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

Present.

Councillors: P.Cotes (chairman)
P. Smith (Vice Chairman),
S. Colenutt,
C. Jones,
N. Southgate,
R. Steel

Clerk: L. Defew

Four members of the public were present.

1. Apologies for absence

Councillor M.Gibbon
Internal Auditor J.Goode

2. Declaration of interests

No interests were declared.

3. Minutes of Council meetings on 22nd February 2010 and 3rd March 2010r 2009

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

4. Matters arising from minutes

BT red phone box - Councillor Smith explained that the telephone had been removed from the box. Discussion ensued in relation to the plans for the phone box and it was established that the Council understood that it had not been formally accepted by the Youth Club as a project.
White Hart Pub - Councillor Cotes enquired about the increase in the rateable value of the pub and discussion took place relating to business rates and the potential of appealing the increase. It was agreed that Councillor Cotes would speak to Mr Leeder about this issue.
Planning notifications - Councillor Steel raised concerns in regards to the planning process particularly in relation to the timeframes relating to notifications of planning outcomes. The Clerk explained that these notifications were received in the post and were then emailed out to Councillors. Councillor Smith provided an explanation of the Breckland Council online planning system.
Grit bin - The Clerk explained that Councillor Gibbon had informed her that the plans to purchase a new grit bin were currently on hold.

5. Finance

The Clerk explained that the internal auditor, John Goode was unwell and sent his apologies but would be able to attend the AGM in May.
Pearce & Kemp (Electrical & Lighting Contractors) increase of standing order letter to Barclays, duly signed by Chairman & Vice Chairman.
The Clerk stated that the Annual Return had been received and that both the adoption of accounts and signing of the Annual Return would take place at the AGM.
Clerk's salary - request for payment of additional hours worked in February and March 2010, owing to extraordinary meeting and work on the finances, was approved. It was suggested that the hours worked would even out over a full year and it was agreed that the Clerk would continue to keep a timesheet of hours worked throughout the year to help confirm extra hours for 2010/2011.

The bank account balances were conveyed by the Clerk:
Community Account............. £1,062.33 (following the first payment of the precept)
Business Saver Account ....... £3,500.00
Cheques were authorised and duly signed for the following:
Norfolk Association of Local Councils ..........................................................£140.10
Pearce & Kemp ............................................................. ...........................£1.75
Lucy Defew (Clerk's additional hours for Feb & March 2010 & expenses) .. £153.33
Aon Ltd......................................................................................................£642.68

Planning permission refused for:
RDB Construction (UK) Ltd - 3PL/2010/0124/F
Proposed erection of two (two bedroom) dwellings with shared new site access
Discussion ensued relating to planning applications which were being appealed and which had been withdrawn. Further discussion in relation to land issues occurred.

7. Tree Wardens

The Clerk was requested to invite both Tree Wardens to give a report of their proposals at the AGM in May.

8. Highways

The Clerk explained that an email had been sent to Highways to enquire about the possibility of installing a weight limit sign on Low Lane.
Councillor Steel enquired about the new access on the B1077 and discussion took place in regards to the correspondence received back from Dave Davis' letter. The Clerk was requested to find the letters relating to this issue. Councillor Smith explained that he would mention this access to Jason Glasspoole at their site meeting.

9. Flooding

Councillor Smith explained that Highways had cleared some of the drains along Low Lane, however, there is still flooding at other end of the lane. It was established that there was a limit to what could be done to rectify this problem as this is the point where the fields drain. Councillor Smith re-iterated that this issue would be addressed at the site meeting in May and that he would report back at the AGM.

10. Correspondence

Rocklands Village Hall - hiring fees for the hall will increase by 50p to £5.00 p/hour
Invitation from Parish Liaison Officer - Lynford Hall Hotel on Wed 28th April 2 - 4 p.m.

11. Date of next meeting

10th May 2010 at 7:00 p.m -A.G.M.

Meeting closed at 8:30 p.m