November 2009
14/12/09 15:27
PARISH COUNCIL: The November 2010 meeting was attended by 9 Parish Councillors, the County Councillor, three District Councillors, and a guest speaker, Neil Montgomery, who gave a presentation on the Deben Estuary Partnership. Recent government guidance, on rising sea levels, identified vulnerable coasts, and eventually included affected rivers; locally the Blyth, Alde and finally last summer the Deben. The Partnership’s aim is to preserve the river as it is, and protect it against degradation by visitors, over development and climate change. A second report would be presented at Waldringfield later that week. He made reference to the Saltmarsh Group; one salt marsh had already been established and there had been some other progress. A Data Group collected information on bank erosion etc, and there was also a Landowners Group. In answer to questions he indicated that they were not much in favour of jet skiing, confirmed that the partnership was all volunteers, had concerns about the Martlesham BT development and its access impact on the river. The Chairman thanked Mr Montgomery for his valuable and interesting presentation.
The Council had accepted a quotation for the restoration of the electricity control box (removed by EDF) on the Village Green, which together with a new supply from EDF, should be complete in time for the lighting-up ceremony.
The post of Tree Warden remains unfilled, but in the meantime an updated job specification has been obtained from SCDC. A recycling credit for glass of £19.66 had been received, and at the next meeting its community use will be considered.
It was agreed that Heelis & Lodge be reappointed as auditors for 2009/10. The Council accepted the recommendations of the Finance & General Purposes Committee (reported last month)
It was understood that K & F Performing Arts group would take over the management of the Eastern Angles visits to Kirton.
The Recreation Ground committee reported that the annual inspection of the play area had been carried out by Playquip and their report is awaited. Unfortunately the “springy horse” had been vandalised. Brambles had been cleared from the north edge of the Ground, which had revealed a substantial number of rabbit burrows. Culling has now become an urgent necessity and while quotes by ferreting have been received, it is proving more expensive than the committee can afford without support from the Council. It was agreed that help could be provided, but the committee were asked to research these quotes, and others, further before making a final decision on how best to proceed.
The KAFY club was now restricted to younger children from the Parish solely; behaviour has now improved . The proposal for the sand bins to be repainted by community service had failed to take off, and will now be deferred to the spring.
Mrs O’Brien (CC) confirmed the continuing collaboration between the CC and other public bodies and outlined progress on the move from two secondary schools to one single school; the bid from Academies Enterprise Trust had been approved and will be followed by public consultation. She had attended several Policing Authority meetings and gave details of the Policing Pledge initiative designed to enhance police response and visibility.
Mr G Harding (DC) confirmed that the sum deposited by the Maltings developer in lieu of Affordable Housing on the site, had been ring fenced for 10 years. The DC was going back to the developer to see if there was a Social Housing opportunity.
Mr R Kerry (DC) reported on the current outcome of the LDF, and Mrs Green (DC) referred to the Planning, Executive and Environmental Health Services now being shared with Waveney DC.
The newly appointed community police officer, Pc Paul Smith, was unable to attend, but sent a report which referred to a burglary and 3 damage incidents in Kirton involving a mobile home and 2 cars in Kirton. He advised that a campaign against cycling on pavements/without lights would continue until 31st January 2010.
The next meeting will be on the 4th January 2010, when it was agreed to include rabbit culling and a newsletter on the agenda.
Colin Shaw, Clerk
TREE LIGHTING CEREMONY: The Annual Tree Lighting Ceremony, held on the village green on 4th December, opened by the PC chairman Mr M Paul and the lights switched on by Mr B Barker, was attended by some 80 parishioners and children. During the singing of carols, to the accompaniment of members of the Salvation Army, a collection realised £52 which was donated to the Salvation Army. Very welcome free refreshments were once again provided by the Fish & Chip van, in its usual place on the Green. Bernard himself could not be there this year, as he has damaged his foot, but grateful thanks go to him for seeing things were organised as usual, and he is wished a speedy recovery. Thanks must also go to those who erected the lights, and David Cox for his work on the new electrics and liaising with EDF to ensure there was a supply to light the lamps.
Colin Shaw, Clerk
The Council had accepted a quotation for the restoration of the electricity control box (removed by EDF) on the Village Green, which together with a new supply from EDF, should be complete in time for the lighting-up ceremony.
The post of Tree Warden remains unfilled, but in the meantime an updated job specification has been obtained from SCDC. A recycling credit for glass of £19.66 had been received, and at the next meeting its community use will be considered.
It was agreed that Heelis & Lodge be reappointed as auditors for 2009/10. The Council accepted the recommendations of the Finance & General Purposes Committee (reported last month)
It was understood that K & F Performing Arts group would take over the management of the Eastern Angles visits to Kirton.
The Recreation Ground committee reported that the annual inspection of the play area had been carried out by Playquip and their report is awaited. Unfortunately the “springy horse” had been vandalised. Brambles had been cleared from the north edge of the Ground, which had revealed a substantial number of rabbit burrows. Culling has now become an urgent necessity and while quotes by ferreting have been received, it is proving more expensive than the committee can afford without support from the Council. It was agreed that help could be provided, but the committee were asked to research these quotes, and others, further before making a final decision on how best to proceed.
The KAFY club was now restricted to younger children from the Parish solely; behaviour has now improved . The proposal for the sand bins to be repainted by community service had failed to take off, and will now be deferred to the spring.
Mrs O’Brien (CC) confirmed the continuing collaboration between the CC and other public bodies and outlined progress on the move from two secondary schools to one single school; the bid from Academies Enterprise Trust had been approved and will be followed by public consultation. She had attended several Policing Authority meetings and gave details of the Policing Pledge initiative designed to enhance police response and visibility.
Mr G Harding (DC) confirmed that the sum deposited by the Maltings developer in lieu of Affordable Housing on the site, had been ring fenced for 10 years. The DC was going back to the developer to see if there was a Social Housing opportunity.
Mr R Kerry (DC) reported on the current outcome of the LDF, and Mrs Green (DC) referred to the Planning, Executive and Environmental Health Services now being shared with Waveney DC.
The newly appointed community police officer, Pc Paul Smith, was unable to attend, but sent a report which referred to a burglary and 3 damage incidents in Kirton involving a mobile home and 2 cars in Kirton. He advised that a campaign against cycling on pavements/without lights would continue until 31st January 2010.
The next meeting will be on the 4th January 2010, when it was agreed to include rabbit culling and a newsletter on the agenda.
Colin Shaw, Clerk
TREE LIGHTING CEREMONY: The Annual Tree Lighting Ceremony, held on the village green on 4th December, opened by the PC chairman Mr M Paul and the lights switched on by Mr B Barker, was attended by some 80 parishioners and children. During the singing of carols, to the accompaniment of members of the Salvation Army, a collection realised £52 which was donated to the Salvation Army. Very welcome free refreshments were once again provided by the Fish & Chip van, in its usual place on the Green. Bernard himself could not be there this year, as he has damaged his foot, but grateful thanks go to him for seeing things were organised as usual, and he is wished a speedy recovery. Thanks must also go to those who erected the lights, and David Cox for his work on the new electrics and liaising with EDF to ensure there was a supply to light the lamps.
Colin Shaw, Clerk