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

PRESENT:

P. Cotes (Chairman)
P. Smith (Vice Chairman)
R. Steel
Mrs C. Jones
Ms S. Colenutt

5 1 Parishioners
W. Smith (District Councillor)
C. Jordan (County Councillor)
D. Spencer (Breckland Council)

1. APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE

Apologies were received from Councillor Mrs Southgate

2. MINUTES

The minutes of theCouncil Meeting meeting of the 7 May 2008 were signed as a correct record.

3. MATTERS ARISING

Any matters arising were covered by agenda items

4. PRESENTATION OF L.D.F. - SITE SPECIFICS

Mr David Spencer of Breckland Council attended and gave an update on the progress of the Local Development Framework as it applies to Rocklands and produced a handout, which was circulated to the meeting. Overall by 2026 Breckland will have delivered 19000 new homes and at least 6000 new jobs. The main growth area will be along the A11 corridor with Thetford and Attleborough gaining 10000 new homes and 6700 jobs. With regard to villages some small scale development, up to 5 houses, with possible affordable housing on the edge of villages to meet the needs of the local community and subject to local infrastructure. The next question is do we wish to maintain the current settlement boundary or should there be some extension. Deadline for comments is to be 26 September 2008. The Chairman then opened the meeting to the floor and Mr Spencer answered questions put by the meeting with the assistance of the District and County Councillors. At the end of the discussion the Chairman asked for a show of hands 1. that subject to the needs of the infrastructure i.e. the drains the boundary could be widened or 2.whether the settlement boundary should remain the same. 29 parishioners favoured option 1 and 7 favoured option 2. The Chairman then reopened the meeting and thanked Mr Spencer for attending and getting his agreement to attend when the next stage of the L.D.F was reached

4. BOUNDARY COMMISSION REVIEW

Councillor Smith (District Councillor) outlined the proposals that the Boundary Commission are putting forward They have three proposals but seem to favour a Unitary solution which would include Lowestoft into Norfolk with a reduction in County/District Councillors to 120 to cover 2000 square miles of countryside. The drawbacks as far as Breckland was concerned was that at present they have the lowest Council Tax rate in the country but a change to the Unitary system would mean an end to this as monies would have to be shared throughout the County.

6. FINANCE

Receipts	£5967.03
Payments	£1662.18
	£4304.85

Reconciliation

Community Account	£ 1184.68
Business Premium Account	£3120.17
	£4304.85

Invoices for payment
Mrs J.L.Parker - Internal Audit £20.00

Clerks Wages £323.47
Clerks Expenses £ 27.36 ......... Total £ 350.83

The Clerk had raised the cheques for donations agreed at the last meeting. Item 6 Page 14/08.
All were approved for payment

The Clerk reported that he had received the Audit back from the Internal Auditor. There were some procedural matters to be corrected but the financial side was correct.

7. PLANNING

Planning applications had been received from

Rocklands P.C for the Playing Field - 3PL/2008/0572/F - erection of 4 lights on training area
The Council had objected to the application. Reasons on file.
The Clerk to write to the Proposer regarding the lack of consultation

Cunningham and Best - Rocklands - The Hollies, 53,The Street - 3PL/2008/0776/F - Extension at first floor level over existing garage and porch at ground floor
The Council had no objections. This application has been approved.

Kirk Hall Farms - Rocklands - Toad Hall - 3PL/2008/0792/F - Renovation and extension to dwelling
The Council had no objections

Mr Bowpitt - Rocklands - Woodlands, Mount Pleasant - 3PL/2008/0833/F Erect a stable block and tack room on an area used as a manage
The Council had no objections. This application has been approved.

Mr Horswell - Rocklands - Beacon Farm, Fen Street - 3PL/2008/0894/F - Replacement of extg outbuildings, alts to dwelling and change of use from agricultural land to resid.
The Council had no objections

Mr Mrs Armes - Rocklands - Meadow House, The Street - 3PL/2008/0904/F - Single storey side extension two story front extension and detached garage
The Council had no objections but had comments

Mrs Burke - Rocklands - Orchard View, Mill Lane - 3PL/2008/0992/F- Proposed rear and side extensions
The Council had no objections

Planning permission had been granted for

Mr Mrs Baldry - Rocklands - Bethel, 6 Chapel Street - 3PL/2008/0565/F- Garage and stores to rear of property

8. FLOODING

Councillor Smith reported that there had not been a lot of progress on this item. He had again spoken to Mr Gibbardard at Breckalnd Council and had been informed that they were looking at the ditches at the rear of 40/42 The Street and the pipe that connected this to the main Street drain. This pipe was blocked and there were problems clearing it, as there was no easy access from The Street end. The pipe runs uphill and clearing from the top merely caused jams further down. Work on the outfall in Low Lane should commence before the autumn.
Councillor Jordan is to have a site meeting with Mr Simpson of Norfolk Highways

9. HIGHWAYS

A pothole in the Street just south of the junction with the B1077 was reported. Clerk to deal. Reported ref. 13001 at Highways refers.

10. CORRESPONDENCE

A letter had been received from the Playing Field Committee asking for considerable financial assistance. This was read and is to be placed on the next agenda for further discussion.
All other correspondence was circulated to the Councillors

There being no further business the meeting closed at 9.20 p.m.

The next meeting will be on Monday 22 September 2008 at 7.00 p.m. in the Village Hall