Minutes of the Parish Council meeting held at the Village Hall on Monday, 4th September 2023 at 7.30pm.
- Present
- Councillors: D Turner (Chair), H Stanford, K Wilkinson, M Mann, S Budd, S Baker
- In Attendance
- J Blackburn – Clerk
ES48/23/24 – To Receive Apologies of Absence
Apologies had been received from Cllr Gillett and District Cllr Hardingham.
ES49/23/24 – To Receive Declarations of Interest
Cllr Stanford declared an interest in item 8(f) on the Agenda.
ES50/23/24 – To Receive Applications for Dispensation
None had been received.
ES51/23/24 – To Approve the Minutes of the Meeting Held on 3rd July 2023
It was AGREED: That the minutes of the meeting held on 3rd July 2023 be approved as a true record and signed by the Chairman.
ES52/23/24 – Public Forum
Two members of the public were present – applicants for DC/23/02976 – item 9(b) on the Agenda.
ES53/23/24 – To Receive the County Councillor’s Report – Cllr Hicks
Cllr Hicks was not present at the meeting and a report had not been received.
ES54/23/24 – To Receive the District Councillor’s Report – Cllr Hardingham
Cllr Hardingham was not present at the meeting. His report had been circulated prior to the meeting and would be published on the village website.
ES55/23/24 – Ratify Decisions Since Last Meeting
The following planning applications were considered between meetings, during the August recess and comments were submitted to the District Council:
Ref: DC/23/02976 – Application for Planning Permission – Limes Cottage - Erection of Detached Annexe for dependent family members – OBJECT due to scale of building and proximity to a Grade 2 Listed Building.
The applicants were present at the meeting and they circulated a statement in relation to their application. The adopted procedures of the Parish Council were discussed in determining their comments that had been submitted to the District Council.
The Planning Department had agreed an extension in order for the application to be considered at an Extraordinary Meeting (to be arranged).
The Planning Department had also confirmed that revised drawings were due to be received.
It was concluded that the applicant would inform the Clerk as to whether revised drawings would be submitted or not. The Parish Council could then either hold an Extraordinary meeting to discuss the application, or a meeting be held to discuss the application following receipt of the revised drawings.
It was AGREED: That a meeting be held once confirmation from the applicant was received.
Ref: DC/23/03358 – Application for Planning Permission – Land rear of Angel Hill Farm - Erection of Agricultural Barn and Workshop – OBJECT - size and scale of planned Barn and Workshop disproportionate to the site, the intended use and reasons for need; the Barn and Workshop appeared to be very close to the boundary; would be in close proximity to two listed buildings and repeated changes and amendments to the application and we are concerned about planning creep.
It was AGREED: That the objection be ratified.
ES56/23/24 - Planning Applications
Ref: - DC/23/03734 - Householder Application - Erection of linked extension (following part demolition of building) (re-submission of DC/23/00377). Location: Granary Cottage, Upper Langdales Farmhouse, Mill Lane, Earl Stonham
Members were unsure of what changes had been made to the proposed plan and stated that the refusal points made by the Planning Department had not been amended accordingly.
It was AGREED: That the Parish Council object to the application. Clerk to action.
ES57/23/24 - Planning Decisions
The following decisions were noted:
- Ref: DC/23/01201 - Full Planning Application - Change of Use of agricultural land to residential garden land to serve Angel House - Land to the Rear of, Angel House, Norwich Road, Earl Stonham – Granted
- Ref: DC/23/03109 - Application for Listed Building Consent - Replacement/alterations to existing windows Fen House, Fen Lane, Earl Stonham – Granted
- Ref: DC/23/03149 - Application for Listed Building Consent - Replacement of dormered thatched roof of 1970s extension with plain clay tiles Fen House, Fen Lane, Earl Stonham - Granted
ES58/23/24 - Thermal Imaging Camera Loan Project
An expression of interest had been made for this project and an online Questions and Answers session was due to be held on Tuesday, 12th September at 2pm.
Members asked that the Clerk liaise with the relevant person to ask for a recording of the meeting. Clerk to action.
ES59/23/24 – Village Sign
Cllr Turner reported that quotes had been circulated since the last meeting and a decision needed to be made as to the way forward for the planning for a new sign.
Members all agreed that money needed to be earmarked for this project, with the Community Infrastructure Levy (CiL) money that had already been received. A replacement sign could then be planned for the future.
It was AGREED: That the Clerk start a reserve fund using the CiL money.
ES60/23/24 – Village Green – Water Leak
Cllr Turner reported that a recent water leak on the Village Green was being resolved by Anglian Water, who had stated that they did not own the pipe. She explained that back in 1959 two properties on the Green had paid to have water connected to their properties. It would be unusual for the Parish Council to pay for those connections. Since then, other properties had been connected and it was thought that those properties would have paid for their own connection.
The Clerk confirmed that she had not found any paperwork which would suggest that the Parish Council would be responsible for any pipework under the Green.
Cllr Wilkinson stated that utilities would not be owned by the Parish Council.
ES61/23/24 – Allotments
Cllr Wilkinson reported that the allotment on Larters Lane was being managed very well and looked well maintained.
The Clerk reported that later in the month all allotments would receive their annual check.
Cllr Turner explained that the Ash Trees on the allotments at Broad Green and the field opposite had Ash Dieback disease. Due to the obvious health and safety risks the trees needed to checked over by a Tree Surgeon.
Cllr Turner confirmed that she had the contact details of someone that could be asked to carry out the check.
It was AGREED: That Cllr Turner give the contact details of a Tree Surgeon to the Clerk who would then make contact.
ES62/23/24 - Speeding
It was reported that posts for a speed sign had been installed on the along the dual carriageway part of the A140.
An update had been received from the Community Speedwatch Team as follows:
We were saddened to lose Val Battle-O'Connel from our group and send our thoughts and best wishes to Ed and the family at this time. Penny Dawe joined the team during August, bringing our numbers up to 14 with one further pending. Despite this high level of interest, the summer months have proved difficult to generate groups with many being on holidays etc. In July we had no sessions and to date only one in August where 19 vehicles were recorded travelling over 35 mph, 5 of which were going over 40 mph. Of the 19, 8 were vans or trucks.
In addition Suffolk Police (I think all police forces are involved) are carrying out a day of action on speeding and will coordinate with local speed watches - we are planning 6 or 7 hour long sessions during that day. We have been asked to keep the date in September confidential.
There is no further news on any highways input to works on the highway and we are unlikely to hear anything more until the end of the year.
ES63/23/24 – Street Lighting
There was nothing to report.
ES64/23/24 - Village Hall
Cllr Turner reported that a meeting had been held in relation to future maintenance of the car park, which had been a very positive meeting. The cost of repairing the surface of the car park was very large and ways to help with funding had been suggested.
One suggestion that was made was that as the Recycling lorries that entered the car park to empty the recycling bins, were large in size and would therefore be contributing to the damage to the car park surface, that all credits from the recycling bins should be paid in full to the Village Hall, instead of being a shared credit with the Parish Council.
Cllr Budd suggested also that an Honesty Box could be installed at the Village Hall for people visiting the village, such as walkers using the footpaths, could contribute towards the upkeep of the car park.
It was AGREED: That all Recycling Credit received by the Parish Council should be paid in full to the Village Hall for the maintenance of the car park. Clerk to action.
ES65/23/24 – Footpaths
It was confirmed that the field adjacent the pathway from Wicks Lane to Blacksmiths Lane had been cut.
It was confirmed that the next Footpath Walk on 27th September 2023 at 2pm, would be the Blue Walk.
Lots of thistles had been observed at the bride on the Lords Highway.
ES66/23/24 - To Receive the Clerk’s Report and Financial Matters
a) Clerk’s Report
The Clerk reported that the Parish Council had been approached by the Essex Norfolk Suffolk Pylons Group in relation to a new Minister being in post and therefore the need to liaise with her in relation to the proposed pylons through the Counties.
It was AGREED: That the Parish Council send a letter informing the new Minister of the objections for the proposed pylons. Clerk to action.
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 31st August 2023 was £9,713.39.
c) To Authorise Payments and Note Receipts
The Clerk reported the following payments be authorised:-
- Vertas Group Ltd - Grass Cutting - £377.78
- Jennie Blackburn - Clerk's Pay (Aug) - £280.55
- Jennie Blackburn - Clerk's Office Allowance/Exp (Sept) - £28.25
- Zurich Municipal - Insurance Renewal - £257.60
- MSDC - Uncontested Election Charges - £143.06
It was AGREED: That payments totaling £1,087.24 be approved.
d) Bank Reconciliation
It was AGREED: That the Bank Reconciliation be approved.
e) Budget Monitoring Report
It was AGREED: That the Budget Monitoring report be approved.
f) Annual Donation to Churchyard
Cllr Stanford reported that the donation made annual for the maintenance of the churchyard had not been reviewed since 2000.
The Parish Council expressed their thanks for the volunteers who helped to maintain the churchyard.
It was noted that volunteers were needed with the cutting of the hedge around the Parish Rooms and the Church.
Cllr Wilkinson proposed that the annual donation be increased to £600 which was seconded by Cllr Budd.
It was AGREED: That an annual donation to the Parochial Church Council for the maintenance of the churchyard be increased to £600.
ES67/23/24 - Matters to be Brought to the Attention of the Council
- A140 Speed Camera – position was questioned
- Junction of A1120 and A140 – survey available in relation to junction improvements
- Remembrance Wreaths – Cllr Budd to organize
- Carols on the Green – Provisional date of Monday, 18th December made
- Christmas Tree – to be put onto next Agenda
ES68/23/24 – Date of Next Meeting
Monday, 6th November 2023 at 7.30pm
The meeting finished at 8.55pm.
Chairman: …………………………………………… Dated: …………………………………………