Minutes of the Parish Council meeting held at the Village Hall on Monday, 27th June 2022 at 7.30pm.
- Present
- Cllrs M Gillett (Chair), D Turner, K Wilkinson, M Mann, S Budd, H Stanford, H Glasse, A Stevens
- In Attendance
- J Blackburn - Clerk
ES39/22/23 – To Receive Apologies of Absence
Apologies had been received from Cllr Hicks and Cllr Baker.
ES40/22/23 – To Receive Declarations of Interest
None had been received.
ES41/22/23 – To Receive Applications for Dispensation
None had been received.
ES42/22/23 – To Approve the Minutes of the Meeting Held on 4th May 2022
It was AGREED: That the minutes of the meeting held on 4th May 2022 be approved as a true record and signed by the Chairman.
ES43/22/23 – Public Forum
No members of the public were present.
ES44/22/23 – 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.
ES45/22/23 – To Receive the District Councillor’s Report – Cllr Morley
Cllr Morley was not present at the meeting and a report had not been received.
ES45/22/23 – 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 21st June 2022 was £9,116.75.
c) To Authorise Payments and Note Receipts
The Clerk reported the following payments be authorised:
- Jennie Blackburn - Clerk's Pay (Jun) - £265.05
- Jennie Blackburn - Clerk's Office Allowance/Exp (Jun) - £39.16
- MSDC - Bin Emptying - £342.42
- M Gillett - Dog Bin Fixings - £5.90
- Suffolk Cloud - Website and Mailbox Hosting - £170.00
- Vertas Group Ltd - Grass Cutting - £337.32
- D Turner - Recorder Printing Reimbursement - £195.00
- Five Star Printing - 30mph stickers for Wheelie Bins - £429.60
- Trevor Brown - Internal Audit 2021/22 - £120.00
- Jennie Blackburn - Clerk's Pay (July) – TBC - £265.05
- Jennie Blackburn - Clerk's Office Allowance/Exp (Jul) - £26.00
It was AGREED: That payments totaling £2,195.50 be approved. It was also agreed that a payment of £300 to the Village Hall should be made for a donation to a piece of artwork for the Jubilee Garden. Clerk to action.
The following receipts were also noted:
- HMRC - VAT Reclaim 2021/22 - £513.36
- Masquerade - Recorder Advert Payment - £30.00
- SCC - Energy for Village Hall Streetlight refund - £248.00
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) Annual Governance Statement
The Annual Governance Statement was completed by the Council and signed by the Chair and the Clerk.
g) End of Year 31st March 2022 Statement of Accounts
The Statement of Accounts was presented for approval. Decision – approved and signed by the Chair and the Clerk.
h) Exemption Certificate
The Exemption Certificate was approved and completed by the Council and signed by the Chair and the Clerk.
i) Internal Auditor’s Report – 2021/22
The Internal Auditor’s Report was received and it was noted that no recommendations had been made.
ES46/22/23 – Planning Applications
None had been received.
ES47/22/23 - Planning Decisions
The following decisions were noted:
- Ref: DC/22/01577 - Householder Application - Erection of a single storey garage side extension and part single storey and part two storey rear extension Angel Meadow, Thornbush Lane, Earl Stonham – Granted
- Ref: DC/22/00255 - Application for Listed Building Consent - Removal of blown sand and cement render to rear elevation. Fix oak lath to original studwork, apply thermalime coarse coat and finishing coat. Removal of existing sole plate and replace - Yew Tree, Broad Green Road, Earl Stonham – Granted
- Ref: DC/22/01854 - Full Planning Application - Erection of 1no. detached bungalow, provision of parking and new vehicular access - Lime Tree Cottage, Stowmarket Road, Earl Stonham - Granted
ES48/22/23 - Donation to the Village Jubilee Garden in Recognition of the Volunteer Effort
Cllr Gillett reported that suggestions had been made for a piece of artwork be purchased for the Jubilee Garden at the rear of the Village Hall, in recognition of all the volunteers who had helped with the Jubilee events and the garden refurbishment.
Another suggestion was for a plaque.
Cllr Wilkinson suggested an amount of £300 to which members agreed.
It was AGREED: That a donation of £300 be made to the Village Hall for the purchase of some artwork and a plaque.
ES49/22/23 - Feedback on the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee Celebrations
Members reported that the events of the Platinum Jubilee long weekend had gone very well with lots of positive feedback from parishioners.
It was nice to see the village coming together and it was noted that people from other parishes had also attended.
The Parish Council wished to thank all the volunteers for their help setting up and putting away after the events but especially to Tony Turner for all his hard work in turning the weekend into a very successful and enjoyable occasion.
ES50/22/23 - Beacon on the Village Green
Wishes had been expressed from parishioners that the Beacon remain on the Village Green to mark the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee and to be used for any future events.
The Parish Clerk had liaised with Suffolk County Council and Suffolk Association of Local Councils to gather their advice on taking the suggestion forward, which were circulated to members prior to the meeting.
The Parish Clerk advised members that if permission be given the Beacon would need to be made more secure for Health and Safety and Insurance purposes.
As the Parish Council were the owners of the Village Green, it would be up to members to give their permission for the Beacon to remain.
Following a brief discussion:
It was AGREED: That the Parish Council give permission for the Beacon remain on the Village Green.
ES51/22/23 - Update on the Mid Suffolk Governance Review
The Clerk confirmed that the comments of the Parish Council were submitted and there was nothing to report back at this time.
ES52/22/23 - Update on East Anglia Green
Cllr Gillett confirmed he had submitted the comments of the Parish Council and was awaiting an outcome.
ES53/22/23 - Update on Blacksmiths Lane
Cllr Gillett reported that Saxham Street was due to be closed again for further works but the closure would be for hours after the morning rush hour and before the evening rush-hour so it was hoped that past problems would not be repeated.
He confirmed that signage in place stated that Blacksmiths Lane was not suitable for a diversion route.
Cllr Gillett added that Les Parden from Anglian Water had been in email contact with himself and Cllr Hicks stating that CCTV surveys of the sewer had identified that more refurbishment works were required. The works would not involve the closing of any roads but would require a ‘rolling’ traffic light set up on the A1120. The work would be contained wholly within the A1120, in the section from the end of Saxham Street towards Stowupland.
Cllr Gillett confirmed that once more information had been received it could be circulated on the Village Email List.
ES54/22/23 – Update on Street Lighting
The Working Party had yet to meet and so there was nothing to report.
The Clerk confirmed that a refund of £248 had been received from Suffolk County Council for the double payment of the energy for the Village Hall streetlight.
ES55/22/23 - Update on Footpaths
Cllr Wilkinson reported that the fingerpost sign was still leant against a tree at Balls Way. Clerk to chase.
Cllr Stanford reported that the footpath adjacent his property was steep in one particular area and asked whether steps could be suggested to the Highways Team. Clerk to enquire.
ES56/22/23 - Update on the Community Speedwatch Team
Cllr Gillett reported that the Community Speedwatch Team was now operational with two approved locations being at the entrance to the Village Hall and by the Village Green.
They had met on three occasions with 48 motorists speeding, 16 of those being over 40mph. The school bus was also monitored as doing 39mph.
A resident had informed a member of the Parish Council that the speed camera previously located on Angel Hill, which had been hit by a lorry, still had the pole in place and wondered if it could be reinstated?
Members were unsure as to who was responsible for the sign and it was agreed that the Clerk make enquiries.
ES57/22/23 - Update on the Multicourt Signage and Nets
There was nothing to report.
ES58/22/23 - Update on the Magpie Sign
There was nothing to report.
ES59/22/23 - Update on the Village Hall
It was reported that it had been agreed that the Village Hall would take over the Bowls Club. The space would provide extra parking for the Hall and the soil was believed to be excellent for wild flowers, which could be a possibility.
Suggestions as to its use may be welcomed from parishioners.
ES60/22/23 - Update on the Stickers for Wheelie Bins
Cllr Mann reported that the stickers had been distributed and were being used.
Members wished to thank Cllr Mann for his help with this project.
ES61/22/23 – Matters to be Brought to the Attention of the Council
- Posts along the edge of the Village Green / track were rotting and were in need of replacement.
ES62/22/23 – Date of Next Meeting
Monday, 5th September 2022 at 7.30pm
The meeting finished at 8.25pm.
Chairman: …………………………………………… Dated: …………………………………………