Parish Council Meeting -

19.00 Joint Open Meeting

The Chairman welcomed the largest turnout we have ever seen to this first joint meeting and said what a pleasure it was to see so many turn out to discuss our Parish of Badwell Ash and Long Thurlow. Cllr Russell gave an overview of our plans to apply for a Neighbourhood Plan – a process which needs the commitment of the residents although it could take up to 2 years to achieve. Also discussed was the CIL and how we are allocated certain sums of money to be spent on enhancing facilities or projects within the parish. All suggestions and ideas expressed were noted for future decision making. The Chairman reminded everyone of the intended visit by the Police to the November meeting and hoped everyone would come with their questions for Stefan. The Chairman briefly explained our intentions for the children’s playground and the proposal to plan for adults and teenagers’ exercise facilities in the future along with a ‘dogs on leads only’ suggestion for the playing field area. It is very much hoped that both the Village Hall and the Parish Council can work on all improvements together to be benefit of residents in both villages.

Break for refreshments

20.00 Parish Council Meeting

Present: Councillors Richard Morris (RM) (Chairman), Clive Hawkins (CH), Stephen Russell (SR), Will Draper (WD), Maciej Siarkowski (MSD) County Councillor Andy Mellen (AM), District Councillor Rick Meyer (RMe).

1. Public Forum

One member of the public in attendance with a question as to why our bins are continually at least one day late being collected hence a multitude of different bins continually along the verges and pavements. Cllr Meyer promised to enquire at MSDC for the up to date position.
No requests for additional agenda items for the next Agenda.
Cllr Mellen’s monthly report was circulated. Cllr Mellen wished to highlight the Electric Charging Point facility currently being proposed by SCC following grant funding. Badwell Ash has already expressed their interest in ECPs in the Village Hall carpark.
Cllr Meyer’s report was circulated. Cllr Meyer reminded everyone that there are various grants available in addition to Locality grants and District CIL funding so always worth enquiring when a project is planned. No update on a battery collection facility locally at present.

2. Apologies

Lesley Yates.

3. Declarations of Interest and Requests for Dispensations

None.
None.

4. Minutes

The minutes of the Parish Council Meeting held on 13 September were approved and signed by the Chairman.
None.

5. Clerk’s Report and Correspondence

The Clerk had received a letter of resignation from Councillor Clive Morris who had retired after many years’ service representing Long Thurlow. Expressions of thanks were formally recorded for his service.
Roy Woodfine was formally co-opted as a Parish Councillor and will represent the interests of Long Thurlow residents and was welcomed by the Parish Council who look forward to working with him.
Discussions followed regarding the Remembrance Service on 13 November at 10.15 in St Mary’s Church followed by a procession to the War Memorial where a wreath will be laid. Cllr Hawkins volunteered to lay the wreath in the absence of the Chairman that weekend. The Clerk will contact the Army and RAF to formally request their presence at the War Memorial service for the citations. Request was made for the Village Hall to be opened for tea and coffee after the service. Mrs Janet de Vries very kindly volunteered to do so.
The Clerk informed the Councillors that the ‘Disability’ sign painted on the road outside Parkers Cottage will not be removed by SCC but would be allowed to fade naturally. It was also noted that these Disability signs are only advisory and not legally binding, therefore it will not be an offence to park there going forward now that the existing tenant of Parkers Cottage has moved away.
Both Cllr Siarkowski and Cllr Woodfine are happy to attend the six modules of councillor training offered by SALC via Zoom. The Clerk would therefore enrol them on the next available course dates.
After discussion it was agreed to continue to plan the Parish Council meetings for the second Tuesday in the month during 2023. The Clerk would circulate the dates once established for 11 months of the year (the August one only being held in extreme cases).

6. Environment

The Long Thurlow noticeboard has been re-erected inside the bus shelter in Long Thurlow thanks to Cllr Woodfine. It will certainly not deteriorate at the same speed as it did in its original position.
The Clerk confirmed that the playground fencing was now complete and looked very smart. The sign relating to the playground would be moved from the post to the fence railings. The remaining two pieces of equipment and the children’s own picnic bench would be installed as soon as practicalities allow. The Clerk would also source alternative signage for the remainder of the playing field and for the trial of ‘dogs on leads only’ for the remainder of the playing field. If the proposal for ‘dogs on leads only’ was not adhered to by residents, then the facility would be withdrawn. A dog litter bin would be erected at the entrance to the playing field.
Cllr Hawkins confirmed that the Memorial Tree for Her Majesty the Queen could now be bought and planted and a slightly revised wording made to the plaque following her unexpected passing last month.
The Clerk had completed and sent off the form regarding a proposal to have Electric Charging Points installed in the village hall carpark. No further update had been received.
It was decided to just have the Litter Pick and Bulb Planting on Saturday 12 November from 10.00 – 12.00 noon due to the clash on Sunday 13th with the Remembrance service. A poster will be circulated to this effect as soon as possible.
Cllr Russell had given an update on the NP in the opening Joint Meeting therefore this agenda point was not repeated.
The Clerk was asked to check the names of the residents requesting Bird Boxes against the Electoral Register to ensure they were all in the Parish. The Chairman would then liaise with Simon (the installer) regarding the plan to erect and install them.

7. Planning

Progress of recent planning applications are as follows:

DC/22/04191 Cleeve House, Long Thurlow, Badwell Ash IP31 3JA (trees) – APPROVED
DC/22/03207 LAND AT Dovedale Close, Badwell Ash – REFUSED
DC/22/03850 Land West of Richer Road, Bury St Edmunds IP31 3EU – SPLIT (two granted, one refused)
DC/22/04424 1 Old Vicarage Drive, Badwell Ash, IP32 3DU (trees) – APPROVED

To consider a planning notification for agricultural purposes DC/22/04843 – Land north of Hill House and Broadway Bungalow, The Broadway, Bury St Edmunds (11/10). The Councillors had no objection to this application but requested that the access road was left as a track and not converted into a new tarmac roadway.

8. Finance, Governance and Policies

The Councillors considered the issue of the following payments:
- £279.60 – September salaries
- £440.00 – HMRC Q2 tax
- £69.00 – SALC 6 month payroll
- £137.59 – Glasdon bin
- £98.00 – Ten Hats Jubilee Broadsheet
- £75.96 – Clerk’s expenses
- £5.00 – monthly bank charge
It was resolved that these payments could be made. The Chairman signed an approval for these to be paid by BACS.
The Clerk shared a bank reconciliation with the Councillors which the Chairman signed as a correct and accurate picture of our finances at the 6 month point in the year.

9. Next Meeting

Date of next Parish Council Meeting – 8 November 2022 (including Police CEO Stefan Henriksen attending for a Q&A) – all welcome.

Dates for remaining Parish Council Meetings 2022 – 2^nd Tuesday of the month 13 Dec

Carole Rose, Parish Clerk
13 October 2022

Parish Council Meeting