The Glaven Valley Benefice
District Councillor's Notebook
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The Glaven Valley BeneficeDistrict Councillor's Notebook |
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A 'Special' meeting of the NNDC was held on 11 th January to confirm the appointments of the Chief Executive and two Corporate Directors to form the Council's new Corporate Leadership Team. This was duly done and the appointments will be effective from 1st February.
There have been a few complaints concerning refuse collections - Kier are still refining the new rounds as some were just too big, which has, in a few cases, led to the crews not being able to complete all work on the scheduled day. This should now be resolved and notification made of any day changes. Kier's answering machine number is 0300 1231163 and emergencies can be reported via the council's out-of-hours service on 01223 849782.
Marine Conservation Zones:- At the second stakeholder meeting on 15th December, initiated and hosted by Blakeney Parish Council, Natural England heard further reasons, from a host of user groups, that the proposed reference areas were a monumental mistake. It emerged that Natural England and NetGain, their agents, had drastically underestimated the socio-economic effects that these proposed no-go areas would have. User groups are responding firstly to the Minister Richard Benyon and copying in the Clerk at Blakeney P.C. for collation. Cllr Fitch-Tillett will hand this over to the Minister in person later in the Spring. The final public consultation will now take place in December 2012 with final designations expected in early 2013. A governmental survey has also been implemented on marine recreation in England with a focus on the East Coast Region.
The NNDC Benefit Investigations Section have confirmed in their Newsletter that their work is required as fraud cases in the East of England continue to rise.
The Norfolk Coast Partnership - working to protect the special qualities of the Norfolk Coast Area of outstanding natural beauty - welcome their new Community Representatives as recommended by their Parish Councils. With their local knowledge of the area they bring a strong community voice to the Partnership.
In what is going to be a very busy year with the Diamond Jubilee and the Olympics, the National Trust are celebrating their Blakeney Point 100th Birthday in early August, 'Glad about the Glaven' takes place at Holt Hall on Saturday 21st July and the North Norfolk Workout Project has a full programme of sessions for conservation volunteers - including events at Wiveton and Thornage. Finally, the Hunny Bell Cross Country Run on the Stody Estate is on 26th February in aid of Break charity.
Councillor Lindsay Brettle, Glaven Valley Ward