Badwell Ash Parish Council Meeting Minutes -

Present: Councillors Clive Hawkins (CH) (Chairman), Clive Morris (CM), Stephen Russell (SR), David Smith (DS), Ed Walsh (EW), Diane Donat (DD), District Councillor Richard Meyer and County Councillor Andy Mellen.

Public Forum

The Chairman extended a warm welcome to Councillor Andy Mellen for his first Badwell Ash Parish Council Meeting.

The Chairman highlighted that the Badwell Broadsheet had been printed in a new format this month and we looked forward to hearing comments on its revised presentation.

One member of the public attended the meeting, and raised two questions. The first was regarding the 30/60mph demarcation sign in Back Lane which is now adjacent to two new houses built recently and needs to be moved to beyond the houses to avoid traffic speeding up from 30mph to 60mph in a built-up area. Councillor Mellen agreed to look into this on our behalf. The Clerk was asked to write to the owners of The Gun Club and the Car Club asking them to remind all their members that access to these two clubs should be made via the top of Back Lane accessed via The Broadway and not through the residential area in the lower half of Back Lane.
The second query was regarding the weight of some of the largest articulated lorries and container lorries through the middle of the village from both the Hunston and Walsham le Willows ends. The Chairman clarified that this road was classed as a C Road on which there are no weight limits.

Councillor Mellen had submitted his monthly report which was distributed to the Parish Councillors. He emphasised that he was looking forward to his new role and wanted to give assurance that he was here to help with all local issues the Parish Council experienced which was acknowledged with thanks by the Chairman.

District Councillor Richard Meyer had submitted his report which had previously been circulated to the Parish Councillors. He said that MSDC was taking flytipping seriously and getting this under control. He also highlighted that both Back to Business and Locality Grants were now available.

Apologies

Richard Morris (RM).

Declarations of Interest and Requests for Dispensations

None.
None.

Minutes

The minutes of the Annual Parish Council Meeting held on 19 May 2021 had previously been circulated. It was resolved that these were an accurate record of the meeting and accordingly signed by the Chairman.
None.

Clerk’s Report and Correspondence

The Clerk reported that we had received an email from Gt Ashfield Parish Council drawing our attention to an Ash Tree on the corner of Hunston Road and Westley Way which they considered needed attention. The Clerk was asked to send a photograph of the tree to the Arboriculture Department of SCC for their comment.

Environment

The Parish Council had now received a report from Suffolk Police following a traffic survey they had conducted in Badwell Ash following speeding concerns. The report highlighted that whilst there was minor infringement of the speeds through the village, it was not severe enough to warrant Suffolk Police involvement and prosecution and no further action would be taken on their part. The Police have still to conduct a survey in Long Thurlow on the same grounds. As regards the potential solar SIDs the Parish Council agreed to purchase and deploy, this would still go ahead in the hope that motorists would abide by the visible warnings.
The Chairman agreed to chase the contractors whose quotation we have accepted for the supply of concrete pads on the playing field in order that we can get these established this summer and install the proposed picnic tables and benches to enable residents to enjoy the facilities in the summer weather.
The new website commissioned by Badwell Ash Parish Council is now live (badwellash.suffolk.cloud). It is a huge improvement on the old one and it is hoped residents will appreciate this and contribute to it on a regular basis. The Clerk will be formally trained to operate this and the website owners will also co-host this facility to ensure we comply with the relevant legalities. The Councillors approved the proposed hosting cost of £10 per month.
The Parish Councillors approved the purchase of two new litter bins – St Mary’s Crescent and Richer Close – both these bins will have lids which we hope will deter litter being spread on the pavements and surrounding grass.
The street cleaner had requested a ‘litter picker’ for us in Long Thurlow which will be supplied.

Planning

Progress of recent planning applications as follows:

DC/21/02001 - 9 Back Lane, Badwell Ash, Suffolk, IP31 3DW - PLANNING PERMISSION GRANTED
DC/21/00790 - Land at The Broadway, Back Lane, Badwell Ash IP31 3DR – PLANNING PERMISSION GRANTED

To consider a planning consultation request letter relating to planning application - DC/21/01752 – Broadway Bungalow, The Broadway, Badwell Ash. It was resolved to advise MSDC that the Parish Council had no objections to the revised access plans in connection with this property.

Finance and Policies

The Councillors considered the issue of the following payments:
- £266.89 – May salaries
- £439.16 – MSDC annual litter and dog bin emptying
- £154.76 – Clerk’s expenses for April and May
It was resolved that these payments could be made. The Chairman signed an approval for these to be paid by BACS.

Next Meeting

Dates of Parish Council Meetings for 2021 – 2^nd Wednesday of the month.

14 July
8 Sept
13 Oct
10 Nov
8 Dec

Carole Rose, Parish Clerk
10 June 2021

Badwell Ash Parish Council Meeting Minutes