Summary of the March 2007 meetings of

Debenham Parish Council (PC)

Debenham Leisure Centre (DLC) – change of trust. Comments received from the Public Gallery included: “the public notice advertising the DLC meeting where the decision was taken to change the Management Trustees, was only displayed in the Leisure Centre which is not felt to be a location where many members of the community, who have a very active interest in the Village Hall, often attend”; “the playing field and village hall land was purchased and donated by three people for the use of the whole village. A lot of people had helped in the initial stone picking and fund raising and had been pleased to do it, but it is now felt that the village has lost control of its hall”. Members were informed that it was felt amongst some of the community that the PC had supported the management changes. The Chairman reminded the meeting that according to Charity Law, following the advice received from a specialist solicitor, Custodial Trustees have to abide by the Management Trustees requests, which in this instance was to be removed as trustees to permit the assets to be transferred over to the new Charitable Company Limited by Guarantee. Within the role as Custodial Trustees the PC has the responsibility to ensure that all legal procedures had been followed, and it was confirmed that they had been to the minimum requirement. The meeting was informed that to join the Board of Management Trustees, it was a requirement to be a member of the DLC and be voted on at the next AGM on 8^th May. Unfortunately the Council as a corporate body could not become a member and therefore regrets that it cannot be elected onto the board. However the opportunity is available to individual members of the public.

Speed Watch Following a meeting with Chief Inspector Martin Barnes-Smith, the Police Liaison group were pleased to report that, although they had been previously informed that a trial conducted in Lowestoft had not been a success, the Inspector was very keen to conduct another trial in Debenham which would be a case study for Suffolk. The emphasis on running a speed watch project is for the community to help improve their own environment. The anticipated date for the Speed Watch Trial to start is the 1^st week in June, although this is still to be confirmed.

Gardeners Road drainage pipes.

Council are delighted to report that the replacement of collapsed drainage pipes, which has caused problems for over 14 years, has been completed.

Planning.

3237/06 Plot No’s 45, 58 & 59 Sackvylle Street, Debenham. Proposed front entrance lobby / WC extension to house type ‘D’ plots 45, 58 & 59. Support Recommended

0613/07 45 Gardeners Road, Debenham. Two storey side extension and rear conservatory Support Recommended

0551/07 Poplar Hall, Low Road, Debenham. Change of use from agricultural land to paddocks / horse grazing. Support Recommended

Date of Next Meetings- Council Meeting Monday 16th April

Annual Parish Meeting Monday 30th April 07

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