Parish Council

MEETING HELD ON MONDAY 12 JANUARY 2015

For the first meeting of the year, we were pleased to welcome PC Jim Squires, our Beat Police Officer, to the public forum.  Inevitably the main topic for discussion was speeding and how to discourage it. 

Several possible avenues for action arose from the meeting.  PC Squires is to investigate the possibility of having ‘air tubes’, which are those pairs of tubes seen fastened across the road that record the speed and time of all vehicles.  There is a greater chance of action being taken by the authorities if they are armed with this information.

The meeting also discussed the merits of the SAM2 that flashes up the speed of approaching vehicles.  These can be purchased with the help of a 50% grant from Norfolk County Council.  The value of installing white fences on the verge known as Village Gateway Signing was also considered.  PC Squires told the meeting that these can be installed by the parish, at our own expense, if the location is agreed with the Highway Authority.  Those present thanked PC Squires for providing positive proposals for dealing with this problem and it is hoped a greater number of concerned parishioners may be available to attend the next meeting with the officer.

However, speeding was not the only matter to be discussed.  PC Squires was also able to offer valuable advice on other issues such as anti-social behaviour.

The Parish Council meeting voted once again not to raise the parish precept, which is the money from the rates paid to the parish. 

It was reported that for safety reasons the footpath that runs south from the High Road opposite Brook Lane to Mill Lane had been cordoned off as a footbridge has broken.  The Council has been informed but at present has not been able to give a date when it will be will repaired.

Previous meetings have noted the caravan parked on the north side of the A143 in Burnt House Lane although no action was deemed necessary.  Our District and County Councillors reported that the status and well-being of the occupants were to be discussed by the Council the day following this meeting.

A Listed Building planning application for the rebuilding of a barn as a dwelling at 107 High Road was considered by the meeting and agreed that the application should be supported.

The next meeting will be held at 7.30 on Monday 23 March in the Village Hall.

Andrew Major,  Chairman

Affordable Housing - South Norfolk Housing Options Scheme

The Hastoe Housing Association has rented homes at The Maltings, Pulham St Mary, which were developed to provide affordable housing for local people.   In the first instance, priority is given to households with a local connection to Pulham St Mary parish, but if there are no applications then households from some of the neighbouring parishes are considered.  The parish of Needham is one of the named neighbouring parishes for lettings at Pulham St Mary and therefore any interested villagers can apply.

Any vacancies in these homes are advertised via the South Norfolk Housing Options Scheme.  Anyone interested can find information on how to register under this Scheme at http://www.south-norfolk.gov.uk/housing/514.asp or alternatively ring Freephone 0808 168 2222.

Clearance of Footpath in Harman's Lane

 A BIG THANK YOU

On behalf of Needham residents, a "BIG THANK YOU" to Bob, Pam, Thomas and Charlie Cossey for doing an amazing job clearing the footpath in Harman's Lane near the caravan.  We will now be able to walk up there safely without slipping on wet leaves etc and see the kerb edges again!

Harleston Community Information Centre

Did you know that your local Community Information Centre is able to help by telephone and email as well as in person at our offices in Harleston?

Harleston Information Plus Community Information Centre is open 6 days a week where the friendly team of volunteers are on hand to answer your questions.  They can help with anything from ideas for days out to community transport, from help and support for carers to housing and benefit problems; the list is endless, and no question is too small or too large!

The Citizens' Advice visit the centre at 8 Exchange Street every Wednesday, 10.00am – 12.00pm, where no appointment is needed - just call in.  A weekly "Stitch & Chatter" has launched in the newly-refurbished Clive Hudson Room providing a great chance to meet others, enjoy a cup of tea and do some crafts.  IT, Twitter, Facebook, iPad and Tablet workshops are held in the room too.

To find out what’s happening, call us or visit the website.

Mon, Tues, Wed and Fri 9.30am -  3.30pm. Thurs 9.30am – 12.30pm

Sat 10.00am – 1.00pm

8 Exchange Street, Harleston, Norfolk, IP20 9AB

Tel No:  01379 851917

hip@harleston-norfolk.org.uk

www.harleston-norfolk.org.uk

Guest Editor

Don't forget that next the next edition of the Needham Link will have a guest editor.  If you have anything you would like to be included in the March/April edition please contact Celia Snaith at 133 High Road or by telephone (851 987) or by email at celia_snaith@hotmail.com

www.needhamlink.co.uk

needhamlink@gmail.com 

Needham Village Link

January/February 2015

The newsletter for the villagers of Needham

www.facebook.com/NeedhamLink

Twitter: @needham_link

From the Editor

Happy New Year to all our readers. Christmas saw the community of Needham coming together for the Christmas Dinner in the Village Hall and a very jolly evening of carols in the Red Lion. Thank you to the Village Hall committee members who worked so hard to make the Christmas Dinner evening so enjoyable and also to Sue, Joe, Michael & Lisa at the Red Lion for rewarding the carol singers with mince pies and mulled wine!

 

Apologies if I have not included your contribution in this edition of The Link.  Because of time constraints I have only been able to produce an edition of 8 pages which has limited the number of articles/letters I have been able to print.  However, as always, I shall be delighted to receive articles of interest in the future.

The next edition of The Link will have a ‘Guest Editor’.  Welcome  to Celia Snaith who will be taking over for this next edition.  Please help her by sending in your contributions as soon as possible.  Celia can be contacted at 133 High Road or by email at celia_snaith@hotmail.com The deadline for copy will be February 14th. 

Helen

Poppy Appeal 2014

We would like to say a Big Thank You to everyone who kindly donated  during this very special year.  The amounts raised from the  house to house collection were as follows: 

Red Lion          £ 28.04
Libby Troake   £ 52.40
Gill Powell      £149.87

The District total this year is £8,240.76

Gill Powell

Needham Carpet Bowls Club

Since our last report we have played  home and away league matches against Kenninghall.  Both matches were lost.  We have also played an away match against Syleham - we were the victors.  On Friday 28 November we played a friendly match at Cratfield.  This was a very enjoyable evening.

Our Annual Dinner will take place at Needham Red Lion on Saturday 24 January.

We wish all our members a very happy Christmas, a prosperous new year and better bowling during 2015!

Nudger

Needham Village Christmas Dinner 2014

Needham Parish Council

The last Parish Council meeting of the year was held on Monday 8 December.  I should like to thank all those residents that in 2014 have attended the Public Forum.  This is held before the Parish Council meeting and is proving to be an important way for residents to raise matters of concern and obtain information.  Also, I should like to thank Jenny and Martin Wilby, our District and County Councillors, for coming to the meetings and so often providing advice.

Following reports we regularly receive from Jenny and Martin, Geoff Doggett, Chairman of the River Waveney Trust, talked about the rights and obligations of land owners with a river bank.  This is particularly relevant as the Environment Agency, which is responsible for maintenance of the river, now has far less resources than in the past to carry out this work.  It is therefore becoming more important for landowners to do this themselves.  For further advice and help the Trust can be contacted through their web site.

I was able to report to the meeting that details submitted for the discharge of conditions on the planning application for the nursery site had been approved.  However, since the actual approval for the development of the site had lapsed it is not be possible for the owner to implement these works without a new planning approval.  The planning officer in charge has confirmed that at present no new application had been made.  Also, to avoid any doubt, the written approval of the conditions contains the note that the discharge of condition does not convey or imply that the planning permission 2011/0695 is capable of being implemented, as the consent has expired.  

PC Jim Squires, our Beat Manager, will be coming to the next meeting, which will provide an opportunity to raise concerns over speeding through the village, as well as any crime prevention matters.  Also, I hope to be able to update the meeting on an initiative by Richard Bacon MP to give Parish Councils the right to request that a speed limit could be reduced by 10mph.  This would allow us to change the 40 limit down to 30.

The next Parish Council meeting will be held on Monday 12 January at 7.30.  Councillors will be required at this meeting to set the precept for 2015.

Andrew Major, Chairman

Village Emergency Telephone System (VETS)

As reported in the last edition of The Link, the defibrillator has been installed on the wall outside the Red Lion.  The next stage is to set up VETS which will assist in a situation where the rescuer must stay with the patient and yet needs help in fetching the community defibrillator.  VETS relies on volunteers from the community to be able to be called. John Morrish has a list of volunteers who are willing to be called on in cases of emergency. This system is provided by the Community Heartbeat Trust (CHT) on an annual cost basis to the village.  

The system can also be used for any other emergency where additional help is required.  The availability of VETS helps villages whether or not they are using a CHT provided defibrillator and gives a level of reassurance to the elderly, those living alone and to the infirm that there is always help on hand.  There will be more information on this in the new year.  

Red Lion Coffee Mornings

Having raised the funds to pay for the village defibrillator the coffee morning organisers are looking for a new fundraising cause. At the next coffee morning you will be asked what cause(s) you would like to support.
The next coffee morning will be on Tuesday 6 January 2015 - see you there!

St Peter's Church


4th Jan    Evening Service 6pm

11th Jan    Holy Communion 11.00am

18th Jan      Morning Prayer 11.00am
25th Jan      Holy Communion 11.00am


1st Feb    Evening Service 6.00pm

8th Feb       Holy Communion 11.00am
14th Feb     Benefice Valentines Service in St John’s, Harleston 6.30pm

15th Feb     Holy Communion 11.00am

18th Feb     Ashing Service in St John’s, Harleston or St Andrew’s, Scole 7pm
22nd Feb    Holy Communion 11.00am



Rector:       Revd Nigel Tuffnell 
Tel: 01379 308905
Email:        rector.redenhallscole@hotmail.co.uk

Office:       Lucy Cooke (Mon - Fri 9am to 1pm)
Tel: 01379 851148
Email:       redscole7@gmail.com


FACEBOOK - facebook.com/redenhall.scole

TWITTER - https://twitter.com/RedScole

WEBSITE - http://scole-reden5.webplus.net


Church yard tidy up

The work day to tidy up St Peter's churchyard was, in the words of a well known TV personality, “fab-u-lous”.  Many thanks also for the work carried out a couple of days before. Also thanks to Robi who sustained us with excellent food to keep us fortified

 George Miller

Friends of St Peter’s would like to thank every one who attended Robi‘s Christmas Coffee Evening and who gave raffle prizes and cakes to sell. £94 was raised. Thanks go to Robi for holding it at her home and Sonia for helping.

Pauline Spinlove 

Happy New Year!

The January/February edition will be online from Midnight on 31 December 2014 and should be delivered to your home on 1 January 2015