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Bressingham Parish Council

Draft Minutes of the Meeting held on 7th July 2008

The meeting opened at 7.30 p.m.

Present

Councillors, Chairman, Mr R Aves, Mr D Hodges, Mrs S Craggs, Mr R Bartrum, Dr A Kinnear-King.

Also present were CC, Mr B Spratt, Mrs J Harvey, one member of the public and the clerk, Mike Mortimer.

1 Apologies for Absence

Parish Councillors, Mr N Morley, Mr D England, Mrs E Gerrard, Mr D Craggs and

District Councillor Mr K Weeks.

2 Declaration of Interests

There were no declarations of interest

3 Minutes of the meeting held on the 12th May 2008

The minutes were agreed

4 Matters Arising from the Minutes

There were no matters arising

5 County Councillor Spratt's Report

Mr Spratt gave brief details of a County Council pilot scheme to allow those people not eligible for adult social services to buy into them. Concern was expressed by some Parish Councillors that the only way for some people to have access to the services was to buy into them.

Mr Spratt spoke about the proposed unitary authority for Norfolk. He reported that there would be a consultation period up to September during which time the Parish Council could make it feelings known.

Dr Kinnear-King expressed the view that the consultation was a meaningless exercise and that in effect the people of Norfolk were being told what government they were going to get. Mrs S Craggs said that her experience at a consultation meeting supported that view. She asked how any serious judgement concerning local government re-organisation could be made without all the facts being available and that as one of the most important, the potential cost, was not then the exercise was impossible.

The meeting was closed to allow the public to speak. The parishioner present asked when Common Road was to get a proper level of maintenance. County Councillor Spratt agreed to look at the problem area and pursue the matter.

Dr Kinnear-King added that the time lapse between marking areas for repair and the actual work was so considerable that the marking was disappearing before the work was done. Mr D Hodges said that his experience of highway maintenance was good.

The meeting was re-opened.

6 District Councillor Weeks' Report

Mr Weeks sent his apologies.

7 Shop and Post Office closure.

Mrs Craggs informed the meeting that she understood that a local person was negotiating to lease the shop. It was agreed that this would be a very satisfactory outcome.

8 Fencing for the Fersfield Playing Field.

It was noted that the fencing was up. The clerk was asked if the anticipated request for a donation towards the cost had been received. He said it hadn't.

9 Highways

There was nothing further to add on the subject following the earlier discussion..

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10 Correspondence

No correspondence had been received.

11 Planning

A schedule of planning applications and decisions was provided.

Concern was expressed at what appeared to be inconsistencies in planning decisions. The sub-division of the garden at Norbank was a point in question. Mrs Craggs said she couldn't reconcile the District Council's refusal of permission for one new house at Norbank when 9 new homes opposite had been allowed. Dr Kinnear-King expressed a view that when the Parish Council said yes, the District Council said no and if the parish Council said no then the District Council said yes.

12 Finance

A financial report was made available and payments were agreed.

Rent from the allotment was welcomed.

Mrs Craggs wondered that if the Parish Council was able to pay for village hall hire for some organisations then why not the Playgroup which was always in financial difficulties. It was pointed out that the Playgroup might not be considered to be in the same charitable category but there was considerable sympathy. It was suggested that some of the Parish's charitable funds might be made available. Mrs Craggs agreed to approach Brad Roberts of the Playgroup.

13 Any Other Business

Mrs Craggs said she would like to continue the idea of a Parish Plan after the considerable turnout following the possible closure of the shop. It was noted that there was a cross section of people who had expressed a willingness to get involved which could make an ideal basis for a Parish Plan Committee.

Mr Bartrum asked who was responsible for maintenance of the equipment in the Bressingham playing Field as he felt it was in a poor and possible unfit state. It was pointed out that it was the Village Hall's responsibility and Dr Kinnear-King made a note of particular concerns.

Mr Hodges spoke about the poor condition of the noticeboards and informed the meeting that a parishioner had expressed a willingness to take a look at the one in Bressingham. Dr Kinnear-King agreed to look at the one in Fersfield.

The Chairman, Mr Aves raised the question of dog waste bins at the request of a parishioner. Mr Hodges expressed his opposition on the basis of cost and that it was as easy to take waste home as to look for a bin.

14 Next Meeting

It was agreed that the next meeting should be on Monday 1st of September.

The meeting closed at 9.15pm