Report on Parish Council Meeting - 9th June 2004
The Chairman first of all welcomed Mr. Ian REEL, who manages the Travellers Site off the A12; he was applying to be a co-opted member of the Parish Council.
Having received apologies for absence the minutes for the meeting 13th May were approved and signed.
The Meeting then adjourned for public participation - a report was received from Wpc Deal and Pc Finlayson in their absence regarding crime in the village over the last month, since the last meeting.
There were 7 crimes of Criminal Damage, 3 Burglary dwelling, 9 Thefts, 2 Assaults and 3 Domestic crimes. Concern was expressed in the report by the Officers of the high number of Theft and Criminal Damages that are taking place in the Lloyd?s Avenue area. This is a matter that the Officers want to remedy and will be discussing ways to combat this at the next Parish Council Meeting.
Waveney District Council Jamie Starling reported that he had taken up the question of the beach signs that was raised by Councillor Brown at the last meeting. He stated that he had been told by the District Council that the matters would be put right, but Councillor Brown replied by stating that they signs need to be put in place as early as possible otherwise the season would be over and no benefit would be obtained. Mr Starling said he would continue to monitor the situation.
The Tidy Britain Flag award was discussed and Mr Starling stated that in the absence of any other District representative he would present the flag to the Chairman at the Beach picnic area on the 17th June. Children from the local school were invited to attend.
Mr Starling was thanked for his report.
The Parish Council meeting reopened with a report from Councillor Lawson about the Community Centre and Playing Field in Francis Road. Councillor Lawson reported that those present at the recent committee meeting were informed that the Parish Council would be writing to the Charities Commission about the proposed merger of the two committees. The Parish Council proposals were known to those present and it was felt that it would be more appropriate if the Parish Councils views were made known to the Charities Commission and that of the two existing Charities, one the Community Centre should cease and all assets transferred over to the other charity, the Playing Field, who are the holders of the original lease granted to them by the Parish Council. Councillor Lawson stated she would keep the Parish Council informed - other Councillors who were sent to represent the Parish Council were Councillor Morgan and Mr. Peter Hawse, who is awaiting co-option onto the Council.
The Chairman?s report first commented on the situation at Beaconsfield Road and the removal of one concrete bollard to be replaced by a lockable post. This was thought to have been erected by one of the residents of Beaconsfield Road so that access could be gained into Green Lane but not the other way round, Green Lane/Beaconsfield Road. The Clerk had been instructed to report this fact to the Secretary of State?s Dept., - GoEast _ who are dealing with the appeal to get Beaconsfield Road open to all traffic to the benefit of all local residents in Green Lane and the surrounding area.
The Parish Plan has moved on all residents should have received copies of the Interim Report that was circulated with the Kessingland and Broadland Times. There will be a Steering group Meeting on the 14th June at which will be discussed that Parish Plan Exhibition on Saturday 19th June and the Parish Plan Public Meeting on the 22nd June. Both will be taking place at St. Edmunds Church Hall in Church Road. The Exhibition will run from 10am to 4pm and the Public Meeting starts at 7.30pm.
Three people had put themselves forward for co-option onto the Parish Council; they were Mr. Peter BAILEY, Mr Peter HAWES and Mr. Ian REEL. After a short discussion amongst those Councillors present it was agreed that all of them should be invited onto the Parish Council, the Clerk stated she would take care of the necessary paperwork.
Three Councillors were elected to serve on the Employment Committee, this was there to deal with any complaints that the Clerk may have about any Councillor and vice versa, any Councillor may have about the Clerk.
The Vice Chairman?s report concerned the current state of the public footpaths around Kessingland. There had been a number of complaints about them becoming overgrown, and Councillor Purkis stated that she had met with Mr West, the person given the job to ensure that they were all kept cut, and the problem appeared to be the rate at which they grow back again so quickly. This would tend to indicate that not all the footpaths are walked on by the public, which would naturally keep them down. Councillor Brown asked why when they were cut particularly High Path could the grass not be put over onto to the cliffs instead of being allowed to lie there. The Chairman suggested that all the complaints should be looked at by the Footpaths Committee and a report come back to the Full Council.
The Clerk gave a report on the latest position regarding the Church Road Play area. The sale of the additional piece of land was going ahead and she stated that she had been requested by Martin Burnside ( Waveney District Council) to include the Play Area in the Parish Plan so that he could get funding released to provide the appropriate equipment for the playground.
There was no correspondence that needed the Council?s attention and the meeting moved onto to deal with Finance. The Council agreed with the Clerk about whom to nominate to do the Internal Audit on the Councils Annual accounts before being submitted to the external Auditor. The current Bank Mandate was to be changed from 5 councillors to the Chairman and two Councillors.
A report was received from the Beach Warden, Councillor Brown. This included the Flag Day on the 17th June and his conversations with District Councillor Starling over the beach signs and emergency access route to the beach.
There being no other business the meeting closed at 9pm.