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Parish Council Meeting 13th October 2004 The Chairman opened the Meeting apologies were received and the Minutes of the last Meeting were approved and signed. The meeting adjourned for public participation and a report was read out by the Chairman in the absence of the Community Beat Officers. There had been 17 crimes committed for the month of September 2004. They were 2 assaults 6 thefts 1 criminal damage 1 driving whilst disqualified 1 dangerous dog 2 obtaining property by deception and 4 domestic incidents. On the previous month it was reported that there had been a 45% reduction in crime. There had also bee a meeting of the residents of Whites Lane this was held at Livingstones and discussed the setting up of a Neighbourhood Watch Scheme in the area. The Community officers also reported that they would be undertaking a leaflet drop in the area of Lloyds Avenue in order to advise the residents about ways to improve security with regards their motor vehicles due to the increasing number of vehicle crimes in the area. There was no report from the District Councillors they had sent their apologies as they were attending the Area Forum Meeting. A report was then received from Tony Winchester of Kessingland Youth Council regarding the work and activities of the Youth Project 2000. He gave a brief resume of the manner in which the project was set up then proceeded to inform the council what work and activities the Youth of the village were becoming involved in. They had already been involved in making a contribution to the Parish plan but they were also involved in other Community activities like assisting with conservation at the Parish council?s site in Marsh Lane with Colin Jacobs, helping out in the Community centre with various jobs and keeping the playing Field tidy and free of litter. They also have their own Committee and at Tuesday?s club night about 30 of the local youth attended. Tony went on to say that because of the lack of volunteers to help out they could only open two nights a week but they are currently trying to recruit new volunteers to work alongside the paid youth workers so they can open more nights in the week. Since the start of the project there has according to some of the village residents been an improvement in the numbers of youths hanging around the village with nothing to occupy them, Hall Road was one area in particular. At the conclusion of his report and after answering some questions from those councillors present, the Chairman thanked him for attending the meeting, which was the first of what is to be a regular attendance at Parish Council Meetings. County Councillor Tony Andrews then gave a report to the Council. His report included an update on the Kessingland Library Project as well as informing those present that for small projects he still had funds available in his locality budget. The Meeting then reopened for Council business. Councillor Andrews then went on to lead a discussion on the Church Road Car Park and Play Area. This included the proposed purchase of a piece of land in Church road to extend the existing play area, car parking and funding available for the project. A report was received fro Councillor Lawson with regards to the Community Centre and Playing Field meeting that she attended. This mainly concerned the proposed merger of the two existing charities on the Francis Road site. The Chairmans report covered a wide variety of subjects. He reported that the Secretary of States Office had informed the Parish Clerk that their decision on Beaconsfield Road will be out by the end of October and therefore available for the next Council meeting. An update was given with regards the Parish Plan there had been no meeting yet for the Working Party the date for the meeting was set for the 20th October at the Methodist Church Hall Church Road at 7.30pm The Council were informed that the Chairman and the parish Clerk had attended a briefing on Quality Parish Status at Carlton Colville given by Mary Mitson-Woods from SALC. There was very little that Kessingland Parish Council needed to be doing we seemed to covering everything that was mentioned. Those present were however informed about Kessinglands Parish Plan and the success so far achieved, this is one of the subjects to be covered to qualify for Quality Parish Status. The Council were informed that within the next month or two certainly by December there would be a Parish Council Newsletter. This will go to every household in the village and will contain only matters appertaining to the Council the progress of the projects currently being undertaken and other relevant community issues. Councillor Morgan volunteered to assist the Chairman to put the newsletter together. The Chairman then informed the council that progress with the Parish Council website had progressed to the extent that there is now a website address which is www.thelocalchannel.co.uk/kessingland . The website contains the Parish Plan, Parish Council Meetings and the Beaconsfield Road Appeal. These are all currently accessed through ?Action Groups?, there will be eventually a dedicated Parish Council section that will be accessed by all. The website is linked to Waveney District Council, Suffolk County Council, The Waveney Primary Care Trust, Suffolk Constabulary and The Weather Channel. Searching Lowestoft on The Weather Channel will give the 10 day weather forecast for Kessingland. Anybody who is interested in putting Community information on the website should make contact with either the Chairman or the Parish Clerk. The results of the consultation over the Play Area in Church Road were given to the council and the Clerk was asked to write to the Head of Kessingland School thanking them for their participation. A resume was given on the latest plans for the library and surrounding area. Plans were shown to the Council that showed the extent of the development and landscaping for the site. The existing plans which included 3 storerooms for the Community side of the project was not acceptable to the Parish Council and the Chairman said he would inform Suffolk County Council of the Parish Councils views. The Chairmans report closed with reference to the Environment Agency published Flood Map that had received mixed reviews in the press and media. The Council were shown two maps of Kessingland and surrounding area that were classed as ?significant chance of flooding?. This information can be seen on the Environment Agency website. The Vice Chair Councillor Purkis gave her report that included a report regarding the public footpaths in and around the village. It had been agreed with Suffolk County Council that their contractor would in future cut the outlying footpaths, the Parish Council would maintain the remainder of them around and through the village. The Clerk having made her report that included reference to the forthcoming Finance Meeting to discuss the Annual Precept, correspondence and finance matters being discussed, the Beach Warden having made his report, the Chairman closed the meeting at 10.20pm. The next Parish Council Meeting is Wednesday 10th November 2004.
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