19.00 Visit by Stefan Henriksen, CEO of Suffolk Constabulary
The Vice Chairman welcomed Stefan Henriksen to our meeting and introduced him to the attendees and invited questions from the audience. Parking on The Street, the junction at Langham Road and the general increase in vehicles were amongst the matters raised. Stefan analysed the SID data that had been collected from our two machines and told the audience that, in Police terms, we did not have a major speeding problem within the village. He also explained that the Police had undertaken a SDR data collection which also showed we did not have an enforceable problem. Due to the Police having to cover the whole of Suffolk with the few machines available, it was unlikely that another check would be done within 2 years unless there was a major incident which needed their attention. The problems with parking and junction visibility were best dealt with via the District and County Councils and Highways departments and were not strictly Police matters. Stefan also provided leaflets on joining a Neighbourhood Watch programme which he endorsed along with details of a Police Connect scheme which is a free messaging service connecting individuals to the latest policing news. Stefan also endorsed the introduction of external lighting at the Village Hall for both safety and practical reasons. Cllr Russell thanked Stefan for attending and answering residents’ questions. Greg Monaghan offered to share the data he collects from the LT SID with us as and when it was available.
Break for refreshments
20.00 Parish Council Meeting
- Present
- Councillors Clive Hawkins (CH), Stephen Russell, Vice Chairman (SR), Will Draper (WD), Maciej Siarkowski (MS), Roy Woodfine (RW), Lesley Yates (LY), District Councillor Rick Meyer (RMe).
Public Forum
- There were no additional questions from the attendees apart from the ones mentioned above.
- No requests for additional agenda items for the next Agenda.
- Cllr Mellen’s monthly report will be circulated to Councillors tomorrow in Andy’s absence.
- Cllr Meyer’s report was circulated. Cllr Meyer mentioned that a reduction in council tax for residents on benefits from 95% to 100% was still being discussed at District level. The results of the Winter Warmth grant to provide additional facilities through the winter would be known fairly soon.
Apologies
Richard Morris (RM) (Chairman) and County Councillor Andy Mellen.
Declarations of Interest and Requests for Dispensations
- None.
- None.
Minutes
- The minutes of the Parish Council Meeting held on 10 October were approved and signed by the Vice Chairman.
- Cllr Russell provided a photo of the dog bin that was least used and asked Cllr Yates to action her request to have it moved to an alternative site. The Clerk must be informed of any changes in order that MSDC can be advised for collection purposes. Cllr Russell requested an up to date map of all litter and dog bins once this had finally been settled which the Clerk would action.
Clerk’s Report and Correspondence
The Clerk verbally updated the Councillors on the requests on various matters she had received during the last month by phone and email. These included boundary fence issues, road gulley cleaning, pollarding of trees, ditches in Langham Road, road sweeping in Long Thurlow plus planning matters. She also confirmed that the Long Thurlow street cleaner had now left and so there were no street cleaners in either BA or LT. It was suggested we perhaps discuss further at the December meeting and readvertise in the New Year.
- The Clerk confirmed that the Vicar had requested the Parish Council handle all the details for the Remembrance Service at the War Memorial on Sunday 13 November. A wreath would be laid by Cllr Hawkins, Cllr Woodfine would be providing the music for The Last Post. Julian Gavars (RAF) and Mark Saunders (Army) will do the readings and Janet de Vries would kindly be opening the Village Hall for refreshments afterwards.
- Cllr Draper provided feedback on the new Councillor training he and Cllr Yates had been attending via zoom with SALC. They thought that it was proving very interesting and necessary to understand the workings and obligations of the Parish Council. The Clerk pointed out that all Parish Council information relating to Standing Orders and other governance matters had recently been updated and were fully accessible on the Parish Council’s website. The Clerk urged all Councillors to familiarise themselves with the contents of the BAPC website.
- Cllrs Woodfine and Siarkowski would be undertaking their new Councillor training during December and January via Zoom.
- Discussions re the success and future of the Broadsheet were held. No final decision re its future was concluded and would be further discussed at the December meeting in terms of value for money, timing between deadline and manual or email distribution and frequency. As the cost of this exercise had more than trebled the allowance in the Budget, it was important to reach a conclusion on its future.
- The result of our application for a Winter Warmoth Grant to MSDC was not known at the time of the meeting. If we were successful, it was hoped to open up the large hall and kitchen on a Friday at the Village Hall to provide a warm, safe space through to the end of March 2023.
Environment
- After lengthy discussions it was agreed that ‘dogs on leads’ only would be allowed on the playing field. A piece would be printed in the next Broadsheet alerting all residents to the new concession in relation to keeping their dogs on leads and clearing up after them. Should this new concession be abused or ignored then the Parish Council would revoke it to become NO DOGS ALLOWED again.
- The Clerk confirmed that arrangements and advertisements for the Litter Picking and Bulb Planting to be held on Saturday 12 November. Cllrs Hawkins, Russell, Draper, Siarkowsi had all signed up to help. The Clerk had made arrangements for the litter to be collected on Monday 14 November from outside the village hall. Cllr Woodfine requested some bulbs to be planted along the main street in Long Thurlow.
- Cllr Russell gave a short update on the Neighbourhood Plan situation and announced that a presentation on this subject by Paul Bryant would be held on Saturday 28 January 2023. He also announced that he would hold an open evening at The White Horse to encourage would-be volunteers to come forward and hear what was involved.
- The Clerk had circulated a quote received for installing new concrete pads for two projects, the final children’s picnic table in the playground and a pad for the installation of the solar defib in Long Thurlow. The Councillors voted unanimously to approve this quote and the Clerk would respond and ask for the work to be done before Christmas.
- The Clerk confirmed that the last two pieces of play equipment would be installed in the children’s playground on or about 19 December. The work would take 3 to 4 days to complete weather permitting and should be done in time for use during the Christmas school holidays.
- The four new flower troughs had been delivered but were very much heavier than anticipated and so would need mechanical help to re-site them at the agreed four positions in the village. Hopefully this will be arranged fairly soon although it might not be possible to plant them up before the Spring now.
Planning
Progress of recent planning applications are as follows:
DC/22/04842 Land north of Hill House and Broadway Bungalow – commercial buildings – NOT REQUIRED
- To consider a planning consultation request letter relating to planning application – DC/22/05480 – The Old Vicarage, The Street, Badwell Ash, IP31 3DH (TPO). The Councillors had no objection to these works taking place.
Finance, Governance and Policies
- The Councillors considered the issue of the following payments:
- £279.80 – October salaries
- £181.00 – Ten Hats Broadsheet (Sept edition)
- £90.00 – M&TJs grass cutting (Sept)
- £984.00 – NBB octagonal picnic table
- £2784.00 – NBB four recycled flower troughs
- £12591.90 – 50% advance payment to Playdale
- £374.40 – SALC training Maciej Siarkowski and Roy Woodfine
- £151.67 – Clerk’s expenses October
- £5.00 – monthly bank charge
Resolved: It was resolved that these payments could be made. The Vice Chairman signed an approval for these to be paid by BACS.
Next Meeting
Date of next Parish Council Meeting –13 December 2022
Carole Rose, Parish Clerk
14 November 2022