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Present: Mike Oldfield (Chairman)
Roy Payne (Vice Chair)
Tim Angell
Mark Sheard
Carol Hilton
Claire Lawrence
John Relph (Clerk)
17 members of the public.

Before the Parish Council Meeting was convened a presentation on the new "Local Development Framework" was given by David Spencer, Senior Planning Policy Officer for Breckland District Council. This was followed by a detailed presentation on the current planning process by Phil Daines, Development Services Manager (also of B.D.C.), with particular regard to the Council's concerns as to "potential anomalies in the planning process" as expressed at the last meeting on 21st February. There was then a lively question and answer session which touched on both the wider issues of planning and concerns surrounding several recent local developments.

The Meeting of Litcham Parish Council was begun at 9.25 p.m.

1) Apologies: An apology was received from Cllr. Raven.
2) Declarations of Interest: Cllr. Lawrence declared an interest in Agenda item 5. ii)
3) Minutes of Previous meeting held on 21st February 2005 were agreed and signed as a fair and true record of that meeting.
4) Matters Arising:

i) Five Year Plan: Cllr. Sheard produced an up to date version of the Council's five year financial plan and explained variations of forecast against budget for 2004-5. The plan has now been extended to 2009/10.
ii) Development of "The Wellingham Triangle": Cllr. Angell reported a request from Breckland D.C. for the Council's position on development on land known as 'The Wellingham Triangle" had gone unanswered. He proposed that, in the light of several objections from residents, the council revisit this subject and send a suitable reply to B.D.C., who were still keen to receive a reply. Action: Clerk to place on next Agenda.
iii) The Chairman reported that N.C.S. had been re-engaged to maintain the graveyard.
iv) Village Appraisal: the Clerk reported on his meeting with Tony Needham (Community Engagement Officer; B.D.C) regarding a Parish Plan for Litcham and distributed literature received. Cllr. Angell expressed concern that the large amount of effort that went into the 2001 Village Appraisal had been wasted. It was agreed that this subject be put on the Agenda of the Annual Parish Meeting.
v) Parking Outside the Post Office: The Chairman reported on a meeting concerning parking outside the Post Office. Present were Neil Foster of Lexham Hall Estates, John Hunter from Norfolk C.C. Highways Dept, Mike Troupe (Postmaster), Mike the Butcher, Cllr. Roy Payne, Mike Oldfield (Chairman) and the John Relph (Clerk). The general consensus of the meeting was that a row of posts should be positioned outside the Post Office to keep the footpath clear. However, no progress could be made on any proposal until the ownership of the land and footpath outside the Post Office had been clearly defined. Action: John Hunter to inform Clerk of land owned by N.C.C.
vi) Village Green: Clerk reported that he had confirmation from N.C.C. Highways and Planning that they owned the piece of land known as the 'Village Green". He had requested the removal of the remains of the fallen tree and repair of the posts; Highways had agreed to remove the stump but were unsure about the posts.
With regard to placing a seat on this land Highways said that they had no objection to this in principal; permission would have to be sought and a site agreed with their planning department.
vii) Road Safety, Back Lane: the Council agreed that they would like to see a 'School' warning sign placed near the entrance to the school playing field as, due to a lack of a footpath, schoolchildren stepped directly into to the road at this point. Action: Clerk to put request to N.C.C. Highways dept.
viii) Streetlighting: The Clerk reported that the contract with McApline had lapsed but they were prepared to provide maintenance on a 'Call Out' basis for the time being. McAlpine's quote of £500 for a new contract represented an increase of over 200%. The Clerk was therefore in the process of getting alternative quotes and would put these before the council at the next meeting for a decision.
ix) Internal Auditor: After advice from NCATPC it was agreed that a new internal auditor would be found to replace Cllr. Sheard. Clerk to Action.

5) Financial Business

i) The Financial Reconciliation for the year to date was received. It was noted that there was a large amount of money in the current account. Further to this the Clerk reported that V.A.T. of £243.34 had been re-claimed and the Long Meadow rent of £150.00 had been collected. Additionally the first installment of the annual precept had been received. It was therefore agreed that the balance of the current account should be reduced to £2,000. Clerk to Action.
ii) A request for a donation to Litcham Entertainments Group was considered and a sum of £200.00 was agreed, no payment was made as it was understood that the money would not be required until September. Action: L.E.G. to advise Clerk when the grant is required
iii) All payments concerning the courses and literature purchased from the NCATPC were agreed and cheques of £45.00 and £28.50 to the Clerk; £11.75 to Cllr Lawrence and £25 to the Chairman were signed. The council also ageed to continue their membership of NCAPTC and a cheque of £109.72 for subscription 2005/6 was signed.

6) Clerk's terms of employment and salary: Apart for the need to correct some typographical errors these were accepted. Action: to be signed by the Chairman once the corrections have been made.
7) Training: the clerks request to attend N.P.T.P's 3day training course. "Survival Kit & Accounts" - 11-25th May at a cost of £60.00 was approved.
8) Planning: planning application 3PL/2005/0299/F Re: Hanworth House Pound Lane; "Replacement of existing agricultural storage shed" was approved by the Council. Action: Clerk to inform B.D.C.
9) Correspondence: various items of correspondence were distributed to the Council. Cllr. Sheard requested a place at NCAPTCs free training day on 16th May.
10) Items for the next agenda: a query has been raised by a parishioner regarding the issue of the sale of household goods from outside domestic residences in the village.
11) The date of next meeting was confirmed as Monday 16th May in the Jubilee Hall starting at 7.30 p.m. This Meeting is the Annual General Meeting of the Parish Council and The Annual Parish Meeting, the clerk will send letters to all Village Organisations inviting them to submit reports to the meeting.

Meeting closed 10.55 pm