Parish Council Meeting 12th January 2005.
The Chairman welcomed Mr. Cocker from Suffolk County Council and Mr Sutton from Kessingland Kabs, both was attending for discussions on the James Paget Hospital link.
There were apologies for absence from Suffolk County Councillor Tony Andrews , Waveney District Council Jamie Starling and Councillor Michelle Mouzer.
After the approval and signing of the Minutes of the Parish Council meeting of the 8.12.04, the meeting was adjourned for public participation.
The first report was from the local Community Police Officer, Wpc Michelle Deal. She stated that there had been 62 Events in Kessingland for the month of December, of which 10 were, reported crimes. They were 1 Assault, 2 Thefts, 2 Criminal Damage, 2 Domestic incidents, 1 Drink/Drive and 1 Public Order offence. Dealing with matters that arise from the last Parish Council meeting, Wpc Deal said there was no progress on the vandalism at the picnic site, there had been no further reports to the Police about 4x4 vehicles being on the Beach. She stated that the police had spoken to Kessingland Beach Holiday Park about the transporting of caravans and static homes on low loaders. According to the information given to the police it would appear that because of the size of the loads they do not require to have escorts through the village. Wpc Deal stated that as from February 2005, Kessingland will have its own Community Support Officer, and that on the 23rd February, the Parish Team will resume its meetings at Livingstone's P.H.
In the absence of County Councillor Tony Andrews, the Clerk gave a very short report on his behalf. It was an update on the Beaconsfield Road situation and his talks with various people at Suffolk County Council.
In absence of Councillor Jamie Starling, Councillor Provan gave a short report which covered aspects of Beach signs, clean up ideas and the old wartime defences.
There was no report from the Kessingland Youth Committee as Tony Winchester was absent due to other commitments.
The Chairman then formally invited Mr Cocker and Mr Sutton to take part in a discussion over the link to James Paget Hospital. Mr Cocker stated that his understanding of the situation was that as soon as the 'river crossing' had been completed in Lowestoft, the bus company would be running a direct bus service to James Paget Hospital, which will connect the hospital to Kessingland. Unfortunately this will not be for 2-3 years and in the meantime Kessingland still has this problem to deal with. He was informed by the Chairman, other Councillors and Mr. Sutton that this service is not just for patients on first appointments who have no transport of their own who cannot get to the hospital, but it includes parents with young children and the elderly, who may be on follow up appointments, or just simply wishing to visit relatives in hospital and have no means of getting there other than by public transport. Mr Cocker asked about what sort of numbers would be involved, the only figures available were those obtained from the Doctors Surgery when this issue first was raised. That was approximately 300 a year - 6 a week on first appointments only. The Parish Plan revealed that 70% of the adult population and 93% of the youth in the village, who took part in the consultation, wanted a direct transport link with the James Paget Hospital. Various ways forward were discussed and eventually it was left that Mr. Sutton and Mr. Cocker would work together in order to try to achieve something viable and report back to the Parish Council via the Parish Plan Working Party.
The Chairman thanked Mr Cocker and Mr Sutton for taking the time to attend and take part in these discussions
Councillor Lawson then gave her report from the last Management meeting of Kessingland Community Centre. There was nothing to add regarding the merger of the two charities, however Ms Rose Hutton who is the current Chair of the Management Committee has stated her intent that at the end of this term of office which ceases in April 2005 she will be resigning from Management Committee.
The Chairman reported on a number of issues regarding the Parish Plan. This included details of First Aid Classes leading to Kessingland having a First Responder Unit trained by Suffolk Ambulance service. There was also the publication of the Village Community and Business Directory, which would be circulated with the January edition of the Parish Newsletter.
Contact had also been made with Chief Inspector Sidney at Lowestoft about the future of The Beeches ( Old Police House) in Church Road. It is hoped that as from April 2005 this will be available to bring services into Kessingland as outlined in the Parish Plan. This will include CAB, Social Services, Pension and Employment advice. It is also planned to hold Council surgeries
Councillors were then informed about the Freedom of Information Act 2000, which came into force on the 1st January 2005 and requires all Parish Councils to be registered with the Information Commissioner by the 28th February 2005. The Clerk, Chairman and Vice Chairman will look into the Councils responsibilities and report back to the Council in February.
The issues surrounding the Crime and Disorder Act were discussed and a working party has been set up to look at the Parish Councils responsibilities. They will report back at the February meeting of the Parish Council.
In respect of the Council Surgeries and the possibility of starting these at The Beeches, Councillor Morgan has volunteered to look into the issues and will report back to the Council.
Referring to the Church Road Play Area and Car Park, the Chairman stated that he had met with the County Council and the playground contractors on site. The County propose to start work around the middle of February, with the playground contractors following on. In total it expected that the work will take about 2 months, and the Car Park will be closed until work is completed. Suffolk County Council will inform residents when work is due to commence.
The Contract for the purchase of the piece of land adjacent to Church Road was signed, and the lease for the car park was given to the Chairman and Vice Chairman to sort out.
There was no Vice Chairman's report.
The Clerks report covered a number of issues including the East of England Plan, the Sunrise Coast Holiday Handbook and the Waveney Area Forum.
In addition the Clerk stated that enquiries had been made with SALC to ascertain if the Parish Council could make a donation to Tsunami Appeal on behalf on the Community of Kessingland. Unfortunately the Council were told that current Finance regulations governing how the Village precept is spent state money could only be donated to local charities or organisations within Kessingland.
A date for the Amenities Committee has been set for the 26th January.
Councillor Lawson reported that the first meeting of the Gardening Club attracted about 75+ people, and building on that success the next meeting has been set for the 14th February at 7.30pm,
There were then a number of planning issues to be dealt with which included: -
1. Outline application two detached dwellings at The Rectory Wash Lane.
Application rejected by Parish Council.
2. Two storey side extension 40 London Road Agreed no objection
3. Single and two storey side and rear extension at Hillside, Beach Road Agreed no objection
4. Rear extension to Pharmacy at Kessingland Pharmacy High Street Agreed no objection
5. Variation of extension of occupancy at 85 Seaview Kessingland Agreement subject to conditions.
At the conclusion of the Parish Council Meeting, Rev. J. Oddy agreed to join the Parish Council as a co-opted member.
The Meeting closed at 10pm.
The Planning Committee meets on Wednesday 26th January.
The next Full Council Meeting is Wednesday 9th February.