• Callisthenics gym quote approved for Stimpson’s Piece

    Monday, June 16, 2025 - 17:26

    At the Reepham Town Council meeting on Wednesday 11 June, County Councillor Greg Peck and District Councillor Stuart Beadle were in attendance and gave verbal reports; devolution and local government reorganisation were discussed.

    The accounts for 2024/25 were approved and will be sent to the external auditor.

    Permission was given for the King’s Arms to hold a music event on half of the Market Place as part of the Reepham Festival.

    The legal order to increase the parking allowance in the Market Place is going ahead but will take time.

    The tree survey has been carried out, and the required work identified will take place at the beginning of July.

    Three tenders have been received for the replacement skatepark at Stimpson’s Piece. They will be assessed on a standard criteria and information forwarded to councillors to allow for a decision to be made at the July town council meeting.

    The need for youth provision in the town was discussed, and the YMCA will attend the meeting in July to show what services it can offer. Another provider, Norwich Youth for Christ, has also offered its services. The town clerk will liaise with the church to see if it has capacity to host them.

    A callisthenics gym quote was approved for installation at Stimpson’s Piece. This will be funded entirely from Section 106 and Community Infrastructure Levy funding from the district council. Further quotes will be obtained for a Rotanet (“witches hat”) climbing frame.

    Highways issues (potholes, etc,) can be reported online HERE.

    The town hall and Stimpson’s Piece Community Hall & Pavilion are available to hire. Please contact the town clerk on 01603 873355 or email for availability and prices.

    There are currently four vacancies on the town council. Anyone interested should contact the town clerk for further information and an informal chat.

    The next Reepham Town Council and Stimpson’s Piece trustee meetings will take place on Wednesday 9 July from 7.30 pm at Stimpson’s Piece Pavilion, Bartle Court, Reepham.

    Notes supplied by Reepham Town Council. Full minutes can be found on the town council website.

  • Chair and vice chair re-elected at annual town meeting

    Tuesday, May 20, 2025 - 08:31

    At the Annual Reepham Town Council meeting on Wednesday 14 May, Hetty Selwyn was re-elected as chair and Matthew Steel as vice chair. Alice Riddett resigned as a councillor and thanks were passed for her service.

    There are two people interested in becoming town councillors. Their co-option will be considered at the June meeting, when hopefully both can attend.

    Committee and working group members were agreed for the year ahead.

    Reports from PC Denis Evans and County Councillor Greg Peck, who were unable to attend, were distributed prior to the meeting. District Councillor Stuart Beadle was in attendance and gave a brief verbal report.

    Grants were approved for the Reepham Food Festival (£450) and Reepham Classic Car Festival (£150).

    Allotments were discussed at length. At the Fiddler’s Field site, there have been several issues regarding the keeping of chickens and cockerels. All allotment holders will be reminded of the rules and regulations on keeping chickens. Due to continued issues, one allotment holder will be written to, advising that they must rehome their chickens.

    The provision of further play equipment for the Overton Way play area was discussed. A leaflet drop for residents will be carried out, asking what equipment, if any, they would prefer.

    Kirby Leonard of Moor House has kindly arranged for the fallen branches to be cleared from the Whitwell Road cemetery. A tree survey has been carried out, and the report will be available soon.

    Disappointment was expressed that the solar farm off Nowhere Lane was approved at Broadland District Council’s Planning Committee meeting. An application for the connection route to the Salle substation will be forthcoming.

    The clerk is due to meet with the YMCA with a view to establish a youth engagement service in the town.

    Broadland and South Norfolk District Councils are developing a design code for both districts, with the aim of strengthening the quality of new residential development across the area. They are seeking feedback, which can be given HERE.

    Residents are reminded that any highways or public right of way issues can be reported HERE.

    Quotes were discussed for trampolines for the Stimpson’s Piece recreation ground play area, but they are expensive at £5,000–6,000 for small (1m x 1m) trampolines. The purchase of gym equipment will be explored, with quotes brought to the next meeting.

    It was agreed to commission a topographical survey for Stimpson’s Piece at a cost of £400.

    The Town Hall and Stimpson’s Piece Pavilion are available to hire. Please contact the town clerk on 01603 873355 or email for availability and prices.

    The next Reepham Town Council and Stimpson’s Piece trustee meetings will take place on Wednesday 11 June from 7.30 pm at Stimpson’s Piece Pavilion, Bartle Court, Reepham.

    Notes supplied by Reepham Town Council. Full minutes can be found on the town council website.

  • Increase in reports of dog fouling on Stimpson’s Piece

    Thursday, April 17, 2025 - 08:28

    At the meeting of Reepham Town Council on Wednesday 9 April, County Councillor Greg Peck reported that the legal work to change the waiting time in Reepham Market Place from 90 minutes to two hours has hit some delays and will not be completed for approximately three months.

    The replacement fence for the Overton Way play area should be installed soon. The clerk is obtaining quotes for a climbing wall to add to the existing play equipment.

    Quotes are also being obtained for a trampoline and gym equipment for Stimpson’s Piece, which will be funded with Section 106 and Community Infrastructure Levy money from Broadland District Council. Meanwhile, the tender for the new skatepark is now live on the government’s Contracts Finder website.

    Residents are reminded that any highways or public rights of way issues can be reported HERE.

    The Pettywell Solar Farm planning application is to go to Broadland District Council’s Planning Committee for a decision. This will take place on Wednesday 23 April. It has been recommended for approval in a report by the planning officer.

    The town council is to compile a directory of businesses based in the town. Please contact the clerk on 01603 873355 or email if you are interested in being included.

    The purchase of an additional bin to be situated by the wooded area at the bottom of Stimpson’s Piece was approved.

    A Friends of Stimpson’s Piece group had its first meeting recently and is producing a masterplan for the site.

    There has been an increase in reports of dog fouling on the recreation ground. The trustees are considering an extension to the dog exercise area, but residents are reminded that this is currently located at the bottom of Stimpson’s Piece – not the top near the football pitches and children’s play area.

    There is a public spaces protection order in effect on the recreation ground, which makes it an offence to allow your dog to foul and to fail to clear it up. All incidents of this will be reported to Broadland District Council to take forward for prosecution.

    There are still two vacancies on the town council, so anyone interested is encouraged to contact the town clerk on 01603 873355 or email for an informal chat.

    The town hall and Stimpson’s Piece pavilion are available to hire. Please contact the town clerk for availability and prices.

    The next Reepham Town Council and Stimpson’s Piece trustee meetings will take place on Wednesday 14 May from 7.30 pm at Stimpson’s Piece Pavilion, Bartle Court, Reepham.

    Notes supplied by Reepham Town Council. Full minutes can be found on the town council website.

  • Grant application for skatepark rejected

    Monday, March 17, 2025 - 21:38

    At the meeting of Reepham Town Council on Wednesday 12 March, a number of residents from the Ash Tree Care Village were in attendance and spoke in favour of the planning application for an office and communal space. They updated councillors of events that take place there and reported that they regularly make use of the Reepham Rover.

    The landowner of the green space on Robins Lane has given permission for a new noticeboard to be erected on it. The clerk is obtaining some quotes.

    Reepham & District Rotary Club has asked for a road closure for Sunday 25 May for the Reepham Food Festival. The clerk will apply to Norfolk County Council.

    The replacement fencing at Overton Way should be installed within the next month or so. The fly tipping there has been reported to the district council for removal. The broken road signs have also been reported.

    The town council was unsuccessful in its grant application to Grantscape for the skatepark. The clerk will try to find out where the grant money was allocated. Other fundraising streams will be investigated.

    There has been a great deal of disruption on the roads around Reepham due to the offshore wind farm projects and CityFibre, which is installing a full fibre network that should result in faster broadband speeds for residents.

    The Big Broadland Litter Pick is taking place from 1−31 May. If anyone would like to assist with litter picking, equipment can be borrowed from the town council office.

    In the Stimpson’s Piece Trustee meeting, the renewal of the tennis club lease was discussed. It was noted that residents do not need to be a tennis club member to use the courts, as they were built as a multi-use games area. If anyone would like to book, further information can be found HERE.

    Reepham Lions have asked to use Stimpson’s Piece for a car boot sale or tabletop sale. Trustees would not allow vehicles to park on the grass for a car boot sale, but would be happy for a table top sale to be held. It was suggested that this could be combined with a town yard sale.

    The next town council meeting will be held on Wednesday 9 April at 7.30 pm at Stimpson’s Piece Pavilion, Bartle Court, Reepham, followed by the Stimpson’s Piece Trustee meeting.

    There are still two vacancies on the town council, so anyone interested is encouraged to contact the clerk by email or telephone 01603 873355 for an informal chat.

    The Town Hall and Stimpson’s Piece Pavilion are also available to hire. Please contact the town clerk for availability and prices.

    Notes supplied by Reepham Town Council. Full minutes can be found on the town council website.

  • Tree felling, allotments and road closures among items discussed

    Monday, February 17, 2025 - 21:41

    At the meeting of Reepham Town Council on Wednesday 12 February, PC Denis Evans had sent his apologies, but emailed a report, outlining callouts in the past month. He also advised that tree surgeons had reported that the trees they were asked to remove on Broomhill Lane had had nails inserted into them, causing a possible injury risk to the tree surgeons.

    County Councillor Greg Peck reported on the possible devolution structures.

    District Councillor Stuart Beadle was not in attendance, but a member of the public read a statement to ask Cllr Beadle if he intends to speak and represent residents who are in objection to the proposed Pettywell solar farm at the Broadland District Council Planning Committee meeting, if necessary.

    An allotment tenant has asked the town council if it would consider installing mains water at the Fiddlers Field allotment site. The Reepham Allotment & Leisure Gardeners’ Association (RALGA) has contacted the council, stating that it would prefer that mains water is not installed. The pros and cons were discussed, but councillors resolved not to proceed at this stage.

    A quote was accepted to replace the rotten wooden fence surrounding the play area on Overton Way with a metal fence.

    The tender documents for a replacement skate park at Stimpson’s Piece have been reviewed by a solicitor, who gave extensive comments. It was agreed that, subject to the solicitor’s approval, a briefer tender request will be advertised.

    The town council is aware that there have been many road closures in the town over the past month. These are due mainly to the wind farm projects and CityFibre, which is installing a fibre optic network. Details of road closures can be found HERE or by calling the town council on 01603 873355. Any Highways issues can be reported direct to Norfolk County Council by calling 0344 800 8020 or online.

    Members of the public are reminded that Broadland District Council will accept comments regarding the Pettywell solar farm planning application until 30 March. Everyone is encouraged to respond to the application, number 2024/3676. The planning portal can be found HERE. Written representations can be sent to Broadland District Council Planning Department, The Horizon Centre, Peachman Way, Broadland Business Park, Norwich NR7 0WF.

    The tree felling on Broomhill Lane was discussed. It was noted that anyone can request a tree preservation order. More information can be found HERE.

    The next town council meeting will be held on Wednesday 12 March at 7.30 pm at Stimpson’s Piece Pavilion, Bartle Court, Reepham, followed by the Stimpson’s Piece Trustee meeting.

    There are still two vacancies on the town council, so anyone interested is encouraged to contact the town clerk by email or telephone 01603 873355 for an informal chat. The Town Hall and Stimpson’s Piece Pavilion are also available to hire. Please contact the town clerk for availability and prices.

    Notes supplied by Reepham Town Council. Full minutes can be found on the town council website.

  • Debate on renewable energy heats up

    Monday, January 20, 2025 - 10:02

    Reepham Town Council would like to thank all those who attended the January meeting. It is important to use opportunities to discuss local issues that will affect the whole community.

    The expertise and research of those contributing to Wednesday’s debate was impressive and thorough. Our thanks extend to Albanwise for presenting its project and listening to the public perspective.

    It is an emotive concern about how our countryside is changing but it is purely on planning aspects that the council has written to object to the solar farm application and we sincerely hope the applicant will give serious consideration to the views of local residents.

    We would applaud future efforts to meet renewable energy potential on, for example, new build homes or existing commercial buildings but at the current time Reepham and its environs is already experiencing a lot of rural degradation.

    To have a lively meeting is indicative of the many positives qualities and reputation of our town.

    District Councillor Stuart Beadle also raised the matter of how council structures are changing.

    If you would like to know more or be involved in the town council, please contact the town clerk on 01603 873355 or email.

    Notes supplied by Reepham Town Council. Full minutes can be found on the town council website.

    The next town council meeting will be held on Wednesday 12 February at 7.30 pm at Stimpson’s Piece Pavilion, Bartle Court, Reepham.

  • Market Place parking restrictions changed

    Sunday, December 15, 2024 - 00:38

    PC Denis Evans was in attendance at the Reepham Town Council meeting on 11 December and reported that there had been a spate of break-ins, mainly into cars, in Bawdeswell recently. People are reminded not to leave valuables in their vehicles.

    The budget and precept for 2025/26 were agreed. The precept request for Reepham will be £93,009 for the year, which will represent an annual payment of £93.75 for a band D household, an increase of £2.62 from 2024/25.

    There are still two half-size allotments available on the Fiddlers Field site. If you are interested in taking one on, please contact the town clerk.

    A Traffic Regulation Order to increase the parking time on the Market Place from 90 minutes to two hours was approved, along with removal of the Wednesday morning restriction.

    Thanks were expressed to the volunteers who gathered on a Saturday and Sunday morning to erect the Christmas trees and lights in the town centre.

    Quotes are being obtained to replace the fence around the play area on Overton Way.

    A late planning application for the proposed solar farm with battery storage in Pettywell was received, but will be discussed, and a response agreed, at the town council meeting on 15 January. Residents can view the documents and respond to the planning application on the Broadland District Council planning portal, reference 2024/3676.

    There are still two vacancies on the town council, so anyone interested is encouraged to contact the town clerk.

    There will be a meeting of the Friends of Stimpson’s Piece group in the New Year. If anyone is interested in getting involved, please contact the town clerk.

    The next town council meeting will take place on Wednesday 15 January at 7.30 pm at Stimpson’s Piece Pavilion, Bartle Court, Reepham. The next Stimpson’s Piece Trustee meeting will take place after the town council meeting on 12 February.

    The Town Hall and Stimpson’s Piece Pavilion are available to hire. Please contact the town clerk for availability and prices.

    Contact the town clerk on 01603 873355 or email.

    Notes supplied by Reepham Town Council. Full minutes can be found on the town council website.

  • Proposal to introduce car park charges discussed

    Wednesday, November 20, 2024 - 09:29

    At the Reepham Town Council meeting on Wednesday 13 November, Rebecca Goodyear was co-opted onto the council. There are still two vacancies; anyone interested is encouraged to contact the clerk on 01603 873355 or email for an informal chat.

    Broadland District Council’s proposal to introduce paid parking at the Station Road car park was discussed. Concern was raised that the town council was not consulted prior to reports being discussed, although the town council manages the car park under delegated responsibility.

    District Councillor Stuart Beadle confirmed that portfolio holders were not shown any plans in advance of the meeting either. It is hoped that the town council will be informed of any plans in the future.

    The draft budget and precept were discussed, to be agreed at the December meeting.

    Plans for the Christmas lights for the Market Place are progressing and these will be installed on Sunday 1 December.

    County Councillor Greg Peck has agreed to fund increasing the waiting time in the Market Place from 90 minutes to two hours from his council budget. It is hoped that the Wednesday morning parking restriction will also be removed.

    Orchard Lane has seen an increase in HGVs, despite being unsuitable for large vehicles. Norfolk County Council Highways has agreed to install “no HGV” signs to prevent this in future.

    The setting up of a Friends of Stimpson’s Piece group is progressing and terms of reference are being finalised. The Stimpson’s Piece budget for 2025 was agreed.

    It has been noticed that people are allowing their dogs off the lead on the recreation ground, close to the community hall and football pitch. There is a public space protection order in place to prohibit dogs on this area.

    Dog owners are reminded that it is an offence not to clear up after their dogs, with a fixed penalty notice of £100 or a court fine of up to £1,000 if you do not. Dog fouling can be reported to Broadland District Council HERE.

    The next Reepham Town Council meeting will take place on Wednesday 11 December at 7.30 pm at Stimpson’s Piece Pavilion, Bartle Court, Reepham, followed by the Stimpson’s Piece Trustee meeting.

    The Town Hall and Stimpson’s Piece Pavilion are available to hire. Please contact the town clerk on 01603 873355 or email for availability and prices.

    Notes supplied by Reepham Town Council. Full minutes can be found on the town council website.

  • Notes from October’s Reepham Town Council meeting

    Tuesday, October 15, 2024 - 17:02

     

    Supplied by Reepham Town Council

    At the town council meeting on Wednesday 9 October, Hetty Selwyn was elected as chair and Matthew Steel was elected as vice chair; Thomas Hills was co-opted onto the council.

    There are still three vacancies on the town council, so anyone interested is encouraged to contact the clerk by email or telephone 01603 873355 for an informal chat.

    Following discussion, it was agreed that the council will allocate £5,000 of the £25,000 churchyard wall reserves, which are no longer required for that purpose, to pay for solicitor’s fees to review the tender documents for the replacement skatepark. A solicitor was appointed to do this.

    At the Stimpson’s Piece Trustee meeting it was agreed to set up a Friends of Stimpson’s Piece group, so local residents can get involved in shaping the future of the town’s recreation ground and help with fundraising for the new skatepark and other recreation facilities. If anyone would like to be involved in this, please contact the clerk.

    The preferred location for the replacement skatepark was identified: it is to be located within the old tennis court, which has more recently been used as a temporary overflow car park. It is hoped that it can be installed on the edge, so some parking spaces can be retained.

    The next meeting of Reepham Town Council will take place on Wednesday 13 November at 7.30 pm at Stimpson’s Piece Pavilion, Bartle Court, Reepham, followed by the Stimpson’s Piece Trustee meeting.

    The town hall and Stimpson’s Piece Pavilion are available to hire. Please contact the town clerk on 01603 873355 or email for availability and prices.

    Full minutes of meetings can be found on the Reepham Town Council website.

  • Notes from the Reepham Town Council meeting on 11 September 2024

    Wednesday, September 18, 2024 - 17:04

     

    Notes supplied by Reepham Town Council

    The new police officer for Reepham, PC Denis Evans, was in attendance. He reported that he is increasing patrols in Reepham, particularly outside the Co-op, due to concerns of antisocial behaviour.

    A grant of £450 was granted to Caring Friends for the Festival of Light event.

    A quote was accepted for repairs to the town hall roof.

    At the Stimpson’s Piece Trustee meeting, a lengthy discussion took place, including members of the public, regarding the replacement of the skatepark facility at Stimpson’s Piece. Several members of the public spoke in support of a new skatepark.

    A number of recent consultation events showed large support for a new skatepark, along with improvements to the play area. Concern was raised by some trustees that the consultation could be seen as insufficient; however, this was disputed by some other trustees.

    Following discussion, it was agreed to replace the skatepark and to identify the best location with the appointed contractor. It was agreed that the skatepark will be of a similar footprint to the original facility, subject to costs. The budget was agreed as £175,000 in total, with a £25,000 contribution from unused funding for the church wall, which is no longer required.

    The tender documents were agreed, subject to being looked at and approved by a contract lawyer, who can ensure that the charity and council’s best interests are protected. There will be no financial exposure to the charity until a contract is signed.

    It was proposed that S106 and Community Infrastructure Levy money, amounting to just under £20,000, could be used for additional play equipment immediately, but it was agreed that a playground architect will be appointed first to look at the play area as a whole.

    It was noted that the exterior of the pavilion is looking very untidy and decoration is needed. Investigation on the safe removal of the weeds will take place.

    The changing rooms have been deep-cleaned and the remainder of the work identified in the Legionella risk assessment will take place soon.

    The next town council meeting will take place on Wednesday 9 October at 7.30 pm at Stimpson’s Piece Pavilion, Bartle Court, Reepham, followed by the Stimpson’s Piece Trustee meeting.

    Full minutes of meetings can be found on the Reepham Town Council website.

    The town hall and Stimpson’s Piece Pavilion are available to hire. Please contact the town clerk on 01603 873355 or email for availability and prices.

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