Apologies. County. Cllr. J. Perry-Warnes,
In attendance District Cllr. D. Young Two members of the public.
1. There were no declarations of interest.
2. The minutes of the meeting of 15th May 2012 were approved and signed.
3. There were no matters arising from the minutes.
4. Reports.
Dist. Cllr. D. Young
Full Council on 25 September approved the final accounts for 2011-12 which showed a surplus of £723k.
Council also considered two changes to planning policy.
Development of "rural exception sites" has previously required 100% affordable housing. It should now be possible to relax this percentage if it can be clearly demonstrated that some market housing is necessary for the development to go ahead. Affordable housing should still be in the majority.
The re-use of rural buildings, e.g. barn conversions and change of holiday lets to permanent residence, has previously been confined to areas around towns and large villages. This geographical restriction is likely to be lifted subject to consideration of a tariff in respect of the enhanced value and/or loss of tourism/business use.
The Council has also started the process of administering the Council Tax Benefit system with a reduced budget from central government. There have been several letters in the local press about this. The method to be adopted by NNDC is likely to mean that all benefits are reduced by at least 30% with some households losing more than 60%. The benefits remaining will, for the first time, serve to reduce the council tax base for next year. One result of this will be that the same amount of parish precept will result in an increased council tax charge to parish households. The extent of the increase will vary from parish to parish and I am awaiting indicative figures.
Coasthopper services. The Winter timetable has been introduced a month earlier than previously. Norman Lamb is in the process of collating messages of support for a revised allocation of funding for delivery to the Transport Minister.
Bard Hill Barns
The application to waive the S 106 contribution has still not been considered by the Development Committee. The request had previously been deferred pending more information. The officers to look into the developer's wider interests some time ago but no response to date.
It is believed that the viability of the plans for affordable housing is in question, due to the difficulties with the particular site. No other sites have been considered at present.
The meeting felt that if some of the houses were market houses this could make the whole plan viable. Could Bard Hill Barns be offered to pay 50% of the 106 amount and release some money for affordable housing?
5. Planning.
Application PF/12/1043 Installation of doors and frame to garage at Havelock Barn, Cross Street. The council supported this application.
Application PF/12/1135 Erection of detatched double garage at Marsh Rise, Coast Road, Salthouse. The council objected to this application as the proposed garage was forward of the building line, out of character and in a flood plain.
Application PF/12/0806 NNDC decision notice to Permit the installation of two front dormer windows at Manor Farm Cottage, Cross Street.
6. Finances and Precept for 2013/2014
After discussing the budget forcast for 2013/2014 it was proposed by Cllr. Cary that the precept should be set at £4000, this was seconded by Cllr. Dawson and approved.
Cheques signed:-
No. 100622 Mazars Auditors £144
No. 100623 J. Wright Grass cutting £240
No. 100624 J. Stibbons Salary and expences £920
No. 100625 HMRC PAYE £34.80
7. Village Green.
There is no obvious parking place and consequently cars are parking on the green. Residents want the green clear of cars. It was suggested that a ramp should be built to stop cars coming in and going out on the coast road. The centre of the green is very wet and it was suggested that as a short term measure a fence should be erected but the whole subject needs further discussion.
An area for car parking could be designated but a comparable area must be available for the village green.
Short posts could be placed round the green to stop cars. Highways are to be contacted for advice. The cheapest option is to have a digger replace the banks.
There was a request for the paper bank to be removed.
8. New code of conduct. The new code of conduct undertakings required by the Localism Act 2011 were completed and signed by all the parish councillors present and handed to the clerk
9. Correspondence.
NPS notified the council of a proposed rent increase on the Playing Field from October 2013.
10. Public questions and matters for information only.
Mr. Youngman has topped the playing field. The grass will become established if regularly cut. Mr. Youngman will cut the grass at £15 per cut. He is to be asked to leave an access track around his field to enable the cutter to get to the playing field from the road.
The hedge by Sandy Lane Terrace is growing into the road and obscuring the 30mph sign.
In Purdy Street the wall opposite the hall has brambles growing into the road. Highways Rangers are to be informed of both these problems.
There being no further business the chairman closed the meeting at 8.58pm