From Neil Matthew, Chair of Boughton Parish Council

As I write this the country has just entered a second lockdown due to Coronavirus and the numbers of infections and deaths in our area is creeping upward. With the promise of a vaccine becoming available soon, there is at last a glimmer of hope at the end of this dark tunnel. As we move to a potentially dark and miserable winter with limited access to our loved ones, it is more important than ever to look after our friends and neighbours. If there is anything you feel the Parish Council can help with, please call on 01366 683017.

The work on controlling the reeds in Boughton Pond has begun, with the first treatment of herbicide applied at the end of October. It is planned for a second application in April as part of this contract.

The Boughton Parish Council speed awareness sign is under test. This SAM2 device collects data on passing vehicles, recording the time and speed. We will have access to reports and the council will share summary data on the website at regular intervals. The sign was purchased with the help of a Parish Partnership grant (of half the cost) after the last Annual Parish Meeting concluded that speeding vehicles in the villages was its highest priority. The sign will be moved between a number of sites in the villages on a roughly monthly basis.

At its meeting on 3rd November the Parish Council discussed a number of regulatory changes that will affect the council and the village.

The first is that changes to planning regulations to streamline them, to make decisions more quickly, and remove restrictions on how and where developers can build, may well mean that your Parish Council will have less say, or even no say, in planning applications that affect the village. While we have objected to these changes along with many other local councils we suspect the changes will go ahead. If they do, we will have to rely on individuals in affected areas to make representations.

The second is a proposed County Council boundary change. From time to time the Boundary Commission (and others) look at the size and primarily the populations of parliamentary seats, county council divisions and borough council wards. The principle is to reflect population change and ensure that each area has close to the same number of residents. A proposal due to come into force at the end of next year will alter Norfolk Council Council division boundaries (keeping the number of divisions and hence councillors the same, at 84) and Boughton will no longer be in the Feltwell division (with Stoke Ferry, Hilgay, Southery and so on), but in the Airfield division (with Barton Bendish, Shouldham, Marham and so on). If you have any strong views on this change, please get in touch.

At its January 5th meeting the Parish Council will be setting its budget for 2021/22. At this time we will be considering projects for the coming year. As we were unable to hold an Annual Parish Meeting this past May we are asking for suggestions for residents now. If you have any ideas or comments on how the Parish Council should be using its funds, please get in touch. The meeting itself will be open to the public as usual, even if held virtually. Look out for joining details on the website, Facebook page and notice board nearer the time. In the meantime if you have any questions about how the Parish Council is run, its obligations, policies, procedures, legal and regulatory frameworks please check out the website or get in touch by email.

Finally, we still have a casual vacancy on the Parish Council. If you feel you have something to contribute to the work the council does, can spare a few hours a month to help out, why not apply to be considered as a councillor? While often frustrating as things can take a long while to get done, it can also be rewarding to volunteer to help make your community a better place to live.

Stay safe.

Neil Matthew
Mail: chair.boughtonpc@gmail.com
Web: boughtonparishcouncil.norfolkparishes.gov.uk
Facebook: @boughtonpc