REPORT OF THE PUBLIC PARTICIPATION AT  MEETING OF WORSTEAD PARISH COUNCIL HELD ON 24 FEBRUARY 2009 IN THE QUEEN ELIZABETH HALL

PRESENT: Cllrs. Henderson (Chair), S. Harris, M. Carlos, S. Cole, R. Barrett (ill),

                    S. West, J. Lowe.

APOLOGIES: Cllrs. G. Paterson. K. O’Hara.

ALSO PRESENT: District Cllr. Wilkins, 4 members of the Public.

09/02A	PCSO KNIGHTSDI: The PCSO did not attend the meeting and no information available.
09/02B	BRIGGATE MILL: The dispute about the registration is still ongoing. The consultation re. the Village Green has passed, two objections were received, one stating it always has been overgrown and never used as a village green. It has been fenced in since 2004, but access was possible. A list created by the previous owner of Millbeck consists of 86 species seen in the vicinity and there were otters in residence before the removal of all the green. Briggate Residents Association now needs to build a very strong case to put before Norfolk County Council and if rejected will need a sollicitor to take the case further. Briggate Mill was not looked under the LDF and conversion to holiday accommodation would not be possible as the LDF states a “considerable build” It was requested that Open Spaces could be contacted to get more information. Decision by the Council under minute item: 09.010C
09/02C	NORTH WALSHAM AND DILHAM CANAL TRUST: Mrs. Howes and Chair Henderson attended their meeting in January. They both felt that the Trust needed to get more advice and contact landowners before taking action. Plans seem to be afoot for opening gardens around the canal, which will attract visitors. The problem will be access, White Horse Lane is totally unsuitable to take any traffic. Water management is in the hand of Internal Drainage Board.
09/02C 09/02C (cont)	PETITION MEETING HILL: Mr. Dutton informed everybody present that a traffic survey was carried out in 1996, a 30 mile speed limit was introduced, but the increase and size of traffic is becoming unacceptable. The culvert, which was built to take 1.5tonne weight, now has to take 7.5 to 20tonnes lorries and will not last very long. There have been 2 near misses. PETITION MEETING HILL: He has set up a petition, already signed by 35 out of the 37 properties, to ask for reduction of the speed limit, weight restriction to 7.5 tonnes, law enforcements signs instead of the advisory signs in use at present. His campaign is being supported by N. Lamb MP, who will take this up with NCC Highways. He said the hamlet was not helped by commercial vehicles using residential sat navs instead of the commercial ones. He asked the Council’s support for these improvements, which was readily given. Decision to support the petition under minute item: 09.010C1. He left the petition for members to sign, if they so wish.
09/02D	HANDYMAN: Mr. Chapman and Mr. Clare will start tidying up once the weather improves. Mr. Chapman has cut back the cherry tree. He asked for a skip about 6 weeks before the Festival for a very good clean up (shrubs and rubbish), hopefully with the help of the Unpaid Voluntary Unit and keep up the clearance up to the Festival and thereafter. Mr. Chapman wondered if gate posts could be installed at the bottom of the field, because cars are entering the playing field and ruining it in the process. He will come back with a more detailed plan where, as there is a right of way towards the footpath.
09/02E	DISTRICT / COUNTY COUNCILLOR: Quality Council: Mrs. C. Wilkins thought that Worstead Parish Council had most items required to become a Quality Council in place. Trimingham just received their certificate. Litter Picking: She thought as well that NNDC carries out litter picking just before the Festival. Old RAF Coltishall: The application to turn the base into a conservation area is still ongoing. The Task Force, a team deciding what to do with the site, has been re-instated. The member of CETAS was unable to attend due to illness. North Walsham & Dilham Canal: “The Lost Gardens”, if they are to be opened to the public will probably be accessed via “Dairy Farm Cottages”.

Public participation finished at 20.15, with various members leaving.