Watlington Parish Council
LETTERS of congratulation to the festival organisers of the village festival 2008, were read out, for producing a well-run, well-attended and enjoyable event.
Many of the local clubs had increased membership as a result of the activities and the Let's Get Active event had been well supported.
An apology had been received from the stage announcer for the bad language he used at the Watstock event. Cllr Pike advised that the organisers were looking to run a single weekend event next year, and would be looking to local groups to run other events around this.
There were no policing incidents during the week and arrangements for clearing up went smoothly after the Watstock evening. A letter of congratulation will be sent to the festival organisers.
action group
Cllr Pike reported on the Community Action Group meeting at Fincham. A new public communications officer has been appointed to give more publicity to these meetings – this one was very poorly attended.
Fifty-six incidents were reported in the whole of the Watlington CAG area in the last two months. No incidents were reported from the 2008 Watlington Festival.
Watlington remains on the CAG priority action list. The priority given to combating the anti-social behaviour on the Martingales Estate has proved successful. It was agreed that members of the public be urged to attend CAG meetings as they benefit the whole community. The next meeting is on Friday, September 26, at Barton Bendish, when a police architectural liaison officer will be present to discuss CCTV.
At the site meeting with the borough planning team, the Internal Drainage Board and Persimmon, the continuing drainage issues, the play areas, road surfacing and footpath bollards were raised.
The meeting had established that the IDB could authorise the necessary culverting works despite Persimmon insisting they did not own the drain.
Cllr Mack will continue to press the planning officers to ensure that Persimmon carry out these works. It was agreed that the clerk would write to the planning officer, copied to Persimmon and the IDB on this matter.
The planning officer had given Persimmon until the end of the month to respond regarding the installation of the new play area and the refurbishment of the Stone Close play area.
The borough council had been requested at the site meeting to consult with the parish council about the play equipment to be installed on these sites.
The clerk reported that the safety audit on the new road layout around the school was still awaited. Highways would be looking at the footpaths coming out of Martingales onto Fairfield Lane to assess the need for bollards.
Also, Cllr Rockcliffe advised that a No Through Road sign is due to be installed at the entrance to Fairfield Lane.The clerk advised that repair work on the footway in Station Road (Britton Close area) would take place in October.
After a proposal from the chairman, the council approved the Norfolk County Council highways scheme for a prohibition of waiting in the John Davis Way, Station Road and Britton Close junction area, to maintain visibility for road users and pedestrians.
Following parishioner concerns, the clerk will raise the issue of surfacing work on Fen Road, which had not addressed the issue of excess puddles along this stretch of road.
Negotiations are ongoing with landowners concerning the Station Road car park.
Noted was the resignation of the litter picker, Rebecca Charlton. A letter of thanks will be sent to her for the conscientious way she had carried out her duties. The post will be advertised and the appointment to the post will be delegated to the chairman and clerk.
Cllr Pike advised that new signs have gone up on the council's open spaces to reflect the introduction of new byelaws relating to no camping and no fires on these sites, and to the opening and closing of council gates at the sites.
The overhanging hedging on Britton Close-Stiffley Close footpath has now been cut back. Cllr Mack agreed to a site visit with the clerk to discuss management and security of this path.
Cllrs Leedell, Mack and Murphy agreed to form a working group to investigate the provision of allotments for parishioners, their first task will be to consider land options in and around the parish. It was noted there are currently available plots at the Runcton Holme allotments.
On a proposal from Cllr Murphy, seconded by Cllr Leedell, the council agreed to support a Watlington in Bloom garden competition for June 2009. Cllr Murphy agreed to supply publicity material for the Gossip; he will also approach the school to ask that it joins in, and will approach the borough council for funding support.
On a proposal from Cllr Pike, seconded by Cllr Paget, the council agreed to release 5,000 of the play equipment budget, the seeking of external grant funding and the installation of a shelter on the recreation ground, with associated groundworks at a total projected cost of 13,100. The chairman expressed the council's thanks for the committee's work on this project.
The clerk will investigate the no-smoking legislation in relation to the shelter.
On a proposal from Cllr Pike, seconded by Cllr Paget, the council agreed repair and renewal work to the skateboard park at a total cost of 2,400, funding requirements to be included in the bid for the shelter.
Cllr Mack advised that legal documentation was now available at the borough council for the clerk to sign to move towards the release of the 18,500 grant for the play/fitness equipment for the six to 12 age group.
The next meeting of the council is tonight in the village hall, at 7pm.
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Weather for King's Lynn
Saturday 11 February 2012
Today
Sunny
Temperature: -5 C to 0 C
Wind Speed: 5 mph
Wind direction: South east
Tomorrow
Cloudy
Temperature: 0 C to 4 C
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