MINUTES OF A MEETING OF RUNTON PARISH COUNCIL

HELD AT WEST RUNTON CHURCH HALL ON TUESDAY

22^nd JANUARY 2008.

Members present:  Mesdames; J Bothwell, M Bullock, J Hodson, M Massingham. 

Messrs; M Ashwell, S Bacon, C Beckett, J Creasey,  K Jonas,  G Hare, J Simpson (Chairman),

R Spinks.

Also present:  County Councillor J Perry-Warnes, District Councillor Mrs H Nelson, District Council Officer Mr R Garfield and three members of the public.

The Chairman opened the meeting at 1915 hrs welcoming those present.

He then asked for agreement to amend the agenda, deal with item 4 (Local Services) first so that  District Council representatives could depart.

This was agreed by all.

08001.  STANDARD OF LOCAL SERVICES

The Chairman welcomed and introduced District Councillor Mrs Hillary Nelson (Cabinet Member for Tourism) and Mr Richard Garfield, (District Council Officer, Local Services).

He then outlined the councils serious concern at the general decline of local services over the past few years, especially street / footway cleaning, litter bin emptying and maintenance of public areas.

It was important to residents, visitors and especially for villages that relied on tourism, there seemed to be an imbalance on  resources spent in Sheringham and Cromer to the villages in between.  He then asked if there were specific points councillors wished to raise for consideration by Mrs Nelson and Mr Garfield.

After much discussion, specific points raised were:  Frequency of road and footway cleaning especially in the tourist season, cleansing of on street parking areas is a particular problem.  Extra litter bins at critical points (beach access points) and more frequent emptying in holiday periods.  Litter picking of public areas as required.  Public toilets at both East and West Runton need to remain open all year, to cater for surfers and school parties respectively. Emergency and Information Notices at beach access points urgently needed renewing.

In peak season up to 7000 holidaymakers were resident in Runton, business and other rates amounting to £250,000 approx.  A proportion of this income should be used to maintain East and West Runton to a standard equal to Sheringham and Cromer and the area should be treated as one.

Mr Garfield said he had noted the concerns expressed, many of the points raised could be overcome by rescheduling cleansing services and providing additional litter bins where required.  He asked if the Parish Council (with local knowledge) could appraise the current schedules at their next meeting and propose changes which he would action.  The other points raised would be considered and changes made where possible within budget constraints.

Mrs Nelson said she had also taken note of the councils concerns, the area between Sheringham and Cromer should be treated as one as it was a tourist destination.  Local businesses could do much to raise the profile of the area by joining the Local Business Forum thereby adding weight to improving resources.

The Chairman thanked Mrs Nelson and Mr Garfield for taking the time to attend and receive the councils concerns and hoped this would lead to improved services in the future.

08002.  OPEN SESSION.

There were no matters raised.

08003.  APOLOGIES.

District Councillor Mr V Saunders.

08004.  MINUTES OF LAST MEETING.

The Minutes of the last meeting held on 18^th December 2007 were confirmed by all as being a true record and were duly signed by the Chairman.

08005.  MATTERS ARISING.

The Clerk reported that:

a.  Playing Field.  Repairs to vandalised windows were on going, The Chairman and Clerk had signed the lease for the O2 Airwave site on the 10^th January.

 b.  Councillors reports:

Where required, matters reported requiring action had been forwarded to the relevant authorities.

Caravan opposite Oxwell Cross:  Enquiries would seem to support that the agricultural land taken into use as a garden at this residence would require planning consent (change of use). The Planning Authority have been asked to investigate and are doing so.

Tree branches obstructing the footway by Oxwell Cross will be cut back shortly.

08006.  PLANNING.

The Clerk informed the Council of the following planning matters for consideration:

a.            CURRENT APPLICATIONS:

(i).  Ref: 20071914

Application for Lawful Development.

Caravan at rear of Newhaven, Mill Lane, East Runton.

There were no objections or comments.

(ii).  Ref: 20071949

Application for Lawful Development.

Self contained flat at (The Old Hayloft), Tapdon House, West Runton.

There were no objections or comments.

(iii). Planning No: 20080043

Proposed erection of replacement single storey extension at Orchard House, Mill Lane, East Runton.

The Council supported this application.

(iv)Planning No: 20080066

Proposed erection of part two storey front extension at Three Gates, Cromer Road, West Runton.

The Council supported this application.

08006.  PLANNING CONTINUED.

b.      NOTICES OF DECISION: 

Permission for development.

(i). Planning No: 20071624

Erection of front extension to garage at Heathcote, Shawcross Road, West Runton.

(ii). Planning No: 20071368

Erection of a detached garage adjacent to Springfields, Top Common, East Runton.

08007.  EXTERNAL AUDITORS REPORT

The Clerk presented the Audit Commission report on parish accounts for the period 2006 – 2007 stating, there were no observations or comments and the relevant public notices advertising the results had been displayed.

The Chairman thanked the Clerk for another successful audit and commented that the high fees (likely to be £250.00) charged by the Audit Commission bore no relation to the limited work involved.

08008.  COMMONS RELATED MATTERS.

The Clerk reported that:

a.  The weed and rubbish from the pond at Lower Common cleared by Councillor Jonas had been removed.

            b.  The small pond on West Runton Common would be de-silted shortly by County Highways and the silt used to fill  wheel ruts left after ditching.

            c.  This was the final year of the commons cutting contract with R&G Maintenance and there would be a small price rise due to inflation. Our commons are much wetter than they used to be and cutting to the established schedule may have to be adjusted accordingly.

After some discussion, it was agreed that the cutting schedule of the main commons would be dependant on conditions and the Clerk would liaise with the contractor.

d.  The Hurn:  A Mr Sills had requested permission to reinstate a collapsed verge on the track crossing the Hurn caused by contractor vehicles parking.

It was unanimously agreed that permission be granted for Mr Sills to carry out the work.

08009.  REPORT OF AN INFORMAL MEETING WITH TREEHAVEN MANAGEMENT.

The Chairman reported that an informal meeting between near residents to Treehaven, West Runton and Mr S Black the General Manager of Jeesal Residential Care Services was held on Friday 11^th January in the Church Hall, 9 residents attended.  Matters discussed included noise and disruption to close residents, antisocial behaviour, increased operational activity at the home, traffic noise etc.

After a frank discussion, Mr Black agreed to look at a reduction in noise, traffic frequency (with the possibility of an alternative entrance to the Treehaven site), the opening of a new home to which some tenants in care at Treehaven may move to, could overcome some of the problems experienced in the past.

08010. TO CONSIDER CORRESPONDENCE.

08011.  ACCOUNTS FOR PAYMENT

The Clerk presented the under mentioned accounts and was duly authorised to pay the same:

Account Balance as at 22^nd January 2008, including the above:    £9540.06

Last year at this time: £9739.64.  Current Debtor: VAT = £650.96

08012.  MEMBERS REPORTS.

Councillor Creasey: Reported that Radio Four had presented a programme on the West Runton Elephant and suggested that a copy of this might be included in the Parish Archive.

Councillor Massingham:  Requested a new No Parking sign for the entrance to Coopers Common to keep the access clear.

08012.  MEMBERS REPORTS CONTINUED.

Councillor Bothwell:  Reported that volunteers would be clearing litter from one of the beaches in April and requested the councils stock of litter-pickers be made available.  She also asked that the Highways Dept be informed that Greens Lane urgently needed sweeping.

Councillor Beckett: Gave advance apologies for being unable to attend the February meeting.

Councillor Jonas: Reported that the RNLI had concerns regarding safety at East Runton beach and its use by surfers and others.  It was expected they would undertake an assessment to identify if additional safety measurers were needed.  Also, that the new East Runton slipway needed adjustment to make it easier for fishing boats to use.  If this was not done, fishing boats would leave and work from Cromer.

Councillor Ashwell:  Reported that repeat notices warning of the danger of cliff falls were required on the beach either side of East Runton Gap.repairs to damage at the slipway in East Runton caused by the November surge had been completed. He asked if consideration could be given to organising a voluntary spring clean in the parish and perhaps inviting the scout group to be involved.

Councillor Bacon: Reported that notices displayed regarding replacing play equipment at Top Common had raised local interest in the scheme and especially that of fund raising.

Councillor Spinks: Reported that he now had details of the play equipment installed in Roughton and catalogues of equipment providers.  He suggested a sub-committee was formed to identify the local need, look at funding, grant provision and report back with a proposal for new play equipment.  After some discussion, it was agreed to form a Sub Committee from East Ward Councillors and co-opted residents, chaired by Councillor Spinks, to identify the need for new play equipment its style, costs and possible funding.

Councillor Bullock:  Reported that one area of pavement in Renwick Park was moss covered, very slippery and a danger to pedestrians, the street light at the entrance to Renwick Park still needed repair.

The Chairman thanked councillors for their reports and asked County Councillor Perry-Warnes if he wished to address the meeting.

Councillor Perry-Warnes: Reported that:

a.       Beach Road Footway. A report was awaited from the Casualty Reduction Partnership regarding the proposed footway. If favourable (which is expected), the scheme will be taken to the design stage, it is anticipated the scheme will be funded in the 2008-9 highways budget.

b.      Pedestrian Crossing, West Runton: Following concerns raised by the Parish Council of the original scheme and after consideration by The Casualty Reduction Team, a site meeting will be arranged with the Design Engineer and Members of the Parish to see if a more favourable crossing arrangement and location can be identified.

c.       Norfolk Fire Service have free smoke detectors available for vulnerable people in this area. By arrangement, personnel from Age Concern can install these and other safety features.  Application forms for this service have been left with the Parish Clerk.

Police Report:  The Chairman advised that the Local Policing Team had apologised for not having a representative at the meeting and then outlined a report they had submitted for the period 18^th December 2007 – 20 January 2008.  The report highlighted a reduction in crime over the period, there being none in East Runton and one theft from a motor vehicle in West Runton.  Calls to the police were also down from the previous year.

08013.  There being no further business, the Chairman closed the meeting at 2025 hrs.

Signed……………………………………….Date……………………………..

Chairman