LITCHAM PARISH COUNCIL

September meeting

At September’s Parish Council meeting which was attended by 6 Councillors and 2 members of the public the following was considered:Litcham Parish Council have appointed a new clerk due to the previous clerk retiring. The Councillors welcomed Donna Secker. 

Resignation: Unfortunately, Councillor Anderson has resigned from Litcham Parish Council. The Councillors thanked her for all her hard work, she has been a Councillor for Litcham for more than 10 years. She will be sadly missed.
County Councillor and District Councillors report
County Councillor Kiddle-Morris distributed the latest Norfolk County Council report (NCC).“Planning for the Future” The government is currently consulting on radical proposals to reform the planning system. The consultation started on the 6th August and will run until the 29th October. The paper outlines 5 fundamental proposal. Streamline the planning process, modernise the planning process, new focus on design and sustainability and improve infrastructure. This will be implemented within the next 12 months.“Changes to the current planning system” is also running from 6th August until 1st October. The changes are: amendment to the standard method of assessing housing need: securing first homes which are sold at a discount to first time buyers. Raising the small site threshold below which developers are not required to contribute affordable housing from the current 10 dwellings to 40 or 50 to support SME builders.A further consultation ending on 30th October is underway called “Transparency and competition” which is proposing changes to improve the transparency of contractual mechanisms used to exercise control over lands.All details on the document mentioned above and how to respond to the consultation are available on the gov.uk website.Matters for report: 9 Dereham Road, This has been passed to Breckland Council who are now responsible for this property. The Clerk will write to Breckland to find out the current situation as the property is now causing concern.Councillor Fagence received a letter form the owners regarding the danger of the trees that have Tree preservation order on Tittleshall road. The clerk will write to the Tree Preservation officer to find out more information to clarify the situation.The Church have asked if the parish council will consider on a regular basis to pay for the cutting of the churchyard. This item will be added to the agenda to be discussed further.Highways: To note any new problems within the parishCouncillor Oldfield reported: No road marking on Druids Lane and the road surface is bad. Also, the Litcham sign is damaged and need replacing the clerk to report this.Councillor Lawrence reported a pothole on Dereham Road, the clerk will be reporting this.Outstanding highways issues: Please see the full minutes for the outstanding highways problems. District Councillor Kiddle-Morris will be chasing these up.Finances: The financial position at the end of August was considered and payments authorised.Vacancies on the Parish Council: There is currently one vacancy and if any parishioners wish to become a member please contact the clerk or any of the Councillors. 

To confirm that the next meeting of Litcham Parish Council is to be held Monday 2nd November at 7.30pm at Jubilee Hall. You can email the Mileham clerk at pclitcham@gmail.com. 

LITCHAM PARISH COUNCIL

September extract

Précis of Meeting held on Friday 17^th July,2020 on Zoom at 7:30p.m.
Present: Cllrs Oldfield(Chair), Mitchell, Anderson, Brookbank, Lawrence.
County and District Councillor M Kiddle Morris
Temporary Clerk: Angela Leigh was appointed as temporary clerk for this meeting.
Apologies from Cllrs Christie &  Fagence were accepted. 
Minutes of the Previous Meeting were approved.
County Councillor Report:  Update from NCC chief legal officer; meetings closed in public places due to the Covid pandemic can reopen but will need risk assessments.
Breckland Local Plan: The 2019 local plan is going to be revised as the government felt housing numbers agreed in 2016 were not sufficient.
Cllr Oldfield enquired about the 16 new houses in Litcham that have been passed and County Councillor Kiddle-Morris agreed to make enquiries.
The clerk reported that £4500 has been allocated to Litcham under the section 106, as a legal agreement between the developer and the local planning authority requires a financial contribution. This is in regard to the new houses behind the post office, this money can be spent on recreational facilities. 
Planning – Applications:
Litcham Secondary School Pavilion and Community Classroom: No objection 
Outdoor swimming pool at Paston House, Tittleshall Rd. Litcham: Approved.
15 Church Street, Litcham- withdrawn. 
Finance – Budget: The budget was unanimously approved.
The Old Fire Station: A parishioner contacted the clerk regarding the condition of the building. The condtion of the building is responsibility for the owner.  As it isn’t residential Breckland is not able to assist. County Councillor Kiddle-Morris will speak with the regarding condition of the building. 
Street Lighting : The council agreed to proceed with the required 3 yearly testing of the 21 street lights at a cost of £251. 
Matters for next meeting (Not for discussion): 9 Dereham Road, Litcham 
Next meeting will be held Friday 11^th September 2020 on Zoom

Litcham Parish Council : SEPTEMBER EXTRACT

At the September Parish Council meeting which was attended by five Councillors, County and District Councillor M Kiddle Morris and one member of the public the following was considered:
Planning: Applications. There were no applications to consider.
Decisions: There were no decisions to report.

Highways: The finger post near to the Jubilee Hall has been repaired and painted. The bollard on Pound Lane that had been knocked over and reported since the last meeting had been repaired. The footway on Lexham Road had been cleared. The hedges on Butt Lane, Pound Lane and Tittleshall Road had all been cut. Back Lane had been sided out. The sign for Litcham Close had been reported and Breckland Council had confirmed that it             would be replaced. The following will be reported: -There has been flooding at the bottom of Pound Lane, Druids Lane and Mileham Road, the pipe under the road at the Bull crossroads which is blocked, the potholes on Mileham Road outside the entrance to the Bull car park and the school sign is not

visible in the hedge on Pound lane. The landowner is to be written to regarding the hedge on Mileham Road opposite the Limes and also the landowner on Druids Lane as the school sign is not visible. The County Councillor confirmed that a section 81 notice had been served on BT to repair the ironwork on Dereham Road but this had not been repaired as yet.

Access onto Church Street from the new properties to the rear of the Post Office: All residents in then properties to the rear of the Post Office had been written to. Further consideration is being given to signage at this point but it is unlikely that Norfolk County Council will grant permission for any further signage.

County and District Councillor Reports. The County Councillor reported that The County Council is consulting on proposals for the 2020-21 budget and this is available on the NCC website. Norfolk Fire and Rescue service are consulting on the draft Integrated Risk Management Plan 2020-2023.  By law every fire service must produce an IRMP which sets out how to achieve goals of improving public safety, reducing the number of emergency incidents and saving lives. The draft IRMP is available to view on the NCC website and responses can be made via an online form.

District Councillor Report. The District Councillor reported that the Planning Inspectorate have returned the Inspectors Report on the examination of the on new Local Plan.  The Inspector concludes that the plan provides an appropriate for the planning of the District providing that several Main Modifications (MM) are made to it.  The report and details of the MMs are available to view on the Breckland website.
Breckland is consulting on a scheme which will change the way Council Tax is calculated for people claiming Universal Credit. The proposed scheme will not recalculate Council Tax for people who claim Universal Credit unless their income varies by more than £15 weekly or £65 monthly.  £100k per annum has been set aside from Council reserves to fund a Community Match Funding grant scheme.  Grants of up to £5k will be available to help fund locally identified projects. Breckland have set up a fund of £30k to support community celebrations of the 75^thanniversary of the end of the second world war. Grants of up to £500 will be available to communities to celebrate the events which will be held nationally on Friday 8^th May (VE) and Saturday 15^th August.  Grant funding will also be available to help celebrate the 80^th anniversaries of the Dunkirk evacuation (26^th May – 4^th June) and the Battle of Britain in September. The rapid car charging points in Dereham and Swaffham are      operational.  The Dereham points are at the Cowper Road car park and in Swaffham are located at the Pedlars Lane car park.
The next meeting of Litcham Parish Council is due to be held on 6 January 20209 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, www.litcham.org.

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

 

LITCHAM PARISH COUNCIL -July Extract

At the July Parish Council meeting which was attended by seven Councillors, County and District Councillor M Kiddle Morris and one member of the public the following was considered:

Planning: Applications. The Parish Council raised an objection to the demolition of existing garage and outbuildings and erection of 2 new dwellings and associated car parking at 1 Albion Terrace Front Street. The reasons for an objection are the highway safety issues at this point as detailed by the Highways Officer, the overshadowing and overlooking of the dwellings and the form and scale of the development as these would overshadow and overlook the dwellings on Manor Drive. The Parish Council also noted the concerns raised by several parishioners one of whom was present at the meeting. The Parish Council also objected to the application for 2 detached single storey dwellings and garages on land to the rear of Fourways Mileham Road. The members felt that the access was unsuitable and that in the future the dwellings would be sheltered from all light which could lead to the request to fell trees within a conservation area. The members could also see little change from the previous application which was refused.

Decisions: There were no decisions to report.

Parking at the Primary School. Representatives from the Parish Council had attended the second meeting to discuss the problem of transporting children from the High School to the Primary School. The police attended and had suggested whether there could be staggered dropping off times to alleviate the parking problems. The landowner is also to be approached to see if any land can be released to provide parking spaces and a re-sited footway.

Highways: The County Councillor has requested the Highways Engineer to consider a three-way junction at the Bull crossroads to stop mainly cyclists speeding into the junction on Tittleshall Road. He has also requested that improved markings on the road be installed on Butt Lane. The Clerk had received a complaint about parking on Back Street and the owner of the property is to be written to. The owner of the property on Butt Lane where the hedge is overhanging the road at the Mount is also to be written to. Norfolk County Council had confirmed that the potholes on Tittleshall Road are to be repaired. The following is to be reported to Norfolk County Council: – the cutting back of hedges on Back Lane, the footway on Lexham Road, the cutting of the verges and the spraying and clearing of paths and lay-bys

Dog Fouling: The Parish Council had contacted the Dog Warden and it is pleased that the dog fouling has reduced. 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 reported that he had little to report from County or District as few meetings had been held since May. He informed the members that it appears that Highways England are prevaricating on the dualling of the A47 and it seems as though it does not wish to go ahead with this. The County Council is bidding for a further £200 million to be added to the £300 million already received but not yet used for the improvements.

The next meeting of Litcham Parish Council is due to be held on 2 September 2019at 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, www.litcham.org.

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.

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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

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