Notices from Crimestoppers have been posted up. Should any members of the public see vandalism to the centre they are asked to telephone Crimestoppers, when a reward of £500 may be awarded.

The August meeting of Ashill Parish Council was held in the community centre Ashill on Tuesday, August 26.

At the beginning of the meeting the new Police Community Support Officer Lisa Brown introduced herself. She informed the meeting that during the past three months there had been only three reported crimes in Ashill and that five people had been charged with speeding through the village.

She answered a number of questions and invited the public to attend the next Safer Neighbourhood meeting to be held in Swaffham Assembly Rooms on Tuesday, September 16, at 7.30pm.

Also before the meeting a representative from Hasto Housing, which is building the new houses in Dunnetts Close addressed the meeting. She informed the parish council that there is a problem with getting the gas supply to the houses and this means changing the road layout and also building two more properties on the site, for which Hasto is applying for planning permission.

She was told that the existing bungalows were having difficulty in receiving a good TV reception since the houses had been built and she said she would look into this.

A letter received from Highways stated that Hale Road and Watton Road were not high priority for traffic-calming measures, but if the parish council was able to finance them they would support them. Discussion followed and it was suggested the parish precept be raised to cover the cost of flashing lights.

Quotes will be obtained first to see exactly how much they will cost.

At the last Safer Neighbourhood meeting the police had indicated they would give their backing for a footpath on the Hale Road. Two letters had been received from MP Christopher Fraser in reply to the petition for a 20mph speed limit near the school and the comment the parish council had made about the unitary council changes.

The reason why the bus stop on the Green had not been made user friendly was because a gas pipe was found to be in the way.

play area

The annual inspection by ROSPA has been carried out and the report received. It was agreed to dismantle the large wooden climbing frame within the next six months and also carry out a number of small repairs to the other equipment.

One quote for the maintenance of the playing field has been received but two more are required before any decision can be made. Following a suggestion by the police, it was agreed to cut the hedges around the community centre.

The district councillor Mrs Ball informed the meeting that a referendum is to be held regarding the boundary/unitary proposal.

lt was agreed to raise allotment rents to £10 per annum.