Parish Council

Horningtoft Parish Council
Church Events Genealogy Heritage Society Home Homewatch Photographs Contact Us	Councillors Andrew Hill (Chairman) Peter Greenwood Maurice Reeder Pauline Chapman Claire Wheeler	Meetings are held at 7.30pm on the second Tuesday in January, March, May, July, September and November. All open meetings are held in St Edmund's Church. Clerk Chris Robertson
	NOTES FROM HORNINGTOFT PARISH COUNCIL MEETING held on Tuesday 11^th March 2008 St Edmund’s Church at 8.45 p.m. This meeting was held after the Annual Parish Council Meeting. PLANNING: Planning Application from Mr and Mrs Dye No. 3PL/2007/1965/F involving an additional bedroom and garage extension on The Barn, at The Laurels. Permission granted. Changes in Planning Procedures Government is introducing a new National Standard Planning Application form known as 1APP. From 6^th April 2008 this will supercede all existing forms and any applications made on other forms after that date will be invalid. Form 1APP will be available for submission on line, and in paper form. Transitional period for changeover will commence on 10^th March. To support this form, the Government has introduced new guidelines – a National List and a Local List. Further information may be obtained from www.planningportal.gov.uk and www.breckland.gov.uk. ANY OTHER BUSINESS: Grasscutting at Fourways – Mr Brett has approached the Council regarding the wide grass verge around his property between the road and his fence, which he has maintained for many years. Norfolk C.C. were apparently responsible for maintaining the verges between the concrete markers and the roads, but declined to continue this work in the 1980’s, due to lack of funds. It was agreed that this was not the responsibility of the Parish Council and that the Clerk would approach Jason Grasspoole at Highways to try and ascertain the current position. Mr Brett will be kept informed. Signpost opposite the Bus Shelter – Mrs Wheeler advised that although this was now in a rather dilapidated condition. Clerk will approach Highways and ask if this might be cleaned and repainted. Meeting closed at 9.30 p.m. The Annual Parish Council Meeting will take place on Tuesday 6^th May at 7.30 p.m.
	Notes from Horningtoft Annual Parish Meeting held on Tuesday 11^th March 2008 at 7.30 p.m. in St Edmund’s Church Present: All Councillors, Clerk, 6 members of the public, Peter Fuller - PCSO, Heather Gooch, John Robertson District Councillor's Report- read by Chairman Council continues to demand lowest Precept from its taxpayers, despite being one of the highest spending in the Eastern region. Main problem getting Police and County to use resources more effectively. John Labouchere hoped Parish Councillors would attend the meeting on April 14^th at Whissonsett to hear from the new Chief Executive Trevor Holden. Asked for any questions to be directed through Chairman, and he will get in touch with on his return from the Andes.’ Homewatch Report –Very little crime in the village. A car was broken into at Sunset View – nothing taken. One resident mentioned that a 4WD car, registration number BG54YFY was seen outside his neighbours’ house, the owner acting suspiciously. Colin Hodge, local Homewatch Co-ordinator for the Police, said the car was known to them having been used in a ram raid and should be reported to them immediately if seen again. Scaffolding was stolen from The Laurels, since recovered. Apart from these incidents, there have been thefts of heating oil, car, sheds and garages break ins, within a 20 mile radius of the village. John Robertson then introduced Peter Fuller, the new PCSO. who said he was a member of the Safer Neighbourhood Team, based at Dereham, consisting of a Police Sergeant, Constables and Community Support Officers and he covered 13 villages over a very wide rural area patrolling in marked and unmarked police cars. The aim of the Team was crime prevention and he said he would be happy to speak to any resident with any problem, however small, offering free advice. Asked that residents phoned the local number 08457 456 4567 to contact him. Chairman's Report Planning –applications received during the year: Proposed dwelling and garage adjacent to Barracouta – permission granted, despite unanimous objections from Brisley and Horningtoft. Eventually discovered that this part of Horningtoft has a Settlement Boundary, which overrides the Parish Boundary, and therefore permission had been granted. The Laurels – permission sought by Mr and Mrs Dye for additional bedroom and garage for The Barn – no objection from Parish Council – since passed by Breckland Council. Highways –30 m.p.h. Limit installed in Spring 2007. This prompted complaints from some residents on Oxwick Road that they were not included within the limit. Subsequently Slow signs have been painted on the road and bend signs installed. The limit has been actively policed on Brisley Road, resulting in several penalty notices, fines and points on licences. Work on the Culvert by Church Farm has finally been commenced, as many cannot fail to have noticed! Finance – as at 11^th March 2008 Income was £3,922.04, Expenditure £1,215.23. Balance £2706.81. Suggested Precept 08/09 £1,905 – as last year. General: Changes on Parish Council saw John Drew retiring and Kevin Tuck standing down. Pauline Chapman was welcomed back as a Councillor and Clare Wheeler was co-opted as a new Council member. Annual Risk Assessment undertaken in June. No problems were found. It was noticed that the grass corner opposite the bus shelter was being kept neat and tidy by Mr and Mrs Wheeler and Andy Tate, nearby residents, who were thanked for their efforts. Thanks also to Peter Greenwood for continuing to remove perennial weeds from the churchyard. Breckland are currently conducting a review of Polling places and the Parish Council has proposed that the Polling Station be moved from the Manor to the Church in line with public opinion. Footpath No. 7 on Fakenham Road – requests from owners to remove Footpath No. 7 from their land has been turned down by Norfolk County Council. During the year, Clerk attended a Project Finance Management Course arranged by Norfolk Rural Community Council and a Funding Forum last November at Swaffham. The Chairman attended a Planning Conference in June at Swaffham, also a Workshop in November to discuss the unitary solution for Norfolk. As mentioned earlier, John Drew retired from the Parish Council. He was presented with an engraved silver photo frame in appreciation of his 38 years of service. John has reiterated that he would be glad to be consulted on any local matters, particularly historical, if it was felt his knowledge could be useful. The Chairman concluded his report by once again thanking John for his input into the life of Horningtoft. Charity Trustees Report Pauline Chapman advised that the Trustees for the Jubilee Charity were Pauline Chapman, Heather Gooch and Liz Logan. Income for the year ended March 2007 was £185 with expenses of £242, leaving a balance of £255. Two requests for help with heating costs, etc., were received and granted and younger members of the village were granted monies for university expenses. Pauline Chapman again asked that anyone who knew of a need in the village should let her know. PCC Treasurer's Report – read by Stuart Cleverley in the absence of the Churchwardens Fr Paul left in June for Papua New Guinea and then left for good in September to take up another post in Corby. It has been difficult finding rectors/vicars to take services but this has been managed by having two benefice services a month, and St. Edmund’s joining up with another church for one service. The Council will be interviewing candidates on April 11^th and hope to appoint very soon after. Thanks to all the P.C.C. members who have supported the Church during the last year. Horningtoft now has a very well decorated, clean and beautiful church. Key holders are the 2 church-wardens, Simon Hibberd and Anne Cleverley and Peter Greenwood, who opens the Church most of the time unless on holiday or ill and was thanked for doing this. The ‘job’ of Treasurer has been split into two between Liz Logan and Christine Hibberd. This appears to be working well and they were thanked for their efforts. Last year there were four weddings, two christenings and four ‘burial of ashes’. The retired bishop of Tanzania also came to preach in January at a Eucharist service. The Church has supported the floods in Tanzania and the children of the Kibaya school on the Masai Steppes with donations. Our Christmas bazaar was a great success, raising over £600 and Liz Logan was thanked for arranging this. Another fundraiser was a well supported supper hosted by Olive and Kenny Tuck. The Quota for the year has been paid in full….yet again!!!! As this is now over £4000 more money-raising schemes are needed. Weekly churchgoers have drifted off and it is becoming more and more difficult to raise this money. There are 11 people on the electoral role but the congregation is usually about 8 - not enough to pay insurance[gone up] heating[dire] and electricity. The Church needs new wiring and new heating. It has even been suggested to everyone - ‘bring a hot-water-bottle and we will give out hand-warmers’. The P.C.C would like to see the Church in the village also being used as a village hall - easily done by curtaining off the altar area - new blood and new ideas are needed, so that the Church can be maintained as a centre for the village. Thanks given to all who are trying their hardest to keep it going. Heritage Society Heather Gooch reported that there has been an on-going exhibition on the boards in the church, with one side having information about The Hurdle and The Bell and the other side the Horningtoft connection with the Slave Trade. Sir John Berney who was Lord of the Manor in the late 1700’s/ early 1800’s also had a plantation on Barbados. He was in debt and had trustees and there are many letters in the Berney papers at the Norfolk Record Office, including one about his assets, mentioning Horningtoft wood and the Barbados plantation. Last summer there were displays of some of the work by the Society when a village cricket match was held to raise funds for the church. Many enquiries being received via the web site and the visitors book in the church, one reply to an offer of help as follows: “Thanks for contacting me. In fact, after I had entered my details in the book, I spent a very informative couple of hours copying down all the entries relating to the Franklins from your very extensive files in the church. What a revelation! If only I could visit churches in other areas where my ancestors lived and find such records so readily available .Once again, very many thanks for all the work you must do. You deserve a medal!” Geoff Ross. There have been many more ‘thank yous’ in the church and via email. Mrs Gooch asked for suggestions for future exhibitions on the boards, which been donated by Brisley School. Further boards are available, Pauline Chapman and Heather Gooch will collect them, but asked if there was anywhere in the village where they could be stored. Mentioned that the little booklet about the church is popular and a further reprint have been brought to the Church today. ANY OTHER BUSINESS: Church Heating and Lighting As mentioned in the Churchwarden’s report, this is very inadequate and the lighting is bordering on the illegal. It has been suggested by the Parish Council that funding could be found, in the light of the fact that the Church is the village meeting place not only for church services, but for exhibitions, the bazaar, etc. The capital costs would amount to around £25,000, and with input from the Parish Council and the Parish Church Council, grants could be found for the remainder. However, this woulddepend on a suitable business plan being put forward and it was agreed it was the responsibility of the Church Council to come forward with a suggested itinerary for the year. Once this had been achieved, the Parish Council could take matters forward. A question was asked as to how the extra finance would be found for the new heating and lighting and this would be discussed at later meetings. A member of the public asked if there was anything that could be done about the scramble bikes using the land at the top of Gravel Pit Lane at weekends, which were very noisy and intrusive. This land is owned by a farmer in Whissonsett. Clerk was asked to draft a letter for the Chairman’s signature to the Whissonsett Council to bring the noise nuisance to his attention. Clare Wheeler mentioned a scheme set up in another village to order heating oil in bulk, which appears to save money. John Robertson said he had looked into this and was informed that it did not make a lot of difference and created a lot of work for the organiser. Clare Wheeler also mentioned the litter created on the Brisley Road, which she had personally picked up. There is a law against fly tipping, but miscreants need to be caught in the act and reported to Breckland Council. The question of washing/toilet facilities for the Polling Officers was raised and the Chairman said arrangements would be made with local residents if the Church was granted Polling Station status. Pauline Chapman mentioned the Easter Good Friday walk – this will take place at 10.30a.m., starting from the Chapel and everybody was welcome to join in for all or part of the walk. There being no further business, the Chairman thanked everybody for attending and the Meeting closed at 8.40 p.m.
	NOTES FROM PARISH COUNCIL MEETING held on Tuesday 8th January 2008 MINUTES OF THE LAST MEETING approved. MATTERS ARISING: Awards for All – Clerk attended Funding Forum in Swaffham. Information will now be collated and reported at the Annual Parish Meeting in March. Dates for Meetings 2008 – Mrs Chapman suggested that the Annual Parish meeting should be held in May when the lighter evenings/better weather might encourage residents to attend. This will be put to the Annual Parish Meeting in March. Flooding on Fakenham/Dereham Road – as requested, Clerk asked Highways to contact the Chairman as he was concerned about the flooding problems on the Fakenham/Dereham Road. He was advised that Highways were not involved in this – Breckland Council are – and they have been informed. PLANNING: Application from Mr and Mrs Dye No. 3PL/2007/1965/F received in December. This involves an additional bedroom and garage extension to The Barn, at The Laurels. No objection from the Council. Unanimous decision. CORRESPONDENCE: John Drew – letter of thanks received from Mr Drew for his gift from the Councillors. Fakenham Road Traffic – copies of correspondence received from Roger and Mary Carden regarding the speed of motorists on the Fakenham/Dereham Road between Horningtoft and Brisley. They have written to Planning & Transportation Dept asking what criteria dictate the speed limits and have been told the following: 1) Settlement must have significant development on both sides of the highway exceeding 400 metres or 2) Have shops or high pedestrian movement rate or 3) A high injury accident record. None of these apply to this particular stretch of road. Mr and Mrs Carden have requested a copy of the relevant legislation from Highways. ANY OTHER BUSINESS:Local Government Review – Chairman attended this workshop on 20th November, which was held at very short notice to discuss the unitary solution for Norfolk. It has been suggested that Norfolk be divided into three instead of the current District Councils. Around 50 people attended and only a few in favour of the change. Annual Parish Meeting – Clerk will invite the following to attend: District Councillor, John Labouchere, Homewatch Co-ordinator, John Robertson, Safety Neighbourhood Team, a representative will be asked to attend, Heritage Society, Heather Gooch, Charity Trustees, Pauline Chapman, The P.C.C., Simon Hibberd or Anne Cleverley. Peter Greenwood was thanked for organising the heating in the Church earlier in view of the cold and the Meeting closed at 8.15 p.m. The Annual Parish Meeting will be held on Tuesday 11th March at 7.30 p.m., when it is hoped that more residents will attend.
	NOTES FROM PARISH COUNCIL MEETING held on Tuesday 13th November 2007 The Chairman welcomed everyone to the Meeting and presented an engraved silver photo frame to John Drew as a token of the Council’s appreciation for his 38 years of service to Horningtoft. Mr Drew thanked the Councillors and Clerk for their kind gift and reiterated that he would like to be consulted on any matter, particularly historical, if they felt his knowledge could be useful. MINUTES OF THE LAST MEETING: approved. MATTERS ARISING: 30 mph limit – the ‘slow’ signs have been painted on Oxwick Road and bend signs erected. Further checks have been made by the Police to check motorists’ speed on the Brisley Road, once again resulting in several Penalty Notices, fines and points on licences. Grasscutting – Clerk requested Mr Moyes to cut the grass by the seat on the crossroads and this has been done. FINANCE: Precept – Councillors discussed proposed Precept. Agreed that this should be left at the existing figure of £1,905 for a further year CORRESPONDENCE: New Code of Conduct – Clerk advised Standards Board for England that this has been adopted by Council. AGENDA ITEM: Awards for All – Clerk attended a Project Management course arranged by Norfolk Rural Community Council, which she found useful. A Funding Forum has been arranged at Swaffham for 30th November and Clerk will attend and report back in January. Dates for Meetings 2008 8th January 2008, 11th March 2008 – Annual Parish Meeting,, 13th May 2008 – Annual Parish Council Meeting, 8th July 2008, 9th September 2008, 11th November 2008. ANY OTHER BUSINESS: Chairman asked Clerk to approach Highways Dept., regarding the work being proposed in connection with the flooding on the main Fakenham/Dereham Road. The next meeting will take place in the Church on Tuesday 8th January 2008 at 7.30 p.m.
	HORNINGTOFT PARISH COUNCIL MEETING held on Tuesday 11th September 2007 St Edmund’s Church at 7.30 p.m. Notes from the Meeting – Matters Arising – 30 mph Speed Limit – Police have checked motorists’ speeds on the Brisley Road three times resulting in several fines and Penalty points. Risk Assessment – Village Sign will be added to Insurance cover. Correspondence - Licensing Policy – Parish Council has been invited to be Consultees. Speed Awareness Message – SAM – free temporary mobile activated sign reminding drivers of their current speed. Any Council may ask for this to be installed. Energy Care – scheme to provide home insulation. Grants vary according to benefits/allowances, but all households regardless of income can receive a grant towards loft or cavity wall insulation if appropriate. Freephone number 0800 019 9090. Agenda Items – Adoption of Revised Code of Conduct – adopted by the Council. Standing Orders have been revised as follows: Item 21 a) At all meetings of the Council the Chairman may at his/her discretion and at a convenient time in the transaction of business, adjourn the meeting so as to allow any members of the public and those councillors with a prejudicial interest in items on the agenda to address the meeting in relation to the business being transacted at that meeting. Safer Neighbourhoods John Robertson, Homewatch co-ordinator, advised that the Norfolk Constabulary is establishing a Safer Neighbourhood Team (SNT) for every neighbourhood to be up and running by 2008. These include Special Constables, Police Community Support Officers (PCSOs) and two regular constables, under a Police Sergeant, with responsibility for individual neighbourhoods. They are tasked to listen to people, whatever problem is raised, be it noise, graffiti, anti-social behaviour or crime and to report back. More information maybe obtained at the website http://www.safernorfolk.co.uk/your-neighbourhood/dereham. Leaflets giving more information will be distributed to residents shortly either by email or by hand. Next meeting Tuesday 13th November 2007 at 7.30 p.m. in the Church.
	HORNINGTOFTPARISH COUNCIL MEETING held on Tuesday 1^th July 2007 St Edmund’s Church at 7.30 p.m. PRESENT:Andrew Hill (Chairman), Peter Greenwood, Pauline Chapman, Chris Robertson-Clerk APOLOGIES: Maurice Reeder CO-OPTION OF NEW COUNCILLOR: Mrs Clare Wheeler attended the Meeting and was invited to become a Parish Councillor. Mrs Wheeler signed the Declaration of Acceptance of Office and she was welcomed to the Council. Mrs Wheeler handed her Notice of Details of Financial and Other Interests to the Clerk. MINUTES OF THE LAST MEETING: These were signed by the Chairman after a minor amendment. 30 mph Speed Limit – following the complaints from some residents, the Clerk contacted Highways who after inspection have agreed to install a bend sign and two painted Slow signs on the road at the first bend after Thumb Lane and between Jocelyn Lodge and No 4 Oxwick Road. A member of the public has already been in contact regarding the speed of vehicles on Brisley Road and it has been agreed that this will be monitored at an appropriate time. Internal Audit – Mrs Gooch has been approached to fill this vacancy and has agreed to take this on. Mrs Chapman will oversee the handover. Risk Assessment – this was undertaken in June. It was suggested that the Village Sign be added to the other items although if this would entail an increased insurance premium it might prove too costly. If the increase is acceptable, the Sign will be added to the Assets Register. The Clerk will contact the Insurers to ascertain the extra cost. Whilst undertaking the Assessment it was noted that the grass on the triangle opposite the bus shelter was being tidied and cut by Mr and Mrs Wheeler and Andy Tate from Grange Farm who were thanked for their kind efforts. Mr Greenwood was also thanked for removing perennial weeds from the churchyard. FINANCE:Cheques signed today: NCAPTC Year Book, NCAPTC Annual Subscription, Obligatory No Smoking Sign for the bus shelter, Grasscutting, Horningtoft P.C.C. Heating and Lighting. Audit Return – inspected by Council and signed off by Chairman and Responsible Financial Officer. It was noted there is an additional requirement for a review of the Internal Audit on a regular basis. It was suggested that Pauline Chapman take on this review and this was agreed. PLANNING: The Chairman attended the Norfolk Planning Conference on 14^th June at Swaffham. Various speakers spoke on the Local Development Framework, Inspire East on sustainable communities and representatives from the local authorities and developers. It was confirmed that all major building will take place in King’s Lynn and the market towns, where the infrastructure is in place and jobs would be available without the need for long journeys, reducing carbon emissions etc. CORRESPONDENCE: Norfolk Rural Community Council – offering a programme of workshops on the management of community buildings. As the Parish is trying to obtain grants for the Church heating and lighting in order to use it as a community building, it was thought sensible for a Councillor to attend two of these workshops – one on Project Planning and one on Financial Planning and Control. Clerk will return booking form and fees. Highways – after complaints from residents, Clerk contacted Jason Glasspoole who arranged for the grass verges to be cut the following day. There was also a complaint that the road cleaning did not extend past Thumb Lane to the rest of Oxwick Road. Also reported to Jason. AGENDA ITEMS: Dog Fouling – Breckland Council are looking to change the dog fouling control areas and asked for Parish views. New laws mean that dog fouling complaints can now be dealt with on all land where the public has access. At present exemptions include farmland or woodland, rural common land and mainly marshland, moor or heathland but these exemptions would cease under the new law. After discussion it was agreed that no land in the Parish should be excluded from the Order. Clerk will advise Breckland. Revised Code of Conduct - this has to be adopted by the Council and the Standing Orders revised to accommodate a new ruling allowing Councillors as well as members of the public with a prejudicial interest in items on the Agenda to address the meeting. Clerk will seek the advice of the NCAPTC as to the precise wording and this will be adopted at the September meeting. ANY OTHER BUSINESS: Mrs Chapman raised the point that some residents were not as aware of Parish business as they could be. It was agreed that the Minutes of each Meeting would be sent to the Upper Wensum Diary and also put on the Horningtoft website. Clerk will arrange. The Meeting closed at 9.25 p.m. The next Meeting will take place in the Church on Tuesday 11^th September at 7.30 p.m.