IF affordable housing comes to Kirby Cane and Ellingham, it could provide the bonus of more allotment land for the villages, the joint parish council heard at its January meeting.

IF affordable housing comes to Kirby Cane and Ellingham, it could provide the bonus of more allotment land for the villages, the joint parish council heard at its January meeting.

It was reported that the council had been told that if an affordable housing scheme being proposed did go ahead, there should be enough land for some allotments, and members agreed that it could solve two needs in the villages.

But the council is waiting for an update on the proposals from South Norfolk Council - the clerk said that should be available in March.

Members heard that the gipsy and traveller site consultation had finish-ed and the criteria had now changed. All sites recommended since 2005 will be looked through again and a new list of sites will be recommended for another consultation.

Quality status was discussed but most councillors could see no benefit in doing this at the moment. The idea will be reviewed in 12 months.

Chairman Lawrie Cannard recommended that a working party for the playing field be formed in the spring, though the “rabbit springy” equipment may need working on before then. The bin on the far side of the field is once again being emptied by South Norfolk Council.

The Memorial Hall now has a fundraising committee, the council heard. At its next meeting, all the financial paperwork would be presented and an independent internal auditor would inspect the books periodically.

Roadworks in Mill Road have meant it being closed, but members were disappointed to learn that the work would not include the lay-by, discuss-ed at the site meeting a few years ago. The clerk is to contact Norfolk County Highways to discuss the matter.

Mr Wickenden gave a presentation on the new Kirby Cane and Ellingham website, www.kirby-cane-ellingham. co.uk Members felt it was very good and had lots of information about all the local clubs, churches and the parish council. In future, the parish council minutes will be put on the website along with agendas.

In correspondence, a letter of resignation from the parish council was received from from Mr Wickenden. He has worked very hard over the years and would be greatly missed; Mr Cooke was co-opted on to the parish council to replace him.

Eastern Rivers Valleys has a Snap meeting on January 28 at 7pm at Ditchingham Primary School.

Under finance, the clerk said the external audit had been completed with no comments by the auditors.

In reports, some pothole problems were reported in Ellingham, along Geldeston Road and Yarmouth Road, and the clerk will contact Norfolk County Highways about them.

The next parish council meeting will be on Monday, March 2.