During the last year,
together with other agencies the Parish Council has attempted to keep the roads
and paths maintained. Roadside verges trimmed and the village green cut. Ant
problems can always be reported to any councillor or the clerk.
The Council has also
paid for the maintenance of the churchyard and for the streetlights. The Stump
on the green should also be removed soon now that ownership has been assured.
Planning applications
have been considered and observations made to Breckland Council. Although this
hasn't always gone smoothly and some problems arose with the building work at
the High School. Hopefully these were resolved to some extent by the visit of
Phil Daines and David Spencer from Breckland planning
department. Who also went on to explain the new Local Development Framework
(L.D.F.) that supersedes the old Structure Plan. They
went on to describe how this will now impact a planning decisions and
development.
We are currently
trying to resolve the parking issue around the centre of the village. It is not
safe when cars are dropping off and picking up school children. It is
positively hazardous for wheelchair users that can't use the pavements.
It was agreed that the
Council would join the NCAPTC (Norfolk County Association for Parish & Town
Councils). This has been a great asset in respect of advice and help for the
new clerk, Mr. John Relph. In the last year we have made donations to the
Methodist Chapel, Citizens Advice Bureau, the Bell Ringing Group, the Common
Conservation Group and more recently to the Litcham Entertainments Group, we
look forward to their productions.
Myself, other
councillors and the clerk taken opportunities to attend courses run by the
NCAPTC and Breckland Council. Hopefully this will enable the council to fulfil
its duty to the Parish and make the village a safe and friendly environment to
live in.