By Geoff Fisher Norfolk County Council has provisionally allocated £325,000 funding on a 50/50 basis (with a £25,000 upper limit per bid) to fund schemes put forward by town and parish councils to deliver projects that are priorities for local communities.
The closing date for applications is 7 December and Reepham Town Council is consulting with the local community to ascertain if there are any such projects that could benefit from this funding.
The type of schemes that would be acceptable include:
- small lengths of formal footway or “Trods” (a simplified and low-cost footway)
- improved crossing facilities
- improvements to public rights of way
- flashing signs to tackle speeding (speed awareness mobile signs)
- part-time 20 mph signs with flashing warning lights outside schools
- “Keep Clear” carriageway markings outside schools.
- new bus shelters.
Schemes can be within or off the highway provided they are linked to the highway. They should be self-contained and not require any other schemes or works to make them effective.
The county council will not consider applications for minor traffic management changes, such as speed limits, waiting restrictions, any traffic regulation order or mirrors in the highway.
If you have any suggestions for schemes that would benefit the community, please contact the town clerk who will forward these to the town council for consideration.
New beat manager
Reepham’s new beat manager is PC Colin Bailey, who is tasked with engaging with the local community and working to solve local issues and priorities. The beat manager’s aim is to keep the neighbourhood as a safe place to live, work and visit.
If you have any general enquiries that you would like PC Bailey to be aware of, please email baileyc2@norfolk.pnn.police.uk (do not use this contact to report a crime).
You can call 101 to report a crime that has already happened, seek crime prevention advice or raise awareness of any policing issues in your local area. Always dial 999 in an emergency.
Finance
The end-of-year accounts for the period 1 April 2017 to 31 March 2018 have been finalised, internally audited and approved by the town council.
The council has also approved the annual governance statement, a copy of which can be viewed on the town council noticeboard and on the website.
The accounts are available for inspection by members of the public until Monday 30 July. Please contact the responsible financial officer, Sally Gill, if you require further information.
Grants
The town council continues to consider grant requests from organisations that would benefit the town and its residents. Grant awards are paid from the community facilities fund or similar funds received by the town council for community benefit, subject to the availability of such funds.
Recent awards include £180 to the Reepham Archive towards the purchase of protective sleeves for large maps and documents and £590 to the Bircham Centre for the purchase of two picnic benches for the garden.
If you/your group wish to be considered for a grant, please contact the clerk who will send the necessary form and information.
New councillors needed
Reepham Town Council currently has seven councillors; it should have 12.
Reductions in local government funding may see services reduced in the future. The town council could step in and fill this gap, but will need more councillors to be able to do this. Can you help?
Do you have concerns about your local area? Do you want to represent the views of the local people? Do you want a say in how income is spent?
More information about the role of a councillor is available on the website or contact Jo Boxall on 01603 873355 for further information.
The next meeting of Reepham Town Council (followed by a meeting of Stimpson’s Piece Trustee) will be held on Wednesday 11 July starting at 7.30 pm in the Town Hall, Church Street. Members of the public are invited to attend.
Please note that there is no town council meeting in August and the Council will meet again on Wednesday 12 September.
Contact: Reepham Town Council, Town Hall, Church Street, Reepham, Norfolk NR10 4JW. Tel: 01603 873355. Email: clerk@reephamtowncouncil.org.uk
Geoff Fisher