The Maintenance Team have had a busy week, although not strictly HTC responsibility, the team have been busy clearing the footways in the Town. Leaf fall can make paths slippery when wet and so the team have been clearing the paths, ensuring they are safe to use.

The Team have also been busy creating some new steps on the Footpath on Little Hills, the steep step in situ was just too difficult to comfortably use, they have also been dressing the footpaths with bark chippings left over from recent tree work in the town.

The C T Baker Group has confirmed work is to commence on the Kerridge Way site to rebuild Budgens of Holt after the supermarket was destroyed by a devasting fire in June 2020. Contractors will be onsite Monday 22^nd November, with an anticipated completion date of Winter 2022. Sandra Taylor-Meeds, who has managed the Budgens of Holt store for more than 30 years, will be working alongside Carl Milton, newly appointed Managing Director of the C T Baker Group on seeing the store rebuilt.

The planning application approved by North Norfolk District Council states: “The new design does seek to improve on the previous building by reconsidering the elements of the original building and refreshing them to provide a new store serving Holt for the future.”

Havercroft Construction Limited has been appointed as the Principal Contractor for the works, a company registered to the Considerate Constructors Scheme. The core values of this scheme are to ensure the external appearance of the construction site remains well maintained and to cause as little obstruction as possible to nearby residents, passersby, and regular users of the Kerridge Way road. Another key factor to this scheme is the CCS’ support to the local economy. Where possible, jobs will be sourced within the local area and a large proportion of the materials required will also be supplied from nearby traders.

Whilst construction takes place, the 5,000sq ft temporary Budgens store will remain trading and the Group’s Post Office services will continue to operate from Bakers & Larners of Holt. Home Delivery customers in and around Holt will continue to be served from C T Baker Budgens of Aylsham.

Budgens of Holt joined the C T Baker Group in 2007, with the Aylsham store following suit in 2013. Last year, the Group celebrated 250 years of trading as a family-run business. Continuing to actively contribute to the business are 8th and 9th generations of the Baker family, headed by Nick Baker who has recently acquired the role as Senior Family Director. On speaking of Carl Milton’s appointment to work alongside the Baker family, Jane Gurney-Read, Executive Chairman, says “As we plan for the future of the business, the culture and the values of the Group as a long-established local family business remains paramount. We believe Carl has the perfect qualities to not only continue this but further develop our Company”.

The October HTC meeting due to take place on 11th October has been postponed due to the Clerk being unwell. Sorry for any inconvenience caused.

Unfortunately we are still having problems with our landline at Nelson House, please bear with us whilst we work with BT to get the problems sorted. In the meantime the Town Council offices are open 10am – 3pm Monday -Friday and we can be emailed at info@holttowncouncil.org

There is a bee’s by the slide on the Playing Field in town, the Town Council are aware and have cordoned the area off and erected some signage. We have received some advice that the bee’s are harmless but should not be disturbed. They will naturally leave their nest in the next couple of weeks. In the meantime we ask that you please keep you distance.