Report of Parish Council Meeting 13^th September 2006.

After receiving apologies for absence and declarations of interest the minutes for the meetings of the 12^th July and the 26^th July were approved and signed.

The Chairman introduced Mr, Denby, a representative of First Bus, who had been asked to attend to discuss the situation regarding the bus stop Field Lane junction with London Road and The High Street. Mr Denby advised those councillors present that First Bus had received a considerable amount of correspondence from residents requesting the bus stop remain in its new found position. The question of road safety was discussed with the Community Police Officer Pc Finlayson, although the new site was close to the  junction its position was such as not to cause a hazard which would lead to a request to find a new site. After a short discussion, which included a member of the public, it was agreed that the bus stop should remain on its new site. The Chairman asked Mr. Denby for his view on the request received by the Parish Council to erect a bus shelter in Whites Lane near to the entrance of Africa Alive. Mr Denby said there was already a bus shelter on the opposite side of the road, which served two bus routes; the bus route in question only served one route, that being to Southwold. Mr Denby stated he didn't know the figures for how many passengers use this stop, but he said he would go away and find out and let the Clerk know the result. The Chairman thanked Mr Denby for attending the Council meeting and discussing those issues with the Parish Council.

Cllr Starling had only one matter to report and that was the dispute with residents in High Path and WDC over the collection of their wheelie bins and where they should be left for collection. He stated unfortunately because of the state of the road surface in High Path, it was a Health and Safety issue that determined the decision made by WDC and therefore the bins would be collected in future from the site at the junction of High Path and Church Road.

Pc Finlayson gave the Police report for the months of July and August. In July there had been 34 crimes that consisted of 17 criminal damage, 4 thefts, 3 assaults, 5 domestic incidents, 1 arson, 1 public order offence, 2 driving with excess alcohol and I misuse of the telecom system. In August there had been 21 crimes that consisted of 7 criminal damage, 5 thefts, 3 domestic incidents, 1 excess alcohol, 1 misuse of the telecom system, I burglary dwelling, 2 burglaries elsewhere and 1 violence to secure entry.

The Chairman's report covered the update on the MUGA, through the Community Centre a volunteer had come forward to undertake the weekly inspections once WDC have handed over to the Parish Council. The first inspection report had been received from Mr Turrell on the Church Road Play Area; this was read over to the Councillors present, who agreed that his recommendations should be carried out.

There was still a Councillor Vacancy nobody had come forward as a result of the statutory notices and the Clerk was asked to write to anybody who may have shown interest in the past at becoming a Councillor.

Because of the summer break the Clerk submitted a report to the Council updating them on issues that had been dealt with since the last Parish Council meeting.

Amongst the correspondence read out was a letter from the Parochial Church Council about the Village War Memorial. The idea to have flower beds around the Memorial after work had been done to build up the ground around the base was rejected, but as an alternative it was suggested that spring bulbs be planted and this was agreed by the Parish Council. The Clerk was asked to contact the contractor and inform him of the work to be carried out.

After dealing with financial issues the Chairman closed the meeting. The Parish Council Meetings are on the 27^th September and the 11^th October.