Parish Council Meeting of 20th June 2013

Written by Brian Frith.

The Parish Council meeting on 20th June was attended by Councillors Brian Frith, Beverley Humphreys, Claire Jordan, Jackie Bowers, Gillian Barnes and Terry Henderson. Also present were County Councillor Bev Spratt, District Councillor Bob McClenning and 5 members of the public. Apologies were received from Councillor David Peacock. 

Some of the main items discussed at the meeting mentioned here. Full minutes of the meeting will be available here - in draft form until agreed by the Council at the next meeting (18th July). 

Planning applications were discussed as follows: 2013/0916: New house on land adjoining Tawny Farm, Station Road (revised); 2013/0923: Glasshouse extension at 'Chequers', Forncett St Mary; 2013/1032: Amendment to approved plans to provide 'Juliette Balcony' at Dyke Neuk, Forncett St Peter; Councillors agreed that all these should be recommended for approval.

There was further discussion of 2012/1615 (Demolition of 'Fourways', Forncett End and construction of three houses) regarding the requirement in one of the conditions of approval that the 'vision at the road junction should be preserved'.  Amended plans had been submitted but Councillors were unanimous in their view that these did not satisfy the condition, agreeing to contact the Planning Officer to try to secure a larger 'low planting / no fencing' area at the corner.

The accounts for 2012/13 were approved and the End of Year Return signed ready to be submitted to External Audit.

Councillors decided, taking note of the 'votes' of those who took part in the Litter Pick, that the £250 prize money awarded to the Council for 'The Big Litter Pick' should be used to provide a 'name sign' for the Village Hall and (depending on cost) other enhancements for the Hall.  It was also decided that the annual payment to the Council from South Norfolk for hosting the Recycling Area should be used to provide a coach to transport our very successful 'Village Games' team (The Forncett Flyers) to the County Finals of this year's competition in July. Councillors praised the efforts of the competitors and all who support the teams - which bring together people of a wide range of ages in numerous activities.

Three or the four projects, put forward by the Parish Council in a bid for 75% grant funding (from Norfolk County Council) for small highways improvements, have been approved - hopefully the details will be finalised soon so that work can get underway.

The war memorial at Forncett St Mary, which is in poor condition in some places, has been examined by a local craftsman who will do some remedial work and report on what might need to be done in the longer term. 

The vacancy for a Clerk has been advertised: the closing date for applications is 1st July and it is hoped to make an appointment soon after that date: in the meantime, if you have any matter you wish to draw to the attention of the Council, please contact the Chairman, Brian Frith, on 01953 789882 or email: (our new 'dedicated' Parish Council email address).