The Chairman welcomed nine parishioners.

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

3. MATTERS ARISING

4. CORRESPONDENCE

a) Town & Parish Councils - Norlink New Letter. Clerk to file

b) Norfolk County Council - Norfolk Minerals & Waste DF: Core Strategy: Issues & Options questionnaire. Chairman & Clerk to respond.

c) Parish & Town Councils - Revised Guidance for the Management of Unauthorised Gypsy & Traveller Encampments. Clerk to file for future reference.

d) NNDC - Area forum date incorporating Planning Training to be held at Ludham 1st March at 6.45pm. Clerk to remind all councillors nearer the time.

e) Stalham & Happing - Village Open meeting at the Community Hall 30th January 7pm.
Poster displayed in GAM board.

f) Office of the Deputy Prime Minister -
Standards of Conduct in English Local Government: The Future, a Discussion Paper.

g) Norfolk County Council - Road Markings outside Hickling VC School will be enhanced as soon as possible weather permitting.

h) Norfolk County Council - Norfolk Fire Authority Safety Plan 2006/07, a questionnaire to be completed by Clerk.

i) Broads Authority - Local Development Framework: Core Strategy Preferred Options.
Pass to B Noye.

j) Ken Stanton Roofing Quotation - Received written confirmation of quote given over the telephone. This had been accepted verbally, and as being under £500 no other quotes were necessary, also it was a recommendation.

k) North Norfolk Safer Communities Partnership - Conference of Crime, Disorder and Anti-Social Behaviour on 21 Feb. at West Runton. No one available to attend.

l) Post Office Consultation Support - Re-iterating the fact that they will endeavor to provide a Post Office counter in Hickling as soon as possible.

m) Norfolk Police Authority - Budget Consultation Tuesday 31st January at Wymondham.
No one available to attend.

n) Norfolk Police Authority - Advert for Independent Custody Visitors. Poster in GAM board.

o) Stalham & Happing Partnership - Minutes of the 12 January meeting that Brian Noye attended. L Beales queried the fact that it seemed to be only Stalham that was benefiting from the partnership but B Noye explained it was because only Stalham people had attended previous meetings, hence the next round of meetings to be held in the coming months will be in the villages within the partnership area. Hickling being the first on 30th Jan in the Community Hall.

p) NNDC - Agenda, all agreed that they would like to keep a paper copy of this report.
Clerk to respond.

q) Hickling Hunnies Playgroup - A letter was received to late for any action to be discussed. Therefore this was passed to the Community Hall working party that will report back to the council at the next meeting.

r) Staithe Forum Committee. A draft letter by P Berrie about planning issues at the Staithe. See 7b

s) Hickling First School - A letter informing the Parish Council that they would like to have a dog park on the verge outside the school so dogs can be tied up while parents go into the school.
All were in agreement. Clerk to respond.

5. TREASURER'S REPORT
a)

b) Budget to Date. Distributed

c) Annual Return. Corrections on Annual Return were initialed by Chairman & Clerk.
This was returned to the Audit Commission with a letter of explanation of figures as requested.

d) Transfer of funds from Barclays Current Account to Abbey Time Deposit account, an agreed figure of £9000 to be transferred.
K Moody proposed and B Noye seconded the motion. Clerk to respond.

e) A grant from The Norfolk Rural Community Council of £1247.25 has been received towards the cost of producing the Village Plan. The Parish Council would like to extend thanks to Peter Berrie and the Clerk for their input into this application.

6. PLANNING

a. NNDC New Applications -

1. Rose Cottage, Stubb Road - Erection of Two-Storey Side Extension. As the closing date was before the next Parish meeting details were forwarded to the planning working party for any comments they may had. No comments were received so no action was taken by the Clerk.

b) NNDC Decisions.

1. The Old Village Hall, Stubb Road - Amended plans of Dwelling and Garage - permitted

7. PARISH COUNCIL PROPERTY REPORTS

a) Community Hall
1. Flat roof repairs quote - See letters 4j

b) Staithe Forum
A draft letter from Peter Berrie of the Staithe Forum Committee to the Broads Authority Planning department requesting an informal chat with them about the various projects being suggested for the Parish Staithe. Some of the suggestions will entail planning permission so require some direction from the planning department before any further work is undertaken on the drawing up of plans. All agreed that this letter be forwarded but the Parish Council must be kept informed of any progress. Clerk to respond

8. Planter at Village Sign
The Chairman met with the builder and building work should start soon ready for the spring planting of bulbs etc. Clerk to write to the WI to confirm that they are still available to plant up and maintain the planter.

9. Stalham & Happing Update
Councillor Brian Noye who is on the Stalham & Happing Partnership committee keeps the Parish council updated on any events that would be beneficial to any Hickling Business/Resident. The meeting on 30th January in the Community Hall will be for Hickling to state what they would like from the Stalham & Happing Partnership.

10. Village Plan Update
A grant of £1247 has been received from The Norfolk Rural Community Council towards the cost of producing the Village Plan. The Software to be purchased from Leeds Metropolitan University that will enable the questionnaire and final analysis to be produced in a professional way.
Clerk to respond.

11. The Old Village Hall Update
Councillors Mrs K Moody and Mrs G Smith declared an interest. The representatives of the Parish Council met with the Trustees of The Old Village Hall and discussed ways that the proceeds of the sale of the Hall could be spent for the benefit of the village. Further talks to be arranged as the Parish Council felt that the Village Plan should be completed first to see whether parishioners are in favour of a new village hall.
It was also noted that it was called 'The Old Village Hall' for clarification in discussions.

12. Post Office/Shop Update
A few ideas have been suggested for the resuming of a paper delivery but the council felt that as proprietors Darren & Julie of the Pleasure Boat Inn were on holiday this should be deferred until they are home and can confirm whether they are re opening the shop etc.

DATE OF NEXT MEETING - Monday, 6th March 2006 at 7.15 pm in the Community Hall.

There was no further business and the meeting was closed at 10.10pm