Report of Parish Council Meeting - 11th February 2004.
Before the Meeting started the Chairman welcomed Mrs Linda Capon as a new member to the Parish Council, she will remain a co-opted member until the next Council elections.
The meeting got underway apologies for absence were received from County Councillor Andrews and Wpc Deale. The Chairman read out a letter received from Councillor Jan Harris who was tendering her resignation from the Parish Council. The Chairman on accepting the resignation on behalf of the other Councillors present expressed his thanks for all her hard work and the contribution she has made to the Council. He further wished her well for the future, the Clerk was asked to write to Ms. Harris and relay those comments.
In the absence of County Councillor Andrews there was no report.
Wpc Deale in her absence sent in a written report, which was read out by the Chairman. There had been 66 incidents in Kessingland for the month of January of these the following were reported crimes - 2 Burglaries non residential, 9 Criminal Damages, 3 Thefts and 4 Domestic disputes. There had been a number of people arrested but the matters were sub judice.
Councillor Lawson gave her report on attending the Community Centre Management Committee meeting; she is now the Councils representative on this Committee. The subject matter of the report will hopefully be the subject of a further meeting when the Parish Council have had time to debate the issues.
The Chairman?s report included an update on Beaconsfield Road, the Councils reply is now with the Secretary of State, and the Parish Plan the data from the questionnaires has been processed and the Steering Group is being reconvened on the 8th March 2004 in order to take this project forward.
Two other matters were discussed under the Chairman?s report, one was the Boundary Committee?s report on the proposed changes to Suffolk County Council and the other was the terms of reference for the newly formed Housing sub-committee.
Dealing with the Boundary Committee?s report, at the moment 80 Councillors make up the County Council chamber. Following early consultation with all the main political parties, district and parish councils the Committees were publishing all the suggestions for changing the system. The suggestions vary from increasing the number by 10 seats and reducing the number to 75 seats, the later being the Committee?s favoured choice.
Kessingland, which at present comes under Lothingland North, would become a new area with Gisleham, Covehithe, South Cove, Reydon and Southwold.
The Parish Council agreed with the District Council for a 75 seat County Council.
With regards to the terms of reference for the Housing Committee it was agreed that they would look at the Housing needs of Kessingland, in particular in respect of young people getting on the rental list or housing property ladder.
The Vice-Chairman reported that the vehicle is still parked on the sea wall despite attempts by the police to get the owner to remove it, in addition there was a four wheel drive vehicle down on the beach probably being used by fishermen. After a short discussion it was agreed that the Clerk write to Waveney District Council and have some new signs erected prohibiting vehicular access to the beach unless in the case of emergency.
The Clerk?s report covered an update on Quality Parish Status - those present were asked to select the 9 elements that the Council would adopt as their points for Communication. Following a short discussion the 9 elements were chosen and the Clerk would now incorporate them into the Quality Parish requirements.
The Church Road Play/ Car Park the latest update is that all parties concerned in the purchase of the additional piece of land have now raised the money and the matter is the hands of solicitors.
With regards to funding WDC have indicated that there is funding available for providing new equipment, and they would like to see Community participation. Therefore it was suggested that the Clerk contact all the appropriate groups to get ideas, and if there were any parents that were interested would they please contact the Parish Clerk on 01502717775.
The Clerk stated that the date for the vacant District Councillor seat would be on the 26th February 2004; all candidates are now declared and published.
Amongst the items of correspondence to be dealt with were the following: -
There was an update from Julian Walker, Waveney District Council on the sewerage and drainage works currently under way in Marsh Lane and how it will affect the local area including Coopers Drive. Waveney District Council have agreed a budget of £22,000 for land drainage improvement work to alleviate flooding at Coopers Drive.
Suffolk County Council were asking if Kessingland wanted a new bus shelter, as there was funding available. After discussing the matter the Council agreed for a new shelter to be sited just in the High Street on the same side of the road as the Heritage Green Development. The Clerk will inform the County Council.
The Area Forum will be on the 24th March 2004 at the Community Centre - all members of the public are invited to question County and District Councillors about matters relevant to their community.
There were two applications for transfer of licences - one at Budgens Field Land and the other at Everydays, Kessingland Park Holiday Camp, Beach Road. No objections were raised to either application.
After dealing with financial matters, they?re being no other matters for discussion the meeting closed at 9.10pm