PRESENT:  Councillors Hind(Chairman), Mallen,Copeman, McColville, Swain
and Wallace .  Mrs. I.Floering Blackman(CC), Mr. G. Bambridge (DC).    
14 Parishioners
APOLOGIES:   Councillor Lilwall.

The Chairman opened the meetings by introducing Chief Superintendent Alan Hayes who is in charge of Western D4 area of which Bawdeswell is a part.
It is a large area and has some 400 police officer, 60 specials and 8 community support officers plus office staff.  He stressed that it is their aim to improve relationships with parishes and the police and said it was important that people phoned the Dereham Station (01362 652044) if they saw a crime being committed or had a problem - alternatively phone Crimestoppers on freephone 0800 555 111.
Parishioners present expressed their concern about lack of local policing, drugs and speeding.  It transpired that Bawdeswell has a growing drug problem and he promised this will be investigated.  It is proposed that a 3rd Mobile Police Station will be available and it is hoped that Bawdeswell will be on its route.   Anti-social behavioural orders are having an effect in other areas of the County in controlling vandalism, petty crime etc. and their usage will be extended.  He promised an update on matters discussed.  

ANNUAL PARISH MEETING:  
Councillor Hind re-elected as Chairman and Councillor Mallen co-opted onto the Council for another year and will remain Vice Chairman.  All Councillors present signed the Declaration of Acceptance of Office form.   Minutes of last APM held on 12th May 2003 agreed and signed.   The Clerk formally presented the accounts for year 2003/2004 which were duly signed and then gave a resume of the years work.

PARISH COUNCIL MEETING:
- PA for Land at Reepham Road -erection of 10 dwellings - this was heard by the Dev.Control Committee on 26th April and was adjourned for 3 weeks whilst 'negotiations' take place.
- Mrs. F. Roberts attended the meeting and presented Plans for extension of  5 Reepham Road from 2 bedrooms to 5 with a loft conversion.  No Objections.
- It is hoped that extension of Beetley Waste Recycling Centre will go ahead.
- PP granted to 43 Hall Road - rear conservatory.
- Item in Minutes regarding hedges cut down along boundary Saxon Meadows/ Recreation Ground - Mr. Michael Elsdon confirmed that some trees and the hedge had preservation orders on them which was part of the PP given before houses were built.   Part of the hedge had died and had been replaced with hawthorn hedging, the remainder cut back to improve growth.
- CARS 'FOR SALE' are again being parked on Highways land at side of A1067 opposite Garden Centre - this is illegal and will be reported to the Police and cars will be towed away.

- FENCES - will Parishioners please note that if they erect a fence above 1m. in height and less than 2m from edge of path PLANNING PERMISSION IS REQUIRED!

DATE OF NEXT MEETING TUESDAY lst JUNE 7.30 pm. IN THE VILLAGE HALL.   MAIN ITEMS ON THE AGENDA WILL BE THE EXPANSION OF THE VILLAGE AND THE HALL. IT IS HOPED THAT PARISHIONERS WILL ATTEND SO THAT THE PARISH COUNCIL CAN HAVE A POSITIVE FEEDBACK ON HOW PEOPLE WISH TO SEE THE VILLAGE AND ITS AMENITIES DEVELOPING.

IMPORTANT NOTE FOR PARENTS:   It appears that Bawdeswell has a growing drugs problem - will you please speak to your children about this and check what they are doing, who they are meeting etc. so that this situation can be stamped out.   It is very dangerous and causes enormous problems so PLEASE, PLEASE CHECK YOUR CHILDRENS WHEREABOUTS AND ASSOCIATES.   If anyone knows anything, please contact the Police or any Parish Councillor for help and advice or phone Crimestoppers  on freephone 
0800 555 111. 

On 13th May, as a follow up to Bawdeswell’s Village Appraisal, a meeting was arranged by Ailsa McColville and Bill Flynn at The Park, a new state of the art Meeting and Training venue right here in Bawdeswell next to Park Farm.
The meeting was very well attended,  close to 30 people showing up.
Whilst we enjoyed a welcome glass of wine, arrivals were encouraged to write on a flip chart any ideas or subjects they would like to discuss – an agenda so to speak. 

After an introduction and welcome from our host, Keith Colman, Bill Flynn talked us through a PowerPoint presentation of what had been achieved on Bawdeswell Heath in the last year.
Ailsa joined him then and started a discussion on the first item on the Flip Chart – Adams Pit at the end of Paradise Lane.  Several people felt the pit should be cleared out and made a feature.  Views were expressed that it had been like this for generations, attempts had been made to clear it in the not so distant past, if cleared we would have to be prepared to maintain it, and we must survey it least we unwittingly destroy any rare habitat.  No one came forward to lead this as a project, so it was put on file for the moment.
The state of the Billingford Road by-pass, where the bridleway runs down to Bawdeswell Heath, was next on the agenda.  Because it is so overgrown, fly-tippers are dumping their rubbish without being seen.
There was a good show of hands to join a working party which will meet at the by-pass on the afternoon of Sunday 30th May and the following morning, Bank Holiday Monday.  Anyone willing to help cut back the jungle will be welcome.  Thank you.
Whilst discussing places like Adams Pit, Billingford Road lay-by, etc., it became clear that many present did not know their village very well.  After some discussion as the best way to address this, it was agreed to produce a leaflet about the village to be available in the Village Store and to look into placing a heritage map there and maybe some small information boards elsewhere.  A group of volunteers was willingly formed to look into this.  Named the Heritage Group they will meet shortly.
We were pleased that Mrs Horner, the new head teacher of Bawdeswell School, attended the meeting and offered her help in involving the children in any of our projects, whether it be a Heritage Leaflet of their own, or a Conservation Project or just a Litter Campaign.
That was the last subject discussed for this first meeting  – Litter - an ongoing problem.  Breckland Council no longer pick it up and it is up to us to do so. But better still we need to try and stop people depositing it.

The next meeting of Ground Force will be on Thursday June 24th at 7.30pm.  Please come along with your ideas for discussion – such as footpaths and walks – anything you can think of that will be an improvement.  Let’s keep the momentum going!.  RT