Report of Parish Council Meeting 11th January 2006.
After receiving apologies for absence and declarations of interest, the minutes of the 14th December 2005 were approved and signed.
There were no reports from Waveney District Councillors, the Clerk read out a report from County Councillor John Goldsmith regarding the new Library complex. This related to a report from the County Planning Committee, which had granted planning permission subject to the details of the drainage system being seen by the Committee. This was in answer to concerns shown by some local residents about current problems with the drainage that from time to time causes flooding. Cllr Purkis asked the Clerk to write to Councillor Goldsmith and seek his assistance in obtaining a ramp at the southern end of the seawall, allowing wheelchair users to access that end of the beach.
Pc Finlayson gave the Police Report. He stated that there had been 33 reported incidents for the month of December of which there were 13 offences of Criminal Damage, 11 offences of Theft, 4 Assaults, and 2 cases of Drink/Driving. The Officer was told about and incident of fly tipping in the vicinity of Coopers Lane, the Officer said that enquiries were in hand with Suffolk County council to see if bollards could be put in Coopers Lane to stop vehicle access from Church Road.
The Chairmans report included a new rota and dates for Councillor Surgeries up to the 1st June 2006, the full list of dates will be published in January?s Newsletter. With regards to the Church Road Car Park and Play Area, the play area still remains closed at the present time, the District Council are trying to resolve a surface water problem before completing their work and handing over to the Parish Council. There is also a problem with the car park which is subject to discussion between the County and District Council, again once resolved this will be handed over to the Parish Council.
The subject of the Parish Council taking over responsibility for the public convenience at the beach end of Church Road, from Waveney District Council, was discussed. At the conclusion the Council voted against the proposal and asked the Clerk to write to Waveney District Council and inform them of the decision.
On the subject of the Multi Use Games Area at Francis Road, the Parish Council have been asked to re-submit a new planning application, this will be undertaken within the next two weeks.
A full version of the Parish Plan Update can be read at the Library as well being published on the Community website. It has been circulated to members of the Parish Plan Working Party, and an edited version will be sent with the Parish Councils Newsletter to all members of the Community.
The Vice Chairman?s report confirmed that the seats made by Block?s to replace damaged seating around the village have now been delivered and put in place. There are two at the picnic area at the beach end of Church Road, one is to go at the junction with Wash Lane and Church Road and the other is to go opposite the Church on the corner of Church Road and Lloyd?s Avenue.
There was a short discussion on the Parish Council?s site in Marsh Lane. Cllr Purkis reported that she had received some complaints about the work carried out at the site, but she added that the Parish Council were working in partnership with Suffolk Wildlife Trust, and they are the agency that have experience in such matters.
Dealing with Committee reports, Cllr Morgan stated there had been a good start to the Crime and Disorder Committee. One of the issues the Committee will
be looking at is the problem with some of the youth in the village In company with Cllrs Purkis, Mason and Mouzer, they will be looking at ways to get the youth of the village involved in projects of their own choosing. There will a consultation process with the youth to take this issue forward.
Dealing with the Parish Council?s Emergency Committee, to date there had been a good response to letters sent out by the Clerk to members of the Community to see if they would be willing to get involved. There had also been a good response from the two main holiday camps in the area, both wanting to be actively engaged in being part of the Council?s Emergency Plan. On this subject there will be a meeting of Councillors with Mike Topliss, Waveney District Council and Kevin Lybourn, Suffolk County Council to progress this forward.
There were 4 Planning Applications for consideration, two were approved and two were refused.
In respect of the Planning Application relating to land in the vicinity of The Nordalls, the Clerk read out a letter from Waveney District Council which stated that because of there being so many objections by residents and there is some suggestion about tree preservation orders, Waveney District Council will be having a site meeting and they will be informing the Parish Council of the date in due course.
The Clerks report included a number of issues, the main one being the cleaning of the Village War Memorial. There had been two quotations received and following a short discussion, Council members authorised the Clerk to contact one of the companies to get the work carried out.
There is a Planning Meeting followed by an Emergency Committee Meeting on the 25th January. The next Full Council Meeting is on the 15th February and tne Annual Parish Meeting is on the 26th April.