Reepham Life

By Cllr Greg Peck

There is always a lot of criticism of elected representatives. The motives of MPs and councillors have often been questioned, but in modern times there seems an even greater cynicism and suspicion of anyone who seeks public office.

The oft-heard refrain is “they are all in it for themselves”. Any decision that doesn’t go the way some people would wish is often met with comments implying wrongdoing or an assumption that it must be because the politicians are in the other side’s pocket.

I am a relatively new councillor, having spent my entire career in private industry. However, I can honestly say that in my short period of involvement in local politics, most of the councillors with whom I deal, from all parties, are hardworking and public-spirited and trying to do the best for their community.

We may disagree on how to achieve that goal, but in general we are all trying to make things better for our constituents. I would encourage anyone who is disappointed in the performance of their elected representatives to get involved. All political parties need volunteers and candidates, so why not put yourself forward?

I would be more than happy to talk to anyone who has aspirations to become a candidate, whatever your political persuasion, to explain the role and what is involved.

If you prefer, just contact the political party of your choice or talk to Broadland District Council Democratic Services department, who will give you advice on becoming a candidate.

However, do not be misled by the recent local press reports about councillors’ allowances; if you do the job properly it doesn’t even come to half the minimum wage.

It is not a salary, but is there to support people with their expenses and, for those in work, lost income when taking time off to attend daytime meetings. Allowances for local councillors were introduced by the Attlee government after the Second World War to ensure that people from all walks of life could afford to become councillors.

On the subject of allowances, it was reported in the local media that I am not taking the increase to the allowance that was agreed in December. A number of my colleagues have made the same commitment.

If you want to check what your councillor is receiving in allowances or expenses, this is in the public domain and available on the district and county council websites.

If you are community-minded, but don’t necessarily want to get involved in party politics, you do not have to be a member of a political party to get involved in parish and town councils. They are non-political and you stand as an individual.

Currently, Reepham Town Council has vacancies for several councillors, so why not support your town? It is a great way to get involved in the community and you can influence the decisions that affect you and your neighbours.

• Contact: Cllr Greg Peck, Reepham Division, Norfolk County Council. Tel: 07972 230282. Email: greg.peck.cllr@norfolk.gov.uk

Re the recent letter concerning the planning application for building a convenience store at 31 School Road, Reepham (“Local business community should not dictate to silent majority”, Your Letters, 20 December 2017).

Planning matters are the responsibility of Broadland District Council and the final decision on this, and all other planning applications, will be made by the District Council.

As part of the planning process, comments on every application are invited from members of the public and from bodies such as town and parish councils.

At the recent Town Council meeting various members of the public made their views known and these views were taken into account when councillors considered the application.

After consideration, councillors unanimously agreed to object to the application because of concerns regarding parking and access for large vehicles at this particular location and because of the potentially deleterious effect the development would have on existing retailers in the town centre.

No doubt Broadland District Council would take these views, and those of others who have made comments on this application, into account when making its decision, but in this particular instance the applicant has since withdrawn the planning application.

I would like to remind all residents that Town Council meetings are open to all members of the public where everybody is entitled, and cordially invited, to make representations to the Council on any topic that is of concern to them individually or to the community as a whole.

I would also like to remind everybody that we still have vacancies for councillors, so if anybody wishes to take a more active role in shaping the future of our town by becoming a councillor, please do not hesitate to contact any councillor or the town clerk who will be happy to help you.

Les Paterson, Chairman, Reepham Town Council

October is traditionally a quiet month for Council business and the Town Council and Stimpson’s Piece Trustee meetings held on Wednesday 11 October were completed relatively quickly.

Following a request by a political party to have a stall in the Market Place on market days, it was agreed at the Town Council meeting in September to review the market regulations with regard to non-trading organisations.

Having studied regulations from several local councils, in particular North Norfolk District Council, it was agreed at the October meeting that Reepham’s market regulations should be amended to include the provision of services in addition to the sale of goods.

It was also confirmed that applications to trade on market days will continue to be subject to approval by the Town Council.

Damp discovered in Town Hall floor

Following the discovery of problems of damp in the floor near the toilets in the Town Hall, town clerk Jo Boxall reported that an insurance assessor had visited the building and authorised investigative work to be carried out to establish the cause of the problem. As soon as this is complete, the necessary remedial work will be carried out.

Town Council chairman Les Paterson also confirmed that the proposal to erect a new glazed entrance porch and the provision of a storeroom for the hall will be discussed at the next Town Hall Management Committee meeting on 1 November.

Temporary road signs and barriers

Over the past few years various community groups have stages events in the Market Place.

The classic car show took place recently and the next Festival of Light will be held on 7 December, while there are plans for a repeat of the Reepham Food Festival next year.

Reepham Town Council has supported such events by, amongst other things, arranging for road closure orders to enable these to take place.

The Council has now taken its support a step further by agreeing to purchase temporary road signs and barriers enabling the Market Place to be closed to traffic and diversions to be signposted.

Meanwhile, the Town Council has agreed in principle to renew the contract to manage the Station Road car park and public toilets in Pudding Pie Alley on behalf of Broadland District Council from April 2018.

Circus experience

The trustees of Stimpson’s Piece had the pleasure of welcoming Circus Tyanna in September and we trust all those who attended had an enjoyable experience.

Considering the appallingly wet weather during September, the circus must be congratulated on the very tidy condition they left the field in after a full week on site. The trustees would welcome the Circus again should they wish to return.

At the September meeting of the trustees, it was agreed that the toddlers’ play area of Stimpson’s Piece should be improved. The work is now scheduled to be done during the first week of November.

Support your community

The Town Council and trustees of Stimpson’s Piece rely heavily on volunteers who are prepared to give their time to serve the community.

If you are a resident of Reepham, or if you have a business based in Reepham, and you would like to support your community by taking an active role in shaping the future of Reepham, please do not hesitate in coming forward to become a councillor.

No previous experience of committee work is necessary, simply your experience and willingness to work together with other people for the well-being of our community.

If you are interested in joining us but afraid of the responsibilities it might involve, please do not hesitate to contact any of the councillors, or the town clerk or finance officer, who can help you in coming to a decision.

Next meetings

The next Town Hall Management Committee meeting will start at 7.30 pm on Wednesday 1 November and the next Town Council and Stimpson’s Piece Trustee meetings will start at 7.30 pm on Wednesday 8 November, all in the Town Hall. Members of the public are cordially invited.

The latest Town Council meeting was held in the Town Hall on 12 April when discussion of several local topics was overshadowed by a longstanding issue that may well have wider consequences for the town and for many of its residents.

As readers of Reepham Life, you will be aware of complaints about buses parking near the junction of Norwich Road and Bircham Road.

Apparently, the situation has worsened to the extent that bus drivers are claiming that they are subjected to personal abuse and harassment.

Although complainants had been invited to the meeting to discuss their problems, regrettably without response, councillors considered the matter in some depth.

Unfortunately, there appear to be very few locations with access suitable for buses where they can be parked and it was generally agreed that the area near the junction of Bircham Road and Norwich Road offered the only reasonable location, not being in front of, or obstructing access to, residential properties.

However, it was agreed that the Council would seek alternative sites with adequate access and would also look into the possibility of introducing some form of traffic control measure with dedicated bus parking areas.

It was also recognised that, unless the parking problem for buses could be resolved, there is a possibility that the existing services could be either curtailed or withdrawn because of the lack of suitable parking.

This would have a dramatic impact on residents who rely on public transport, particularly those without access to any other form of transport.

It was therefore agreed that the Council would support the bus service by seeking alternative parking arrangements but that, in the meantime, there does not appear to be a suitable alternative other than in Bircham Road.

The Council would therefore respectfully ask local residents to support the service by accepting that buses may be parked in Bircham Road until such time as an alternative location can be found.