Report of Annual Parish Council Meeting - Wednesday 11th May 2005.
The Chairman opened the meeting by welcoming Kessinglands new County Councillor John Goldsmith, Mr and Mrs Birch from Field Lane and Kessinglands Scoutmaster David Read
There were apologies for absence consented to by those Councillors present and then the Chairman read out a letter of resignation from Councillor Janet Able. She informed the Council that now she had been made Church Warden at St. Edmunds she didnt have the time to carry out her duties as a Parish Councillor. The Clerk was asked to write to Mrs Able and thank her for all the support she has given Kessingland Parish Council and wish her success in her new post.
All Councillors present then signed a Declaration of Acceptance of Officer for the year 2005/2006. Cllr Martin was re-elected as Chairman for the year 2005/06. Cllr Purkis was re-elected as Vice-Chairman and Cllr Morgan was re-elected as Chairman of the Planning Committee. All other Committee and Representatives were elected except for the Parish Councils SALC Representative, this has been held over to the next Parish Council meeting. The Chairman also read out a copy of Terms of Reference for all Committees and Representatives.
The meeting was then adjourned for public participation.
Mr and Mrs Birch said that they came to the meeting as a result of getting nowhere with Suffolk County Council and the Bus Company over the location of a bus stop outside their address in Field Land. Since being moved there from a location further along Field Lane, they have been getting all kinds of anti-social behaviour and they have even found people sheltering in the front porch during inclement weather. County Councillor Goldsmith backed up by Waveney District Councillor Jamie Starling said they would look into the problem.
David Read then presented the Parish Council with a plan for a proposed Scout building he wanted to go on the Francis Road site. There then followed a discussion about planning issues, Mr Read was asked by the Council to provide further documentation surrounding this issue, it would then be discussed further at the next Parish Council Meeting.
In the absence of the Community Police Officers the Chairman read out the Police report. There had been a total of 34 crimes for the month of April, the breakdown was as follows - 4 burglaries, I attempted burglary, 12 criminal damage, 3 assaults, 6 thefts, 1 robbery, 2 obstructing police officers and 1 each of the following, handling stolen goods, possession of drugs, intimidating a witness, breach of the peace and a domestic. A number of arrests were made, some are awaiting court appearance some were cautioned..
A further meeting for the Parish Team is planned for the 27th June, location to be advised.
As the new County Councillor, Cllr Goldsmith said that he hoped that he could serve Kessingland in the manner previously undertaken by his predecessor Cllr Tony Andrews. He stated that he would work closely with the Parish Council and the Community giving them his full support on issues involving the County Council.
Cllr Jamie Starling then gave his report which included progress he had made so far with regards the piece of land adjacent to the Parish Councils land at Francis Road. He was also asked to deal with complaints received with regard to the standard of grass cutting in and around the Lloyd's Avenue area.
The meeting reopened with the Chairman giving his report, this included an update on the progress of the Parish Plan, The Beeches and feedback from the Annual Parish Meeting.
A letter was then read out to the Parish Council about the state of the Village War Memorial at St Edmunds Church. It was agreed that due to this being the 60th Anniversary of the end of World War II, the Parish Council would have the Memorial cleaned and restored by Remembrance Sunday later this year.
The Clerk was asked to start making enquiries for somebody to carry out this work. The Chairman then outlined a draft Complaints Procedure, to be adopted where any complaint is received that deals with complaints about Parish Council Administration or procedures. This is in addition to existing complaints procedure relating to the Parish Clerk or in respect of individual Councillors as outlined in the Standards Board of Conduct. The Clerk was asked to circulate the draft to all Councillors so it could be discussed at the next Parish Council Meeting.
With regards to vacancies on the Parish Council, the Parish Clerk said that steps would now be taken to advertise them formally.
The Clerks report included setting a date for the Flag presentation, and advising those Councillors who had volunteered to carry out Playground Equipment Inspections that contact had been made with Waveney District Council and training was being arranged.
The Chairman read out a letter received from Suffolk County Council relating to Beaconsfield Road. This stated that the County Council were issuing Public Notices in relation to changing the status of Beaconsfield Road in accordance with The Secretary of States decision.
Financial issues discussed included the change of insurance company for the Parish Council and the increase in the Clerks salary in accordance with recent guidelines agreed by the National Association of Local Councils for Council employees salary.
Cllr Lawson gave reports on Kessingland Community Centre, the Allotments. The Gardening Club and The Mardles. Cllr Brown MBE had nothing to report re the Beach.
There was one Planning application to be dealt with that was in respect of a Conservatory to be constructed at Plot 62 Heritage Green, there were no objections.
The meeting closed at 10pm, the next Full Council Meeting is on Wednesday 25th May, the Planning Committee meets on the 25th May - both meetings start at 7.30pm and will held at the Methodist Church Hall Church Road.