Aug '07
Duck & Deer”
NEWSLETTER
AUGUST 2007
“WHAT’S NEW !”
The elections were held on the 3rd May. As a result of this election, five new Councillors joined us here at the Town Council. Unfortunately, this also meant that we lost five of our old standing Councillors; some of whom have been with us for quite a few years.
(see P 3 for more information)
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The Annual Town Meeting was held on the 15th May and a new Mayor and Deputy Mayor were elected. It was the first Council meeting for the new Councillors and their chance to be introduced to members of the public. (more details are available below and on page 2).
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The Town Council now have a new website! For a list of town events and other information about the parish of Dereham, you can visit - http;//derehamtc.norfolkparishes.co.uk the website also contains information about the responsibilities of the Town Council and other Councils in the district. (A list of what is shown on the website is on p 3)
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THE NEW MAYOR OF DEREHAM
At the Annual Town Meeting on 15th May 2007, Councillor Ursula Cheetham who had decided not to stand for re-election this year, handed over the Chairmanship to Councillor John Gretton who was elected as the Town Mayor. He signed his Declaration of Acceptance of Office, and said there was no greater honour for a local councillor than to be elected Mayor of his home town by fellow councillors. He pledged to work impartially for the benefit of all Dereham residents in the coming year, and said “we will be a very hardworking council”. Following the elections on 3rd May, he felt we had the right mix of old and new faces, creating a strong council to push forward with existing and new projects. The Mayor’s charities are Sense East and Dereham Cancer Care. Councillor Gretton, who is a former school teacher, has lived in Dereham for many Years. In 2001 he was elected as a Councillor at for Norfolk County Council and two years later, he was then elected onto Breckland District Council and Dereham Town Council.
Congratulations Councillor Gretton!
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ANNUAL TOWN MEETING
Outgoing Mayor’s Annual Report for 2006 - 2007:
Mrs U Cheetham said she had experienced an eventful year as the Mayor of Dereham and had the opportunity to meet many wonderful people whilst carrying out her Mayoral duties. Events organized by the Rotary Club, Doris Barnes day centre and the international scout jamboree stood out in her memory, and had been a pleasure to attend. Mrs U Cheetham urged the remaining councillors and newly elected councillors to forge ahead with greater public participation and consultation over major future decisions to better understand the needs of the people they represent. Mrs U Cheetham then spoke of the new swimming pool, the housing development on Norwich Road, the resurfacing and changes to Cowper Road car-park and the success of the new library. Mrs U Cheetham explained her main project for the year had been to bring together youth groups in the area to discuss ideas and make improvements to benefit young people. The first Youth Council will sit 30th May, the object being to foster responsibility and educate youngsters in how councils operate, and to give them some ownership in the decision making process, she thanked those councillors, staff and public who had supported this project. Mrs U Cheetham hoped that her time in office had been marked by a common sense approach and an open door policy, she explained that she did not stand for election this year due to health issues and family commitments. Mrs U Cheetham then wished the new Mayor Councillor J Gretton every success in office.
Tributes to out going Mayor from other Councillors:
The Mayor, Councillor J Gretton said Mrs U Cheetham had been a high profile Mayor and an effective Chairman at Town Council meetings, she had been a very strong voice for youth and young mothers in the town and he was delighted that she would continue to be involved with the Youth Forum. Mrs U Cheetham as Mayor had represented the Town Council well and would be missed for her passion, fire and commitment. Councillor R Goreham said whatever political affiliation one belonged to Mrs U Cheetham ‘stood out’ as a true character, she had chaired meetings well and fairly and been very professional, he also applauded her enthusiasm. Councillor P Duigan thanked Councillor U Cheetham and all out-going Councillors for their hard work, particularly Councillor J Barnes who had worked as a town councillor for 16 years and Councillor L Goreham for 10 years. Councillor M Fanthorpe said Mrs U Cheetham had been an excellent Mayor and an excellent Chairman, he admired her sense of fairness and belief that the Town Council should put aside politics and work together for the benefit of the Town, he thanked her for all she had done in the past year.
The New Deputy Mayor appointed for the year 2007- 2008.
Councillor Ann Bowyer was then elected by Councillor’s to be Deputy Mayor. Councillor John Gretton who was Deputy mayor for 2006 - 2007, handed over his chain to Councillor Ann Bowyer. Mrs Bowyer has been a Town Councillor for 5 years and a resident of Dereham for 23 years.
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A reshuffle of the Councillors at Dereham Town Council
NEW ELECTED COUNCILLORS;-
Timothy Birt (Green Party) for Toftwood Ward Robert Hambidge (Conservative Party) for Central Ward
Diana Irving (Conservative Party) for Humbletoft Ward Stephen May (Conservative Party) for Toftwood
Lynda Turner (Conservative Party) for Toftwood
COUNCILLORS WHO HAVE LEFT;-June Barnes had been on the Town Council for 16 years and in that time she had worked endlessly to make the Town a better place for the people of Dereham. She will be greatly missed, not only by the local residents but also by the staff who work at the Town Council, whom she regularly called in to see and give support to with ongoing projects.
Linda Goreham was a Town Councillor for 9 years and did a lot of work on behalf of the people of Dereham, especially with the ‘Dereham in Bloom’ events that were held yearly up until 2005.
Mike Ward became a Councillor in 2003 and worked hard for the allotment holders around town, increasing awareness and the rewards of having an allotment plot. Mike has agreed to continue helping the Council with the allotments in the future.
Ursula Cheetham has left the Council after 4 years. Her work for the town included getting young people involved in more activities and allowing them to have their say at regular meetings. This is something she intends to continue with in the future.
Thelma Johnson had only been a Councillor for 2 years, but made a valuable contribution to ongoing projects within the town.Good luck to all of our Councillors old and new!!!
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NEW TOWN COUNCIL WEBSITE
http://derehamtc.norfolkparishes.gov.uk
As from May, Dereham Town Council launched a new, regularly updated website, which works in conjunction with other Parish and Town Councils around East Anglia. Anybody wishing to know about Dereham as a Town or the Town Council, can click onto the above website address to access this information. There is also a link page within the website; which allows you to click onto different organisations that can also provide information about;- accommodation, travel, sight seeing, history and other Councils and their responsibilities within Dereham and the surrounding area. There may be a few teething problems for the first couple of months as the whole thing has been built and designed in house. However, we are hoping that it will be an important tool for communicating with the residents of Dereham and it will allow us to keep you informed and updated on any changes which are being made to the town; as well as being able
to inform you of any coming events.
If you have any views or comments
about the new Town Council website,
please e-mail;-
d.minto@derehamtowncouncil.org.uk
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Back to school…with a waste free lunch!
Do you pack up a lunch box for your child to take to school? Reducing lunchtime waste is really easy. If you would like some help to cut down on what you have to throw away then have a look at our top tips…
Try using tubs instead of plastic bags or cling film. You can give old containers such as ice cream or margarine tubs a new lease of life as containers for sandwiches.Reusable bottles are best. Refill flasks or screw-top plastic bottles rather than individual drinks cartons. Alternatively, choose a can that can be recycled.Avoid individual packs of foods like crisps, biscuits or raisins. Do put smaller quantities from big packs into re-usable airtight containers.Feed your garden as well as yourself! Store your fruit waste in your tub and compost back at home!
Through having less waste there is less chance that litter will appear in school grounds.
If you work at a Breckland primary school and would like a free educational visit from Breckland Council’s Litter Education Officer, please contact; -Street Scene on 01362 656878 for more information on assemblies and lessons.
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Dereham Memorial Hall Project
The Memorial Hall Project is moving ahead slowly but steadily, and the pieces are starting to fall into place for it to be a flourishing project. Consultations and negotiations have taken place with a large number of potential key partners; a variety of organisations and groups; as well as clients and members of the public. As part of the consultation process a questionnaire was handed out and although people were individually targeted (and the project discussed) the response was very disappointing. The return was only 25%.
The larger consultation process clearly showed that most stakeholders wanted more than just an improved community hall. There is definite need is for an up-to-date performing arts facility with additional community facilities such as meeting rooms and workshops areas; as well as office and floor space for community groups and organisations. All the needs identified have been included into the options appraisal and strategic plan for the project.
Research, discussions and negotiations are underway with a variety of potential funders and donors to secure the require funds for the project. We are also inviting people who would like to leave legacies in their wills to contact us.
The Town Council agreed to adopt the new project vision, which incorporates old and newly identified needs and the wider scope of the project. The new project vision is: - “The delivery of Multi-purpose building that includes a Performing Arts venue and Community Centre for the people of Dereham and the Greater Breckland area”.
by H van Aswegen, Project Manager, (01362) 693487.
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OTHER INFORMATION;
NORFOLK COUNTY COUNCIL ADULT EDUCATION SKILLS & QUALIFICATIONS BROCHURE & LEARNING FOR LIFE BROCHURE ARE AVAILABLE NOW! Courses are held at venues across Norfolk. Find out what is going on in your area by calling 0844 800 8002 for a FREE copy, or visit our website at;-
www.norfolk.gov.uk/adulteducation If you are looking for a change of job or new career call them!!!!
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Town Council Meeting Dates
2007
14th August Plans & Full Council
28th August Plans, Markets & Buildings, Social & Welfare
(Committee meetings)
11th September Plans & Full Council
25th September Plans, Heritage & Open spaces, Recreation
(Committee meetings)
9th October Plans & Full Council
23rd October Plans, Markets & Buildings, Social & Welfare
(Committee meetings)
13th November Plans & Full Council
20th November FINANCE (Budget)
27th November Plans, Heritage & Open spaces, Recreation
(Committee meetings)
11th December Plans & Full Council
18th December Plans, Markets & Buildings, Social & Welfare
(Committee meetings)
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Residents of the Parish of Dereham may attend the Full Council meetings, but may only speak if they have written to the Council 3 days prior to the meeting, with the question they would like to ask the Council.
For full details on this, please call the office on 693821 or see the notice board outside the Council Offices on Ruthen Place in Dereham Town Centre.
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Don’t have a rubbish summer!
When you are out and about enjoying the beautiful Breckland landscape this summer don’t forget about rubbish!
There is nothing worse than arriving at an area of natural beauty and being greeted by litter. The best thing we can all do is to take our litter home and recycle whatever we can. Remember that any waste that ends up in litter bins goes to landfill.
Have a look at these following tips and help do your bit to keep Breckland clean and tidy this summer:
-Having a picnic in a picturesque location? Make sure you take all packaging waste home with you. Even better, take food in plastic containers which can be reused rather than binned so you will save money on cling film, foil and sandwich bags too. If you have bought a plastic drinks bottle, wash it out at home and reuse it for your next trip out. Don’t leave plastic can holders lying around as wildlife can get trapped in them.
-Out fishing? Please put your unwanted fishing tackle in a bag and then in the bin. If you leave it on site the fishing line can wrap round animals and restrict their blood supply, hooks and weights can be swallowed causing internal injuries, and nets can trap small animals.
-Taking the dog for a walk? Pop a couple of carrier bags next to your dog’s lead for the next time you head out so you can clear up after them. Contact with dog fouling can cause eye infections and is most common in children aged 18 months to 5 years.
Help us all to enjoy a litter-free summer!
For more information call Street Scene - 01362 656878.
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Recycling isn’t limited to just your black bin
Apart from the items you place in your black bin – paper, cardboard, food and drinks cans, aerosol cans and plastic bottles – you can also recycle a wide variety of other items at all recycling centres. These are as follows: batteries, cardboard, paper, fridges and freezers, electrical goods, shredded paper, fluorescent tubes, used engine oil, metals, glass, textiles, green waste (tree pruning’s, grass cutting, leaves, small shrubs and trees), drink cartons (Tetra Pak), tin foil, gas bottles and books. To make things easier you no longer need to climb steps to dispose of unlimited amounts of non –recyclable household waste and green waste. You will also find trained recycling advisors at all centres.
There are now six main recycling centres where you can take paint free of charge and unlimited amounts of DIY waste on a pay as you throw basis. DIY prices are as follows: car £15, people carrier or four wheel drive £20, single axle trailer £30 and a double axle trailer £40. Remember! You can take up to one 80 litre bag, or one item, of DIY or garden waste (e.g. soil and turf), per week, to all sites.
The six main recycling centres are Caister, Hempton, Ketteringham, King’s Lynn, Mayton Wood and Thetford. Your nearest recycling centres are Ashill, Thetford, Snetterton and Hempton
If you are in doubt about whether you can take something the recycling centre it’s better to “Know before you Throw so please contact Norfolk County Council on 0844 8008004.
Don’t forget to use the recycling banks which are located throughout Breckland, normally at supermarkets, car parks or village halls, where either glass, textiles, cans or paper can be recycled.
For information about household waste and recycling please call the Street Scene Helpline on 01362 656878, streetscene@breckland.gov.uk or write to Breckland Council, Street Scene, Elizabeth House, Walpole Loke, Dereham, NR19 1EE.
