Report of Parish Council Meeting 14th December 2005.
After receiving apologies for absence and receiving declarations of interest, the minutes of the meeting on the 9th November 2005 were approved and signed.
The Chairman then adjourned the meeting for public participation and welcomed residents from Field Lane and representatives from the Lowestoft and Great Yarmouth Regional Astronomers.
There was no report from the District Councillors.
The Clerk read out the report received from the Police, for the month of November. There had been 39 events and the following crimes were reported in the month, 15 Criminal Damage, 9 Thefts, 3 Burglaries, 2 Common Assaults, 1 Excess Alcohol and 1 Aggravated Vehicle Taking.
The residents from Field Lane were there to register their objections to the moving of the bus stop, which currently sits outside 6 Field Lane to outside their properties. County Councillor Goldsmith informed them that the County Council were not responsible for the placing of bus stops around the village, this was the responsibility of the bus company, in this case First Bus. He added that as a County Councillor he was trying to help the residents to resolve the situation with First Bus. The Chairman added that their objections had been noted but that their argument should be with the bus company and if they feel that strongly, collectively they should approach First Bus and inform them of their concerns.
After the meeting reopened the Chairman gave his report.
There was an update on Councillor Surgeries which he said would have the trial period extended for 3 months and be reviewed in April 2006, but it was hoped that they would become a permanent fixture. The news on Church Road Car Park and Play Area wasn't so good. Waveney District Council were not satisfied with some of the work done in the car park and were negotiating with Suffolk County Council to sort out the problems before signing the contract off and handing over to the Parish Council. The Play Area again the delay here is that Waveney District Council need to roll the ground after the seeding, but at moment the surface is too wet. As soon as this work has been completed then the play area will be ready for Community use.
The Chairman read out a letter received from Suffolk County Council regarding the Modification Order for Beaconsfield Road. The papers had now been forwarded to the Planning Inspectorate in Bristol, and if a public enquiry is to be held then the dates put forward are September, November 2006. January, March, June and September 2007.
Councillors were told that in respect of the "Website of the Year", Kessingland came second, losing out by a very small margin. The newsletter was now being produced by the Parish Council and not being printed independently. It will be circulated bi-monthly with the Kessingland and Broadland Times.
The Chairman then dealt with the issue of Kessingland's Local Transport Plan. He informed those present that some of the Council had met with representatives of Suffolk County Council and that there had been a very constructive meeting over the proposals in the Local Transport Plan. As a result of this meeting both sides came to an agreement over where the priorities and main issues lie. The County representatives stated they would re-draft the Plan in accordance with this meeting.
With regards to the Order of Work the first group will probably be a crossing in the High Street, controlling speed limits on Field Lane, Lloyd's Avenue and Wash Lane, a full on - street parking review and improvement to the village bus stops, which is making the kerbs and footpaths higher to make them comply with the provisions of the Disabled Discrimination Act. Work on London Road and Church Road speed limits and accompanying work must be started by the 6th February 2006.
There was then a discussion about the public convenience in Church Road at the beach end. The Chairman gave all Councillors present a copy of a report prepared by Waveney District Council on its current state and what it would require to bring it up to standard and include a mother/baby facility. Those present queried some of the costings and asked the Clerk to write to Waveney District Council for verification.
In respect of the Multi Use Games Area to be built on the Community Centre Playing Field in Francis Road, the Chairman stated that Waveney District Council had already granted Planning permission for an All Weather facility in December 2002. The current project would be using that planning consent, all Waveney District Council wanted to see was a set of plans and drawings for the new facility. They have been sent to the District Council.
The Vice Chairman's report covered the village seats from Block Engineering and the location of where they were to go when received. There was also an update on the work being carried out in accordance with the plan Suffolk Wildlife Trust had approved for the Parish Council's Nature Reserve in Marsh Lane.
Reports were given by Councillors in respect of the Beach, Allotments, Amenities and Kessingland Community Centre.
In respect of Crime and Disorder there had been considerable progress, a report was given to those Councillors present, which highlighted that one of the main issues to be tackled is the needs of the youth of the village. Councillor's Morgan, Purkis and Mason had been tasked by the Crime and Disorder Committee to find out exactly what the youth of the village need by way of additional recreational facilities, and that would be done through liasing with Councillor Mouzer and members of the Hang Out. In order to get a broader picture it was suggested that maybe a tick box questionnaire be produced with the next newsletter to contact all ages and groups in the village.
There were two Planning Applications: - The first was for the construction of 20 dwellings with associated roads and sewers at Land to the South of The Nordalls, this was rejected by the Parish Council on a number of grounds. The second was for a variation of condition to a previous planning application to allow year round occupancy of a caravan at Kingscote Park, Beach Road. The Parish Council approved this.
The Clerks report covered a number of issues in particular a letter from the Lowestoft and Great Yarmouth Regional Astronomers who were seeking to have a small observatory put on the Playing Field at The Community Centre. After discussing the issue the Parish Council agreed to back the proposal and the Clerk was instructed to write to The Community Centre Management Committee and inform them of the decision.
The Clerk gave an update regarding where the Parish Council were regarding applying for Quality Parish Status. In the light of elections coming up in 2006, it was decided to put of applying until after May 2006.
There was an update from the Clerk on the Emergency Committee arrangements are in hand to get representatives of the Dept. of Environment and Suffolk County Council to attend a meeting in January 2006. The Chairman added that following a meeting between Cllr. Purkis, Cllr Brown MBE, and the Chairman, steps were being taken to re-organise the Village?s Emergency Plan and look for volunteers to assist in the event of an emergency, such as coastal flooding.
Following financial issues the meeting ended at 1030pm. The next Parish Council Meeting will be Wednesday 11th January 2006 and the Planning Committee will sit on the 25th January 2006.