Chairman’s Report:

The lights at the Lavender Junction had been operating successfully for over a year and the improvements to the Lamsey Lane junction had been finished, although there were still a few layout alterations required, but these should be completed very shortly. The new posts had been erected by the war memorial and had prevented a reoccurrence of the sort of damage seen over the past few years. The Chairman reminded parishioners that thanks continued to be due to the  ladies of the former RBL women’s section who ensured that there were fresh flowers on the  war memorial throughout the summer and to Mr Liddington who had coordinated last years’ poppy appeal as well as all those who had assisted in the collection.  There were many people in the course of the year who were deserving of thanks, and Mr Geraghty mentioned in particular the Parish Library volunteers, the four allotment representatives, Heacham Club and paid tribute to the Scout Leaders who had stepped down after reforming the Scouts several years ago. Mr Geraghty highlighted the formation of the Heacham Youth Panel, which had led to the opening of the Heacham Youth Club.  The forging of links with the French village Criteuil-De-Magdeleine and Heacham and the plans for Heacham’s first entry in the In Bloom scheme. 

Mr Geraghty also said that the Council would welcome help with events such as the Carnival and the Beach Party

Mr Geraghty paid tribute to Mrs Rosalie Monbiot, County Councillor, who was retiring after 8 years of service and support to Heacham

In the coming year  the Parish Council was committed to the improvement and development of the amenity areas such as The Saltings as a local nature reserve,  The Recreation Ground and Brays Pit

Financial Report:

The Parish Clerk gave a financial report.  The closing balance for the financial year was  confirmed at £49,270.

The income for  the past year  had been £114,529. The collection through the precept  amounted to £73,500 which averaged out to  £17.86. per  registered elector for the year.   The precept in total  represented 64% (66 %)  of the Parish Council’s income.  Rental income accounted for 24% of the Parish Council’s income. Expenditure  for the last year was £98,112 which represented a spending of £23.84 per elector.  This was less than the previous  year, however a number of projects planned for the last year had not moved forward as these have been reliant on partial grant funding so the money would be spent in this financial year. It was further reported that the Council had increased the amount held in reserves, against the possibility that the rental income might be cut drastically over the next few years.  The Parish Council had also made grants to the following organisations:

St Mary’s Church, Heacham Newsletter, Heacham Community Car Scheme, Citizens Advice Bureau, MacMillan Cancer Norfolk Campaign, Heacham Twinning Association, Heacham Parish Library and One Stop Shop.

Parishioners Questions:

Mr Playford asked that the  seats by the Village Sign be cleaned and treated.

Mrs Marsden asked if the Council knew anything about rewiring areas of the village by EDF.

Mr Goode asked if it had been confirmed that the  Flood Sirens would no longer be used.

Mr Harris spoke about the public meeting and the formation of the Heacham Twinning Committee. There was to be an official visit to France later that year.

Village Organisation Reports:

Mr Liddington reported on behalf  the Youth and Community Centre trust, that the trustees were still looking for a suitable site, however in the meantime some of the interest on the capital sum had been used to employ a youth worker to support the village.

Mr Durrant thanked Mrs Monbiot for her services as County Councillor and praised the  work carried out at both Lamsey Lane and the Norfolk Lavender junctions.

Mr Faulkner thanked the Parish Council on behalf of the Newsletter for their continued financial support and regular contributions.

Miss Swann reported that  Heacham Judo Club had recently celebrated 25 years.

Mrs Pike reported that despite two years of poor weather the Heacham Horse Show continued to be popular and would be staged again this August.

Mrs Pike reported that it had been a successful year for Heacham Minors  and that they were currently organising their presentation day on 31 May.

Mr Press reported that the PPG’s AGM would be held on 20 July.

Mrs Gullan Whur  thanked everyone for their reports and commented that the annual meeting was an excellent forum for local groups to report on their activities.

May Meetings in brief

Chairman: Mr Roger Drinkwater was appointed Chairman of the Parish Council and Mr Martin Johnson was appointed Vice-Chairman.

Annual Audit: The Council approved the accounts prepared by the Clerk and signed off the annual return to the auditor.  The Chairman thanked the Council’s internal auditor for his services.

Standing Orders: The Council debated and then approved standing orders governing the running of Council meetings.

Footpath  Warden: Mr Faulkner was appointed as Heacham Footpath Warden for a further year.  Mr Faulkner’s  report was also submitted to the Council and would be reviewed by the Lighting and Watching Committee at their next meeting.

Telecon Masts: The Council gave permission for T Mobile and 3G to operate from one mast.  

Youth Club: The Council noted that the Youth Club on Saturday nights had started well.

Millennium Wood: The Natural Environment Committee were pleased to report that the Wood was becoming well established.

Intervillage Games: Progress was being made in organising the different teams.

The Next Parish Council Meeting would take place on Tuesday 16 June 2009 at 7.30pm at the Parish Council Office , Pound Lane.