Minutes of a Meeting of Loddon Parish Council held in The Library Annexe
on Thursday 10 December 2009 at 7.00pm

Present: Councillors Jane Hale, Dorothy Jones, Michael Roe, Angela Gibson, Rod Williams, Bruce Corke, Roy Cooper, Judith Gray and Linda Wilson.
Also present were Christine Smith (clerk), Karen Read (RFO) and County Councillor Adrian Gunson.
One member of the public also attended.

132. Apologies - were received from Cllr Margaret Wallace (attending another meeting).

133. Absence - Cllr Sarah Morris was absent.

134. Declarations of Interest - none

135. Previous Minutes - the minutes of a meeting held on Thursday 12 November 2009 were circulated, APPROVED and signed by the chairman.

136. Planning Decisions - the following decisions were noted:
a) 2009/1633NM - land to the north of South End Farm, 57 High Bungay Road, Loddon - revisions of elevations and layout of one bungalow (previous approval 2008/1784) - recommendation - APPROVED, delegated. The Chairman reported the following decisions from a Planning Committee Meeting held on Wednesday 9 December:
b) 2009/ 0895 - Cowslip Farm, Hales Green, Loddon - conversion and extension of agricultural barn into dwelling to create residence for disabled person - amendments to original plans - APPROVED
c) 2009/1567 - Taylor Wimpey, Ex-Press Plastics site, Beccles Road, Loddon - proposed erection of 112 new 'private' dwellings with associated parking and open spaces - REFUSED

137. Planning Applications - The council considered the following planning applications; [In order to minimize light pollution the parish council recommended that any outdoor lights associated with any of the applications below should be: i) fully shielded ii) directed downwards iii) switched on only when needed iv) white light low energy lamps and not orange or pink sodium sources]
a) 2009/1805 - 9 Bridge Street, Loddon - retention of 2 illuminated fascia signs - REFUSE - signage out of keeping with street scene in conservation area due to colour and style and illumination unacceptable. The council also expressed concern over a number of internal illuminated 'open' signs which had recently appeared in the windows of businesses in Bridge Street and High Street.
b) 2009/1818 - 3-5 High Street, Loddon - proposed installation of 3 double glazed windows in replace of existing first floor windows in extension. Installation of 2 single glazed sash windows in replace of existing first floor windows above shop front. Replace concrete render to front elevation APPROVE.

138. Planning Correspondence - a) Consultation on Greater Norwich Development Partnership - Policy 14 about Key Service Centres including Loddon - the council would respond stating that it objected to any additional estate-scale housing in Loddon due to the limited services available and the shortage of places at the High School. The infrastructure was already strained and further large-scale development would disadvantage residents.
b) 2009/1674/F Red House, 1 Low Bungay Road - Notification that this application has been withdrawn - NOTED
c) SNC - Notification of an Article 4 direction on land to the east of Market Place (behind the fire station) - NOTED
d) South Norfolk Council - agenda for planning committee meeting on Wednesday 9 December. The following item was received after publication of the agenda:
e) BA/2009/0252/FUL - Pacific |Cruisers boatyard, Pits Lane, Chedgrave - removal of existing timber clad single storey dwelling with the intention to replace with two storey timber clad dwelling - application withdrawn - NOTED.

The meeting was adjourned for public participation at 7.34pm and reconvened at 7.50pm

139. Chairman's report - no report

140. Councillors' Reports -
a) Cllr Michael Roe reported that there were problems with potholes in High Bungay Road - County Councillor Gunson would investigate.
b) Cllr Dorothy Jones stated that a speed bump in Kittens Lane was in need of repair.
c) Cllr Linda Wilson reported that the parish council Christmas Tree had been decorated by a non-parish council volunteer for the display in the church.
d) Cllr Margaret Wallace tabled a report on a Saffron Housing Inspection and a Loddon Charity Meeting she had attended.

141. Police Report - no report

142. Finance Report - The finance report (previously circulated) was APPROVED by the council and signed by the Chairman and the RFO.

143. Budget and Precept - the Council APPROVED the budget for 2010/11 (previously circulated) and AGREED to set the precept for 2010/11 at £63,300, an increase of 1.5% on the previous year.
It was also AGREED that the 'youth' budget would change to the 'youth/elderly' budget and that the rent on the parish allotments would increase to £3.50 per rod with a minimum charge of £10 per annum in the financial year 2011/12.

144. Elderly in the Community Working Party - it was AGREED that Cllrs Roy Cooper and Dorothy Jones would form a working party to represent the needs of the senior members of the community.

145. County Councillor's and District Councillor's Reports - County Councillor Adrian Gunson's report was as circulated and noted. He added that he had requested that the footpaths from the churchyard and the Church Plain car park be cleared of fallen leaves.
No report was received from District Councillor Gould.

146. Youth Matters - Cllr Angela Gibson reported that the establishment of a youth café was being considered and there was no news on the previously proposed youth shelter.
Cllr Gibson would be making a bid for funding for fitness equipment.

147. Correspondence - A list of significant correspondence, which had been previously circulated, was NOTED.

148. Date of Next Meeting - meeting confirmed as Thursday 14 January 2010 at 7pm in the Library Annexe.

The formal meeting ended at 8.35pm