Open Meeting and Parish Council Meeting of 15th May 2014

Written by Anne Rayner.

The Annual Open Meeting of 15th May 2014 was well attended and received reports from many of the groups, societies and clubs within the village. A wide range of activities were represented, from the history group, to the village games team, showing that there really is something for everyone and the community spirit is thriving. After receiving the reports there was a period for open discussion. A resident raised the matter of the Tas Valley Vineyard, the future of which is the source of some concern as it currently for sale as many small plots. Also discussed was a scheme proposed by Bunwell PC to try to get a series of defibrillators in the neighbourhood. This will be on the Parish Council agenda in June; anyone with particular views or ideas for possible sites would be very welcome to attend.

This meeting was immediately followed by the Annual Parish Council meeting, which was attended by all 7 Parish Councillors, County Councillor Bev Spratt, District Councillor Bob McClenning and nine members of the public.  Brian Frith was re-elected Chair and Bev Humphreys was re-elected Vice-Chair for the coming year.

Some of the main items discussed at the meeting are mentioned here. Full minutes of the meeting will be available here - in draft form until agreed by the Council at the next meeting (19th June 2014).

The following planning applications were discussed:

  • 2014/0698 Apple Cotttage, Long Stratton Rd, Forncett St P – single storey extension and garage, was recommended for approval
  • 2014/0644 Mill Cottage, Bentley Rd, Forncett St P – sub division of garden and erection of two detached houses and garages. It was reported that this application had been withdrawn. The clerk is to check the status.
  • 2014/0716 Land north west of Somerset Farm, Station Road, Forncett St P – removal of bay window from original plans and replacement with two smaller windows and alter position of chimney. This was recommended for approval.
  • A further email was to be sent regarding the Council’s concern over the proposed access to the new development at the former CPS site.

A working group comprising of David Peacock, Bev Humphreys, Brian Frith and Claire and Mike Jordan met to cut back and clear the boardwalks of ‘Footpath 17’ across the park (starting next to the school). Footpaths continue to be a hot topic. The clerk and chairman had attended a joint presentation between Norfolk County Council and the UEA, the main aim of the evening was to show parishes how to apply to register old but unofficial routes as rights of way. However, several parishes represented at the meeting reported problems with maintenance and access of their existing public footpaths and it seems, with funding cuts at Norfolk County Council, that parish councils may need to take more responsibility for the maintenance of footpaths. This will be considered at a future meeting.

The next meeting of the Parish Council will be on Thursday 19th June 2014. The agenda will be published about a week before the meeting, but if you have any matters to bring to the attention of the Parish Council in the meantime, please contact the clerk, Anne Rayner, on 01508 570700 or by email .