Surlingham

my black lab – very friendly – answers to Hugo – ran off on the field and I can’t find him in the dark. If he comes your way would you please ring 01508 538791

There has been instances whereby road users have been endangered by obstructions on the verge of the highway. The placement of posts, stones, wooden blocks etc impede road users when they need to take urgent action to avoid traffic.

Guidance from Norfolk County Council confirms that the verge forms part of the Highway and under the Highways Act, the Highway must not be obstructed, and must always remain available for Highway users.

In the event of accident and injury, and if the obstructions are deemed to be the cause, there is the possibility that legal action could be taken against the property owner to recover damages. Norfolk County Council will investigate if complaints are received.

If an obstruction is causing a problem the Parish Council would always recommend parishioners speak to the property owner in the first instance.

However, any obstruction or damage to highways can easily be reported on the NCC Highways web site @ https://www.norfolk.gov.uk/roads-and-transport/roads/report-a-problem

Dear All,
I hope December is going well for you, so far.

Tomorrow’s Art Cafe reflects the new season of Advent as we look at ‘Beginning Again: The Visitation of Mary to Elizabeth in three paintings’. Sadly, none of them are by Egbert Modderman after his wonderful time with us last week, but hopefully they’re going to inspire and intrigue us anyway!

Here is your Zoom invitation:
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/86050972580?pwd=NTVSbVd1eFFrZzlHOVl5amgwTmZvUT09
Meeting ID: 860 5097 2580Passcode: 894470

I hope you will be able to join us again soon.
Best wishes,
Revd Nick Garrard

Please can I ask that whoever is walking their dog in the Covey and taking the trouble to collect their pets poo in white poo bags, walk as far as the Poo Bin and dispose of them there, rather than throw them in the hedges along the Covey.

Those left buy the gate to the field were barely 10 feet away from the dog bin!.

The Parish Council provides 3 dog bins around the village having these emptied once a week cost this year £265. Probably a good idea to get value for money and use them as it’s paid out of the precept which is part of your council tax.

Also this year, 30 signs reminding dog owners of their responsibility to pick up after their pets have been put up around the village. There are signs at the Play Park and the landowner has also put signs along the footpath to the park and the allotments.

What more can be done to deter this disgusting practice? Name and Shame?

We are all looking forward to reopening, unfortunately under tier 2 conditions, but it will be great to be up and running again. We will be open Thursday to Sat from 11am-3pm then 6pm-11pm serving food 11am-2.30pm then   6pm-9pm, Sunday 11am-11pm serving food 11am-6pm

Tier 2 means drinks can only be served with a meal and we intend to produce our “Tier 2 Menu” to allow our customers to have a simple main course of tasty yet cost effective dishes that are all compliant with the substantial meal rules. 

Our Eat Out to Help Out scheme will be postponed whilst in tier 2. The new menu will be published ASAP

Please remember it continues to be table service only and under the new restrictions only one household or support bubble per table, and for any hardy people you do have the option to be a table of six if you remain outside!

Let’s hope this will all be over soon and we can return to normality.

SURLINGHAM PARISH COUNCIL

Minutes of the virtual meeting held on Tuesday 17 November 2020 at 7:30p.m

Attending: Councillors John Broom, Richard Atkins, Pat Scowen, Phil Reeve. Will Mack, Craig Neave, Dave Swinborne, Clerk Janet Rogers and 3 members of the public.

1. Welcome by the Chairman – The Chairman opened the meeting and welcomed Craig Neave as a Parish Councillor appointed by the Parish Council on 10 November 2020.
2. Apologies and approval of absences – County and District Councillor Thomson
3. Declarations of Interest – None
4. To approve as accurate the minutes of the meeting on 20 October 2020 – Approved
5. Matters arising from those minutes – Councillor Scowen asked for confirmation of the following items, item 6 Had a response been received from Mr & Mrs Rix regarding the old mower – Chair replied no. item 11 Regarding the water quality information, was any further action required by the Parish Council. Councillor Atkins replied not at this stage County Councillor Thomson has taken the matter up with AWA. He would like any recent photographs of evidence that rubbish from the city is landing in Surlingham to be emailed to him.
6. Progress reports Councillors/Clerk – Clerk informed the Council to date there has been no reply from NCC Highways engineer re criteria for village sign. However, the gentleman on Surlingham Lane who produces metal sculptures, would be prepared to repair, and paint the current signs. It was agreed the Clerk could obtain a quote. Regarding the request for a reduction in the speed limit along Surlingham Lane and other similarly rated roads in the village. Clerk had been delayed accessing a particular document. The draft letter is now with Councillor Scowen. The item has not been overlooked. VAT claim for £358 was submitted to HMRC this week. SNDC offered a further Local Restrictions Support Grant to help with the running costs of the Parish hall, this was unable to be accepted as the hall is not closed as it is used by the school. A claim may be possible under the Additional Restrictions Grant. Clerk has registered an interest in making a claim if eligible.
7. To receive reports from the County and District Councillor – To follow
8. Public Question Time not exceeding 15 minutes – It was reported the dog bin at the Church had fallen off the post. – Councillor Reeve will reinstate it. Sonia Cox Landlady of the Ferry House asked if she might comment on the flooding issue – See item 10.
9. Finance – a) Consider Budget/Precept Options – it was agreed to increase the precept for 2021/22 by 8%. This is an increase on the 5% for the year 2020/21. This year the Parish Council will be unable to count on surplus income from the hall to support the parish. The Council needs to conserve the income and grants awarded to the parish hall during the pandemic to cover the running costs. b) Authorise Payments – R Hardingham £105, J Rogers £335, Household Expenses £15.15, Travel £16.20, Eastern Play Services £120, Surlingham Primary School £250, Surlingham Parochial Church Council £250. No cycling Sign £12.
10. Coldham Hall Flooding – Mr Linder has kept the Parish Council fully informed of his talks with the RSPB and the Environment Agency concerning the flooding. Mr Linder has invited members of the Parish Council to attend a meeting with the relevant agencies in January 2021. The area of Church marsh also leased to the RSPB, and the operation of those sluice gates, was raised as this area affects flooding and the speed of drainage of a much wider area, including footpath 1, the Ferry House, and neighbouring properties.  It was suggested the proposed meeting could be an opportunity to look at the flooding issues of the whole village. Councillors Neave and Atkins suggested contacting the Environment Agency to access a copy of the current flood modelling for the village – Councillor Atkins to draft letter to that effect
11. Approve the Play Park H&S report – Action plan. It was agreed councillors Reeve and Broom would see what repair work needs to be completed and to install the picnic bench; a working party on Saturday 28 November 2020 will begin the work. Clerk to contact contractors regarding the warranties on the equipment which has started to split. Clerk to obtain a sign to confirm ownership of the park, who to report damaged equipment to and the location reference for emergency services.
12. Working party for Staithe – At the meeting it was reported that another tree has fallen further along from the Staithe it is still possible for canoes/kayaks to pass it. No action to be taken at this stage regarding the working party to clear the staithe, the item moved to the February agenda
13. Correspondence: Number of emails received 101 of those 54 circulated to councillors to 10 November 2020
14. To note items for inclusion on the next council agenda – Play Park, flooding, Data from Speed Camera, Village Fete, Village Sign Quote and Footpath 1.
15. To confirm the date of the next meeting 15 December 2020 meeting closed at 9:00 p.m.