Report Parish Council Meeting Wednesday 12th October 2005.
The Chairman opened the Meeting by first welcoming Christine Rowley
from the Rural Communities Partnership.
After receiving apologies for absence and approving and signing minutes of meeting 14th September 2005, the meeting was adjourned for public participation.
A number of residents attended the meeting in connection with the Planning Application for the new Library and adjacent 24 Very Sheltered Accommodation Units. The main complaint from residents that live in the immediate vicinity was the extra strain that this development would put on the existing sewerage system. They were informed that these issues were discussed at the Public meeting in March 2005 and if they still felt strongly then they should write to Waveney District Council setting out their objections. A representative of Waveney Tenants Association stated that she had spoken to a number of local elderly residents and they were all in favour of the development. The Chairman thanked all those who attended the meeting and all the comments had been noted by the Clerk and will be passed to Waveney District Council. The Chairman repeated that all were advised to contact Waveney District Council individually.
A report was received from WDC Councillor Jamie Starling that included proposals about the possibility of having another public convenience sited in Kessingland. With regards the to the land at the rear of the Community Centre, arrangements were in hand to speak to the landowner.
Pc Mike Finlayson gave the Police report for the month of September. There were 37 crimes reported which included 3 assaults, 6 thefts, 10 criminal damage, 8 public order offences, 5 domestics, 1 criminal deception, 1 racial incident, 1 taking a motor vehicle without consent, and 1 driving whilst disqualified.
Pc Finlayson stated that after consultation with Suffolk County Council the situation relating to the 20mph limits for Church Road has now been clear. The limits will be regulated speed limits not speed zones. In addition the Community Officers are now being trained in hand held laser speed equipment and they will be using this equipment around Kessingland to combat speeding and enforce speed limits.
The first meeting had been held with regards to Crime and Disorder Act, this was held at the home of Cllr Morgan. It was reported to be a very positive meeting and at the next meeting it is hoped a crime reduction initiative will be set up for the village.
Christine Rowley from the Rural Communities Partnership then gave those Councillors present a briefing on the Four Town Bus initiative and the work of the Rural Community Partnership. The four towns initiative currently involves Beccles, Bungay, Halesworth and Southwold. They all have benefited from access to funding and 2 Project Officers to assist with specific projects. The Bus Scheme is a mobile Youth and Community facility. At the conclusion of her presentation Kessingland was invited to join the Rural Community Partnership, the Chairman thanked her for the information and that the matter would be discussed at the next Parish Council Meeting.
The report was then taken from Suffolk County Councillor John Goldsmith. Among the issues dealt with by him were the continue problem with the bus stop in Field Lane near the High Street. A meeting is going to be held involving all parties to resolve the issue; this will include the bus company and residents. He also stated he was working with Cllr Jamie Starling to raise the profile of Kessingland. This included among other things, to research whether it is possible to establish Kessingland as a market town. He also stated that he had spoken to the residents who had stayed behind after the earlier meeting and advised them on the way forward to deal with their sewerage problems.
The Chairmans report covered an update on the Police Community Office in Church Road. The opening date for the Community Police Office has been set for the 2nd November 2005. There will be press and media coverage organised by Suffolk Constabulary, with a formal opening in Spring 2006 by holding a garden party. The Parish Council surgeries will commence on the 3rd November between 7pm and 9pm. There will be others they will be advertised around the village and in the Councils newsletter. The Church Road Car Park and Play Area is nearly finished, Waveney District council are just completing the landscaping before the car park and the play area are handed over to the Parish Council. The date for the official opening still has to be decided, details when known will be made available through posters in the village and press coverage in the local papers. The situation regarding Beaconsfield Road Modification Order is that due to a technical error by the County Council, the Order has to be re-advertised; the closing date for objections is the 17th November 2005. Once this process has been completed the papers will be forwarded to the Inspectorate Office of the Secretary of State, to determine whether this is a suitable case for a public enquiry. The Parish Council will keep all residents affected by these proposals informed through the Parish Newsletter and Parish Council Meeting reports. Dealing with Newsletter distribution it has been decided that the newsletter will continue with a bi-monthly edition being circulated with the Kessingland and Broadland Times. Should there be anything that needs to be made known in between this will be by having a limited number of newsletters distributed at various localities around the village. These will be made known once it has been arranged.
The Vice Chairmans report covered the Suffolk Wildlife Trust Report on Council land in Marsh Lane. The report was very encouraging and with management it could prove to be a valuable asset to the Community, not just as an area for encouragement of wildlife, but an area that the Community can be actively involved with. The seats that were being made to replace the damaged seats from the Church Road picnic area were now ready for collection and have had the plaques replaced. There were four seats, two were going on the picnic site in Church Road near the Beach, one opposite the Church junction with Lloyds Avenue, and the fourth, which has been donated by Block Engineering, will go in the play area in Church Road.
Reports were then received from the various Committees and Working Parties.
There were two planning applications to come before Full Council, one was the provision of 24 Very Sheltered Housing Units at Hall Road and the other was the construction of a library with incorporated meeting rooms at Hall Road. Both are part of the same complex to be constructed behind Kessingland Primary School. This was the subject of the earlier participation by members of the public. After discussing the various issues surrounding this project, the Parish Council gave the planning application their full support and approval.
The Clerks report included several issues, there was an update on the Complaints Policy, there were now two members of the Community who were prepared to act as independent Chairperson when dealing with complaints against the Parish Council Administration and Procedures. The Clerk had now received details of companies who would undertake renovation work with the War Memorial, this would updated at the next meeting. The issue of flooding in Beach Road on the corner by the Caravan Club, the Clerk would be writing to all parties to get the matter resolved.
Amongst the correspondence was a letter received from Colin Jacobs that he had resigned as a Special Constable but would be carrying his duties in respect of Warden on the Councils Nature Reserve in Marsh Lane. The Clerk was asked to write to Colin and thank him for all the work he carried out whilst a Special Con stable.
At the conclusion Councillor Lawson asked if it was possible to have planning issues dealt with by Full Council not just a Planning Committee. That way all Councillors would be involved and be able to answer questions from members of the Community. All agreed that this would be the way forward for dealing with planning issues.
The meeting closed at 10.45pm