, Mr Smith, Mr Stamford, Mr Loades, Mr Whiteside, Mr Kiddle-Morris and Mr Carter together with two parishioners

The minutes of the meeting dated 13^th September 2011 were read. They were amended to reflect Mr Whiteside’s apologies and it was then proposed by Mr Muford and seconded by Mr Barron that the minutes be adopted. All were in favour.

The information from the forms has been analysed and logged. It is proposed to visit all vulnerable residents to find out what help they may need in an emergency and what equipment they have available to them. More contact details are needed from some parishioners offering equipment and help and it is felt there is enough information to complete the plan.

Breckland Enforcement Officer has advised that Greene King has placed an order for the site to be cleared again in due course.

The equipment was not installed due to pressure of work but will hopefully be installed within the next two weeks.

Still waiting to hear whether the Village Hall has been successfully registered. The forms are now ready to be submitted for the Playing Field. Mr Joice offered to try to find out more about the Allotments as the Parish Council nor do their solicitors hold any deeds.

The Clerk has sent photos to Highways of the flooding in Dereham Road and is waiting to hear further. Highways have also issued a notice to the residents of Colkirk House about the state of their hedge onto Hall Lane.

It was agreed to place an order with Hoecroft Nurseries for hedging and planting in the sum of £120.00 for mixed Hawthorne, Beech, Vibernum Spindle pot grown hedging.

The Clerk will submit a bid for funding for a single junior goalpost and net for the Playing Field. This was proposed by Mr Mulford and seconded by Mr Barron. It will need to be added to the insurance policy. Mr Whiteside will get a price from Gary Palmer for fencing along one side of the play equipment.

Mr Joice has written to Mr Pip Abram asking him to restrict the pilot from taking off and landing from his field if he continued to fly illegally low. This situation needs to be monitored.

An order has been placed for the trees to be inspected. Mr Geoff Clarke advised the Parish Council that although he is not insured to carry out tree inspections, he does have a qualification from Norfolk County Council and he volunteered to carry out work on the trees on the Campyng Land as and when necessary. The Parish Council were very happy to accept this offer and thanked Mr Clarke.

Norman Wix’s daughter has indicated that she would like to take the bench and will be collecting it soon.

Mr Jim Hall has touched up the lettering on the notice board. Thanks were expressed to him for this.

A letter has been sent to the school but, as yet, a response has not been received.

Ms Jenny Filby reported that enough people have come forward to form a new Parish Hall Committee and will stand for election at the February AGM. It is felt that the constitution needs updating and a draft will be submitted to the Parish Council at the January meeting. If supported by the Parish Council, it will be submitted for formal adoption at the Parish Hall AGM. Ms Filby further reported that enough new people have come forward to continue with Friends of Colkirk Village and they propose holding a Gala Day in 2012.

The allotments continue to be fully used and there is currently a waiting list of 3. It was proposed by Mr Barron and seconded by Mr Loades that rents remain at £10 per whole allotment for the next year. All were in favour.

It was agreed to accept the quotes from Norse Ltd for grounds maintenance for one year only.

The budget was discussed and adopted. It was proposed by Mr Barron and seconded by Mr Smith that the Parish Council keep the precept at the same rate as the last two years of £6750 for 2012/13. All were in favour.

Mr Stamford proposed these payments, seconded by Mr Mulford. All were in favour.

Mr Kiddle-Morris reported that Norfolk County Council is proposing a change in the way Public Footpaths are maintained. They want Parish Councils to advise when work needs to be done rather than routinely carry out maintenance work.

Mr Carter advised that at a Planning Meeting it was agreed that direct action will now be taken against the residents at North Pole Farm.

Mr Stamford attended the latest Breckland Forum and handed the Clerk the Draft National Policy Framework and Enforcement Guidance. The Clerk will take copies of these for all Parish Councillors.

Minutes of Parish Council Meeting

Councillors Present: Mr Joice, Mr Mulford, Mr Barron, Mr Smith, Mr Stamford, Mr Loades, Mr Kiddle-Morris and Mr Carter together with one Parishioner.

The minutes of the meeting dated 19^th July 2011 were read and it was proposed by Mr Barron and seconded by Mr Loades that the minutes be adopted. All were in favour.

The next stage is to collate the information received from residents and identify vulnerable residents who have not responded.

Breckland enforcement officer advised on 8^th August that she had carried out an inspection of the site and has since contacted Greene King who has agreed to send out another contractor to clear the site again. The Clerk will advise Breckland that this has not yet been done.

The Clerk has contacted David Mills at Environment, Transport and Development who has advised that it is his understanding that the householder has made representation to Breckland requesting a diversion order. Due to current financial restraints facing Norfolk County Council, he does not propose to undertake any further action on this footpath until he has been advised of the progress of the diversion. The Parish Council should be consulted at the relevant stage.

The equipment has now been delivered. Mr Loades will arrange installation during October.

Land registration of the Campyng Land is complete. The Clerk is ready to submit forms for the Village Hall. There is still difficulty trying to locate paperwork for the allotments but it is hoped there may be something in a locked trunk that Geoff Spinks has. Mr Loades and Mr Whiteside will collect this and try to open it.

Mr Smith advised of continued flooding in Dereham Road outside the Flagship Housing bungalows. Mr Kiddle-Morris has tried to get this sorted so will now contact the Regional Manager. The Clerk will contact Highways to ask them to write to the residents of Colkirk House in Hall Lane as their hedge is very overgrown and will also report cars parked on the verges in the Dereham Road.

The Clerk read an email from a Parishioner complaining about the recently erected fence behind the Village Sign. The Clerk had responded advising of the need to install this quickly due to an incident witnessed on the Campyng Land involving young children chasing their ball into the road at that point. Although there are other areas not fenced in, they are banked up. The Clerk is to get a quote for hedging along this fence.

The Clerk has been advised that if sufficient funds in our parish grouping, Breckland would be prepared to support an application for one side of the fencing to the play area as well as a goal post for the playing field.

It was agreed that the Parish Council would ask Norse to arrange a tree inspection at a cost of £275 + VAT. Mr Carter advised that trees in and around a children’s play area should be inspected every 2 – 3 years.

The Chairman has written to Sheila Wix’s daughter advising that “Norman’s Bench” is no longer safe and that it will be removed to the Village Hall until we hear what the family would like to do with it. To date he has not received a response.

The Notice Board has been refurbished. Mr Stenning advised that the lettering needs re-doing. The Parish Council expressed their thanks to Mr Stenning for once again volunteering to refurbish the sign.

Mr Stamford proposed these payments, seconded by Mr Mulford. All were in favour.

There have been several complaints over the summer from residents about the motor paraglider which flies over Colkirk. The paraglider has been seen flying extremely low over and around properties, jumping hedges and flying at low level alongside roads. The Parish Council understands that it is illegal to fly under 500ft so will contact the owner of the field where the paraglider is taking off from. They will also contact Breckland District Council, the police and the aviation authority.

Mr Barron advised the Mr Davidson-Houston has informed the Parish Council that he has decided not to cross the Village Hall car park to access the mains sewer.

Mr Barron advised of difficulties driving through School Road just before the school day starts with one vehicle blocking the road. The Clerk is to write to the school to once again highlight this problem and offer the Village Hall car park for staff to use during the day and parents to use when dropping off and picking up their children.

Mr Stamford brought to the Council’s attention an article in the Daily Telegraph regarding the Coalition’s planning changes.

Mr Carter reported that a summons has been issued at North Pole Farm but Breckland is now awaiting a court date.

Minutes of Parish Council Meeting

Councillors Present: Mr Joice, Mr Mulford, Mr Barron, Mr Smith, Mr Whiteside, Mr Stamford, Mr Loades and Mr Carter

The minutes of the meeting dated 17^th May 2011 were read and it was proposed by Mr Smith and seconded by Mr Mulford that the minutes be adopted. All were in favour.

The Clerk reported that the first meeting had been held and as a result a letter and form had been agreed for distribution. Distribution has taken place and a further meeting has been arranged for Tuesday 26^th July to put together a schedule of risks relevant to Colkirk. Thanks were expressed to Breckland Council for printing the letter.

The Clerk will contact Breckland Council to advise that the date of compliance has now passed and that there are still some windows not boarded up which contain broken glass. Also the “garden” area is becoming overgrown again.

Mr Whiteside suggested the Parish Council write to Mr Mills (Norfolk County Council Countryside Access Officer) to ask him when he will erect the markers, bridge the ditches and make it an accessible path.

The Clerk will chase delivery. The RoSPA Inspection has been carried out and there were no problems.

Registration documents have been prepared in respect of the Campyng Land and these can now be submitted. Mr Smith will get a current valuation on the Village Hall and documents are in hand to register the Playing Field. There is not enough documentation to register the Allotments at the moment but the Clerk will continue to look into this. The Clerk wished to thank David O’Neill for his assistance in completing the paperwork.

Mr Whiteside reported that the urgent highways work has been carried out but there are several things still to be done. Mr Joice will speak to the residents of Colkirk House about their hedge encroaching onto Hall Lane. The Clerk will contact Mr Kiddle-Morris about the drainage problems in Dereham Road outside the Flagship Housing bungalows.

This has now been through Colkirk on several occasions in the last couple of months.

Mr Carter has visited the village with Mike Wheatley (Breckland Environmental Health). As a result some of the manhole covers have been re-sealed and the pipe work has been flushed out. This appears to have solved the problem and it is hoped that Breckland will instigate the flushing of the system on a regular basis rather than wait for the smell to become a problem for residents.

Mr Carter advised that Parish Councils will not be given more responsibility regarding budgets.

Mr Whiteside produced a quote from Gary Palmer to supply and erect post and netting around the Village Sign in the sum of £180. The Clerk will place an order for this work.

The Clerk is to find out if the Parish Council can apply for funds to purchase a new set of goal posts and nets for the Playing Field and also ask whether funds for more fence panels for the play equipment would be forthcoming.

The Risk Assessment was carried out. Mr Carter will find out from Breckland how often tree inspections need to be carried out. The Clerk will write to the Wix family to advise that “Norman’s Seat” is becoming irreparable and that the Parish Council have no alternative but to remove it. Mr Whiteside will ask Mr Piggott if he would be prepared to re varnish the War Memorial bench and the Clerk will ask Gary Palmer to bolt down the front legs. Mr Barron will ask Mr Stenning if he is prepared to refurbish the notice board.

Mr Barron proposed these payments, seconded by Mr Whiteside. All were in favour.

Mr Carter advised that NP Law are currently preparing legal papers for eviction at South Pole Farm.

Congratulations were given to Mr Whiteside who has been appointed vice-Chairman of the Royal British Legion in Fakenham.

Minutes of Parish Council Meeting

Councillors Present: Mr Mulford, Mr Barron, Mr Smith, Mr Whiteside, Mr Stamford, Mr Kiddle-Morris and Mr Carter

Mr Mulford chaired the meeting and welcomed Mr Carter to the meeting as our new District Councillor.

The minutes of the meeting dated 9^th March 2011 were read. The date of the Annual Parish Meeting was amended to April 26^th. With the exception of this amendment it was proposed by Mr Smith and seconded by Mr Barron that the minutes be adopted. All were in favour.

The first meeting has been arranged for Tuesday 21^st June at 7.30 pm in the Village Hall.

Work has been carried out on site. Breckland has advised that the enforcement notice remains in place and action can be taken in the future if the site deteriorates. An inspection will take place after the compliance period ends on 2^nd July 2011.

Mr Whiteside has been in touch with the Open Spaces Society and has agreed to contact Mr Mills, the Norfolk County Council Countryside Access Officer.

The side barriers for the nest swing and replacement chains and fixings for the baby swing have been ordered and are expected towards the beginning of July.

The Clerk has ascertained which documents are required and which ones are held by Hays + Storr. It was agreed that initially the paperwork should be completed for registering the Campying Land as this appears to be the simplest. David O’Neil has offered to look at the paperwork before submitting it to the Land Registry. The Village Hall will need to have a current valuation prior to registration.

Mr Whiteside advised that the Highways Department has agreed to deal with hedging in Hall Lane, the mirror attached to the tree in Dereham Road, flooding to the entrance of the Flagship Housing site and the street sign at the end of Gormans Lane. They have filled in some of the holes at the edges of Dereham Road and in the lane outside the Village Hall. Mr Kiddle Morris advised that the next round of Highway Ranger visits starts on 7^th June. Alternative gritting routes were discussed.

Mr Whiteside proposed Mr Joice to serve as Chairman. This was seconded by Mr Barron. All were in favour. Although not at the meeting, Mr Joice had indicated his willingness to accept.

Mr Barron proposed Mr Mulford serve as Vice-Chairman and this was seconded by Mr Whiteside. Mr Mulford confirmed his willingness to take on this role and the post was unanimously agreed.

To adopt the accounts for 2010/11 and approve the Annual Governance Statement

It was proposed by Mr Barron and seconded by Mr Smith that the accounts be adopted together with the approval of the Statement of Assurance. Thanks were recorded to David Rogers for undertaking the internal audit.

Mike Barter is to be asked to fly the flag from the Church on Armed Forces Flag Day.

Breckland has advised that there is a fund for Recreation Contributions to which all new developments have to contribute. The Parish Council were asked to consider whether Colkirk could benefit from some of these funds for outdoor sports and childrens play.

Mr Barron asked Mr Kiddle-Morris to find out why the road sweeper hasn’t been in the village for some time. Mr Kiddle Morris also agreed to look into the problem of sewage smells in Hall Lane and Whissonsett Road.

Mr Barron expressed his concerns over the possible devolution of council powers and asked Mr Carter to take these concerns to the relevant meetings.

Mr Whiteside brought up the problem of children running into the road by the Village Sign. It was agreed that Mr Whiteside would get a quote from Gary Palmer to put up post and wire fencing behind the village sign with a view to planting hedging along it. Mr Whiteside will also ask for a quote for more fencing to the play area.

A vote of thanks was given to Eric Taylor whose son made the new sign for the Campyng Land completely free of charge.

It was agreed to buy Mr Labouchere a bottle of Glenfiddich as a thank you gift from the Parish for all his assistance during his time as District Councillor. Proposed by Mr Whiteside and seconded by Mr Smith. All were in favour.

Minutes of Parish Council Meeting

Councillors Present: Mr Joice, Mr Mulford, Mr Barron, Mr Smith, Mr Whiteside, Mr Stamford, Mr Loades, Mr Labouchere and Mr Kiddle-Morris.

Mr Labouchere introduced Mr Trevor Carter. Mr Carter is standing for District Councillor at the forthcoming elections.

The minutes of the meeting dated 11^th January 2011 were read. It was proposed by Mr Barron and seconded by Mr Smith that the minutes be adopted. All were in favour.

Reverend Stapleford has indicated that he would be willing to attend an initial meeting. The Clerk will now try to arrange a mutually convenient date for all concerned.

There is no further progress on this. The Clerk will continue to monitor the situation.

Following a visit from the police, this matter now seems to be resolved. The Police will also be monitoring the situation of parking in general in school road at dropping off and picking up times.

Residents on both sides of the footpath have now cut back hedges so this matter has now been resolved.

The County Council are not aware of an application to divert the footpath. Mr Whiteside will follow this up with the Open Spaces Society.

Grant application for match funding for safety barriers to the nest swing was successful and Breckland has awarded £415.00. The Clerk will place an order for the barriers together with the chains for cradle swing.

The Clerk advised that to register the Campyng Land and the Allotments/playing field, if valued at agricultural rates, would cost £80 and to register the Parish Hall at the most recent valuation would be £210. The Clerk will make a start on registering the sites.

A resident has asked for a grit bin to be sited at the corner of Gormans Lane and Church Road as this is a busy junction used by pre-school, school and church. Mr Kiddle-Morris advised that he is revising the gritting routes at the request of parish councils and it was decided to wait to see what is covered. In the meantime, the Parish Council stand by their comments in the previous minutes.

A letter has been received from a resident requesting a further dog bin to be sited at the Hall Lane end of the Drift. It was agreed that this would be considered in the future when funds allow.

Congratulations were given to Nick and Ellie Loades for both reaching the finals of the Pride in Breckland Awards for carer and child of courage respectively. Best wishes were extended to them both for the presentation at Marham later this week.

Drainage at the School Road/Gormans Lane junction is still problematic as is poor drainage at the crossover between Dereham Road and the Peddars Way bungalows. Mr Whiteside will report both issues to Highways. He will also ask Highways to deal with the mirror which has been attached to a tree in Dereham Road, the huge hole in the footpath outside the Crown and ask them to re-erect the sign at the junction of Gormans Lane and School Road.

Mr Labouchere advised that this would be the last meeting he would attend. Over the past year Breckland has maintained the lowest council tax in the country and had a successful amalgamation with South Holland. Mr Labouchere, in his time in office, has produced 160 reports for the Upper Wensum Diary, was instrumental in the setting up of Pride in Breckland Awards and the apprenticeship scheme. The Parish Council recorded their gratitude to Mr Labouchere for his help over the past 16 years as well as to Mrs Labouchere for her support at many meetings.

Minutes of Annual Parish Meeting

Councillors Present: Mr Barron, Mr Mulford, Mr Loades Mr Stamford and Mr Whiteside

The minutes of the previous meeting held on 20^th April 2010 were read. It was proposed by Mr Mulford and seconded by Mr Barron that these be adopted. All were in favour. The minutes were signed by the Chairman.

All matters arising from last year’s minutes have been dealt with throughout the year. The Clerk advised that the deadline for the caravan at North Pole has passed and that Breckland are dealing with the matter.

Colkirk Charities Accounts: Mr Barron, on behalf of Mr Smith presented the accounts as follows:

The accounts have been independently examined by Mr Barron and are now available for inspection.

Mr Whiteside proposed, seconded by Mr Mulford that these accounts be adopted. All were in favour.

Mr Loades asked whether Oxwick residents are aware that money is available for charitable purposes. Mr Barron advised that the Rector who is a trustee, advises needy residents.

The accounts have been independently examined by Mr Smith and are now available for inspection.

Mr Loades proposed, seconded by Mr Mulford that these accounts be adopted. All were in favour.

Mr Stamford advised that he had been to the latest Town and Parish Forum and brought back information leaflets on various topics such as Nuisance complaint procedures, neighbour noise, garden bonfires, bird deterrents and bird scarers, sewage treatment, domestic heating fuel and storage tanks, Planning advice for developers, construction and demolition works, disturbance from construction and demolition works, new private water supply regulations, house sales and contaminated land, land drainage, sewers and drains and Are you feeding the birds or the rats?

Mr Joice thanked Mr Stamford for attending the forum meetings on behalf of the Parish Council.

Mr Whiteside volunteered to cut through the bank by the War Memorial to provide access to the bench. Mr Joice agreed to supply hogging. Mr Whiteside also advised that the recently planted silver birch tree is thriving.

Minutes of Parish Council Meeting

Councillors Present: Mr Joice, Mr Mulford, Mr Barron, Mr Smith, Mr Whiteside, Mr Stamford and Mr Labouchere.

Teresa Cannon from Breckland Council gave a very informative presentation on how to set up and organise a Community Emergency Plan. It was agreed that collaboration between the Parish Council, the Church and Friends of Colkirk Village would be ideal. The Clerk is to arrange an initial meeting with Messrs Joice, Barron, Smith and Mulford from the Parish Council, 2 members from Friends of Colkirk Village and representatives from the Church.

The minutes of the meeting dated 9^th November were read. It was proposed by Mr Barron and seconded by Mr Mulford that the minutes be adopted.

The Clerk advised that Sue Arnold of Breckland has informed that the Enforcement Notice is being prepared for issue.

Mr Whiteside is going to go to Fakenham Police Station with photographic evidence and this will be backed up by the Parish Council.

Work has been carried out on the War Memorial bench and the fencing to the play area will be carried out shortly. Adrian Hall has obtained another quote for the playing field work and will discuss this with the playing field committee. It was proposed by Mr Smith and seconded by Mr Barron that a pathway is cut through the bank in the spring to allow easy access to the bench. All were in favour.

A suitable site has been identified and the tree will be planted when weather improves.

A grant application has been submitted for match funding for the side barriers to the nest swing and a decision will be made at a meeting on 14^th January.

The baby swing seat was found by a parishioner and is in a reusable state. The insurance company has paid out on the claim but the Clerk has advised them of the change of circumstances and has returned the cheque.

Norse Commercial Services advised that they were mowing the campying land at two weekly intervals during the growing season although we only pay for three weekly cuts. The Clerk has asked them to request children leave the play area when they want to cut inside the fence rather than leave it and come back at another time.

The Clerk read out an email from NALC advising that all Councils currently have to submit an annual return regardless of size.

The Clerk read out an email from NALC advising that “There is no necessity to register land owned by the Parish Council but it is something we would recommend as funds permit.

The reason for this is that we have had examples of Parish Councils having to fight adverse possession claims, which has cost them a great deal of money and time. Registering the land, although it does not necessarily stop such claims, does make it harder to make a case.

Although the current council is fully aware of the land it owns it is often the case that with a change of personnel knowledge is lost. Land Registry can prevent this.

Voluntary registration is offered at a discount and most registrations do not require any legal experience. Please make sure you deal direct with the Land Registry and not a company offering to act on your behalf.”

Mr Joice reported that he has cut part of the hedge back and will approach the Baileys before cutting further.

Mr Kiddle-Morris had looked into this and confirmed that the Sanders bus is actually a public bus. The Clerk has since obtained a timetable and put it in the Notice Board.

Mr Mulford proposed these payments, seconded by Mr Whiteside. All were in favour.

Mr Labouchere advised that Breckland are seeking nominations for a new Innovation Award for Design. The Amalgamation with South Holland is working well. The £3.5m spent on a piece of land at Thetford will give an annual income of £200,000. Council Tax will remain the same as last year. Mr Kiddle-Morris has asked the Parish Council to put forward their preferred routes for gritting Colkirk. The Clerk is to write to Mr Kiddle-Morris suggesting the gritter should come in on the Dereham Road, go round Crown Road and exit on Market Hill. It would also be preferable if School Road could be incorporated.

The Clerk reported that a parishioner has asked for a grit bin to be installed at the War Memorial junction as this is a place where cars often get stuck during snow. A grit bin costs £132.00 and will be filled by NCC. The Parish Council are reluctant to purchase a grit bin for that location as other residents may feel other junctions are equally needy of a bin.

It was agreed that a clear glass recycling bin could be sited in the Village Hall car park. The Clerk will put something in the Parish Magazine asking Parishioners to sort their glass and put it in the banks rather than leave it next to the banks.

Mr Whiteside has been contacted by the Open Spaces Society about the proposed diversion of the Horningtoft Footpath No 7. The Clerk is to contact the County Council to see why we haven’t been informed of this.

Mr Smith put forward proposals for replacing the sign on the Campyng Land which is already showing signs of distress. The new sign will be made by a Parishioner’s son free of charge and will be guaranteed to last for 10 years.

Minutes of Parish Council Meeting

Councillors Present: Mr Joice, Mr Mulford, Mr Barron, Mr Loades, Mr Whiteside and Mr Stamford, Mr Labouchere and Mr Kiddle-Morris.

The minutes of the meeting dated 7^th September were read. The Clerk pointed out that the donation to the Royal British Legion was £50 last year and not £40 as stated in the minutes and it was proposed by Mr Barron and seconded by Mr Loades that a donation of £50 is made again this year. With this amendment, it was proposed by Mr Whiteside and seconded by Mr Mulford that the minutes be adopted.

The Clerk advised that Breckland’s solicitor has tried to serve an enforcement notice on Greene King but it appears that the land is registered in the name of Mr and Mrs Hirst. Under these circumstances, the solicitor is trying to find out whether an enforcement notice can be served on Greene King.

Mr Whiteside reported that he attended the Highways Open Day at Aylsham and had again spoken to Jason Glasspool about the illegal parking in School Road. Mr Glasspool agreed to contact the owner of the van again but advised that it is a police matter. The Clerk is to contact the police with photographic evidence.

An order has been placed with Gary Palmer to resite the War Memorial bench and to provide and erect fencing to the gap in the hedge of the play equipment and work is now underway. Adrian Hall agreed to contact Gary Palmer about the fencing to the playing field car park but has not yet done so.

This has not yet been planted as Mr Whiteside feels that behind the village sign is not necessarily the right place. Mr Whiteside and Mr Joice will meet on the Campyng Land to agree a good place.

The website is still averaging over 400 visits each month of which 60% are from new visitors. During an average month, visitors are from over 20 countries. Since 2007 (when visitor numbers started to be logged) there have been over 15,000 visitors and 45,000 page views. There are now over 100 entries in the Guestbook and all are very complimentary. Thanks were expressed to Mr Clark for the work he puts in on the website.

Mr Joice presented a quote for side barriers for the nest swing - £326 with no infill and £594 with infill.

The Clerk advised that following the theft of a baby swing she has met with Keith Beckett (Crime Prevention Officer) who had sent a report suggesting ways to eliminate further thefts from the play area. It was proposed by Mr Loades and seconded by Mr Whiteside to order a marking kit for £9 plus postage.

The Clerk is to contact Richard Wilson or Caroline Cox at Breckland to see if we can apply for any funds for the side barriers and baby swing.

All 24 allotments are let. Current rent is £10 per allotment and £5 per half allotment. It was agreed to keep the allotment rents the same for 2011.

Quotes from Norse Commercial Services have been received. The Clerk is to query the regularity of the grass cutting as the quote states three weekly when it appears to be monthly. The hedge trim is to take place in the autumn and Mr Joice offered to tidy the hedges earlier in the year if needed. It was proposed by Mr Mulford and seconded by Mr Joice that the quotes be accepted provided Norse agrees to 3 weekly cuts.

A draft budget had been circulated with the agenda. After discussion it was proposed by Mr Mulford and seconded by Mr Loades that the budget be accepted and that the Parish Council precept for £6750 which is the same as last year. The Clerk is to contact the NCATPC to see if Colkirk qualifies for three yearly audits.

Mr Barron proposed these payments, seconded by Mr Whiteside. All were in favour.

A parishioner has complained about the condition of the notice board and the way information is displayed. The Clerk will respond.

The Land Registry has written encouraging Parish Councils to register their land. The Clerk will contact the Land Registry to see if any land owned by the Parish Council is registered.

Mr Stamford reported that he had attended a Breckland meeting at the Eco Tech centre and handed the Clerk documents on Planning and Building Control services and the Site Specific Policies and Proposals Development Plan Document.

Mr Stamford asked whether we could enquire again about Speed Watch as a silver car has been seen driving fast and dangerously through the village. Mr Kiddle-Morris advised that Speed Watch is run by the Safety Camera Partnership and they will not be issuing any more equipment for the time being.

Mr Stamford gave details of a Community Emergency Plan and the Clerk will contact Teresa Cannon at Breckland to arrange a presentation.

Mr Barron advised that he has received a complaint regarding the public footpath that runs from Common End to the Testerton bend. There has been a change in the wording of the sign and the footpath is becoming overgrown. Mr Joice will take a look at this and trim if necessary.

Mr Loades reported that he has been advised that the Sanders bus which takes the children to school and back is actually a public service so the Clerk is to contact them for a timetable.

Mr Labouchere reported: NHS funding is to be maintained by the current Government. Out of hours service will replace NHS Direct. Planning meetings are now 4 weekly as opposed to 3 weekly. The new candidate for this ward is Mr Trevor Carter. Nominations are being sought for the Pride in Breckland awards.

Minutes of Parish Council Meeting

Councillors Present: Mr Joice, Mr Mulford, Mr Barron, Mr Smith, Mr Loades, Mr Whiteside and Mr Stamford, Mr Labouchere, Mr Kiddle-Morris, Ms Filby and Mrs Stamford.

The minutes of the meeting dated 11^th May were read. It was proposed by Mr Mulford and seconded by Mr Smith that these be adopted. All were in favour.

The Clerk has been unable to get any more information on this. She will continue to chase.

Running water in Hall Lane appears to have stopped but Highways are continuing to investigate. Mr Glasspool will speak to the residents of Lilac Cottage in School Road about parking on the pavement and Highways has written to houses in School Road advising where hedges need trimming. The hedge on the bend in Whissonsett Road has now been trimmed. The drainage works on the corner of School Road and Gormans Lane will be carried out this financial year and Gormans Lane will then be top dressed. The hole by the War Memorial will be filled in and Highways will contact the Diocesan Board about the hedge opposite the Campyng Land which needs attention. Hedges in Market Road will be cut. At the top of Hall Lane, property owners will be contacted about their hedges and shingle from their driveways. Highways will continue to monitor the problem of cars parking on grass verges in the Dereham Road. The road by the bungalows in Dereham Road will be repaired as will the hole at the entrances to Apple Bough and Hazelwood Farm.

A quote has been received from Gary Palmer. It was agreed to place an order for the fencing to the play area - £170 and the re-siting of the War Memorial bench - £210. Other work quoted for was for the Playing Field Committee.

To consider the report from Jenny Filby re Assessible Toilets for the Village Hall

Jenny Filby’s report has previously been circulated to Councillors. The grant application had proved unsuccessful and various options were discussed. It was agreed that the project should be put on hold until such a time it is deemed worth putting in a further application to the Big Lottery (probably after the Olympics in 2012) and that, in the meantime, a thorough deep cleaning and re-decorating should be done and Jenny will endeavour to get some volunteer help for this. It was agreed that to seek funding for a smaller project to replace sanitary fixtures and fittings, new flooring etc may have a detrimental affect on any further application to re-configure the existing arrangements to suit disabled users.

All necessary action on the Risk Assessment has been carried out with the exception of the fencing to the play area which will now be carried out by Gary Palmer. The RoSPA report has been received. One of the gates needs an adjustment to the spring closer. Mr Loades and Mr Whiteside will attend to this. It was suggested that due to an accident on a nest swing (not Playdale) side barriers should be installed and there should be a sign on the basket ball ring. Mr Joice will contact Playdale on both these matters. It was also suggested that a low hanging tree branch between the shelter and the play area be cut back. Mr Joice will deal with this.

Copies of this document had been circulated previously. It was proposed by Mr Barron and seconded by Mr Smith that these be adopted. All were in favour. Mr Barron handed over the key to the notice board to Mr Joice.

Several members of the Parish Council were concerned that the frequency of meetings, especially throughout the summer, meant that Planning Applications were not discussed fully in that they did not receive feedback from other Councillors or see what comments the Parish Council submitted to Breckland. All Councillors were asked their views on this. Whilst some Councillors were more than willing to attend monthly meetings, others felt they would be unable to do so due to work commitments. After much discussion, it was agreed to hold one extra meeting in July each year and that Extraordinary Meetings be called to discuss contentious planning applications. The Clerk will continue to circulate planning applications unless they arrive in time to be discussed at a meeting or it is felt necessary to call an extraordinary meeting. She will then re-circulate the completed “Notification of Planning Application sheet” together with the Parish Council’s response to Breckland. It was proposed by Mr Whiteside and seconded by Mr Mulford that this amendment is made to the Standing Orders. All were in favour.

The order is to be placed for this year’s poppy wreath. It was proposed by Mr Barron and seconded by Mr Smith that a payment of £40 should be made.

The Final Certificate re adoption of Bramley Drive and Conference Way has been received.

The Allotment holder for 20A2 has requested permission to erect a shed measuring 6ft by 4ft on his allotment. It was agreed the clerk should write giving permission.

Mr Whiteside advised that Mr Piggott has asked whether the Parish Council could use a Silver Birch tree. It was agreed that this should be planted behind the Village Sign. Mr Loades and Mr Whiteside will plant the tree and Mr Barron will provide a stake. The Clerk will write to Mr Piggott expressing the Parish Council’s thanks.

At a meeting on 9^th November, the minutes were amended to read that a £50 donation would be made to the Royal British Legion for the poppy wreath which is the same as last year.

Minutes of Parish Council Meeting

Councillors Present: Mr Barron, Mr Joice, Mr Mulford, Mr Smith, Mr Whiteside and Mr Stamford

The minutes of the meeting dated 16^th March were read. It was proposed by Mr Mulford and seconded by Mr Whiteside that these be adopted. All were in favour.

The Clerk read an email from Breckland to Greene King advising that if the site is not cleared and the building secured within 28 days from 5^th May, enforcement action will be instigated.

EP Youth have not sent a report but had informed the Clerk that it was a successful project with nine youngsters completing a programme of healthy activities.

Following the last meeting, the Clerk reported to BT that the broken handset was in a very dangerous state and it was repaired that day.

The Parish Council is still waiting to receive formal notification about the use of this land. However, a report in the Dereham Times stated that “Breckland Council chose not to hand over land in Colkirk to the Parish Council but also opted not to develop it. Councillors voted against a plan to develop the two acre site in Whissonsett Road but ignored a request from the Parish Council to take it on because of its high value of £500,000. Instead, the land will be kept under council ownership for future development despite councillors hearing from officers that it is unsuitable for housing under current government policies.”

A report had been distributed to all Councillors prior to the meeting. The Parish Council were pleased to note that the school is making good progress and is prospering.

There were no Parish Councillors in a position to take on this role due to other commitments.

Mr Whiteside reported that Highways had been to look at the problem with running water in Hall Lane but he has not yet been advised of any action. The area of pavement on the corner of Fairview Drive is in hand and Mr Whiteside has reported the obscured sign on the Dereham Road pointing to Market Hill/Colkirk Hill. As this is out of Breckland control there isn’t any more the Parish Council can do about it.

Mr Stamford did not attend this due to short notice. However, he will endeavour to attend the next one as well as one just covering the Breckland area.

It was agreed to defer this to the September meeting as Mr Loades, who wished to discuss this, was not at the meeting.

“Having served as a member of Colkirk Parish Council since 1979 and as Chairman for the past 27 years and after giving the matter long and serious consideration, I have decided that the time has come for me not to allow my name to go forward for election to Office. I should like to take this opportunity of expressing my sincere thanks to all those who have served as Parish Councillors during my Chairmanship and in particular wish to express my gratitude to the current Members of the Council for all their contributions towards the more recent management of the affairs of the parish and especially to Teresa for the most efficient manner in which she has discharged her duties since taking over the role of Clerk.”

Mr Barron proposed Mr Joice to serve as his successor. This was seconded by Mr Whiteside and there being no other nominations, Mr Joice advised he was happy to accept even though he felt that Mr Barron would be a very hard act to follow. All were unanimously in favour.

Mr Smith said that he had worked with Mr Barron for many years, and in all his time serving on the Parish Council Mr Barron has always put the interests of the Parish first.

Mr Whiteside proposed Mr Mulford serve as Vice-Chairman and this was seconded by Mr Smith. Mr Mulford confirmed his willingness to take on this role and there being no other nominations the post was unanimously agreed.

Mr Joice advised that to date there has been no progress in finding those responsible for the recent burglaries in the village. Residents are being asked to be vigilant. All other matters are being discussed as part of the Agenda.

To adopt the accounts for 2009/10 and approve the Annual Governance Statement

Mr Smith advised that the Village Hall is re-valued every three years and a valuation will be due next year. It was proposed by Mr Barron and seconded by Mr Smith that the accounts be adopted. All were in favour. Mr Mulford proposed and Mr Whiteside seconded the proposal that the Annual Governance Statement be accepted. All were in favour.

Mr Barron and Mr Joice will assess the repairs needed to part of the hedging along the edge of the play equipment and will make a temporary repair.

It was agreed the War Memorial seat should be re-sited to the other side of the wall between the two cherry trees. The Clerk is to get a quote for having a concrete plinth constructed for the seat to be fixed to.

The Clerk advised that the Risk Assessment forms part of the “Parish Council Rules” and this includes model standing orders. There have been some amendments to the standing orders and the Clerk will incorporate these into the rules during the summer and circulate a complete set to each Councillor before the September meeting.

Bottle bank revenue for last year was £387.78. It was agreed to participate in the “Bottle Bank League Tables” where the Parish with the highest amount of recycled glass per household receives a payment of £300.

The Breckland Final Core Strategy and Development Control Policies document was taken by Mr Stamford.

All allotment holders have been offered a key to the gate. 13 have been issued and £5 deposit for each has been received. Mr Whiteside has also got a key. The Clerk will find out if the gate can be re-hung on the other post.

The Clerk is to contact Persimmon to find out what they propose to do about bringing the road in Bramley Drive and Conference Way to a condition where it can be adopted by the County Council. Mr Mulford will furnish the Clerk with contact details.

During the Clerk’s absence, Mr Mulford will open any post and circulate planning applications.

Minutes of Parish Council Meeting

Councillors Present: Mr Barron, Mr Mulford, Mr Smith, Mr Whiteside, Mr Loades, Mr Stamford, County Councillor Kiddle-Morris and District Councillor Labouchere (from 8.15 pm)

The minutes of the meeting dated 19^th January were read. It was proposed by Mr Smith and seconded by Mr Mulford that these be adopted. All were in favour.

Mr Whiteside has purchased a padlock with eighteen spare keys. Mr Tame has agreed to distribute these to allotment holders and will collect £5 deposit for each key. The Clerk will keep the two master keys and will give Mr Tame the keys and receipts. Mr Loades will secure the chain to the fence post and also look at ways to secure the padlock.

Debbie Wragg at Breckland has contacted Greene King and they have agreed to tidy the site when they next have a contractor in the area. The Clerk will contact Debbie Wragg if this isn’t cleared soon.

The Parish Council were hoping for a report from EP Youth but it was not forthcoming. The Clerk reported that there had been difficulties on two occasions to bring the bus to Colkirk due to adverse weather and engine trouble. All children who had been before were notified by phone.

A parishioner reported the broken handset last August and has repeatedly chased this up but Mr Loades reported that the handset is in a very dangerous state and anyone messing around with it could easily cut themselves. The Clerk will report this to BT.

Councillors discussed the possible uses for the land and bearing in mind the only housing possible on the land as it sits outside the settlement boundary is for social or affordable housing, it was agreed that Colkirk does not have the infrastructure in place to accommodate more housing. The Clerk is to contact Breckland to see how many local people are on the waiting list for housing in Colkirk. After much discussion it was agreed that the Parish Council would ask Breckland to transfer the land to the Parish Council for amenity space which could be used as burial plots as the Parish Council will inevitably be called upon to provide extra burial ground at some future date, this is probably likely to occur within the next 10 to 15 years.

A report had not been received from the Governors of the school but Ms Filby agreed to ensure a report is available for the next meeting. Ms Filby advised that there are two vacancies for governors at the moment – one Local Authority and one Diocesan. There will be a further vacancy for a Diocesan governor in October. The school governing body would like to see a member of the Parish Council on their board to strengthen links with the local community.

A list of correspondence was read out and a document about the Unitary decision for Exeter and Norwich was circulated.

Mr Whiteside will speak to Highways about running water in Hall Lane and advise them that a lorry has crushed the tarmac on the pavement on the corner of Fairview Drive.

Mr Loades suggested holding monthly Parish Council meetings. It was agreed to discuss this at the May meeting.

Minutes of Annual Parish Meeting

The minutes of the previous meeting held on 21^st April 2009 were read. It was proposed by Mr Mulford and seconded by Mr Joice that these be adopted. All were in favour. The minutes were signed by the Chairman.

All matters arising from last year’s minutes have been dealt with throughout the year. Mr Barron updated the meeting on the North Pole Farm situation. A letter has been sent to the Inspectorate asking for the Appeal to be dismissed. Mr Labouchere has also written requesting the same.

Colkirk Charities Accounts: Mr Barron, on behalf of Mr Smith presented the accounts as follows:

The accounts have been independently examined by Mr Barron and are now available for inspection.

Mr Joice proposed, seconded by Mr Stamford that these accounts be adopted. All were in favour.

Mr Barron reported that as a result of the meeting held on 30^th April 2009, he wrote to the Charity Commission on 12^th May 2009 suggesting that the Oxwick Charity widens it’s scope to encompass the Upper Wensum Benefice of which it is now part, to enable funds to be used by the needy in the Benefice. He has not received a response. The Trustees are Rev Stapleford, Colin Bunnett as Oxwick representative and Colin Barron as Correspondent.

The accounts have been independently examined by Mr Smith and are now available for inspection.

Mr Whiteside proposed, seconded by Mr Stamford that these accounts be adopted. All were in favour.

Mrs Cram asked about the report in the the EDP of 20^th April stating that Breckland was handing over land in several Parishes, including Colkirk, for housing. Mr Stamford explained that he had attended the full Cabinet Meeting where this was discussed and it was agreed, in the case of Colkirk, that the land in Whissonsett Road was to be advertised and let on an agricultural tenancy and would not be used for housing. The Parish Council has not yet received formal notification of this.

Mrs Cram also asked what was happening with the Local Development Framework. Mr Stamford advised that this is very close to being agreed but had been delayed due to the need for Breckland to decide what to do with Breckland owned land within Parishes.

Mr Whiteside reported problems in School Road outside Lilac Nurseries. A car is parked on the pavement at night and boxes of plants are laid out on the pavement during the day for watering which leave the pavements very slippery. It was agreed to put this on the Agenda for May’s meeting and Mr Whiteside will, in the meantime, ask for advice from Highways on how to deal with the problem.

Mr Whiteside also pointed out the speed with which County Highways reacted to the pothole problem in Colkirk.

Mr Joice advised that there has been a burglary at the Farm and that a white transit van with three males inside had been seen in the village acting suspiciously. Mr Smith is to be asked to put something in the UWD and it was suggested that the word is spread to make people aware of the situation.

Minutes of Parish Council Meeting

Councillors Present: Mr Barron, Mr Joice, Mr Mulford, Mr Smith, Mr Whiteside, Mr Loades, Mr Stamford and County Councillor Kiddle-Morris

Prior to the meeting, Debbie Pepper of Norfolk Rural Community and Juliet Coombs of EP Youth together with a driver, brought the EP Youth Bus which was parked outside the Village Hall in the lane. Councillors got on board to see what the bus has to offer and discuss the siting and proposed dates. It was agreed that the location was fine and that the bus would be brought to Colkirk every Wednesday for eight weeks commencing 10^th February from 7 – 9pm.

The minutes of the meeting dated 10^th November were read. It was proposed by Mr Smith and seconded by Mr Whiteside that these be adopted. All were in favour.

These have now been erected. Mr Loads and Mr Whiteside both presented quotes for a padlock and key. After a show of hands it was decided to purchase a fully waterproof padlock and 24 keys from Fakenham Heel Bar together with 6mm chain from Focus. Mr Whiteside agreed to get all of this. It was also agreed that allotment holders who wish to have a key will need to pay a deposit refundable when the key is returned.

Mr Labouchere took this to Breckland on our behalf which resulted in Mr Barron giving Mr Fuller of Breckland a history of the problems this site has caused. This was emailed to Mr Fuller on 11^th December 2009 and to date we have not received a response. Mr Kiddle-Morris agreed to speak with Mr Labouchere about this.

Mr Stamford also reported on the LDF presentation he had attended and advised on the implications for Colkirk. He brought along a Public Document Pack. The views and proposals of the LDF Task and Finish Group Committee will be reported to the Council’s Cabinet, followed by a 6 week public consultation.

Mr Stamford reported on the planning documentation for the Dudgeon Offshore Wind farm. 45 km of cabling will be laid crossing many major and minor roads. Colkirk will be affected where it crosses the high pressure gas pipeline and notices have been served on two landowners whose land the cable will cross. The site should be operational in 2013. Mr Stamford expressed his concern that Breckland proposes removing the Little Dunham settlement boundary, as it is not a sustainable location for further growth, however, Dudgeon proposes to build a large sub-station there.

Mr Smith advised that the application form has been changed for Awards 4 All but now has the revised form to complete. It was agreed that the Parish Council grants a new 5 year lease to the Village Hall Committee commencing immediately as this is a condition of the grant.

The pipeline is to run alongside the hedge to the car park and it will be the responsibility of the current and subsequent owners of The Rectory in perpetuity to maintain the pipeline and make good any damage to the car park caused by installation and maintenance. The solicitors to the owners of The Rectory have agreed to this.

Mr Barron advised that outline permission was granted at the Development Control Committee on 4^th January 2010, at which meeting he, together with Mr Mulford, presented the objections to the application. After the meeting Mr Barron emailed Breckland’s solicitor expressing his concern that a fundamental question posed in his presentation to the Committee about the drainage tests was not followed up by members which resulted in permission being granted based on an average permeability test figure, two thirds of which was produced by the developer rather than a qualified drainage engineer. He also expressed his displeasure at receiving the documentation on Christmas Eve for a meeting to be held on 4^th January. This did not give sufficient time to consult with professionals on the drainage issues. On behalf of residents of Colkirk, he said how disappointed he was that 32 letters of complaint had gone unanswered. Following this email, Mr Daines, the Development Services Manager of Capita Symonds, employed by Breckland, responded that detailed drainage proposals would have to be submitted in the Reserved Matters application and that all complainants would be receiving a response.

It will cost £299.70 per annum to insure the play equipment. It was agreed to go ahead with this. Weekly inspections of the play equipment need to be carried out.

Thanks were expressed to Sean Dade (Milkman) and the Postman for getting into Colkirk every day during the snow. Letters of thanks will be sent.

Mr Barron has been approached about circulating Fakenham Surgery quarterly newsletter. He will see if this can be done with the Upper Wensum Diary.

Mr Kiddle-Morris advised that drainage work on the corner of Gormans Lane and School Road is to be carried out in 2010/11

Minutes of Parish Council Meeting

Councillors Present: Mr Barron, Mr Smith, Mr Whiteside, Mr Loades, Mr Stamford and District Councillor Labouchere

Parishioners Present: Mrs Cooper and Mr Tame (representing the allotment holders), Mr Ellis and Mr Kindleyside (representing the residents affected by the Meadow View application), Ms Filby, Mr Clark, Ms Debbie Pepper from Norfolk Rural Community and Ms Juliet Coombs from EP Youth.

The minutes of the meeting dated 8^th September were read. Mr Whiteside pointed out the Heidi Parker had paid for the gate to be installed, not Breckland. With the exception of this amendment, it was proposed by Mr Loades and seconded by Mr Whiteside that these be adopted. All were in favour.

Mr Loades presented two quotes and it was agreed to go with the quote for £700 from Gary Palmer. The fencing will be stock fencing with a single strand of wire. Mr Loades will find out about a suitable padlock for the gate

To date, a response has not been received to the Clerk’s request that the site be tidied. Mr Labouchere will take this back to Breckland to see if they can force anything to be done.

Mr Stamford attended this event and reported that there were three main topics of interest. Firstly, Anti-Social behaviour which Mr Stamford felt Breckland appeared to be dealing with. Secondly, Norfolk Handy Service which ensures that small jobs are carried out for older residents by approved contractors for a fixed fee and thirdly, Breckland are endeavouring to ensure that residents moving from towns to quiet villages are vetted to ensure they are suitable for a more rural way of life. The LDF had been taken off the Agenda and will be discussed at Dereham Memorial Hall on 25^th November. Mr Stamford will attend.

Mr Barron advised the meeting that the application was deferred at the Development Control committee meeting on 12^th October. Since that meeting, Mr Barron has been in contact with Chris Raine from Breckland. The Developer has been asked to supply further details on how they propose to overcome the drainage issue and until these are received, the application will not be returned to committee. Mr Labouchere advised that all other objections by residents and the Parish Council have been considered fully but are not deemed to contravene policy.

The Clerk introduced Debbie Pepper, Project Officer for Norfolk Rural Community (Access for Life) and Juliet Coombs, Youth Worker for EP Youth.

As a result of a survey in the Upper Wensum Diary last year, it was clear that young people in Colkirk find it difficult to get out of Colkirk to take part in leisure activities. EP Youth would like to bring their Youth Bus to Colkirk once a week for an 8 week trial starting in January. It was agreed that Juliet Coombs would visit Colkirk in the daylight to see if there is a suitable place for the bus to park.

Another issue highlighted in the Survey was that older people find getting to a food shop difficult and would like a village shop. As a lot of money has been spent on the Ryburgh shop, it is proposed to operate a Community Car Scheme, starting in January, to take older residents to Ryburgh.

Mr Clark had circulated his report on the year’s website activities with the Agenda. It was agreed that the number or hits from new and returning visitors is very impressive – approximately 400 a month and the guest book entries show that it is a website to be very proud of. Thanks were extended to Mr Clark for his work on the website and he was asked to continue for another year.

Ms Filby advised that the grant application for the toilets has been put on hold as the Village Hall has a more pressing need to have the roof repaired and it is not looked upon favourably when two lottery applications are made for the same building at the same time. Mr Smith will apply for funding for the roof this year and Ms Filby will start the process again for the toilets next year with a view to them being installed in the summer of 2011.

In view of the fact that allotment holders have asked for the allotments to be fenced and for a locked gate to be installed, it was proposed by Mr Whiteside that the allotments rents be increased to £10.00. This was seconded by Mr Smith. Ms Cooper and Mr Tame asked the Parish Council to consider that there was no water to the allotments but it was still considered that £10 per annum is extremely reasonable. Mr Tame asked whether the allotment holders could, at their own expense, lay hardcore along the track up the middle of the allotments. The Parish Council would like to see the quality of the hardcore beforehand and Mr Tame is to liaise with Mr Loades on this and timing so it doesn’t interfere with the fencing installation. The Clerk will advise allotment holders that they cannot, under any circumstances, access the allotments from between 6 and 7 Timperley Estate.

Quotations from Norse Commercial Services have been received and were deemed to be reasonable.

This was discussed in detail and it was proposed by Mr Smith and seconded by Mr Loades that we precept for £6750.00

The Clerk circulated an email re Extension to time limits for planning applications.

The Parish Council has given authority for the Village Hall Committee to act on the matter of easement over the village hall car park to enable a sewer connection to be laid to The Old Rectory.

Minutes of Parish Council Meeting

Councillors Present: Mr Barron, Mr Whiteside, Mr Loades, Mr Mulford Mr Stamford, Mr Joice (from 8.30 pm) District Councillor Labouchere and County Councillor Mr Kiddle-Morris

Parishioners Present: Seven residents from Bramley Drive/Conference Way, Mrs P Cooper representing the Allotment Group and Ms J Filby.

The minutes of the meeting dated 5^th May were read. It was proposed by Mr Whiteside and seconded by Mr Stamford that these be adopted. All were in favour.

The tree guard is now in place. Thanks were extended to Mr Mulford for collecting this from Ipswich which saved approximately £80 delivery charge. The tree needs straightening and Mr Barron has agreed to do this.

Despite Mr Whiteside’s efforts, he cannot find out anymore than previously reported.

These have not yet been erected due to lack of time but Mr Loades advised that this will be done on Thursday 17^th September.

Mr Mulford reported that Capita Symonds is now responsible for all Breckland Planning and Building Control. He was assured at the presentation that there should not be a fall in standards. It is hoped that there will be more on-line submissions and help to Parish Council will be available for equipment.

The RoSPA report carried out upon completion of the installation shows that there was not any matting under the single springy piece of equipment. A RoSPA inspection was carried out in June. The gates need adjustment which Mr Joice has agreed to do. Mr Whiteside advised that the fenced in area had not been strimmed and that he did it. The Clerk is to investigate.

Breckland have now installed a gate between Nos 6 and 7 Timperley Estate to prevent rights across this land being established. The Clerk reported that two allotment holders have complained about the gate and the blocking up of the gap in the hedge to the allotments.

The signage is obscured at the bottom of Market Hill. This has been reported to Highways but the work has to be carried out by the Northern area and has not yet been done.

Due to other commitments, Mr Loades has been unable to produce a quote. However, he will get some prices together before the next meeting. It was agreed that Pony wire and posts together with a 12 ft gate to the entrance of the allotment is required.

In response to our letter asking whether a Section 215 Notice could be served on the landlords, Breckland advised that although untidy, it is not bad enough to warrant a Notice being served. Areas need to be covered in scrap, rubbish etc. The Clerk is to write to Greene King to ask them to tidy the area.

Mr Barron advised that during the summer, further advice was sought from Hayes & Storr. In this instance, a trainee drafted a letter which was sent from Colkirk Parish Council and the fee was waived.

Mr Barron made a further response to the Boundary Committee’s proposals for Unitary Authority. All members of the Parish Council were circulated with the letter.

Ms Filby advised that full plans have been drawn up by Logan Architecture and three quotes have been submitted. It is envisaged that the work to the toilets will be between £30,000 and £35,000. Grant applications usually require the applicants to contribute between 5 and 10%. It as agreed that Ms Filby should go ahead with the grant applications which a view to submitting in November. The Parish Council will consider the sum they can contribute at the November meeting when the budget and precept is agreed. Thanks were extended to Ms Filby for the huge effort she has put into the project.

Ms Filby reported that the scheme has received overwhelming support with one in five households wishing to take part. There will be 33 sites with 22,000 bulbs. Gordon Turner at Fakenham Garden Centre produced all the colour leaflets and has agreed to donate all the bulbs to two-thirds of the bulbs with the remainder coming from participating households. This was far more than was anticipated and originally agreed upon. Breckland Council has donated £200. The planting will start on Monday 5^th October in Fairview Drive and the Press will record the event. Help with the planting is being sought from villagers together with a team from Tescos and Fakenham Garden Centre. Ms Filby will now apply for the licences from County Highways but has been assured that they are happy with all sites.

Due to other commitments, Mr Loades has not yet put together a costing for the gates and posts but it was agreed that as soon as the price has been calculated, if reasonable, the work should be undertaken. It was agreed that the Playing Field Association be asked to contribute towards the cost.

Mr Joice has removed loose bark from the tree close to the play equipment. The risk assessment is now complete.

Seven residents attended the meeting and expressed their objections to the erection of 4 detached houses with access via Bramley Drive and Conference Way. An amended drawing has been submitted outlining the access which was not on the original drawing and residents were advised to write to Breckland again with objections. The Parish Council agreed to write again objecting to this development, reiterating their earlier objections and to ask why the amended plans do not show any trees. The Developers have written to all residents advising that plans are being made to have the road adopted. The residents were in agreement that they would rather have an unadopted road than new more houses.

Pete Fuller, Colkirk’s PCSO has now stepped down from this position as he has taken on the role of a Police Officer. Colkirk does not have a PCSO for the time being.

Mr Smith sent a report that there have been thefts of produce by children from outside a house in Dereham Road. The police have been to the village and taken statements from witnesses who saw this taking place. It was agreed that the Parish Council should advise the Housing Association that some of their tenants are involved.

The Paddocks Oxwick	Application for a lawful development certificate – granted
1 Fairview Drive	Single storey sun room extension – no objections from Parish Council

Norse Easter Ltd	Playing Field	278.40
Anglian Water	Playing Field	10.75
Countryside Joinery	Posts for War Memorial	45.60

St Lucia, School Road	Permission granted to remove hedge and erect 1.7m wall.
2 Whissonsett Road	Outline permission granted for the erection on one single storey dwelling.
Pantiles, Dereham Road	Permission refused for first floor rear extension.
Midsummer, Crown Road	Permission granted for erection of greenhouse, garden shed and log store.
15 Timperley Estate	Permission granted for single storey rear extension.
New House, Hill Farm Oxwick	Application for a lawful development certificate – awaiting decision

Teresa Rand	Clerk’s half yearly expenses	£101.64
J Whiteside	Flower insert for War Memorial	£18.00
G Clark	Domain name and web hosting	£56.73
Anglian Water	Playing Field	£16.01
Norse Eastern	Monthly grounds charge for October	£257.86
Colkirk Football Club	Materials for moving goal posts	£62.95
Royal British Legion	Poppy Wreath	£70.00
N Loades	Materials to repair posts around War Memorial	£43.19

St Lucia, School Road	Removal of hedge and replacement brick wall – no objections
2 Whissonsett Road – erection of two bungalows	This has been amended to one chalet style bungalow. The Parish Council objects to the chalet style bungalow being out of keeping with the rest of that side of Whissonsett Road.

1	To elect the chairman of council for the year 2016/17 and to receive his declaration of acceptance of office
2	To receive and accept apologies for absence
3	To elect the vice-chairman of council for the year 2016/17
4	To agree standing orders for the year 2016/17
5	To confirm Charles Brindley as responsible finance officer for the year 2016/17
6	To agree meeting dates for the year 2016/17
7	To received declarations of interest on any items on the agenda below
8	To agree as a true record the minutes of the meeting held on 15th March 2016 and to authorise their signature by the chairman
9	To note the clerk’s report on outstanding matters
10	To discuss matters relating to the playing field
11	To discuss matters relating to the village hall
12	To receive reports from County Councillor Mark Kiddle-Morris and District Councillor Trevor Carter
13	To consider and authorise the signature of the Annual Accounts for the year 2015/16
14	To authorise signature of the Annual Return for year ending 31st March 2016 sections 1 and 2, to note the internal auditor’s report contained in section 4 and to confirm the dates for the inspection of accounts by the public
15	To note a report on the defibrillator and agree responsibility for the routine maintenance
16	Planning To note the responses to the following planning applications: PL3/2016/0301 Old Rectory, Market Hill - no objection PL3/2016/0246 Green Farm, Oxwick Lane - no objection provided wildlife is protected PL3/2016/0352 Two Ways, Gormans Lane - object as contrary to policy DC1 - protection of amenity - of current Core Strategy To note the following decision notices received PL3/2016/0117 Oak Trees, Dereham Rd - permitted PL3/2015/1491 Oak Trees, Dereham Rd - permitted PL3/2016/0301 Old Rectory, Market Hill - permitted To discuss and agree any further comments to be made to Breckland following the exchange with regards possible development sites and the settlement boundary
17	Finance To note the finance report attached To authorise payments as per attached schedule To agree changes to bank signatories for the parish council accounts To agree changes to bank signatories for the playing field accounts To agree to pay all playing field accounts thro the parish council accounts with a balancing transfer to be made from the playing field account annually
18	Correspondence (i) EACH - to consider the request for funding (ii) Norfolk County Council - to note future planning consultations being sent electronically (iii) Pensions Regulator - to note the correspondence (iv) NLAF Parish Paths Seminar - to agree any attendance (v) NALC Transparency Fund 2016/17 - to authorise a bid to the fund to provide scanning capability (vi) Clerks and Councils Direct - to note receipt of the May 2016 issue
19	Items for Future Meetings - to raise any items for future meetings
20	To move to exclude members of the press and public in accordance with Public Bodies (Admissions to Meetings) Act 1960 to discuss a contract containing commercially sensitive information
21	To consider a proposal for the maintenance of street lighting in the parish

Play Safety	RoSPA Safety Inspection of play equipment	£88.80
K&M Lighting	Electrical Safety testing of street lighting	£110.76
Mazars	Annual audit fee	120.00
Norse Eastern	August and September plus 2^nd half yearly charge	1293.02

School House, double storey extension	Withdrawn
3 Whissonsett Road – erection of two bungalows	Discussed and unanimously opposed. Mr Whiteside asked for a site visit.

Drayton Insurance	Gala Day Insurance	202.00
Anglian Water	Playing Field water	15.54
T Rand –	Gift for auditor and playing field insurance	96.71
Norse Eastern	1^st half yearly plus May, June and July grounds charge	1550.88
Breckland Council	Uncontested election charge	75.00
K&M Lighting Services	Annual maintenance charge	208.90

Jarvis Drive	Refused
Field View Farm, Raynham Road	Permission granted
Lyton House, Meadow View Drive	Permission granted
Building Plot opposite Crown PH	Conditions discharged
Draw Water Cottage, Hall Lane	Permission granted for demolition of existing garage and erection of replacement.
Azure – Market Hill	Application to plant bamboo as opposed to pleached hornbeams approved.

Jarvis Drive	A decision on this proposal was deferred at the last planning meeting due to the planning committee asking to see more photographs of Jarvis Drive. Amended plans have been received showing the width of Jarvis Drive being widened by incorporating part of the verge. The next planning meeting is on Monday 24^th November. Mr Carter advised that he is unable to speak at this meeting as he was not at the previous meeting.
Field View Farm, Raynham Road	Application for cart shed garaging, porch, side and rear extensions. Parish Council had no objections. Undecided
Lyton House, Meadow View Drive	Single Storey rear extension. Parish Council had no objections – permission granted.
Building Plot opposite Crown PH	Discharge of conditions 3 and 4 relating to roof tiles and external wall finishes – no details on the planning website.

Norse Eastern	October and 2^nd half yearly charge	970.24
T Rand	1^st half yearly expenses	105.75
G Clark	Reimbursement for website hosting	45.00
Royal British Legion	Donation towards wreath	70.00

Bottlebrake Farm, Oxwick	Single storey side extension and Juliet balcony to main bedroom. – permission granted.
Colkirk School, School Road	Single storey flat roof extension adjoining existing toilet block to rear of building to provide staffroom with cooking facilities for teaching purposes. – permission granted
Hazelwood Farm	Convert triple barn to annex, replace two outbuildings with pool building, roof over courtyard to form new kitchen – permission granted.
Jarvis Drive	5no dwellings and related garages and parking. 12 residents of nearby houses attended the meeting to express their concerns. The Parish Council voted whether to support or object to the proposal. Four voted for objection, one voted for the proposal and Mr Smith declared an interest. It was therefore agreed that the Parish Council would object to the proposal.

Norse Eastern	May, June, July and first half yearly	1478.39
K&M Lighting	Street light maintenance contract	208.90
David O’Neill	Reimbursement for Gala Day Insurance	202.00
RoSPA Play Safety	Play equipment inspection	88.80
Nick Loades	Reimbursement for concrete for goal post installation	27.00

Azure, Market Hill	Application to have condition 2 of the Planning permission removed will be heard at committee meeting
Bottlebreck Farm, Oxwick	Colkirk Parish Council has submitted their comments that they have no objection to the proposed extension but have concerns over the safety of the entrance from Whissonsett Road.

Colkirk Parish Hall	Transfer of Toilet grant money	2310.00
Ben Carter	Tree Surgery	290.00
Norfolk Association of Local Councils	Subscription	125.75
Colkirk Parish Hall	Transfer for VAT reclaim	1257.97
Zurich Municipal	Insurance	545.40
Norse Eastern	April’s grounds charge	254.06

T Rand	Clerk’s salary - £2277.39 plus £100 expenses	2377.39
Colkirk Parish Hall	For use of Village Hall for meetings	80.00

Azure – Plot 2 Market Hill	It is understood that landscaping has been agreed
Fern Bank, Whissonsett Road	Approval for bay window received on 12 December 2013

Azure – Plot 2 Market Hill	Minor material amendment in respect of height of dwelling and a Juliet balcony to front elevation. Breckland has recommended this for approval. Mrs Cram advised of her proposal to plant Bamboo along the boundary between Lawrence House and Azure and wished it to be recorded that the height of the garage is 15 inches higher than the original plans.
1 Fairview Drive	Permission granted 14.11.13
The Crown Public House	Permission granted 30.09.13
Dudgeon Offshore Wind Ltd	Amendments to cable route – permission granted 30.09.13
Fern Bank, Whissonsett Road	Replacement window with uPVC bow window and GRP canopy roof. The Parish Council had no objection to this.

Norse Commercial Services	2^nd half yearly plus small underpayment	727.16
Playdale	Fencing for play area	1420.80
Mrs J Filby	Hedging plants for Campyng Land	160.00
Mr G Clark	Website hosting and domain name	56.73
Sewter Electrical	Installation of defibrillator housing	60.00
T Rand	1^st half year expenses	89.77
Royal British Legion	Poppy Wreath donation	70.00

Azure – Plot 2 Market Hill	Application for variation in height and to remove certain conditions – awaiting decision.
Grain Store at Oxwick	Awaiting decision
Erection of wind turbine at Kilma – Main Dereham Road	Refused 05.08.13
The Crown Public House – extension to form disabled toilet	Supported by the Parish Council

K&M Lighting Services	Street Lighting Maintenance Contract	198.94
Playsafety	RoSPA Inspection of Play Equipment	88.80
Norse Commercial Services	July, August and September grounds charge	720.80

Manor Farm – Oxwick	Permission granted 21.05.13
Azure – Plot 2 Market Hill	Application for variation in height and to remove certain conditions – awaiting decision.
Grain Store at Oxwick	Refused
Erection of wind turbine at Kilma – Main Dereham Road	No objection by Parish Council

David O’Neill	Reimbursement for Friends of Colkirk Village insurance	£202.00
Norse Commercial Services	Grounds maintenance	£1199.36
Colkirk Parish Hall	VAT reclaim	£472.86

Wood Dene, Fairview Drive	Permission granted 28.03.13
Orchard House – Main Dereham Road	Permission granted 10.05.13
Travella – Dereham Road	Permission granted 22.04.13
Manor Farm – Oxwick	No objections by the Parish Council – awaiting decision
Kilma – Main Dereham Road	Permission granted 21.05.13
Azure – Plot 2 Market Hill	See under Matters Arising

Fakenham Garden Centre	Balance for re-seeding to War Memorial	235.00	*
Colkirk Parish Hall	Use of Hall for meetings	80.00
Norfolk Association of Local Councils	Annual Subscription	128.50
Norse – April and May	Grounds Maintenance	497.20
Zurich Insurance	Parish Council Insurance	525.25

Wood Dene, Fairview Drive	Revised drawings were discussed at length with the applicant. The Parish Council is still undecided and will request a site visit with the Planning Officer.
Gable End, Hall Lane	Planning Permission and Listed Building Consent given on 01.03.13
Colkirk Parish Hall	Permission granted for installation of wider door flush to front door to create wheelchair access.
The Old Starr, Dereham Road	Listed Building Consent granted on 15.03.13
Kilma, Main Dereham Road	Permission granted on 22.01.13 for installation of solar panels.
Orchard House, Main Dereham Road	Application to demolish existing house and replace with 4 bedroom dwelling. The Parish Council did not object to this.

Fakenham Garden Centre	Deposit for topsoil to War Memorial	£100.00	*
HMRC	PAYE for Months 10, 11 and 12	£109.20
T Rand	Clerk’s salary £1747.20 and expenses £74.40	£1821.60

P Cooper	Allotment key deposit refund	5.00
C Moys	Allotment key deposit refund	5.00
P Patman	Allotment key deposit refund	5.00
HMRC	PAYE for months 7,8 and 9	109.20

T Rand	1^st half year’s expenses	72.04
Norse Commercial Services	2^nd half year and October grounds charge	927.36
G Clark	Reimbursement for web hosting	45.00
Royal British Legion	Poppy Wreath and donation	70.00

Bramley Hedge, Dereham Road	Approved on 16.07.12
Land adjacent to Crown Public House	Approved on 07.09.12 despite Parish Council objecting to two properties being built on this site.

Norse Commercial Services	July Grounds Charge	242.30	*
ESPO	Goal Post and nets - £298.05 grant received from Recreation Fund	384.00	*
RoSPA Play Safety	Play Equipment inspection	86.40	*
Norse Commercial Services	August and September grounds charge	484.60
Mazars	Audit Fee	162.00
HMRC	Months 4,5 and 6 PAYE	109.20

Aon Insurance	Gala Day insurance	174.00	*
Zurich Municipal	Parish Council Insurance	516.56	*
Norse Commercial Services	Grounds maintenance	1169.64
HMRC Months 1,2 and 3	Clerk’s PAYE	109.20

Land adjacent Kilma Farm, Main Dereham Road – erection of wind turbine	Application withdrawn
Meadow Cottage, Oxwick – first floor extension and alterations	Permission granted on 30.04.12

NALC	Subscription	127.65
Norse Commercial Services	Grounds charge for April	242.30
MHB Services Limited	Street light annual maintenance fee	217.83