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

Present.

Peter Smith ( Chair)
NIcola Southgate (Vice Chair) Cath Jones
David Howie
Shirley Colenutt
David Witt

Kim Rushforth (Clerk)

Also present: 7 members of the public

1. To consider accepting apologies for absence

Apologies received from Cllr. Roger Steel due to illness
Apologies received from District Cllr. Bill Smithl due to illness
RESOLVED To accept apologies from Cllr. Steel and District Cllr. Bill Smith

2. To record declarations of interest from members in any items on the agenda

There were no declarations of interest.

3. To approve the minutes of the last council meeting on Monday 7th January 2013

RESOLVED to approve the minutes that had been circulated prior to the meeting, as a true and accurate record of the meeting. The minutes were duly signed by the Chair, Cllr. Smith.

4. To discuss any matters arising from the minutes, not on the agenda

White Hart. . Cllr. Smith gave an update on the latest meeting on Wednesday 23rd January of all interested parties regards Rocklands White Hart. He felt that this meeting was not as profitable/constructive as the previous one and there is still an enormous gulf between what the owners want and what the White Hart Association can offer.

5. To adjourn the meeting for public participation

Meeting adjourned at 7.10pm.
There were no comments from the public and the meeting re-opened at 7.11pm.

6. Finance

The 6.1 Financial Position
The bank account balances as at Monday 25th February 2013
Barclays Community Account............ £4882.86.36
Barclays Saver (Reserve) Account... £ 1201.35
Total as per bank...........................£2335.714
Minus cheque amount due to William Morfoot(Sport England)..£ 1658.21
Leaves............................................ £1658.21

6.2 Cheques in since last meeting
Sport England to pay William Moorfoot .......................£4426.00

6.3 Cheques out (to sign)
CHQ 495 William Morfoot (For Rocklands Playing Fields)....... £4426.00
RESOLVED to authorise the following payments. Cheques and paperwork duly signed.

6.4 Standing Orders/Direct Debits
Kim Rushforth (Clerk's wages)
Pearce and Kemp (Street Lighting)
E.o.n (Electricity)
Note: Clerks wages would increase according to the annual pay scales revision. Letter to Barclays to change the amount was duly authorised and signed by Cllr. Smith and Cllr. Southgate

7.0 To consider planning applications.

7.1 Planning outcomes since last meeting
PP/C/3/2012/3005 - Shropham Quarry/Restore to agriculture land – 07 APPROVED
(VERY OLD ONE - Extraction of sand and gravel as an extension of Shropham Quarry with restoration to agriculture by infilling with inert materials.)
3PL/2012/0764/CU - Ewin/Rookery Farm/Agri to Commercial - 18 - PERMISSION
3PL/2012/1101/F - Bidmead/Tuppin Farm/Cattle housing - 22 PERMISSION (RPC objected)
7.2 Planning applications pending outcome
3PL/2012/0654/CU - Breckland Storage/Swangey/Retail caravans - 15
7.3 New planning applications since last meeting
3PL/2012/1314/F - Rocklands Cricket Club/Cricket nets/wicket - 23
There had been heated debate and much letter writing regarding the siting of the cricket nets. Cllr. Howie reported that at a meeting last weekend the Cricket Club confirmed that the nets would be resited to the far side of the field and the application revised. The overlap of two Junior football matches had caused parking problems. The Football Club have admitted there is a problem but should be resolved by the end of March. Bad weather had meant unplayed matches and a need to catch up on fixtures.
3PL/2013/0002/AG - Marshall/Home Cottage Farm/Barn - 24
RESOLVED to record comments of NO OBJECTION
3PL/2013/0041/F - Harrold/Rocklands Mere/Dwelling - 25
(Deadline for comments extended until 26th February 2013)
A neighbour had great feelings about this initially but had seemed to resolve their issues by speaking to the owner. It was noted that Mr. Harrold had done a lot for the area and the wildlife had been given a good deal of consideration. It was noted that David Colchester had contacted Cllr. Smith re this application.
RESOLVED to record comments of NO OBJECTION but would like to ensure that the dwelling couldn't be sold off and should be tied to the land.
7.4 New planning applications since agenda was issued
3PL/2013/0158/F Fincham/Lt Ellingham/Farmhouse Reconstruction - 26
Comments required by the 18th March 2013

8. To receive update from Tree Warden(Richard Smedley)

There was no update from the Tree Warden

9. To update on Playing Fields

Fields in Trust Membership Renewal: Rocklands Parish Council paid £20 last year. Renewal paperwork received was passed to Cllr. Howie to see if the Playing Fields Committee would pay this year.
Playground. Received a letter from ROSPA re paying for an inspection. The Playground was not fit for an inspection in its current state and a decision would be made as to whether it should stay where it is or be resited. ROSPA inspection in Norfolk are scheduled for June 2013
Sport England (Deed of dedication). Robert Plumbly, solicitor, confirmed that it is OK to have more than one Deed of dedication on a piece of land. Cost would be £100 plus vat plus £40 land registry fee. Cllr. Howie confirmed Playing Fields would pay this amount ( ~£160) as Parish Council had paid for Fields in Trust (Deed of Dedication).

10. To receive update on Highways

10.1 Delivering Local Highway Improvements. Breckland Council previously outlined that £100,000 of the 2012/2013 highway improvement budget was available for working in partnership with Parish and Town Councils to share the cost of small scale improvements, with 50% 'match funding' and a deadline of end of March. A second letter now confirmed the pot of money available had increased significantly to £1,000,000 and they would now fund 75%. The deadline for submitting applications has also been extended to 30th April 2013. Cllr. Jones updated us on her work with two local mums to look at a solution to the kerbs/crossing problems on the high road. Local engineer Paul Sellick will be visiting in the next few weeks to survey the site and help with practical solutions. Cllr. Jones will be taking photos to send with application. Emphasise disabled person access too. The council offered an idea for funding of Low Energy LED Lightingwhich could cut Parish Council energy bills and reduce carbon footprint.
ACTION Clerk to contact street lighting engineer, Stephen Littleboy for quote.
ACTION Cllr. Jones to work with local mums to submit an application by deadline.

10.2 Street lighting Survey. NCC were asking for a list of streetlights for a survey
ACTION Clerk to provide list of street lights.

11. Flooding

Cllr. Steel had given Cllr. Smith some literature on pumps to bring to the meeting in his absence. Still debating whether to buy electric or petrol. The petrol option particularly, seemed very expensive and Cllr. Witt offered to get more economical quotes from Screwfix and Machine Mart. Possibly buy two pumps if a cheaper option is identified.
ACTION Cllr. Witt to source new water pump.
There was some discussion about flooding at Mrs. Lister's house which had risen up her side door twice since Christmas.

12 Correspondence

Meeting adjourned at 7.56pm.
Defibrillators. Mike Rushmore, from The East of England co-operative, had been invited to speak at the meeting for the Parish Council to decide if Rocklands would benefit from having a defibrillator in the village. Mike explained that profits from tobacco sales were used to fund health initiatives. They were looking to install 100 units, at co-op stores and other locations identified by the East Anglian Ambulance Service and Rocklands was amongst these locations. A locked cabinet housing the unit (opened by pin code from 999 call) would be sited in a prominent position with an electricity supply (Cost £10-£20 per annum). No training is needed as the unit talks you through the process. It also measures heart activity and will not 'shock' if not appropriate. The unit has a 5 year battery, is self-contained and can be transported. The unit is installed and maintained Free of Charge. Cllr. Smith thanked Mike for his time and the meeting re-opened at 8.18pm.
RESOLVED unanimously to have a defibrillator installed at the Village Hall (April/May 2013). RESOLVED Cllr. Colenut would take ownership for the unit.
ACTION Cyril Ruffles (Village Hall) to meet with Mike Rushmore for site survey.
ACTION Clerk to scan in documents and press release and circulate to Parish Council.

Salt Bins. Following correspondence from 6 parishioners (5 for and 1 against) it was RESOLVED to buy another grit bin to go on Bell Road. Medium size costing ~£100. (200 litres).
ACTION Clerk to reply to Margaret Neale re outcome.

13. AOB(Agenda Items for next meeting)

Cllre. Jones brought up the appaling condition of Low Lane

The meeting closed at 8.30 pm.

14. Date of next Meeting - Monday 8th April 2013 at 7pm in Rocklands Village Hall. Annual Assembly followed by Parish Council Meeting.