Minutes of the Parish Council Meeting
Held on Tuesday 7th September 2021 at Wortham Village Hall at 7.30pm
- Councillors present
- Barry Cole (Chair), Chris Grocott, Ian Hovey, David Ling, Jenny Piper, Richard Thornton, Tom White, Chris Williams and Sue Wright
- In attendance
- Councillor Fleming, Councillor Warboys, 2 members of the public and Jane Wright (Clerk)
1. To consider accepting apologies for absence
Councillor Bradley - Unwell and Councillor Odams - Work commitment - Unanimously accepted.
2. To approve the minutes of previous Parish Council meetings
- July Parish Council Meeting Minutes - Proposed IH, seconded SW - Unanimously approved
3. To record declarations of Interest from members in any item to be discussed
Councillor Ling Item 13 Personal and prejudicial - Councillor Ling to stay in meeting.
4. To consider dispensations from members in any item to be discussed
None
5. To adjourn the meeting for public participation
7.35pm
- To receive residents' questions or comments - A resume from Carl Baker had been circulated to all Councillors prior to the meeting. Proposed CG, seconded JP and unanimously agreed to co-opt Carl Baker as a Councillor for Wortham.
- To receive reports from District and County Councillors - Councillor Warboys gave a resume of his report which had been circulated to Councillors prior to the meeting. Appendix 1 Councillor Fleming's report was also circulated prior to the meeting - Appendix 2. Councillor Fleming brought to the attention of Councillors that an Energy Showcase is to be held in October. Details to be forwarded to the Clerk.
6. To reconvene the meeting
7.48pm
7. To receive the Chairman's report
Nothing to report
8. To receive the Clerks report & o/s actions from the last meeting
Contact has been made with Waterfields regarding the repairs to the Post Office Track. Clerk has been advised that this work will be reviewed whilst Waterfields are working in the village. Clerk to follow up.
The window at the Sports Pavilion has been broken. The broken glass has been cleared, 2 contractors have provided quotes and it has been agreed to go ahead with ABS. As the quote is for £460 and the insurance excess is £400 it has also been agreed (PC Chair and PFC Chair) that no insurance claim will be made.
NGF Play have been contacted with regards to the new play equipment. Due to timber supply problems it is not likely that the installation will commence until at least November. However, with the possibility of inclement weather, this is more likely to be early spring.
A meeting of the Playing Fields Committee is scheduled for 29th September. Clerk has been in contact with Councillor Odams (PFC Chair) and it has been asked if this can now be held on 30th September at 6pm. Clerk to confirm with Councillor Bradley, however, all other Committee members in agreement.
A request from Tim Gaddis has been received to tidy up the shrub area around the entrance to the Playing Field. No price could be provided as he was unsure how long this would take. This will be added to the Playing Fields Committee Agenda and discussed on 30th September.
9. To consider, agree and/or note new planning applications
- To receive an update on a re-consultation for planning permission DC/20/05763 - Use of land for the siting of 4no ‘Off-Grid’ Holiday Units and erection of replacement stores/housekeeping building; installation of PVpanels, upgrading of existing access 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 - NO UPDATE - Deferred by MSDC Committee to a later date. Councillor Warboys to advise of the new date when available
- To receive an update on Oak Trees, Burgate. NO UPDATE
- To receive an update on application - DC/21/03350 - Application under S73 of the Town and Country Planning Act for - Variation of Condition 2 (Approved Plans and Documents) of DC/19/04895 dated 04/12/2019 (Conversion of 3No agricultural barns into 3No dwellings with associated internal and external alterations, vehicular accesses, new detached garage, partial removal of old farm shed and rebuilding of north addition to barn 1.) To allow new scheme and phasing:- WDF/01E; 12F; 13G; 16E; & 25 to replace WDF/01D; 12E; 13D; 16C Location: Dashes Farm, Low Road, Wortham, Suffolk IP22 1SQ - GRANTED
- To receive an update on application for Listed Building Consent - DC/21/03331 Conversion of 3no agricultural barns into 2no dwellings with associated internal and external alterations. Removal of farm shed. Location: Dashes Farm, Low Road, Wortham, Suffolk IP22 1SQ - GRANTED
- To receive an update on application for planning permission- DC/21/03688 - Replacement of septic tank. Location: Willow Corner Cottage, Church Road, Wortham, Suffolk IP22 1PS - GRANTED
- To consider, discuss and agree on comments regarding new application for planning permission - DC/21/04835 - Erection of three bay cartlodge. Location: Pollard Tree Farmhouse, The Ling, Wortham, IP22 1ST - After discussion it was agreed the Parish Council had NO COMMENT to make on this application. Proposed SW, seconded IH, unanimously agreed.
- To consider, discuss and agree on comments regarding new application for Planning Application - Erection of single storey commercial glasshouse. Location: Howard and Kooij Nurseries, Bury Road, Wortham IP22 1PX - A representative from Howard and Kooij Nurseries gave Councillors an overview of the proposed application. Proposed SW, seconded JP and unanimously agreed to SUPPORT this application.
10. To consider, discuss and agree to an Electricity Supplier for the Sports Pavilion for 2021/2022
The Clerk circulated prices from the current supplier (EDF Energy) together with quotes from EON and Scottish Power. Proposed SW, seconded RT that the 2 year quote from EON be accepted. Clerk to contact EDF Energy to terminate the current contract.
11. To agree to new meeting dates for 2022
The list of dates/venues circulated prior to the meeting were unanimously approved.
12. Accounts
- Account Balances as at 30th August 2021
- Current Account 11,757.53
- Reserves Account 64,410.32
- Commons Account 6,046.49
- Account payments
- Tim Gaddis (Inv 199) Grass Mowing/Moles 340.00
- Tim Gaddis(Inv 202) Grass Mowing/Moles 275.00
- Niki Hinton September Salary 97.50
- Jane Wright August Expenses 64.26
- Jane Wright September Salary 395.50
- Firesite Fire Check at Sports Pavilion 132.00
- Direct debit payments
- O2 Mobile Phone (August) 27.48
- EDF Energy Electricity (August) 309.00
- O2 Mobile Phone (September) 27.48
- EDF Energy Electricity (September) 309.00
- Account Receipts
- Wortham Lawn Tennis Club Electricity Invoice 298.81
- EDF Energy Electricity Refund 633.62
Any additional payment requests prior to the meeting
- Tim Gaddis (Inv 205) Grass Mowing 135.00
- Wortham Village Hall Hall Hire July Meeting 22.00
It was proposed that all payments were approved en bloc - Proposed CW, Seconded IH - unanimously approved
13. To consider, discuss and agree to the Proposed Diversion of parts of Wortham Footpaths 21 & 22
The footpaths in question have been an issue for some time. After discussion, it was agreed that the Parish Council would support the proposed diversion with the conditions that the path is maintained, trees are kept in-situ, the path is fenced with appropriate fencing and signage. It was also suggested that the developer be asked to plant trees under the Queens Green Canopy Scheme. Proposed CG, seconded TW, unanimously agreed (excluding Councillor Ling)
14. To receive an update on the Asset of Community Value for The Manor House, Wortham
Councillor Hovey has made enquiries regarding the ACV and it is suggested that CAMRA (Campaign for Real Ale) would support the application. Further update to follow.
15. To receive and discuss items from Committees / Working Groups
- Playing Field Committee - A Playing Fields Committee meeting is scheduled for 30th September. A return to Football matches is ruled out as the playing area is not considered safe due to mole hills and rabbits.
- Commons Committee - Clerk to arrange a meeting of the Commons Committee
- Finance Representative - a 6 monthly review has taken place and everything is in order. Councillor Wright to make enquiries with banking associations due to the impending changes due to take place with HSBC’s charges for community accounts.
- Employment Committee - Nothing to report
- Planning Committee - Clerk to arrange a meeting of the Planning Committee
- New Village Hall Working Group - a meeting with the working group and Ed Thuell (Architect) is being arranged to discuss requirements prior to arranging the feasibility study.
- Terms of Reference Working Group - It was unanimously agreed to adopt the updated Terms of Reference.
- PIIP Working Group - PIIP to be reviewed by all Councillors and brought back to the next meeting.
- Platinum Jubilee Celebrations Working Group - The Steel Band is booked for the celebrations planned for June 2nd 2022. Clerk to contact Parish News to add a ‘save the date’ for 2nd June 2022.
16. To receive and discuss items / reports from Committees, Groups and Councillors
- VHMC - Rates being reduced to encourage long-term users back following all lockdown/covid restrictions. The paper bank is now in place and being collected on a fortnightly basis. Hand sanitizer and temperature station now in place.
- Rights of Way – The plastic leaflet holder box outside the Post Office has broken. Councillor Grocott to purchase a replacement.
- Councillors: - Councillor White asked if a footbridge could be considered between the common and the playing field (currently 2 planks of wood). Item to be added to the next Commons Committee agenda. Councillor Baker asked if access to the toilets at the Sports Pavilion was possible for large groups/children using the Playing Field. Item to be added to the Playing Fields Committee agenda.
17. Correspondence received
An email has been received from a resident along Post Office Row raising concerns about parking and the state of repair of the track. It was suggested that the track does not belong to the Parish Council and that signs could be placed referring to access and no parking etc by residents. Clerk to make enquiries as to the ownership of the track and add as an item on the Commons Committee meeting agenda
18. To receive items for the next agenda
Footbridge, The Oaks
19. Date & time of next meeting
26th October 2021 at 7.30pm - To be held at Wortham Village Hall.
20. Meeting Close
8.46pm
District Councillor’s Report for Gilsingham Ward
Mellis, Gislngham, Thornham, Wortham & Burgate, Wickham Skeith Parish Councils Sept 2021 - Appendix 1
Afghan refugees Following the Government announcement of its new resettlement scheme for Afghan refugees, councils in Suffolk, including MSDC, have expressed their commitment to assist. We have already helped a small number of Afghan interpreters and their families to resettle in Suffolk. There will be ongoing work to support unaccompanied asylum-seeking children and other refugees entering the UK. You can read the statement in full here and a Suffolk County Council webpage has been created in the event of offers of help from towns and parishes.
Meetings On Wed. 18th Aug Cllr Matthew Hicks (Cons) chaired Development Committee A where the Hybrid Application for the phased employment-led redevelopment of Land at Mill Lane, Stowmarket (Gateway 14) was decided. Gateway 14 is the largest logistics and business park development site in East Anglia on 160 acres of farmland, designated for future employment use. Gateway 14 Ltd is owned by Mid Suffolk District Council (Mid Suffolk) who are investing at least £37M of borrowed money in the project. They are both the Applicant and granter of appropriate planning permission (although they have the power to defer this to another body should they elect to). This development has much community support, but concerns had been raised because of the divergence from the initial consultation and the ambition for the development to be exemplar in terms of energy and environment use and the stimulus to local industry. Some concessions were made on landscaping and future maintenance and a financial commitment towards community and recreational facilities before the proposal was passed.
Meetings There are no signs that the Government will renew the legislation to enable virtual or hybrid meetings. Committee meetings are being held in the Council Chamber and it is anticipated that the full Council meeting on 23 September will be held in the Chamber. Staff are continuing to work from home but, when necessary, access to workspace in Endeavour House can be booked by staff and councillors.
Taxi licensing – no encouragement given to switch to electric vehicles The Conservative administration missed the opportunity to improve Mid Suffolk’s environmental credentials when they put forward a new taxi licensing policy at the Council’s recent Licensing Committee. Despite the fact that no new diesel or petrol car can be purchased after 2030, the ten year policy included no provisions to encourage cab drivers to move to electric vehicles and contained none of the incentives other councils use. The policy, without mention of any efforts to reduce emissions, was approved on the Chair’s casting vote.
Solar Carport in Stowmarket MSDC has let a contract for the construction of a solar carport in the Stowmarket Leisure Centre car park; works are expected to begin shortly and be complete by spring 2022. More than half of the cost is being met from the Government’s Getting Building Fund.
Compost Giveaway I just wanted to update you on the compost giveaway events ahead of planned comms in coming weeks on our website and social media. The dates and locations for the events are confirmed as: Saturday 11th September - Old staff car park, Bridge Street, Hadleigh Sunday 19th September - Needham Lake, Coddenham Road, Needham Market The events will in essence be 'drive through' events so that we can operate in as safe a way as possible for staff and the public. Each site will operate a managed one way system, and each vehicle will be allowed a maximum of two bags of compost. If a visitor has to leave their vehicle, for example to open the boot, this will be done in line with social distancing, and then the compost will be placed in the boot, along with information on home composting, garden waste collections and material change who produce the compost.
Locality Awards
New grants available now for 2021/22. Open to groups with projects that provide a clear and tangible benefit to the community. Full information available using the link or contact me to discuss your project. https://www.midsuffolk.gov.uk/communities/grants-and-funding/locality-awards-2021-22/
All party workshops
These are the proposals put forward by the Green and Liberal Democrat Group – no responses have been received.
- £1m should be directed to exemplar zero-carbon housing projects, in particular selecting those that can be delivered within a 2-year timeframe using innovative techniques. We also propose that a set of Suffolk specific designs and specifications be drawn up and used for these developments, and then made open-source for small-scale developers and self-builders to use. The intention is that more housing will be delivered at social rents.
- Up to £1m should be used to improve the delivery of our planning services, to strengthen and train the staff team, and make the department the best in the region. In particular the role of planning enforcement should be enhanced, so that conditions imposed on developers are followed up and implemented in full, thus moving enforcement into a positive, proactive role alongside its current reactive function.
- £1m to be allocated across the District to each Councillor as a locality “super-budget” (£29,400 per Councillor) to be directed as capital funding for innovative and creative projects, drawing on the many ideas proposed in the workshops. This would allow Councillors to fund a diverse range of projects, combining funds where appropriate. Members would provide the direction and decisions on funding, but implementation would be managed by officers or approved partner organisations.
- £1m to be retained for future response to the Covid pandemic as needs arise over the next couple of years.
Mental Health and Wellbeing
At the moment councillors are engaged in a series of briefings and workshops the explore their own and their communities mental health and wellbeing needs. Link: https://www.wellbeingnands.co.uk/suffolk/ Working with Leisure Centre Operators: Everyone Active – an outreach programme is being developed.
Anti-social behaviour
This can take many forms, environmental, physical and mental abuse and the council has dedicated officers to investigate and support victims. It can be reported via the council’s website or please contact me. Link: https://www.midsuffolk.gov.uk/communities/community-safety/anti-social-behaviour-asb/
County Councillor Report
Sept. 2021 Wortham & Burgate Parish Council Appendix 2
Councillor Jessica Fleming, Hartismere Division, Suffolk Jessica.fleming@suffolk.gov.uk Tel: 07714-597980 Twitter: @jesstfleming
Suffolk and COP26 - Events are planned across Suffolk in the lead up to COP26 as part of the Greenest County campaign and aspiration to achieve net zero by 2030. For instance:
- 12 October – Ten Steps to Net Zero (Suffolk Chamber of Commerce)
- 21-22 October – Local Energy Showcase (Babergh and Mid Suffolk District Council)
- 12 November – Greenest County Awards (Suffolk County Council)
- 23-25 November – Low Carbon Homes
All events are subject to change, visit www.greensuffolk.org for the latest details and information
Boundary Commission Changes - Boundary Commission has published its final recommendations and consultation for changes to Suffolk electoral boundaries for the 2025 elections: Under these proposed arrangements county councillor numbers would reduce from 75 to 70 and there would be closer numeric equivalence in representation. No changes are proposed for the Hartismere Division. https://www.lgbce.org.uk/all-reviews/eastern/suffolk/suffolk-county-council.
Norfolk & Suffolk Coast & Estuary Conference – takes place on 7th October (virtual medium). The programme will be a mix of 'live' and on demand events with an exhibition area and career's fair to highlight opportunities to students considering a career in flood and coastal change management. https://www.coasteast.org.uk/norfolk-suffolk-coast-estuary-conference
Locality Budgets – The County Council locality scheme is now open again for applications. Please get in touch if any local projects need financial support.
Women’s Bike Tour Reminder - The 6th and final stage of the tour runs from Haverhill to Felixstowe via Stowmarket on 9th October, it will be the first time since 2014 that Suffolk has hosted the final stage. The full route can be found here: The Women's Tour | Stage Six
Covid-19 Update – SCC bulletins are available on via the Suffolk County Council website. For updates on the vaccine rollout refer to SNEE NHS COVID-19 Vaccination Service website