Summary of the February 2007 meetings of

Debenham Parish Council (PC)

Replacement Bus Shelter at Aspal Road Council had, for some time been building a reserve fund for the unavoidable replacement of deteriorating bus shelter. Following meetings with the SCC Conservation Officer and Highways Department agreement has been reached enabling the unused bus shelter in the conservation area near the Resource centre to replace the existing shelter opposite the new Abbots premises. This arrangement with the Highways Department is not only cost effective but also includes the offer of taking responsibility for the new shelter's health and safety cover. It was not known at this time who would insure the bus shelter in the long term but Council is confident that, as the existing shelter was insured by the Parish Council, there would be no change in the premium should the responsibility fall to them. Council resolved to accept the offer from the Highways department, releasing the excess funds  to be used for other improvements in the village. It was agreed that posters giving a photographic image of the new shelter would be displayed in key points around the village prior to the installation of the shelter..

Parish Plan Members were given the opportunity to consider and vote on the highest priority major changes likely to impact Debenham residents' quality of life over the next 20 years. Fourteen key areas had been identified through research and earlier discussions and five areas were shortlisted for further study: Employment (commuting further and working longer), Housing (numbers and affordability), Government (devolution and community involvement), Transport (more cars being used more), Environment (limiting and dealing with climate change). Members agreed that this would be a community run project with the Council giving positive support as and when required.

Debenham Leisure Centre (DLC) It was reported that the PC as Custodial Trustees had received a request from the Management Trustees of the DLC, acting on the advice from the Charity Commission, to relinquish their status. Members were informed that it was necessary for the PC to stand down as Custodial Trustees in order that the assets could be transferred over to the new Charitable Company Limited by Guarantee. The change in charitable status had resulted from the need for the Management Committee to no longer be financially responsible for the centre to try and encourage members of the DLC to put them selves forward for election as a trustee at the next AGM. The PC had sought Legal advice from a solicitor specialising in Charity Law which concluded that as Custodial Trustee the PC has to abide by the wishes of the Management Trustees and has no say in the running of the centre. Under the old charity the PC retained the right to appoint a representative onto the Management Board of the DLC and at the time that the decision to change the charity status had taken place the PC representative’s role had been filled by Cllr Alcock. Council resolved that to ensure that as many parishioners were aware of the requested change that posters giving 21 days notice would be displayed around the village, on the website and in the Parish Magazine in order that opinions could be forwarded to both the DLC Chairman and the PC Chairman before the change was effected.

Date of Next Meetings-   Monday 12^th March and Monday 19^th March 07

 Full Minutes, once approved can be viewed on the Website, in the Resource Centre and in the Post Office.