Bressingham and Fersfield Parish Council
Clerk: Mike Mortimer, Lime Tree Farmhouse,
Tel: 01379 642763 email:bressingham.pc@tiscali.co.uk
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Minutes of the Annual Parish
Meeting held in the Village Hall on
Chairman Dave Hodges opened the meeting at
Present:
Councillors Mr D Hodges, Mrs E Gerrard, Mr R Aves, Dr A Kinnear-King, Mr R W Bartrum, Mr D England, Mr D Craggs, a number of representatives from village groups, Mrs J Harvey and the clerk Mr M Mortimer.
1. Apologies for absence
Apologies were received from The Rev Mellowship, Mr N Morley, Mrs S Craggs, Mrs I Debock,
Mrs B Webb, District Councillor Weeks, Mrs J Sumpter, County Councillor Spratt.
2.
Approval of the Minutes of the Annual Parish Meeting held on
Copies had been made available at the meeting and the minutes were approved and signed
3. Matters arising from the Minutes
There were no matters arising
4. Annual Report of the Parish Council
The Chairman reported that it had been
quite a busy year with road repairs and planning taking up the majority of the
Council's time. He gave an outline of the schedule for the new affordable
housing in
and mud on the roads. He reported that work on the footpath at the end of School Road was nearing completion and that more work on the road itself on High Road was about to start. He thanked District Councillor Weeks and County Councillor Spratt for their help during the year and all the volunteers who made the parishes' groups and societies possible.
5.
Statement of Accounts for the year to
The Parish Clerk presented a statement of
the Parish Council’s Accounts for the year to
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6. Reports from Charities
Town Lands Charity - Cllr Kinnear-King reported that there was £4863.75 in the current account and £9794.54 in the deposit account. The Drama Group had applied for a donation.
Fuel Allotments – Councillor Rodger Aves reported that during the year it had received £329.31 and 16 allowances of £20 had been towards fuel costs.
Elizabeth Barker Charity – There was no report.
Clay Allotments Charity – Councillor Aves informed the meeting that he had been trying to sort out the past accounts which had not been done for some time. He reported that at this time there was £5043.80 in the fund.
There was no report on the Ellingham Charity in the absence of the Rev Mellowship.
7. Report from the School Governor
Mrs Dain gave a report stating that the school had a good year and particularly praised it for its extra-curricular activities and sporting achievements. Sadly she pointed out the Head, Penny Sheppard, had recently left. A copy of the full report will be included in the minute book.
Mr Aves asked if the PC should express its thanks to Mrs Sheppard and the clerk was asked to write accordingly.
8. Reports from Parish Organizations:
Reports were given by:
Fersfield PCC
A report had been provided by Mrs Sumpter. It stated that the PCC had two main aims at present, repairing the church roof and fencing the playing field at Fersfield. The report is in the minute book.
Bressingham & Fersfield Parent & Toddler Group
The Parent and Toddler group has been disbanded.
Bressingham Playgroup
Brad Roberts reported that the group was doing well at the moment though he expressed concern that it would be losing about half of its number at the end of the year with financial implications.
The loss of one employee had helped in part with the finances. His report is included in the minute book.
Bressingham Village Drama Group
A report was provided. . It declared that the Drama Group had another successful year and provided over £1400 to the Village Hall as a result of its activities. The report is in the minute book.
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Bressingham & District Ladies’ Club
Chris Peachey reported that it too had had a successful year and was now in its 25th. During the year there were talks from representatives of Gazes and the Rotary Club; Linda Scales told the ladies everything they needed to know about sex and David Young gave a unique version of news and views in song. Donations were made to Cancer Research and the East Anglian Air Ambulance. Report in the minute book.
Bressingham Village Hall and Recreation Association
A report was provided describing a busy year of fund raising with a view to repairing the exterior of the hall and funding kitchen improvements. The full report is in the Minute Book.
Bressingham Silver Thread Club
A representative from the Silver Thread Club apologised for there being no report in the previous two years but was able to assure the parish that the club was in good health and having its regular meetings and coach trips.
Bressingham Youth Club
9. Report from
Councillor Spratt sent his apologies.
10. Report from South Norfolk District Council
Councillor Weeks sent his apologies.
11. Consideration of a Parish Plan.
The Chairman outlined the possibility of adopting a parish plan and welcomed responses. He said it would remain on the Parish Council's agenda.
12 Any Other Business
There was a discussion about the proposed closure of the post office with unanimous objection. The possibility of running the shop as a co-operative was considered. It was agreed that the Parish Council should do what it could to oppose the closure and that the topic should be put at the top of the next Parish Council meeting.
The meeting closed at