Minutes of the Parish Council meeting held at the Village Hall on Monday, 5th September 2022 at 7.30pm.
- Present
- Cllr M Gillett (Chair), Cllr D Turner, Cllr A Stevens, Cllr M Mann
- In Attendance
- J Blackburn – Clerk, M Hicks – County Cllr, S Morley – District Cllr
ES63/22/23 – To Receive Apologies of Absence
Apologies had been received from Cllr Glasse, Cllr Budd, Cllr Baker, Cllr Stanford and Cllr Wilkinson.
ES64/22/23 – To Receive Declarations of Interest
None had been received.
ES65/22/23 – To Receive Applications for Dispensation
None had been received.
ES66/22/23 – To Approve the Minutes of the Meeting Held on 27th June 2022
It was AGREED: That the minutes of the meeting held on 27th June 2022 be approved as a true record and signed by the Chairman.
ES67/22/23 – Public Forum
No members of the public were present.
ES68/22/23 – To Receive the County Councillor’s Report – Cllr Hicks
Cllr Hicks’ report had been circulated prior to the meeting and would be published on the Village Website.
He briefly reported on the following:
- Cost of living – help and support
- Disposal of batteries
- Solar Together initiative
- Increase in Car Charging Ports
Cllr Hicks reported that in relation to item 14 on the Agenda, Collection of Speed Data along A1120, he would be willing to fund the £410 costs in order to undertake the collection of speed data at one point along the A1120. He explained that the tubes would be placed on the road for a period of 7 days, 24 hrs a day and it would record the speed, volume and type of traffic using the A1120 at that point. He stated that he would need a map showing which point of the A1120 Councillors would like the collection of data to be taken. He advised that there was a high demand for these tests and so could not be certain when it would be carried out.
It was AGREED: That a map be sent to Cllr Hicks of the required location for the data collection.
ES69/22/23 – To Receive the District Councillor’s Report – Cllr Morley
Cllr Morley’s report, once received, will be published on the village website.
Cllr Morley briefly went through her report on the following points:
- Cost of Living – details on the District Council’s website
- Tree Canopy approved at Cabinet meeting – an initiative to introduce more trees and publish the data on their website. Currently, Mid Suffolk was a little below the national average for trees at 8% land cover with the national average being 16%
- Tree for Life initiative
- Annual Canvas had started
- 22nd – 24th September at The John Peel Centre – projects for Stowmarket
- Digital Skills programme for small businesses
- Awarded £60,000 from chewing gum manufacturers as part of an anti-litter campaign
- NHS Career Opportunities
Cllr Gillett asked Cllr Morley for an update on the Community Governance Review to which she replied that unless the Parish Council had asked for changes, nothing more would be heard.
Cllr Turner asked Cllr Morley about the many cones laid out at the Gateway 14 entrance adjacent to the Tesco store in Stowmarket. She asked why they were there as they didn’t seem to be serving any purpose.
Cllr Morley stated that she would look into the matter.
ES70/22/23 – To Receive the Clerk’s Report and Financial Matters
a) Clerk’s Report
The Clerk had nothing to report other than what was on the Agenda.
b) To Receive the Clerk’s Financial Report
The Clerk reported on the Council’s current financial position and movements since the last meeting. It was reported that the balance in the accounts on 30th August 2022 was £7,306.27.
c) To Authorise Payments and Note Receipts
The Clerk reported the following payments be authorised:
- Jennie Blackburn - Clerk's Pay (Aug) - £265.05
- Jennie Blackburn - Clerk's Office Allowance/Exp (Aug) - £36.88
- D Turner - Recorder Printing Reimbursement - £190.00
- Jennie Blackburn - Clerk's Pay (Sept) - £265.05
- Jennie Blackburn - Clerk's Office Allowance/Exp (Sept) - £32.25
- Zurich Insurance - Insurance Premium - £257.60
It was AGREED: That payments totaling £789.23 be approved.
The following receipts were also noted:
- Glasdon - Refund for dog bin bracket - £39.24
- Trevor Brown - Refund for part payment of Internal Audit - £80.00
- V Ivory - Annual Recorder Payment - £5.00
- S Hunt - Annual Recorder Payment - £5.00
- L Nicholls - Annual Recorder Payment - £5.00
- Perfect Perennials - Annual Recorder Advert Payment - £30.00
- Zoe George - Annual Recorder Advert Payment - £30.00
d) Budget Monitoring Report
It was AGREED: That the Budget Monitoring report be noted and approved.
e) Bank Reconciliation
It was AGREED: That the Bank Reconciliation be noted and approved.
f) Insurance Renewal
It was AGREED: That the Insurance Renewal of £257.60 be approved.
ES71/22/23 – Planning Applications
Ref: DC/22/03186 - Planning Application - Use of land for the siting of 2 no. Shepherds huts for use as holiday lets and relocation of existing menage - Beechwood Farm, Forward Green, Earl Stonham
It was AGREED: That the Parish Council had no objections to the application provided that the lets were 28 days maximum. Clerk to action.
Ref: DC/22/04009 - Listed Building Consent - Application for repairs to 2 no. outbuildings - White House Farm, Church Lane, Earl Stonham
It was AGREED: That the Parish Council had no objections to the application. Clerk to action.
Ref: DC/22/03676 - Planning Application - Erection of agricultural storage barn and workshop. - Land Rear of Angel Hill Farm, Norwich Road
Members’ objections remained for the reasons stated in the previous application for the site under reference DC/21/06953. That the Barn, and in addition the workshop, were oversized and unnecessary. They would not be in keeping with their surroundings and would also be in close proximity to two listed buildings.
It was AGREED: That the Parish Council Objected to the application. Clerk to action.
Ref: DC/22/04173 - Full Planning Application - Change Use of land for the stationing of 5 Shephard's Huts for use as holiday accommodation - Land Adjacent Jockeys Farmhouse, Blacksmiths Lane, Forward Green, Earl Stonham
Members felt that following their past objection, plus those of nearby residents of Blacksmiths Lane, to Ref: DC/20/01910 and the refused Appeal (ref: APP/W3520/W/20/3256949) the same issues remained whether the application was for Holiday Lodges or Shepherd Huts.
Blacksmiths Lane was a narrow lane and situated in a quiet rural area of the County. There were no amenities nearby and therefore vehicles would need to be used to access facilities in Stowupland and Stowmarket.
Members noted that in the Appeal Decision document when refusal was made for Ref: DC/20/01910 it quoted:
“Accordingly, for the reasons given, I conclude that visitors to the proposed holiday lodges would not have adequate access to services, facilities and amenities without undue reliance on private vehicle use.”
Members therefore felt that the Planning Authority should consider the issues remained and the planning application should be refused on those grounds.
It was AGREED: That the Parish Council Objected to the application. Clerk to action.
ES72/22/23 - Planning Decisions
The following decisions were noted:
Ref: DC/22/04009 - Listed Building Consent - Application for repairs to 2 no. outbuildings - White House Farm, Church Lane, Earl Stonham - Granted
ES73/22/23 – Village Signage at Entrances to Village
Cllr Mann reported that he had read an article of Somerset County Council who had stated that in their experience a good way to slow down motorists was to erect gates, or add flower pots to the place signs at the entrances to villages/towns. It would highlight to passing motorists that they were entering a village location and would encourage them to decrease their speed.
Members thought the idea was a good way to move forward.
It was AGREED: That Cllr Mann research gates to place at either end of the village.
ES74/22/23 – Refurbishment of Village Sign
Cllr Gillett reported that the decaying of the village sign located on the Village Green had been brought to his attention. It was noted that the sign had last been refurbished in 2015.
Cllr Turner agreed to speak with the resident who had refurbished it on the last occasion and report back to the next meeting.
ES75/22/23 – Dog Bin Provision
A resident had been in touch with the Parish Council in relation to there not being a dog bin in the vicinity of Larters Lane and suggested that one be provided.
It was AGREED: That the Parish Council purchase a dog bin for Larters Lane. Clerk to action.
ES76/22/23 – Tree Funding
Cllr Gillett reported that funding was available from The Tree Council for trees and hedgerows.
It was AGREED: That Cllr Gillett put a bid forward.
ES77/22/23 – Collection of Speed Data – A1120
This item was discussed earlier in the meeting during the reporting from Cllr Hicks.
ES78/22/23 - Update on the Mid Suffolk Governance Review
This item was discussed earlier in the meeting during the reporting from Cllr Morley.
ES79/22/23 - Update on East Anglia Green
It was noted that an update would be received in the New Year.
ES80/22/23 - Update on Street Lighting
No update had been received. Clerk to chase.
ES81/22/23 - Update on Footpaths and Amendment of Leaflets
Members briefly discussed the leaflets in circulation, in relation to walks around the parish and agreed that the wording in relation to parking should be amended to:
Parking is available at the Village Hall – should you wish to park here please contact Deb Turner on 01449 711461 / Recorder@btinternet.com Parking is prohibited on the Village Green. Clerk to action.
ES82/22/23 - Update on the Community Speedwatch Team
Cllr Gillett reported that it had been quiet for the Community Speedwatch Team as it had been difficult to get people together at the same time because of the holiday period.
He added that more volunteers had joined the group making the total 11.
ES83/22/23 - Update on the Multicourt Signage
It was AGREED: That this item be deferred to the next meeting.
ES84/22/23 - Update on the Magpie Sign
Cllr Gillett reported that he had spoken with a member of the Stonham Parva Parish Council in relation to the sign. He was informed that they were hoping to replace the sign, which was listed, and was applying for funding to have it repaired following it being damaged by a lorry. The cost would be in the region of £50,000.
ES85/22/23 - Update on the Village Hall
Cllr Turner reported that the Carols on the Green event be held on Monday, 19th December 2022 with refreshments being arranged. She explained that the Village Hall was being used on this date so if it rained umbrellas would need to be used! The date needed to be checked with Cllr Glasse – Clerk to action.
Cllr Turner reported that Tony Turner had suggested that the Village Hall be utilised for people to go and be warm during this period of high energy prices. It was hoped that collaboratively, as a village, a scheme could be adopted to put such a plan in place.
Cllr Gillett suggested that a meeting be held to which all groups in the village be invited in order to discuss this suggestion. Also, that he would be happy to Chair it.
Cllr Turner stated that she would liaise with Tony Turner and report back.
ES86/22/23 - Update on Allotments – Date of Inspections
The Clerk stated that it was time for the annual Allotment Inspections to take place.
It was AGREED: That the Inspections be carried out on Monday, 19th September 2022 at 6pm – meeting at the hall. Clerk to inform Tenants by letter and inform all Members absent of the date and time.
ES87/22/23 – Matters to be Brought to the Attention of the Council
- Rotting posts along Village Green
ES88/22/23 – Date of Next Meeting
Monday, 7th November 2022 at 7.30pm
The meeting finished at 9.05pm.
Chairman: …………………………………………… Dated: …………………………………………