At the May Parish Council meeting, attended by four Councillors, County and District Councillor Kiddle Morris the following was considered:
Election of Chairman: Councillor Mike Oldfield was elected Chairman of the Parish Council.
Election of Vice-Chairman: Councillor Trevor carter was elected Vice-Chairman of the Parish Council.
Highways/Traffic Matters: Wellingham Road is to be closed to allow resurfacing work to be undertaken. The following matters are to be reported to Norfolk County Council:- the gulleys on Church Street need jetting, the hedge on Druids Lane has not been trimmed nor has the hedge at Holly Hose, there are potholes in Druids Lane and at the Mileham/Church street junction, the edge of Butt lane needs repair and there is still some uneven surfaces on Wellingham road that have not been marked for repair.  The contract for the barrier at Kepple Close is to be awarded to Norfolk County Council.
Litcham Common Management Committee had requested that cattle grids be positioned on the Dunham road to allow free access to each side of the road for the ponies.  Norfolk County council are conducting a feasibility study on the matter and will report back in due course.
Speedwatch: The Clerk had contacted Mileham and Tittleshall Parish Clerk for the names of the volunteers so that the group can commence the Speedwatch in the villages but no names had been forwarded. If no names are forwarded in the next month then the training will proceed with the members from Litcham.
Heritage Map: New photographs had been taken of the sites in the village to be featured on the Heritage map and the layout should be available at the next meeting.
Planning. Applications; no objection was raised to the application relocate an existing mobile classroom and erection of new purpose built dance studio at Litcham high school. Decisions: permission had been granted to install plastic bunded oil tank in garden and external oil fired boiler at 6 Church street. The application to convert to 2 self contained holiday lets at 1Church street had been referred to the Development Control Committee on 10 May
Village Fair 2010:  the money received from the previous account was not the total amount in the accounts and a new cheque is awaited. £500 was donated to the new fund to assist with the initial set up costs for the fair in June.
Accounts: the accounts for the year April 2009 to March 2010 were approved.
The next meeting of Litcham Parish Council is due to be held on Monday 7 June 2010 at 7.30p.m. at the Jubilee Hall. All parishioners are cordially invited to attend and the first part of the meeting is set aside for parishioners to raise issues with the Parish Council.
The full minutes are available for viewing from the Meetings Page or by contacting the Clerk. 

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At the April Parish Council meeting, attended by seven Councillors, County and District Councillor Kiddle Morris, and seven members of the public the following was considered:
Highways/Traffic Matters: The Clerk had met the Highways Engineer on 2 March to discuss the problems in the village and following the meeting the Highways Engineer had confirmed that he had spoken to the owner of Holly House regarding the overhanging hedge and this is to be cut back, the flooding on Dereham Road near to Bridge Farm will be monitored, Manor Drive had been repaired and most of the potholes had been repaired albeit with a temporary repair. Permanent repairs will be undertaken now the weather has improved. The car on Tittleshall Road has now been removed. A quotation has been received from Norfolk County Council for the erection of the kissing gate on Weasenham Road but a further quotation is still awaited from Norse. The following new problems are all to be reported to Norfolk County Council:-potholes in Pound Lane, Dereham Road and Druids Lane, the hedge opposite the School in Druids Lane and the damaged 40 m.p.h. sign on Lexham road.
Speedwatch: The Clerk is to contact Mileham and Tittleshall Parish Clerk for the names of the volunteers so that the group can commence the Speedwatch in the villages.
Heritage Map: A second meeting had been held with Signs of Life regarding the refurbishment of the Heritage Map and a draft layout had been received. It was agreed to have photographs of The Priory, Church, Litcham Hall, Bull P.H., Village Sign and the Old Tollhouse on the map provided the owners give their consent. Once this has been agreed a final draft layout will be prepared for approval.
Planning. Applications; no objection was raised to the application to install a plastic bunded oil tank and external oil fire boiler at 6 Church Street but the application for the conversion of ancillary accommodation to self contained holiday lets at the Bull P.H. was objected to as it was felt that this change would affect the long term viability of the public house.
Village Fair 2010:  the finances from the old account had been received and it was agreed to donate £500 to the new fund to assist with the initial set up costs for the fair in June. The reminder of the money will be distributed to the local organisations who were involved in the last fair.
The next meeting of Litcham Parish Council is due to be held on Tuesday 4
May 2010 at 7.30p.m. at the Jubilee Hall. All parishioners are cordially invited to attend and the first part of the meeting is set aside for parishioners to raise issues with the Parish Council.
The full minutes are available for viewing from the Meetings Page

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March 2010 Parish Council Meeting
Attended by 6 Councillors, County/District Cllr Kiddle-Morris & 4 members of the public the following was considered:
Highways/Traffic Matters: The Clerk would be meeting the Highways Engineer on 2 March to discuss the problems in the village and would be looking at the state of Dereham Road, Manor Drive, the footway on Lexham Road near to Litcham Hall and the many potholes within the village, many of which had been filled but the repair had since come out. Weasenham Road was clear of surface water when it was inspected but the site will continue to be monitored and the Highways Inspector is to check the surfacing and kerbing outside the Bungalow on Front Street. The removal of the car on Tittleshall Road had not been actioned by the police and this will be pursued with the Highways Department. The Clerk and the Highways Engineer are to discuss the erection of the kissing gate on Weasenham Road when in the village.
Speedwatch: There are enough volunteers from within Litcham to start the scheme but there has been no response from either Mileham or Tittleshall so the Parish Clerk for these two parishes will be contacted to progress the formation of the group. Any villager who is interested please contact the Clerk. It is likely to involve about two hours every few weeks.
Heritage Map: A meeting had been held with Signs of Life regarding the refurbishment of the Heritage Map which would have a mixture of illustrations and photographs and would be more user friendly.
Litcham Relief in Need Charity: Both nominated trustees attended the meeting and stated that the Parish council should not be involved in the running of the Charity and it has no powers to intervene.  The members felt that the Parish Council had only tried to resolve issues and that it was necessary for mediation to resolve the dispute over the tenure of the trustees.  The comments from the nominated trustees were noted but the Parish Council will continue to strive to ensure that the Charity can operate with all the trustees.
Telephone Box on Weasenham Road: It was agreed to sell the telephone box after the electricity supply has been removed.
Registration of the Green; A further fourteen copies of the supporting evidence questionnaire had been forwarded to Cambridgeshire County Council prior to the deadline of 1 March. It is hoped that this additional evidence will prove sufficient for the parcel of land to be registered as a green. Village Fair 2010:  this is to be held on 19 June and it is hoped that by the next meeting the finances in the account will be transferred to the Parish Council and a decision can be made on the distribution of the funds.
The Next meeting is due to be held on Tuesday 6 April 2010 at 7.30p.m. at the Jubilee Hall. All parishioners are cordially invited to attend and the first part of the meeting is set aside for parishioners to raise issues with the Parish Council.
The Annual Parish Meeting will be held on 19 April 2010 at the Jubilee Hall at 7.30 p.m.
The full minutes are available for viewing from the Meetings Page

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At the February Parish Council meeting, attended by 5 Councillors, District Councillor Kiddle Morris and one member of the public the following was considered:
Highways/Traffic Matters. Several potholes in the parish had been noted and these would be reported to the Highways Department. The sign on Dereham Road for Litcham had not yet been replaced and this would be requested again with the addition of Please Drive Slowly. Druids Lane had been added to the gritting route for the parish and it was hoped that the route to the Primary School would also be added in the near future although no decision had been received as yet, as there are a number of requests across the county to add roads to the routes. Concern was expressed at the poor parking on Church Street near the junction with Druids Lane and it was agreed to write to the High School to enquire if it was possible to put an article in their newsletter requesting that the junction be kept clear to ensure there is adequate visibility when accessing Church Street.
Finance.  Payments for the Clerk’s salary, cutting of the churchyard, the replacement light bowls and new photo-electric cells for the street lighting, and donations to the Royal British Legion Poppy Appeal, Open Spaces Society, and the Litcham Common Conservation Group were all approved.
Planning. The Parish Council had raised no objection to the proposed conservatory. shed, courtyard and fencing at nocks Cottage Front Street although concern was expressed that the style of fencing was not suitable for a conservation area and the application had received permission.
Other Matters. The Parish Council had received a quotation for the cutting of the churchyard for 2009 but it was agreed to request further quotations on a reduced cutting basis so that the area would only be cut four times per year not monthly as had been the programme in previous years. Land Registry had been contacted regarding the parcel of land the gives access to the river between the allotments on Dunham Road and the land registry have confirmed that this is not registered but a caution has been placed on the land which means that it is not able to register the land until such time as this caution is removed. Therefore Land Registry is to be contacted to confirm the procedure to follow. The street lighting had now been changed to the reduced period so that the lights do not remain in operation all night but up to midnight and from just before dawn. Complaints had been received about anti–social behaviour on Church Street but as none of these had been reported to the Homewatch co-ordinator no record of the complaints had been received by the police which makes any response difficult to justify.
Vacancy on the Parish Council. Following the resignation of Councillor Payne no election had been requested by a parishioner so the Parish Council may now co-opt a parishioner to the Council.
If any parishioner wishes to become a member of the Parish Council would they please contact the Clerk on 01362 861112.
Monthly Meetings to which all parishioners are welcome, are held in the Jubilee Hall commencing at 7.30 p.m. and the first part of the meeting is made available for public discussion and to bring matters to the attention of councillors. Council meetings will normally take place on the first Monday of each month, but this could be subject to change in any one month. Please consult the Notice Board for the date or contact the Clerk on 01362 861112.
The full minutes are available for viewing from the Meetings Page

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No meeting in January

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At the December 2009 Parish Council meeting, attended by five Councillors, County and District Councillor Kiddle Morris, and nine members of the public the following was considered:
Highways/Traffic Matters. The problems from the previous month had all been reported to Norfolk County Council and a response had been received stating that these would be repaired or monitored in the future. The flooding on the Weasenham Road had not improved although the verge grips along this section of the road had been cleared. Norfolk County Council will be informed that there is still a problem. Two new potholes on Butt lane and Pound Lane are to be reported as well as the road outside The Bungalow on Front Street which needs repairing.
Speedwatch. Councillor Carter informed the meeting that he had been to a training session to enable villagers to use the radar gun to monitor the speed of vehicles in villages. The feeling of the police at the training session was that it would be advantageous if a group is formed of Litcham, Mileham and Tittleshall. The time involved would not be more than two half days per month and if any parishioner is interested in becoming part of the Speedwatch group would they please contact either Councillor Trevor Carter on 701688 or the Clerk on 01362 861112.
Village Fair.    The Chairman of the Parent Teacher and Friends Association of Litcham High School was present and informed the members that she would be organising a fair/fete in June 2010 as there appears to be overwhelming support for the event. The Parish Council agreed to support the event and would make funds available from the fair account to assist in the initial costs of the event. Further details will be advertised in this magazine once full details are known.
Other Matters. Litcham Relief in Need Charity: Again no nominated trustee was present at the meeting to give a report. The further attempt at mediation organised by the Parish Council had not taken place as the nominated trustees were unable to attend. The co-opted trustees who were all present reported that the registration of the land included the cut to the river and Osier Carr and a programme of maintenance at Osier Carr is to be undertaken. The Parish Council reiterated their support for the co-opted trustees who will continue to administer the Charity.  Telephone Box on Weasenham Road. The Litcham Historical Society had expressed an interest in the telephone box and if any parishioner wishes to purchase this would they please inform the Clerk by 15 January. Parish Clerk. The members present expressed their disappointment that another Councillor had written to the EDP regarding the Parish Clerk who is a clerk to more than one parish. The Parish Council
unanimously and unambiguously gave their support to the Parish Clerk and have no issue with the fact that he is also a clerk to other parishes. This multiple role brings experience and knowledge which might not be available if a person clerks to just one parish. 
The next meeting of Litcham Parish Council is due to be held on 1 February 2010 at 7.30p.m. at the Jubilee Hall. All parishioners are cordially invited to attend and the first part of the meeting is set aside for parishioners to raise issues with the Parish Council.
The full minutes are available for viewing by any parishioner by contacting the Clerk.

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At the November Parish Council meeting, attended by five Councillors, County and District Councillor Kiddle-Morris, and three members of the public the following was considered:
Highways/Traffic Matters: The problems from the previous month had all been reported to Norfolk County Council and it will monitor these. New problems reported were a sign at the junction of Weasenham and Wellingham Road which has been altered to point in the wrong direction, a pothole on Druids Lane, the damaged sign on the B1145 to the west of the village, the bend on Dereham Road opposite Holly Cottage and flooding on the Weasenham Road. Two replies had been received regarding the positioning of a barrier at the rear of Keppel Close and as neither was against the proposal the Parish Council is to obtain quotations for the work.
Finance:  Payments for the Clerk’s salary, hire of the Jubilee hall, the external audit and training for a new Councillor were approved. It was agreed to keep the precept which is the portion of the Council Tax that the Parish Council receives at the same amount as in the previous two years which is £6000 and to utilise reserves for any major expenditure. The External Auditor had raised no comments on the audit and the return is available for viewing by contacting the Clerk. It was agreed to donate to the Litcham Common Conservation Group as has been the practice in previous years. It was agreed to proceed with the replacement post and wire fence at Long Meadow.
Planning.  There were no planning applications to consider or decisions to report. It was agreed to respond to the Preferred Options Consultation on the Minerals and Waste Framework as the response to the consultation in 2008.
Other Matters: Litcham Relief in Need Charity:  Again no nominated trustee was present at the meeting to give a report. The co-opted trustees were present and reported that the registration of the land had been completed but it was not certain if the cut to the river had been included in this registration and the Chairman of the trustees who had been forwarded the registration from the solicitors would check this as well as Osier Carr. A further attempt at mediation had been arranged and the Parish Council is awaiting confirmation that all trustees will be able to attend. Registration of the Green:  Cambridgeshire County Council had informed the Parish Council that there is insufficient evidence to warrant registering it as an open space but the Parish Council has been given until February to produce more evidence.
Telephone Box on Weasenham Road:  The Parish Council had received a request to purchase this box and if any parishioner wishes to purchase the box would they please contact the Clerk with the price they are offering.
The Next Meeting of Litcham Parish Council is due to be held on 7 December 2009 at 7.30p.m. at the Jubilee Hall. All parishioners are cordially invited to attend and the first part of the meeting is set aside for parishioners to raise issues with the Parish Council.
The full minutes are available for viewing from the Meetings Page. 

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At the October Parish Council meeting, attended by four Councillors, County and District Councillor Kiddle Morris, Jeremy Nicholls Head Teacher at Litcham High School and four members of the public the following was considered:
Highways/Traffic Matters. The problems from the previous month had all been reported to Norfolk County Council and whist some would not be attended to at present as they are not at intervention level all have been placed on its list for regular checking. The white lines in Manor Drive had been programmed for painting. Two haulage contractors had been spoken to by the Clerk regarding the use of Front Street rather than Back Street and they both promised to speak to their drivers to try and ensure Back Street is used. A further haulage contractor is now using Front Street and it is hoped to contact them shortly. New problems that were reported at the meeting were a pot hole in Druids Lane, the state of the hard surface in front of the Post Office and a drain near to Coronation Cottages which appears to have dropped. Peddars way are obtaining prices for the alteration of the barrier between Manor Drive and Church Street.
Finance.  Payments for the Clerk’s salary and the cutting of the churchyard were approved. It was agreed to continue with the same contractor for the cutting of the churchyard for 2010 as it was felt that the contractor had maintained the area to high standard. 
Planning. There were no planning applications to consider as the application for the Bull Public House has been placed on hold by Breckland Council as further details and applications for listed building consent are required and a new consultation would be forwarded in the future..
Other Matters. Litcham Relief in Need Charity: No nominated trustee was present at the meeting to give a report. The nominated trustees were unable to attend the mediation meeting arranged and the Parish Council is to attempt to find a date that is suitable for all trustees.  Future of the High School: The Head Teacher from the High School gave a report to the Parish Council regarding the future of the High School and the feeder primary schools within its catchment area. The future which is being strongly favoured by Norfolk County Council is for more co-operation between High and Primary Schools with assistance with routine matters being addressed by a Advanced School business manager and for the curriculum that needs to be adhered to at both levels with the teaching of some subjects being carried out by teachers from the High School at the Primary Schools. Whilst at this stage no decision has been reached on the future location of the High School a survey had highlighted the fact that the buildings are outdated and not necessarily all fit for purpose. If funds are available in the future it may well mean that the High School would move to a site adjacent to the Primary School which could create all-through schooling to the age of eighteen. At present the Governors of the two schools are considering closer co-operation by moving towards a federation status.
The next meeting of Litcham Parish Council is due to be held on 5 October 2009 at 7.30p.m. at the Jubilee Hall. All parishioners are cordially invited to attend and the first part of the meeting is set aside for parishioners to raise issues with the Parish Council.
The full minutes are available for viewing from the Meetings Page

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