PARISH COUNCIL CHAIRMAN'S REPORT - APRIL 2008
The Annual Parish Meeting was well attended this year, with much debate about the flooding issue that has been in everyone's mind lately.

There were written reports available from the Wl, Ladies Group, Wells Charity and Widows Acre Charity, and the new building plans were on display.

District Councillor, Simon Partridge, gave a brief summary on the Unitary/Boundary Committee and County Councillor, Christopher How, spoke about the flooding and explained that this is also a national problem.

Peter Wallis, Head of Hickling School, gave an update about all the recent changes to the school, emphasising that we need more children in the village!

The Clerk explained that the Village Plan has not been forgotten, but due to unforeseen circumstances it has taken longer than anticipated.
Hopefully we are now back on track and the final plan should be available soon, although the Parish Council have been working on some issues that had been raised.

We have had a police report about garden sheds becoming a target for thieves and outlining a few simple measures to make sheds more secure. This report will be placed on the GAM board at the Staithe.

The next step in trying to reduce the speed of traffic in the village is to join the Community Speed Watch programme. This is now being run by the Safer Neighbourhoods team based in Stalham, but we do need volunteers - at least 6 from Hickling.
The team will have a chosen check point, not their own village, which three people will cover. These volunteers WILL NEVER HAVE TO STOP OR SLOW DOWN vehicles at these check points. If you feel you can spare a few hours for this project, please contact me or the Clerk (Shirley on 598882).

Future dates: the Annual Parish Council meeting will be held in the Community Hall at 7.15pm on the 12th of May.

The June Parish Council meeting - again at 7.15pm in the Community Hall will be on the 16th.

All are welcome.

Viv Tallowin, Chairman Tel: 598410