- Members of the public raised issues. Mysterious signs had appeared along
Old Hall Road
requesting that grass cutting cease due to wildlife. The status of the almshouses was questioned, and the Bull Field allotments road was reportedly being used as a thoroughfare.
- County Councillor David Wood talked about the change of dates and times for the closure of B1456 for resurfacing, and the relocated Great Harlings bus stop.
- The breached River Stour wall / path: in view of the frequent use and constant battering, another engineer will be inspecting the breach with a view to instigating a repair lasting 5-10 years.
- Police: there had been 20 crimes reported in the Parish between 15 March and 18 April – an increase particularly in theft and burglary offences.
- PC Chris Garrod was aware of the problems in Lloyd Road and the play area. It will be checked regularly.
- A particular household in Kingsland, and the coincidence with the increase in crime in Shotley including burnt out cars, haystacks and burglaries etc are being addressed.
- Please tell the police of any incidents or suspicious persons / vehicles. MyShotley.com facilitates this.
- Year six at Shotley School had written suggesting specific measures to help with litter. The PC thought this was an excellent letter, and for example will write to the ports to ask for contributions to help clear the rubbish accumulated along the beaches.
- Immediate repairs had been instigated following extensive vandalism at the Lloyd Road Play Area prior to Easter.
- Progress on the tennis courts project has suffered slow responses from other agencies.
- Proposals for improving the village hall were progressing.
- Efforts to appoint a facilitator for local consultations on HMS Ganges had proved fruitless. The PC will carry out a review of resources required.
- There were no objections by the PC to planning applications relating to
Linfield, The Street; an extension to
Shotley Post Office and Stores; and
4 Childers Close. The PC was informed that applications for the following had been approved by Babergh:
69 Great Harlings;
1 Gate Farm Rd;
4 Blake Avenue;
and 6 Kirkton Close.
1 Brickfield Terrace had been refused.
- It was confirmed that the cancellation letter received by some residents re the marina developments was a mistake by Babergh. There had been a slight revision to the Marina access road application, to reduce the width of the footpath from 3m to 2.5m for the first 45m run from the boatyard. This will enable the cantilever of the footpath to be reduced as required by the structural engineers.
- The full accounts for 2006/7 were approved.
- The
footpath rationalisation project (affecting 28 local paths) was progressing well.
- Dina and Eileen were thanked for organising the litter picking. Fifteen people helped to collect 21 bags of rubbish. Full report and pictures on the website. Another event to be planned for mid-September, possibly involving the school.
- In response to complaints from some about the smell of disinfectant following bus shelter cleaning, it was agreed that there was no alternative.
- There were eight nominations for nine seats on Shotley Parish Council for the 3 May election: David Armes, Norman Bugg, Jim Catling, Michael Connell, Tony Ingram, Mel Matthews, Jeremy Peters and Graham Steel. The election was therefore uncontested with one vacancy.
- The Council thanked outgoing councillors for their service - Anna Long (8 years), Clare Sullivan (16) and Brenda Hooper (8 years).
- The next meeting is the Annual Parish Council Meeting, and the first with the new members: 17 May 2007, 7.15pm in the Village Hall.
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