Flood Sirens: The Council noted that the County Council had applied for central government funding in a last ditch attempt to help retain the Flood Sirens.  The outcome would not be known until the end of March.

Local Government Reorganisation: The Parish Council agreed to urge the Secretary of State not to abolish the Borough and District Councils of Norfolk.  Henry Bellingham MP supported the Council’s view and had agreed to raise the Council’s concerns with the local government Minister.

Housing: The forthcoming local development framework, establishes Heacham as a key rural service centre. Housing development would be concentrated in Hunstanton, Kings Lynn and Downham Market, but Heacham would be expected to accommodate a certain number of homes.  There was no indication in the strategy document of how many or where the planners intended housing to go.

Budget 10/11: The Council approved the budget for the forthcoming year and after some debate voted to limit the overall increase in the precept to 1%.  The numbers of dwellings paying council tax had increase again for the forthcoming year; therefore the percentage increase in real terms would actually be less.

Burial Facilities: The Council agreed to look further at the burial capacity at St Mary’s Church in order to best plan for the long term future.

Visit by Environment Agency Chairman: The Chairman reported that the Chairman, Lord Smith would pay a quick visit to Heacham in February to meet with stakeholders about the Wash Shoreline Management Plan.

Bus Stops: The Parish Council reported to the County Councillor that they had concerns about the safety of proposed position of the Bus Stops in Lynn Road.

Potholes: The Parish Council noted with concern the large potholes appearing as result of the bad weather.  The Clerk advised that potholes over 20mm in depth could be reported to the County Council directly via their website.

Gritting: The Parish Council noted that until the County’s grit supplies were replenished, no roads in the village would be gritted, however the A149 would be remain a priority route.

Next Meeting: The next full Council meeting would take place on Tuesday 15 December and Tuesday 19 January, both at 7.30pm at the Parish Council Office.

DECEMBER 2009 Meetings in Brief

Day Centre: The Clerk reported that she had met with some of the volunteers of the Day Centre, following the announcement of the planned closure in March.  It was clear that although the loss of funding had been an issue, the Centre which was run entirely by volunteers also needed more in order to keep going.

County Council Streetlights: The Parish Council considered the impact of the proposal to turn off County Council street lights, between 12-5am. The Clerk advised that very few lights were owned by the County Council; therefore the impact in the village itself would be minimal.

Mayor’s Awards: The Council voted to nominate the building renovations at Sunnyside Sheltered Housing and Heacham Manor Hotel for the Mayor’s Architecture Award.

The next full Council meeting is on Tuesday 16 February at 7.30pm in the Parish Council Office, Pound Lane.

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Precept for Heacham

The precept set by Heacham Parish Council for the next financial year is £74, 977.  The increase is set out in the following annual comparison:  2009/10: Band D   £38.86      2010/11: Band D £39.05

Recycling

Heacham is lucky enough to have a Household recycling site on the outskirts of the village.  However, for many people it is not easily accessible without a car and they are limited to what they can recycle in the green bins.  The following services are now available in the village itself:

Glass Bank: Sheltered Housing in Sunnyside Close situated inside the bin shed next to No 14.
Paper: Car Park 1st Heacham Scouts, Sunnyside
Clothing Bank: Car Park 1st Heacham Scouts
Batteries: Tesco Express front entrance.

These facilities will be useful for those residents who are unable to use the Household Recycling Centre, however please bear in mind that they are on private property and any misuse will lead to the service being withdrawn. Residents can also order a Brown Bin from the Borough Council to recycle garden waste

In Bloom Report - February 2010

Despite the snow and ice, plans for this year’s scheme have been developing. Heacham In Bloom has been in negotiation with the County Council for permission to create a raised bed at the Lavender Junction and to make a feature of the Heacham Signs on the A149.  We are also pleased to announce that Moulam and Horn are to be a Heacham In Bloom’s approved supplier.  Mr Hammond of Moulam and Horn sourced the scarlet cyclamens which have been a lovely winter addition at the War Memorial since October last years as well as some of the other plants which helped us win Silver last year.  The In Bloom team have also agreed that Heacham Allotments will be put forward for the “Grow your own” category, one of a number of special awards run by Anglia In Bloom.  Heacham Allotments are thriving with plot holders growing a wide variety of vegetables and soft fruit.

In Bloom is all about community involvement and every little bit helps. The Parish Council’s Natural Environment Committee is holding a workday at Bray’s Pit on Sunday 14 February to carry out pruning and general tidying up. All are welcome to join in. Whilst we have a number of volunteers overwintering and growing plants, we do need more, so if anyone has space in their garden or greenhouse, we would like to hear from you.

The photography competition will be launched in March so look out for details of that and other plans for this coming year.

Susan Richardson, Chairman of Heacham In Bloom    01485 572142 (Day time)

Dog Fouling

Judging by the levels of complaints, too many dog owners are still not picking up after their dogs.  To not to clear up after your dog in a public place is an offence, punishable by a fine.  Dog owners who do clear up after their dog, but do not dispose of the bag properly are also committing an offence as are those owners who allow their dogs to foul on private property. The Borough Council’s clean neighbourhood officers are committed to dealing with offenders and they will be carrying out patrols and monitoring of those areas about which the Parish Council has had the most complaints.  If you have information that relates to repeated dog fouling you can contact the Parish Council or email: cne-dogs@west-norfolk.gov.uk