Needham Parish Council

A full meeting of the Parish Council was held on Monday 21 September.  A report was read from Jenny and Martin Willby who had sent apologies.  The report included a description of a visit to the re-cycling plant at Costessey where the contents of our green bins are taken and sorted.  Tips include; not to put re-cycling in plastic bags in the bin and to put the screw top back onto empty screw top wine bottles.

We welcomed the Chairman of Brockdish Parish Council, Christine Mackenzie, to the meeting.  The traffic that passes through Needham, especially HGV, also of course passes through Brockdish.  A survey conducted by residents in Brockdish counted an average of 37 trucks, of which 18 were HGV, passing through the village between 08.00 and 16.00 each day.  As in Needham, the villagers of Brockdish also have concerns over speeding.  Brockdish PC is proposing to request a meeting with the Highways Authority to review weight restrictions, speed limits and signage.   It was agreed that a coordinated approach by the two villages would be beneficial to both communities and carry greater weight with the Highways Authority.  The two Chairmen will liaise over a joint letter.  

It was reported to the meeting that the dog bin that had been installed at the junction of Mather Lane and Upper Burnt House Lane had disappeared including the post it was fixed to.  If anyone has any suggestions as to where it has gone please let the Parish Council know.  Also, before replacing the bin, it would be most helpful if dog owners could let the PC know if this bin was useful when out walking.  Otherwise we should be glad to hear proposals for alternative locations. 

Following a discussion on the financial report it was agreed to make a donation of £1000 from Parish Council funds to the Village Hall Committee.  This was in recognition of the need for urgent repairs to the building fabric and for improvements to the hall facilities and also in recognition of the hard work the committee put into running what is an important asset to the village. 

 If you know of any particular pavements or paths that have become overgrown or otherwise need clearing please let either the Paris Clerk or a Parish Councillor know.   Council regularly send out Rangers to carry out this work but rely on being notified of where the work is needed.

There were no planning applications to consider but it was noted that an appeal has been lodged against the refusal for a single storey dwelling for a farm manager at Whitehouse Farm.   A Parish Councillor attended the appeal hearing held at Long Stratton.

The next meeting of the Parish Council will be held at 7.30 on Monday 23 November.                                                                                   

Andrew Major