Parish Council Meeting of 16th January 2014

Written by Anne Rayner.

The Parish Council meeting on 16th January 2014 was attended by Councillors Brian Frith, Beverley Humphreys, Claire Jordan, Jackie Bowers, Terry Henderson, and Gilly Barnes.  Also present were District Councillor Bob McClenning and six members of the public.

Some of the main items discussed at the meeting are mentioned here. Full minutes of the meeting can be viewed here: Minutes 2014 January 16th - in draft form until agreed by the Council at the next meeting (20th February 2014).

 

As there was no Flyer in December, there are several planning applications, which had been received during December and January. These were discussed at the Parish Council meetings :

  • 2013/1981– New grain store at Cornerhouse Farm, Long Stratton Rd, was recommended for approval.
  • 2013/2030 – New property on land north west of Somerset Farm, Station Rd, was recommended for approval.
  • 2013/2307 – Change of use from barn to annexe at Chequers, High Rd, was recommended for approval.
  • 2013/2317 – Revision of house and garage on plot 3 at Fourways, Long Stratton Rd – Councillors raised no objections to this revision to the existing permission but expressed strongly that they hoped any comments received from neighbouring properties were given appropriate consideration by South Norfolk Council.
  • 2013/2103 – Addition of first floor to existing extension at Mill House, Long Stratton Rd – recommended for approval.  

A large part of the last two meetings has included budget setting for the 2014/15 year. As well as known expenses, such as clerk’s wages, insurances, grants and audit fees, the Parish Council currently has some ongoing issues which, as yet, have unknown costs attached to them. These include some trees on land owned by the parish council, which may require attention and also the repairs to the Forncett St Mary war memorial.

After due consideration, the Council has therefore set the precept for the 2014/15 year at £12000. This is a considerable reduction on the previous year, which parishioners should notice when their Council Tax bills are issued for the new financial year.

We have seen some new faces at the parish council meetings recently, which is great.  Please do come along if you have anything to say, ask or are just interested at all in what happens at the meetings. Our meetings are not too long, normally 1.5 to 2 hours at the most and you don’t have to stay for the duration! Anyone attending will be made to feel most welcome.

The next meeting of the Parish Council will be on Thursday 20th February 2014 starting at 7.30 pm in the Village Hall.  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  .