Walcott

See 10 December. Had a long conversation 2 weeks or so ago with my contact at the Environment Agency (EA) about the events of 28 November. Their system operates at 3 levels and that day the conditions they were predicting for Walcott only warranted an “flood alert” – the lowest level. All the people signed up for that [...]

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Gritting

Conversation a couple  of days ago when I was in a shop : “Paul, can you explain to me why one evening last week when the temperature was 6 degrees and the forecast was it wouldn’t drop below 5, I saw a County Council gritter gritting the by-pass?” “Sorry xxx I can’t explain that, but I will [...]

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North Walsham & Dilham Canal / Ebridge Mill

Had a chance couple of days ago when out walking  to look at all the work that has been going on with the canal. Looks impressive though a few people have expressed concerns to me about excessive cutting back of trees and the destruction of some wildlife habitats. I have immediate worries about whether the road would get [...]

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Car Park Charges

See 21 December. Got most of the details of the proposed changes by NNDC referred to at the Town Council meeting: short stay 50p for 30 minutes replacing 10 for 20 evening charge (1800 -2300) of £1 to be introduced Mundesley Rd & Midland Rd car parks to no longer be free and be season ticket [...]

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Beyond the Call of Duty?

The phone rang at 2230 a week or so ago. That is late in our house so immediate anxiety thinking it was family or a  close friend with a problem or Norman Lamb (does he ever sleep?) None of those! Just somebody ringing about an issue she/he wanted me to look into.  It doesn’t bother me that [...]

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Norfolk County Council – Political Defections

2011 has been the year of defections. Cllrs Rice and Callaby to the Tories from us followed by Cllr Hardy from the Greens. Why? I guess we will never know the truth. People do like to be on the “winning side” and power attracts (can corrupt too!) Probably the first two saw it as the best way of  hanging [...]

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The Corporate Christmas Card

Thought I should share the below. I don’t remember the  Cabinet sending out a “corporate Xmas Card” before – it has gone to staff and Councillors, maybe elsewhere.  No surprises with whom is sat where and the expressions. Derrick Murphy’s regime likes a strong visual presence – in County Hall pictures of individual Cabinet Members now adorn the entrances [...]

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What do Councillors do (over Xmas / New Year)?

Well this Councillor is planning, like a lot of people, to have a bit of a break! Apart from a short meeting locally next Wednesday I don’t have any scheduled meetings until 3 January. There is the equivalent of at least 2 days Council work I need to do before then & I must get the “study” (spare bedroom) tidied [...]

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Waitrose in North Walsham?

See 21 December. Heard lots of people’s views this week. I’m pleased the Chamber of Trade is supportive. It is a major investment which will bring well over 100 much-needed jobs. I continue to think Waitrose would bring so many new people to shop in North Walsham that it would be a major benefit to us; [...]

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Sainsbury’s

See 17 December. Pleased to see yesterday there are notices / barriers up on the pedestrian crossing that isn’t.  I’d made calls to County Hall earlier in the week pointing out the dangers. Nobody told me of course they had sorted it – one of the frustrations of this role!

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