Present

Mr T Brooks

Mrs M Scotney

Mrs A Melhuish

Mrs R Sutterby

Mr A Boughan

Mr R Chalkley (retiring clerk)

Mr P Hall (New clerk)

In attendance: - Ian Monson, District and County Councillor, Mr & Mrs N Cater, J Hall, Mr Lovegrove, Mr K Clement and one other member of the public from the house being built opposite the school.

Item

Action

1.

Apologies – Mrs J Smith. R Adcock did not attend the meeting.  Mr Hall was introduced to the meeting as the new clerk who would take over responsibility after the meeting.

2.

Minutes of last meeting held 12th May 2008 – Approved as a fair reflection of the meeting with the Chairman duly authorised to sign to confirm this.

Presentation by Ian Monson.

i)

District – There was an LDF meeting in Foulden on 2nd July where 8 villages should have been invited but only 4 attended.  Andrea Long, Forward Development from Breckland attended.  The LDF is a 15 year planning policy, which is to be in place next year.  Important that all have a chance to have an input to this.  At the Site Specific stage where villages agree boundary changes which were last agreed in 1999.  Could be altered now.  Breckland are not sure what villages want.  15/16000 houses are to be built of which 9000 will be in Thetford and 3000 in Attleborough. Not much building expected in countryside.  Villages with facilities may be allowed small (50 house) development.  Unreasonable sites in some villages.  Consultation period ends September.

ii)

Local government reorganisation. Boundary Commission announced proposals today.  Consultation period to September.  3 possible options -

a)  1 unitary authority for whole county. 120 councillors = 1 to 7/8000 residents.

b)  Hive of Gt Yarmouth/Lowestoft/Norwich in one area and rest in another.

c)  Norwich to expand and rest in another.

County in favour of option 'a', which would include Lowestoft. There will be a cost but this is the cheapest option other than no change at all.  Status Quo not on table but could be the default.

Questions – TB considerable cost in changing. Answer – Could lead to a long term cost saving.

Personal matter.  Ian is to submit another planning application for fishing lakes.  He has spoken to the Environment Agency re water supply.  His area is on a flood plain so there will now be no banking and if area floods (possible once every 100 years) then his lakes would flood and he would lose fish.  Fish to be uses will be bream and tench with a max 35 pegs.  Also there will be 2 wildlife ponds and some wet areas to maintain/help the environment.  Ian left for another meeting at 7.55pm.