The Corporate Services Manager opened the meeting and asked for nominations for the position of Chairman and Vice Chairman.

Councillor Wainwright was duly proposed and seconded for the position of Chairman.

Councillor B Walker was duly proposed and seconded for the position of Vice-Chairman.

RESOLVED:

That Councillor Wainwright be elected as Chairman and Councillor B Walker be elected as Vice-Chairman of the Gorleston Area Committee for the 2019/20 Municipal Year.

Apologies for absence were received from Councillor Fairhead and County Councillor Plant.

There were no declarations of interest declared at the meeting.

The minutes of the meeting held on 5 March 2019 were confirmed.

There were no matters arising from the minutes of the previous meeting.

Councillor Williamson reported that he had visited this site where he had used the report it app and this has now been rectified.

The Chairman advised that the leases were to be completed this Friday.

A Member of the Public stated that she was impressed to see work continuing to be done on the huts to ensure completion.

Councillor Williamson reported that problems had occurred following flash flooding, he advised that it had been agreed by Anglian Water that a large sewer would be put in and that work would be ongoing with this, he advised that this work would require significant engineering works. It was reported that this solution would solve any further flooding / sewerage issues.

The Chairman advised that Anglian Water would be attending the meeting on the 17 September to provide further details.

Councillor Williamson advised that work had been ongoing to clear the dykes behind Southtown Common / Burgh Road and the water level has now dropped within the dykes. The Nature Island currently being developed will be filled with any overflow of water.

A Member of the public asked in relation to Pops Meadow and pointed out the state of this site, Members advised that this site was now in the ownership of the Borough Council and advised that some proposals had been considered for the site but advised that work was ongoing with the Council. A Member of the public advised that there had been some discussion about this area being used as a community garden.

A Member of the public asked Councillor C M Walker in relation to the Dual Carriageway and the amount of rubbish and weeds that can be seen, Councillor C M Walker advised that she had raised this issue at the A47 Alliance meeting and it had been confirmed that this matter would be resolved but that this was a matter for Highways England.

A Member of the Public asked with regard to the closure of Southtown Road and whether workers would be working longer hours to ensure the works are undertaken as quick as possible, it was advised that this would be the responsibility of Norfolk County Council.

A Member of the Public asked with regard to the Beach Huts and concerns that had been raised with regard to potential vandalism of the Beach Huts, the Chairman advised that there is a proposed scheme for potential extension of the CCTV once further Beach Huts are completed if necessary. The issue of police presence was discussed however it was noted that due to lack of resource in the police service this would matter would not be seen as a high priority. Councillor Wells reported on some recent issues that had been identified at the car park at the promenade, he advised that this had been addressed by the constabulary and the car park had now been closed slightly earlier to prevent any further issues.

There was no other business to be discussed.

The next meeting will take place on Tuesday, 17 September at 18:30 in the Lecture Hall, Gorleston Library.