Apologies from Councillor Lang were received.

On a proposition by the Chairman the order of business was amended to take item 3.1 at this point in the meeting.

Mr Heffernon and Mr McCrystall were both welcomed to the meeting. Mr Heffernon began by giving a short presentation on the legislation governing noise enforcement the consideration of complaints registered under the Environmental Protection Act of 1990. In particular the legislation relating to BS4142 Industrial Noise.

Mr Heffernon explained that he had been investigating residents' complaints and had visited the village both in the day and night time. He suggested that he felt that it was preferable to work in tandem with the factory to find a satisfactory conclusion to the noise nuisance than to serve a noise abatement order.

Mr McCrystall presented a report⁽¹⁾ titled 'Noise Emissions Reduction Actions and Plan' as prepared by him on 6 May 2003. This was considered in detail by the meeting.

It was noted that:

Mr McCrystall acknowledged that the noise levels constituted a nuisance and emphasised that his company would continue to work to put in place measures to reduce this as it had both legal and moral obligations and that the company wished to be 'a good neighbour'.

Councillor Martlew offered to look into the powers of the County's Development Control Department.

In noting that the company's acoustic report was due within two weeks on a proposition by the Chairman it was agreed that, once received, a copy of the report should be circulated to everyone present at the meeting and that the matter be discussed further at the next meeting. Residents were asked to give their comments on the survey report to the Clerk so that the Parish Council may consider these.

On a proposition by the Chairman, seconded by Councillor Phillips the minutes were approved as a true record and signed by the Chairman.

On a proposition by Councillor Footman, seconded by Councillor Drayton it was agreed to deal only with urgent matters and to carry the following items forward to the next meeting.

The Chairman was delegated the responsibility for responding to any date sensitive consultations on the Parish Council's behalf.

It was noted that Mrs Dart had kindly agreed to carry out the Internal Audit.

On a proposition by the Chairman, seconded by Mr Breeze it was agreed to respond to the applications as follows:

5.1 S/1121/03/03/rm Boak, Plot 1 56 West Drive - bungalow and garage. No recommendation from the Parish Council.

5.2 S/0284/03/F Tolhurst, 12 Highfields Road - dwelling - flood risk assessment. No recommendation by the Parish Council.

5.5 S/0823/03/F Dart 89 Highfields Road - extensions and double garage. Approved by the Parish Council. The awarded ditch is to be safeguarded.

5.6 S/0801/03/F Johnson 62 Highfields Road - extensions and garage. Approved by the Parish Council.

5.7 It was noted that the District Council had granted planning permission subject to conditions for S/0379/03/F 19 West Drive - extensions.

The letter from David Stead of Mills and Reeve detailing the actions undertaken by Banner Homes to attend to the outstanding POS matters was received and considered. On a proposition by Councillor Kember, seconded by Councillor Wolton it was agreed that the Parish Council did not wish to accept transfer of the hedge adjacent to the smaller POS area but wanted to know who would have long term ownership and maintenance responsibility for it.

It was noted that Banner Homes intended on retaining the strip of verge/border land to the north of the access road and that the southern strip had been transferred to 1 Devonshire Mews.

Councillor Martlew was asked to take up the Parish Council's concerns the pavement was missing from the eastern side of the POS and had been instead laid to grass.

7.4.1 RoSPA play equipment report

Councillor Wolton reported on the recently received RoSPA report on the children's play equipment. It was noted that with the exception of the spring toy all items required some attention. On a proposition by Councillor Wolton, seconded by Councillor Kember it was resolved to write to Anglian Playground Services asking them to put right the equipment at their cost as the equipment was only nine months old.

Mrs Tasker reported on the Sports Association meeting and the receipt of a letter from the Wilson Connolly Construction Manager saying that he was willing to transfer the tennis courts to the Parish Council if it were willing to indicate its acceptance.

On a proposition by Councillor Kember, seconded by Councillor Phillips it was resolved to accept transfer of the tennis courts only, with appropriate rights of access to them and to instruct the solicitor to proceed with the transfer.

All bank statements and invoices were available for checking. On a proposition by Councillor Kember, seconded by Councillor Footman the payments as listed in the financial report were approved:

8.1 It was noted that substantial damage had been done to the bus shelter on the A428 and that urgent repairs would need to be undertaken. It was thought that it might have been caused by the Highway Agency's grass cutters who had been in the vicinity on the same day. An insurance claim is to be submitted.

It was noted that the Charity's report had been received and on a proposition by Councillor Footman, seconded by Councillor Breeze it was agreed that Mr David Reed, Trustee be invited to attend the next meeting.

10.1 The abandoned car in Highfields Road, blocking the pavement is to be reported for removal. The Clerk was given the registration details.

10.2 Concern was expressed that cars were speeding in West Drive.

Mrs Morley complained that the kerbing outside her property was being damaged because the delivery vehicles to the Social Club could not manoeuvre because of the traffic calming. Councillor Martlew kindly offered to talk with Mrs Morley about her concerns.

There was no further business and the Chairman declared the meeting closed at 9.30pm.