PRESENT:  There were 24 members present.
                      Chair - Irene Tibbenham
                      Clerk - Chloe Bennett
                      Treasurer - Samantha Cribben
                      Minute Secretary - Julia Henniker

OBITUARY:  The meeting began with a minute silence in memory of Richard Buckley who tragically drowned while on holiday in October.  Richard had been very involved with the Thornham community and will be missed.  The Meeting expressed their sympathies and condolences to his wife and children.

ELECTION OF CHAIR:  Lady Henniker agreed to take nominations for the Chair for the next 6 months. Irene Tibbenham was proposed by Chloe Bennett and Stephen Schwarz seconded the nomination. There being no other nominations Irene ageed to continue until June.

APOLOGIES: Tina Schwarz, Brian and Jean Haynes

 

The Minutes of the meeting on June 3rd 2008 were agreed as a true record

MATTERS ARISING:

Open Spaces  - maintenance

Irene explained that since the last parish meeting she had looked into the availability of open space grants.  However, these grants are not awarded to parish councils/meetings so a small sub-committee had been formed to make the application:  Irene Tibbenham, Julia Henniker, Jennifer Vaudrey and Samantha Cribben, with a view to coopting expertise in the event of a positive outcome to the grant application.  The committee had met once to begin the process, and the proposal needed to be in by the end of March.  Thornham Parish would be kept abreast of any developments via the Thornham’s web-site.  The Chairman did comment that this is a slow process.

To add weight to the village application, Irene added that ‘we’ needed to present proof that this is what the village wanted, therefore a basic questionnaire had been put together, with thanks given to Mark Hatton for his assistance in this.  If possible, it was requested that the questionnaire is filled in on line - (www.thornhams.org), however paper copies were also distributed, which should be returned to the Clerk, Chloe Bennet at 5 The Street, by the end of January.

Village verges - maintenance

The meeting was asked how much money should be made available from the village precept to provide maintenance in addition to the existing two cuts made by the Council.  Irene Tibbenham would check with the Council in case there were legislated limits as to how often and when the verges could be cut.  It was agreed that three quotes should be sought, including one from the district council.

VILLAGE WELCOME COMMITTEE:  Dame Anne reported that the Gooderham family had moved into Langlands.  The Meeting hoped they would be very happy.

FINANCE:  The Treasurer presented the financial report.  The funds were in a healthy balance, however it did appear that a number of invoices had not been received.  The Treasurer would shortly be submitting the precept request.

AUDIT:  The Annual Return has been approved and accepted by the Meeting and the notice of conclusion of Audit will be on the notice board with the Financial Report for 2 weeks.

THORNHAM VILLAGE WEBSITE:  Mark Hatton reported that out of approximately 58 households 78 members had been making, on average 200 visits a month.  This number included a school in Thorndon.  He also said that he would try to make the site a bit easier for visitors.
 
Mark also reported on the position of the future of the telephone box:  if the Meeting wished to keep it as an icon, there would be expenses involved.  The Clerk would investigate and report at the next meeting.

Mark also gave a report on the Neighbourhood Watch scheme:  - there had been 2 minor incidents in Thornham Magna during the last 3 months.

The Meeting thanked Mark for his involvement and time spent helping the village.

CLOSURE OF GISLINGHAM PO:  Dame Anne reported that the Post Office now proposed to do a survey of customers with a view to closure at Easter.

REPAIRS:   1  Bridge over the stream:  this bridge  is now the responsibility of the Parish Meeting.  The Clerk will get 3 quotations for repairs.

The  Notice Board - Joe Vaudey said he would arrange for repairs to this if the meeting covered the cost of any materials.

PLANNING:  2 applications had been received and approved (a)  Fence at 204 the Street  (b) Walnut Tree Barn  Cart shed and garage

INFORMATION COMMISSIONERS OFFICE:  The office states that all information must be made available to the public.  The Clerk will put the details up on the notice board.

ANY OTHER BUSINESS: 

1  Village Events:   It would be useful if those organising events in and around the village such as the Walled Garden and the Church, could advertise on the Website as well as in GNUS and on posters.  The Chairman had put together a practical sheet of contacts etc on how events could be advertised to maximize advertising coverage to the village and beyond, should anyone like a copy.

2 Road notices:  A "Flood" notice would be more useful than "Road Closed"

3 Speeding:   It was nearly 3 years since the village had had a speed survey - and that only after years of effort and complaint .  Highways said then that Thornham was a very low priority - there was not a long enough street for a speed test and there were not enough houses to merit a 30 mph sign past the Red House and the Walks carpark.  The Clerk will go back to the Highways Dept and ask for a survey in the summer and during rush hour periods.  She would also ask the District and County Councillors and P.C. Shadbolt to the next meeting in June.

4  Boundary Committee:  There was no information yet about the proposals for a change in the authority boundary.

5  Hartismere Hospital site:  There was to be a meeting in Eye Town Hall shortly to discuss the proposals .
 

DATE OF NEXT MEETING:  June 9th 2009