The Parish of Dickleburgh and Rushall

Minutes of the Annual Parish Meeting

Held on 12th May 2017 at Dickleburgh and Rushall Village Centre

Present – Parish Councillors: Terence Blacker(Chairman), Andrew Goodman, Jeffry Bowles, Jim Kerr, John Adlam, David Leyserman, Terry Clarkson, Janice Hulett,Jan Logan(Bowls/Good Comp.), Alasdair Wilson (RBL/PCC), Rose Dorrington, Richard Hulett,

Clerk: Ann Baker

Apologies – C.Cllr. Spratt, Dist. Cllr Wilby, James Squires Norfolk Police, James Richards (Dickleburgh VCP School), Alan & Judy Jenkins (DBMF)

  1. Welcome from the ChairApproval of the Annual Parish Meeting Minutes 2016 - these were approved and signed
  1. To receive a report from Cllr.Blacker, Dickleburgh and Rushall Parish Council – report included
  1. To receive reports from village organisations. The following organisations provided a report to the meeting. Key points and issues have been noted and a paper copy of the report is attached:
  1. Dickleburgh CE VC Primary School–report attached
  2. Dickleburgh Community Pre-School –report attached
  3. Daphne Buxton Memorial Fund –report attached
  4. The Village Allotments–there are between 20 and 25 plots (charge £18 for a full plot, there are no vacancies at present), with a ‘family’ ethos on each site; there has been renewed interest in the production of fruit and vegetable growth and generally all plots are kept neat and tidy;during dry periods, the resourcefulness of watering has been considered - options to irrigate for both sites have been received, but the on-going costs for water were costly; there has been occasional abuse – overnight parking (Norwich Rd in particular) - reminder that the is not a public car park is required – a sign may be considered; good quality tools were recently stolen from the Burston Rd. allotments – owners encourage to lock sheds;

A question was raised about the over grown stream area – John Adlam replied this was the responsibility of Highways, it has been blocked with debris lower down near to bridge – John Adlam, Alasdair Wilson will look into it;

Rushall hasn’t any allotments, but none have been requested to date;

Village bonfire – rubbish being dumped on this site, is it a site to place such items? – this is the Townlands Trust, the trustees - Martin Wilby and John Adlam plan to site a skip there; Jim Kerr, Alasdair Wilson will look into it

  1. Dickleburgh Sea Scouts – the Chair registered his thanks for the Scouts and Beavers assistance in participating in the Litter Pick earlier in the year
  2. The Oxlip Group – reported that WRBL had been closed in Sept. ’16, but the Oxlip Group had been formed – they will continue to raise funds for families, working with theWalnut Tree project and the Walking for Wounded projects; funding for a wheelchair to be kept at the church are currently being raised - see attached report

4. Report on the progress of the Neighbourhood Plan - a formal letter has been sent to SNC, currently a response is waited for, there are regular updates on the website, the next step will be to knock on doors systematically to request information and micro manage the two villages results to formulate the policies and final plan

5. Further reports from local organisations:

  1. The Royal British Legion –report included
  2. Rushall PCC - report included
  3. Shorelands Nursery -
  4. D & R Village Centre – report included
  5. Good Companions- Jan Logan reportedthat the Club meet regularly on Thursdays, to plan trips, play bingo and socialise
  6. DPCC – Alasdair Wilson reported that there a minister has not been appointed as yet, despite this services are regular, attendance is up, they have a good Director of Music, girls come to sing regularly in the Song Squad;the entrance to the Church has been tarmacked, the Church Rooms renovated and repainted, problems at the rear of the building with items thrown at the windows – the old wooden frames are to be replaced with new plastic frames and strengthened glass;

There has been some damage to the allotments – reported to the police; the youngsters involved are not all local; Terence Blacker will approach the police to see if they are able available to visit the site on a regular basis; Andrew Goodman and Jeffrey Bowles are attending a meeting with SN Police and will raise the issues there;

The Parish Magazine – Joe and Terry Fox have tirelessly printed and complied the magazine for 17 years and were publically thanked for their dedication; as yet no volunteers have stepped forward to help with production; it will be compiled in the Church Rooms and others will distribute – adverts provide some income, but there is a need to purchase new collator, research is on-going;

Lots goes on in and around the villages – Terence Blacker suggested that the information could be added to the website;

In the Church Rooms there is a small library functioning on a take and return basis–again a website advert would be useful;

Jonathon Leeder has been managing the Church grounds in a competent manner, it had been noted that he had also been made the Parish Council caretaker

g. Bowls Club - during 2016 there was a lack of members, with the few dedicated players they finished the season well, a couple of shields were won;the signing on day recently went well with an instructor on hand, a barbeque and an increase in membership; currently they play in three leagues which requires 12 players along with individual players

h. RBL – The Chair sent his apologies, but sent a short report – the Branch Membership stands at 59, two members have received award and the poppy appeal raised £6,000; a number of successful events have been held

i. Rushall PCC – report included

j. DRVC – report included

k. Good Companions - report included

l. Village Society – report included

7. Reports from County Councillor Spratt and Dist. Councillor Wilby- apologies from both, but a report from Dist. Cllr. Wilby is attached

8. Villages Issues – An opportunity to tell the village and Parish Council about the issues that affect you - there wasnothing in addition to the above general forum, however Jeffrey Bowles commented onhow much goes on on a voluntary basis – a good advert for ‘The Big Society’; the Little Chippy contributes to the income of theParish Council and helps to maintain the precept unchanged - benefitting all residents

9. SNC Governance Review – this is a consultation from SNC to possibly merge some Parish Councils, the Chair urged residents to send their views and comments to SNC – the address is on the village website;

The Chair thanked everyone for their reports and attendance and invited them to stay for a further drink and informal chats.

Meeting closed at 8.32pm

Signed……………………………………………………………

Date………………………………………………………………

**N.B. Individualreports from organizations & groups have been saved by the Clerk & copies can be requested from the Parish Clerk, Ann Baker