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LITCHAM | NORFOLK | LAUNDITCH HUNDRED B R E C K L A N D |
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Present: Mike Oldfield (Chairman)
Trevor Carter
Claire Lawrence
Chris Mitchell
Roy Payne
Les Raven
Mark Sheard
John Relph (Clerk)
Three members of the Public
Meeting Opened at 19.27 pm
Public Forum; Mr Fulcher raised several queries regarding Litcham
Common. He was unhappy about the scheme to fence the Common and talked
at length with Mr. Tim Angell, a member of the Management Committee
about this and conservation issues. Mr. Fulcher was of the opinion that
there had been a decline in wildlife on the Common and felt the
Conservation Group were removing the wrong trees, however he agreed
with Mr Angell that he did want to see the common become woodland. Mr.
Fulcher also objected to the suggestion that Dartmoor Ponies be used to
graze the Common as these were not native to Norfolk. Mr. Angell
assured him that the best advice possible was always sought regarding
the conservation of the common. The Management Committee’s
intention was to preserve the Common as a mixed habitat containing both
woodland and heathland areas as demonstrated by old photos of the
common. This will provide a variety of habitats and thus encourage a
wide range wildlife. The Management Committee felt that the
introduction of grazing was the most natural and sustainable way to
achieve this.
1) Apologies; None received.
2) Declarations of Interest; Mark Sheard stated that
his son was a member of the ‘Technobotts’ team, he
therefore he declared a prejudicial interest in Agenda item 11 v).
3) Minutes of the previous meeting held on the 15th January 2007 were agreed and signed.
4) Reports:
Jubilee Hall Bus Shelter: Boarding was removed around 25th January, as
stipulated by the Jubilee Hall Trust the boarding has been stored
safely in case it is required again.
Litcham Common: Permission for the fencing of Litcham Common for the
purpose of introduction grazing has been received from the Secretary of
State. Mr. Angell reported that Norfolk County Council are
reconsidering their decision not to allow the installation of cattle
grids on the Dunham Rd. This will considerable reduce the visual impact
of fencing the common however, some people had expressed the opinion
that fencing along the road would improve safety for dog walkers.
Youth Shelter: It has been decided not to proceed with this project.
Litter Bins. The four new litter Bins have been installed,
unfortunately the one in Butt Lane has been knocked over several times
so needs to be concreted in.
Dog fouling sign: This has been vandalized again and will also need to be concreted in to prevent it further vandalisation.
No Cycling Sign The No Cycling sign in the alleyway from Church St. to
Manor Drive needs re-erecting after it was vandalised last year. The
Clerk has been unable to determine the agency responsible for this sign
and suggested the Council take on the task of re-erecting it.
Councillor Mitchell agreed to do this and concrete in the litter bin
and the dog post at the same time.
Parking Outside the Post Office. The white lines painted outside the
post Office seem to have improved parking habits and helped to keep the
footway clear.
Obstruction of Pavements. The Chairman reported that parents dropping
off and picking up their children from Litcham High School were
consistently blocking the pavement in Church Street. He asked the Clerk
to ask the High school to insert an item into the school magazine
“The Gleaner’ requesting parents to show more consideration
for pedestrians and other pupils and keep the footways clear at all
times.
Roads. Several items were reported by Councillors for inclusion in the
forthcoming inspection by N.C.C. Highways scheduled for the week ending
March 1st.
1. The road surface on the Mileham Road approach to the Bull junction was becoming worn and slippery.
2. A pot hole has appeared in the pavement half way up Butt lane outside ‘Glenshea’.
3. The road marking at Bull junction and Druids Lane junction are badly worn.
4. The 30mph repeater sign on the Lexham Road near it’s junction
with Front Street is obscured by the hedge of Litcham Hall.
5) Graveyard Gate: The Clerk reported that there had
been a good response to the request for public opinion regarding access
to the graveyard extension from Druids Lane. Twenty-six individual
requests for a gate to allow access to the new extension from Druids
Lane had been received. Correspondence indicates that disabled access
to the Graveyard is a priority, the proposed kissing gate would need to
be enlarged to meet this requirement. There were several reports of
people climbing over the fence to gain access, this is very worrying as
is a considerable safety risk.
Furthermore the previous owners of the land had written saying that
when they owned the land they had always allowed access to the
graveyard through their property.
The Clerk will forward the responses to the Parochial Church Council in
the hope that they will reconsider their decision not to allow free
access to the graveyard extension from Druid Lane.
6) Open Space: The clerk reported that
Breckland had now held an initial meeting with a local landowner
regarding the provision of more open space within the village boundary.
7) Notice Board on the Village Green: Only one quote
had been received so far so this item was moved forward to the March
meeting.
8) Rights of Way: Councillor Lawrence had been in
contact with David Mills of Norfolk County Council and produced a map
of the current rights of way within the Parish. The Council then
proposed several new paths for possible adoption and way-marking. The
Clerk will contact David Mills to determine the steps that need to be
taken to have these paths adopted as public rights of way and correctly
way-marked.
9) Draft Open Space License. This was considered by
the Council and it was agreed that pending it’s approval of the
final wording it was prepared to sign the License and take on the
management of the ‘Village Green’ as public open space.
10) Planning:
i) The Council noted the granting of Planning
Permission for application P/Y/3/2006/3028, Litcham County Primary
School, New Children’s Centre within existing school site.
ii) The granting of permission for application
3PL/2006/1786/F The Brambles, Back Street; amendment to planning
application 3PL/2006/1223/F; changes to roof design on front extension.
iii) Council considered planning application
3PL/2007/0055/F, Canaan Cottage, Dereham Rd; proposed conservatory and
passed it without comment.
11) Financial Business: the financial reconciliation
for the year to date was checked with the latest bank statements and
signed.
i) A transfer of £1000 from deposit account to current account was noted.
ii) The council considered and approved the renewal
of Ground Care Contract for the graveyard with Norfolk County Services
for the quoted sum of £1133.76+VAT, (£1332.17) an increase
of 3.6%.
Receipts:
iii) Receipt of Deposit Account Interest of £34.43 for January 2007 was noted.
Payments:
iv) payment by direct debit of £60.82 to
Eon Electricity for street-lighting power on 26nd January 2007 was
noted.
v) A request for donation from
‘TechnoBotts’ towards cost of entry fee and travel to the
Lego World League Festival in Atlanta, U.S.A. had been received by the
Council. Cllr. Sheard made a brief presentation of behalf of
‘Technobots’ and then left the room while the Council
considered the request. A donation of £100.00 was approved.
vi) The Clerk produced a recently received invoice
for £141.00 from the Audit Commission for the 2005/6 Audit.
Payment of the invoice was approved by the Council.
12) Correspondence from the following was noted;
i) Petition for Parking restrictions at Litcham Primary School
A 157 signature petition was received by the Council via Councillor
Raven. It requested that an application be made for the installation of
‘yellow zig-zags’ outside Litcham Primary School. Council
endorsed the petition and asked the Clerk to pass it on to Highway for
their consideration.
ii) A letter has been received from Mr. J Madden
accepting responsibility for the maintenance of the proposed seat on
the ‘Village Green’.
iii) Breckland
a) Recycling survey – request for possible site for re-cycling bank.
b) A ‘Play Opportunities’ questionnaire
received from Breckland Council was completed by the Council.
iv) Norfolk County Council:
a) Request for view regarding Local Government Review.
b) Guide to ROAD SAFETY in NORFOLK
v) NCAPTC: Norfolk Link No.159 January 2007 Newsletter and general information.
vi) Peddars Way Housing Association – “The Wave” newsletter Winter 2007
vii) NALC review of Quality Town and Parish Council Scheme
viii) Audit Commission-reappointment of Auditors.
ix) Department of Communities and Local Government
– Consultation on the Amendments to the Model Code of Conduct for
Local Authority Members.
13) Items for the next agenda. Quotes for notice board on Village Green.
14) Next Meeting: The date of next meeting was
confirmed as Monday 19th March 2007 to take place in the Jubilee Hall
starting at 7.30pm.
Meeting closed at 22 .18 pm.
Approved by resolution of Litcham Parish Council on 189h March 2007.