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Dec'07

"Merry Christmas"

We hope that 2007 has been a happy and successful one for you. At Dereham Town Council we have experienced numerous changes in this last year, new Councillors, new staff and many new projects which we will share with you over the next few newsletters. In the meantime; the staff and Councillors would like to wish all the residents of Dereham ; -

"A very happy Christmas and Prosperous New Year".

"What's new at Dereham Town Council !"

Dereham Town Council would like to welcome Mr Anthony Needham into the position

of Town Clerk for Dereham. Mr Needham; who previously worked for Breckland

District Council, joined us in October and is keen to implement new ideas and

projects that will help to make Dereham Town Council into a Quality Status Council.

Mrs Jillian Barron who has been at the Town Council for the past 3 years, has

been appointed DeputyTown Clerk.

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The Recreation Ground is in the final stages of completion. It has been an ongoing project

for the last few years but the Council have tried to cater for all ages and we hope that the

community will enjoy the new facilities that have been installed.

(Please see the back page for more information about the Recreation Ground!)

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Dereham Town Council is looking at making Dereham into a Fairtrade Town. In the

new year we will be contacting all local businesses for their support in this worthy cause.

If you would like more information on becoming a Fairtrade business or helping us to

become a Fairtrade Town please go to the following website address;- www.fairtrade.org.uk

DEREHAM TOWN COUNCIL

ASSEMBLY ROOMS

RUTHEN PLACE

DEREHAM

NR19 2TX

Tel; 01362 693821

Fax; 01362 693405

generalenquiries@derehamtowncouncil.org

http://derehamtc.norfolkparishes.gov.uk/

Open;- 9am to 4.30pm

Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday

9am to 1pm - Wednesday

Inside this issue;-

1. Merry Christmas

1. What's new!

1. A FairtradeTown

2. Finance

2. Town Survey

3. Christmas Market

3. Christmas Competition

3. Councillors contact no's

3. Christmas Waste

3. Dereham Meeting Point

3. Community Car Scheme

4. Council meeting dates

4. Recycling information

4. Town Staff

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Help us to become a Fairtrade Town by looking for and buying products

with the above logo on it.

Finances for the financial year 2006 - 2007

The Town Council completed its audit of the 06/07 accounts in October. The two charts below give an indication as to how the Council spends its income, on the left-hand-side, and where that income comes from is indicated on the right-hand-side chart. In total, the Council had a budget of around £450,000. The Council gets most of it's income from Council tax but also receives income from other sources in order to minimise the pressure on council tax bills. We are now just over half way through the 2007-2008 financial year and we have spent nearly £200,000 on refurbishing the recreation ground. We are currently planning our expenditure for 2008 - 2009 financial year, which will see over £150,000 invested in repairing some of the historic buildings in the Town; such as Bishop Bonners Cottage. It must be remembered that the difference between the Council Tax you pay to the District and County Councils and that which you pay to the Town Council, is that every penny you pay to Dereham Town Council is spent in running and improving facilities and services for the people of Dereham.

DEREHAM CHRISTMAS LIGHTS

It was a very close call this year as to whether there were going to be any lights on display in the town this Christmas. Dereham Town Council originally donated £2,500 towards the lights, but with new health & safety rules and regulations, the cost grew to be too expensive. Local businesses tried to help out with donations and the offer of cheap labour but there still was not enough money to cover the cost. Fortunately, the people of Dereham pulled together and with a great deal of hard work from the Dereham Christmas Lights Partnership, along with a big campaign run by The Dereham Times; the money came flooding in from local businesses and the target was reached. KLFM also jumped in to offer their help and support by offering businesses the chance to advertise on their radio station to raise money. The Chamber of Trade and Tesco's Supermarket made large donations and as a whole, the town joined in with the proper spirit of Christmas to make the lights and the switch on event happen. The event took place on Sunday the 25^th November.

The tree in the Market Place was donated to Dereham town Council by Barkers Brothers (Aggregates) Ltd. The new lights were bought by Dereham Town Council.

A LISTENING COUNCIL

With a new Council being elected in May with many new Councillors and a new Clerk coming into post in October there is a real appetite in the Town Council really to understand the needs of our communities and how services we provide can be improved to meet your needs and aspirations.

In order for us better to understand how we can deliver services to meet you needs, we will be conducting a town survey in February next year. The survey will consist of a questionnaire delivered to every household; the results of the questionnaires will then help us make decisions in the future.

BUS INTERCHANGE IN TOWN

The Town Council have approved the option put forward by Norfolk County Council for the new bus interchange through the town. The plan is to run the traffic one way through the Market place; meaning that the roads and paths will need to be totally refurbished. There will be a lot of hard work involved in this project, but the end result will be a positive thing for the passengers of public transport and it will mean that the Market will be put back into the Market place where it belongs, hopefully by next Christmas. More information will be added in the next newsletter due in February.

CHRISTMAS COMPETITION

Dereham Town Council would like to thank all of the shops and businesses who are participating in the Town Council's Christmas Window Display Competition. The displays will be judged this week and the winner will be advertised on our website and in the next Newsletter. We will also contact them direct for the prize to go to their chosen charity!

What with the fantastic display efforts from local businesses and the success of Dereham Christmas Lights Partnership, who with the help of Dereham Times, managed to get the Christmas lights for the town of Dereham. We are going to be one of the most festive Towns in Norfolk this year.

Well done for all of your efforts!

Dereham Meeting Point

A warm & friendly centre for those over 55 & the disabled

open Monday to Friday, 9.30 - 3 pm

Lunches, light refreshments, activities & outings

Jubilee Suite, Withburga Lane, Dereham

For more information please ring the Manager;

Jayne Read;- 01362 698866

2008 - Town Council Meeting Dates

8th January Plans & Full Council

22^nd January Plans & Heritage & Open spaces, Recreation (Committee meetings)

12^th February Plans & Full Council

26^th February Plans & Markets & Buildings, Social & Welfare (Committee meetings)

11^th March Plans & Full Council

18^th March ANNUAL PARISH MEETING

25^th March Plans & Heritage & Open Spaces, Recreation (Committee meetings)

8^th April Plans & Full Council Meeting

22^nd Apr il Plans & Markets & Buildings, Social & Welfare (Committee meetings)

13^thMay Plans & Full Council Meeting

27^th May Plans & Heritage & Open spaces, Recreation (Committee meetings)

10^th June Plans & Full Council Meeting

24^th June Plans & Markets & Buildings, Social & Welfare (Committee meetings)

8^th July Plans & Full Council Meeting

22^nd July Plans & Heritage & Open spaces, Recreation (Committee meetings)

12^th August Plans Full Council Meeting

26^th August Plans & Markets & Buildings, Social & Welfare (Committee meetings)

9^th September Plans & Full Council Meeting

23^rd September Plans & Heritage & Open spaces, Recreation (Committee meetings)

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Note* 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.

DEREHAM COUNCIL INFORMATION CENTRE

Based in Dereham library. The centre works in partnership or has close links with most public sector and voluntary organisations. They provide help and information about services offered by Norfolk County Council, local - district or borough council or other local organisations. Help or information is given on a wide range from Council tax and housing benefits, bus passes, rubbish collection, help with forms, road maintenance. Adult Education courses, Social Services, Childcare and local community information. They are also a Police Information Point. There is a free phone to Breckland District Council. Various surgeries are held in a private room in the library.

To find out the services that they offer, pop into Dereham Library at

59 High Street, Dereham. The staff are very friendly and there is a room so that you can speak in private if the issues you have are of a sensitive nature. Open Monday to Saturday 9am to 5pm

Councillor's contact details;-

Timothy Birt 698829

(Toftwood)

Ann Bowyer 697613

(Neatherd)

Phillip Duigan 692443

(Toftwood)

Michael Fanthorpe 695636

(Central)

Robin Goreham 691179

(Central)

John Gretton 692707

(Humbletoft)

Mike Griffin 694795

(Neatherd)

Robert Hambidge 07831401088

(Central)

Diana Irving 691110

(Humbletoft)

Stephen May 696691

(Toftwood)

Linda Monument 694670

(Neatherd)

Lynda Turner 654932

(Toftwood)

What can I do with my Christmas Waste?

Every Christmas we are left with a sleigh load of things that we need to dispose of. Street Scene has come up with a few handy tips to help you with your waste and recycling.

Advent Calendars - Recycle the cardboard in your black recycling bin and place the plastic into your green general waste bin.

Biscuit/Sweet Tins - Unfortunately these can't be recycled in your black bin so why not reuse them as storage containers.

Christmas Cards - Recycle them at Tesco, WH Smith, TK Maxx or Marks & Spencer through the Woodland Trust, take them to a paper bank or make them into gift tags for next year.

Christmas Trees - Take to any Recycling Centre operated by Norfolk County Council. Local centres for Breckland are Ashill, Hempton, Snetterton or Thetford. Visit http://www.norfolk.gov.uk/%20/%20http:/www.norfolk.gov.uk/ for more information.

Mobile Phones - If you receive an upgrade for Christmas, don't forget to send your old mobile phone for recycling. Norfolk schools collect phones to raise money. For more information contact the Street Scene team.

Peelings - Vegetable and fruit peelings can be composted in your compost bin at home. Call 0845 077 0759 or visit http://www.recyclenow.com/compost%20/%20http:/www.recyclenow.com/compost to order a composter.

Sweet Wrappers - Why not use them for craft making with children.

Toys & Unwanted Gifts - Take to a charity shop or use an online auction or swap site such as http://www.freecycle.org/%20/%20http:/www.freecycle.org/.

Wrapping Paper - Recycle your wrapping paper at any of the local paper banks.

To find the nearest recycling bank visit http://www.recycle-more.co.uk/%20/%20http:/www.recycle-more.co.uk/ or contact Street Scene Helpline: 01362 656878

Email: streetscene@breckland.gov.uk Write to: Breckland Council, Street Scene, Elizabeth House, Walpole Loke, Dereham, Norfolk

On behalf of the team at Street Scene we wish you merry Christmas!

Dereham Farmers Market

(Saturday 8^th December, Railway station Carpark)

For your entire local fresh produce, pop along to the Farmers

Market for any of the following;- Fruit, vegetables, Meat, Ice-cream, Pottery, Venison, Chutney Marinades, Apple Juice, Preserves, Preserves, cakes, Game, Cards, Prints, Paintings, Rare breed pork, Shrubs, Rare breed pork and products, Spices/Crafts, Aromatherapy, Xmas Wreaths, Strawberries, Organic Poultry, Holly, wreaths, Jewellery, Plants & Flowers, Breads, Xmas Trees, Hog Roast, Xmas Pudding, Asparagus, Cakes, Chilli Products, Grow plants, Nursery products, Asparagus, Plants - grasses /bamboo, dried flowers and arrangements.

The Farmers market is held on the 2^nd Saturday of every month!

CHRISTMAS MARKET

Friday 21^st December

For that last minute shopping trip, pop along to Dereham Market on Friday the 21^st December between 8am & 3pm. There will be a Christmas duo playing festive tunes to help get everybody into the spirit of Christmas. There is also a competition for the traders of best dressed stall, which is being judged by the Mayor. Why not pop by and purchase fresh fruit & vegetables, cheeses and meat, all for your Christmas day & boxing day feast. The traders need your support!!!

DEREHAM COMMUNITY CAR SCHEME

Do you like driving?

Do you enjoy helping others?

Do you have a few hours a week to spare?

Why not become one of our Volunteer drivers?

For more information, call Dereham Council on; 01362 693821

DCCS CHRISTMAS CLOSING

The car scheme operators will not answer the phones from Midday on 21^st December until 9am on the 2^nd January. However, there will be drivers available for clients who have pre-booked a car for the Christmas period by the 21^st December.

Town Council Staff Members;-

We often receive phone calls in the office from members of the public who ask to be put through to a certain department. At the Council we only 8 staff members. Let us introduce ourselves;-

In the office;-

Tony Needham - Town Clerk

Jillian Barron - Deputy Town Clerk

Dawn Brightman - Town Council Administrator

Thelma Jackson - Town Council Administrator

Donna Minto - Administrative Assistant (P/T)

Outside staff;-

Barry Bowyer - Cemetery Attendant

Ian Mann - Memorial Hall Caretaker

John Hood - Part-time Caretaker

Alan Hunter - Handy person & relief Caretaker

If you have any enquiries, please ring the office on;-

01362 693821 and one of us will try to help you!

e-mail;- generalenquiries@derehamtowncouncil.org

website; http://derehamtc.norfolkparishes.gov.uk

The Assembly Rooms, Ruthen Place, Dereham. NR19 2TX

This Newsletter is Published by Dereham Town Council

The articles and views expressed in this newsletter are not necessarily the views of all Councillors, if you disagree or have any questions about the contents in this issue, please contact the office on tel; 01362 693 821 or e-mail; generalenquiries@derehamtowncouncil.org

The Recreation Ground has been completed!!!

Dereham Town Council is pleased to announce that the final phase of installing new equipment in at the Recreation Ground has now been completed. There is a new rebound / basket ball wall, youth shelter, new benches, dog bins, litter bins, paths, car park and road surface into the grounds. The Council plan to look into new lighting and CCTV in the next financial year. Although the park has drastically improved over the last few months there has unfortunately been an increase in vandalism to the new equipment, which is a great shame. The Graffiti tags have been photographed and reported to the police who are looking into it, and if you know of anyone who is causing the vandalism, please report it to the local police station as soon as possible. A reward may be offered.