Nigel Kelk attended the September parish council meeting to answer questions on the current status of the project.

It had stalled in April when the parish council had raised concerns that some potential hirers of a new village hall may be refused as the church may veto certain uses for the building.

Due to this, it was resolved that the project would not proceed until assurances had been sought from all involved.

Mr Kelk was asked by Cllr Dick Murrell whether the architect's brief was solely for use on the church hall site – the current proposed location for a new village hall. Mr Kelk responded that the design would have to be applicable to any site. He reported that the community centre site had been suggested as a possible location and that a survey had already been carried out on the church hall site and had found that new foundations would have to be laid if this site was decided upon.

Mr Kelk advised that the project was now on hold until the parish council agreed to fund the architect. Tenders had been sought from three architects and the village hall working party had selected Richard Waite. It was resolved that the appointment of an architect for this project should be discussed at the next meeting of the finance, general purposes and administration committee.

There was much discussion relating to the way in which parish council meetings are run. It was decided that presentations should be limited to 30 minutes each in order that the business of the meetings should not be affected.

Cllr Smith suggested that meetings be limited to two hours, after which any remaining items could be carried over to another meeting. This was not agreed by the finance, general purposes and administration committee. It was agreed, however, that county and borough councillors would be asked to provide a written report at full council meetings.

There would be no change to the amount of time allowed for parishioners' comments at the start and end of each full council meeting.

Councillors agreed the co-option of two new members of the council – Christopher Berry and Allan Maxwell.

County Cllr Janice Eells wished to continue to provide a verbal report on local issues. She advised that highways services may well be affected by the rising cost of fuel and that there was now a backlog of structural maintenance work in the area. She reported that Heacham's Lavender Corner junction had cost £750,000 and that the ongoing work at the Lamsey Lane junction, also in Heacham, had cost £350,000.

Cllr Eells responded to a request for a pedestrian crossing on Chapel Road to allow for safe access to Dersingham Infant and Nursery School.