Chair’s Welcome and to Consider and Approve Apologies for Absence
Cllr Wright welcomed everyone to the meeting, and apologies received from Cllr Castle, Cllr Beckett-Doyle, and Cllr Judd were approved unanimously.
To Approve the Draft Minutes of the Previous Parish Council Meetings
- Parish Council Meeting held on 3rd February 2026 – approval proposed by Cllr Williams, seconded by Cllr Piper and approved unanimously.
- Village Maintenance Committee Meeting held on 25th November 2025 – approval proposed by Cllr Wright, seconded by Cllr Piper, and approved unanimously with 3 abstentions (councillors who were not present at the meeting).
To Record Declarations of Interest from Members in Any Item to Be Discussed
Cllr Bradley and Cllr Neve both proposed a pecuniary interest against agenda item 14.
To Consider Dispensations from Members in Any Item to Be Discussed
It was agreed for Cllr Bradley and Cllr Neve to participate in the discussion for agenda item 14, but refrain from voting.
To Adjourn the Meeting for Public Participation
7:17pm
- To receive residents’ questions or comments – None.
- To receive reports from the District and County Councillors – No report received from Cllr Fleming. Cllr Warboys read through his report which can be found as Appendix 1.
To Reconvene the Meeting
7:34pm
To Receive the Chair’s Report
Cllr Canty has resigned with immediate effect. There are now four casual vacancies.
To Receive the Clerk’s Report & O/S Actions from the Last Meeting (For Information Only)
- Local Government Reorganisation Consultation – no comment made as no feedback received from councillors.
- Adrian Ramsay MP is hosting a Sustainable Communities Conference on Friday 13 March, 9.00am–3.00pm, at the Corn Hall in Diss. The conference will focus on two key themes: nature recovery and community energy. Registration will be via Eventbrite, and we will circulate the booking link in the coming weeks.
- Steve Reed, the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, has withdrawn his decision to postpone the council elections of 30 local councils due to take place in May 2026. This means that both Suffolk County Council and Ipswich Borough Council elections will go ahead as scheduled.
- A reporter from the Diss Express has asked if the Council would like to make a comment regarding figures released stating over 450 drivers were caught speeding on the A143 in Wortham in the last year. Councillors asked the clerk to respond with a comment stating they are very pleased that the speeding is being addressed.
- Cllr Fleming has advised that the lorry watch scheme she suggested regarding the numbers of HGVs using Mellis road, is unlikely to be an option because the road would need to be designated as unsuitable for HGVS.
To Consider, Agree and/or Note New Planning Applications
- To consider – DC/26/00187 – Householder Application – Alterations to existing garage to form new annex and erection of new cart lodge. Oak Wood house, Long Green, Wortham, IP22 RD. Councillors agreed they have no comment against this application.
- To receive an update – DC/25/04756 – Householder Application – Proposed ground floor shower room extension. Beehive Cottage, The Ling, Wortham, IP22 1ST – GRANTED.
- To receive an update – DC/25/04757 – Application for Listed Building Consent – Proposed ground floor shower room extension. Beehive Cottage, The Ling, Wortham, IP22 1ST – GRANTED.
- To receive an update – DC/25/03103 - Application under S73a for Removal or Variation of a Condition following grant of Planning Permission DC/18/01083 dated 07/07/18 Town and Country Planning Act 1990 (as amended) Conversion of outbuilding and erection of extension to create annexed accommodation – to vary Condition 4 (Occupation Restriction) to allow for the use of the residential annexe as a holiday let when not required as an annexe. New Waters Farm, Bury Road, Wortham, IP22 1QH – GRANTED.
- To receive an update – DC/25/03257 – Planning Application – Construction of ground mounted solar panel arrays and associated infrastructure which will have the ability to export 49.9MW (AC) electricity. Construction of new vehicular access (EIA Development). Land at Stone Cottages, Bury Road, Botesdale, IP22 1QH – AWAITING DECISION.
- To receive an update on Oak Trees Burgate – NO UPDATE.
EN0110019 EcoPower Suffolk Solar Project EIA Scoping Notification
Councillors agreed unanimously that they do not wish to comment.
Wortham Pavilion Improvements
Cllr Wright provided the following updates:
- The work to the showers has been completed, the loos/sinks are still to be done.
- The work to move the kitchen into the main meeting room is being started tomorrow. The cost of the kitchen units has increased by £80.00 plus VAT. Cllr Warboys has kindly already provided funding from his locality budget, so this shortfall will need to be paid by the council. A lock will be fitted to the unit drawers to address safety requirements. The electrician will have the electrical work completed by the end of March. The fire alarm testing needs to be updated.
- The architect has conducted an initial survey, and provided an invoice of £1,100.00 plus VAT for the next step to produce an initial concept design. This will be ready for consideration by the council at the March meeting. Mark Gleeson from the Village Hall Committee is aware, and will be invited to have sight of the plans in order to provide feedback.
Wortham Post Office Track
The work is due to start on the 23rd of March 2026. The Post Office is aware.
Illegal Grazing of the Common
PC Sophie Buckle has requested a meeting to discuss continued concerns of the ponies currently being grazed without permission. Complaints have been received from two members of the public and forwarded to her. Signage stating permission has not been provided needs to be installed before PC Buckle can look at taking action.
Councillors discussed signage and agreed to install permanent signage, feeling that the laminated signage is likely to be vandalised or removed. Cllr Wright will seek quotations for consideration at the next meeting.
Quotations for Cutting of the Common and Capital Works
Cllr Wright proposed Rufus Bradley be instructed to carry out the ditch and pond work, up to a maximum spend of £2,000.00. Seconded by Cllr Piper, and approved unanimously with two abstentions.
Cllr Williams proposed proceeding with the quotation of £1,600.00 from Mr Neve to cut the common, seconded by Cllr Piper and approved unanimously with two abstentions. This will be done around the ponies, and the permitted cutting timeframe checked.
Wortham Primary School Working Group Update
No update.
Village Maintenance Committee Update
The access track to the pavilion is full of pot holes, and needs to be addressed. Quotations to tarmac the access will be sought and presented for consideration at the next meeting. The area covered will be up to the pavilion. Should residents request the track be tarmacked to include the access up to their properties, they will need to cover the cost themselves.
Spring Litter Pick 2026
Cllr Bradley to organise once the weather has improved.
Accounts
Account Balances as of 12th February 2026
- Current Account £58,659.45
- Reserves Account £75,689.10
- Commons Account £10,283.80
Account Payments
- Safe & Sound inv. 11609 Mole control £60.00
- February admin J. Challis and N. Hinton salaries (incl. holiday pay) £1,709.14
- Wortham Village Hall Pavilion window cleaning Sept/Nov 25 £40.00
Direct Debit Payments
- HSBC Bank charges Jan £8.00
Additional Payments
- Steve Frost, inv 907 Pavilion repairs – showers £3,863.32
- CK Architectural, inv 1191396-0553 Step 2 – concept/feasibility designs for pavilion £1,320.00
Cllr Bradley proposed approval of the above payments en bloc, seconded by Cllr Piper and approved unanimously.
To Receive and Discuss Items from Committees / Working Groups
- Playing Field Committee – The committee needs to meet.
- Commons Committee – nothing further to report.
- Finance Representative – nothing to report.
- Employment Committee – nothing to report.
- Planning Committee – nothing further to report.
- Redevelopment of the Pavilion Working Group – nothing further to report.
- Village Maintenance Committee – nothing further to report.
- VHMC – nothing to report.
- Rights of Way – still need to someone to represent Wortham.
- Councillors – nothing.
Correspondence Received
All covered elsewhere on the agenda.
To Receive Items for the Next Agenda
As per the agenda.
The Next Meeting
The next meeting will be held on 17th March 2026, at 7:15pm in Wortham Pavilion.
Meeting Close – 8:27pm.