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

Present :

Nicola Southgate Vice Chair
Shirley Colenutt
David Howie
David Witt
Cath Jones
Roger Steel

Kim Rushforth Clerk

Cliff Jordan County Councillor

Also present: 7 members of the public

1. To consider accepting apologies for absence

Apologies received from Alan Fisher (Playing Fields) no reason, but report sent, District Cllr. Bill Smith who was away onb holiday and Richard Smedley (Tree Warden)
RESOLVED To accept apologies from Alan Fisher, District Cllr. Bill Smith and Richard Smedley

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

There were no declarations of interest

3. To discuss resignation of chair and election of new chair

Cllr. Peter Smith had resigned as Chair on 13/8/13 after 2 years and 3 months in office. Cllr. Southgate thanked Peter for being an excellent Chair over that period. Cllr. Southgate had been approached to take on the role of Chair herself and although pleased to have been asked, and willing, she was too busy with other commitments, to take on such a role. It was agreed Cllr. Southgate had done a wonderful job, stepping in to chair as and when required, and there was a vote of confidence from the floor. Discussion within the council over the previous months had however identified another suitable candidate.

Cllr. David Howie was proposed as the new Chair by Cllr. Southgate. This proposal was seconded by Cllr. Colenutt and David Howie was unanimously voted in by the council as the new Chair of Rockland’s Parish. Cllr. Howie was happy to accept the role and duly signed the ‘Declaration of Acceptance of Office’.

4. To approve the minutes of the last council meeting on Monday 8th July 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 new Chair, Cllr. David Howie.

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

There had been no update regards a defibrillator for the village.
ACTION: The Clerk to progress with Mike Rushmore at the Co-operative Society.

6. To adjourn the meeting for public participation

Meeting adjourned at 7.09pm.
A member of the public, David Jones (DJ), confirmed his respect and support for the Parish Council in all that they do and extended his thanks to ex-chairman Peter Smith. There was a round of applause for Peter for his dealings with the flooding problem in Mill Lane.
DJ said he was relieved about ‘village groups’ supporting ‘village projects’ but had concerns over the sustainability of the community, in a financial sense, when more and more of the villagers’ own resources were being used. DJ would support suggestions to raise money for the village and mentioned the ‘Community Right to Build’ submission from Al Bainbridge for consideration.
Al Bainbridge (AB) who was present, informed the council he was looking to build a single, three bed bungalow, whereby a sum of money from the building project could be donated to village funds. AB was looking to create an open debate about the ‘build’ and to gather people’s views. He was prepared not to continue with the idea of the build if it met with any hostility.
Cllr. Howie suggested this go on as an agenda item for the next meeting, which would give people time to digest the idea.
RESOLVED To add ‘Community Right to Build’ as an agenda item for next meeting.

The meeting re-opened at 7.21pm.

7. To discuss finding a new person to manage the Rocklands website

Peter Smith had been responsible for updating the website but had now resigned from the council.
Richard Harrison had been suggested as a possible candidate for taking over the management of the website but he was not able to.
ACTION: Clerk to put advert in the Rocklander and poster on the notice board.
ACTION: Cllr. Jones to contact Peter Smith to ask what is entailed in managing the website.

8. To discuss grass cutting at Chapel Green

Cllr. Smith had approached Mr. Trotta about cutting the grass at Chapel Green and had agreed an increase from the normal price of £60 to £80. Cllr. Smith had suggested that Chris Sharpe who lives at April Cottage next to Chapel Green might agree to take on responsibility for the green in the future. Councillors were happy with the cutting that had been done although not cut as low as in previous years. The grass could be cut for hay. Pathways have to be cut through to maintain access to the pond. It was noted that people are allowed to park on the gravel there.

9. To discuss the Boundaries Review

Cllr. Southgate explained that changes in the boundaries seemed to be due to a need to reduce councillors and save money. District Cllr. Bill Smith had previously indicated that he was unhappy with the review because there would be more voters per ward and therefore would be underrepresented. The Independent Working Group (IWG) of which Bill Smith was a member and Cllr. Jordan was chairman, had been working on proposals and making counter proposals. Cllr. Bill Smith was keen that Rocklands wrote to the Boundary Review Committee. A letter was sent but it would appear it was a bit previous as the proposals hadn’t actually gone in yet. We would now wait for a date from Cllr. Bill Smith as to if/when we should resend the letter.
ACTION: To resend letter if/when directed by Cllr. Bill Smith

10. To agree the 2013 donations to Churches and other organisations

RESOLVED The recipients and amount of donations were agreed to be the same as for last year.
Cheques were duly signed by Cllr. Southgate and Cllr. Steel. 11 Appointment of a new solicitor

RESOLVED to appoint Nicholas Hancox at Acle to deal with Parish Council business.
The clerk confirmed that all paperwork (Deeds etc.) had been collected from GHP. Need to check that we have them all, to include Playing Fields, Village Hall, Chapel Green and Wayland Green. Cllr. Steel would look through documents that he had been given by Cllr Peter Smith on his resignation.
ACTION: Clerk to itemise documents before passing to solicitor for safe keeping

12.To update on The White Hart and Rocklands Village Shop

White HartDavid Jones gave an update. There had been good news that the Business plan was in place and a loan was available up to £100K. Purchase price agreed at £230K. Therefore needed £130K pledges. Proved the money could be raised by 24th August 2013. Proposals for tax breaks had been accepted and Draft prospectus ratified. The White Hart Association was in a strong position to proceed and meet the request of the owners that they would have liked to be out by Christmas.
No business reasons were given but there was an about turn by the owners who now no longer wish to proceed, but the White Hart Association remains optimistic. White Hart Public House is now on the Community Asset Register.

Village Shop. Cllr. Steel, chairman of the Steering Committee gave an update. The first steering committee meeting had been held on the 24th June. First meeting was held with Post Office Ltd. On 5th August who now required completion of a 24 page Business Plan ( ! ) and the start of a 12 week consultation process. Rocklands’ community Shop Ltd, was formed on 12th August as an Independent Provident Society (IPS). If the business were to collapse, the assets would be sold for the good of the village. A bank account had been set up. The company had been registered for Data Protection. Four founder members were on the management committee. Cllr. Witt had done a wonderful job drawing up plans for refurbishment of the shop. A lot had been achieved in a very short while.

13. To report on Finance

13.1 Financial position
The bank account balances as at Monday 9th Sept 2013:
Barclays Community Account...................................£18,833.83
(Minus Sport England grant money of £17,502).........(£1,331.83)
Barclays Saver (Reserve) Account. ......................... £ ....701.74
TOTAL as per bank................................................ £ 19,935.57
(Minus Sport England Grant Moneyof £17,502) .......£..2,033.57)

13.2 Money in since last meeting
Mann Trust – Contribution to finance Trod/Highway Improvement....£ 3,000.00
Sport England – Playing Fields – for William Morfoot.....................£ 12,815.00
Sport England – Playing Fields – for William Morfoot......................£ 1,921.00
Sport England – Cricket Club..........................................................£ 2,766.00
for Morfoot/Ang Tree Servs/Ridgeons/HalesStuart
.......................................................................................TOTAL... £ 20,502.00

13.3 Cheques out (to sign)
CHQ 502 Norfolk County Council......................................................£3,000.00 PAID
CHQ 503 Sport England/Cricket Club for Anglian Trees Servs ..............£200.00 PAID
CHQ 504 Sport England/Cricket Club for William Morfoot .................£ 1950.00 PAID
CHQ 505 Sport England/Cricket Club for Ridgeons...................................£ 1.46 PAID
CHQ 506 Sport England/Cricket Club for CR Hales.............................. £584.16 PAID

CHQ 507 All Saints PCC (Annual Donation)............................................£85.00
CHQ 508 St. Peter’s PCC (Annual Donation) .........................................£ 85.00
CHQ 509 Rocklands Playing Fields (Annual Donation)...........................£ 160.00
CHQ 510 Rocklands Village Hall (Annual Donation).................................£80.00
CHQ 512 Central Norfolk Methodist Circuit (Annual Donation) ...............£ 70.00
CHQ 513 Clerk’s expenses for 5 months................................................. £ 71.36

13.4 Standing Orders/Direct Debits
Kim Rushforth (Clerk’s wages)
Pearce and Kemp (Street Lighting)
E.on (Electricity)

Notes
Audited accounts. Year end is 31st March
Haven’t had the audited accounts back yet but expect to receive them any time now.
Signatory. Need to get mandate change pack and organise another signatory on the account.
Sport England payments. Has been a nightmare. Although SE agreed to pay grant monies (including vat element) now changed their mind and decided to pay excluding vat. Loads of emails/telephone calls to Sport England/Cricket Club/HMRC !! Hopefully now sorted.

14. To consider planning applications.

14.1 Planning outcomes since last meeting
3PL/2013/0499/F McIlwhan/Elm View /Replacement dwelling (32) PERMISSION
3PL/2013/0569/F Delamare/Kamia/2 double garages (34) WITHDRAWN

14.2 Planning applications pending outcome
3PL/2012/0654/CU - Breckland Storage/Swangey/Retail caravans - (15)
3PL/2013/0562/F - Batch/Holly Cottage/Detached dwelling APPEAL (21)
Note: 30th July – Accompanied site inspection arranged by Breckland.
3PL/2013/0261/F - Rocklands Mere/Dwelling – (25)
3PL/2013/0562/F - Irwin/Mill Farm/Chicken Sheds (33)

14.3 New planning applications since last meeting
3PL/2013/0721/F Hockney / Nelsons Loke / Single storey extension (35)
Cllr. Southgate would check with the neighbours
RESOLVED NO OBJECTION to this planning application.

3PL/2013/0802/F Leslie / 16 The Street / Two storey extension (36)
Footprint is enormous.
RESOLVED NO OBJECTION to this planning application.

10.4 New planning applications since agenda was issued
None since agenda was issued

15. To receive update from Tree warden. (Richard Smedley)

There was no update from the Tree Warden.

16. To update on Playing Fields(Alan Fisher)

Cllr. Howie read out the update provided by Alan Fisher. The size of the car park had increased with the laying of crushed concrete. Barrier up the middle still to be constructed.
Field development complete. New kitchen won by the Cricket Tea Ladies should be fitted W/C 9/9/13.
AGM and election of officers 17/10/13 at 7.30pm.

17. To receive update on Highways

Delivering Local Highway Improvements. . Cllr. Jones said how grateful Rocklands PC was to the Mann Trust for donating the £3000 required towards the cost of the Trod. If there was to be any money left, it would be returned to them.

Thieves lane always a problem. Cllr Steel to have a word with Margaret to see who is cutting/clearing. Far end is OK.
ACTION: Cllr. Steel to speak to Margaret

18. To update on Flooding

No flooding since the last meeting.

19 To discuss any correspondence

Community Right to Build (Al Bainbridge) – discussed earlier. Agenda item for next meeting.

20 AOB (Agenda items for next meeting

Community Right to Build
Defibrillator update

21 Date of next meeting - Parish Council Meeting - Monday 11th November 2013. 7.00 pm Rocklands Village Hall

The meeting closed at 8.37 pm.