Present    Councillor M Oldfield     (Chair)
    Councillor R Payne
    Councillor T Carter
    Councillor D Holland
    Councillor C Holland
    Councillor C Lawrence
    Councillor C Mitchell

    District Councillor M Kiddle Morris
    1 member of the public

1.    Apologies for Absence. There were no Apologies for Absence.

2.    Declaration of Interest.
    Councillor D Holland declared a prejudicial interest in Item 12 being a trustee,
    Councillor Payne declared a prejudicial interest in Item 5.1.1 being the architect and
    Councillor Lawrence declared a personal interest in Item 8.8 being a member of the
    Management Committee.

3.    Minutes of the Previous Meeting.
       The minutes of the meeting held on 4 February 2007 having been circulated were approved and signed.

4.    Matters to Report.
    4.1    Registering of the Green.
        No further replies had been received and it was agreed to print some more copies and to deliver by hand and to assist in completing the forms if needed. The Clerk reported on communications he had had with Norfolk County Council and Norfolk Property Services regarding the Green. The bench had been placed on the Green without agreement and should be removed and the posts if they are to be replaced must be placed 2.5 metres from the highway. The Clerk also stated that a planning application for the notice board would probably be opposed by the owners of the land. The options open were to sign the licence or continue with the registration. It was agreed unanimously to proceed with the registration to ensure that the land remains as an open space.
    4.2    Community Emergency Co-ordinator.
        It was agreed to advertise in the Church and Village magazine for a local person to act as the Emergency Co-ordinator.
    4.3    Meeting the Boundary Committee.
        A meeting is to be held at County Hall on Thursday 13th March at 7p.m. for representatives of Parish and Town Councils to meet representatives of the Boundary committee. Councillor D Holland stated that he would attend.     
   
5.    Planning.
    5.1     Applications.
Councillor Payne withdrew from the meeting.
        5.1.1    3PL/2008/0148/F-New Inn Cottage Dereham Road-new garage and access.
        NO OBJECTION. This was passed unanimously.
Councillor Payne rejoined the meeting.
       
    5.2    Decisions. There were no decisions to report.   
                   
6.    Correspondence for circulation.
    The following correspondence had been received and would be circulated.   
    6.1    Breckland-Agenda
    6.2    Norfolk Link
    6.3    Litcham Common Conservation Group-thank you letter
    6.4    NCAPTC reorganisation
    6.5    LAG Minutes agenda and statistics
    6.6    I&DEA-local Area Agreements
    6.7    Breckland-Changes to Planning Procedures,
    6.8    Norfolk Waste Partnership-Your Rubbish Your Choice
    6.9    The Playing Field
    6.10    Breckland Council-installation of dog bins
    6.11    The Wave
    6.12    Norfolk Accident Rescue Service-thank you letter.
    6.13    Open Space Spring 2008.

7.    Highways
    7.1    Replacement of Posts on the Green.
        As previously minuted these must be placed 2.5 metres from the highway which would not discourage parking. The NCAPTC is to be contacted for clarification as the current posts have been there for 20-30years.
    7.2    Planting of Bulbs.
        Councillor Lawrence had discussed this with Mr T Angell and they had agreed to plant snowdrops, aconites, bluebells and snakeshead fritillaries on all approach roads except  Dunham Road. It was queried whether these would be seen on unmaintained verges but the consensus was that they would be. A planning application is needed plus a maintenance schedule and Councillor Lawrence agreed to clarify the costs and to report back in September.
    7.3    Parking at the Post Office.   
        A reply from Norfolk County Council had been received stating that the painting of a white line was the only option and that the area in front of the Post Office is classed as footway and vehicles parked there are causing an obstruction. If bollards were to be erected they would be located close to the carriage way edge stopping all parking outside the shop. It was agreed that this was contrary to the advice given previously and Jason Glasspoole of Norfolk County Council is to be contacted for clarification.
    7.4    General.
        The potholes in Pound Lane have not been repaired and the road between Litcham and Tittleshall is in a poor state after the grips have been cleared. Both these items are to be reported again. When the Highways Engineer visited Litcham he agreed to improve the junction at Druids Lane and Mileham Road but this has not been completed and he is to be reminded of the need for this to be completed.
         
8.    Finance.
    8.1    The budget sheets had been circulated and these were approved.

    8.2    Balances:     
        Business 30 Day account      
                  Balance at 31 12 07     15501.64
        Interest           42.33
         15543.97
        Less- transfer to Current Account       2000.00
        Balance at 31 01 08     13543.97

        Current Account   
        Balance at 31 12 07              799.83   
        Less-Direct Debits- E-on Energy-             60.82
                          739.01
        Plus- Transfer from 30 day Account        2000.00
                        2739.01
        Less unpresented cheques authorised 04 02 08          806.40
        Balance at 31 01 08        1932.61
   
Amount available for Section 137 :487x5.64= £2746.68
Spend to Date :£ 68.00

The following cheques were authorised for payment.
578    B J Leigh    Salary-Feb £214.88 +Ink-49.97 = £264.85
579    T T Jones    Maintenance Jan-Mar    £87.59
580    NRCC    Membership    £25.00
581    Beetley Parish Council    Photocopying    £13.16


    8.3    Changing Bankers to the Bank of Ireland.
        It was proposed by Councillor Lawrence and seconded by Councillor D Holland the
        attached resolution to appoint the Bank of Ireland as bankers be approved.
        This was agreed unanimously.   
    8.4    Maintenance of the Graveyard.       
        It was proposed to accept the quotation from J.P’s Maintenance for four cuts per
        year at £80 per cut, spray the footpaths once at £65 and cut the hedge once for
        £100. This was passed by a majority decision. The Clerk is to contact them to see if
        they would change the basis for their quotation.   
    8.5    Street Lighting Maintenance.
        This was deferred to the next meeting.
    8.6    Membership of  NRCC.
        It was agreed unanimously to renew the membership for the coming year but as a
        non voting member at a cost of £15.
    8.7    External Audit.
        This had now been completed with no adverse comments and this would be
        laminated and displayed on the village notice board.
   

    8.8    Donation to the Jubilee Hall.
        The Management Committee had requested a donation of £50 for the cost of
        running the bus shelter light. Councillor D Holland proposed and Councillor Oldfield
        seconded the resolution that £30 be donated. This was defeated by a majority
        decision. Councillor Lawrence proposed and Councillor Payne seconded the    
        resolution that £50 be donated to the Jubilee hall. This was passed by a majority
        decision.
   
9.    Heritage Map.
    Following discussions with the previous Clerk it was agreed to contact David Mills of
    Norfolk County Council to enquire if he could help.

10.    Nar Valley Way.
    The letter from Norfolk County Council stating that agreement in principle for the new
    footpath from the two landowners had been received was noted. Mr Warnes has given his
    full consent it is hoped Mr Archer will follow suit. The proposed new route was agreed
    unanimously.

12.    Litcham Relief in Need Charity.
    Councillor Holland reported that the Charity may be applying for a lottery grant for the
    regeneration of the allotments. If this proceeds a steering is envisaged being set up which
    would include the LALGA,  the Parish Council and other interested parties. If this steering
    committee is formed the Chairman agreed to become a member.
 
13.    Clerk’s Corner.
    13.1 Membership of the SLCC.
        It was proposed by Councillor Payne and seconded by Councillor Carter that one
        quarter of the membership fee at a cost of £28.25 be paid for the membership of
        the Clerk.   

14.    Matters for the next meeting.
    14.1    Streetlighting Maintenance
    14.2    Norfolk Minerals and Waste Development Framework.
        A lengthy discussion occurred regarding the proposed sites for mineral extraction
        and it was agreed to hold an extra meeting on Monday 10 March to discuss these
        proposals and formulate the Parish Council’s reply.
   
15.    Date of the next meeting.
    This was confirmed as Monday 10th March 2008 at 1930 to be held at The Jubilee Hall, Litcham.

The meeting closed at 2143.