Councillors Present
- Present
- Robert Wardley (Vice-Chair), John Calver, Doris Dearing, Nick Hopewell-Smith, Vashti Mouncer, Sam Steward, Kevin Shelver
- Apologies
- Apologies for absence were received and accepted from Cllr. Lunn (personal issue). In the absence of Cllr. Lunn, Cllr. Wardley chaired the meeting.
- In Attendance
- Lydia Kindred (clerk)
- Apologies
- County Councillor Stephen Burroughes and District Councillor Langdon-Morris both sent their apologies.
Declarations of Interest
There were no declarations of interest.
Minutes
The Minutes of the meeting held on 1st July 2024 were approved as a true record and signed by the Vice-Chair.
Matters Arising
There were no matters arising.
Chair’s Report
In the absence of Cllr. Lunn there was no Chair’s Report.
Clerk’s Report
The non-material amendment regarding DC/24/1397/FUL Orchard Cottage, The Street, has been permitted.
The new web editor has been asked for an update on the application for a gov.uk domain and email addresses.
The community CIL funds have now been sent to the Sports Club as previously agreed. The CIL balance is now zero and a report will be prepared for ESC at part of the 2024-2025 year-end duties.
The invoice for servicing the tractor mower is still awaited.
The clerk and Cllr. Wardley will be attending ESC’s Emergency Planning Workshop in Huntingfield on 8th October.
Responsible Financial Officer’s Report
- The following payments were approved:
Amount Payee Details £20.00 Dennington Village Hall Hall hire September 2024 £584.11 Zurich Insurance renewal - The following funds have been received since the last meeting:
- £361.05 from dormant HSBC Neighbourhood Plan account
- £11.50 wayleave payment
- The bank balances as at 31.08.2024 were:
- Current account £6,213.66
- Equipment account £9,605.72
- Savings account £7,648.86
- The bank statements and bank reconciliation were reviewed by the Examining Officer.
- The year-to-date receipts and payments account was noted.
Highways and Footpaths
- Cllr. Hopewell-Smith presented a briefing note on the nationwide public rights of way consultation. The council also reviewed a letter from a concerned resident on the matter. According to Suffolk County Council, no paths have been officially extinguished in the village since the 1950s. However, the Rambler’s Association map indicates several paths that are not recognised as official rights of way. Cllr. Hopewell-Smith expressed concern that there are no rights of way connecting Owls Green to the rest of the village.
- Actions: Cllr. Hopewell-Smith will meet with Suffolk County Council to discuss the definitive map and the status of historic paths. Councillors will revisit this issue at the next meeting and consider engaging with the local landowner about the possibility of establishing a permissive footpath.
- Other Cllr. Wardley is continuing to report potholes and highways issues in the village. Cllr. Mouncer reported on recent fly-tipping in the village. Correspondence raising several highways issues was considered.
- Actions: Councillors will conduct a review of the Highways signage within the village, identifying signs and poles that require replacement. If Suffolk County Council does not undertake the replacements, the Council will consider allocating a budget for this purpose. The Chair will address the issue of overgrown hedges along the A1120 by speaking with the affected residents. The Clerk will respond to the resident regarding the Council's decision not to adopt the Quiet Lanes initiative, informing them that the scheme is no longer running. Cllr. Wardley will meet with Cllr. Burroughes and the local Highways Officer to discuss the potential expansion of the layby on Saxtead Road to alleviate the issue of vehicles parking on the road.
Insurance Renewal
The insurance renewal premium was considered. It is still fit for the Council’s needs. It was agreed to sign up to a three-year undertaking to reduce the premium.
NALC’s Financial Regulations
Discussing NALC’s new Financial Regulations will be deferred until the next meeting. It was noted that this must be considered before the end of March.
Correspondence
It was noted that the final leg of the Tour of Britain travelling through Dennington on 8th September.
Anglian Revenues Partnership have confirmed that the Discretionary Rate Relief has been applied to the Sports Club’s business rates.
A complaint regarding anti-social dogs in the village was considered and discussed at length. Councillors agreed to respond to the resident that he was carrying out the correct course of action by liaising with the District Council in this regard and that unfortunately the Parish Council has no authority in this regard.
Suffolk County Council has confirmed that the no footway warning signs can remain at Owls Green.
Emails asking why the Speed Indicator Devices are not working were noted. The batteries on both devices need replacing and Councillors agreed to authorise spending of up to £400 on two new large and two new smaller batteries.
An invite to the whole village from Dennington Hall Farms to an end of harvest celebratory BBQ was noted with thanks and will be shared on the website.
An email from a resident with comments on several agenda items and topical village issues was noted and actions agreed.
Notification that the Council is an exempt authority regarding a limited assurance review has today been received from PKF Littlejohn.
Public Session
Stephen Burroughes telephoned in to comment briefly. He has given £2,000 to the Sports Club for the replacement play equipment. He is disappointed to report that West Suffolk Council and Cambridgeshire Council have backed out of their legal challenge regarding the Sunica solar farm planning application.
Councillor Reports
Cllr. Steward reported that the new play equipment will be installed from 16th September and the works will take two weeks.
The hedge running next to the public footpath near the Sports Club is due to be cut.
East Suffolk Council has granted the Village Hall £200 to purchase cycle racks as part of the Tour of Britain legacy.
Matters for Next Meeting
- Receive an update on the gov.uk domain name and email switchover
- Consider NALC’s Financial Regulations
- Highways signage review
- Update from meeting with SCC to discuss the layby
- Update from Cllr. Hopewell-Smith’s meeting with SCC to discuss the footpaths and discuss requests for possible permissive paths
Next Meeting
The next meeting was confirmed as being on Monday 4th November 2024. There being no further business, the Vice-Chair thanked everyone for attending and closed the meeting at 8.45pm.
Signed …………………….. …………………………
Chair Date