Minutes of the Parish Council meeting held at the Village Hall on Monday, 2nd September 2024 at 7.30pm.
- Present
- Cllr M Gillett (Chair), D Turner, K Wilkinson, M Mann, S Budd, S Baker, H Stanford, J Barnet-Lamb
- In Attendance
- Mrs J Blackburn – Clerk, Cllr N Hardingham – District Council
ES49/24/25 – To Receive Apologies of Absence
None had been received.
ES50/24/25 – Co-option of Councillor
John Barnet-Lamb had applied to become a Parish Councillor, which had been shared with Members.
It was AGREED: That John Barnet-Lamb be co-opted onto the Parish Council.
ES51/24/25 – To Receive Declarations of Interest
None had been received.
ES52/24/25 – To Receive Applications for Dispensation
None had been received.
ES53/24/25 – To Approve the Minutes of the Meeting Held on 1st July 2024
It was AGREED: That the minutes of the meeting held on 1st July 2024 be approved as a true record and signed by the Chairman.
ES54/24/25 – Public Forum
Three members of the public were present.
A resident who lived on the A140 explained to members that a number of residents had concerns about the speeding of traffic through the 30mph zone of the A140.
Cllr Gillett explained that the Parish Council had looked into including the location for Community Speedwatch on the A140 but the Police had stated that it would be too dangerous for the sessions to take place.
He added that the infrastructure was still present on the A140 for the speed camera but the Police would not reinstall it.
District Councillor Nick Hardingham stated that a successful change in speed limit had taken place in Mickfield so it may be possible to try to see if something could be done here. He confirmed that he would speak with County Cllr Matthew Hicks about the subject.
ES55/24/25 – To Receive the District Councillor’s Report – Cllr Hardingham
Cllr Hardingham reported the following items, which would be included in his report, soon to be circulated and published on the village website:
- Recycling – extra food waste bin and paper/cardboard bin
- Innovation
- EV Scheme
- Planning Application for Care Home refused
- By-election – Thurston
Cllr Wilkinson asked Cllr Hardingham about the two planning applications that had been approved for the Gateway 14 site and whether they would be incorporating solar panels onto the rooves of the buildings, to which Cllr Hardingham explained that the proposals had been from two manufacturing companies both of whom had applied for all ‘green’ components including solar and EV charging.
Cllr Hardingham also commented on the Moat Farm application and stated that he had got in touch with the planning officer who had informed him that on planning grounds there had been nothing in the application that gave officers the grounds to refuse the new extension. He added that there was enforcement in place on the building itself and he would be looking further into that.
ES56/24/25 – Shepherd and Dog
Cllr Gillett explained to Cllr Hardingham the concerns in relation to the pub in the village stating that the person that owned the Shepherd and Dog also owned a pub elsewhere. He added that many people were staying at the pub overnight and there was also a double decker bus permanently parked in the car park, as well as a container.
Cllr Gillett raised the issue of whether the pub was still an Asset of Community Value (ACV), of which Cllr Hardingham explained that the ACV may have expired.
The Clerk reported that she had completed an enforcement report in relation to the pub earlier in the year and would share the details of the report with Cllr Hardingham. Clerk to action.
ES57/24/25 – To Receive the Clerk’s Report and Financial Matters
a) Clerk’s Report
The Clerk reported that one of the garden allotments had been left in an untidy state and the tenant had been approached and asked as to why that was. The tenant had stated that she did not have the time to maintain/use the allotment and was therefore happy for it to be advertised for a new tenant.
The Clerk also reported that she had been in touch with the tenant of the large allotment at the back of the garden allotments which had seemed to have been left and not being used. The tenant had confirmed to the Clerk that the grass had taken quite a hit with it being grazed in the winter and he was therefore letting the grass rest, with sheep hoping to be grazing on the allotment by September.
The Clerk reported that she had received an email from a resident in relation to the old metal dog bin located on the Green, at the entrance to School Lane. The resident had stated that the bin was being used but was old and needed to be replaced. It also seemed that the District Council (MSDC) was not emptying the bin.
It was AGREED: That the Clerk order a new dog bin and liaise with MSDC to ensure the bin was included on the emptying run in the village.
That Cllr Gillett would install the new bin.
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 27th August 2024 was £8,182.60.
c) To Authorise Payments and Note Receipts
The Clerk reported the following payments be authorised:
- Jennie Blackburn - Clerk's Pay (Aug) - £254.45
- Jennie Blackburn - Clerk's Office Allowance/Exp (Aug) - £26.00
- D Turner - Strimmer Line Reimbursement - £45.00
- Deb Turner - Recorder Printing Reimbursement - £190.00
- Jennie Blackburn - Clerk's Pay (Sept) - £254.45
- Jennie Blackburn - Clerk's Office Allowance/Exp (Sept) - £28.25
It was AGREED: That payments totaling £798.15 be approved.
The following receipts were noted:
- R J Nunn - Allotment Rent (2nd half) - £502.79
- Fiona Northcote - Allotment Rent - £15.32
d) Bank Reconciliation
Cllr Mann confirmed that he had checked the relevant documents in relation to the bank reconciliation.
Members asked the Clerk if a Budget Monitoring report could be brought to each meeting of the Parish Council to which she agreed. Clerk to action.
It was AGREED: That the Bank Reconciliation be approved.
e) Financial Regulations
It was AGREED: That the Financial Regulations be approved and adopted.
f) Insurance Renewal
The Clerk reported that insurance renewal was due by 1st October but had not yet been received.
It was AGREED: That the insurance renewal be approved via email.
ES58/24/25 – Planning Applications
No planning applications had been received.
ES59/24/25 - Planning Decisions
The following planning decisions were noted:
- Ref: DC/24/02766 - Full Planning Application - Conversion of and extension to stable/storage building to form 1No dwelling (to include partial demolition) (revised proposal to DC/23/04394) Alvor Cottage Stables, Stearns Lane, Earl Stonham – Granted (subject to conditions)
- Ref: DC/24/03075 - Application to determine if Prior Approval is required for a Proposed: Erection of a building for Agricultural Use. Town and Country Planning (General Permitted Development) (England) Order 2015 as amended Schedule 2, Part 6 for erection of a lean-to extension to an existing building. Location: Moat Farm, Middlewood Green, Earl Stonham – Not Required
- Ref: DC/24/02508 - Householder Planning Application - Erection of single storey rear extension - Willow Wood Barn, Forward Green, Earl Stonham – Granted
- Ref: DC/24/02509 - Application for Listed Building Consent - Erection of single storey rear extension - Willow Wood Barn, Forward Green, Earl Stonham - Granted
ES60/24/25 – Carols on the Green
Members briefly discussed the date for Carols on the Green, with the agreed date being 16th December – Cllr Turner to confirm.
Cllr Budd stated that the WI should be able to do the refreshments.
Cllr Wilkinson formed members that he would not be able to arrange this year’s Christmas Tree due to being away. Cllr Gillett stated that he would be able to arrange the Tree this year and asked the Clerk to give him the details of where it was purchased and what size. Clerk to action.
ES61/24/25 - 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.
Cllr Hicks briefly went through his report which included the following issues:
- Councillors approve an extra £9.1 million for SEND services
- Council remains opposed to Norwich to Tilbury pylons
Cllr Gillett explained to Cllr Hicks about a speeding incident that had taken place in the village. The Community Speedwatch Team had witnessed an Audi travelling at 46mph which drove directly towards the team and by the time it had reached the end of the village it was travelling at over 70mph. A picture of the vehicle had been taken and the first half of the number plate was recorded with the incident being reported to the Police.
A general discussion took place in relation to speeding in the parish including on the A140 and it was felt that funding needed to be sought to enable a SID to be purchased.
Cllr Hicks confirmed that he would be able to contribute £500 - £1,000 towards the SID.
Members stated that Cllr Hardingham also be approached for a contribution. Cllr Turner stated that she would be happy to donate towards the SID too.
Members also suggested that funding events be considered and that a Working Group needed to be set up to arrange such events.
In relation to locations for the SID the Clerk asked members to send her information and photographs of where exactly they would like the SID to be placed, as these would need to be approved in the first instance.
ES61/24/25 – Parking on the Village Green
Cllr Turner explained that parking on the Green had become an issue, with 5/6 cars being parked in recent weeks.
Cllr Gillett confirmed that he would write something for the village email list informing people that parking was not allowed, but if in exceptional circumstances permission needed to be sought from the Parish Council. Cllr Gillett to action.
ES62/24/25 - Speeding
This item had been discussed earlier in the meeting with the County Cllr.
ES63/24/25 - Footpaths
It was noted that footpaths were all ok and that the next Footpath Walk was due to be held on Sunday, 22nd September 2024 – Red Route.
ES64/24/25 – Update on the Village Hall
Cllr Turner reported that the Village Hall were losing funding and asked whether the Parish Council would be in support of paying for hall hire for Parish Council meetings. The cost would be £8 per hour for the Club Room. Members supported this.
It was AGREED: That the Parish Council pay for hall hire on receipt of an invoice.
ES65/24/25 - Matters to be Brought to the Attention of the Council
- Harvest Service at the Church – 22nd September followed by Bring and Share lunch.
- Service of Light at the Church – 3rd November 2024 at 3.30pm – to remember those that had died.
- ANPR Rota – ask for the next rota – Clerk.
ES66/24/25 – Date of Next Meeting
Monday, 4th November 2024 at 7.30pm
The meeting finished at 9.05pm.
Chairman: …………………………………………… Dated: …………………………………………