Boughton Parish Council

  • Parish Council Update

    From Neil Matthew, Chair of Boughton Parish Council

    As I write this, just after Easter, we are in our fourth week of ‘lockdown’ due to the COVID-19 pandemic, a worrying time for us all. I know that people in our village have been rallying round, offering help with shopping and collecting medicines. This is just the kind of public-spirited response we need. As a community we are stronger if we work together.
    The Parish Council is working with the Borough and County Councils, and other Parish Councils as part of a co-ordinated response and we will continue to do so. As part of this, we have setup a new local telephone number for residents to use to contact the Parish Council, to report issues, request guidance or seek help. We may be able to help with IT issues (setting up PCs and tablets for video calling family members), bicycle maintenance (if you’re getting your bike out for the first time in years) and other items, subject to keeping everyone safe of course.
    We have setup online banking for the Parish Council and have access to a contactless credit/debit card machine. If you run out of cash and need to reimburse a volunteer for some reason we can help by handling the transaction and transferring funds electronically. Just call us.
    Parish Council direct line: 01366 683017
    Parish Council e-mail: boughtonpc@gmail.com
    Parish Council Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/boughtonpc/
    The lockdown has meant that the Parish Council business is pretty severely curtailed. Physical meetings are not possible. Our speed sign is delayed indefinitely as the manufacturer has closed down and the Safety Camera Partnership (who need to approve the sign) have postponed their meetings. Work on Boughton Fen has been officially suspended.
    In the village, councillors continue to stay in touch by e-mail and we are looking at ways that we can hold our meetings by video. New legislation has been passed to allow us to do this, and while there is now no legal need to hold an Annual Parish Meeting, we intend to try a virtual meeting on the date scheduled: Tuesday 5th May at 7pm. If you would like to attend this meeting by video, please get in touch so we can arrange the conference link and joining instructions to be sent to you.
    Finally, the weather at least does seem to be smiling on us, and I expect that many of us are enjoying our gardens during this quarantine. No doubt when we next have an Open Gardens it’ll be the best ever!
    Keep Safe.
    Neil Matthew
    chair.boughtonpc@gmail.com

  • COVID19 Message and Info

    Update 10th April

    The Pope may not be broadcasting his Easter Message in the same way as usual but the Borough Council and Chief Constable are sending theirs!

    STAY AT HOME – SAVE LIVES!

    and while you do here is some info on what is happening and suggestions on what to do…

    Home Activities

    Garden Activities

    Community Hub release

    Update for Cllrs

  • Easter Weekend – A note from the Borough Council

    Easter weekend is on its way, and according to the forecast the weather will be dry and sunny. This is an opportunity for everyone to relax but remember lock-down restrictions still apply, requiring us all to stay at home. It is vital you do not meet up with family or friends.

    The guidance on restrictions have been issued by the Government on the advice of UK public health professionals.

    Cllr Stuart Dark, Borough Council of King’s Lynn & West Norfolk Cabinet Member for Emergency Planning / Covid-19 Response, said: “It important that everyone takes note of the guidance we have been given.  This is an unprecedented civil emergency, the like of which we have never seen before.  Many lives have already been lost and many more are at stake if we do not follow the simple rules”

    He urged people not to be tempted to take a drive out to the coast or a beauty spot. He added: “It is not appropriate to drive up to the coast and say you were doing your shopping and your exercise while you were there.  The guidance is clear, you must stay in your local area to take your daily exercise including walking, jogging or a bike ride, and if you need to shop, you should do this as infrequently as possible and as locally as possible.”

    Residents were also reminded not to take the nice weather or the long weekend as an opportunity to BBQ, picnic or sunbath in public spaces. These activities can be enjoyed in your own garden but only with members of your own household who live with you.  People are also reminded to be respectful of their neighbours when it comes to music and BBQ smoke.  Everyone is feeling the pressure of being cooped up, so it is important to be mindful of those around you.

    The council is also urging people not to travel to second homes for weekends and holidays in case they spread the disease and put extra pressure on local hospital and ambulance services. Households should all stay where they have been isolating and not be tempted to move between homes.

    The message from Matt Hancock, Health Secretary, is: “It is an instruction and not a request to stay at home this weekend”.

    Cllr Stuart Dark said: “I want to thank the many, many residents and their families who have abided by the guidance so far to protect their neighbours, communities and relatives, and I thank those businesses who have had to take the difficult decision to close to protect their staff and the wider public.

    “It would be remiss of me not to also thank all the hardworking key workers and volunteers who are keeping the country running with care, food supplies, finance and other support during these extremely difficult times.

    “Any of you who know or have seen items in the press or on social media from our local Queen Elizabeth hospital or  from NHS staff further afield will know how hard our NHS colleagues are working to literally save lives. As well as applauding the efforts of them and all carers on Thursday at 8pm, you can now really help them in a meaningful way by resisting the urge to go out or have family and friends round.  Please continue your commitment to stay home and help us all help each other”.

    “Everyone has a role to play in this, and staying at home if at all possible is a crucial part of this.

    “We are all missing our friends and family at the moment but please don’t be tempted to meet up, not at home, not in your garden and not in public spaces. You can spread the virus even if you don’t have symptoms and you might not know you have it. You must behave as if you do have the virus and act accordingly. Please follow government advice to stay home, protect the NHS and save lives.”

    Anyone tempted to visit the beautiful sites around Norfolk during the Easter weekend, is being asked to do it virtually via the Love West Norfolk website.

    Cllr Dark added: “There’s lots to see and do, so people can plan a trip in the future to our outstanding county and we look forward to welcoming them in person once it is safe to do so. Until then share photos, messages and memories virtually.”

  • Grey Food Bins Collection

    A note from the Borough Council:

    Until further notice please do not use the grey food bins, they will not be emptied.  Instead, continue to bag your food waste but put the bags in the black bin.  There has been a little confusion over this, mainly due to the implementation being done a bit too quickly after the instruction was issued at the beginning of this week.

  • Clap for our Carers – Thursday 2nd April 8pm

    Tonight Boughton residents are encouraged to show their support for the NHS and carers by taking part in a national round of applause. Go to the end of your drive at 8pm to take part.

  • Public Transport Information – COVID-19

    Public Transport Links

    This is to assist with finding the latest information about what public transport services are operating in your area. It may also help when advising your constituents or parishioners. This document offers links to the most up to date source of information, as operators have been changing services at relatively short notice as they react to government guidance and the latest situation. In addition, if a member of the public in Norfolk is having trouble accessing essential services or supplies please call 0344 800 8020.

     Unfortunately most bus stop information on street will not be up to date.

    Travel & Transport, Norfolk County Council

     

  • Coronavirus and Boughton Parish Council

    Boughton Parish Council are working closely with the Borough Council of King’s Lynn and West Norfolk in coordinating a consistent response to the COVID-19 outbreak.

    You will receive a letter shortly informing you of how to get any help you might need, and how to volunteer yourself, if you are well enough.

    You can get help from the Borough Council by telephoning 0344 8008020 Monday-Friday 9am-5pm, or visiting norfolk.gov.uk

    You can volunteer to help by registering at www.voluntarynorfolk.org.uk.

  • Bonfires in Boughton

    Can we please ask that the burning of any garden rubbish or other items in Boughton be limited to outside daylight hours during the current crisis?

    With kids at home from school and most of us confined for long periods in our homes, our gardens and open spaces are more valuable than ever.

    Thank you in advance for your consideration.

  • Updated: Litter Season is Upon us

    Due to coronavirus restrictions the organised litter pick has now been postponed until September.

    This is a litter collection by a single person on a short stretch of Stoke Road by Boughton Fen. We will not be beaten by the inconsiderate. Watch out for details of a village litter pick later in the year.

  • Road Closure and Diversion: Boughton – Barton Bendish

    NORFOLK COUNTY COUNCIL

    (BARTON BENDISH) (EMERGENCY NOTICE)

    TEMPORARY TRAFFIC RESTRICTION 2020

    Road Traffic Regulation Act, 1984 – Section 14(2)

    In accordance with the provisions of Section 14(2) of the Road Traffic Regulation Act, 1984, the Norfolk County Council HEREBY GIVE NOTICE that owing to an Anglian Water burst water main the use by vehicles of Boughton Long Road from a point 516 metres south of its junction with Fincham Road for a distance of 50 metres southwards in the PARISH OF BARTON BENDISH will be temporarily prohibited on 3rd February 2020 for the duration of the works, expected to be about 1 day within the period. If necessary the restriction could run for a maximum period of 21 days.

    Alternative route is via: Boughton Long Road, Mill Hill Road, The Green, Chapel Road, Stoke Road, Boughton Road, A134 Stoke Ferry Bypass, Lynn Road, Downham Road, High Street, Main Road, Swaffham Road, Fincham Road (Wereham, Stoke Ferry, West Dereham, Boughton, Fincham, Stradsett, Barton Bendish).

    (If necessary the restriction could run for a maximum period of 18 months from the date of the Order)

    Penalty: £1000 maximum fine on conviction and/or endorsement for contravention.

    The person dealing with enquiries at Norfolk County Council is Adrian Stout (Community and Environmental Services Department) Telephone 0344 800 8020.

    Dated this 3rd day of February 2020

    Helen Edwards, Chief Legal Officer

    County Hall, Martineau Lane, Norwich NR1 2DH