1. APOLOGIES were received from Chairman V Tallowin, D Pugh, T Woodman and District Councillor S Partridge.

2. MINUTES OF LAST MEETING
These were approved as circulated.

3. MATTERS ARISING - None

4. CORRESPONDENCE

a) Broads Authority - LDF leaflet requesting any comments from the public.

b) Norman Lamb MP - A letter reminding the council of funding available.

c) NNDC - Application for small Business Rate Relief on the Community Hall,
Clerk applied accordingly

d) NNDC - Changes to their website, and asking for any suggestions to improve the site.

e) H Nudd - Quotation for fencing around the children's play area.

f) Whispering Reeds/C Birch - Confirming their contribution to the dredging cost at the Parish Staithe.

g) Rev Khambatta - Letter dated 21st July, enclosing their yearly contribution to the grass cutting of St Mary's Church. See 7b1

h) Mrs P Watton - Requesting reply to the above letter which had been misplaced.

i) Environment Agency - Coastlines Newsletter Issue no 8.

j) North Norfolk Council - Local Transport Plan - Summary Document.

k) North Norfolk Community Partnership - Action Plan Project about play area facilities in Norfolk. Clerk replied about the lack of play facilities in Hickling and to investigate funding for this.

l) Hickling Local History Group - Reply to the Parish Council's letter about their yearly Rent increase.

m) NNDC Agenda - Passed to G Smith

n) NNDC Planning - Confirmation that the conservatory in Mill Close is not in breach of planning regulations.

5. TREASURER'S REPORT
a)

b) Budget to Date - Distributed

6. PLANNING

a) NNDC New Applications - None

b) NNDC Decisions - None

7. PARISH COUNCIL PROPERTY REPORTS
a) Staithe
1. The dredging revised price is now £500 per day up to a maximum of 4 days. After consulting with Whispering Reeds and Charles Birch that they are both willing to contribute a third each, and via a telephone call all parish councillors were contacted and all in agreement with one objection, it was confirmed with AJS to go ahead with this work.

2. It was agreed that AJS use the earth from the Recreation Ground for back filling of the new quay headings instead of buying in top soil, although this will not save any money it will diminish the dirt pile.

3. It was proposed by L Beales and seconded by B Noye that Harry Nudd is to go ahead and install ring nuts at approx cost of £70, to correspond with the rest of the quay headings.

b) Community Hall
1. HLHG rent increase was discussed at length, it was proposed by H Purnell and seconded by
D Mayhew, a vote was taken with the result of 5 fors with 2 abstentions, that the rent increase stands Clerk to respond and enquire when their subscriptions are due so the Parish Council can discuss the rent review beforehand.

Coucillors B Noye and K Moody declared an interest in the above item

2. The lights require attention in the hall, M Elliott will attend to the spotlights but Clerk to contact the electrician Mr Sheldon to repair the broken light holder outside the kitchen.

c) Recreation Ground
1. The fencing quote from H Nudd was discussed and proposed by K Moody and seconded by B Noye and all agreed for this work to go ahead.

2. The Toro lawn mower that is unused at the present time, it was proposed by B Noye and seconded by K Moody and all agreed that as it is not costing anything for storage and it would be better to keep it rather than sell it on.

3. The tokens used for the electric meter at the Recreation Ground have not been increased for some years but as they have been supplied for this year this was deferred until Feb/Mar 2007. Clerk to diary this item.

Councillor L Beales declared an interest in the above item.

d) Grass Cutting
1. The letter from Rev Khambatta was distributed before the meeting and the general feeling was that St Mary's Church should be responsible for the grass cutting with a yearly contribution from the Parish Council. All agreed that a meeting should be arranged with the relevant councillors involved in grass cutting and St Mary's church representatives in the New Year to discuss the way forward.
Clerk has spoken with A Blair who would be willing to carry on cutting the grass next season.
Clerk to arrange meeting.

8. SEATS/BENCHES
It was proposed by L Beales and seconded by H Purnell and all agreed that the seat be replaced at the village sign. As 8 ft benches are very expensive it was decided to replace it with a 6' 8" seat from Uff, who have supplied the Parish Council before with benches. It was suggested that some form of identification should be on the seat, i.e. underneath, in case of theft.
When the seat is ready Clerk to ask B Brooks to secure it in place.

It was brought to the council's attention that a key for the shed should be readily available for users of the hall. Clerk to arrange a key to be hung in a kitchen cupboard and users notified.

Also L Beales requested that we write to Norfolk County Council highways dept about the blocked storm drains from Nether Hall to Mallard Way. Clerk to respond.

K Moody raised the question of parishioners access to the Wind Surfers Beach, it was agreed that representatives from the Parish Council, not the Staithe Forum, meet with T Myhill again and try to come to some arrangement re opening of the gates, as this is still a concern of a lot of parishioners.

DATE OF NEXT MEETING - Monday, 8th January 2007 at 7.15 pm in the Community Hall.

There was no further business and the meeting was closed at 9.45pm