Report Parish Council Meeting 14th September 2005.
The Chairman welcomed Inspector Moore, Suffolk Constabulary, Mr Nathan and Mrs Birch, both residents of Field Lane.
After receiving apologies for absence, receiving declarations of interest and the signing of the minutes of the meeting of the 24th August 2005, the Chairman adjourned the meeting for public participation.
Wpc Deal gave the Police Report for August, there had been 36 crimes of which 5 were burglaries, and there were 8 Criminal Damages, 12 Thefts, 2 Assaults and 2 Domestic Incidents. There were two arrests for burglary.
After giving her report Inspector Moore was invited to reply to the letter of complaint submitted after the last Parish Council Meeting, dealing with policing issues in Kessingland. After a long discussion both the Police and the Parish Council agreed that there should be a closer working relationship and that this could be achieved through the Crime and Disorder Partnership. Inspector Moore was thanked by the Chairman on behalf of the Parish Council for attending.
Mr Nathan and Mrs Birch, both from Field Lane, were there because of the problems relating to the bus stops in Field Lane near to junction with The High Street / London Road. Mr Nathan had written a letter to the Parish Council. The Chairman advised both residents that as Suffolk County Councillor Goldsmith was already looking into these issues, Mr Nathans letter would be forwarded to him with a recommendation that he meet with Mrs Birch and Mr Nathan to resolve the problems.
The Meeting reopened with the Chairmans Report. Councillors were advised about the latest position regarding the Old Police house/Police Community Office. This is still progressing well there had been a meeting between the Parish Clerk, the Chairman and Vice Chairman and Claire Taylor-Crisp from Waveney Forum. This was to discuss the day to day management of the Community facility and the procedures for dealing with the agencies that will use the centre. Hours of opening were discussed together with a possible opening date, it was suggested that some form of opening day be arranged once the date is known.
Other issues covered in the Chairmans Report covered the latest on the Church Road Car Park/Play Area development, an update on the Local Transport Action Plan following a sub committee meeting that looked at the County Councils priority list. A decision was made regarding the future of the Newsletter. The Clerk was asked to contact the post office re delivery in the meantime the next issue will go out with the Kessingland and Broadland Times. Councillors were then asked to consider plans to hold Councillor Surgeries once the facility is open at the Old Police House. Six Councillors volunteered to run the surgeries working to a rota. The Community would be kept informed through the local press and media. The Chairman stated that there were still 2 vacancies on the Parish Council, and the Clerk added that anybody interested should contact her in the first instance. Other issues covered were the Parish Council website and the inclusion of the Complaints procedure and details about the Councillors Surgeries on the site, and the picnic area by the bus shelter in Church Road getting the bushes cut back.
The Vice Chairman, Cllr Purkis, reported on her meeting with Suffolk Wildlife Trust, she stated that she was waiting on a management report before bringing the issue before Full Council, but the plans will involve making the area around the Councils land in Marsh Lane a Nature Reserve with the local community and schools being encouraged to visit.
Councillor Brian Sinfield gave his report having attended the PPG17 Green Space Strategies Seminar. His written report was very detailed and the Councillors present thanked him for making the issues clear and easy to follow.
The Clerks report included an update on getting the War Memorial refurbished, this was proving difficult as those companies that specialise in this work have been inundated with work and enquiries being the 60th anniversary of World War 2, however the Clerk will continue to pursue the matter. In respect of the Complaints Policy, the Clerk stated that there had been one person so far who accepted to act as an independent Chairperson of the Complaints Committee, enquiries are continuing to find at least two others.
Financial issues included the proposal that a new photocopier be purchased for the Clerks use and a mobile phone for use by Councillors as and when the new facility is opened in Church Road. It was also agreed that Waveney District Council deal with the litter collection at the Church Road Car Park/Play Area.
The meeting closed at 10.40pm, the next Parish council Meeting is on the 12th October 2005, the next Planning Meeting is on the 28th September 2005.