MINUTES OF THE EXTRAORDINARY PARISH COUNCIL MEETING HELD IN BARHAM CHURCH HALL ON TUESDAY 1st NOVEMBER 2022, 7.00PM
- Present
- Chairman Darren Milward, Vice Chairman Frances Milward, Cllr Jeremy Lea, Cllr Brenda Mitchell, Cllr Oliver Wastell, Cllr Casey Wooltorton & Cllr Andrew Akhurst.
- Also present
- 21 members of the public and the Clerk.
Open Forum
The Chairman welcomed everyone to the meeting.
Member of the public thanked the Parish Council for getting 2 footpath signs repaired in the village. A further footpath sign to be reported which is damaged along Sandy Lane. Clerk to inform SCC Rights of Way.
Member of the public would like to know progress of the issue of speeding traffic, especially along the Norwich Rd, past the Sorrel Horse. The Chairman informed that he has had a positive meeting with Highways & SCC Chris Chambers, costings have now been done. He will be able to report on this at the Parish Council meeting on 14th November.
Member of the public would like to bring to the attention of the PC that the “Lorries max weight limit 7 ½ tonne” sign has been defaced. Chairman will sort this.
Member of the public would like to know more details as to why the Parish Council has chosen not to grant a lease to the BPSCP?
Cllr advised that the lease which had been drawn up, has been declined by BPSCP. Further to the last PC meeting on 15th August 2022, it was resolved that BPSCP would go back to its committee to discuss the lease further and to ask its solicitor to correct the 3 points which BPSCP are not happy with. Then to finalise and send the lease back to the PC. A deadline of 30th September 2022 was given by the PC. The PC has never had any communication from BPSCP solicitor. On 28th August 2022 the PC was notified by BPSCP that they wished to decline the lease.
Member of the BPSCP informed that they did not want to use a solicitor.
The PC had asked BPSCP many times about their funding, but nothing was put forward and no evidence of possible funds to show.
Cllr Wooltorton Chairman of the BPSCP outlined the reasons behind declining the lease. A charity had been set up and the Parish Council had offered a 99 year lease for the picnic site. However, it was felt that the lease was not acceptable and was impossible to sign. Negotiations had taken place between the PC & BPSCP, but the PC is not willing to move on the 5 year break clause, BPSCP wants a 10 year break clause. 10 years would give BPSCP more time to get the picnic site up and running and to raise more money needed to carry out the works. If only a 5 year break clause was given, grant funding is not possible from many of the grants available. Also with a 5 year break clause the Parish Council would have been able to take back the picnic site before the site was ready and open to the public. Therefore, BPSCP has been advised not to sign the lease.
The Parish Chairman informed that further to the decline received from BPSCP other avenues will be looked at and that the Parish Council all want a picnic site.
Members of the public expressed disappointment at this outcome as there has been a lot of support behind the BPSCP. It is felt that the Parish Council has put up so many hurdles to make it impossible for BPSCP.
Member of the public can understand that the Parish Council has a duty to the parish to ensure they are not let down a 3rd time, as they had a bad experience previously when the football club had the picnic site lease. The Parish Council had extreme difficulties claiming back the lease when the football club was failing. The Parish Council does want the picnic site open and for the public.
Member of the public expressed that there is an overwhelming majority of parishioners who wants the picnic site to go ahead.
Cllr reiterated that the PC did issue a lease to BPSCP and asked for them to make any amendments they felt necessary and then to return it to the PC. They should have engaged with a solicitor to negotiate. Amendments were not received back.
Cllr Wooltorton informed that he had put it to the BPSCP that they should engage a solicitor, but the committee had agreed not to.
At 7.30pm the Chairman ended the Open Forum and closed the meeting to the public.
1.11 Apologies for Absence
- To Receive Apologies for Absence. Cllr Wayne Allen. due to a family commitment. SCC Cllr Chris Chambers.
- Parish Council to give Consent/Non Consent to Absence. The Parish Council approved the absence.
2.11 Councillors Declaration of Interests
Declaration of any interests with regards to the item on the agenda. None.
3.11 Barham Picnic Site
To consider the best way forward for the future of the picnic site, further to Barham Picnic Site Community Project Group declining the draft lease.
The Chairman informed that as BPSCP has declined the lease the Parish Council should look at other avenues. He proposes that the Parish Council takes it upon themselves to take on the Picnic Site and to get it up and running again, aiming to have it open by April 2023. The PC has the backing of SCC Cllr Chambers and BMSDC Cllrs Whitehead and Passmore, they have all agreed to help with funding. PC to get the picnic site up and running, making good the toilet and information block and to make the site safe and clear. A team of willing helpers are needed, it is evident that many keen residents in the room may wish to be involved. Otley College has already agreed to help on the site, the National Trust and the Probation Service may also be keen to help.
The Chairman asked for a vote of the PC to take the proposal forward. A unanimous vote, all of the 7 Councillors raised their hands in favour. This was seconded by Cllr F Milward.
The Chairman thanked Cllr Wooltorton for getting things started with the picnic site and well done to his team and the residents who have been so positive in the future of the picnic site. He encouraged all those present to spread the word and to be part of the future of the new picnic site, all hands needed. The public will be covered by the Parish Council insurance whilst on the site.
A work plan will be put together by the Parish Council.
The meeting ended at 7.40pm.
After the meeting closed Cllr Akhurst offered to help put together a picnic site work plan schedule.
Chairman …………………………………………………. Date ………………………...........