Apologies for absence were received from Councillors Borg, Flaxman-Taylor, Pratt, Rodwell, B Walker and C Walker.

There were no declarations of interest.

The minutes of the meeting held on 19 September 2017 were confirmed.

There were no matters arising.

(i) Anglian Water

The Chairman read out the an email update from Hugh Crerand from Anglian Water which stated that at a meeting on Monday 6 September there was a review of the two preferred options that they were progressing as solutions to the flooding in Burgh Road.  The review meetings are where the engineers provide detailed information on options being examined and provides an opportunity for myself and other operational colleagues to comment on options at an early stage. Following this meeting the engineers then review the comments and if necessary will make any changes to the hydraulic model for the scheme.  A meeting had been held with Mr and Mrs Sleight of 142 Beccles Road regarding their property level protection and the property would now be surveyed by Flood Arc and following their estimate work would progress.

(ii) A47 Roundabouts

The Chairman read out an email from the Council's Environmental Services Department which stated that following the meeting held on 22 November an instruction for a business case to be prepared for the work at Victoria Road and Middleton Road roundabouts had been issued.  This is standard procedure at Highways England for any network enhancement works.  It was hoped that the measures would be in place by Easter 2018.

(iii) Jenner Road Business Signs

The Chairman reported that the Council's planning enforcement officers had attended the property at Jenner Road and that the sign on the railings had now been removed but it would not be possible to enforce the removal of the sign to the property.

(i) Tree outside McColls - High Street 

A Member of the public asked if the tree outside McColls in the High Street could be replaced and the Chairman stated that Councillor Wright would look into this.

(ii) Cemetery Lodge, Shrublands Way, Gorleston

A Member of the public asked if the Council had any plans for the vacant property at the Cemetery on Shrublands Way and the Chairman stated that he would look into this.

(iii) Emmanual Avenue

A resident from Emmanual Avenue thanked the Council for the new parking restrictions which were now in place and had improved things greatly for the local residents.

(iv) Koolunga House Trees

A Member of the Public asked if the Council could give an update on the trees at Koolunga House and the Leader stated that Laboratory test results had come back stating that the trees were killed by poison but it was still not clear who by.

(v) Baker Street

A Member of the Public asked if there were any plans to widen the road at Baker Street nad it was reported that there were currently no plans to do this.

(vi) Priory Gardens Building

A Member of the Public asked what was happening with the building in Priory Gardens and it was reported that the group involved in this are still looking for funding to take this project forward.

(vii) Norfolk County Councillors Pay Increase

A Member of the Public asked if it was correct that Norfolk County Councillors had awarded themselves a pay rise and it was reported that this was the case and that it was 10.5% which would be an increase of £142,000 in their allowances when they had already been awarded a 1% increase this year.  It was pointed out that this increase was due to them being some of the lowest paid Councillors in the Country.

It was reported that the next meeting would be held on Tuesday 6 March 2018 at 6.30pm.