Rocklands, Norfolk The Villages of Rockland All Saints and Rockland St Peter

Minutes of the Annual Assembly of the Rocklands Parish Council
held on Monday 6 April 2009 in the Village Hall

PRESENT:

P. Cotes (Chairman)
P. Smith (Vice Chairman)
R. Steel
Mrs C. Jones
Ms S. Colenutt

Mr C. Jordan (County Councillor)
W. Smith (District Councillor)
2 Parishioner

1. APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE

Apologies for absence were received from Mrs N. Southgate Mrs M Gibbon

2. MINUTES

The minutes of the Annual Assembly held on Monday 5 April 2008 were signed as a correct record

3. MATTERS ARISING

There were no matters arising

4. CHAIRMAN'S REPORT

It is difficult to avoid the feeling that 2008/9 was taken up with planning and planning! In July we had an extremely well attended meeting to hear David Spencer from Breckland run through the local Development Framework. Every meeting thereafter seemed to be connected with two planning applications - nos. 50 & 68 The Street. However the most interesting development was probably not that these applications had been made and submitted, but the show of hands at the end of the July meeting. By a majority of 4 to 1 those attending agreed that the settlement boundary should be increased to enable more homes to be built - subject to a solution to the flooding problem.
This has been an issue for longer than anyone cares to remember and in my report last year I concluded that without the wholehearted involvement of the householders we were unlikely to make much progress. This thought weighed on the Council and at our last meeting we decided to make a start. With financial assistance from the FT Mann Rocklands Trust, the Council has commissioned a report, which we hope will point us in the direction of a solution. I have no doubt that the solution will be beyond the finances of the Council, but if we have a pointer to the route ahead, then we will have made some real progress.
Last year I discussed the question of the level of grants we give to local bodies and this was considered at the Budget meeting held in November. We agreed increases in the amount we give and a change in the allocation between bodies. The Playing Field had asked for a grant of thousands of pounds which we decided was well above our means. The Vice-Chairman and I attended the next meeting of the Playing Field and were relieved that they followed our advice to seek more realistic levies on their user groups. At the time this was accepted and we hope forms the basis for the long-term future of a most important asset to the village.

I would like to end by thanking the Councillors who have served during the year, Parish, County and District. Particular thanks are due to our Clerk who continues to look after us and the Vice-Chairman, who has devoted a lot of his time to a range of issues from planning to the website. I am sure all Councillors will join with me in expressing our thanks to the small band of parishioners who regularly take the time to come to our meetings and add their voices to our discussions.

5. REPORTS BY COUNTY AND DISTRICT COUNCILLORS AND POLICE PARISH LIAISON OFFICER

Councillor Jordan reported that the County had had a busy year. The County's tax requirement had been below the level of inflation and that they had made 7 million pounds in savings in working practices. Drainage was still under consideration and a review of water levels and ditches and filled in ponds, which affect the flow of water through and around the area, was underway. It was asked if a copy of this report could be made available to the Council to coincide with the Council's own commissioned report on drainage. He agreed to make a copy available to the Council

Councillor Smith stated that his report would be included in the next Rocklander. The Boundary Review continues on its complex way with High Court ruling at odds with the Secretary of States directives. Another judicial review appears likely. He reported that Breckland had now set up a 15 year contract with Capita for their handling of planning and related matters which should make a saving of 6 million pounds. Breckland had received a good report from the Audit Commission. The ongoing saga of 68 The Street would be held on 20 April. Signage: he reported that signage to direct traffic away from Thieves Lane to the signed turning to the industrial estate at Great Ellingham should be in place in the next few weeks.

There was no report from the Police Liaison officer

6. COMMENTS FROM FLOOR

There were no comments from the floor

There being no further business the meeting closed at 7.30 p.m.

RECEIPTS
Cash in hand B/F		£4137.44
Precept		£3300.00
VAT Rebate		£164.82
Licence		£1.00
Intertest		£39.20
Total		£7642.46
PAYMENTS
Lighting Maintenance		£398.19
Prof Subscriptions		£158.28
Clerk's Pay	£1274.95
Clerk's Expenses	£59.45	£1334.40
Donations		£350.00
Electricity		£428.04
Insurance		£559.00
Audit		£70.00
Rent Hire of Village Hall		£63.00
Councillor Mileage		£18.80
Web Site Maintenance Fee		£44.65
Dog Bin		£132.50
Solicitor's Fees/Land at Wayland Road		£347.16
VAT		£168.70
TOTAL		£4053.92
.	.	.
RECEIPTS		£7642.46
PAYMENTS		£4053.92
TOTAL		£3588.54
.	.	.
RECONCILIATION
Community Account		£444.78
Business Premium Account		£3143.76
TOTAL		£3588.54