Report of Parish Council Meeting held on 14th July 2004.

The Council Meeting got underway with the Chairman welcoming Mr. David Jessop [Waveney District Council], who would later talk about the Church Road Play Area

Peter Bailey, Peter Hawes and Ian Real signed their declarations and are now fully co-opted members of the Parish Council, the Chairman welcomed them to the Council and hoped their stay would be a long one and that their contribution to Parish matters is appreciated.

After receiving apologies for absence and signing the Minutes of the last meeting, the Chairman handed over to Mr. David Jessop for him to talk about the proposed new play area in Church Road.

He stated that at the moment Waveney District Council had received two proposed plans out of three that had been passed out to tender. The Members of the Council were then shown the proposals received, but it was agreed that no decision could be made on which scheme would the one chosen until all three had been seen and evaluated. Mr Jessop then went on to discuss the ways in which the Car Park and Play Area could be managed after completion, he required to know from the Council in order that he could take the matter before his Committee Members for a decision, as the car park area is currently owned by

Waveney District Council.   Mr Jessop was informed by the Chairman that on the 14th April a resolution was passed that the Parish Council, after completion of the work on the site, wished to take over control. There then followed a general discussion about Car Park maintenance, what assistance WDC could give after hand over and that Suffolk County Council would be informed of the current progress.  County Councillor Tony Andrews who was present, stated that the ideas coming forward for the play area/car park, would benefit the whole of the Community and holidaymakers alike and he looked forward to seeing the project completed. There was a question about placing a public convenience in the Car park. County Councillor Tony Andrews stated that this could be mentioned to the County Council when it comes to confirming the plans for the car park.

There being no other questions for Mr. Jessop, he was thanked by the Chairman for attending and he stated that when the third proposal becomes available he would forward them to the Clerk.

The Parish Council meeting was then adjourned to here for public participation.

County Councillor Tony Andrews reported he had good news for the Council and the residents of Kessingland. Firstly he stated that he had received an e-mail from Mr Nigel Baker-Querelle [Suffolk County Council -Property Review] that stated that at a meeting between Suffolk County Council and Waveney District Council, there had been agreement on the way forward for the library. This now means that the new library project has in fact received the green light from County and District planners, and now the matter will going out in the near future for public consultation. If the results are in line with the recent Parish Plan Public meeting, then this will become a first class facility to be enjoyed by the whole community. There had also been discussions with the local Doctors and the local Primary Care Trust and it looks probable that there will be extra facilities included within the complex for their use in dealing with health issues. Councillor Andrews stated that Mr Baker-Querelle was confident that the project would be successful.

Mr Andrews then went on to say that some funding had been made available to contribute towards the cost of works being carried out at St.Edmunds Church Hall. This work is required to bring the hall up to standard so that it can take its place within the Community and be available for use by the whole Community. Funding had also been given to the local Scouts Association.

Mr Andrews reported that he had been in contact with the local constabulary about a long-standing issue within the community and he was satisfied about the way it was being handled.

Another long-standing issue over the seat that was removed from the junction of Whites Lane and Church Road had now been resolved with the seat being replaced by the County council within the next week. The resident who is concerned with this has been seen and made aware of this action.

Lastly, Mr Andrews said the County Council had informed him that there was new street lighting and a new pedestrian crossing going outside Kessingland Primary School.

At the conclusion, the Chairman thanked Mr. Andrews for all the hard work and commitment he gives the Community of Kessingland.

There being no Community Police Officer at the Meeting, the Chairman read out a report received from Wpc Deal: - In the month of June there had been 43 Crimes in the parish of Kessingland. They were 8 Assaults, 4 Burglaries, 12 Thefts and 13 Criminal Damages

2 of the burglaries were a caravan at Kessingland Beach Holiday Park and a chalet at Pontins Holiday Camp. 7 of the thefts were from parked cars, 2 persons had been arrested in Lloyds Avenue for these offences. Of the criminal damages 6 were on motor vehicles and 7 were on buildings. There had been two arrests in respect of criminal damage at The Queens Head PH and a dwelling in Fishermans Way.

The Clerk in the absence of the District Councillor dealt with those issues that he had been asked to look at by the Council at the last Meeting. These concerned the Beach and Marsh Lane.

The Chairman reported on the Parish Plan, and told the Council that there had been a good response following the public meeting for volunteers to join the Community Working Party, and take the issues forward. The Steering Group would still remain but in an advisory capacity and provide a link between the Community Working Party and the Parish Council. In addition the Meeting itself had added some issues to the draft plan, and overall the draft plan as presented was approved. The final report will now be written up for consideration by the Parish Council, before sending it out to all the relevant agencies that have been highlighted by the Plan. In that respect all Councillors were asked to attend a Parish Council Meeting on the 28th July when this will be on the agenda.

Coming from that Public Meeting was further information from one of the residents who lives in the vicinity of Beaconsfield Road/Green Lane. As a result of this approach, additional evidence has been forwarded to Go-East to be included in evidence that is currently with the Secretary of State. Because of this that means there will be a delay over the Appeal decision.

The Parish Clerk then dealt with a letter received from BT about the proposed removal of loss making telephone kiosks in the village. After a short discussion the only one that everybody agreed to being removed because of its constant vandalism, was the one located in the High Street opposite The Kings Head.

The Clerk then dealt with a matter that had been mentioned earlier by Councillor Andrews, that being the new street lighting and pedestrian crossing in Field Lane. The Council were being asked by the County Council to look at the proposed plans to see if there were any objections. There being no objections the Clerk was asked to report back that decision back to the County Council.

There then followed finance matters when the Council were asked to look at and agree the accounts for the year 2003/04. After a brief discussion a resolution was passed and agreed by all Councillors present to accept the accounts as presented. The Clerk added that there was nothing in the Internal Auditors report to the detriment of the Parish Council; in fact there was some good comments about issues of good practice now adopted by the Council.

The Beach Wardens report included the fact that some of the seats in the picnic area at the end of Church Road needed attention and that there was a roof tile missing from the bus shelter.

There a brief report from Councillor Purkis regarding the Footpaths Committee, and the Clerk stated she had received our PP3 allocation from Suffolk County Council and that it fell short of the money that the Parish Council had requested. The issues raised will be discussed at the next Footpaths committee Meeting.

At the conclusion of the meeting the Chairman informed those present that the next Meeting of the Parish Council would be on the 28th July, also on that night will be a Housing Committee Meeting when Dawn Pointin from Waveney District Council will be present to answer housing points issues.  There will also be a Planning Meeting that night and therefore the start time is 7pm.

The meeting closed at 9.50pm.