Minutes of the Annual Parish Council Meeting of Wortham & Burgate Parish Council held virtually via Zoom on Tuesday 4th May 2021 at 7.30pm
- Councillors present
- Barry Cole (Chair), Jacky Bradley, Chris Grocott, Ian Hovey, David Ling, Mike Odams, Jenny Piper, Richard Thornton, Chris Williams and Sue Wright
- In attendance
- Councillor Fleming, Councillor Warboys, 1 member of the public and Clerk, Jane Wright
1. To Elect a Chairman and Vice Chairman for 2021/2022
- Councillor Cole was elected as Chairman. Proposed CW, seconded CG, unanimously approved.
- Councillor Bradley was elected as Vice Chair. Proposed SW, seconded IH, unanimously approved.
2. To Consider Accepting Apologies for Absence
None
3. To Approve the Minutes of Previous Parish Council Meetings
- Annual Parish Meeting Minutes - Proposed CG, seconded IH, unanimously approved.
- April Parish Council Meeting Minutes - Proposed CW, seconded IH, unanimously approved.
4. To Record Declarations of Interest from Members in Any Item to Be Discussed
None
5. To Consider Dispensations from Members in Any Item to Be Discussed
None
6. To Appoint the Committees/Sub Committees/Working Groups
See Appendix 3 attached
7. To Adjourn the Meeting for Public Participation
7.43pm
- To receive residents' questions or comments - A member of the public introduced themselves and gave a brief resume to the Parish Council, after showing an interest in the vacancy for Councillor. Councillor Cole welcomed this interest and an invitation was made to stay for the entirety of the meeting. If interest was still shown, a resume could be emailed to the Clerk and the co-option could be added to the June agenda.
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To receive reports from District & County Councillors - Councillor Fleming presented her report that had been circulated to Councillors prior to the meeting, see Appendix 2. Councillor Fleming said that it has been a pleasure working with the Parish Council and that our strength and values had been brought home during the pandemic. Councillor Cole thanked Councillor Fleming for her continued support.
Councillor Warboys seconded Councillor Fleming’s comments on the good work that the Parish Council has done, and apologised for the length of his report - it covered a year that will live on in all our memories! Report circulated prior to the meeting - see Appendix 1. Councillor Cole thanked Councillor Warboys for all his help and continued financial support.
8. To Reconvene the Meeting
8.05pm
9. To Receive the Chairman's Report
Nothing to report
10. To Receive the Clerk's Report and O/S Actions from Last Meeting (for Information Only)
The accounts for 2020/2021 have now been delivered to the Internal Auditor, Trevor Brown for review. MSDC were contacted regarding Oak Trees, Great Green, Burgate for an update. An injunction requiring the mobile home to be vacated has unfortunately not progressed due to the pandemic. However, as we progress out of lockdown, there should be no reason why the occupants could not adhere to the Enforcement Notices, and therefore no reason an injunction would not be granted. The aim of MSDC is to pursue this after all restrictions have been lifted, due to be in June.
11. To Consider, Agree and/or Note New Planning Applications
- To receive an update on application for reserved matters - DC/21/01955 Submission of details (Reserved Matters) under Outline Planning Permission DC/19/02698 Appearance, Landscaping, Layout and Scale for Erection of up to 3no. Dwellings and garages Location: Land On The East Side Of Church Road, Wortham, Suffolk - NO UPDATE
- To consider, discuss and agree to a re-consultation for planning permission DC/20/05763 - Use of land for the siting on 4no ‘Off-Grid’ Holiday Units and erection of replacement stores/housekeeping building; installation of PV panels, upgrading of existing assess and track; New low-impact parking area and foul drainage - Location Land at Ling Road, Palgrave, Suffolk - Revised site layout plan and landscaping report received 16/4/2021 - After discussion it was agreed that the Parish Council maintain its OBJECTION in support of Palgrave Parish Council. Proposed SW, seconded CW, unanimously approved.
12. To Consider, Discuss and Review Meeting Locations and Dates for the Remaining Part of 2021
Due to changes in the legislation, virtual meetings will no longer be able to take place after 7th May 2021. Changes in social distancing are currently due to change, no earlier than 21st June. It was therefore agreed that the June meeting should now take place on the 22nd and not 15th, and be held at Wortham Village Hall. The meeting scheduled for 27th July will also now take place in Wortham Village Hall. Clerk to contact Mike Burgess, carry out a risk assessment and adopt the current Covid-19 restrictions that are in place at the time. Unanimously agreed.
13. To Consider, Discuss and Agree to Repair Work Being Carried Out at Post Office Track
It has been reported that some of the grasscrete along the Post Office track is damaged. Clerk to contact Waterfields for a quote and report back at the June meeting.
14. Accounts
14.1 Account Balances as at 26th April 2021
- Current Account: 37342.72
- Reserves Account: 47358.12
- Commons Account: 6046.29
14.2 Account Payments
- Came & Co Insurance 2021/2022: 988.20
- Jane Wright April Expenses: 101.45
- Niki Hinton May Salary: 102.37
- Jane Wright May Salary: 403.20
14.3 Direct Debit Payments
- EDF Energy Electricity: 309.00
- O2 Mobile Phone: 27.11
14.4 Account Receipts
- MSDC Precept 21/22: 8925.01
- MSDC CIL Payment: 7143.03
- MSDC Parish Grant: 259.00
- HMRC VAT Refund: 643.37
It was proposed that all payments were approved en bloc - Proposed CG, seconded RT - unanimously approved
15. To Receive and Discuss Items/Reports from Committees, Groups and Councillors
- Playing Fields Committee - update on Play Equipment see 15.8. Councillor Odams has made enquiries into the costings for equipment to assist in the repairs to the track at the Village Hall. Funds are available from the Locality Award received in 2020 which can be used for this purpose. It was agreed to purchase a further 20 ton of planings in order for the work to be completed.
- Commons Committee - Nothing to report
- Planning Committee - Nothing to report
- Finance Representative - Finances have been reviewed, and everything is in order.
- Employment Committee - Nothing to report
- New Village Hall Working Group - To date, no further meetings have taken place, although Councillor Hovey and Wright met with Councillor Odams, Cole and the clerk to view the Sports Pavilion. It was agreed to seek professional advice on possible improvements/alterations etc.
- Terms of Reference Working Group - The revised Terms of Reference have now been circulated to all Committee Chairs for review. Deferred to the June meeting.
- PIIP Working Group - The working group has now met twice, once formally and once informally. It was agreed to prioritise projects and collate a list of village assets. This is now work in progress, and will be reviewed at the June meeting. The list of priorities includes new Playground Equipment, the car park/track at Wortham Primary School, Village Hall/Pavilion upgrade and the possible development of some affordable housing. Councillor Bradley proposed that £17,000 be made available to complete the Play area, seconded DL - agreed unanimously.
Councillors - Councillor Bradley advised that the litter pick will be arranged to coincide with the Great British Spring Clean, between 28th May - 13th June. Councillor Wright informed the Parish Council that the gutter on the bus shelter near to the Primary School has become loose - Councillor Cole to check and possibly carry out remedial repairs.
16. Correspondence Received
An area of Common Land has been offered for sale and interest from the Parish Council has been shown. The cost of the land being offered is £3,000. After a lengthy discussion it was considered to only be worth a figure in the region of £800 plus the cost involved. JB proposed that the Parish Council offer £800, CW seconded - agreed unanimously. Clerk to contact the seller.
An email had been circulated to Councillors from The River Waveney Trust regarding septic tank management. Clerk to contact and invite The Trust to give a presentation.
Correspondence relating to the Welcome Back Fund had been circulated to Councillors and it was agreed that the Playing Field is in need of attention. Clerk to make contact with MSDC to register an interest in the Fund.
An email had been received showing interest in a local under 9’s football club using the small football pitch. Councillor Ling advised that the Saturday Football Sessions, run by local parents had been a great success and had had a lot of attendance. Despite the interest, it was not considered compliant with current restriction guidelines, so has ceased again for the time being, but will recommence once guidelines change. Clerk to advise that the small football pitch is not currently available for hire.
An email from Community Energy inviting Councillors to attend a webinar was circulated and Councillor Wright advised that she has signed up to attend.
17. To Receive Items for the Next Agenda
Oak Trees, Burgate, Terms of Reference, Post Office Track
18. Date and Time of Next Meeting
Tuesday 22nd June 7.30pm at Wortham Village Hall
19. Meeting Close
9.05pm