REPORT OF THE ANNUAL PARISH MEETING HELD ON 26 MAY 2009 HELD IN THE QUEEN ELIZABETH HALL

PRESENT: Cllrs. S. Henderson, S. Harris, J. Lowe, R. Barrett, S. Cole, G. Paterson.

APOLOGIES: Cllrs. M. Carlos (holiday), S. West (ill), K. O’Hara

ALSO PRESENT: 9 Members of the Public, District Cllr. Wilkins.

09/APM	REPORT OF THE ANNUAL PARISH MEETING 29.04.2008. This was distributed to all present, signed off by the Chairman in May 2008.
09/APM01 09/APM01 (cont)	CHAIRMAN’S REPORT: The Chairman welcomed everybody. He thanked the Parish Councillors, who do this voluntary and the Clerk for their hard work, the members of the public who attend on a regular basis, and the District and County Councillor for attending the meetings. FINANCES: The Council managed to stay within their budget through prudence, meeting all financial obligations. Its result is that the precept stays at the same level as the previous two years. ELECTION: Cllr. Lattimer stood down as Cllr. because she and her family had decided to immigrate to Australia, creating a vacancy. Three members stood for election, canvassing, and dropping in leaflets. Cllr. Lowe was elected; the Chairman thanked the other two, Mrs. T. Skinner and Mrs. A. Budden for their efforts and their willingness to stand. VILLAGE SIGN: This will be erected in the near future on the “Fairstead”, the green on front of the school, as another welcome when coming from A149 crossroads at Briggate. Members of Worstead Amenities selected their 10 favourites and the public was invited to choose their choice out of these ten. HANDYMAN: Mr. M. Chapman and Mr. A. Clare agreed to become unpaid handymen to carry out odd jobs and project manage when the Community Payback team will come back to the village. BRIGGATE MILL: After some successful land grabbing, the Briggate Residents Association have applied (with some help of Open Spaces) to turn the area into a Village Green, the decision to be made w.c. 01.06.2009 by Norfolk County Council. PCSO: PCSO Wibberley sadly moved on, a loss for the village, and was replaced by PCSO Adam Knights. PARISH PLAN: Due to personal circumstances of one member of the Steering group this had to be put on hold, but will be moved forward over the next coming months. QUALITY COUNCIL:  The Council will start the work to become a Quality Status over the next few months, which will give it a stronger voice, if powers are devolved in view of the proposed changes by the Boundary Committee. CHAIRMAN’S REPORT: Cllr. Cole thanked the Chairman Henderson and Vice Chairman Barrett for standing again in these positions. Cllr. Barrett took over to talk about the plans for the playground: - The existing playground is in disrepair and condemned by the Playground Inspector. A grant application to renovate and improve was put forward to the Big Lottery Fund, but the Council failed in their bid at the last hurdle. Worstead Festival Charity Committee has agreed to a grant and with the Reserve Account it will now be possible to start to renovate and improve play facilities. Cllr. O’Hara spoke to members of the Parents and Toddlers and Youth Club (this age group has been very much left out) to get ideas of what was needed. A new location, on the grassy bank parallel with Ruin Road, is now being considered, the position being better visible. The current site may be offered to the Queen Elizabeth Hall for more car parking. Wicksteed, the current favourite supplier, will, if chosen, manage the project, carry out risk assessment and deal with issues such as DDA. A meeting between Worstead Festival Committee, Queen Elizabeth Hall and the Parish Council will be convened to sort out details, and hopefully work will commence after this year’s Festival.
09/APM 02	SUMMARY INCOME AND EXPENDITURE 2008 / 2009: No comments or questions were asked.
09/APM03	SUGGESTIONS / IDEAS No comments were made by the public.

The meeting closed at 20.00, with 1 member of the public leaving.