Minutes of the Parish Council Meeting of Wortham & Burgate Parish Council held on Tuesday 27th July 2021 at Wortham Village Hall at 7.30pm
- Councillors present
- Barry Cole (Chair), Chris Grocott, Ian Hovey, David Ling, Jenny Piper, Tom White, Chris Williams and Sue Wright
- In attendance
- Councillor Fleming, 3 members of the public, 2 representatives from The River Waveney Trust/Groundworks and Jane Wright (Clerk)
1. To consider accepting apologies for absence
- Councillor Bradley - Self-isolating
- Councillor Odams - Self-isolating
- Councillor Thornton - Previous commitment
Unanimously accepted
2. To approve the minutes of previous Parish Council meetings
- June Parish Council Meeting Minutes - Proposed IH, seconded SW Unanimously approved
3. To record declarations of Interest from members in any item to be discussed
None
4. To consider dispensations from members in any item to be discussed
None
5. To consider to co-opt councillor to fill 1 vacancy on the Parish Council (Wortham)
The prospective candidate was not in attendance
6. To adjourn the meeting for public participation - 7.33pm
- To receive residents' questions or comments - A representative from Wortham Bowls Club informed the Parish Council that the club has had a visit from an Agronomist and they have been advised to install a rabbit fence around the perimeter of the club/green. In principle the Parish Council sees no reason why this cannot go ahead. Councillor Ling is liaise with the Bowls Club.
- To receive reports from District and County Councillors - Councillor Warboys report was circulated to Councillors prior to the meeting. Councillor Warboys was unable to attend and sent his apologies. Appendix 2. Councillor Fleming gave a resume of her report which was also circulated prior to the meeting. Appendix 1
7. To receive a presentation from The River Waveney Trust
Emily Winter from The River Waveney Trust gave an informed presentation about the work carried out by the trust together with Jane Herbert from Groundwork. A link to the presentation can be requested from the Clerk at wandbpc@gmail.com. Councillor Cole thanked Emily and Jane for their very informative presentation.
8. To reconvene the meeting - 8.05pm
9. To receive the Chairman's report
Nothing to report
10. To receive the Clerks report & o/s actions from the last meeting
Enquiries have been made to establish the ownership of the bus shelter on Mellis Road, and this is the property of SCC. A report has been made to Suffolk Highways to advise them of the damaged 30mph sign on the A143 entering Wortham from Bury St Edmunds and this is now a planned repair. The clerk enquired if the daily limit for online banking could be increased in order to pay larger amounts as necessary. It was decided that as a cheque book is available, this was not required. A report was submitted to Suffolk County Council regarding the inaccessible fire hydrants on Long Green. These do not belong to SCC or the water authorities. Clerk to contact the Fire Service.
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 - GRANTED
- 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 PV panels, 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
- 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 - NO UPDATE
- 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 - NO UPDATE
- 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 - NO UPDATE
12. Accounts
12.1 Account Balances as at 19th July 2021
- Current Account 23887.32
- Reserves Account 64409.77
- Commons Account 6046.44
12.2 Account payments
- Wortham Village Hall Hire of Hall for June PC meeting 22.00
- Wortham Village Hall Reimburse PAT testing for Pavilion 27.50
- Tim Gaddis (Inv 182) Playing Field mow, strim & weed spraying 135.00
- Niki Hinton July Salary 97.50
- Niki Hinton August Salary 97.50
- Jane Wright June Expenses 81.19
- Jane Wright July Salary 395.50
- Jane Wright July Expenses 55.00
- Jane Wright August Salary 395.50
- NGF Play Ltd Play Equipment Deposit (cheque number 100002) 11169.60
- Tim Gaddis (Inv 191) Playing Field mowing 135.00
12.3 Direct debit payments
- O2 Mobile Phone (July) 27.48
- EDF Energy Electricity (July) 309.00
12.4 Account Receipts
- MSDC Restart Grant 8000.00
Any additional payment requests prior to the meeting
- Wave Water (Pavilion) 662.45
It was proposed that all payments were approved en bloc - Proposed SW, Seconded IH - unanimously approved
13. To receive and discuss items from Committees / Working Groups
- Playing Field Committee - Nothing to report
- Commons Committee - Nothing to report
- Finance Representative - A half-yearly review is due to take place at the end of August
- Employment Committee - Nothing to report
- Planning Committee - Nothing to report
- New Village Hall Working Group - A meeting of the New Village Hall committee has taken place. Enquiries have been made with the Planning Inspectorate and it was proposed that a sum of up to £1,000 be made available to carry out a feasibility study. Proposed IH, Seconded TW agreed unanimously.
- Terms of Reference Working Group - The latest version of the Terms of Reference have now been forwarded to the Clerk. These will be circulated to all Councillors for approval and adoption at the September meeting.
- PIIP Working Group - The PIIP (Parish Infrastructure Investment Plans) have now been drawn up and will be forwarded to the Clerk. These will then be circulated to all Councillors for approval and adoption at the September meeting
- Platinum Jubilee Celebrations Working Group - It has been agreed that celebrations for the Platinum Jubilee will take place on Thursday 2nd June 2022. Enquiries have been made for Steel Band to play on the day, Pop-up bar and Hog Roast, themed table competition, traditional games. Community groups are to be contacted. The celebration is being organised as a Funday not a Fundraiser. It was proposed that up to £2,000 be made available for the event (2022/2023 Budget) Proposed DL, Seconded JP unanimously agreed
14. To receive and discuss items / reports from Committees, Groups and Councillors
- VHMC - Next meeting due to take place 29th July 2021
- Rights of Way – Footpaths are being maintained, albeit some only annually as they not classed as ‘essential’
- Councillors: - Councillor Wright asked that the flashing lights outside Wortham Primary School are chased up - Clerk to contact Highways Department
15. Correspondence received
An email had been received from a resident from Post Office Row with regard to the pot holes along the roadway leading to the properties. The land in question is not owned by the Parish Council. Clerk to contact and advise of ownership
16. To receive items for the next agenda
PIIP, Terms of Reference to be adopted, Platinum Celebrations, Oak Trees, New Village Hall
17. Date & time of next meeting
7th September 2021 at 7.30pm - To be held at Wortham Village Hall.
18. Meeting Close
9.05pm
County Councillor Report Appendix 1
July 2021
Wortham & Burgate Parish Council
Councillor Jessica Fleming, Hartismere Division, Suffolk
jessica.fleming@suffolk.gov.uk Tel: 07714-597980 Twitter: @jesstfleming
Independent Review of Suffolk County Council’s SEND services - A multi-agency team from Lincolnshire is carrying out an independent review into Special Education Needs and Disabilities provision to be published in September. About 18,000 young people use SEND services, including 5,900 with Education Health and Care Plans, about twice the 2014 number. To input to the review please share experiences of the of the SCC SEND services by email prior to mid August to SendReview@suffolk.gov.uk.
Suffolk Recycling Centres Update – Post July 19th social distancing requirements at recycling sites are being relaxed, as are some other limitations such as the 2-axel trailer rule Please refer to the accompanying flyer: Bookings can be made online via https://suffolkrecycling.org.uk/where-to-recycle/recycling-centres/suffolk-recycling-centres-booking-page or by calling 0345 606 6067. Further changes are planned after 16th August.
Locality Budgets – The County Council locality scheme is now open again for applications. Please get in touch if any local projects need financial support.
Progress Power, Eye and Mellis – After several years dormancy, minor works commenced on the main site near Eye on 28th June 2021. Information about the project is on https://www.drax.com/about-us/our-projects/progress-power/ A Community Liaison Group is being set up and nearby parishes have been invited to join.
West Suffolk Hospital Trust New Build – The SCC Health Scrutiny Committee has an observer role on plans for the replacement of WSH by a new hospital, the preferred (adjacent) location is Hardwick Manor. The Trust is encouraging communities to engage and a second phase of public outreach will begin in the autumn. Refer to https://www.wsh.nhs.uk/New-healthcare-facility/
Womens Bike Tour - 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 – The Prime Minister has announced that step 4 of the easing of COVID restrictions in England is to go ahead, from Monday (19th July). 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
District Councillor’s Report for Gislingham Ward: Mellis, Gislingham, Thornham, Wortham & Burgate, Wickham Skeith Parish Council’s
APPENDIX 2
June 2021
Meetings
The full council meeting scheduled for July 22nd has been cancelled as the council chamber at Endeavour house is too small to comply with Covid related business regulations. Other council meetings continue as planned, with briefings and workshops being hosted on-line whenever possible.
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/
B&MSDC LCWIP (Local cycling and Infrastructure Plan)
To the online consultation: over 1,800 comments made. Next Stages: Initial analysis of all responses received will determine what kind of interventions are needed, and categorise them into one of the following three actions:
- An issue (an immediate problem or defect) that needs reporting to SCC Highways for repair or attention
- An issue (an immediate problem or defect) that needs reporting to SCC Rights of Way for repair or attention
- Something more significant is required in terms of infrastructure improvement – potentially a suitable location for a scheme
Aims: The key outputs of our LCWIP will be:
- a network plan for walking and cycling which identifies preferred routes and core zones for further development
- a prioritised programme of infrastructure improvements for future investment
- a report which sets out the underlying analysis carried out and provides a narrative which supports the identified improvements and network.
This is supported by and links to Suffolk CC’s LCWIP which can be found here: https://www.suffolk.gov.uk/assets/coronavirus/Advice-on-travel/Local-Cycling-and-Walking-Infrastructure-Plan-for-Suffolk.pdf
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.
Temporary Campsites
Last year the Government introduced a temporary permitted development right which allows for the temporary use of land (by the owner) as a commercial campsite for up to 56 days, without the need to apply for planning permission. This allows businesses across the tourism and hospitality sectors to establish temporary ‘pop up’ campsites on their land to meet additional demand. The Government would like to see more of these businesses taking advantage of this opportunity over the summer, so is encouraging local planning authorities to take a flexible and proportionate approach to the enforcement of planning controls, including restrictions through planning conditions on existing campsites. This guidance from the Government applies from now through to the end of October this year.
Waste Collection services
These continue to be disrupted. There are various issues chief amongst them is a shortage of HGV drivers, there have also been technical issues with the vehicles and a much higher demand than usual for garden waste collections. Weekend collections are being made to catch up and the advice continues to be to leave the bins out and eventually they will be collected.
Mental Health and Wellbeing
At the moment councillors are engaged in a series of workshops the explore their own and their communities mental health and wellbeing needs. In particular neurodiversity and managing stress.
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.
MSDC Councillor Rowland Warboys
rowland.warboys@midsuffolk.gov.uk Tel. 01379 783412 Mobile: 07484 186121