LITCHAM PARISH COUNCIL

Annual Parish Meeting
was held attended by six Councillors, County Councillor M Kiddle Morris, District Councillor E Gould and six members of the public. Reports were received from local organisations, the Chairman of the Parish Council and the County and District Councillors.

Parish Council Meeting
At the March Parish Council meeting which was attended by six Councillors, County Councillor M Kiddle Morris, District Councillor E Gould and two members of the public the following was considered:
Planning: Applications. The Parish Council raised no objection to the application for a proposed two storey extension and porch to front at 23 Church Street. The application for a replacement dwelling and double garage with storage above at 29 Church Street had been withdrawn. Decisions:Approval had been granted by Breckland Council for the proposed demolition of existing conservatory and erection of single storey rear extension and cladding externally to existing house at Coppice Lexham Road. No decision had yet been received from Breckland Council for the 16 houses between Weasenham and Wellingham Roads and the District Councillor will request from the planning department at Breckland a reason for the delay.
Highways: The Parish Council had received a response from Bespoke Construction but as the problem has not been resolved the Parish Council is to write again complaining about the lack of consideration. The members were very disappointed that Norfolk County Council had not enforced BT to repair the ironwork near to the pumping station. The County Councillor informed the meeting that the County Council cannot force BT to repair the road. The culvert under the road on Dunham Road will be repaired as soon as a road closure notice has been completed. The footway outside the school on Church Street and opposite near to the telephone box will be reported as will the potholes on Back Lane. The hydrant signs that have been damaged on the Green and near to the Jubilee Hall will be reported to Norfolk Fire and Rescue Service. The County Councillor is to investigate the ownership of the footway between Front and Back streets as this is being damaged by cars driving across it on Back Street.
Litcham Primary School: A letter had been received from Litcham School to state that the Primary Phase children had raised over £500 over the past few years and the children have suggested that a bench be installed in Manor Drive. The County Councillor is to investigate the ownership of the land so that a decision can be given at the next meeting.
Elections: Elections for the Parish Council will take place on 2 May at the same time as elections to Breckland Council.
Dog Fouling: There has been a significant increase of dog fouling especially along Lexham Road. The Parish Council is to contact the Dog Warden who if necessary will use covert surveillance to reduce the problem. If you see any person not clearing up after their dog please report them to the Dog Warden on 01362 858500.
Next Meeting – 13 May, which is the Annual Parish Council Meeting following the elections at 7:30pm 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, www.litcham.org.

WE NEED YOUR HELP

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As you may have noticed we have a problem with dog fouling in the area again and we need your help to catch whoever is responsible.
If you witness anyone failing to clean up after their dog please report them on:
Call or Text 01362 858500
Dog fouling is not only socially unacceptable; it is also a criminal offence. We are working hard to catch everyone who continues to break the law.
Although we will be utilising covert surveillance and patrols in the area over the next few months, we would also love your help as a local resident. We are trying to get as many people as possible to join our fight against dog fouling.
Together we will get these irresponsible people to clean up their act!

On another note, if you have a dog it may be worth mentioning that bagged dog waste can be disposed of at home. Simply place bagged dog waste in your wheelie bin. Please don’t take it to the small roadside dog bins. These bins are to help you when out walking.

If you have any questions or need help please feel free to call us on 01362 858500

Litcham Parish Council – November Digest

At the November Parish Council meeting which was attended by seven Councillors, County Councillor M Kiddle Morris and three members of the public the following was considered:
Planning: Applications. The Parish Council raised no objection to the application for a proposed loft extension at 6 Manor Drive. Decisions: Approval had been granted by Breckland Council for the proposed two storey extension to the side of the property at 20 Wellingham Road.
Highways: Some of the problems reported previously have been repaired or in the case of the footway along Lexham Road cleared. The pothole outside the entrance to the school on Church Street will be reported as will the poor state of the footway outside the Post Office.
County and District Councillor Reports: The County Councillor reported that Norfolk County Council is consulting on its budget. Any parishioner can comment on this and find out the details of the proposals at www.norfolk.gov.uk/budget. The County Council is likely to raise Council Tax by 2.99% but not implement an allowed 3% increase for Adult Social Care.
Children’s Centres:This was discussed as the consultation would finish on 12 November. A representative from Litcham Child Care addressed the meeting and stated that it was in favour of the proposals and that the proposals with the High School would give enhanced services. The Parish Council decided to support the proposals for the Litcham Children’s Centre but would wish there to be a centre in each of the market towns.
The Green: The Parish Council is disappointed that the conditions that have been agreed with the Bull Inn have not been complied with. A further letter is to be sent stating that the Parish Council will seriously consider the withdrawal on the permission for 2019.
The next meeting of Litcham Parish Council is due to be held on 7 January 2019at the Jubilee Hall at 7.30 p.m. 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, www.litcham.org.

Litcham Parish Council – October Digest

At the October Parish Council meeting which was attended by six Councillors, County Councillor M Kiddle Morris and one member of the public the following was considered:
Planning: Applications. The Parish Council raised no objection to the application for a proposed two-storey extension to the side of the property at 20 Wellingham Road. Decisions:Approval had been granted by Breckland Council for proposed replacement of selected windows at Litcham Methodist Church, Front Street.
Highways: All the matters raised in the previous month have been reported and the failure to carry out repairs around the ironwork on Dereham Road near to Devlin Cottage was raised with County Councillor Kiddle again. The Clerk met with the Highways Engineer and stressed that the road markings need refreshing, the Mileham Road still needs flailing and the gulley on Druids Lane has not been repaired. These have still not been attended to and the Highways Engineer will be contacted again. The pothole on Back Lane will be reported. The landowner responsible for the hedge at The Mount which is overhanging Butt Lane will be contacted to cut this back. County Councillor Kiddle will contact the owner of the Old Fire Station to request a tidy up of the area bordering the road.
County and District Councillor Reports: County Councillor Kiddle reported that it is not yet known if the Business Plan put forward by the Police and Crime Commissioner to take over the Fire Service will be submitted to the Secretary of State. Norfolk County Council is against this move and does not believe that there would be the saving proposed by the Police and Crime Commissioner as this would entail reducing the capability of the Fire and Rescue Service. Hertfordshire, which also runs the Fire and Rescue Service, has also undergone a consultation on this matter and when the proposal was forwarded to the Secretary of State he asked for more information at which point the proposal was withdrawn. The budget setting period has begun which will run until February for the financial year beginning in April. Since 2011 £189million of income has been lost and there is still a further loss of income from Central Government of £95million.There is to be a10% reduction in staff by natural wastage and all departments are looking at savings. There is a consultation on Children’s Centres of which there are 53 at present under 12 different contracts. These are proposed not to be re-negotiated but outreach centres would be provided working from 7 hubs and therefore providing support where it is needed. It is probable that the Litcham Centre will remain open as the school would take on part of the building and Norfolk County Council would provide additional service e.g. Healthy Children support. There was concern from the members that this would be a retrograde step but County Councillor Kiddle stated that the officers feel that this is possible, will reach more children and provide a better service.
Bi-monthly meetings. The Parish Council decided to trial meeting only every other month in 2019.