- See Digest of April meeting
- Three new Councillors, David Armes, Jim Catling and Tony Ingram were welcomed, and the Council co-opted Richard Wrinch to fill the ninth seat. Mel Matthews was elected Chairman.
- Councillors were allocated roles and committees, such as planning, employment, etc. Full details on MyShotley.com.
- Following the assault on the Shotley Gate litter warden at the end of April, the Parish Council was very proactive in working with the police and writing to all parish households. This letter was delivered on 12-13 May (copy available on the website).
- PC Chris Garrod and Sgt Trevor Smith were present and gave a report (plus crime report). They explained the new Safer Neighbourhood Team (details on MyShotley) and gave an update on the Lloyd Road problems.
- A suspect had now been charged under S5 of the Public Order Act. The vehicle involved in reckless driving by youths in the play area on the same day had now been crushed by the police.
- Chris fed back on what some older teenagers said they needed - somewhere to meet, perhaps a shelter at Whinney Queech. This had been picked up in the design brief for the tennis courts area. The district and county councillors present felt that their councils should be helping the parish more on these issues, as part of the SNT's partnership arrangements.
- The new code of conduct was adopted, and various annual payments were agreed.
- County Councillor Wood explained that as well as engineering and financial issues to address before the breached River Stour wall could be repaired, there was also a legal problem to regularise the status of the path.
- District Councillors Penny Clarke and Tony Roberts gave an update.
- There is a meeting between parish councillors and the HMS Ganges developers and architects later in May.
- Galliard Homes have applied for a Certificate of Lawful Use, relating to the HMS Ganges site being used for training. The purpose of this was not clear, but the PC agreed to urge Babergh to refuse the application as the applicant has failed to prove that the site had been used as a residential training centre since it was purchased 10 years ago. <full response>
- Lloyd Road Play Area - due to further damage to the chainlink fencing it was agreed to remove the central section. The new bin in the playground, which was immediately vandalised, will be replaced.
- There were no objections by the PC to planning applications relating to 1 Below Church and 30 Great Harlings. The applications for 4 Childers Close and Shotley Post Office and Stores had been approved.
- The village sign had now been cleaned and repainted.
- Finance report
- The 2007 edition of the Shotley Business Directory had now been printed, and will be distributed with the next Noticeboard.
- The next normal business meeting is on 21 June (7.15pm in the Village Hall), preceded by the Annual Parish Meeting on 24 May.
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