At a meeting of the Parish council held on Monday 8th February 2010 there were present, Mr. J. Nichols Chairman, Mr S Perks, Mr. J. Blowers, Mr. S. Lewis, Mr. S. Rees, Mrs. G Soanes, Mr. G Wade, Mr. K Wood, & Mrs T Townend . W.D.C. Mr. P. Ashdown, PSCO Sue Kershaw and 7 Parishioners were also present.
Apologies were received from Mrs J Browne, Mr. R. Leech & SCC  Mr M Barnard, SCC Mr C Law & PC David Stranks 
The minutes of the previous meeting held on Monday 11th January were approved and signed.
Declaration of Interests. No Interests were declared
15 minutes for Parishioner input. A parishioner reported the white railings and posts around Peto’s pond (on the Corner of Church Road & Flixton Road) have been damaged. It looks like a car has hit them and they have been badly damaged. The Clerk will contact the highways agency with regard to getting these repaired. A parishioner commented on the amount of dogs mess along the footpath between Church Road & Hall Road. Dog bins had been provided but are not being used by everyone. PSCO Sue Kershaw will obtain some more ‘please clear up after your dog’ signs to put up reminding everyone it’s a criminal offence to let your dog foul footpaths. If caught the offender could face a fine of up to £2000. 
Other parish business (Parish Councilors). The Chairman reminded everyone about the Northern parishes meeting on Monday 29th March at Blundeston Village Hall.. Mr Blowers reported an update on the issue of school traffic on Church Road. With a meeting to be arranged involving the church, school, Parish council, SCC & police to discuss options regarding possible one-way traffic scheme or possibility of purchasing land opposite for large lay-by. Mr Blowers is hoping to get backing from the education authority. Mrs G Soanes reported that various items of bedding had been dumped behind the village hall on top of one of the containers. She had contacted WDC who removed the items within a few hours. Mr G Wade reported a large pot hole in Lound Road. The chairman commented that these problems were due to the cold weather we have been having and were a nationwide problem. There are also other parts of the village, in particular in Orchard Close, where new pot holes have appeared. The clerk will report these pot holes to the highways agency. S Rees reported the damaged reflective bollards on the corner of market lane had been removed and replaced with new ones. Also a new drain had been put in by Suffolk highways on Market Lane to hopefully alleviate the flooding problem. The chairman reported the purchase of a new 4 bedroomed house by the charity trustees. This is number 2, The Hedgerows, Lound Road. The property is to be rented at current market rates to generate income for the charity. Anybody interested in renting this property please contact Durrants, 102 Newmarket, Beccles.
Police Report. The police report was read out by PSCO Kershaw. There are two recorded crimes;
1 Relates to H.M. Prison, 1 burglary at a garden centre on Lound Road on 15th January. The investigation is still ongoing and if any residents heard or saw anything in the area they should contact Suffolk police. Over this last weekend ( 6th/7th Feb) 2 vehicles were damaged, 1 in Meadowlands and 1 in The Street. Any witnesses please come forward. Here again the investigation is on-going and a full report with be given in the month of February. PCSO Sue Kershaw also gave out leaflets detailing local police news & the police direct free messaging service. Further information can be found at www.suffolk.police.uk. Update on community speedwatch. All are invited to a community priority meeting to be held at Lowestoft college on Feb 19th at 10am. This will also be attended by the police & councilors and gives you the opportunity to raise concerns and issues in your area. Mr Lou Smith ( speedwatch volunteer) introduced himself & gave a speech detailing how speedwatch will work. PSCO Sue Kershaw introduced the Meadowlands neighbourhood watch co-ordinator who gave a short talk detailing their plans. 
District Councillor report  Mr P Ashdown confirmed a site meeting to be held on Wednesday 17th Feb at 2pm to discuss the traffic problem at the junction of Church Road & Flixton Road. A letter had been received from a parishioner regarding the parking issue on Lakeside Rise. The problem has arisen due to extra staffing at the prison and not enough parking spaces. Cars have been parking on the grass verges causing damage, which is not permitted. Mr Ashdown will look into this.
County Councillor Report. Mr. Law had sent an email with regard to the junction of B1074 and Church Road. Mr Law & Cllr Barnard will be having a site meeting this week with the SCC Highways Safety Eng to discuss the possible options. Mr Law will keep us advised of developments. Following a report last month regarding the speed of the ‘ELVIS’ buses through the village Mr M Barnard advised that Ambassador coaches have been contacted and all their drivers advised.  
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SCC Suffolk Culture & sports partnership – Open Weekend A grant of up to £500 is available to hold sporting & cultural events in conjunction with the Olympic games in 2012. It was discussed 
who would be interested in supporting this event. Mrs Townend will look into this and discuss with 
the scouts.
QAI application from Blundeston Pre-School A letter had been received from Ms Carly Jones, Chairperson of the Blundeston Pre-school. The pre-school have been given the possibility of funding of up to £15,000 for a Quality, access & inclusion scheme to enhance the current fenced off area to the rear of the village hall. This would hopefully include a tarmac area, wheelchair access ramp & canopy. The Pre-school are in the process of compiling a business plan and within this they require confirmation from the Parish council that they can rent the village hall for at least the next 10 years. This was agreed by the councilors and a ‘letter of satisfaction’ will be  sent to Ms Jones.
Skate Park update Mrs W Dawson read out the following report. The skate park committee are expecting installation of phase 2 equipment very soon, weather permitting. We have received receipt for the first installment, which includes VAT that the Parish council paid & can be claimed back. The skate park committee would like to request that we use a small amount of money to pay for a minor modification to the design that the children have requested. This is to change  the corner of one of the ramps ( £970 + VAT) & that also to have a metal lockable cupboard built into one of the ramps to store maintenance equipment (£620 + VAT). They would be grateful if the Parish Council would consider this. This was agreed by the councilors. Mr J Blowers congratulated Mrs Dawson for all her hard work over the years to get the skate park as we have it today. 
Update on Playground surfacing. Mr. Perks has delivered the sand and this has been put into place around the requested play equipment.  
Village Playing Field. Mr Nichols reported that as result of an earlier site meeting at the field with Mr Brook of Waveney Norse, he had now received a quotation for various remedial repairs and maintenance work on the field. He had discussed these with the football club who had prioritised the work in terms of urgency. After discussion it was agreed that the Parish Council would part fund some of the work in the spring using the ex tennis club funds and some section 106 money. The football club were also prepared to contribute £100. The workm would involve  some re-seeding, weed killing and rolling. A decision about  for fertilising the whole filed would be taken in the summer.
Accounts										
Blundeston & District tennis club. Cheque received for £483.77. Mr J Blowers mentioned that the donated Tennis club money must be used for recreational projects as per the constitution
Mr S Perks Invoice paid for £87.90 incl VAT for playground sand
Planning 
Mr. M Jary, The Rookery. Listed building Consent. This was approved
Mr M Jary, The Rookery, Construction of rear extension. This was approved.
Correspondence
SALC – The local councilor booklets given out
Suffolk Constabulary – Your priorities poster. To be placed on notice board.

The next meeting will be held on Monday 8th March 2010 at 7.30p.m. There being no further business the meeting closed at 9p.m.

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