Parish Council Newsletter June 2007

Kessingland parish council

June 2007

Issue No 18

Annual Newsletter

Chairmans Report

Another year has passed us by: - during this time we have lost 5 Parish Councillors - Linda  Capon, Michael Howard, Justin Darley, Tracey Mason and Michelle Mouzer. On the plus side we have gained 4 new Councillors - Ruth Woodhead, Brian Brown, Barry Burden and Les Crossland.  This influx of new councillors brings together a mix of experience and fresh ideas to work for the benefit of the Community. All Parish Councillors work hard for the benefit of the Community, their work in voluntary and they give up their free time to help residents of Kessingland.

In the past twelve months we have seen the completion of the Multi Games Area at the        Community Centre, plans are in the process of being put together to get floodlighting so it can be used all the year round.

The Community access to the Police House in Church Road is still being used by CAB, Alzheimer's and the Parish Council for their surgeries.

The Very Sheltered Housing/Library/Community Project to be located at the rear of Kessingland School is well into the Planning and Consultation process. Two Parish Councillors sit on the Project team, which is a mix of Suffolk County, Waveney District Council, Flagship Housing Group, Architects and Planners. There is a public consultation exhibition on the 17^th July 2007 at St. Edmunds Church Hall, Church Road between 3pm and 7pm.

Another group meet at Kessingland Library, that consists of Parish Councillors. representatives from Suffolk Libraries, County Council Planning, Kessingland School and our County Councillor.

If all goes well with the planning application and the public consultation, work should start in January 2008.

Last year I touched on the subject of Central Government re-organisation, and this year that process is now underway. (You may have read in the press that Ipswich and Norwich are seeking Unitary status, and this would leave the rest of us in a free for all.)

County and District Councils will have to re-shape, with more things being delegated to Town and Parish Councils - the Parish Council will be asked if we want to take on some of the  services currently provided by Waveney District Council. 

Waveney District Council has started working with the 4 towns of Halesworth, Beccles, Bungay and Southwold plus Kessingland as part of a ‘Community Engagement' process on this matter. For a number of years the Parish Council have worked hard to get recognition from Waveney District Council - some reward is now being seen and we are fast becoming a voice to be listened to in respect of issues affecting this Community.

The Parish Council will keep the Community informed via the newsletter and the Parish Council's website.

Other Contacts

 E-mail address  -  kessinglandparish@fsmail.net

COUNTY COUNCILLOR  -      JOHN GOLDSMITH  - 16 Blyth Road, Southwold  -  tel.no 722422

 E-mail address  -  john.goldsmith@councillors.suffolkcc.gov.uk

DISTRICT COUNCILLORS.  -  JAMIE STARLING   -  39 Colmer Road,  Lowestoft  -  tel.no. 583606

E -mail address  -  jamie.starling@waveney.gov.uk

 BRUCE PROVAN  -  High House, Gisleham Road, Gisleham  -  tel.no 742079

E-mail address  -  bruce.provan@waveney.gov.uk

COMMUNITY POLICE  -          Community/Police Office Church Road  -  tel.no. 01986835300

Pc MIKE FINLAYSON.

( To report incidents of anti-social behaviour in you area , contact Waveney's Anti- Social Behaviour Co-Ordinator Rachel Tucker on 01502523111.)

Other Useful Contact Information.

Age Concern - 01473257039  - website:- www.ageconcernsuffolk.org.uk  - e-mail:- office@ageconcernsuffolk.org.uk

Suffolk Stop Smoking Service -  0800 085 6037  - website:- www.suffolkstopsmokingservice.co.uk

Supporting People - 0147358300 - e-mail :- supporting.people.admin@socserve.suffolkcc.gov.uk

DIAL (Disabilty Information & Advice Line) - 01502531631.

Dial A Ride  -  01502531631

County Councillors Report.

During the last year I have attended a site meeting with Waveney District Council at The        Nordalls to discuss surface water drainage on the new development, which has since my visit been rejected by the Council. I have also visited a garage area around Glebe Road which WDC say is their property and that they can cope. The main problem in Kessingland stems from back-flooding at times of flash flooding due to choked waterways in the Coopers Drive/ Wash Lane area. The main ditch was cleared which solved the problem in that area, but the problems of flash flooding still exists in that surface water gets transferred into the sewerage system by a method know as gulleying. That is water transfer from road drains into sewers. This causes the sewerage to back flood in The Nordalls/Turrell Drive areas to the detriment of the private dwellings. This has been happening now for several years. I have also dealt with flooding issues surrounding Kessingland School.

This flooding I would suggest is the result of inadequate sewerage system on pipe diameters plus the possibility of land settlement, causing pipes laid down now becoming erratic due to a soft base. I also believe that major flooding can be contained properly if a large surface drainage channel was introduced in Wash Lane; maybe underground. If gulleying could be cut off, then the sewerage system receiving only roof water from the houses would answer Anglia Water's claim that their system is adequate.

I have had a lot of help from the Parish Council and also residents in these matters. Mr Nigel Minter of Anglia Water Ipswich has been with me recently looking at areas of subsidence and I shall be meeting with him on the 28th June to discuss getting all parties together to thrash out a solution.

County Councillor John Goldsmith -  Southwold and Kessingland Wards

Crime and Disorder Team

The Crime and Disorder Team has been up and running for about 18months, it is a multi-agency group made up of Parish Councillors, local Police Officers and representatives from Waveney District Council. It was set up to focus on a number of issues including the lack of facilities for the youth within the village. Our first event was the ‘Talk Up' day last summer which was held at The Community Police House and was very well attended. In attendance that day was the " 4 Towns Bus", which everybody who attended agreed should be something that should come to Kessingland if it could be arranged. In addition on that day the youth were very much in favour of "Teen Shelters" - These can be erected at sites around the village and give the youth a focal point to meet. In addition the Team decided that they would try to find a suitable place in the village that would be a suitable site older youth to meet on a more permanent basis, this is still under review..

The Team meet about every 2 months at the Community Police House in Church Road and if anybody is interested in joining us they would be very welcome.

Parish Councillor  Sue Morgan

Other Useful Information (cont).

Victim Support Line-Support and practical help for victims of crime - 08453030900 - website www.victimsupport.com

Help the Aged - (Seniorline) - Welfare and benefits advice for older people - 0808 800 6565

Careline - Telephone counselling service for the general public - 020 8514 1177

Parentline Plus - Support and information for parents or anybody in a parenting role - FreeFone 0808 800 2222

Citizens Advice Bureau - 01502518510 or 01502565875