Standard Items
Apologies for Absence
1
There were no apologies for absence received.
Minutes of the Previous Meeting
2
The minutes of the meeting held on 18 March 2013 were confirmed.
3
The Minutes of the meeting held on 18 March 2013 were confirmed.
Declarations of Interest
4
There were no declerations of interest.
Localised Council Tax support to Parish Councils 2014-2015
5
Bradwell Parish Council asked if the Parishes would be receiving the same as last year and the Director of Resources, Governance and Growth stated that they would.
Concurrent Function Grants to Parish Councils 2014-2015
6
Bradwell Parish Council asked if this would be the same as the previous year and the Director of Resources, Governance and Growth reported that the Council would be working with GYB Services to see if any of the functions such as grass cutting could be carried out any cheaper than the parishes current arrangements in order to achieve best value.
Councillor T Wainwright stated that this is a costing exercise to see if it would be possible to provide the services differently.
Winterton Parish Council asked if they would be able to have notice on grass cutting as they have festivals in the village which requires long grass. GYB Services stated that they would be able to incorporate this into the dialogue and schedule that they have with the villages.
A Parish Council stated that the Concurrent Function Grant allowed for a contribution towards the Clerks salary and if any of this grant was reduced would this mean that the contribution towards their salary was also reduced and the Director of Resources, Governance and Growth stated that yes this was the case.
A Parish Council asked how Ad Hoc repairs are priced for and Simon Mutten reported that they would speak to the Parish Councils to see what their assets were and they would then come to a mutually agreeable price.
Use of Section 106 Monies and consultations with Parish Councils on their use
7
Bradwell Parish Council stated that they felt it was morally wrong when Section 106 monies are raised in an area and then not spent in that area. Councillor T Wainwright asked for an example of this. They then spoke of the proposed bridge for Townlands, Gorleston stating that they felt it would not be of benefit to the residents in Bradwell.
Councillor Williamson stated that Section 106 money can be transferred across ward and boundaries if the agreement allows.
Caister Parish Council asked what consultation the Council carries out with the Parish Councils and Councillor T Wainwright informed the parish councils that since Labour had taken control of the Council they had found over £1m of Section 106 monies sat in an account not spent which they had looked into and they had been consulting with Parish Councils, local residents and school children on schemes such as the Skate Park in Bradwell. He then informed them that previously a list of unspent funds had been spent to each Parish Council to let them know how much was available.
Dog Control Orders - likely effect on current regime from forthcoming new 'Anti Social Behaviour Bil
8
The Senior Environmental Ranger reported that Community Protection Orders would be taking place from next year and the Council would be writing to all the Parish Council's to give them more detail.
Scratby Ramp re-instatement by Great Yarmouth Borough Council
9
Scratby reported that a number of years ago the steps to Scratby beach were taken down and the Council's officer at the time had stated that the Council would be responsible for access to the beach and therefore, asked if the Council could use the £350,000 left over from the Burms to pay for this. They also then queried how the £295,000 Pathfinder funding was spent. They pointed out that under the 2004 access guidelines it is the Councils responsibility to allow access to a public place.
The coastal manager reported that this issue first arose in the 90's. However, due to new guidelines there would need to be a gradient built into the ramp which then make this 130 metres in length and would cost in excess of £70,000
The Property and Construction Service Manager would ascertain the ownership of the beach at Scratby.
Wheelchair/disabled access ramp from Beach Road to public toilets located at the North East Corner o
10
Caister Parish Council reported that Great Yarmouth Borough Council had found out at a land tribunal four years ago that they owned the land in front of the five cottages and the Parish Council therefore, wanted to know when the council would be installing a ramp for disabled access to the beach.
The Property and Construction Service Manager stated that Disability Discrimination Act stated that there should be a five metre gap from the sea wall. The Council was under the impression that the five cottages wanted to purchase the piece of land in front of their properties to create a garden and the capital from the sale of the land could then be used to build a new ramp but only four out of the five properties wanted to purchase the land so this had not been possible.
Who are the Councillors on the Broads and Breydon user groups liaison committee?
11
The Parish Council's were informed of the following:-
Broads Internal Drainage:- Councillors's Pat Hacon, John Holmes, Jim Shrimplin and Trevor Wainwright.
Broads Authority:- Councillor Colin Fox
Lothingland Internal Drainage Board:- Councillor Marsden, Bernard Williamson and Harold Plane.
Bloors proposed 10 acres of land allocated to Caister
12
The Development Control Manager reported that the land had still not been signed over to Great Yarmouth Borough Council and that Norfolk County Councillor Pat Hacon had not stopped anything.
Waste Water for West Road, Caister
13
The Development Control Manager reported that the Council consults with Anglia water on developments and they have said that in the future additional infrastructure may be required and they would have to look at additional capacity to the pipes.
What is the Planning Committee's view on people encroaching onto land close to the sea wall?
14
The Coastal Manager reported that the Environment Agency required 9 metres and the Council would require 5 metres if they needed to make repairs to the sea wall.
Any other business
Discussion of any other business not on the agenda.
15
(i) A Parish Council stated that many of the issues that had been raised at the meeting related to one particular area and that they felt the aim of the meetings was to hear about issues that affected all of the Parish Councils.
(ii) A Parish Council asked why Great Yarmouth Borough Council had seen one of the largest cuts in its budget across the Country and it was reported that 44.5% of the councils core funding had been removed.
(iii) A Parish Council stated that the 12.5% cut in the clerks wages would still have to be found as there would be no less work for the clerks. The Director of Resources, Governance and Growth stated that there would only be no less work if the clerks decided to be involved in a Borough Council function.