Minutes of a Meeting of Loddon Parish Council
held in The Library Annexe on Thursday 9 July 2009 at 7.00pm

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

49. Apologies were received from Cllr Michael Roe (previous engagement), Sarah Morris (family commitments) and District Councillor Gould.

50. Declarations of Interest - Cllr Linda Wilson declared a financial interest in agenda item 19 (Old Town Hall) and Cllr Jane Hale declared a personal interest in the same item.

51. Previous Minutes - the minutes of a meeting held on Thursday 11 June 2009 were circulated, APPROVED and signed by the chairman.

52. Planning Decisions - the following decisions were noted:
a) 2009/ 0471 A - Alliance Boots, 4 High Street, Loddon - replacement of fascia sign and erection of new non-illuminated projecting sign - APPROVED with conditions, delegated.
b) 2009/0560 LB - details as for (a) above - APPROVED with conditions, delegated.
c) 2009/0606 H - 6a Beccles Road, Loddon - proposed conversion of existing conservatory to garden room - APPROVED with conditions, delegated.
d) 2009/0666 LB - 27 Bridge Street, Loddon - replacement of three timber windows with similar painted windows - APPROVED with conditions, delegated.

53. 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/ 0851 - Mr M Dimmock, 52 Gunton Road, Loddon - demolition of conservatory and construction of single storey rear extension - APPROVE subject to agreement with neighbours on party wall issues. The above application required a response from the parish council before the formal meeting - the clerk responded using delegated powers after consultation with councillors.
b) 2009/0832 - Mr J King, Willow Cottage, 18 Market Place, Loddon - construction of single storey extension - APPROVE
c) 2009/0895 - Mr S Waterhouse, Cowslip Farm, Hales Green, Loddon - conversion and extension of agricultural barn into dwelling to create residence for disabled person - APPROVE
d) SP/Y/7/2009/7026 - Hobart High School, Kittens Lane, Loddon - provision of one three-bay modular classroom - APPROVE; should be replaced with a permanent building as soon as possible
e) 2009/0906 - Mr N Haverson, 8 Elm Close, Loddon - erection of conservatory on back elevation - APPROVE
f) 2009/0941 - Dr & Mrs R Lawson, 5 Norton Road, Loddon - final phase refurbishment to existing workshop and two outbuildings, construction of new storm porch to rear elevation, construction of new car port and retrospective application for garden shed - APPROVE
g) 2009/0941 - details as for (f) above - listed building consent - APPROVE

54. Planning Correspondence - none received

The adjournment for public participation was not required

55. Chairman's report - the chairman noted that the fete had been successful

56. Councillors' Reports -
a) Cllr Judith Gray reported that the fun dog show, which had taken place at the Loddon fete, went well.
b) Cllr Linda Wilson reported that she had attended a multi-agency meeting with Cllrs Williams and Roe.
c) Cllr Angela Gibson stated that she had received a report from a local resident of difficulty in contacting the Safer Neighbourhood Team.
d) Cllr Dorothy Jones reported that fallen leaves in the churchyard were making paths slippery.
e) Cllr Margaret Wallace stated that she had attended a meeting of Chet Valley Community Development Ltd. at which it was decided to wind up the organisation. CVCD funds would be distributed at a final meeting to be held in November 2009.

57. Police Report - there had been progress on investigations into anti-social behaviour and damage to picnic tables and shelter at Pyes Mill.
It was advised that anyone wishing to speak in private to the police could contact the Safer Neighbourhood Team by telephone or email and request a home visit.

58. Finance Report and First Quarter's Budget - The finance report (previously circulated) was APPROVED by the Council and signed by the Chairman and the clerk.
The budget for the first quarter 2009/10 was received, showing finances running on budget. The chairman thanked the RFO for producing the clear quarterly report.

59. County Councillor's and District Councillor's Reports - County Councillor Adrian Gunson's report was as circulated and noted. A report from District Councillor Gould was tabled and noted.

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

60. Cricket Balls - the council had received further reports of damage to private property caused by cricket balls being hit over the fence from the Jubilee Hall playing field.
The cricket club reported that it had currently suspended practice until a roof had been added to practice nets and all club members would be warned of possible repercussions of balls leaving the field.
The club also offered reassurance that insurance was in place and that the recently installed heightened fencing had helped stop many balls leaving the field during matches.
The council concluded that the reported problems were unfortunate and thought the cricket club was taking suitable further precautions to avoid damage to private property.

61. Youth Matters - Cllr Roy Cooper reported that he had visited the youth club on 16 June and found it well attended by younger children.
He reported that there had been little interest from the young people in manning stalls at the summer fete to raise funds for youth projects.
The RFO stated that there had been interest from the youth in becoming involved in the community cinema project by holding a youth film club one night each week.
It was proposed to transfer £2,000 from the youth budget to the cinema project to enable the purchase of projection equipment - this was AGREED.

62. Summer Fete 2009 - it was reported that around £1,200 had been raised at the fete on 27 June. £200 of this would be donated to Loddon On Call and £1,000 would be distributed to deserving causes in Loddon to be agreed by the council when request were received.
The chairman thanked all involved in the organisation of the fete and dog show for their hard work.

63. Safety Issues of Pond - it was noted that the recently installed gate and fence at the pond on the old hockey field had been destroyed by vandalism.
Cllr Roy Cooper stated that he would investigate whether improvements could be made to the pond through an environmental youth project.
It was proposed that the fence should not be replaced, but that two warning signs be erected at the entrances to the field; this was AGREED.

64. Grant Request from Vitalise - REFUSED

65. Grant Request for Churchyard Paths - Cllr Bruce Corke reported that funding was being sought from several sources.
It was proposed that a grant of up to £100 be made subject to the church matching the amount - AGREED

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

Cllr Linda Wilson left the meeting, having declared a financial interest in the next item.

66. Old Town Hall - after discussion it was proposed that the parish council would request that the Loddon Buildings Preservation Trust obtain a full structural survey and engineer's report on the Old Town Hall using its own funds, thereby providing essential information so the parish council may consider the future of the building - this was AGREED.

67. Allotment Gardens - the council considered a request to install a beehive on the allotments. It was proposed that installation be permitted - this was AGREED.
It was noted that as there was currently a long waiting list for allotments, the list would be closed with immediate effect to residents of anywhere other than Loddon or Chedgrave.
Loddon residents would continue to take priority on the waiting list, followed by Chedgrave residents and then any remaining applicants from other villages.

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

69. Date of Next Meeting - meeting confirmed as Thursday 10 September 2009 at 7pm in the Library Annexe (unless an additional meeting was required before this date).

The formal meeting ended at 9.55pm