At a meeting of the Parish Council held on Monday 15th December there were present Mr. J. Nichols (Chairman), Mr. G. Alderton, Mr. J. Blowers, Mr. P. Offord, Mrs T. Townend, Mr. T. Prettyman, Mr. S. Lewis and Mr. K. Wood. Matt Threwbron from the Lowestoft Volunteer Bureau and 10 Parishioners also attended. 
Apologies were received from Mr. S. Perks and Councillor Brian Hunter would arrive later.
There were no declarations of interest.
The Chairman gave a brief report on what had happened so far regarding the provision of a skate board area and was sorry to say than no one had come forward to liase between the Parish Council and boys who had taken the imitative to request this facility, it had been hoped that one of their parents would volunteer. Mr. Nichols then asked Matt Threwbron for advice on the way forward with the project, he suggested that Martin Burnside had intimated to him that there would be funding available from the District Council and so the chairman suggested that the next stage would be to invite Mr. Burnside to a site meeting. It was agreed that Mr. Burnside should be contacted and he would be able to give more details on the funding available and also the grade of hard surfacing which would reduce the noise considerably. It was stressed that the Parish Council were not in favour of a “Skate Park” but simply to provide a safe flat area for the youngsters to do their own thing. Mr. Threwbron said that he would assist in any way he could through the Lowestoft Volunteer Bureau. Mr. Blowers reiterated his concern about the blocking of the Emergency Fire Exit if the skate park was situated on that side of the Village Hall. There was no Police report. 
Planning. The following application was approved
Accounts 
LubbockFine Annual Audit					293. 75
Mr. Hunter arrived and was invited to give his report next. Mr. Hunter said that he had contacted Mr. Andy Irvine at WDC regarding the letter sent to the Highways Department by the Parish Council regarding various problems in the two Parishes, and he had been assured that a reply was in the post and all 4 points will be attended to, some maybe later rather than sooner. He was certain that the matter of the bridge in Flixton would have been referred to County Hall immediately. 
Correspondence. A reply had been received from Anglian Water apologising for the long delay in getting back to the Parish Council regarding the survey carried out months previously in Market Lane, they said that a new survey would be carried out during week beginning 1st December. Mr. Alderton had observed the work taking place, and he had spoken to the engineers carrying out the survey and gleaned a little information, but it was agreed that as no report had been received yet, the matter would be put on the agenda for the January meeting. It was intimated in the reply that Anglian Water probably did not own the pipe concerned and as W.D.C. would not accept ownership either some concern was expressed as to who was responsible for this. A copy of WDC Consultation Draft Housing Strategy Statement had been received, the Chairman had read this and reported that he found it a very useful document, but felt that it should contain some reference to eco-friendly housing. Mr. Hunter reported that Oulton Parish Council were going to have to cope with an extra influx of 800 houses, Mr Wood expressed his concern about the number of extra cars using the B1074 from these new dwellings in order to get to Norwich. The Chairman had noted that in the Strategy Statement was an item, which stated that ⅓ of all housing developments of over 25 houses, should be affordable housing, not as stated by WDC in reference to the proposed development at the Brambles in Lound Road, that developments of more than 3 houses should contain affordable housing. Mr. Hunter pointed out that the latest Planning Policy Guidelines supported the latter statement. Further correspondence had been received from Suffolk Acre regarding Parish Plans, it was agreed that a Public meeting would probably be a good idea and the date of 28th March 2004 was suggested, the Clerk would contact the relevant person and see if this date would be suitable for them to attend, a note would then be delivered to every household informing the Parishioners of this meeting, and its purpose. The Countryside Agency had reported that any Rights of Way replies sent by email had not been received as their system had not been working correctly since October, but the Chairman had sent Blundeston and Flixton's response by letter. Councillors were reminded that the next Lothingland Area Forum would be held at Oulton Community Centre on 16th December at 7.30. Two Applications had been received for the Parish Council vacancy, as there was more than one applicant, the Parish Councillors could not legally co-opt one of these applicants, the general public would have to be involved with the appointment, and this left 3 possibilities, No.1 A public election should be held as soon as possible, this would prove to be very expensive. No.2 The Parish Council could wait until June and combine an election with the European Elections, which would involve around £500 in expenses, or No.3 carry on with a vacancy until the next Parish Council election in 2½ years. Mr. Prettyman proposed that the decision should be delayed until the meeting in January to give Councillors time to think about the decision. This was unanimously agreed. A request for a volunteer to read at the Community Carol Service on 22nd December had been received, Mr. Blowers offered to do this and the Clerk offered to donate 1 doz mince pies. A letter had arrived from the Minister for the Horse at DEFRA with various matters concerning horses and riders generally.  A letter from David Jessup at WDC informed the Parish Council that from April 2005 they would no longer provide a free service to inspect and maintain, up to a sum of £100, Playground equipment for Village Playgrounds. 
Other Parish Business. Members of the motorcycle club had requested permission to hold a meeting in the Heath Pit on Saturday 27th December, this permission was granted. Mr. Wood said that the dumped Freezer had still not been removed, the clerk agreed to contact Adrian Clarke at WDC requesting that this be taken away as soon as possible. The Chairman gave a brief report on the Charity Trustees, and informed those present that a copy of his report had been posted on the Notice-board he also stated that suggested had been made that the form sent out to every household was a covert means test, and so he read out several paragraphs from a document dated 1937, which is the constitution of Blundeston Charity Trustees which confirmed that what had occurred was exactly what should have been done. He also informed the Parishioners that the sale of the land off The Pippins had finally been agreed.    
Parishioner input.
Mr. Oldman informed the meeting that he had driven over the bridge in Flixton, which was causing concern and he could see that the surface appeared to be sinking and had a definite dip in it. Mr. Hunter said that he would find out what is being done about the problem. Mr. Ffitch announced that he is taking part in the Christmas Day swim in the sea at Lowestoft and any sponsor money he received will be put towards the refurbishment of the bells in St. Mary’s Church. At present the Church has one bell which can be rung, and the other, from the ruined Church of St. Andrews at Flixton, is in need of repair. There being no further business the meeting closed at 8.25p.m. 
When the Clerk arrived home Mrs. Hume had left a message to offer her apologies and to mention that she had given her apologies for the November meeting in October, and this had been omitted from the minutes of the previous meeting.