Badwell Ash Parish Council Meeting Minutes

Meeting Date:

Summary
This summary is generated by AI and may contain errors. It does not form part of the official minutes.
Exciting news for residents: First Aid and Defibrillator training will be available this autumn at the Village Hall. Plus, the new parish council website is live, making it easier for everyone to stay informed. Lastly, efforts are underway to address overgrown footpaths—residents can report issues directly to Suffolk County Council.
Present
Councillors Clive Hawkins (CH) (Chairman), Clive Morris (CM), Stephen Russell (SR), David Smith (DS), Richard Morris (RM), Diane Donat (DD) and District Councillor Richard Meyer.

Public Forum

One member of the public was in attendance. The Chairman explained the intended procedure for forthcoming Parish Council meetings following the removal of all Covid restrictions after 19 July. No meeting was scheduled for August and the September meeting would follow the current format with social distancing and masks to be used and restricted numbers in the small hall. Should the situation change, the Parish Council would issue further notifications.

In the absence of the County Councillor, his report had been circulated by email. It highlighted the problems of footpath and grass cutting which SCC were working hard to catch up with following ‘No Mow May’.

The report from the District Councillor had been circulated by email and highlighted the availability of Locality Grants for this financial year.

Apologies

Ed Walsh (EW) and County Councillor Andy Mellen.

Declarations of Interest and Requests for Dispensations

  1. None.
  2. None.

Minutes

  1. The minutes of the Annual Parish Council Meeting held on 9 June 2021 had previously been circulated. It was resolved that these were an accurate record of the meeting and accordingly signed by the Chairman.
  2. None.

Clerk’s Report and Correspondence

  1. The Clerk reported that training on the new Parish Council website had been completed. The website was now live (badwellash.suffolk.cloud) and we look forward to this being a useful addition for all residents. The co-hosting facility with Suffolk Cloud has not yet been brought into operation but could be implemented if and when needed.
  2. The Parish Council had received complaints re overhanging shrubs and bushes which make negotiating pavements very difficult for pedestrians. The Clerk was instructed to write to the residents involved requesting that they maintain their own boundaries on a regular basis.

Environment

  1. A proposal was put forward for First Aid (CPR and Defibrillator) Training to be offered to all residents in the Village Hall during the Autumn. This was unanimously agreed and the Clerk was asked to circulate this offer and arrange through SARS a convenient date(s). Residents would be asked to register for the training to estimate the take-up. Each training session would last approximately one and a half hours.
  2. Numerous complaints had been received regarding the state of our footpaths which have been noted and reported to Suffolk County Council. They admitted to being overwhelmed with the growth of the footpaths and promised to tackle the backlog as soon as possible. Councillor Russell will maintain contact with SCC to ensure this is rectified as soon as possible. Individuals are able to report any problems on the ‘Footpath’ link on SCC’s own website.
  3. There have been various reports of residents leaving their wheelie bins on pavements outside of their properties thus causing difficulties for pedestrians. The residents concerned have been notified to Mid Suffolk District Council who will issue a final warning letter which, if not complied with, will result in the bins being removed. MSDC’s website states that bins requiring emptying should be put on the roadside by 06.30 on the day of collection but must be returned inside the property by 19.00 the same day unless the collection has been delayed by MSDC.
  4. A Community Speedwatch Group will not be set up in Badwell Ash for two reasons – the first being that there had only been one volunteer come forward when a team of six were required and the second reason was The Police had advised there was only one suitable venue (St Mary’s Crescent) for this to operate and this wasn’t regarded as a particular hotspot for speeding traffic so unlikely to generate positive results.
  5. Councillor Mellen had kindly investigated the moving of two 30mph demarcation signs in Back Lane and Richer Road to outside of the village boundary. On the advice of Suffolk County Council Highways Department, a report and survey costing £1200 for each venue would have to be completed and, in their opinion, this would be unlikely to meet the criteria for moving the signs. The Councillors therefore agreed to not outlay the initial sum of £2400 on the off chance of being successful.
  6. An enquiry had been received from a resident about any existing Neighbourhood Watch Groups within Badwell Ash. The Councillors were unaware of any official groups and intimated that there were a few WhatsApp groups set up individually in various pockets of the village on a private basis.
  7. The Parish Council had received an invitation from the Countess of Euston regarding any village or community plans for HM The Queen’s Platinum celebrations next year. It was agreed to think about what our village would like to do and discuss further in the coming months. An event could take the form of a Street Party, A Fun Day, Arts and Craft, Live entertainment or a sporting challenge. If an event was organised it would require the full participation of village residents and volunteers would be sought to run this.
  8. SCC have agreed to re-site the post at the Hunston end of the village to the correct location. This should take place within the next 14 weeks. The two solar SIDs could now be ordered and Councillors Ed Walsh and Richard Morris offered to take charge of the erection and installation of these on arrival. Councillor Russell requested the Clerk to write and ask SCC Highways Dept to attend an onsite meeting in the village to discuss the SIDs, road safety and road signs in general.
  9. The Parish Council had been requested by MSDC to suggest 3 road names for the new development at Warren Farm of 21 houses. It was proposed that we put forward Warren Drive, Platinum Drive and Chatsworth Drive for their consideration.

Planning

Progress of recent planning applications as follows:

  • DC/21/02142 – 3 The Paddocks, Badwell Ash, Suffolk IP31 3LW - PLANNING PERMISSION REFUSED
  • DC/21/01823 – Land adjacent to Donard, Back Lane, Badwell Ash – PLANNING PERMISSION GRANTED
  • DC/21/01788 – Land at Warren Farm, The Street, Badwell Ash - DISCHARGE OF CONDITIONS GRANTED
  1. To consider a planning consultation request letter relating to planning application - DC/21/03631 – Green Barn Farm, Badwell Green, IP31 3JG. It was resolved to advise MSDC that the Parish Council had no objections to this planning application.
  2. To consider a planning consultation letter regarding planning application – DC/21/03297 – 1 Council Houses, Long Thurlow, Badwell Ash IP31 3JA. There was one abstention however it was resolved to advise MSDC that the Parish Council had no objections to this planning application.
  3. To consider a planning consultation letter regarding planning application – DC/21/03898 – Pattles Barn, Badwell Green, Badwell Ash, Suffolk IP31 3JG. The Councillors agreed to monitor any report from the Heritage Officer online before making a final decision.

Finance and Policies

  1. The Councillors considered the issue of the following payments:
    • £269.69 – June salaries
    • £420.60 – HMRC Q1 tax and NI
    • £6852.83 – Street lighting upgrade 2020 Part 1
    • £46.75 – S Brown Broadsheet June/July
    • £110.00 – Suffolk Cloud website hosting
    It was resolved that these payments could be made. The Chairman signed an approval for these to be paid by BACS.
  2. Due to no scheduled meeting being held in August, the Clerk sought approval for any invoices due for payment to be approved by the Chairman prior to payment if necessary. Permission was granted for the month of August only.
  3. A VAT refund had been received for the previous year. This was correct and was has been listed accordingly in the accounts.
  4. The Clerk confirmed that the bank reconciliation at the end of June was correct and therefore was approved.
  5. The Parish Council is required to publish a statement annually of CIL monies received and spent. The Clerk had produced the statement for authorisation by the Chairman. Once authorised the statement is sent to MSDC and also displayed on our website. The Chairman signed the CIL statement as being correct and accurate.

Next Meeting

Dates of Parish Council Meetings for 2021 – 2nd Wednesday of the month.
8 Sept; 13 Oct; 10 Nov; 8 Dec.

Carole Rose, Parish Clerk
17 July 2021

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