At a meeting of the Parish Council held on Monday 21st March 2005 there were present, Mr. J. Nichols (Chairman), Mr. P. Offord, Mr. G. Alderton, Mrs. G. Soanes, Mrs. T. Townend, Mr. S. Perks, Mrs. E. Hume and Mr. K. Wood. Councillor Brian Hunter, Pc Boggis and 10 Parishioners also attended.
Apologies were received from Mr. J. Blowers, Mr. S. Lewis and Mrs. E. Hilton.
The minutes of the previous meeting were approved and signed.
Mr. Perks declared an interest in the Planning Application for the proposed siting of a residential caravan on land to be developed in Market Lane. There were no other Declarations of Interest.
Mr. Nichols read out the reply from W.D.C. in regard of the Highway matters highlighted at the previous Parish Council meeting. The Clerk was asked to follow up this reply by asking for an idea of the time scale for the work to counteract the drainage problem in Lowestoft Road, and also for the remedial work to the Market Lane road surface to be carried out. The Clerk had so far not received any information as to the cost of the Flashing Speed Limit signs; this was also to be followed up. The Clerk gave a report on the latest Northern Parishes Liaison meeting, which included the news that the Wilde Street Household Refuse site would be closing and the nearest site then would be on the South Lowestoft Industrial Estate. It had been suggested that this would not be adequate cover for the Northern Area of Lowestoft, and it was felt that the Northern Parishes Liaison and the individual Parish Councils should write to W.D.C. asking for the provision of suitable site for this side of the River. The Clerk had raised the problem of fly tipping which seemed to be universal in the Northern Parishes and it would seem to follow that in view of the closure this problem would become even greater. Councillor Hunter had informed the meeting that he would not be seeking re-election to Suffolk County Council in May, those assembled expressed their disappointment at this announcement and it was unanimously agreed that Mr Hunter had been a great asset to the area in his capacity as County Councillor, and everyone was pleased that he would still be in attendance at these meetings in his role as a District Councillor. Pc Boggis gave a Police report and stated that in February there were only 2 reported crimes in Blundeston, both at the Prison, and there had been one crime in Flixton where a trailer had been stolen. Mr. Hunter gave his report next and informed the Councillors that he had spoken to the relevant Department at W.D.C. with regard to the closure of Wilde Street and it has now been recognised that something is needed to replace this facility on the Northern side of the Waveney. The Clerk had also attended an Oulton Parish Council meeting on 14th March when a proposed new Bridleway was discussed, with Adrian Clarke from W.D.C. in attendance, this bridleway would join the one which runs from Camps Heath to Flixton and continue along the edge of the Marshes to join with Waddling Lane. At present this is only a proposal but it is being considered because of the dangers to horse riders along the B1074. The Clerk had spoken Mr. Clarke and explained that Blundeston and Flixton Parish Council had not been informed of this proposal officially and had asked to be kept informed of the progress of this plan. The Clerk had discussed the provision of Dogs Mess Bins  with W.D.C. and had been informed that since the last enquiry the Policy had changed and the Parish Council would have to purchase these and the responsibility for them being emptied now rested with the District Council. The cost was revealed to be £250 per bin. Corton had recently purchased a bin at a cost of approx £75 and Oulton one for £178, on further enquiry the Clerk was provided with details of all three bins, the cheaper one had no lid and the most expensive had a 60ltr capacity with the medium one providing 50ltr. It was decided to purchase a 50ltr bin for The Street end of the “alley” and a small one for the Church Road end of the footpath from Lakeside Rise further ones would then be purchased when it was found that the provision of these bins was an improvement. The recent Disco held to raise funds for the Party in the Park had been a great success and had raised over £550. The Chairman had made contact with the relevant person in charge of the bus which took children from Blundeston and the surrounding areas to the Hobart School, the Clerk was asked to write to this lady with the suggestion that the bus could pick up and drop off at the Village Hall, parents could then park in the Village Hall Car Park, therefore causing less traffic problems than are experienced at present in The Street and at Blundeston School. The children could then also use the bus shelter during inclement weather.  The Chairman reported that he had decided to stand down from the post as a Trustee on the board of Blundeston Charitable Trust, the Clerk was asked to advertise the vacancy, asking for written applications and making it clear that the successful applicant would be elected by the Members of the Parish Council. The Parish Plans Steering Group had forwarded a copy of the preliminary results of the Resent Survey conducted in Blundeston and Flixton, these results, when completed, will be distributed to each household. There had been a 75% return and there were very few surprises in the results. Parishioners were concerned about the parked car problem, speeding traffic etc. Once the results are finalised a copy will be considered at a Parish Council meeting and any items, which can be dealt with locally, will be addressed. 
Planning. The following plans were considered.
Mr. G. Tripp, 3 Old Hall Cottages, Flixton – Two - storey side and single storey rear extensions.
Mr. & Mrs D. Matthews, Virginia Cottage, Market Lane, Construction of a Chalet style dwelling and Garage at rear of Virginia Cottage, Market Lane.
Mr. and Mrs. G. Kitchener, Richmond Road, Reading, Conversion of a barn to residential at Garden Farm, Market Lane.
Mr. M. Osborn, The Retreat, Lound Road, Blundeston, Temporary siting of 26’ x 10’ caravan on building site adj. to Holly Barn, Market Lane.
The Chairman closed the meeting to allow members of the public to express their views on the above applications. He also read out a letter from Mr. & Mrs. D. Matthews, a copy of which was given to each Parish Councillor. A copy of a letter to the Planning department from the owner of one of the neighbouring properties was also read out. Other neighbours said that they wholeheartedly agreed with all the comments in the second letter. Great concern over the loss of privacy was expressed. The Chairman then reopened the Parish Council meeting and Councillors approved the applications from Mr. & Mrs. Tripp, Mr. & Mrs Kitchener and Mr. Osborn. The application from Mr. & Mrs Matthews was refused for several reasons, Mr. Offord pointed out that the land in question had a heavy clay sub strata and this would probably make the proposed soak-aways unviable. It was felt that the property was far too large for the plot and not in keeping with surrounding properties. Neighbouring properties privacy would be severely compromised. Even with the new policy towards back land development it was felt that this was a totally unviable proposition. Concern was expressed about the impact building would make on an old retaining wall bounding the garden. The clerk was asked to stat in the reply to W.D.C.  that the Councillors were of the opinion that a site visit should be made to this quite unique site before any decision is made and neighbours had offered to take Members of the Planning Committee into the surrounding gardens to show the impact such a large structure would have on the adjacent properties.  The Planning Department should also be made aware that the Parish Council would like to know the date of the relevant hearing at which this plan will be considered and the fact that the Chairman would like to speak at the meeting. 
Accounts. The following account was approved for payment by Mr. Offord and seconded by Mr. Perks.
M. Pawson.		Delivery costs of flyer for Parish Plans	£20. 00
A Quotation had arrived from the Parks Dept. of WDC for the Grass cutting on the Play area, football pitch and Village Hall grounds £478. 43 plus VAT. This was approved for acceptance. Gt. Yarmouth B. Council had forwarded the Local Dev. Framework information, as had W.D.C. with Community Involvement references. Information had arrived regarding Waveney Local Strategic Partnership. W.D.C. are carrying out a survey on people sleeping rough. W.D.C. needed a breakdown of the Parish Precept budget. S.C.C. had sent notice of a Racial Harassment Initiative Competition. The Dti had sent a DVD entitled Making Sense of Broadband. W.D.C. had sent details of the charges for their inspections of Play Areas. Mr. Wood took this information and he will report back to the next meeting.
Other parish business.
Mr. Offord reported that the Footpath from Market Lane to The Street had been resurfaced. Several councillors expressed doubts that the surfacing material would last, as it was not as good a finish as had been pledged originally. Mrs. Soanes reported that a large vehicle is parking off road in front of a property in The Street but because of the size of the vehicle the footway is being obstructed, Pc Boggis made a note of this and will survey the problem. Mr. Perks announced that the Oak Farm Shooting Syndicate had decided that surplus funds from their Annual Dinner would be donated to the Party in the Park funds. Mr. Wood again reported a case of very dangerous driving outside his house on the B1704 in Flixton. He also said that the roundabout was now ready to be replaced on the Childrens’ Play area and the other repair works will be carried out in the near future. The Village Hall caretaker reported that he had had to clean up human excrement from the bus shelter, as well as several broken bottles during the past week. Mrs. Soanes gave a brief report on the Local Forum meeting, which was held, in Blundeston Village Hall on 17th March. The Local Sunshine Club had benefited from a grant to help pay for the coach which can cater with wheelchairs when they have their outings in the summer months. 
15 Minutes Parishioner input.
Mr. Ffitch agreed that the surface along the footpath did not seem satisfactory.
There being no further business the meeting closed.