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

Clerk: L. Defew

Three members of the public were present.

1. Apologies for absence

W. Smith (District Councillor)

2. Declaration of interests

No interests were declared.

3. Minutes of Council meeting on 2nd November 2009

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

4. Matters arising from minutes

Internal auditor - the Clerk explained that a new internal auditor had been found.

BT red phone box - Councillor Gibbon suggested the possibility of the village adopting the phone box near the bus stop and developing it into a 24-hour library. Councillor Cotes queried the necessity for this as Rocklands has a visiting mobile library. Discussion ensued and concerns were voiced regarding the maintenance and upkeep of the phone box and its contents. Councillor Steel explained that he would circulate a recent newspaper article relating to the scheme. The Clerk was requested to contact the Council's insurance company to establish liability and insurance implications. The deadline for applications, of 23 January 2010, was re-iterated.

5. Finance

The Clerk explained that the salary standing order had been set up with Barclays and provided an explanation of costs relating to her broadband usage and telephone call charges. A cheque was authorised and duly signed for the following:
Lucy Defew (Clerk's expenses) £32.39

6. Planning

Site inspection on 15th January 2010 at 10:00 a.m for planning appeal for:
Mrs Firman, 68 The Street - 3PL/2008/1467/O Councillor Jones & Councillor Colenutt are planning to attend.

Planning applications had been received for:
Mr & Mrs A Bailey, Whiteways, 50 The Street - 3PL/2009/0873/F
One & half storey extensions & alterations to dwelling & conv. of outbuilding to an extension to dwelling
The Council had no objection but had the following comment: Clarification of the site plan is needed as we are led to believe that the land between Whiteways and The Street is in different ownership. Planning permission was subsequently granted.

Mr S Burroughes, Rocklands Manor, Scoulton Road - 3PL/2009/1100/F
Garden room extension.
The Council had no objection.

Planning permission granted for:
Mr I Wilton, 63 The Street - 3PL/2009/0939/F
Single storey extension to side of property to include large garage, bed/study

Mr C Garrod, Willow Cottage, Sandy Lane - 3PL/2009/0912/F
Insertion of dormer in existing roof and linking of existing and new dormers

7. Tree Wardens

Councillor Steel introduced Neil Thomas who, along with Richard Smedley, is to be the focus of local community involvement in organising and encouraging the retention of existing trees and the planting of new ones. Neil Thomas explained that they have received numerous tree sapling donations which were now available for planting. He explained that space was becoming limited for storing them and Councillor Steel suggested that he would put an article in the Rocklander to convey this to the village. Further discussion ensued in relation to various locations for the trees and Councillor Steel suggested the tree wardens speak to Councillor Gibbon regarding planting them in the school vicinity.

8. Highways

Cyril Ruffles reported that individuals have been taking salt from the grit bins opposite the village hall. Discussion took place regarding possible security of the bins and suggestions of where a new bin might be placed. The Clerk was requested to check the price of a grit bin with Highways.

9. Flooding

Councillor Smith reported that a meeting had taken place with Jason Glasspole and an individual from Breckland Council. Councillor Smith stated that he was planning on arranging a meeting with the landowners down Low Lane and explained that discussion had taken place between Jason and local residents in relation to the potential flooding avoidance measures. Discussion then occurred relating to under-road pipes, ditches and plans for the creation of water retaining systems in the area.

10. Correspondence

Council archive filing - the Clerk explained that a large amount of archive filing had been passed on to her and enquired about both the sorting and storing of the information. It was unanimously agreed that the Clerk ensure that certain aspects of the filing (minute books, account books & declaration of interest records etc) be retained by the Records Office at County Hall. Councillor Smith volunteered to sort through some of the remaining filing.

11. Date of next meeting

22nd February 2010 at 7:00 p.m

Meeting closed at 8:00 p.m