Minutes of the Parish Council meeting held at the Village Hall on Monday, 6th January 2025 at 7.30pm.
- Present
- Councillors: M Gillett (Chair), H Stanford, K Wilkinson, M Mann, S Baker, S Budd, J Barnet-Lamb
- In Attendance
- Mrs J Blackburn – Clerk, Cllr N Hardingham – District Councillor
ES88/24/25 – To Receive Apologies of Absence
Apologies had been received from Cllr Turner.
ES89/24/25 – To Receive Declarations of Interest
Cllr Stanford declared an interest in item 8(e) on the Agenda. Cllr Baker declared an interest in item 5 on the Agenda.
ES90/24/25 – To Receive Applications for Dispensation
None had been received.
ES91/24/25 – To Approve the Minutes of the Meeting Held on 4th November 2024
It was AGREED: That the minutes of the meeting held on 4th November 2024 be approved as a true record and signed by the Chairman.
ES92/24/25 – Public Forum
Three members of the public were present.
Robert Baker, Owner of Ichiban, was present at the meeting and wished to discuss a possible planning application for solar panels at the site.
A representative from East Anglia Green was also present and explained the following:
- Cost of electricity at the factory had doubled
- Solar panels would cover seven acres of the site
- Would meet 70% of the factory’s electricity need
- 1.4MW PV – panels would be installed on the ground
- Would make the site more sustainable
- Would have minimal impact locally
Following questions raised by the Councillors the following answers were given:
- Solar Panels would be hidden behind the buildings already on site, but hedges could be planted if needed
- Buildings were not large enough or appropriate for the panels to be placed on the roof
- The District Council had been approached for pre-application discussions
Members stated that they would not have any issues should a full planning application be submitted. They suggested to Mr Baker that he held a Public Meeting to gain views from local residents.
Members also asked Mr Baker about the light pollution from Ichiban and suggested that sensor lights be used, to which Mr Baker explained that the site was used 24 hours a day, seven days a week, but would consider the suggestion.
Simon Oldfield, resident, was present at the meeting and gave Members an update on the speeding issues along Debenham Road.
He again stated that there had been many accidents on that part of the village and was very concerned about the problems that were occurring.
Cllr Gillett reported that the Clerk had put in a Freedom of Information request for the statistics of speeding and incidents both on A1120 and on Debenham Road, which had been received.
It was felt by all that the statistics were not complete as some accidents had not been reported to the Police.
Mr Oldfield reported that he had been in touch with the County Councillor, Matthew Hicks, who had agreed to ask the Highways Department to look into the accidents. He also reported that he would be getting a petition together in the near future to raise awareness and push for a speed limit reduction.
Cllr Gillett reported that whilst the Parish Council would support those actions, it would be a County Council issue with any funding needing to be met by them.
ES93/24/25 – To Receive the County Councillor’s Report – Cllr Hicks
Cllr Hicks was not present at the meeting and a report had not been received.
ES94/24/25 – To Receive the District Councillor’s Report – Cllr Hardingham
Cllr Hardingham’s report had been circulated prior to the meeting and would be published on the village website.
Cllr Hardingham also reported the following:
- The NPPF and Government Review of housing targets meant that the District Council would need to increase the housing in the area, with their five year land supply needing to be sustained.
- Many jobs were available in Stowmarket with The Range at Gateway 14 providing 1000 jobs with more in the future from two new companies who would also be residing at the Gateway 14 site.
- He had given £500 locality funding to the Over 60s Club in the village.
- Shepherd and Dog Pub – due to the date the pub was closed it meant that an application for it to be an Asset of Community Value (ACV) could not be made. Enforcement needed to be chased regularly if it was being used for residential use.
ES95/24/25 - To Receive the Clerk’s Report and Financial Matters
- Clerk’s Report
The Clerk had nothing to report other than what was on the Agenda. - 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 3rd January 2025 was £8,885.30. - To Authorise Payments and Note Receipts
The Clerk reported the following payments be authorised:- HMRC PAYE to end 5th Oct £382.81
- Jennie Blackburn Clerk's Pay (Dec) £264.14
- Jennie Blackburn Clerk's Office Allowance/Exp (Dec) £26.00
- HMRC PAYE to end 5th Jan £212.60
- D Turner Recorder Printing Reimbursement £199.60
- Suffolk Cloud Domain Renewal £16.50
- Jennie Blackburn Clerk's Pay (Jan) tbc
- Jennie Blackburn Clerk's Office Allowance/Exp (Jan) £28.25
- Paul Williamson Ltd Christmas Tree £180.00
The following receipts were noted:- Exercise Therapy Recorder Advert Payment £30.00
- Perfect Perennials Recorder Advert Payment £30.00
- My Care Recorder Advert Payment £30.00
- Bank Reconciliation
Cllr Mann confirmed that he had checked the relevant documents in relation to the bank reconciliation.
It was AGREED: That the Bank Reconciliation be approved. - Final Budget 2025/26
It was AGREED: That the Final Budget for 2025/26 be approved. - Precept for 2025/26
It was AGREED: That the Precept of £8,586 for 2025/26 be approved. Clerk to action. - Donations
It was AGREED: That donations be made to – Forward Africa - £100, ES PCC - £600 and ES Cricket Club - £400. Clerk to action.
ES96/24/25 – Planning Applications
Ref: DC/24/04891 - Planning Application - Retention of change of use of a barn from agricultural to commercial use - Moat Farm, Debenham Road, Earl Stonham - Reason(s) for re-consultation: Revised Site Location Plan received 20th December 2024
It was AGREED: That the Parish Council had no objections to the application. Clerk to action.
ES97/24/25 – Planning Decisions
Ref: DC/24/04859 - Full Planning Application - Erection of detached self/custom build dwelling (in lieu of permission to convert and extend stable/storage building to form residential dwelling) following demolition of existing buildings - Alvor Cottage, Stearns Lane, Earl Stonham – Granted
ES98/24/25 – Sexual Harrassment Policy
The Clerk had circulated prior to the meeting a template received from Suffolk Association of Local Councils (SALC).
Members generally were happy with the policy but suggested that item seven be removed.
It was AGREED: That Cllr Gillett would go through the policy, inserting names where needed and would bring it back to the Parish Council for approval.
ES99/24/25 – Junction of A1120 / A140
Cllr Gillett reported that he had had a complaint in relation to the proposed improvements to the junction of the A1120 / A140.
He explained that the previous MP had stated that a large amount of funding would be put into the improvements, but following his exit as the local MP proposed plans had gone quiet.
ES100/24/25 – Flooding
The Clerk reported that she had been in touch with Cllr Hicks in relation to the flooding at the top of Blacksmiths Lane, but had yet to hear back. She confirmed she would chase him up on the matter.
ES101/24/25 - Speeding
SID - Working Party
Cllr Gillett reported that the Working Party were next due to meet on 16th January. He confirmed that they were still in discussions in relation to the possible locations for the SID(s)
The quote for the SIDs was for £5,014 (inc. VAT) with an additional cost of £1,000 for the two poles.
Cllr Gillett explained that the Village Hall had stated they would contribute £500 towards the project and the Trustees may contribute too.
Cllr Barnet-Lamb reported that local businesses would also be approached for contributions.
It was confirmed that CiL money could be used for the project.
Community Speedwatch (CSW)
Cllr Gillett reported that the CSW team held a social event before Christmas.
Traffic monitoring had been difficult due to the bad weather but it had been observed that there had been an increased presence of the Speed and Safety Management Team outside the Village Hall.
FOI Request response
This had been raised earlier in the meeting.
ES102/24/25 – Shepherd and Dog
Cllr Hardingham had reported on this earlier in the meeting.
ES103/24/25 - Footpaths
It was reported that a stretch of the footpath to Mudd Hall was very overgrown. It was agreed that the landowner be sought and the footpath monitored.
ES104/24/25 – Update on the Village Hall
Cllr Gillett reported that the Gents urinals were being refurbished.
He also reported that the Supper Nights had been sold out.
ES105/24/25 - Matters to be Brought to the Attention of the Council
- Fen Lane – latest photographs taken of both sides of the lane, close to Mill Lane, had eroded – report to Cllr Hicks/Highways.
- Forward Green sign bent – into the village from Stowupland – report.
- Resident due to retire and volunteering to litter pick
- Noise from Sewage Plant – report
It was acknowledged that the Clerk’s resignation had been received with her leaving date being 17th January. Members thanked the Clerk for all her help over the past seven years and wished her well for the future.
ES106/24/25 – Date of Next Meeting
Monday, 3rd March 2025
The meeting finished at 8.40pm.
Chairman: …………………………………………… Dated: …………………………………………