Minutes of the Annual Parish Meeting

held at Rhodes Memorial Hall

on Wednesday 17 March 2004

1, The Chairman opened the meeting by welcoming 20 parishioners. Apologies for absence had been received from Bill Jenkin, Charles Arkell and Alex Ash. She then asked the clerk to read the minutes of the last annual meeting following which they were approved unanimously, signed and dated.

2. Chairman’s Report – the Chairman reported on the projects which were in the process of being completed and the amount of time that had been spent trying to progress them. The bus shelter was near completion and the speed limits were to be implemented during the next two to three months. The replacement of the posts and handrails for the style at Home Farm was a bigger job than anticipated. She gave thanks to all colleagues for their help during her first year and specific thanks to the Clerk, Bill and Annie Jenkin for Village Live, Bill again for Neighbourhood Watch, John Jackson for his services as the tree warden and the volunteer drivers for the Good Neighbour car scheme.

3. Question time:

a) There had been no suggestions in the suggestion box but a note from Gill Hyatt about a new gravel path in the churchyard and road sign maintenance by working party would be implemented. Help was also required to keep the churchyard gardens tidy and Bill Jenkin would be asked to put a notice about this in the next Village Live.

b) Maurice Cann asked about putting electricity wires underground. This would be investigated by the clerk.

c) Leslie Agius asked that the wall around the rickyard which was in a parlous state be repaired and Edwin Bailey was to be approached by the clerk. He also asked particularly that Bill and Annie Jenkin’s efforts with Village Live be minuted as they had done such a wonderful job. He also asked what provisions the parish council had for the purchase of any plot of land in the parish for village green purposes. This project was already on the Way Forward Statement and the clerk will approach CDC for grant ideas and long term loan facilities in addition to supplement the Contingency Fund held by the PC for such projects.

d) Mr Hiscock to be approached again regarding the state of Gassons Lane and Park Lane with regard to potholes.

e) Carol Cann asked about the proposed speed limits – it was confirmed that the work was in the legal stage but would be implemented during the next couple of months. There had been one local objection.

f) Agreement had been forthcoming from Pulhams about using the new bus stop. The sign would be moved.

4. There being no other business the meeting was followed by coffee and biscuits.