Some village people were present, slightly more than the number of councillors, but no Michael Blakenham.

I issued my report and added a few details about the County preparedness for Swine Flu where all reasonable actions are being taken, SnOasis, Road Safety issues and J Few’s heaps of minerals.

There was some healthy challenge and discussion.  The issues were speeding, mud on roads, the need for a pedestrian crossing on Stowmarket Road, SnOasis and the proposed Incinerator.

SnOasis appears to be stalled to the joy of some, particularly the parish council, and the dissapointment of others.  There was a lengthy debate on the Incinerator and the possible impact on it of a failure of the SnOasis project to come to fruition.  Mid Suffolk District Council has yet to receive any applications to determine the “reserved matters”  on any elements of the SnOasis application.

Speeding is a problem on the B1113 Stowmarket Road and Gipping Road.  At the Safer Neighbourhood Tasking Meetings I regularly ask for increased police action to bring more effective enforcement of speed limits in this area. The County Council is giving councillors a local budget for “Quality of Life” improvements to local roads.  I intend to use this on improvements local people want rather than target chasing.

The recent trial of electronic speed signs I organised in Gt Blakenham was outstandingly successful.  The signs are now being tried in Somersham but I have asked that one be returned. This is a real chance to reduce our speeding issues without major spend on traffic calming like speed humps that although effective are a nuisance to everybody.  These signs are becoming more affordable and I will insist that more are purchased and are used widely.

The parish council would not accept the plans for a pedestrian crossing I persuaded the County to produce some time ago and since then action has been waiting on SnOasis.