SURLINGHAM PARISH COUNCIL

Minutes of the virtual meeting held on Tuesday 16 February 2021

Attending: Parish Councillors John Broom, Phil Reeve, Dave Swinborne, Pat Scowen, Will Mack, Craig Neave, Richard Atkins, Clerk Janet Rogers, County and District Councillor Vic Thomson and 4 members of the public

1. The Chairman opened the meeting and welcomed the participants.
2. Apologies and approval of absences – none
3. Declarations of Interest – Councillor Mack declared his interest in Item 11 Planning application 2022/2308
4. To approve as accurate the minutes of the meeting on 19 January 2021 – Approved
5. Matters arising from those minutes – Footpaths – Councillor Atkins reported that the council had received feedback, against item 12. For the avoidance of doubt we would like to make it clear that Surlingham FP4 joins Bramerton FP1 at the Parish boundary as documented in the Definitive Map statements available at: https://www.norfolk.gov.uk/out-and-about-in-norfolk/public-rights-of-way/map-and-statement-of-public-rights-of-way-in-norfolk/definitive-statements.There had been no response from NCC to enquires about maintenance of the footpaths. Flooding – Councillor Broom explained that following the public meeting the Flood Resilience Committee had been formed and the first meeting was held on the 9 February 2021, the committee had arranged for a letter to be distributed to all residents asking for information on how they are affected by flooding. The Committee meets again on the 9 March to collate that information and produce a report for the Scrutiny Committee of the County Flood Management Strategy.  Councillors Broom and Mack had already cleared a blocked pipe on the corner of the Covey, a resident offered to supply plastic pipes similar to those used at the staithe, if that would help. Outdoor Activities – Councillor Neave informed the council of his progress. He has Identified local businesses and activities within the village and has reviewed possible activities to introduce (gap analysis). Councillor Neave also reviewed available land to implement activities, there is no local area owned by the parish. Opportunities/options to date 1 school field, 2 buy land, 3 seek opportunities from developments, 4 Surlingham charity land, 5 a donation of land. Councillor Neave has met with the school, and thanked Mrs Norris for her time and assistance. The school field could be available from 4.30pm daily and weekends, restrictions include parking, security, and safety (damage etc) Next steps: Review other land opportunities.  Some availability to school land is excellent in the short term but, the restrictions on the school land do not always allow full use for all the village residents. Councillor Neave will therefore continue to review other opportunities at this stage before bringing forward suggestions re any possible expenditure, grants or funding. Neighbourhood Watch – The chairman asked if there had been any response to the request for volunteers to start a neighbourhood watch – Clerk replied there had been none. A resident mentioned the police response to the theft at the garage. Action: Chairman will speak to the proprietor before the council raises concerns with the constabulary. Councillor Atkins mentioned that there had been theft of honey and cash from a property near the church. Councillors wanted to remind residents to remain vigilant.
6. Progress reports Clerk – Speeding – No response from Highways, Councillor Scowen suggested the letter should be escalated to Councillor Wilby. Email has been sent to Bramerton PC regarding the cycling sign. The application process has been advertised and the closing date is 28 February 2021. Scottish Power would not agree to a contract for the Parish Hall as they could not complete a credit check. The energy broker had gone back to the current provider Scottish Hydro to see if they could improve on their offer. Clerk asked that the Council agrees to renewing their contract fixed for 24 months – Agreed.
7. To receive reports from the County and District Councillor – report published on Surlingham.org.
8. Public Question Time not exceeding 15 minutes – A resident mentioned the police response to the theft at the garage. Action: Chairman will speak to the proprietor before the council raises concerns with the constabulary. Another resident welcomed Councillor Neave’s initiative to develop outside activities for children in the village and would be willing to work with him regarding this. It was also mentioned in connection with the speeding issue that wheelchair users in the village are virtually housebound. Trying to negotiate the roads is frightening and users are left feeling vulnerable and afraid to go out. Action – Councillor Scowen to include a reference to this in relation to the Disability Discrimination Act in the letter to County Councillor Wilby.
9. Emergency Plan – Councillor Neave explained that he had started to populate the template and would share this with councillors at the next meeting.
10. Staithe working Party – This work still deferred until the water levels have dropped and the lockdown eased.
11. Village Fete – Deferred pending the easing of the lockdown.
12. Planning Applications 2021/0159-2021/160 The Manor – Security enhancements, fencing, railings and gate Object – Surlingham PC are concerned about location “B” on the site plan referred to in the application as the “secondary access”. A new highways access was approved for the Manor House under application 2012/1654F. Condition 4 of this approval stated “Vehicular access to and egress from the adjoining highway shall be limited to the new access shown on drawing no. 09/1047D-01 only. Any other accesses or egresses shall be permanently closed”. As evidenced by the photo in the planning application, until recently the gateway “B” on the site had little vehicular use. It is positioned on a sweeping bend with a very poor visibility splay meaning vehicles egressing the premises will be a danger to traffic on the Bramerton road. Surlingham PC therefore object to the current application on two points. 1. The application contravenes the conditions of a previous approved application – 2012/1654F 2. The “secondary access” shown as location “B” on the plan is not suitable for vehicles due to its location on a bend and poor visibility splay. 2021/0186 – 48 The Street – loft conversion front and rear dormers. Neutral – The Parish Council’s opinion is that the design will not be in keeping with the nearby properties e.g soften the effect by changing the materials. 2020/2308 – Land East of Mill Road Permission in Principle for 9 Dwellings. Object – Parish Council objects to the application as it stands at present on the grounds of the impact the development will have on the landscape, the removal of mature trees and hedging and on the infrastructure of the village in particular the potential to exacerbate flooding along Mill road and subsequently further into the village.The Parish Council would be willing to meet with the landowner to see if a different option can be found that the Council could support.
13. Finance – Authorise Payments: R Hardingham £105, J Rogers £357.35, Information Commissioners Office Subscription £35, Orange Fox Ltd £63.54, Lap Top Battery £33.23, Ordinance Survey Mao £8.99– Authorised PS/WM
14. Staithe working party – This item again deferred work will be planned when the area is drier and the covid lock down eased.
15. Village Fete – Carried forward to the next meeting pending easing of the lock down.
16. Correspondence: Emails – Clerk responded to 120 and circulated 75 to councillors up to 9 February 2021
17. To note items for inclusion on the next council agenda – Flooding – Emergency Plan – Update on response from Bramerton PC re No cycling sign – Condition of footpaths – The problem with Housing/Planning
18. To confirm the date of the next meeting 16 March 2021 at 7:30p.m. meeting closed at 9:30p.m.