THE chairman , Cllr Norman, opened the June meeting by welcoming Marion Arnold, warden of the Littleport Age Concern Scheme who reported on the continued success of the scheme which is part-funded by the parish council and Littleport Town Lands Charity.

THE chairman , Cllr Norman, opened the June meeting by welcoming Marion Arnold, warden of the Littleport Age Concern Scheme who reported on the continued success of the scheme which is part-funded by the parish council and Littleport Town Lands Charity. Increased overheads and mileage costs covering the outlying areas of the parish are having an impact on the service. It was agreed that local authorities should be badgered into supporting this worthwhile scheme.

Mrs Arnold was thanked for attending and the main business of the meeting resumed.

Representations had been received about anti-social behaviour and petty vandalism in the area of Ponts Hill, requesting the bench be moved. Five local residents sat in on the meeting. The parish council has a policy of not removing benches and feel the matter should be dealt with by more effective policing and targeting of anti-social behaviour. The bench is not on parish land or owned by them. It was agreed to ask the police to add this area to their monthly tasking list and to inform the owners of the bench, the Littleport Society, of the problems.

Cllr Brown reported on the current situation regarding the parking issues affecting the Broad Street Car Park.

Thirteen of the 78 social houses on Highfield have been let to Littleport families on the Hereward Housing waiting list.

Cllr Howard reported on the cemetery working party's annual inspection of the cemetery.

The old cemetery chapel is in a poor state and consideration should be given to demolish it or restore it. The clerk will look into grant funding opportunities. Minor repairs to the store shed will be undertaken. Agreed to reduce the height of the perimeter hedge to six feet over the next few years. The old hedge (Parsons Lane) will be removed once the bird nesting season is over and this will then create some more burial spaces. The new continuation footpaths will be laid in July. Burial fees for the next financial year will increase in line with inflation.

Councillors wished to stand on their original proposals for affordable housing exception sites not agreeing with the personal opinion of the district council officer.

Cllr Webber produced and presented a comprehensive report on the Local Development Framework sustainability document. Key issues were unsustainable, core information was woolly and he found numerous statements were dubious. Members discussed various issues including officer jargon, denial of private vehicles/parking on affordable housing sites they felt the document was being steam rollered through without input. The document made no mention of the supplementary planning tax proposed by the Chancellor to replace the Section 106 agreements.

It was unanimously agreed to use Cllr Webber's report as the council's response to the LDF proposals and to circulate copies to all other parish councils.

Councillor Murfitt raised the question of the doctor's opening times. The medical centre has put out a questionnaire inviting comments on how to improve its service. Cllr Murfitt felt that an evening and Saturday morning surgery would be beneficial to the self employed and commuters who presently have to take time off work to attend routine appointments. Members agreed to pass these comments on to the medical centre.

The monthly priority tasking by the PCSO for July was agreed to include the bench at Ponts Hill, anti-social behaviour and loud motor vehicles.

The next meeting will take place in the Barn on Monday, July 17 at 7.30pm.