Neighbourhood complaints will in future be directed to the borough council in writing.

Cllr Marilyn Robinson chaired the full September council meeting with parish clerk, Mrs Jane Cowell, and six members of the public also in attendance.

A survey of headstones and other structures at the village cemetery had been completed.

Guided by the regulations recommended by the environmental health and safety authority, 12 structures have been considered as unsafe. Plot owners wil be notified and warning notices displayed. The council will review the situation annually.

The council has so far had no response from the owners of the Upgate Street warehouse site, with regard to the council's request for trimming of foliage of the willow tree which is obscuring the war memorial.

Mrs Sue Jennings and her floral group have offered to plant heathers and spring daffodils at the cemetery approach. The council will purchase £20 worth of plants for the project.

Cllr John Hobden will investigate the consideration of setting up a Southery website. The object would be to display and record parish council information, local events, doctor surgery hours, borough information, bus timetables, shop hours, etc.

Grass-cutting contractor, Mr John Lewis, agreed to trim the war memorial hedge at the council's request and also explained that he was reluctant to use weedkiller around graves at the cemetery, not wishing to offend plot owners. Mr Lewis has sprayed the surrounds of the playing field car park, will lay some rubberised tiles at the entrance gate to the children's play area and backfill some turf at the spin discs.

The council noted reports of rat infestation near the Feltwell Road/Hall Close T- junction.

Highways will be notified of the large potholes at the top end of Hall Close.

Consideration wil be given to the cost of fencing the east side of the children's play area where it backs onto the barbed wire fencing of the adjoining farm crop land.

The playing field support group will arrange a bingo evening at the village hall on Friday, October 24, as a fundraiser towards impending development at the fields. The group noted that the derelict slide had been removed at no cost to the parish and the ground rehabilitated.

The temporary (on loan) skatepark facility put up at the west side of the bowls club area appears to be a popular item. The group will apply for grant aid towards the costs of a similar permanent facility.

Cllr Nigel Hardy agreed to complete the necessary adjustments at the site swings to conform to requests from insurers for the area.

Subsequent to several local complaints about pedestrian access, the council will request the community policing authority to instruct vehicle drivers to park legally at village roadsides and not half on the pavements.