Mr Paul Alan of Fields in Trust, better known as the National Playing Fields Association (NPFA), spoke about the advantages of making one at the Wednesday, September 12, meeting.

It is a relatively simple measure that land owners can take to protect in perpetuity the recreational and sporting nature of a playing field and is strongly recommended by the NPFA, a national charity set up in 1925 to protect playing space from commercial development.

Following his introduction by Cllr Antony Needham, Mr Alan gave reassurances. As a consequence of the land exchange that created the new field, it is owned by a charitable trust, with the parish council as trustees.

Other advantages include access to the experience and expertise of the NPFA and to its capacity for assisting in networking and grant applications. Mr Alan said the parish council would continue to have control over all aspects of the field. Similarly, there are no costs, fees or charges for the service of providing the deed. There are more than 1,500 national members of the growing scheme.

Mr Alan answered questions and left written information. Parish council chairman, Mrs Wendy Brooks, thanked Mr Alan for his very clear presentation. She hopes to arrange a joint meeting between the council and the playing field committee to hear an exchange of views and then hopes that a decision can be taken by the council after consultations with local councils who have experience of the scheme.

Returning to the formal agenda, it was noted that a date had been set for a working party to continue building the fence along the boundary of the permissive path. Following investigations by the clerk, it was agreed that village craftsman, Mr John Needham, could design, make, and fit a new enlarged village notice board, as he has recently done for the bowls club. It should be possible to apply for a Rural Community Council grant for its cost.

The never-ending saga of the dog litter bins continues. A map of the locations needs to be produced to enable the clerk to contact nearby residents and obtain the appropriate licence from the borough council.
In the absence of Cllr Morris it was agreed to defer discussion of the proposed parish plan. Cllr Warham raised concerns, which were shared by other councillors and residents, at the proliferation of large advertising signs along the side of the A149 in particular. There was concern that these could create a road safety hazard. There was brief discussion as to whether these signs were within the parish boundary of Thornham, or in neighbouring parish councils. In the interests of safety it was agreed the matter should be referred to the borough council for advice.

Cllr Brooks raised the state of Monty's Pit at the bottom of Green Lane, which is overgrown and choked with weeds. Earlier plans to clear it had been deferred because moorhens were nesting on the pond. It was agreed that Mr Stephen Bett would be asked if he could arrange for the clearance of the weed.

The poor state of the village drains are cause for concern, said Cllr Needham.The drain at the bottom of Church Street adjoining the public footpath seems to be continually leaking and a number of drains appear to be blocked in Ship Lane and Green Lane. Cllr Needham thought there was an urgent need for inspection as preventative work could save serious problems later. This view was supported unanimously by the council. The clerk noted that responsibility for drains was shared between different authorities and could be difficult to pin down. It was agreed that a letter should be sent to Highways Department.
It was also suggested that the position of all local drains should be plotted on a large Ordnance Survey map to provide a comprehensive overview of the situation.

Regarding the proposed re-numbering of properties in Green Lane, Cllr Brooks reported an informal meeting had taken place between Chris Copeland of the borough council and local residents, the majority of whom made clear that they did not want re-numbering. It is likely the small lane just off the bottom end of Green Lane might be renamed Oldfield Close. This might in part alleviate the problem. Since the informal meeting the parish council has received one email in support of re-numbering.

A number of planning applications and determinations were noted and the clerk highlighted a number of items of correspondence.
Regular items were agreed for payment including street lighting and maintenance and grass cutting.

The council has deferred paying the solicitor's legal bill for the land exchange pending further discussions between the parties.
The council is unhappy with some aspects of the management of the legal process.

The next meeting of the council is on Wednesday, October 10, at 7pm in the drill hall.