Held in Bodham and Beckham Village Hall
Present: Julia Dovey (Chair), Kathryn Lord (Secretary), David McNeight, Bob Lewis, Anthea Sweeney, Rosabelle Batt, John Stibbons
The Meeting opened at 7pm
1. Apologies
Denise Lewis
Andrew & Lynne Clark (their Daughter’s wedding day!)
Lorraine Marks
Simon Wakeford
Mike Baker (on holiday)
2. Review Minutes of last meeting
It was agreed the previous minutes were a fair reflection of the meeting.
3. Points for discussion and progression
Bus shelter & area
Despite receiving promises of quotes for work around the Bus Shelter to replace the roof JD advised she was still waiting. As the inside and outside had been painted by KL/DM it was decided to go ahead and purchase a new roof using Corolux roofing profile sheets. KL had got a quote from CT Baker and Homebase also stock. It would be approx £100 or under if we volunteered to fit ourselves. (Post meeting: £400 quote received for ‘rail sleeper’ retaining wall, fitting a metal sheet on roof, removal of old bike stands)
The old wooden bench has woodworm damage. It was agreed one of the new benches would could replace it. The floor of the bus shelter is concrete so the fixings that come with the bench could be used.
The Notice board under the large chestnut tree should be moved to the Bus Shelter area. Inside or outside was debated. A new general noticeboard to be installed inside the Bus Shelter and the current noticeboard moved to outside the Bus Shelter for Parish Council information.
The Post Box under the Chestnut Tree was also discussed. It was felt this should be moved to the Bus Shelter area. There was more room to pull in here, plus all information would be together. This may not happen quickly, but it can be requested via ’personal.help.royalmail.com’
Notice boards & areas
David McNeight was thanked for the newly renovated boards at East Beckham and in Sheringham Road WB. It was agreed that the final board by Chestnut Farm would be moved and renovated. New posts would be required.
New Benches (x four)
The locations to be: 1: inside the bus shelter. 2: in the ‘Village Green’ 3. At the ‘post box corner’ in East Beckham 4: on the allotment.
Options to fix the benches were discussed and as RMN-W and GP had installed the bench in Sheringham Road we should discuss at the next PC meeting.
Village Green & Conservation
The Conservation Volunteers had done a very good job at the Village Green in WB. The entrance had been cleared and a new pathway created.
The East Beckham Common would be tackled next, on 24th November. A meeting on 18th November will take place to discuss what is to be done. BL& JD to attend. There is a very ancient Holly Tree and a possible Saxon bank.
Bat and owl boxes could be reviewed after these project have been completed.
Allotments East and West
The issue with a mains water supply at East Beckham allotment would be the increase in cost for the allotment holders (e.g. Cost at Sheringham allotments are approx £40pa) As some holders are managing without a supply and the numbers of people at EB are less than at Sheringham it did not seem viable? Access to a local bore-hole idea was not viable due to water pressures. Supplying allotment holders with sustainable options like a large water container collect rainwater and a lean to roof to capture the rain maybe a better option? A meeting with allotment holders to be held or decision made by the committee as best options.
The entrance to the allotment needs vegetation cleared as the visibility is poor on exit. The roadway and parking area requires better quality ‘crushed concrete’ or surfacing. Currently the water is running sand etc down the track into the road and weeds are growing in the parking surface. crushed concrete may be available via Highways so this would be discussed with Steve White on Friday 28/10.
West Beckham allotment land progress was discussed. A request to be updated on the situation from RMN-W at the next PC Meeting.
St Helen’s East Beckham site
The site had been visited recently and although of general interest, it did not seem to be of any current use to the Villages. The stile was broken and this could be reinstated (RB) where the cows seem to have broken it down. Barbed wire was also on the top which could be changed or protected to ease access for anyone who so wished to view the small pocket of land via the footpath spur.
Play Area
The transfer of assets scheme to purchase from District Council had been investigated by JD, however she had been advised there was an option on the land as a location for affordable housing, therefore no grant was possible and it means spending on the play area with new equipment would be unwise? The PC do not any pay rent on this land either.
War memorial
The new memorial stone had been cut and installed, although it still had to be completed with an additional piece of stone and general pointing. the stonemason advised it would be completed in time for the Remembrance Service. It was discussed if interested families (names on the memorial) could be invited to this service and maybe tea/cake?
Church Projects
War Memorial (as above)
East Beckham Mission Hut. No measurements for the site are available until the auction which is scheduled for Spring 2017. It was felt unlikely that any planning permission be given for this small site. If the Parish wanted an area to put a seat and noticeboard etc it could be put on the allotment land opposite rather than purchase the additional ‘Mission Hut’ land. This would be reviewed at the Parish Council Meeting.
The entrance to the Graveyard was discussed and generally agreed opening up the entrance (so it is not so tight for vehicles) was a very good idea. There was no need for new walls, possibly a new shrub, or two, to fill in space if needed – keep it basically green, not too concreted or structured. This needed to be reviewed at the Parish Council meeting.
Village Gates
Steve White Highways visit Friday 28th October 12:30pm location attended by JS, AS, KL to discuss the potential sites in both East and West Beckham. Other items, lay-by in Sheringham Road by postbox, Stop sign at Long Lane instead of Give Way sign, concrete or road surface material availability for the allotment site, exit mirrors, TPO on Chestnut Tree at Village centre, grit bin filling!
Bulletin Issue
KL is working on the next edition to include ‘before and afters’ around the villages. BL requested publicising the track at the top of the EB Common being closed during the shooting season – so everyone was aware this was a temporary measure.
Website
A front introduction to the villages was required. Oral Histories would be worth collecting.
Defibrillator
A decision to go ahead regardless of any Lottery funding was needed by the Parish Council, especially as both sites are agreed in East and West. The installation would be a very positive step to show what has been done with the Solar Fund money, plus most importantly it could save lives. JS advised the installation cost of an electrician to install the Defibrillator would also need to be included.
Shop
No news, but await Spring for next update from the Wheatsheaf?
Educational Trust
JD to discuss with the organisation Holt Youth Project who have something similar already set up and in operation. It was felt more fact finding and understanding the better. Was a restricted age needed or was an educational trust possible at all ages?
The next meeting is 24th November, same time, same place!