SNETTISHAM PARISH COUNCIL

Clerk: Mrs Beverley Boughen

PRESENT: Cllrs S. Melton, D. Ebbs, B. Wardlow, A. Houghton, D. Bocking, R. Kerr, L. Pearce, D. Drewery, L. Havers.

IN ATTENDANCE: Brgh Cllr Z. Christopher, Cty Cllr J. Eells and the Clerk.

2. To elect a Chairman for 2008/2009 – Cllr S. Melton was nominated by Cllr B. Wardlow and seconded by Cllr D. Ebbs. With no further nominations, Cllr Melton accepted, was elected as Chairman and signed the declaration of office, witnessed by all present.

3. To elect a Deputy Chairman for 2008/2009 – Cllr D. Ebbs was nominated by Cllr S. Melton and seconded by Cllr D. Bocking. With no further nominations, Cllr Ebbs accepted and was elected as Deputy Chairman.

The meeting was adjourned to allow for Laura Handford from Flagship Housing Association  to address the meeting regarding affordable housing –

4. To receive, consider and accept apologies for absence – Apologies were received from Cllrs D. Phillips, E. Langford, J. Purcell and Brgh Cllr D. Johnson.

5. To receive declarations of interest on agenda items – none received.

6. To receive a report from P.C. Francis, Norfolk Constabulary – A written had been received from P.C. Gordon Francis, which stated that there had been a burglary from a caravan, criminal damage, two cases of theft, common assault and actual bodily harm. The graffiti in the village was photographed and logged onto the data base so that any possible culprits can be dealt with. There has been very little response from the village residents, and the offenders have not been traced. Police surgeries in Heacham are held on the 2^nd Wednesday of each month where Snettisham residents can attend to discuss police issues with members of their local Safer Neighbourhood Team.

7. Minutes – The minutes of the previous meeting held on Wednesday 2^nd and Tuesday 22^nd April, circulated to councillors prior to the meeting were approved by the council and signed by the Chairman.

8. Matters arising – Several councillors and the clerk had attended the celebrations at the Methodist Church, which was a very enjoyable weekend.

9. Appointment of councillors to committees –

Finance Committee – Cllrs L. Havers, D. Bocking, A. Houghton, B. Wardlow, A. Gascoigne, D. Ebbs and S. Melton.

Planning Committee – All councillors present.

10. Councillors serving on outside committees were noted.

a)      08/01053/CU, Poppyfields Garden Centre, change of use of unit from retail to a café – it was agreed to recommend APPROVAL.

b)      08/01132/F, Alterations to dwelling to include new entrance lobby and replacement windows at 7 – 9 Alma Road – it was agreed to recommend APPROVAL.

a)      08/00586/F, Retention of caravan at 41b Bank Road – REFUSAL.

b)      08/00625/F, Extension to dwelling at 16 Beach Road – GRANTED.

c)      07/02664/F, Retrospective application – retention of holiday chalet at caravan 20 The Beach – GRANTED.

d)      Outline application – construction of dwelling at 18 Common Road – WITHDRAWN.

13. The accounts for payment were approved by the council and signed by the Chairman.

14. Seats on Ladies Walk – It was agreed to purchase two new metal seats to be placed on Ladies Walk, the existing one to be removed.

15. Allotments – It was agreed to go ahead with the allotments at Bircham Road, 2 acres of the field, but the price would need to be looked into further to see if the £180 per acre per year could be reduced.

The clerk would place a piece in the next newsletter asking for any residents that would like to rent an allotment to come forward.

16. Anti-social behaviour at the common and purchase of a replacement sign – Some anti-social behaviour had taken place on the common in the evenings and well into the early hours of the morning. The clerk had received calls from a worried resident, and had contacted the police who would keep a watch on the area.

It was agreed to purchase a new sign for the entrance to the common, as the old one had been broken and then removed. The sign states the bylaws of the common and it is important that this in place.

17. Correspondence was received.

18. The hire of a handyman – It was agreed to approach odd job people to get someone to do all the small jobs such as painting seats, etc. The clerk would place an advertisement in the newsletter and the noticeboard.

19. To receive reports from ward members – J. Eells said that regarding item 10 on the agenda, the school governors is not represented by the parish council.

Cllr Eells said that regarding the proposed health centre in Norwich, this is in consultation, and she is due to attend a meeting this week to find out more idea of what is planned. People can use this as a drop-in centre if they are not registered with a doctor.

Cllr Z. Christopher said that the unitary status proposals are still to be decided upon. She said how important it was for people to attend the meeting regarding the LDF, and how poorly attended the Hunstanton meeting had been. Cllr Johnson would be Mayor as from tomorrow 8^th May. A resident asked if the Borough Councillors would be prepared to support the parish council with planning issues over the affordable housing project, and Cllr Christopher said that both her and Cllr Johnson would give as much help and support as they can.

20. The meeting was adjourned to allow for public questions – A resident asked if the Borough Councillors would be asked to attend the meeting with all parties regarding the affordable housing, and the Chairman said that they would be contacted as soon as we know when this would take place.

Several residents spoke regarding the affordable and said that the parish council should insist that they try and get the site that would be best for the village, and not just take any site, that is perhaps not suitable.

There was also concern regarding the pig sheds on land behind the mill area. Children are playing on them, climbing on the roofs etc. and very shortly, especially due to the poor condition of the huts, someone could end up getting badly hurt.

The public left the meeting due to the confidential nature of business to be transacted.

Information about Parish Council Meetings