Matters Arising:
Gravel Planning Meeting - County Hall, 24th January - This was attended by Mr Brighton on behalf of the Parish and he reported that our County Councillor, Mr Shaun Murphy had spoken well on behalf of all parishioners and villages affected by the applications and everyone owed a 'debt of gratitude for the way he presented their case'. The decisions of the committee were as follows:

1. Tarmac - Refused on the grounds of sufficient aggregation in the reserve bank making it unnecessary for such a large quarry.

Mr Brighton stated that he was disappointed that our grounds for objection had not been included - i.e. Environmental spoilation, detrimental to the village amenities and traffic etc.

2. Longwater - Refused on identical grounds but, this has already gone to appeal.

3. Frimstone - This was approved. mainly on the grounds that the quantities of aggregate which it was proposed to extract was small and would bring the reserve amount to a round figure. Traffic generated would be negligible.

It was agreed that the village would be getting a flashing 30 mph restriction sign on the Buxton Road, together with other road improvements to the Meyton Road and Buxton Road.

All the traffic improvement monies will be expended in the village of Horstead.

Mr Brighton thanked the Councillors for their support during the campaign and also the tremendous support shown by parishioners with their many letters of objection and petitions sent to Norfolk County Council. He emphasised that although the application by Tarmac had been turned down, 'it would not go away' and all the papers should he kept in a safe place for future reference should they re-apply at a later date.

George V Jubilee Oak - Mr John Allaway, of Tusting Close, had been approached for an opinion and recommended that the crown of the tree needed cleaning out, to improve previous poor pruning, and removal of interference with telephone wires together with general tidying up. A verbal quotation of approximately £230 had been received by the clerk with written quotation to follow. After discussion it was proposed that Mr Allaway's quotation be accepted.

B1150 Mini-Roundabout Update - Confirmation had been received that it was hoped to commence work 'on or as soon as is reasonably possible after 24th February 2003 and the contract period is five weeks.'

Yellow Pages Recycling Schemes - Notice that these will he accepted at venues which already have a paper bank from 14th February - 11th April only, had been received.

Recycling of Refuse - The new scheme with two wheelie bins will be starting in Horstead in September - a demonstration has been arranged for early September and will take place in the Rectory Road (Horstead) lay-by.
Delegated Functions - Monitoring of Footpaths - The clerk had received verbal confirmation that this function would cease at the end of the financial year, 31st March 2003.

Annual Parish Meeting Date:
Saturday, 29th March at 2.30 pm in the Tithe Barn, Rectory Road, Horstead. Please note this meeting is being held earlier than usual owing to prior bookings at the barn.

Mill:
Mr Brighton reported that to date there had been no response, from the Broads Authority, to our letter regarding the footpath but various other works had been carried out recently i.e. tidying pathways and scrub etc.

The replacement seat had been purchased, £335.85, from the Mill account and an insurance claim sent off, Mr Gidney of Property First had agreed to position it gratis.

Playing Field:
Aerial Runway - The replacement pulley has been returned to the manufacturers, but, to date there has been no response regarding any refund. The new pulley has been erected and seems to be a bit stiff, but, Adventure Playgrounds, who had carried out the work, assured Mr. Brighton that it 'would bed down'. A letter of thanks had been sent to the Poors Land Trustees for their grant covering the full costs of the work.

A further delivery of sand has been purchased for the goalmouths and this has been spread by the youngsters themselves.

Mill Road Seat Replacement:
Councillors were invited to inspect the seat purchased for Mill area to see if they felt a similar type would he suitable for Mill Road corner.

There being no further business the meeting closed at 8.58 pm.

Next Monthly Meeting
Wednesday, 19th March 2003. This meeting will be held one week later than usual.