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

Present.

Councillors: P. Smith (Chairperson),
S.Colenutt
C. Jones,
R.Steel

Clerk: L. Defew

Four members of the public were present.

1. Apologies for absence

Councillor Southgate(Vice-Chairperson) - on holiday

2. Declaration of interests

None

3. Co-option of Councillors

Cllr Smith proposed a vote in favour of the co-option of both Dave Howie and David Witt; the nominations were seconded by Councillor Jones and carried unanimously. David Witt and Dave Howie were duly elected as councillors. Cllr Smith welcomed them and introduced the other councillors and the clerk.

4. Minutes of Council Meeting on11th JUly 2011

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

5.. Matters arising from minutes

BT red phone box - Cllr Smith reported that there were now books in the phone box. Discussion ensued regarding the process relating to the books and the potential danger of vandalism and fire.
Mount Pleasant phone box - Cllr Steel explained that a draft letter, to be sent to the residents of Mount Pleasant conveying BT's offer regarding the phone box, had been circulated to the councillors for approval before distribution. Discussion took place regarding the existence of both the telephone and line.

6. Suspension of meeting for public participation.

Cyril Ruffles explained that there were four missing and broken tiles on the bus shelter roof.
RESOLVED that Cyril would take responsibility for replacing the broken tiles on the roof.

Tracey Cooke described an unusual Highways signage replacement situation which had recently taken place on Magpie Lane.
The meeting re-opened

7. Finance

The bank account balances as of 12th September 2011 were conveyed by the Clerk:
Community Account £425.92
Tracker (Reserve) Account £2,000.27

The Clerk informed the council that a VAT refund of £282.96, for the period of 01/04/2009 to 31/03/2011, had been calculated and paid into the Parish Council account.
The Clerk explained that £102.40 had been transferred from her account into the Council account to enable the payment to HM Revenue & Customs to be made from the Council to ensure adherence to PAYE legislation. The Clerk also conveyed that PAYE legislation meant that there was now a necessity for payroll services resulting in the need for a book keeper - whose service is £20 per monthly pay run. Discussion followed relating to this.
Cheques and paperwork authorised and duly signed for the following: HM Revenue & Customs £102.40 (six monthly payments), GW Accountancy Services Ltd (book keeper) £120.00 (six pay runs) HM Revenue & Customs (Oct payment, in advance) £20.80, Lucy Defew (Clerk's expenses & mileage for July & August 2011) £23.96, Avant Hire Services (Chapel Green grass cutting ) £60.00, All Saints PCC £85.00, St Peter's PCC £85.00, Mid Norfolk Methodist Church £70.00, Rocklands Playing Field £160.00, Rocklands Village Hall £80.00.
The Clerk reported that the Parish Precept Requirement 2012/13 form had now been received and an explanation was given to the new councillors regarding the precept.
RESOLVED the Clerk to circulate the year-to-date figures and the previous budget figures to the councillors.

8. Planning

Planning permission granted for:
Holly Farm, Fen Street 3PL/2011/0411/F - Conversion of redundant agricultural barn to resident dwelling.
Toad Hall, Kirkhall Farms 3PL/2011/0512/F - Variation of Condition 2 on pp3PL/2008/1527/F - Amended design for a replacement dwelling.
Windy Acre, Bell Road 3PL/2011/0462/F - Retrospective construction of log store to be used as a Class II motorcycle MOT bay.

Planning permission refused for:
Model Farm, Chapel Street 3PL/2011/0476/F - Installation of a single small wind generator.
Holly Cottage, Chapel Street 3PL/2011/0482/F - CU of extg office & new extension to create single dwelling plus the demolition & replacement of double garage.

The Clerk outlined a Thetford development letter and added it to the circulation information.

9. Tree Wardens

Neil Thomas has provided Cllr Steel with a brochure regarding tree planting and organisations able to donate trees for public areas.
RESOLVED that Cllr Steel will speak with Cllr Southgate regarding the possibility of the provision of a water bowser for the tree saplings at All Saints Church.

10. Highways

Cllr Smith reported that the footpath near Ridgeons is being broken up by bamboo.
RESOLVED that Cllr Steel will speak to Mike Fields, the Ridgeons' Manager, regarding this.

11 Flooding

Cllr Jones explained that a meeting had taken place, in August, with Rod Kelly and his colleague from the Engineering Department. They have scheduled the dam to be built in September. Cllr Witt explained that there needed to be more than one dam and discussion ensued relating to the location of the dams and the ownership of the adjacent land.
Cllr Smith enquired about the potential work to be carried out on Low Lane and Cllr Steel explained that the drain across the B1077 is currently blocked. Further discussion regarding both issues followed.

12. Correspondence

Discussion regarding the Rocklands White Hart public meeting took place.
RESOLVED that the Clerk would circulate the letter from Breckland Council regarding the Town and Parish Council Forum - 7p.m. Thursday 20th October 2011.
Extensive discussion took place regarding the existence of one of the archive Council meeting Minutes book. Cllr Colenutt explained that it could be circulated to interested individuals.
RESOLVED that the Clerk circulate the dates of the other Minutes books which are stored.

13. Date of next meeting

14th November 2011 at 7:00 p.m

Meeting closed at 8.15 p.m