Minutes of a Meeting of Loddon Parish Council
held in The Library Annexe on Thursday 14 January 2010 at 7.00pm

Present: Councillors Jane Hale, Dorothy Jones, Michael Roe, Angela Gibson, Rod Williams, Bruce Corke, Roy Cooper, Margaret Wallace, Sarah Morris and Linda Wilson.
Also present were Christine Smith (clerk), Karen Read (RFO), County Councillor Adrian Gunson and Sgt. Lowndes-Smith.
Eight members of the public also attended.

149. Apologies - were received from Cllr Judith Gray (community commitments) and District Councillor Colin Gould (personal commitments).

150. Declarations of Interest - Cllr Jane Hale declared a personal interest in agenda item 13 (Old Town Hall)

151. Previous Minutes - the minutes of a meeting held on Thursday 10 December 2009 were circulated, APPROVED and signed by the chairman.

152. Planning Decisions - the following decisions were noted:
a) 2009/ 1567/F - Taylor Wimpey, Ex-Press plastics site, 8 Beccles Road, Loddon - erection of 112 new build 'private' dwellings with associated parking and open space - REFUSED, committee
the following item was received after publication of the agenda:
b) 2009/1389/F - Cowslip Farm, Hales Green, Loddon -Amendment to permission 2009/0895/F barn conversion for extension to barn to provide bedroom, wetroom and carport for disabled person - APPROVED with conditions, committee

153. 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) 2009/1941 - Vanessa Heeps, Christmas Cottage, 17 Beccles Road, Loddon - proposed single storey extensions, first floor extension and associated alterations - this application required a response before the meeting and after consultation with councillors the clerk responded - APPROVE
b) 2009/2011 - Church Plain Surgery, Loddon - Construction of a new medical centre, associated car parking and landscaping and a new access at George Lane, Loddon - APPROVE subject to consideration being given to provision of a pedestrian crossing on George Lane with related parking restrictions and improvements to turning area for drop-off zone in front of building
c) 2009/2047 - Mr Geoff, Wood Farm, Bungay Road, Loddon - proposed two storey side extension - APPROVE
The following item was received after publication of agenda; the clerk was delegated authority to respond after consultation with neighbours:
d) 2009/2026 - Orwell Housing Association Ltd, 5 Kittens Lane, Loddon - proposed garden room extension to the dining room of an existing single storey care home - APPROVE subject to receiving views of close neighbours

154. Planning Correspondence -
a) Norfolk County Council - information on adopted 'local list of validation requirements' for planning applications which is now in force (list available at www.norfolk.gov.uk/consumption/idcplg?ldcServices=SS_GET_PAGE&nodeld=4572 )
b) Norfolk County Council - Traffic Management Programme 2009/10 - confirmation that following requests from local residents an HGV investigation had been carried out on the Beccles Road, Loddon. The investigation concluded that there was a low level of HGV use of the road and that the introduction of a 7.5 tonne weight restriction would not be appropriate in this location.
The following item was received after publication of the agenda:
c) Agenda for planning committee meeting to be held on Monday 18 January at Long Stratton

At this point the Chairman proposed a change to the order of the agenda; this was AGREED

155. Police Report - Sgt Lowndes-Smith reported that there had been a 'spike' in incidents of anti-social behaviour over the Christmas 2009 period.
He linked these problems with the location of two licensed premises in Loddon and to a low price drinks offer at one of these premises, which had now ceased.
He stated that information was being collated for consideration as to whether a review of license should be applied for at one of Loddon's pubs.
He added that the original license had been issued when there was a police station in the centre of Loddon and that the loss of the police station would be considered if a review were to be requested.
Sgt. Lowndes-Smith said that police coverage in Loddon had been increased late at night at weekends in an effort to control anti-social behaviour in the area.
The parish council and members of the public attending the meeting urged the police to request a license review of premises in Loddon at the earliest opportunity.
The council would contact the licensing authority South Norfolk Council and police headquarters to highlight the severity of the problems being experienced by local residents and press for a license review.

The meeting was adjourned for public participation at 8.10pm and reconvened at 8.22pm

156. Chairman's Report - Cllr Jane Hale reported that the Jubilee Hall Management Committee was currently experiencing problems with the running of the Jubilee Hall Social Club due to funding issues partly related to poor takings over the Christmas period.
She also stated that discussions were underway with some local residents who were interested in organizing a summer fete to be held on the Jubilee Hall playing field.
If this was to go ahead the organizers would require public liability insurance, must liaise with sports teams over the date of the event, agree to clear all litter after the event and stop and heavy vehicles accessing the field.

157. Councillors' Reports -
a) Cllr Angela Gibson stated that the Loddon Youth Club had closed due to lack of parental support and that plans for a Youth Café were progressing. Unfortunately, an application for funding for fitness equipment had not been successful.
b) Cllr Rod Williams reported that the tennis courts were currently out of action due to a car damaging the surrounding wall. The court lights had been upgraded.
c) Cllr Linda Wilson stated that there was still concern over a possible planning breach at Pyes Mill - this had been reported to South Norfolk Council and was under investigation.
d) Cllr Dorothy Jones said there had been reports that some grit bins had gone missing in recent severe weather - this would be checked.
e) Cllr Margaret Wallace reported that a 20mph sign in George Lane had been defaced - County Councillor Adrian Gunson would report this.
f) Cllr Roy Cooper offered his resignation from the Youth Working Party; this was accepted. He added his thanks to Norfolk County Council for gritting the pavements in Loddon during recent winter weather.

158. Finance Report - The finance report (previously circulated) was APPROVED by the council and signed by the Chairman and the RFO.
Cllr Linda Wilson pointed out that the reimbursement she received was for the large Christmas tree that had been installed outside the library.

159. County Councillor's and District Councillor's Reports - County Councillor Adrian Gunson's report was as circulated and noted. He added that an application may shortly be submitted for a housing development on land near the proposed new surgery site in George Lane. He also stated that Loddon library would become partly self-service in February.
District Councillor Gould's report was as tabled.

160. Old Town Hall - Surveys had been carried out on the Old Town hall but no quotes for the recommended work had been received.

161. Friendship Bridge - Cllr Bruce Corke tabled a report on a recent community site meeting held to discuss possible Friendship Bridge project at Loddon Staithe.
He stated that the next step would be to arrange a survey of the existing structure to decide on the best course of action. It was suggested that funding for the survey be sought from the Neighbourhood Forum.

162. Norfolk County Council Street Lighting Policy - a proposal to change the street lighting policy (introduction of part night lighting with street lights being switched off from approximately midnight to 5am) on 293 of Loddon's street lights was considered.
After discussion it was AGREED that the council would respond stating that lights on main routes in and out of Loddon should remain on continuously at night.
There was no objection to lights being switched off after midnight in residential areas.

163. South Norfolk Council Street Lighting Policy - the council considered a proposal from South Norfolk Council to replace street lamps in Elm Close and The Walks with energy efficient controls and lamps and limiting their use (suggested as dust to midnight and 4am to dawn).
The council AGREED that the replacement of existing lamps with energy efficient models was supported.
The limited night use of lamps in Elm Close was acceptable but the council AGREED that lights in The Walks should remain on throughout the hours of darkness due to recent anti-social behaviour and crimes in the area.

164. Grit Bins - following requests for additional grit bins it was AGREED that those making requests would be contacted asking if those who experienced problems in recent icy weather would be willing to contribute to the cost of purchasing the bins.

165. Freedom of Loddon 2010 - it was AGREED that nominations for the Freedom of Loddon Award would be invited before 31 March 2010.

166. Loddon Community Cinema - it was reported that the cinema was financially sustainable and continued to be successful, with new people attending showings. Membership was now available and a publicity leaflet drop was planned for the Loddon and Chedgrave area.

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

168. Date of Next Meeting - meeting confirmed as Thursday 11 February 2010 at 7pm in the Library Annexe.