Rocklands, Norfolk The Villages of Rockland All Saints and Rockland St Peter

Present.

Councillors: P.Cotes (Chairman)
P. Smith (Vice Chairman),
S.Colenutt
M.Gibbon
C. Jones,
N.Southgate
R.Steel

District Councillor W.Smith

Clerk: L. Defew

Four members of the public were present.

1. Apologies for absence

County Councillor C.Jordan

2. Declaration of interests

None

3. Minutes of Council Meeting on 28th February 2011

Resolved to approve the minutes as a true and accurate record of the meeting. The minutes were duly signed.

4. Matters arising from minutes

BT red phone box - Councillor Gibbon reported that the construction of the shelves for the phone box would hopefully be completed by the time of the next meeting on the 9th May 2011. Councillor Steel enquired about the lighting in the box and Councillor Gibbon explained that a second contract had been signed accepting BT's offer to pay for the provision of electricity for an unspecified amount of time. Councillor Cotes requested for the Clerk to be provided with a copy of the contract.
Grit bins - Councillor Jones reported that the grit bin near the school had not yet been repositioned, having been installed 20 yards too far down the road.

5. Suspension of meeting for public participation.

None.
The meeting re-opened

6. Finance

The bank account balances as of 4th April 2011 were conveyed by the Clerk:
Community Account £154.75
Tracker (Reserve) Account £1,800.28

Cheque and paperwork authorised and duly signed for the following:
NALC (Norfolk Association of Local Councils) annual subscription £137.87, NPTP ((PAYE Information Session for Clerk) £20.00, Pearce & Kemp £1.80, Lucy Defew (Clerk's expenses & mileage for March 2011) £10.08
Pearce & Kemp Street Lighting Maintenance Contract - unanimous agreement to renew the contract to commence 1st April 2011 and terminate 31st March 2014. Councillor Cotes duly signed the agreement paperwork.

Councillor Colenutt suggested that the Council might consider future budgeting for the repair of streetlights, given the age of the lights. Councillor Steel stated that the insurance catered for this issue.
Norfolk Rural Community Council Membership - discussion took place relating to the benefits of the membership and it was agreed not to renew the subscription currently.

7. Planning

Planning permission granted for:
Rocklands Mere Fishery 3PL/2011/0086/F - Minor material amendment to pp3PL/2010/1012/F in respect of an additional 3 metres to the approved extension.
31 The Street 3PL/2011/0013/F - Demolish barn & erect carport/garage/storage bldg & first floor extension to create 1.5 storey dwelling & garden room

Planning applications received for:
Glebe Farm, The Street 3PL/2011/0197/F - Conversion of redundant agricultural barn to residential dwelling.
Church Farm, The Street 3PL/2011/0198/F - Conversion of redundant agricultural barn to dwelling, demolish outbuilding & erect new garage/carport
Cottage Farm, Bell Road 3PL/2011/0253/F - Installation of two 5kW 15m high wind generators. Discussion ensued relating to the application and concerns which had been received in regards to the positioning of the potential generators.

It was agreed that local residents often have a more detailed emphasis in relation to certain applications and that individuals should be encouraged to provide their opinions to applications. Councillor Colenutt stated that it was important for residents to notify the Council in relation to strong objections. It was established that a guide to the role of the Parish Council, in relation to planning issues, and the process for residents' objections needed to be provided. Councillor Smith and Councillor Steel agreed to submit a note to The Rocklander and provide more detail on the village website in relation to this issue.

8. Tree Wardens

Councillor Steel requested that the Clerk contact the Wardens for the provision of reports for the Annual Parish Council Meeting (AGM) on 9th May 2011. Councillor Jones explained that Neil Thomas is currently working with All Saints Church in relation to the planting of saplings.

9. Highways

Grass verge damage - The Clerk conveyed Serco's response to the Council's correspondence about the issue.

10. Flooding

Councillor Smith conveyed Rod Kelly's response in regards to the building of mini-dams on the drainage ditch near the Village Hall. Design work has been undertaken and NCC is establishing how to deliver the works and make use of Ridgeons' offer.
Councillor Steel re-iterated that Ridgeons had agreed to provide materials for the work on the barrier dams down the ditch at the village hall but required further details in relation to the specific requirements. Cyril Ruffles stated that the Village Hall needed to be notified and would need to give permission regarding the work. There was unanimous agreement in relation to this. Discussion ensued in relation to the land behind Mr F Reynolds' bungalow and the legislation relating to the filling in of ditches.

11. Correspondence

Streetlights - Councillor Cotes provided a comparison of the usage costs between the electricity suppliers E.ON (11.6p per unit) and ESPO (7.8p per unit) and stressed the potential for savings when the E.ON contract finishes at the end of May 2011. He explained that he had contacted ESPO regarding a change of contract and that he would forward their response and information to the Clerk. Councillor Smith agreed to send the Clerk an updated streetlight rota, when completed.
Insurance - The Clerk conveyed an email from Great Ellingham regarding the potential for savings if a number of Councils grouped together with one insurance policy. District Councillor Smith explained the situation further. Information from Great Ellingham's Clerk was conveyed, following contact with their insurer, explaining that a discount could only be given if the group of Councils operated as one Council. The Clerk was requested to contact AON to establish if this is the case and to contact NALC for any recommendations regarding alternative insurance policies.

Councillor Cotes invited District Councillor Smith to provide an update. District Councillor Smith explained that the nominations had now closed for the District and Parish Council Elections and that he was the only candidate put forward, with no contest, to represent the All Saints Ward. He also explained that, although the details were yet to be finally confirmed, there was likely to be no contests to the four parish councils.

11. Date of next meeting

9th May 2011 at 7.00 p.m. - Annual Parish Council Meeting (AGM)

Meeting closed at 8.00 p.m.