Minutes of the Meeting of Kessingland Parish Council held on Wednesday 25th July 2007 at the Methodist Church Hall at 7.30pm.

Members present; Cllr  Purkis (Acting Chairman), Cllr Baisden, Cllr B Brown, Cllr R Brown, Cllr Burden, Cllr Crossland, Cllr Lawson, Cllr Morgan, Cllr Woodhead. Cllr Martin (Chairman) arrived 8.30pm.   

Others Present; Mrs L Beevor (Clerk), 2 members of public.

Cllr Purkis signed the Declaration of Acceptance of Office of Chairman for this meeting.

Agenda

1a) Apologies for absence

Cllr Sinfield.  

b) Declarations of Interest

There were no declarations of interest.

2) To approve and sign the minutes of the meeting held on Wednesday 27th June 2007.

One amendment - page 2 ii Safer Neighbourhood Teams - date of meeting should read 14^th August 2007.

It was resolved by all that with this one amendment the Chairman could sign the minutes of 27th June.  

It was confirmed that the next Crime and Disorder meeting would be held on 2^nd August.

Meeting adjourned for public participation.

3) Members of public 

There were no comments from members of the public.

Meeting closed to public participation

4) Chairman's Report

To await Chairman's attendance. (See below). 

5) Vice Chairman's Report   

Footpaths will be covered under committees and working parties.

6) Clerks Report

Clerk provided update on items outstanding;

a) Community Notice Board - the clerk has collected the board - it is larger than originally envisaged and presently does not have legs. The ideal placement for the board would be inside. After full discussion it was resolved by all to place the notice board within the new library complex. Clerk to retain board until required.

b) First Bus - further to previous minutes, First Bus have agreed to attend meeting on 12^th September 2007 to discuss the issues. The resident who raised the original query to be invited to attend.

c) Village matters - SCC advise that the trees in Church Road do not need trimming or cutting back yet. When they do, ‘this will be done with a flail cutter as this is the recognised way of carrying out the trimming by SCC.'

The cutting back of the area by Beach Road toilets has been passed to WDC.

d) Ashley Nursery Site - Cllr Provan advised that work will commence on site ‘shortly'.

e) Lagoon at Heritage Green - WDC advise that when they last visited the site, the lagoon area was being used as a storage site for Badger. Once it has been landscaped, Badger will keep ownership for 12 months before it then passes to WDC. The timing of the process is in the hands of the developer. 

 f) Official search of High Path has been requested re ownership of access.

g) Church Road car park lease - Clerk read out comments received from WDC in letter dated 21^st May 2007 sent via our solicitor.   

Following discussions;

i) It was confirmed by a majority that the break clause would not be pursued.

ii) Re hedging it was confirmed by Council that WDC should put the boundary/hedging in order before the Parish Council takes it over.

iii) Re car park charges - this will need to be discussed by Council. 

It was resolved by all that the clerk should advise our solicitor of these responses.

7) Reports from committees and working parties;

a) Beach warden - It was confirmed that Mr Turrell had been supplied with a name badge but that he did not want a fluorescent jacket. The beach wall pass has also been forwarded to him.

b) Allotments/Mardles - One of the allotment holders has been given notice - it has been suggested that the plot be split into 2.

Weed killer is required for the allotments - it was resolved by all that a maximum of £20 can be spent on this item for reimbursement.

The waiting list is now much shorter.

c) Amenities 

Bins have been requested in various areas. WDC have advised that a price of approx £230 per bin would be payable for bins in these areas.

It was resolved by all that at this cost the following bins would be provided;

1 for Heritage Green by Ark/near seat

1 for Church Road/Catchpole Close corner

1 for picnic area at Church Road play area

1 on seawall south

When the lighting is installed a further bin is to be provided for the MUGA from the Awards for All funds.

 Bus Shelter Field Lane - Gilberts Builders have provided a quote of £274 plus vat to cut out ends at the shelter in Field Lane. Further quotes awaited.

d) Crime and Disorder Committee

The next meeting is 2^nd August 2007. The police have been called recently to deal with young people at the Church Road play area and car park.

The clerk was asked to chase a response regarding the potential BT land.

e) KSSC - to be dealt with by Chairman. See 4 below.  

f) Emergency Committee - to be dealt with by Chairman. See 4 below.  

g) Footpaths - Cllr Purkis has received a complaint regarding the footpath by Seaview Holiday and Kessingland Cottages. The privet hedge is on the boundary of Seaview and is taking up the footpath.  Mr Fox now owns the property and is presently in dispute with SCC re the cutting back of the hedge.

The clerk has been asked to write to the owner regarding issues on the right hand side of the same footpath.

Regarding the footpath by Rider Haggard, the matter of the pine cones is with the SCC Rights of Way officer.

Cllr Purkis reminded the meeting that the Parish Council is only paid to cut the footpaths twice a year and that the Parish Council then finance a third cut and Mr West cuts for a fourth time free of charge.  The 4 cuts are carried out between 1^st May and 30th September. With the present weather conditions Council/public were asked to recognise that the paths will be overgrown at times.

Cllr Martin arrived at 8.30pm.

4) Chairman's Report continued from 4 above

a) Ipswich - It has been confirmed that Ipswich has unitary status. His will cut SCC revenue by approx 20% and may therefore affect services.

b) Open spaces - Following the last meeting, WDC has confirmed that the open space area at High Street includes all the grassed area as well as the play area itself. The same would apply for Rider Haggard and Hall Road. If the Parish Council wishes to operate any of these areas and put new facilities on any of this land, WDC will want a commitment that the Parish Council will take on all 3 open spaces and not pick and choose.

Discussion took place regarding the financial commitment for taking on these spaces and the possibility of the existing funding by WDC being transferred to the Parish Council. 

After full discussion it was resolved that the ‘Parish Council would in principle be prepared to take on the 3 open spaces after all the equipment has been upgraded. However before a final decision is made, the Parish Council would need to be aware of the financial commitment that is required to maintain these areas and be advised of any other relevant information such as covenants etc.'  WDC to be advised of the decision.

c) Flooding issues - All councillors have a copy of the report. Discussion took place as to whether a flooding residents group should be set up for the area led by the Parish Council. After discussion it was felt that this would be better led by the residents with no actual parish council lead, as in other parts of the village.

d) KSSC - at the meeting last week, Cllr Martin advised that the Parish Council had withdrawn support for a T Mobile site, in line with resident's views. The Chairman of the KSSC confirmed that no further discussions were therefore required on this matter.  

Re the hangout - Cllr Martin reported that the young people at the hangout would seem to be held responsible for damage that has been caused at the community centre. An e mail had been received from Rev Joan Oddy requesting whether a lease from the Parish Council could be made directly to the hangout, for the area at Francis Road that the hangout uses. After consideration it was resolved to ask for advise from Council solicitor as to whether such an arrangement could be considered.  

Discussion also took place regarding the non-attendance of the youth committee at the KSSC meetings - it was believed that the youth committee had been expected to attend each meeting.  

It is believed that the original Lease is being reconsidered/redrafted by the KSSC, but no formal notification of this has been provided to the Parish Council. 

Cllr R Brown left at 9.20pm

e) Emergency Committee - The Chairman confirmed that the Emergency Plan is now being prepared. There will be printing costs involved to produce the plan. These are thought to be in the region of £2000. Cllr Martin confirmed that of this £1500 would be required in this financial year. Full discussion took place regarding the funding of the plan and consideration was given to whether funds were available within the council budget.

It was proposed that £1500 be set aside for Emergency Plan printing costs from the donations section of the budget. Cllr Martin, Cllr Morgan, Cllr Baisden and Cllr Woodhead all declared an interest. It was resolved by all other councillors to provide these funds for printing costs.

g) Library Groups

i) Project Team meeting - the last meeting had looked at the final plans.

ii) Public meeting - 12 people had registered an interest about the sheltered housing units.

iii) CAG - minutes were provided to councillors.     

iv) Re lease - the clerk read out the reply from Council solicitor regarding the terms of the lease. After consideration it was resolved to request 4 car parking spaces and to ask our solicitor to negotiate a break clause.

 8) Correspondence

All correspondence dealt with above.

9) Questions to the Chairman on matters not covered elsewhere in the agenda.

a) Marsh Lane path - This has been subject to a High Court judgement and it is therefore not possible to extend the path.

10) Reports from meetings attended.

There were no further reports from councillors.

11) Planning applications and correspondence

DC/1289/FUL - Provision of static caravan for temporary accommodation at land adjacent to Clyffeside, 11 High Path by Taylor and Son Builders.

After discussion it was resolved to approve the application.  

DC/07/1290/FUL - Erection of summer house to provide temporary site office at land adjacent to Clyffeside, 11 High Path, by Taylor and Son Builders.

After discussion it was resolved to decline the application with the comment that ‘if the caravan is being provided, the summer house will not be required.'

Planning Correspondence

a) Agreed applications - DC/07/1078/FUL, DC/07/0956/FUL DC/07/0958/FUL DC/07/1227/FUL, DC/07/0957/COU, DC/07/1114/LBC, W2194.6.85, W2194/6.16 -, W2194/6.33/1, W2194/6.39a,  

b) DC/07/0952/OUT - Refused

12) Finance

a) Donation - letter read from St Edmunds Church regarding donation for their flower festival. It was resolved by all that a donation of £20 would be provided.

b) Cheques for signature - A copy of the account balances and the cheques requiring payment was provided to all councillors and is attached to the main minutes. Cheques as detailed in the Receipts and Payments Book. It was resolved by all that the cheques as detailed could be signed including the additional cheque for St Edmunds Church for £20.00

c) Cllr Martin advised that Flagship were suggesting holding future meetings at the Methodist Church in Kessingland. Council were asked whether they would agree to cover the costs of the room hire. Discussion took place on this matter and it was resolved to agree to finance the costs of the room hire, as there would be no travel costs incurred by councillors attending. 

13) Any other business

Community Engagement - Cllr M Bee and Glen Garrod wish to discuss the Community Engagement Strategy with the Councils involved with the Market Towns meetings. They would like to attend the Council meeting of 14^th November commencing at 6.30pm. All agreed. Details to be confirmed. 

14) Date of next meeting

Wednesday 12^th September 2007.