Watlington: No increase in charges
Your correspondent is: Mrs Jean Papworth, 21 Paige Close, Watlington. Tel: 01553 811345.
At the meeting held on January 20, after discussion of the proposed budget for 2009/2010, on a proposal from the chairman, the council agreed a precept of 27,700 for 2009/2010, an increase of 1,250.
The council noted that because of the larger tax base for the village as a result of new housing, the agreed precept meant that there would be no charge increase to individual households this year.
Quality scheme for Town and Parish Councils – Following discussion it was agreed that it would be useful for the Council to seek to work towards meeting requirements of the scheme, but that a formal application would not be pursued at the current time.
It was also agreed that the Council should again consider the possibility of working towards a Parish Plan.
Martingales and The Coppice developments – Cllr Pike reported that Persimmon advised that houses have started selling again on the estate and that building work has recently recommenced.
The clerk reported for Cllr Mack that the Planning Enforcement Team is chasing Persimmon about the Stone Close play area and a further update is awaited.
Also Persimmon is currently "reviewing expenditure on highways issues" on the site. Cllr Mack has referred this to the Enforcement Team.
Cllr Rockcliffe reported that the consulting engineer from the Internal Drainage Board is involved in flooding issues in the gardens backing onto the site from Station Road.
Highways matters – The clerk reported that, footway problems on Church Road and clearing the cycleway/footway link John Davis Way to Rectory Lane are all scheduled for action by NCC Highways.
Highways would also be investigating a surface drainage problem at a footway crossing point in Rectory Lane near the school.
The clerk reported that, following the item in the Gossip magazine, only one volunteer had put their name forward to take part in a Community Speed Watch Scheme.
It was agreed that the clerk would write to Runcton Holme Parish Council in response to a suggestion that local parishes co-operate, to see if a sufficiently large pool of local volunteers could be found to operate the scheme across a number of parishes.
Railway Station car park – Cllr Rockcliffe reported that the planning application for the car park has been resubmitted following a minor amendment to site landscaping.
The clerk reported that the contact with the Borough Council for the release of the grant money for the Phase 2 play project had now been signed and that a response is now awaited from the Big Lottery and the Borough Council.Cllr Pike reported that the Youth Shelter project is still at the grant application stage.
On a proposal from Cllr Pike, seconded by Cllr Leedell, the council approved that Mrs Julia Suiter be allowed to apply for a premises licence for the Glebe Field site, subject to the provision that any event organised for the site must have prior approval from the Parish Council.
The council noted a letter from Mr David Curl in which he has advised that he has had to step down from leading the Youth Football Club projects to provide a football wall and football training area and that the club hopes to appoint a new lead person for these projects.
The clerk reported that there have been 17 registrations for a garden allotment and that there had been no offers of any possible sites.
Mr Andrew Frost agreed to be co-opted onto the Allotments Working Party. It was agreed that the working party would undertake site visit to potential locations discussed at the meeting.
It was agreed that the Christmas tree had been a great success this year.
On a proposal from the chairman, the council agreed that a payment of 20 be given to Mr/Mrs Howlett for electricity costs and that letters of thanks be sent to Mr/Mrs Howlett and Mr Prior and his son, who donated the tree and provided transport.
On a proposal from the chairman, the council agreed that the clerk write to the Borough Council in response to the Litter Bin Collection Scheme, arguing that the parish should be entitled to have four bins emptied free of charge.
It was also agreed that prices be sought for a replacement bin for the Britton Close location. Cllr Pike agreed to speak to the Millennium Green Trust regarding a proposal to donate their bins to the Parish Council so that waste could be handled under the Council's Controlled Trade Waste Transfer Note.
Cllr Pike reported considerable dog fouling on the Internal Drainage Board Easement area on the Martingales Estate, Cllr Golding agreed to approach the Borough Council for additional signage.
The handyman would be asked to put up the signs and to install the previously agreed sign for the Warren Close Play Area.
Cllr Leedell advised that day rail station car parking charges had risen to 4.30 at both Downham and Lynn and this would probably give an indication of the charges that will be applicable at Watlington Station after the new car park is built.
The next meeting of the Council is on Tuesday, March 17, 7pm after the annual parish meeting in the village hall.
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Weather for King's Lynn
Monday 28 May 2012
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