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Draft Minutes of East and West Beckham Parish Council
Meeting Held on Thursday11th November 2021
Present.
Cllrs. R. McNeil Wilson, (chairman), D. Barrass, R. Batt, J. Dovey, K. Lord, T. Toyne, County Cllr. E. Varley J. Stibbons(clerk)
The chairman opened the meeting at 7.00pm.
1. Apologies received from Cllr. G. Place.
2. There were no Declarations of Interest.
3. There were no comments or questions from members of the public.
4. The minutes of the meeting held on Thursday 9th September 2021 having been previously circulated, it was proposed by Cllr. Dovey that they be accepted as correct. This was seconded by
Cllr. Toyn and approved by the members present. The chairman then signed the minutes.
5. Matters arising from the Minutes.
A First Aid course is to be arranged.
6. Reports from County, District or Parish Councillors.
County Cllr. E. Varley. Chances Project
Chances, a £4.9m Norfolk County Council project, co-funded by the European Social Fund, is reaching out to people in Norfolk who have recently lost their jobs or are long-term unemployed who may face barriers to finding work. It aims to help them get back into employment through new opportunities for support and training.
Launched in April 2021, the project has already supported nearly 300 participants on their journey to find employment.
The Norfolk County Council-led Chances for Work and Chances Healthy Living projects are being run by partners Voluntary Norfolk, Citizens Advice Norfolk, Citizens Advice Diss, Thetford and District, and Future Projects. There are local advocates based in each of the seven Norfolk district areas, who work to provide personalised one-to-one support.
Depending on the needs of the individual, the support could include help to identify skills gaps and finding suitable training and qualifications, support to access services to boost health and well-being, or finding ways to overcome barriers such as transport or accessing childcare. Support for those with physical or learning disabilities could also include providing help to access services, or assistance from a mental health specialist or disability support specialist who will be working closely with the Chances team.
The project which officially started in April 2021 will run until September 2023.
Individuals who are keen to find out more are welcome to contact the project team directly – for contact details and further information see www.norfolk.gov.uk/chances
Support for Norfolk Entrepreneurs
The Business & IP Centre Norfolk, managed by Norfolk County Council’s Library and Information Service, is offering a free six-week online programme that will take budding business owners on a journey from ‘Bedroom to Business’.
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Over the past 18 months, many people have had to find alternative sources of income, including considering setting up their own business. This programme will help aspiring business owners develop their idea and provide the tools needed to get started.
Bedroom to Business is being delivered by MENTA Business Support and consists of six two-hour workshops with a chance for questions and one-to-one coaching sessions after each workshop.
Starting on Friday 5 November, the six workshops will run weekly and cover topics including: pros and cons of being self-employed; identifying any additional skills needed; developing a business plan; business funding; registering your business.
Workshops will be limited to a maximum of 10 people to allow participants to get the most out of the sessions. If anyone is unable to attend this programme, Bedroom to Business will run again starting in January.
Participants will need to live, work or study in Norfolk or close to a Norfolk library to be eligible for this programme.
For more information and to register, visit Bedroom to Business or www.bipcnorfolk.eventbrite.com.
There followed a discussion with the County Councillor on safety at Lodge Corner. There had recently been an accident at the junction involving four vehicles. What could be done to improve the situation?
A firm plan from the Parish Council will be needed to get help from the County Councillor. It was agreed that reducing the speed limit was the most obvious solution.
As a start a Freedom of Information request is to be sent to the Police asking how many accidents have occurred at this junction.
Cllr. Dovey. The “RAF” boards are being put up in the village hall on 19th November on the completion of the refurbishment.
A second printing of the footpath walks leaflet is needed as the first batch are all used up. It was agreed to have a second run of the leaflet printed.
It seems likely that the whole of “Lefty’s Lane” in East Beckham will become a public footpath.
7. Playing Field Discussions on the possible purchase of the Playing Field are progressing slowly.
Safety inspections were carried out by R. Wilson. All was satisfactory.
8. News Letter. Cllr. Lord. is seeking items for the news letter. Input is needed on Social Housing as nothing appears to be happening yet. Other possible items for inclusion were discussed and it was agreed to go ahead with the next edition
9. Budget and Precept A proposed budget for the year 2022-2023 was presented to the
meeting. This also included a possible scenario of the situation when the Hall Farm Solar grants
came to an end in the financial year 2023/24.
It was proposed by Cllr. Dovey that the precept should be raised to £3800. This was seconded by
Cllr. Barrass and approved by the members.
10. Financial matters.
Bank Balances at 11/11/2021 Current a/c £7914.04 Savings a/c £31878.02
The following outstanding invoices were approved for payment:-
Chevertons 4xA2 Signs (RAF) £115.20
J. Stibbons Salary and expenses £594.45
HMRC PAYE £122.80
Gresham Village Hall Meeting £13
Bodham Village HallMeetings£27
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11. Correspondence
All correspondence received by email had been forwarded to members.
12. Matters for information only or for the next agenda.
It was reported that tractors were travelling at high speed through East Beckham. The local farming company is to be informed.
There being no further business the chairmen closed the meeting at 8.44pm
The next meeting of Beckham Parish Council will be held on Thursday 13th January 2022
