The Parish Council wishes all parishioners A Happy New Year and that everyone had a good Christmas.

1 January 2010 The Parish Council wishes all parishioners A Happy New Year and that everyone had a good Christmas. We hope everyone received their copy of The NEW Village Hall insert in last month s newssheet explaining where we are on the new build and there will be regular updates in 2010. The parish council are very conscious of the expectations of parishioners and of the cost of a new building but sincerely believe we can deliver a fantastic new community/sports hall in the very near future that will bring about many new activities/clubs and be an asset to Hickling. After much correspondence and help from County Councillor Paul Rice the Highways have stated that they cannot change the speed limits within the village due to the criteria required. The County Council s, Caring About Rural Speeds (C.A.R.S) campaign is about encouraging active community involvement, e.g. working with schools, visits by the Speed Awareness Message vehicle (SAM), working with parish councils to distribute CARS stickers and wheelie bins SLOW DOWN stickers plus posters for notice boards etc. The parish council are now in receipt of this literature and will be distributing these packs during January. If anyone is willing to deliver in any particular road it would be very much appreciated. Please contact the Clerk or Chairman for details/packs. The Stalham & Happing Festival Season 2010 is hoping to run again next year so if anyone wishes to be associated with this event you can either download the form from the www.happing.co.uk web site or contact the Happing shop on 10692 580525 or email happing@btconnect.com Please remember this time of year the bottle banks get full quickly but we do need your bottles as we receive approx 1000 per annum for the recycling of bottles, but DO NOT leave around the base of the banks if full. This practice is dangerous for other users and animals, if you see the banks are full contact the Clerk or the Chairman who will organise an extra collection. The work at the staithe should begin the week beginning 4 th January, if you have any queries on this please contact the Clerk or Chairman. Next Parish Council meeting; 11 th January 2010 at 7.15pm in the Community Hall Can this go separately POLICE SURGERY 5 TH JANUARY Our PCSO Jeannette Hawes is holding another police surgery meeting in the Community Hall between 14.00 15.30 pm on the 5 th January. Please do go along to speak with Jeanette with any concerns you may have or just to have a chat about whether you feel things have improved since there has been extra patrols in the village. If they don t know they cannot do anything to put it right!

1 February 2010 The parish council has put the community hall up for sale with Abbotts Countrywide of Wroxham. This will be by sealed bids to be opened on the 31 st March 2010, an independent valuation has been undertaken so we have a guideline as to whether the resulting bids are realistic and the best possible price has been obtained. If you or someone you know is interested in putting in a bid please deal with the agents directly on 01603 783838. The Hickling Playing Field or Recreation Ground Charity 270199, i.e the recreation ground, now has its business conducted separately from parish council business. The charity has its own bank account and meetings are held after the parish council meetings, as parish councillors as a corporate body are trustees of the charity. The parish council minutes will exclude any business regarding the recreation ground as the charity will have its own agenda/minutes etc. The details of the charity can be looked up on the Charity Commissions website. Our PCSO L Collyer attended the January parish council meeting, on behalf of our own PCSO Jeannette Hawes, and gave an update on the recent PCSO surgery in the community hall. They had several visitors with the main concern being speeding, so they are looking into getting more officers to carry out speed checks along Heath Road/Staithe Road. Also whether anyone is interested in volunteering for the Community Speed Watch scheme, if so please contact the Clerk or Jeannette direct, contact no s below. Hickling is still on the SNT KINS Priority list for extra patrols around the village. Next Parish Council meeting; 1 st February 2010 at 7.15pm in the Community Hall Go separately please GRASS CUTTING ROTA Its that time of year again to volunteer for the grass cutting rota! If you could spare a few hours we always have room for more volunteers as it then lessens the task for everyone. No one does more than one cut every 6 weeks and training is given along with safety boots etc. The season runs from March to October and within reason you have flexibility as to when you do your cutting even if only one visit for the season, all would be welcomed, ladies why not give it a go! Please contact Clerk or Chairman for more details. WHERRY YACHT CHARITY The Wherry Yacht Charity are asking various businesses clubs etc to support them by inviting them to events like village fairs/fetes, historical celebrations, beer/food festivals, sailing/river related events. They can supply advertising material and also be able to provide an illustrated talk on the history of Wherries. If anyone is interested in supporting them in any way please contact them direct at WYCCT, 25 Fletcher Way, Acle, NR13 3RQ.

1 March 2010 The C.A.R.S information has been delivered, namely Heath Road, The Street, The Green, High Hill and parts of Town Street, plus some properties in Sutton Road, Staithe Road and Stubb Road. There was not enough to supply everyone in the village so please pass on any posters that you do not require yourself. The object is to stick the posters on the sides of your wheelie bins so they are only displayed once a week, as it has been proved that signs are ignored once they become a fixture. Any queries on this matter contact the Clerk or myself. The above is an innovation from the PCSO s in trying to combat speeding in villages. We will also be having extra speed watch patrols and visits from the traffic department, some in unmarked cars. Speeding is an issue with all villages so a concentrated effort will be evidence over the next few months. But, once again any information, ie number plates of regular offenders that the public can give them is very much appreciated as they cannot be on watch 24/7. They also wish to pursue the Community Speed Watch scheme, we already have one volunteer but would like some more, remember you do not have to work in your own village. Please contact PCSO Jeanette Hawes on 0845 4564567 or email SNTStalham@norfolk.pnn.police.uk for further information. Please note that information regarding which roads are given priority for gritting by the county council is now available online at www.norfolk.gov.uk/gritting The Broads Authority have informed us that when the flood alleviation works alongside Hickling Broad are commenced in the Autumn/Winter they will be importing materials to the Hill Common area a maximum of 600 tonnes of clay and topsoil for the new earth bank by heavy lorries, approx 7 per day over a 5 day period, so please be aware of the extra traffic loads through the village. Next Parish Council meeting; 1 st March 2010 at 7.15pm in the Community Hall Go separately please GRASS CUTTING ROTA It s that time of year again to volunteer for the grass cutting rota! If you could spare a few hours we always have room for more volunteers as it then lessens the task for everyone. No one does more than one cut every 6 weeks and training is given along with safety boots etc. The season runs from March to October and within reason you have flexibility as to when you do your cutting even if only one visit for the season, all would be welcomed, ladies why not give it a go! Please contact Clerk or Chairman for more details. DRY BERTH VACANCIES We have some dry berth vacancies this coming season on the parish staithe. The cost is 127.18 up to 13ft then 9.84 per extra foot with a 50% discount on these figures for Hickling parishioners, the berths will take up to a 16ft boat. Please contact the Staithe Warden Harry Nudd on 598454 or the Clerk for further details. CHAPEL PIT The parish council would like to thank David & Amanda Skinner for all their time and effort they have put in at the chapel pond, it really does look great and the ducks are very happy with their surroundings!!

1 April 2011 The parish council has extended the deadline for sealed bids on the community hall from the 31 March to 30 th April for a longer advertising period and to give the Hunnies extra time to complete their move to the school grounds. If you or someone you know is interested in putting in a bid please deal with the estate agents, AbbotsCountrywide, Wroxham, directly on 01603 783838. The staithe work has now been completed and the dry berth invoices have been sent with a reminder to all berth holders to keep the area tidy and to remove any unused tyres from around their berths. The Norfolk Rural Community Council in partnership with Victory Housing wants to work with our communities on a project called The Good Neighbour Project. This is where members of the community volunteer some spare time to help their neighbours with small maintenance jobs, a trip to the shops or change a light bulb etc. They estimate there maybe 5 jobs a week spread amongst the volunteers, depending on the neighbourhood needs. A poster is in the GAM notice board and if anyone is interested in taking this scheme forward please contact the Clerk. Next Parish Council meeting; 12 th April 2010 at 7.15pm in the Community Hall Please note the Annual Parish Meeting will be held on the 24 th May, details to be advised. Go separately please GRASS CUTTING ROTA Its that time of year again to volunteer for the grass cutting rota! If you could spare a few hours we always have room for more volunteers as it then lessens the task for everyone. No one does more than one cut every 6 weeks and training is given along with safety boots etc. The season runs from March to October and within reason you have flexibility as to when you do your cutting, all would be welcomed, ladies why not give it a go! Please contact Clerk or Chairman for more details. DRY BERTH VACANCIES We still have some dry berth vacancies this coming season on the parish staithe. The cost is 127.18 up to 13ft then 9.84 per extra foot with a 50% discount on these figures for Hickling parishioners, the berths will take up to a 16ft boat. Please contact the Staithe Warden Harry Nudd on 598454 or the Clerk for further details. RECRUITMENT OPPORTUNITIES FOR THE 2011 CENSUS The NNDC is working in partnership with the Office of National Statistics in providing assistance with the delivery of the forthcoming census and as part of this role is assisting in advertising job opportunities. In the build up to the census day various job opportunities will be available. To find out more or to apply please visit www.censusjobs.co.uk or contact Rob Goodliffe on 01263 516321. VOTE FOR YOUR FAVOURITE PICNIC SPOT Hickling Broad is one of four places to have reached the final regional round of the competition in Warburton s Picnic Awards 2010, (EDP 18/03/10). The regional winner receives 500 and will then go forward with other regional winners for Britain s Best Picnic site 2010 with a prize of 1000. The public are asked to vote for their favourite local picnic site and can do so by logging onto www.welovebread.co.uk and registering their vote. Votes can also be sent via email to dan@getvital.co.uk. The closing date is the 23 rd April, so lets get voting!!! FOOTPATH CLOSED - NORFOLK COUNTY COUNCIL has made a Temporary Traffic Order affecting footpath Hickling FP8 from junction U19047 Ouse Lane to a point 40m east of property Broad House for a distance of 500m in the PARISH OF HICKLING because of essential flood defence works.

The footpath will be temporarily closed (except for access) from 14 April 2010 to 14 September 2010 for the duration of the works, expected to be about 6 months within the period which is the maximum period of restriction. Alternative route is via: Hickling FP8, C839 Stubb Road, U19047 Ouse Lane. Penalty: 1000 maximum fine on conviction and/or endorsement. In the event of the start date being delayed the new start date will be displayed on site in advance. The person dealing with enquiries at Norfolk County Council is Martin Dixon (Planning and Transportation Department). Telephone 0344 800 8009. LISTEN HEAR! BUS The Norfolk Deaf Association s Listen Hear! Bus will continue to visit Hickling Methodist Church car park 10am till 11.30am on the following dates April 15, May 20 th, June 17 th, July 15. For further information either ring Pam on 01603 404440 or listenhere@norfolkdeaf.org.uk

1 May 2010 The parish council have put the changing rooms/old bowling green plots up for sale under the same terms as the Community Hall, informal tender, ie sealed bids with Abbotts Countrywide, of Wroxham. Once again we must be sure we have the best price possible. If you or you know of anyone interested in placing a bid please contact the agents direct on 01603 783838. We have been notified by our PCSO Jeannette Hawes that some petty theft and vandalism has taken place at the parish staithe recently, so please all boat owners be aware and do not leave anything of value on or around your boats. We have also had some petty vandalism to the battery shed doors (on the changing room plot), this has resulted in a cost of 380 pounds during the year to rectify. Once again if anyone sees or knows who the culprits are it would be appreciated if the parish council were informed so we can speak with the parents to try and stop the culprits. The parish council are still pursuing the speed limit issue on the stretch of Stubb Road leading up to the NWT where it is the national speed limit. If anyone has an accident or incident due to speeding vehicles please let the Clerk, PCSO or myself know so a log can be kept to further our cause of getting the speed limit lowered. Next Parish Council meeting; 10 th May 2010 at 7.15pm in the Community Hall Annual Parish Meeting 24 th May in the Community Hall at 7pm, (see below) Go separately please ANNUAL PARISH MEETING 24 TH MAY Please note the Annual Parish Meeting will be held on the 24 th May, at 7pm in the Community Hall. This will be a presentation on the new building on the playing from the New Build Team that was formed to take on this project. If you have any specific questions/queries please contact the Clerk or Chairman before the meeting so a comprehensive answer can be given on the night, this can be done via email, telephone or by letter. The agenda will be displayed in the Methodist Hall, outside the Community Hall and on the notice board at the chapel pit. As the usual format will be changed this year if you have any other queries or issues that you would like the parish council to follow up once again contact the Chairman or Clerk or attend the 15 minute public participation session at the next parish council meeting on the 10 th May. VOLUNTEERS WANTED We need 2 more volunteers to help with the grass cutting for this coming season, this saves the parish council up to 4k every year, a saving that helps keep the precept down for everyone in the village. No one does more than one cut every 6 weeks and training is given along with safety boots etc. The season runs from March to October and within reason you have flexibility as to when you do your cutting, all would be welcomed, ladies why not give it a go! Please contact the Clerk or Chairman for more details. DRY BERTH VACANCIES We still have some dry berth vacancies this coming season on the parish staithe. The cost is 127.18 up to 13ft then 9.84 per extra foot with a 50% discount on these figures for Hickling parishioners, the berths will take up to a 16ft boat. Please contact the Staithe Warden Harry Nudd on 598454 or the Clerk for further details.

1 June 2011 The turnout for the parish election was very good at 66%, so many thanks to those who voted. The councillors who were elected were, Mr Ian Watton, Mr Nick Baker, Mrs Lorraine West, Mrs Vivien Tallowin, Mrs Sandra Clarke, Mrs Debra Scott, Mr Kristopher Scott, Mr Peter Berrie, Mrs M Elliott, Mrs Terri Ellis, Mrs Angela Lambard. Mrs Sandra Clarke was elected as Chairman, tel: 598368 and Angela Lambard was elected as Vice Chairman, tel: 598984. The new hall is well on the way, with the builders having superb weather to begin the footings and ground work. The turf cutting event was well attended and all the children from Hickling Infants School came to wave their flags! The play area will be reinstated as soon as possible, hopefully by the time the summer holidays begin, if not before. Work on the changing rooms will also be started very shortly by the developer and Bam Nuttall have kindly supplied us with two secure units, at no cost, so the footballers will have one as a changing room and one unit will be for storage. Future dates 6 June & 4 July in the Methodist Hall at 7.15pm

1 July 2010 The Annual Parish Meeting on the 24 th May was very well attended and the presentation from the New Build Team was exceptional, it covered the complete picture of the new hall from the very beginning to where we are at the moment. I would like to thank all those who were involved and the parishioners for attending as it turned out to be a very successful and enjoyable evening. The sale of the community hall fell through 2 days before completion, so is now back on the market with a different agent, Savills in Norwich. Once again if anyone is interested please contact the agent direct on 01603 229251. The plots have received alot of interest and we hope to complete the sale on them by the end of July. The parish council undertake a parish property walk in August which includes the footpaths, if anyone knows of a problem in the village, please contact the Clerk or myself so it can be included and investigated. We will be having talks with the district council about having footpath maps on display boards in the village, this should be sometime later this year. Next Parish Council meeting; 5 th July 2010 at 7.15pm in the Community Hall Go separately please NORFOLK VILLAGE GAMES 2010 all ages and abilities Active Norfolk are running a village games day, which will include sports such as, 5 a-side football, golf, tug-of-war, badminton, bowls, table tennis and archery etc. This will take place on Sunday 12 th September at Cromer sports Centre. Please let us know if you are interested in taking part or being a co-ordinator to organise teams/people from Hickling. Both notice boards will have further details or see www.activenorfolk.org we have already registered an interest for Hickling. WE REALLY NEED 2 VOLUNTEERS FOR THE GRASS CUTTING ROTA! We need 2 more volunteers for the grass cutting rota for this coming season, this saves the parish council up to 4k every year, a saving that helps keep the precept down for everyone in the village. No one does more than one cut every 6 weeks and training is given along with safety boots etc. The season runs from March to October and within reason you have flexibility as to when you do your cutting, all would be welcomed, ladies why not give it a go! Please contact the Clerk or Chairman for more details. DRY BERTH VACANCIES We still have some dry berth vacancies this coming season on the parish staithe. The cost is 127.18 up to 13ft then 9.84 per extra foot with a 50% discount on these figures for Hickling parishioners, the berths will take up to a 16ft boat. Please contact the Staithe Warden Harry Nudd on 598454 or the Clerk for further details. WHERE CAN I GET TO? There is a very good website called WHERE CAN I GET TO (www.wherecanigetto.org.uk) that brings up all the various transport facilities for any particular place, i.e. put in Hickling and its gives all the options of transport and where they go etc.

1 Agust 2010 The parish council meetings will now be held in the Methodist Hall beginning 6 th September, all are welcome to attend and questions are invited in the 15minute public participation session before the parish council meeting begins at 7.30pm. We had a spate of mischief making in the village in the early hours one Sunday morning when two hooded figures were seen running away from the scene. If you see anything suspicious please ring our PCSO or local police station so they are aware of when these incidents are happening, even at 3am in the morning, but not 999 unless you or others are in danger. Speeding SAM Results - The recent results from 3 different visits from the Speed Awareness Message van logged 26 separate incidents of cars speeding either on entering or leaving the village over the 3 visits. The Clerk will enquire whether we can specify a particular time zone for the next visits. A copy of the results will be posted on both notice boards. The PARISH PLAN that commenced in January 2007 is well on its way to resolving the issues raised. These were the Community Hall, speeding in the village, the children s play area, footpaths and a Chapel Pit conservation group. We have done as much as possible on speeding and will continue to monitor the situation but unfortunately some speeding issues are down to local people. The play area has had 15k spent on new equipment, and the chapel pond is having a bore hole installed to keep the pond topped up. The footpaths have been checked and signs replaced, information boards showing the footpaths will be displayed in the next few months. The community hall is being replaced by a new purpose built village/sports hall including new showers and a snooker room. We still have one issue outstanding and that is the forming of a Disaster/Emergency action group hopefully this can be addressed in the next year. Next Parish Council meeting; 6 th September 2010 at 7.15pm in the Methodist Hall THE TRUSTEES OF THE HICKLING RECREATION GROUND OR PLAYING FIELD CHARITY No 270199 A large donation of 25,000 towards the building of the new Recreation/Sports Hall on the playing field has been received from Yvonne & Don Tate who until recently resided at The Smea. They had visited Hickling for holidays since 1948 and moved here in1968. They also agreed for this donation to be gift aided which could amount to 7000. We would like say how much this is appreciated and to thank them both for such a generous donation and wish them all the very best in their new home. Go separately please NORFOLK VILLAGE GAMES 2010 time is running out to register a team for this event, it is being organised by Active Norfolk. It will include sports such as, 5 a-side football, golf, tug-of-war, badminton, bowls, table tennis and archery etc. This will take place on Sunday 12 th September at Cromer sports Centre. Please let us know if you are interested in taking part or being a co-ordinator to organise teams/people from Hickling. Both notice boards will have further details or see www.activenorfolk.org or contact the Chairman or Clerk, we have already registered an interest for Hickling. WE REALLY REALLY DO NEEDMORE VOLUNTEERS FOR THE GRASS CUTTING ROTA! We need at least 1 more volunteer for the grass cutting rota for this coming season, this saves the parish council up to 4k every year, a saving that helps keep the precept down for everyone in the village. No one does more than one cut every 6 weeks and training is given along with safety boots etc. The season runs from March to October and within reason you have flexibility as to when you do your cutting, all would be welcomed even if for just one cut per year! Please contact the Clerk or Chairman for more details.

DRY BERTH VACANCIES We still have some dry berth vacancies this coming season on the parish staithe. The cost is 127.18 up to 13ft then 9.84 per extra foot with a 50% discount on these figures for Hickling parishioners, the berths will take up to a 16ft boat. Please contact the Staithe Warden Harry Nudd on 598454 or the Clerk for further details. MOBILE UNIT - HELP As the changing rooms will not be available for the football club s use this coming season does anyone know where we can obtain a mobile unit that would be suitable for the team to use, also we require a safe and secure storage near the recreation ground for the parish mower, if you can help in any way it would be most appreciated. Call either the Chairman or Clerk.

1 Sept 2010 Another reminder that the parish council meetings will now be held in the Methodist Hall beginning 6 th September, all are welcome to attend with the public participation session as normal before the parish council meeting begins at 7.30pm. Please note all items for the agenda must be in writing and with the Clerk seven days prior to the meeting. The community hall sale was completed on the 26 th July for 135,000 and is going to be converted to a residential dwelling. This money can only go towards the new village/sports hall on the playing field as it is subject to a 106 agreement with the NNDC planning dept. The plots on the corner of Mallard Way should be finalised by the end of August. We have received planning permission for the revised plans of the new building which has been reduced in size. Now is the time we start to receive complaints about overhanging branches, brambles and overgrown hedges etc which are dangerous in the dark evenings for walkers and cyclists. Please check your own hedges to ensure they are cut back to avoid any potential accident. Next Parish Council meeting; 6 th September 2010 at 7.15pm in the Methodist Hall BOTTLE BANKS Please keep recycling all your glass bottles, not only wine or spirit bottles either, as the more we can collect the more money the village receives, ask your family and friends as well especially if they do not use bottle banks in their own village/area. Every little helps!!

1 Oct 2010 THE PARISH POLL WILL TAKE PLACE ON MONDAY 4 TH OCTOBER BETWEEN 4PM 9PM IN THE METHODIST HALL There is no postal or proxy voting, only in person and on the electoral roll as at the 31 st August 2010. Whatever your views PLEASE VOTE as all votes are important. Chairmans Report - The plots at Mallard Way have been sold for 233,160 and the completion date will be the 4 th October. The purchaser has agreed to negotiations on our continued use of the changing rooms and old battery sheds until the new year when he hopes to begin building works. At the chapel pond it was recently reported about a man hiding in the reeds, killing the ducks and taking them away in a car. The police have been informed but please if you see anything suspicious take down or remember some details ie car number plate and call our PCSO on 0845 4564567 at the time. Please note change of day for the next parish council meeting. Next Parish Council meeting; Tuesday 12 th October 2010 at 7.15pm in the Methodist Hall BOTTLE BANKS Please keep recycling all your glass bottles, not only wine or spirit bottles either, as the more we can collect the more money the village receives, ask your family and friends as well especially if they do not use bottle banks in their own village/area. Every little helps!! County Councillor Paul Rice would like parishioners to be aware of his duties as a county councillor To contribute to good governance, encourage community participation - To deal with constituents enquiries and representations - To meet regularly with key stakeholders - To participate in the activities of outside bodies and report to the council - To champion the causes which further the interests, quality of life and sustainable development of the community They also work to ensure local people are informed about services in their area decisions that affect them the reasons why decisions are taken by Norfolk County Council the rights of people living in Norfolk Contact details Paul Rice, 7 Vicarage Close, Potter Heigham, NR29 5LE, 01692 672149, email paul.rice@norfolk.gov.uk.

1 Nov 2010 The Parish Poll At the parish council meeting on the 13 th October a report was read out by Richard Cook, the Chairman of the New Build Team and is included in the enclosed Communication Sheet. The sale of the Mallard way plots has now been completed with the purchaser agreeing to the football club using the changing rooms until he requires the plots. We also approached the company Bam Nuttall and they have agreed to loan us a portacabin for the football club s temporary use once the changing rooms are no longer available. We are in the final stages of getting the Information Boards completed depicting the footpaths around the village and other useful information. One board will be displayed at the chapel Pit paid for by Norfolk County Council and another one at the parish staithe, of which Mrs Angela Buesnel, who s father George Buesnel sailed on Hickling Broad for over 60 years, has donated the cost to the parish council and a dedication will be included on this board. The blog the parish council wish to state that they have no wish to get involved with the recent new website for Hickling, we appreciate the fact someone(s) is kindly putting information out there for people to read, whilst we get on with the job of running the parish. Unfortunately some information is very misleading and incorrect if anyone wishes to speak with the council please contact the Clerk. To go seperate please Village Games - Sports Co-ordinator The inaugural North Norfolk Village Games took place on 12 th September at Sheringham High School and were a real success with 12 villages competing in 8 different sports. The eventual winners were a combined team from Neatishead, Irstead, Barton Turf and Horning. The games will be held again next summer with dates announced shortly. This is the first year of a 3 year project aimed at increasing opportunities for those in rural areas to participate in sport. As part of the project they are offering villages taster sessions or road shows in the lead up to next year games. There is also the possibility of offering 1 person in the village a small financial incentive to become a village sports co-ordinator, if you would be interested in this please contact the Clerk. New pilot interactive digital TV service for Norfolk County Council This is a pilot project developed following research with our customers about which channels they would consider using in the future to get NCC information. The channel covers information about many of our services but content is particularly aimed at the older vulnerable people living alone, parents and carers of under 5yrs. You can view the site on the internet at http://lookinglocal.gov.uk/digitv/cds/norfolkcountycouncil/netgem/home.html or if you are using satellite follow the instructions in the leaflet, which is displayed in the GAM board. Police in North Norfolk are reminding residents and businesses with oil tanks on their property to be vigilant of their security as the cold weather arrives. Chief Inspector Neil Baily said: This is about people protecting one another. We will continue to work with the fuel companies and the public to push the message through that oil is an expensive commodity and everyone in the community needs to do their bit to prevent thefts. We are always interested to hear from anyone who might have information about fuel thefts in their community Norfolk constabulary offers crime prevention advice for tank owners, but the following can be easily addressed:: * Security lights can help deter potential thieves. Low level dusk til dawn lights positioned close to the tank should, in most cases, provide sufficient light to illuminate any suspicious activity: * If you have a gate keep it closed and locked when you are out: * Invest in a good quality lock. Close shackle padlocks are recommended as they offer better resistance to bolt croppers and other tools that thieves usually come equipped with: * Check your oil gauges regularly to alert you to any potential thefts and help

investigations by narrowing crime times down. Many tanks can be fitted with a gauge to monitor levels which can be read inside the house To contact your local Safer Neighbourhood Team for further advice or information, call 0845 456 4567.

1 December 2010 Precept - Although the parish poll cost was 558.10p it was decided at the last parish council meeting to only increase the precept by the RPI figure of 4.6%, which equates to 350.15, making the total precept 7962.15 for 2011-2012. For reference we are in line with surrounding parishes as follows for 2010-2011, Sea Palling - 9000, Potter Heigham - 11200, Catfield - 8500, Hickling - 7612, Ludham - 9054, It was felt prudent to increase the precept as costs will escalate in the coming year. Public Exhibition - The parish council would like to say thank you to the New Build Team for the public exhibition morning when the plans etc of the new hall were displayed, it turned out to be a very successful morning. Many positive comments were received, as the project progresses there will be more opportunities for people to view the plans and they are now on the Hickling website, www.hickling-village-norfolk.co.uk Minutes/Agenda - There appears to be some confusion over where the minutes and agenda s are now displayed. They have always been and still are on the back notice board inside the Methodist Hall. Unfortunately the notice boards at the staithe and chapel pit are too small to display all the information required, but when the new hall is completed there will be a dedicated space for parish council use only ie minutes etc, and of course you can always see them on the website or request a copy from the Clerk after they have been approved. Active Norfolk A representative from Active Norfolk will be visiting the parish council meeting on the 10 th January to explain more fully what the games are about and how the village can get involved. If anyone is interested in taking part in the 2011 games or being a co-ordinator, please come along. See November s news sheet. Bottle Banks - Please keep recycling your bottles and jars, but if the banks are full please do not leave the bottles and bags/boxes around the banks, notify the Clerk who will arrange for an extra collection. PCSO Jeanette Hawes has changed her surname to Boardman but all her other details remain the same. To go separately please FUN IN THE BROADS EVENT LISTING Are you planning an event in the Broads area between April 2011 and March 2012, if so, you can advertise the event for FREE in the Broadcaster newspaper which the Broads authority distributes over 110,000 copies to boatyards, information centres, accommodation providers and tourist attractions. Your event will also be included on the BA s website which links to other regional websites and posters are displayed at over 90 venues throughout the Broads area. The deadline for submissions is 19 th December 2011, please contact lottie.carlton@broads-authority.gov.uk or the Clerk on 10692 598882.