21st April 2008
During the last year the Parish
Council has worked with Breckland District Council and Norfolk County Council to
maintain the village to a standard we can all appreciate..
In co-operation with N.C.C. Highways we have tried to keep on top of road
maintenance and signage, by reporting any problems that arise. We were able to get Breckland Council to
clean all the road name signs this year.
A request was made to Highways to
consider the extension of the speed limits on the Dunham and on the Mileham
Roads. It was considered not
possible.
The addition of a white line and
removal of a kerbed area outside the Post Office
seems to have eased the problem of parked cars obstructing pedestrian and
wheelchair access to the Post Office up to a point. But it may be necessary for some other
system to be devised to make parking in this area completely safe.
Many planning applications came
before the Parish Council This year.
The Council made observation and objections to a proportion of these
applications; sometime Breckland took note and made amendments, while others
were passed back to Breckland with no comment from the council.
Currently before the Parish Council
are Mineral and Waste proposals from Norfolk County Council regarding Litcham
Heath (on the Wellingham Road) and the Tittleshall/Mileham Road site. Consultation was extended and at present
the Parish Council will make objections to both sites.
The realignment of the footpath south
of the Mileham Road is being looked at after a visit by a member of the
Ramblers Association. This is still subject to a local
arrangement
Sadly we have not been able to come
to an agreement with the P.C.C. regarding pedestrian
access to the churchyard extension from Druids Lane. Despite
their initial agreement to let us do this.
Tim Goddard came and spoke about
affordable housing in the village. We are still
waiting for forms from them to carry out a survey within the village regarding
housing.
Dog Waste bins were bought and erected although one post has since
been stolen.
We are trying to register the green
opposite the Bull as an ÔOpen SpaceÕ for the village. Questionnaires are available to be
filled in regarding itÕs historic use and how long it has been used as a
village green.
A new notice board has been purchased
and will be erected on the green as soon as itÕs future is secured.
Using money from our reserves and
negotiating new contracts for grass-cutting in the
churchyard and street-light maintenance we were able to reduce the coming years
precept to £6000.00.
Donations totaling £468 were made by
the Parish Council throughout the year. All if the
activities of Litcham Parish Council can be viewed and followed on the Litcham
website – www.litcham.org
Mike Oldfield,
Chairman LITCHAM PARISH COUNCIL 2007-8