Cllr D. Jones reported that one of the community action group's priorities for the coming months is concentrating on improper parking in all villages, particularly on the footways and outside shops.

Information has been sent to all councils setting out the current policy. A copy has been sent to the village news editor to be published for public information.

A councillor asked why yellow lines could not be painted to stop dangerous parking. Cllr Jones explained that it was too expensive and difficult to enforce.

The next CAG meeting is at Marshland St James village hall tonight at 7.30pm.

The following invoices were approved for payment: Tilney St Lawrence village committee, half-year play area maintenance grant, £420; CTS Security Ltd, CCTV equipment and installation,£5,443.19; T.M. Browne, cabling for CCTV, £810.75; Mr B. Ayres, reimbursement for cost of hedge trimming on Church Road, £35; Norfolk County Association of Parish and Town Councils, annual subscription, £227.66; MHB services, replacement lantern, St Johns Road, £193.88.

The following standing order was approved: MHB Services Ltd, footway lights maintenance contract for April 2008, £119.74 per month.

Members considered a request from the parochial church council for an increased grant to cover burial ground maintenance. The letter explained that hitherto the work had been undertaken by volunteer labour that was no longer available. Quotations from two contractors were provided.

It was decided unanimously that the parish council would assume responsibility for burial ground maintenance. The clerk was instructed to accept the quotation submitted by CGM Ltd at a cost of £1,525 per annum for a fixed three-year period. The PCC to be advised.

The following planning applications were dealt with: 08/00390/F, The Hollies, New Road, agricultural building, Mr J. Wheeler, application supported; 08/00735/F, 40 Magdalen Road, double garage with workroom above, Mr A. Sapey, application supported; 08/00772/F, Antioch Farm, New Road, change-of-use application from agricultural land to proposed caravan park and change of use of existing shed to utility building serving caravan park, Mr R. Hendon, application supported on condition that 12-month residency in caravans is prohibited and highway access safety is considered.

The following planning department decisions on applications previously dealt with were noted: 08/00148/F, The Conifers, New Road, two-storey extension, Mr D. Titmus, permission refused; 08/00173/CU, Eastfield Farm, Chapel Road, change of use of transport workshop and storage building to single residential dwelling, Mr and Mrs P. Downham and Towler, permission granted.

New highways matters reported: From Clough Bridge to the church the sides of Church Road are slipping into the dyke. The road needs haunching. Large potholes outside number 74B School Road.

The council received the report from the representative school governor that the governing bodies of schools at Tilney St Lawrence, Terrington St John and Walpole Highway would be combining.

Cllr D. Jones reported that, following notification from the council's solicitor, the Highways Agency had claimed that 90 per cent (£1,800) of the sum owed to the council, for purchase of the land at Old Brickyards Land, had already been paid as far back as 1994. He requested sight of the minutes of meetings held at that time. He further reported that he had trawled the minutes and extracted items from 1994 through to 1997 that tended to support the Highways Agency claim that only £250 plus interest was still owed.

On contacting the solicitor regarding this, he was told that the transfer of the land into the ownership of the Highways Agency had gone through, and a cheque for £2,133.64 was on its way to the clerk. As no other records could be found regarding this matter, it was agreed to accept that it has now been finalised.

The chairman thanked Cllr Jones for his tenacity in dealing with this matter, and bringing it at last to a satisfactory conclusion.

The clerk reported that the company approached for a quotation for restoration of the village sign had requested more details. Cllr D. Jones agreed to take some photographs and measurements.

A second quotation was presented for the village noticeboard. This is from Kevin Day quoting a price of £518 for a new board in hardwood with glazed doors similar to the one already there. After some discussion on the type of finish required – oiled rather than varnished – it was agreed to accept the quotation and the clerk was instructed to ask Mr Day to proceed as soon as possible.