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
Councillors Ed Walsh (EW) (Vice Chairman), Clive Morris (CM), Diane Donat (DD), Stephen Russell (SR). County Councillor Andy Mellen and District Councillor Richard Meyer and Cllr Clive Hawkins (CH) from 7.30pm.
Public Forum
Three members of the public in attendance.
Two residents from Long Thurlow wished to discuss their written complaint (Agenda item 5.5) in person during the Public Forum rather than wait for the Council to address it at 5.5. Mr and Mrs Hutchin requested the name of the person reporting the three logs they had placed on the roadside outside their house in Long Thurlow (this request was made under the Freedom of Information Act). Mr & Mrs Hutchin were fed up with cars continually parked outside the Anglian Water pumping station and had taken this course of action in an attempt to stop this parking. The Vice Chairman responded that the agenda item had initially been requested by Councillor Morris who is the representative for Long Thurlow. The Vice Chairman reassured Mr and Mrs Hutchin there was no malicious intent with any item listed on the agenda and the Parish Council always seek to be as proactive and helpful to all residents as possible.
A resident from Long Thurlow highlighted the difficulties of roadside parking by building contractors during building works of a house in Long Thurlow and the problems experienced by residents having to walk in the roadway as a consequence. The Vice Chairman suggested either a polite telephone call to the Police on 101 or using the ‘Reporting Tool’ on the Suffolk County Council website.
The Vice Chairman thanked the above speakers for their contributions.
Cllr Mellen had emailed his report ahead of the meeting which had been circulated. He highlighted the topic of ‘refugee housing’ which is on the SCC website and advised that donations for the refugee crisis would be appreciated in monetary terms through either the Red Cross or the DEC Appeal now as opposed to donations of clothes/equipment. He was also addressing complaints received regarding potholes on both the 1088 and Back Lane in Badwell Ash.
Cllr Meyer had emailed his report ahead of the meeting which had been circulated. He suggested reading the section on Boundary Changes which are going to affect North Suffolk.
Apologies
Richard Morris (RM), Lesley Yates (LY).
Declarations of Interest and Requests for Dispensations
None.
None.
Minutes
The minutes of the Parish Council Meetings held on 8 February 2022 were approved and signed by the Vice Chairman.
None.
Clerk’s Report and Correspondence
Councillor Hawkins reported that a generous donation had been received from the Collins family who used to live in Badwell Ash in loving memory of David Collins. A plaque had been bought and placed on the second bench in the children’s playground area. A thank you letter had been sent to the Collins family along with a photograph of the bench and plaque.
No further progress had been made on the ownership of the grasslands adjacent to St Mary’s Crescent. Mrs Le Grice (the wife of the donor) had been unable to shed any light on this from 50 years ago.
No update re the Broadsheet due to Councillor R Morris’ absence.
The Clerk reported that an in-depth form would have to be completed for each Asset of Community Value that was required to be registered which could only be completed in association with the owner/proprietor of the asset in question. It was agreed to ask the owners of the White Horse for their help on this and then possibly the village shop.
As this topic had been dealt with in the Public Forum at the beginning of the meeting, the Vice Chairman concluded it had been fully covered and there was no need to revisit this.
The Clerk reported that an applicant had been received for the Street Cleaner’s position in Badwell Ash. After discussion it was agreed to set the hours at 3 per week to see if this proved sufficient. Long Thurlow already has their own Street Cleaner at 4 hours per month. The Clerk would prepare all the necessary paperwork and liaise with MSDC and SALC over the appointment.
Environment
No update on Stage 2 of the Playground due to Councillor R Morris’ absence.
The Vicar had provided evidence of costs already incurred for the new cemetery which totalled approximately £8,000. The Councillors requested an estimate of the intended future costs before making a decision regarding the request for funding from the PCC. To be discussed further in April.
Awaiting a response from Anglian Water re electricity from the sub-station for a possible external defibrillator on the wall of the sub-station in Long Thurlow.
Long Thurlow noticeboard – no progress to date by Councillor R Morris.
Broadband to village hall – sadly the owner of the village hall drive had withdrawn his permission for a pole to be erected to carry the cabling to the village hall. He requested that the cabling should all be underground. This had increased the cost of the works to over £10,000 which was totally beyond Parish Council funds. The Clerk was asked to write to the owner of the village hall drive to ask him to reconsider his position. The Vice Chairman agreed to look into 4G mobile connections as an alternative option.
The dates for the Great British Spring Clean had been agreed as Saturday 2 April and Sunday 3 April between 10.00 and 11.00. Meet at the village hall on either day. The Clerk had taken delivery of all the equipment necessary for this project but Councillors, their families, neighbours and any helpers were asked to bring their own gloves and wear suitable clothing. Notice on both our website and the noticeboard.
The Clerk shared the quotations for new ground maintenance contracts for the year commencing 1st April. After discussion a local company was chosen (recommended by Pakenham Parish Council) and the Clerk would cancel the current grounds contractors who had been less than reliable over the last year.
Unfortunately the village sign had been damaged during the recent storms and had broken. Mr Richard Pratt had collected the sign and was looking after it with a view to hopefully replacing it on top of the pole fairly soon. Cllr Hawkins to make contact with Mr Pratt for an update.
No SID readings available this month.
The Councillors discussed the purchase of a beacon to light on Friday 2 June to mark the Platinum Jubilee alongside other towns and villages. The Councillors opted to not go ahead with this suggestion but to support an event planned by the Village Hall Committee for Sunday 4 June on the playing field – details of which will follow when known.
A symbolic torch will tour the county of Suffolk from Friday 13th May until Wednesday 1st June in order to herald the start of the Festival of Suffolk and the celebrations to mark HM the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee. The torch will be carried by selected torch bearers and transported by rickshaw. Badwell Ash is down for 23 May – details will be posted on our website (badwellash.suffolk.cloud) and on our noticeboard.
Councillor Donat put forward a request for consideration for electric car charging points within the village. After much discussion, it was decided that this was not going to be financially or economically viable at this stage in a rural environment but maybe worth further consideration when electric cars were more prevalent in households.
The proposal for ‘village gates’ at the entrance to Long Thurlow was now complete and would be sent to Suffolk County Council for their consideration. If agreed, and a licence given, the work would be undertaken by Elite Fencing Ltd.
Councillor Hawkins provided an update for this month’s works on the Village Hall Project. The broadband project has already been reported under 6.5; the tree surgery in the car park at the village hall had taken place and was regarded as a successful job. The grant application for windows/doors was still with MSDC and awaiting an answer.
The Councillors agreed that the ‘cleaner’s shed’ in Long Thurlow should be reinstated as a bus shelter for the benefit of the school children waiting there as the shed was no longer needed for storing tools. Councillor C Morris offered to take on this project with help from a couple of residents in Long Thurlow which was very much appreciated.
Planning
Progress of recent planning applications are as follows:
DC/22/00447 Broadway Bungalow, The Broadway, Badwell Ash, Suffolk IP31 3DR – DISCHARGE OF CONDITIONS APPROVED
APP/W3520/D/21/3283599 Green Farm Barn, Badwell Green, Badwell Ash, Bury St. Edmunds IP31 3J – APPEAL UPHELD
DC/21/06934 Land At Warren Farm, The Street, Badwell Ash, Suffolk IP31 3DP – DISCHARGE OF CONDITIONS 5&9 APPROVED
Finance and Policies
The Councillors considered the issue of the following payments:
£275.09 – February salaries
£45.10 – Broadsheet Feb/Mar
£315.63 – Glasdon dog bin in Back Lane
£38.99 – Clerk’s expenses Feb
Resolved: It was resolved that these payments could be made. The Vice Chairman signed an approval for these to be paid by BACS.
The Clerk asked for permission to pay any outstanding invoices that come through in March prior to the end of the financial year on 31.3.22. Permission was granted.
Next Meeting
Date of next Parish Council Meeting – Tuesday 12 April 2022.
Dates for Parish Council Meetings 2022 – 2nd Tuesday of the month 11 Jan, 8 Feb, 8 Mar, 12 Apr, 10 May, 14 Jun, 12 Jul, 9 Aug (if needed), 13 Sept, 11 Oct, 8 Nov, 13 Dec
Exciting developments include a push to improve bus services, though some legal challenges remain. Local rivers and waterways are a top priority, with efforts to address water quality concerns. Additionally, there's a call to support local businesses this Christmas. A heartfelt farewell to Councillor Clive Hawkins was also noted.
Residents gathered in record numbers to discuss the exciting potential of a Neighbourhood Plan, which could shape our community's future over the next two years. Ideas for new exercise facilities and playground improvements were shared, and a police visit is planned for November. Additionally, electric charging points are being considered for the Village Hall car park.
Residents will be interested to know that Councillor Richard Morris has been elected as the new Chairman, with Councillor Stephen Russell as Vice Chairman. Exciting plans are underway for a new bench in Long Thurlow and a tree planting to celebrate the Platinum Jubilee. Additionally, a £250 donation was approved for the local food bank.
Residents will be interested to know about the new Suffolk Solar Power Panel scheme and potential funding for electric charging points. Excitingly, a £60,000 grant has been secured to tackle gum on pavements. Additionally, the playground's new fencing is complete, ensuring a safer space for children.
Residents voiced strong objections to two planning applications, leading to a detailed discussion. The council unanimously rejected a proposal for new homes at Dovedale Close due to safety concerns and potential impact on existing properties. Additionally, plans for Croft Cottage were also turned down after careful consideration.
Exciting news for car enthusiasts: there's a proposal to host a classic car show on the village green. Residents have also raised concerns about overhanging hedges blocking pavements. Plus, the parish's popular Broadsheet will continue in a vibrant new format, with opportunities for local contributions and sponsorship.
Residents will be pleased to hear that efforts are underway to address road issues on Back Lane, with thanks to Councillor Mellen. Exciting news includes a proposal to revitalize the Stowmarket Sports Centre, pending funding approval. Additionally, discussions are ongoing about new electricity pylons, with strong objections raised by the council.
Residents might be interested to know that the council is working on separating the playing field and children's playground to make both areas more accessible and safe. Additionally, concerns about local sewage overflows have been raised with Anglian Water. Unfortunately, the request for funding the 'Bus Back Better' scheme was rejected.