1. Welcome and Apologies
The Chair welcomed everyone to the meeting. Apologies for absence were received and accepted from Mary Mann (illness), Tom Mountain (self-isolating) and Stephen Burroughes (currently not attending physical meetings).
- Present
- Matthew Lunn (Chair), Robert Wardley, Doris Dearing, Sam Steward, Rebecca Fox, Nick Watts, Lydia Kirk (clerk), John Calver
- 2 members of public
2. Declarations of Interest
There were no declarations of interest.
3. Minutes of the Previous Meeting
The minutes of the Annual Meeting of the Parish Council on 17th May 2021 were approved as a true record of the meeting and signed by the Chair.
4. Matters Arising
There were no matters arising.
5. Chair's Report
The Chair reported that the Speed Indicator Sign has been positioned on the sites at Laxfield Road and Badingham Road for a week and a half at each. Residents there have noted a reduction in drivers’ speeds.
The Primary School has had its request for funding from the central government, to implement improved pedestrian safety measures outside the front of the school, turned down. ML has now contacted Cllr. Burroughes for his help and advice in this regard.
6. Planning
The planning application for the single-storey rear extension at Bamfield has been approved.
7. Responsible Financial Officer’s Report
- The following payments were approved:
Reference Number Amount Payee Details P07 21-22 £774.20 L. Kirk Pay to 30.06.2021 P08 21-22 £57.00 Imperative Training Ltd Defibrillator Pads P09 21-22 £31.13 Matt Lunn Reimbursement for two waterproof connectors and cabling for the SID P10 21-22* £39.92 Robert Wardley Computer ink * Presented at the meeting
- No payments have been made since the last meeting. A £74.87 VAT refund has been received.
- The bank balances as at 30.06.2021 were:
- Current Account £5,074.09
- Active Saver £7,923.81
- Equipment Account £5,459.89
- The bank statements and bank reconciliation, as at 30.06.2021, were reviewed by the Examining Councillor.
- The year-to-date report on payments and receipts was circulated and was in line with the budget.
- With high fees to process cheques and the inconvenience of paying them in, some organisations are no longer accepting payment via cheques. Councillors agreed to look into setting up online payments via bank transfers with authorisation by two mandates.
Action: Clerk to draft necessary amendments to Standing Orders/Financial Regulations to consider at next meeting.
8. Village Litter Pick
It was agreed to hold the village litter pick later in the year, possibly late September/October, when vegetation growth has slowed.
9. Highways and Footpaths
- The Speed Indicator Device seems to be working well but the battery only lasts approx. 1.5 weeks before it needs re-charging. Moving the sign is difficult due to its size, weight and the height of the poles. ML proposed applying for grant funding from ESC’s Ward Councillor for a second SID so that they need not be moved around as much. The second SID would be smaller and lighter and alternate between the two sites on the A1120, with the original larger sign remaining near the Primary School. ML has a quotation of £3,903+ VAT for the sign. After some discussion this proposal was seconded by RW and carried.
- We have received a letter from a concerned resident about loose, aggressive dogs near the public footpath at Clay Hill (Footpath 20). The dogs had escaped from their garden and were intimidating her and her dogs. Some Parish Councillors had experienced similar issues at this location. Whilst this is not under the Parish Council’s control, it was agreed that a letter to the homeowner, reminding them of their obligations regarding controlling their dogs, would be an appropriate first course of action. The Parish Council will monitor the situation and see if it needs reporting to other bodies.
- Other issues
- RW has reported a pothole at Owl’s Green. BT and Anglian Water have replaced some manhole covers in the village. The sleepers on the bridge on to the village green near the Church need replacing. The footpath near the allotments needs some new sleepers along its edges. This would be SCC’s responsibility. RF reported a footpath beyond the sports field (Footpath 20) to be overgrown and hard to pass in places.
- Action: RW will report these issues online to SCC’s Rights of Way department.
- NW reported issues with motorcyclists continuing to regularly speed along Framlingham Road. SS confirmed this is also the case along the A1120 near Whitehouse Farm. It tends to be worst early in the morning on Sundays, and is of particular concern at this time of year with the extra farm traffic on the roads. The bikes are particularly noisy and seem to have had their bafflers removed; they are likely to exceed Environmental Health’s decibel limits.
- Action: LK will report this to Suffolk Police and ask them to actively look in to this.
10. Noticeboards
The two metal noticeboards need re-painting. RW offered to do this. It was agreed that the Parish Council will use the wooden Parish Noticeboard next to the Neathouse. The metal boards can be used to advertise local events and by residents. The Neathouse’s tenant is welcome to use half of one of these boards. RW has keys for the metal noticeboard.
11. Village Fete
The village fete on the village green on 17th July is being organised by a resident, with the proceeds to be given to village organisations. After lengthy discussion, Councillors authorised payment of up to £200 for insurance for the village fete. This was proposed by ML, seconded by RF and carried with four votes.
Action: Clerk to contact the Parish Council’s insurance providers in the first instance to see if the event would be covered on the current policy, or if an additional premium could be paid to cover the event. If this is not possible, the Clerk is to seek a new quotation.
12. CIL Funding
Councillors discussed how CIL funding totalling £318.88 received from East Suffolk Council could be spent. RF spoke about her concerns about the condition of the play equipment. ML advised that the Sports Club have ordered new climbing towers and this is in hand. After a resident raised the issue of dog fouling around the village at the last meeting, Councillors agreed to use the funds to purchase a dog waste bin.
Action: Clerk to seek quotes for dog bins and regular emptying service.
13. Digital Mapping Software
Councillors discussed purchasing a subscription to digital mapping software but there were concerns that it would not be used enough to justify the purchase. Councillors agreed not to proceed with the purchase at present.
14. Correspondence
- JC proposed re-nominating Frances Boscawen as a Trustee of Dennington Consolidated Charities. This was seconded by RF and carried unanimously.
- The Lord Lieutenant of Suffolk has written to all Parish Councils asking for ‘Festival Community Champions’ to liaise with regarding the ‘Festival of Suffolk’ to commemorate the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee and help organise local events. RF expressed an interest in becoming a Festival Community Champion. Councillors are asked to contact the Clerk with nominations, with SCC’s deadline for applications being 31st July. The Parish Council has already budgeted some funding for this occasion.
Action: ML will send the online information booklet about this to all Councillors.
Public Session
Reports from Ward and County Councillors’ were shared prior to the meeting. Jo Denton was pleased to report that some of the Horticultural Society’s wildflowers on the trial strip have come through, despite sadly being strimmed.
15. Matters for the Next Meeting
- Discuss dog bin quotation
- Amendments to Standing Orders/Financial Regulations regarding online bank payments.
- Land management and mowing/not mowing around the village
- Festival of Suffolk/Platinum Jubilee plans
16. Date of Next Meeting
The date of the next meeting was confirmed as Monday 13th September at 7.30pm.
RF expressed concerns at the speed of cars crossing the car park to get to the boules club just prior to the meeting and was worried about risks to children playing on the sports fields. ML will pass this on to the Sports Club.
There being no further business, the Chairman thanked Councillors for attending and closed the meeting at 9.10pm.
Signed M Lunn 13th September 2021
Chairman Date