Held in Bodham and Beckham Village Hall
Present: Julia Dovey (Chair) Kathryn Lord (Secretary) David McNeight, Bob Lewis, Lorraine Marks, Simon Wakeford, John Stibbons
The Meeting opened at 7:30pm (Due to a prior meeting of the Parish Council re Planning matters)
1. Apologies
Denise Lewis
Mike Baker
Anthea Sweeney
2. Review Minutes of last meeting
It was agreed the previous minutes were a fair reflection of the meeting.
3. Parish Map Noticeboard Project
JD had mocked up a map to show the possible scale and area to be covered.
Scale was agreed as per illustration.
Inclusions and exclusions discussed – parish walk – by arrows, ‘YOU ARE HERE’ locations, defibrillator positions (x2), Wheatsheaf Pub, postcodes possible or not?, photos/descriptions of local POI. 20% of the Parish is in the Area of Outstanding National Beauty (AONB), Northings and Eastings to be included for grid references.
Location of the East Beckham Board would sit well on the verge opposite the defibrillator location, next to the East Beckham Village sign. (Move Village Noticeboard to same location?) The West Beckham Boards would be 1] by the Post box in Sheringham Road, 2] at the Bus stop.
(Post meeting: JD and KL are to meet with the Graphic Designer in Norwich at NPS Graphics on Tuesday 21st Feb to discuss further)
4. Ongoing Village Projects
Defibrillators: The Parish Council had applied for a Lottery Fund Grant – advised in March – for both defibrillators.
A commitment by the PC was made to buy the 2 units, (fit and maintain) if the Grant was unsuccessful.
RB felt the Lottery Grant was not needed, given the Solar Fund Money availability.
The spend for the Defibrillators would be in the region of £4000.
Would installation of a RED telephone box be possible for West Beckham, instead of the more modern box? Costs approximately £2500?
Noticeboards and Benches
Agreed installation of 2 benches in West Beckham by 2 of the Parish Councillors (RMN-W, GP) 1 in the Village Green (LM to do site visit for suggestion of bench locations and possible picnic table) The Bus Shelter is the other location.
East Beckham benches are to be installed by DM and BL – when weather warms up. Chestnut Farm Noticeboard to be moved and reinstalled by DM & BL.
Village Entrance Gates
JS advised these are informally agreed by Highways, but formal agreement will be March. The locations as per JD’s map issued to highways. JS will advise when highways installation will take place.
TCV & Village Conservation Areas – 22nd and 23rd March had been advised for further conservation/clearance work. 1 day in each Village – picnic table /bench locations needed for both commons. LM/JD/BL to review.
Tesco’s had advised the Parish will receive £1,000 as a result of the ‘Groundwork UK- Tesco bags of Help’ scheme.
JD advised she had applied for a grant from AONB for DIY build bird and bat boxes (30 for each village). This will be advised in March, but if the grant is not forthcoming the Solour Community fund could buy.
Children’s Playing Field WB
JS/JD update on ownership. Communication had been had with JS from the District Council and advised 10years left on the lease for West Beckham. JD to follow up.
KL advised she would contact AC/LC to see if we can have the paperwork back on play equipment etc, and follow up.
Various playgrounds were mentioned – East Runton, Gresham, Woodfields Caravan site, Weybourne, Blakeney.
Mission Hut + Graveyard Entrance
The Mission Hut land is up for sale by Auction (guide price £10K). Auction date is Wednesday 15th February,Venue Dunston Hall Hotel (Sunningdale Suite, Ipswich Road, Norwich NR14 8PQat 11am. BL advised many people have been viewing.
KL advised Fr Phil said “My initial observation: if we went ahead with the PC’s description of the works at the graveyard entrance then we would need a Faculty from the Chancellor – the works described being more than just a repair. I’ll talk it through with Neil and the PCC”.
Bulletin copy contributions (Spring issue)
East Anglian Children’s Hospital (EACH) – funds raised of £450 – (Rose Morton)
Mobile Post Office had commenced in B&B Village Hall Car Park and was being used well on Tuesdays 10-12:30pm. Foreign Currency was also possible.
Community Bus service and clarification on bus times.
Appeal for SCFCommittee members or Parish Councillors?
5. Discuss Future of SCFC and working methods
JD asked if everyone was happy to continue meeting monthly and in the same format, especially as the committee members had reduced.
Paid contractors for practical work were required going forward.
6. AOB
Allotment
BL advised the need for a load of crushed concrete for distribution over the track/parking area at the allotment in East Beckham. Rainfall and use had meant the track was getting in poor condition again. KL Suggested an ‘apron’ with tarmac or something to stop debris moving into the road. Contractors who could do this? RB would forward a telephone number of a contractor used on the farm. Note from Parish Council: West Beckham Allotment land will be seeded in spring (RMcN-W), and hedges will be cut around the East Beckham entrance to improve the verge. Parking in the Loke is an ongoing issue to be raised at the PC.
A Bus Service
RB Could a bus service on Saturday be funded by the Solar Fund for villagers who do not drive – would be of benefit/used? JD to discuss with Community Bus (Dial a Ride) what might be possible.At B&B Village Hall, 7.30pm
Bodham Village Hall
The Village Hall Committee has requested that the Beckhams have 2 (or 3?) matching sized framed photos of the West Beckham and East Beckham Village Signs to be put up in the Village Hall alongside the existing Bodham ones. RB to follow up.
Possible ideas for future (JD) – examples of solar powered network £250K trial for Oxspring village in South Yorkshire?
6. Date of Next meetings
7PM – 8:30PM
23rd February – TEMPORARY VENUE CHANGE at The White House, The Street, West Beckham (Julia’s home)
23rd March – B&B Village Hall
27th April – B&B Village Hall
Meeting closed at 8:50 pm