Needham Parish Council

At the public forum held before the Parish Council meeting on 23 January, a member of the public raised strong concerns over the extent of dog fouling on the pavements in Needham.  This has recently become much more common and the forum discussed steps that could be taken to prevent it.  The parish already pays £112 a year to have two dog waste bins emptied and the possibility of purchasing additional bins was discussed but left the  problem of where to locate them.  It was agreed that the Parish Clerk would contact the South Norfolk Dog Warden for advice on methods of deterring fouling.

Concerns were also expressed again at speeding through the village.  This is particularly a problem between 6.30 and 7.00 in the morning.

It was reported at the Parish Council meeting that there had been no response to the appeal in the last edition of the Link for a local DIY expert to help repair the village notice boards.  It was noted that  the Parish Council budget would not support the purchase of new boards.  It was agreed that grant assistance would be investigated.

It was also reported that Saffron Housing Trust had written to advise the Council that the housing scheme for Needham had been paused whilst attention is given to others which are further advanced.

Planning applications: the following applications have been approved by South Norfolk Council

• Installation of PV panels at Ivy Farm House, 44 High Road
• Use of part of land for storage of reclaimed building materials at Gunshaw Hall, High Road
• Erection of new kitchen, replacement roof tiles and construction of dormer windows at 91 High Road.

Councillors agreed to oppose an application to extend 111 High Road as it would be possible to convert the building into two houses by closing off a single doorway.

The next meeting of the Parish Council will be at 7:30pm on Monday 26th March.