September Parish Council meeting
At the September Parish Council meeting which was attended by six councillors, County and District Councillor M Kiddle Morris the following was considered:
Planning: Applications. The Parish Council had raised an objection to the permitted development application for the change of use of agricultural building to dwelling on land at Dereham Road.
Decisions: Breckland Council had refused the application for the demolition of existing garage and outbuildings and erection of 2 new dwellings and associated car parking at 1 Albion Terrace Front Street as there were major concerns raised by the Highways Authority regarding vehicles exiting the development. Breckland Council had also refused the application for 2 detached single-storey dwellings and garages on land to the rear of Fourways, Mileham Road for the same reasons as the previous application; as it would urbanise this part of the conservation area. There were concerns regarding the impact on the local heritage assets and the amenity to these properties would be affected by the trees surrounding them leading to limited access to light. The permitted development application for the change of use from agricultural building to dwelling on land at Dereham Road had been refused by Breckland Council as the building is within the River Nar SSSI.
Highways: Norfolk County Council had confirmed that it would be resolving the lay-by issue on Tittleshall Road but could not find the problem of the hedge on Butt Lane and therefore the clerk has confirmed the position. The finger post near to the Jubilee Hall is to have the pointer replaced with a wooden one. The clerk had contacted the police regarding the parking outside Russell House but had not had a reply. There were no new problems reported but the clerk will contact Norfolk County Council again regarding the hedge on Mileham Road, the footway on Lexham Road, the siding out of Back Lane. The sign for Litcham Close had been damaged by a lorry and Breckland Council will be requested to replace this. The County Councillor will contact the Highways Engineer regarding the post on the Common that was knocked over by the contractor for the work on the cattle grids, the posts on the footway between Front and Back Street and the BT Box on Dereham Road.
Access onto Church Street from the new properties to the rear of the post office. There had been complaints that vehicles are not stopping prior to crossing the footway and the County Councillor will contact the Highways Engineer to ascertain if any means can be erected or signed on the road to ensure vehicles stop in order to avoid danger to pedestrians. A lengthy discussion ensued but no practical solution could be found at present so the clerk will write to all residents requesting politely that care is taken at this point.
Dog Fouling: Concerns had been raised by parishioners about dogs fouling residents’ gardens.
If you see any person not clearing up after their dog
please report them to the Dog Warden on 01362 858500.
County and District Councillor Reports. The County Councillor informed the meeting that the County Review is now available on the website which covers all that the County Council have undertaken in the previous financial year. There are government grants available for those who have download speeds of greater the 10mbs but less than 30mbs. £500 to £3500 is available for businesses and £500 to £1500 for residents. It appears that these grants will fund fibre to property. A further £8million has been awarded to Norfolk County Council from the government to connect 370 properties with gigabit speed. These include schools and other important locations and the advantage is that nearby properties can piggy back onto this technology.
The Next Meeting of Litcham Parish Council is due to be held on 4th November 2019 at 7:30 p.m.at the Jubilee Hall. All parishioners are cordially invited to attend and the first part of the meeting is set aside for parishioners to raise issues with the Parish Council. The full minutes are available for viewing by any parishioner by contacting the clerk on 01362 861112 or on the Litcham website, http://www.litcham.org.
Bryan Leigh
ROAD CLOSURE
NORFOLK COUNTY COUNCIL has made a Temporary Traffic Order affecting the C238 Lexham Road from a point 920 metres south of its junction with C238 Dunham Road for a distance of 215 metres southwards in the PARISH OF GREAT DUNHAM because of new electric connection works.
The road will be temporarily closed (except for access) from 4th November 2019 to 8th November 2019 for the duration of the works, expected to be 5 days within the period.
Alternative route is via: C238 Lexham Road/ Dunham Road, C239 Lexham Road, B1145 Lexham Road/ Back Street, B1145/ C123 Church Street, C123 Dunham Road/ Litcham Road, U35113 North Street (Litcham, Lexham, Kempstone, Great Dunham).
In the event of the start date being delayed the new start date will be displayed on site in advance.
The person dealing with enquiries at Norfolk County Council is Adam Mayo (Community and Environmental Services) Telephone 0344 800 8020.
Silver Social Newsletter
Last week we had the first workshop of our Autumn/Winter Programme 2019 with Print to the People.
September Silver Social Workshop – Beginners Letterpress Printing
September brought a new activity for Silver Social participants to try out, Beginners Letterpress Printing with Print to the People. The workshop toured our market town Library circuit to bring local residents together to learn a new skill, with a nice cuppa and cake to finish it all off.
We had Jo and Paul from Print to the People facilitating the workshop, they were fantastic and so full of knowledge. They began by giving us a brief history of Letterpress Printing and a short demonstration before we all got stuck in, creating our own unique prints to take home. There was lots of variety in what our participants created, from presents for the Grandchildren, to signs for the postman “Leave in Shirls Shed” and a lovely 70 year wedding commemoration. The options were endless and it really opened up conversation amongst everyone, sharing stories about their lives and loved ones (fur babies included).
Print to the People are back again in November for Christmas card making. All venues apart from Thetford are already fully booked so we look forward to seeing those of you who booked for another fun workshop.
Thank you Jo and Paul for all of your help and expertise, we had such a great time and look forward to your return in November.
Reserve Your Place
We have now had two out of five events from our *Silver Social Autumn/Winter 2019 Programme *and they have been a great hit. Future events are filling up quickly so make sure you reserve your spot so you don’t miss these fantastic professional workshops and performances brought to you in familiar venues across Breckland Villages.
To book : visit the website or call: 01362 656870 or email: community@breckland.gov.uk
October Silver Social Performance – ‘The Origin of Species’ by Tangram Theatre
Tangram Theatre will be performing “The Origin of Species” for us in October. The show is a joyful, exhilarating musical comedy about Charles Darwin, whose (r)evolutionary ideas would change humanity forever – and his real life race to finish fittest in the discovery of evolution. The Origin of Species has now been performed over 200 times at leading international venues and festivals including the Royal Albert Hall and Natural History Museum, receiving critical acclaim and standing ovations across the world.
Tickets are £5 including refreshments. Reserving tickets is recommended.**To book online, or call 01362 656870 or email community@breckland.gov.uk
FREE Transport
*Free Transport* is available to any of our venues *for all workshops
and performances*for residents without access to a car or public
transport. To book, please contact us at least 3 working days prior to
the event or make a note when you book.
Call 01362 656870 or email community@breckland.gov.uk
Would you like to be an Event Support Volunteer?
See the full Events Support Volunteer role here .
To find out more contact: community@breckland.gov.uk / 01362 656870
Police Message: Oil Theft
Theft of your heating oil can be very costly and distressing, particularly during periods of cold weather. Introducing layers of security around your property and oil tank is much more effective than relying upon any one product or doing nothing. Putting appropriate security products, daily routines and increased awareness in place, will reduce the opportunity for oil theft to occur.
What security measures can I take?
Remember the oil thief does not want to be seen, identified or caught and will most likely seek to steal your oil during the night or during the hours of darkness. The following layers will help prevent the oil thief getting to your heating oil.
Perimeter: Ensure that boundary fencing and lockable gating is in good condition and strong enough to prevent easy access into your property, particularly when you’re not at home.
Lighting: Fit low energy, ‘dusk to dawn’ (photo electric cells) sensored security lighting to remove dark places around your property but in particular around your oil tank. This layer will make the thief think twice as they will need to work in light and in doing so will increase the chances of them being caught.
Property: Ideally oil tanks should be close enough to be overlooked by you in your home, where suspicious activity is more likely to be noticed and action taken than if the tank is distant or positioned out of sight. Your own natural surveillance will deter the criminal and also help increase the chances of the thief being deterred or caught.
Tank: Tanks can be easily emptied if the criminal is given the time and where there are no effective security measures in place. Close shackle padlocks will help protect against bolt croppers and are recommended to deny ready access into the tank.
Alarm: Some padlocks feature integral alarms which can provide you an early warning that the tank is being tampered with Security alarm devices for oil tanks are specifically designed to indicate a sudden drop in tank contents and thereby will alert you to a potential problem. Consider buying from a Police Approved, ‘Secured by Design’ member company and fit control switches that limit and control the flow of oil if the pipe is cut.
Garden-screening and planting: Oil tanks are often enclosed with fencing or hidden away from view. Both approaches have merit in disguising the presence of a tank. However, do not disguise the tank so that you inadvertently screen both the tank and the criminal from view. Visual access from your property to the filling point should be provided to deter the criminal. Planting thorny shrubs around the tank is considered an effective barrier and deterrent for the criminal to negotiate.
Signage: Inexpensive warning signage that indicates you have taken security measures to combat crime will be noticed by the oil thief and help deter their interest. Signage should be displayed on the public facing side of your property
CCTV: Surveillance cameras can be a distinct security benefit but do not fit them in preference to the other physical security features. Only fit them as complimentary to other security measures, rather than replace them.
Neighbourhood Watch Scheme: These are recommended to form part of a communities overall neighbourhood protection strategy, where residents of like mind look out for each other and report suspicious activity to members, other groups and the Police.
Ongoing vigilance is key for the effective protection of crimes generally but is vital where heating oil theft is concerned.
CRIME REPORTING
- Report suspicious activity by calling the Police on 101.Always dial 999 in an emergency and where a crime is in progress.
- Check www.norfolk.police.uk website A-Z guidance for advice on protecting against crime.
- Consider calling Crimestoppers anonymously if you have information about any crime.
Silver Social Newsletter
Welcome to*/the Silver Social/ August* *Newsletter!*
We had the first event for our *Autumn/Winter Programme 2019* last week with Spiltmilk Dance and lots more exciting events still to come!
September/November Workshops with Print To The People
Our *Silver Social Autumn/Winter 2019 Programme* is off to a great start so far. Desert Island Flicks by Spiltmilk Dance received great reviews from Silver Social audiences last week. In September and November we have letterpress printing workshops with Print To The People <https://thesilversocial.us18.list-manage.com/track/click?u=d8549d65927fd1983625c6d3e&id=d769161e38&e=4cf1b7ffc0>, some venues however, are already fully booked. We still have some availability at Thetford Library in September and in November we have availability at Thetford, Dereham and Swaffham. They are filling up fast so make sure you book yourself in to avoid disappointment.
To book :
website – https://www.thesilversocial.com/events <https://thesilversocial.us18.list-manage.com/track/click?u=d8549d65927fd1983625c6d3e&id=d8de83b475&e=4cf1b7ffc0>
or call: 01362 656870 / email: community@breckland.gov.uk
October Silver Social Performance –
‘The Origin of Species’ by Tangram Theatre
Tangram Theatre will be performing “The Origin of Species” for us in October. The show is a joyful, exhilarating musical comedy about Charles Darwin, whose (r)evolutionary ideas would change humanity forever – and his real life race to finish fittest in the discovery of evolution. The Origin of Species has now been performed over 200 times at leading international venues and festivals including the Royal Albert Hall and Natural History Museum, receiving critical acclaim and standing ovations across the world.
Tickets are £5 including refreshments. Reserving tickets is recommended.**To book online go to*https://www.thesilversocial.com/events <https://thesilversocial.us18.list-manage.com/track/click?u=d8549d65927fd1983625c6d3e&id=7334c7fe4c&e=4cf1b7ffc0>*, call 01362 656870
or email community@breckland.gov.uk
FREE Transport available
*Free Transport* is available to any of our venues *for all workshops
and performances*for residents without access to a car or public
transport. To book, please contact us at least 3 working days prior to
the event or make a note when you book.
Call 01362 656870 or email community@breckland.gov.uk
*Would you like to be an
Event Support Volunteer?*
See the full Events Support Volunteer role here <https://thesilversocial.us18.list-manage.com/track/click?u=d8549d65927fd1983625c6d3e&id=9a7d622082&e=4cf1b7ffc0>. <https://thesilversocial.us18.list-manage.com/track/click?u=d8549d65927fd1983625c6d3e&id=90ed7afe66&e=4cf1b7ffc0> To find out more contact: community@breckland.gov.uk / 01362 656870
Email <mailto:community@breckland.gov.uk>
/Copyright © 2019 Silver Social, All rights reserved./
*Our mailing address is:*
community@breckland.gov.uk
New Page – Police News
A new page has appeared on this website “Police News”
You’ll find it under the ‘About‘ tab on the far right.
It contains the local Police Newsletter (Launditch and Hermitage wards) and information abut the latest scams and rogue Trader operating in the area.
Housekeeper Wanted
My wonderful more-than-housekeeper of nearly 30 years has very sadly decided that the needs of elderly parents and children and grandchildren mean that she can no longer help me.
I’m therefore looking for help in the house for 3 mornings a week, but would be happy for two or even three people to job share. I need someone honest, reliable, hard-working,efficient and able to use initiative.
I live just outside Litcham
For more details, please call Holly Gold on 07775881853
Macmillan Cancer Care Events
The Methodist Chapels at both Tittleshall and Litcham will be supporting Macmillan Cancer Care again this September, bit this year will be joining together to bring two very different events.
Tittleshall will be hosting a traditional coffee morning on Saturday 7thSeptember between 10am and noon, while at Litcham there will be an afternoon buffet tea from 5pm on Saturday 28thSeptember followed by live music entertainment.
The Litcham event will be ticket only due to the constriction of space. Tickets will be free, but you will be asked to give a donation of whatever you feel is appropriate.
Tickets will be available from Ailsa Warburton (01328 700981) or Stephen Lynn (01328 700978).
We will also welcome any offers to donate food for either of the events to help this wonderful cause.
Litcham Common
The Hole!
Some people will have noticed the big square hole in the turf not far from the corral. This is where someone has dug up and taken away a holly tree. Contrary to popular belief all commons have an owner, in the case of Litcham Common this being Lexham Hall Estate, and the removal of plants, trees or logs without permission is theft. In addition, Litcham Common is governed by bylaws which prohibit ‘removing or damaging any plant or other vegetation whether living or dead’ without permission. Please ask a member of the common’s management committee before taking things from the common; we like to think we are a reasonable group of people! (And for the absolute avoidance of doubt, we have no objection at all to activities such as picking blackberries!) A full copy of the bylaws can be viewed on Litcham’s website at the bottom of the Litcham Common tab headed ‘Management’.
On a more positive front, we are very grateful indeed for the way in which many regular users of the common help care for it, for example by removing litter as they walk round or reporting any problems they spot. Thank you.
Conservation Group
The next monthly conservation task will take place on Saturday 10th August starting at 10am. Please contact Tim Angell on 01328 700045 if you are interested in joining us.
