- Councillors present
- Jacky Bradley, Sue Wright, Chris Williams, Chris Grocott, Carl Baker, Nick Castle, Jenny Piper, Mike Odams, Ian Hovey, Richard Thornton
- In attendance
- 4 members of the public, DC Cllr Warboys and Jane Challis (Clerk)
1. Chair’s Welcome and to Consider and Approve Apologies for Absence
Vice Chair Cllr Bradley chaired the meeting due to Cllr Cole’s absence, and welcomed everyone including the members of the public. Apologies were accepted unanimously for Cllr Cole (unwell), and Cllr Ling (prior commitment).
2. To Approve the Draft Minutes of the Previous Parish Council Meeting
- Parish Council Meeting held on Tuesday 21st June 2022 – Approval proposed by Cllr Williams; seconded by Cllr Grocott and approved unanimously with three abstentions (councillors who were not present at the meeting).
- Planning Committee Meeting held on Tuesday 21st June 2022 – Approval proposed by Cllr Wright; seconded by Cllr Castle and approved with 8 abstentions (councillors who were not present at the meeting).
3. To Record Declarations of Interest from Members in Any Item to Be Discussed
None declared
4. To Consider Dispensations from Members in Any Item to Be Discussed
None declared
5. To Adjourn the Meeting for Public Participation – 7:35pm
- To receive residents' questions or comments – two members of the public were present regarding agenda item 10.5; amended application DC/22/02774 Land North of Willow Corner Cottage, Church Road, Wortham. They expressed concern over whether the council had taken note of their objection comments detailed on the MSDC planning portal, when the original application had been discussed. They said they had also emailed their comments to the Clerk, but the Clerk advised they had not been received. There was a discussion and Cllr Wright explained that the council had seen no reason to object to the original application, and would view their comments when considering the amended application.
- To receive reports from District & County Councillors – CC Cllr Fleming’s report can be found at the end of the minutes; Appendix 1. DC Cllr Warboys read highlights from his report, which had been sent to councillors in advance of the meeting; Appendix 2. Cllr Piper asked if the Empty Homes Policy applies to privately owned properties, and if so, she would like to report a property within the parish that has sat empty for 18 months. Cllr Piper said she has previously reported it to Orwell Housing but no action has been taken. DC Cllr Warboys confirmed the policy applies to any unoccupied property, not just properties owned by BMSDC. He asked Cllr Piper to forward the details to him. There being no further questions, Cllr Bradley thanked DC Cllr Warboys for his report.
6. To Reconvene the Meeting – 7:49pm
Cllr Bradley proposed moving to agenda item 9 for which two members of the public were present. Approved unanimously.
9. New Village Hall Working Group – Permission to Seek Legal Advice
Following a meeting of the Working Group on 20th July 2022, attended by Cllr Wright, Cllr Hovey, the Clerk and two members of the Village Hall Committee, it was decided that there is a need to explore the Deed of Trust further to ascertain whether it allows the Parish Council to redevelop the site into affordable housing for rental only, to local qualifying residents. The Clerk had suggested approaching Ashtons Legal in Diss, having previously dealt with them in relation to property matters. Two members of the public present, who were also at the Working Party meeting as members of the Village Hall Committee, explained further that when the Trust was originally set up it was in the context of the village hall being sold off altogether as a village asset, and not for redevelopment. Cllr Wright proposed approving spending of up to £1,000.00 to seek clarification on the Trust Deed with Ashtons Legal. Seconded by Cllr Castle and approved unanimously.
Action: Clerk to contact Ashtons Legal as above
7:57pm two members of the public left the meeting.
7. To Receive the Chairman’s Report
No report due to Cllr Cole’s absence.
8. To Receive the Clerk’s Report & O/S Actions from the Last Meeting (For Information Only)
Babergh and Mid Suffolk Public Rights of Way Services have sent an order relating to FP21 (part) and FP22 (part) under Highways Act 1980 Section 119; Appendix 3.
BMSDC have advised that they have agreed to formally adopt the Redgrave Neighbourhood Plan: www.midsuffolk.gov.uk/RedgraveNP
An email has been received from SCC following completion of the Recommended Lorry Route Map review. W&B PC responded to the survey citing issues relating to property damage, road safety, and damage to the highway caused by HGV movements. The email advises that SCC have found no evidence to substantiate the issues reported by the council, and therefore there will be no changes to the recommended lorry route map as a result. Councillors discussed the email but unfortunately agreed there is no evidence to send in response. Cllr Thornton suggested contacting Anglian Autoflow Ltd to politely request delivery drivers are asked to avoid certain roads, including Freezen Hill, Union Lane, and Marsh Lane. Councillors agreed with the suggestion.
Action: Clerk to contact Anglian Autoflow Ltd as above
10. To Consider, Agree and/or Note New Planning Applications
- To receive an update on Oak Trees Burgate – NO UPDATE
- To receive an update for APPLICATION FOR OUTLINE PLANNING PERMISSION (Access points to be considered, Appearance, Layout, Landscaping and Scale reserved) Town and Country Planning Act 1990 – Erection of 4 dwellings (re-submission of approved planning permission DC/18/05064). Location: Land at Honeypot Farm, Bury Road, Wortham, Suffolk - GRANTED
- To receive an update for APPLICATION FOR PLANNING PERMISSION – DC/21/05477 Proposal: Full Planning Application – Use of land for stationing of 23 no. holiday lodges and 1 lodge for site manager (renewal of planning permission DC/18/04377) Location: Honey Pot Farm Caravan Park, Bury Road, Wortham, Suffolk, IP22 1PW - REFUSED
- To receive an update for APPLICATION FOR PLANNING PERMISSION – DC/22/02881. Householder Application – Erection of infill extension and installation of dormer window to and conversion of garage to form new annexe. 1 Cherry Tree Close, Wortham, IP22 1QR - GRANTED
- To consider and discuss APPLICATION FOR PLANNING PERMISSION – DC/22/02774. Full Planning Application – Erection of 3No dwellings including new vehicular access, with associated garage and parking, as amended by revised plans and reports received 20th July 2022. Land North of Willow Corner Cottage, Church Road, Wortham. The Planning Committee will view all comments on the planning portal to decide if they wish to add a new comment against the amended application, prior to the deadline of 10th August 2022.
DC/22/01863 – Following Cllr Bradley’s request at the June 2022 meeting for confirmation of the access details regarding this application, the Clerk advised she has spoken to the Planning Officer who has provided a map; Appendix 4.
11. Update on National Grid East Anglia GREEN Energy Enablement
An email has been received from Jo Churchill MP advising that herself and 5 other local MPs met with Greg Hands MP, Minister of State, to outline their concerns, and strong preference for an offshore grid. Jo Churchill MP goes on to say she will continue to work with other members of the OffSET group to raise their concerns and those of the people they represent to Ministers. CC Cllr Fleming also emailed details of a joint united message from Suffolk, Essex and Norfolk County Councils condemning the current proposals.
12. Update on Extending the 30mph Speed Limit on the Mellis Road
No update; deferred to next meeting.
13. Update on Speed Limits within Wortham and Burgate
No update; deferred to next meeting.
14. Update on Missing Signs on Magpie Green
No update; deferred to next meeting.
8:21pm two members of the public left the meeting.
15. MSDC Parish Trees, Hedgerows and Wildflowers Scheme 2022
As part of a biodiversity action plan, and in repeat of the 2021 scheme, MSDC are offering trees and hedging for planting on land with public access, whether owned by a council, parish, or community group. There was a discussion on whether this scheme is appropriate for the parish due to the specific nature of the Commons. Cllr Wright suggested asking Richard Parmee, MSDC Biodiversity Officer whether the council could participate with the wildflower part of the scheme. DC Cllr Warboys said that Richard Parmee specialises in verges so would be able to advise whether this would be appropriate for Wortham or Burgate.
Action: Clerk to contact Richard Parmee for advice as above.
8:30pm DC Cllr Warboys left the meeting
16. Standing Orders
Deferred.
17. Financial Regulations
Deferred.
18. Internal Control Statement
Deferred.
19. To Sign the Completed Neighbourhood CIL Expenditure Report
The Neighbourhood CIL Expenditure report 2021/22 was approved unanimously and signed by Cllr Bradley.
Action: Clerk to submit report to MSDC.
20. Accounts
- Account Balances as at 21st July 2022
- Current Account £20,178.16
- Reserves Account £71,780.21
- Commons Account £7,379.06
- Account Payments
- Jane Challis July Salary 369.95
- HMRC July NIC payment 92.40
- Jane Challis Expenses 8.73
- Niki Hinton July Salary 97.50
- Jane Challis August Salary 369.95
- HMRC August NIC payment 92.40
- Niki Hinton August Salary 97.50
- NGF Play Play equipment maintenance 1113.22
- Safe & Sound Mole Control 60.00
- Burgate Church Hall July hire 24.00
- Wortham Village Hall PAT testing 39.00
- Direct Debit Payments
- O2 Mobile Phone (July) 29.62
- HSBC Bank Charges 8.00
- EON NEXT Pavilion Electricity (June) 272.05
- EON NEXT Pavilion Electricity (July) 271.75
Any additional payments/receipts received prior to the meeting:
- Tim Gaddis Mowing inv. 232 165.00
Proposed by Cllr Hovey that all payments be approved en bloc; seconded by Cllr Piper and approved unanimously.
21. To Receive and Discuss Items from Committees / Working Groups
- Playing Field Committee – an issue with plumbing in the pavilion has been reported by a member of the Tennis Club. Cllr Piper said that she has received a report from a family outside of the parish praising the new play equipment.
- Commons Committee – a meeting was held prior to the start of the main council meeting.
- Finance Representative – Cllr Wright reported that she will be conducting the 6 monthly accounts check at the end of September.
- Employment Committee – nothing to report.
- Planning Committee – nothing further to report.
- New Village Hall Working Group – nothing further to report.
- Platinum Jubilee Celebrations Working Group – Cllr Bradley still needs photos from the event to send to Bruno Peek.
- VHMC – nothing to report.
- Rights of Way – nothing to report.
- Councillors: - Cllr Baker reported that Palgrave Wanders football club have expressed an interest in using the pitch. There was a discussion about the amount to charge with Cllr Bradley confirming that the council previously agreed £35 per game. Cllr Odams advised that if the club wish to use the facilities in the pavilion, the hot water is currently turned off. Cllr Thornton reported that a load of asbestos had been fly tipped in Slade Lane. He reported it to SCC and it has been removed. Cllr Williams said that the Community Action Programme’s bank account has been closed. There is approximately £130.00 which he would like to earmark for a Welcome Pack. Cllr Grocott reported that the verges near Spears Hill need cutting. Cllr Wright asked for an update on the dead willow tree overhanging the road opposite the Manor House. Cllr Williams advised that it was reported to SCC by the Clerk. SCC closed the report stating no action was required, so the Clerk will ask for the report to be reopened.
22. Correspondence Received
An email was received from a resident and shared with councillors prior to the meeting, regarding a suggested traffic signal-controlled pedestrian crossing outside the primary school. Cllr Grocott said he believed this had previously been investigated but Highways were reluctant to install such a crossing on an A road. He highlighted the two SID signs which are displayed on the A143 in four different locations within the 30mph limit. CC Cllr Fleming is also in discussion with SCC about the installation of the flashing light units outside the school.
Action: Clerk to request update on school flashing light unit project.
23. To Receive Items for the Next Agenda
Nothing received.
24. Date and Time of Next Meeting
The next meeting will be held on Tuesday 6th September 2022 in Burgate Church Hall at 7:30pm.
Meeting Close – 9:01pm