Councillors Present
- Present
- Matthew Lunn (Chair), Robert Wardley, Doris Dearing, Sam Steward, John Calver, Vashti Mouncer, Nick Hopewell Smith
- Apologies
- Cllr. Shelver (holiday), Cllr. Schofield (injury)
- In Attendance
- Lydia Kirk (clerk), District Cllr. Langdon-Morris, Jo Denton
- Apologies
- County Councillor Burroughes, Shirley Cunningham
Declarations of Interest
As a Trustee of the Consolidated Charities Trust, Cllr. Wardley declared an interest in item 12.
Minutes
The Minutes of the meeting of 22nd May 2023 were approved as a true record of the meeting and signed by the Vice Chair.
Matters Arising
The post for the Square has been delivered today and should be erected in the next two weeks. Cllr. Lunn proposed authorising Cllr. Wardley to spend up to £100 on wood preservative, and sundry items to fix the post. This was seconded by Cllr. Steward and carried unanimously.
Cllr. Calver has now repainted the telephone kiosk at Owl’s green. Cllr. Wardley proposed reimbursing Cllr. Calver for the cost of paint purchased for this project upon receipt of the invoice. This was seconded by Cllr. Lunn and carried unanimously. The Chair thanked Cllr. Calver for carrying out these maintenance works. Cllr. Calver has also spoken to the resident regarding the overgrown hedge and they will cut this back. Cllr. Mouncer has spoken to the landowner regarding the impeded visibility to the left when exiting the Village Hall, but they responded that the hedge is only cut in January.
Chair’s Report
The Chair reported that 22 Coronation mugs have been sold since the last meeting. He will check the number of remaining Coronation mugs.
The Chair urged Councillors to submit any outstanding election expenses as a matter of urgency and this is a legal requirement following an election.
Clerk’s Report
Four councillors have now set up Parish Council specific email accounts and the clerk will share the new circulation list after the meeting.
The clerk attended the latest Greenprint Forum event, which was an interesting visit to Campsea Ash’s communal garden.
The next Community Partnership meeting will be on Tuesday 25th July at the ESC Offices in Melton at 6.30pm. Both the Chair and Clerk hope to attend. There is a new Community Partnership Officer for our area.
The external auditor has confirmed safe receipt of the Council’s exemption certificate. The period of public rights has now ended and no requests or queries were received.
Responsible Financial Officer’s Report
- The following payments were approved:
Reference Number Amount Payee Details P8 23-24 £20.00 Dennington Village Hall Venue Hire July meeting P9 23-24 £960.40 L. Kirk Pay to 30.06.23 P11 23-24 £100.98 East Suffolk Council Election fees - Receipts and payments since the last meeting were noted:
- P7 23-24 £91.72 Defibshop Replacement defibrillator pads
- P10 23-24 £168.00 HMRC PAYE (paid to meet 22/07 deadline)
Receipts:
- 25/05/2023 £8.00 R. Wardley 2 x Coronation mugs
- 05/06/2023 £15.58 Barclays Interest
- 05/06/2023 £13.73 Barclays Interest
- 24/07/2023 £84.00 Various Coronation mug sales – cash
- The bank balances as at 01.07.2023 were:
- Current account £6,423.88
- Equipment account £7,487.30
- Savings account £6,599.69
- The bank statements and bank reconciliation, as at 01.07.23, were reviewed by the Examining Officer.
- The year-to-date receipts and payments account was considered alongside the budgeted figures and was in order.
Highways and Footpaths Issues
Cllr. Wardley has reported several potholes in the village. He has also had the unsuitable road diversion that directed cars along Pepper’s Wash Lane during the current roadworks on Framlingham Road rescheduled on to the A1120 via Saxtead.
Green Flag Award
Councillors considered applying for a Green Flag Award for green spaces in the village. Whilst Councillors thought the areas would be eligible for the award, they were in agreement not to apply due to the application costs being £369 + VAT.
Correspondence
Correspondence received since date of last meeting was considered and there were no further actions necessary.
Public Session
D.Cllr. Langdon-Morris reported that he will be attending the official playschool opening in August. He is in discussions with Barclays Bank regarding the upcoming branch closure in Framlingham and he will pass on any more updates that he receives.
Jo Denton asked when the annual mow of the village green ditch will be. Cllr. Wardley will speak to Ian and revert to her. She was pleased to report that both the Horticultural Group and the Allotment Society will receive a bundle of 500 narcissi bulbs from East Suffolk Council in the autumn.
Planning
Cllr. Wardley left the meeting
Planning application DC/23/1035/FUL with amended plans was considered. Erection of a metal framed canopy with clear roofing sheets, metal fencing to perimeter and some internal areas with gates. Little Oaks Playschool Framlingham Road Dennington IP13 8DD
Cllr. Steward proposed supporting this application. This was seconded by Cllr. Hopewell-Smith and carried unanimously.
Concerns were raised regarding the height of the two soil mounds from the project spoil. It was understood that no soil could be removed from the site.
Action: Clerk to contact ESC Planning in this regard.
Cllr. Wardley returned to the meeting
East Suffolk Council Planning Forum
Cllr. Wardley gave a detailed report on the recent East Suffolk Council Planning Forum held at High Lodge and will share the presentation slides with all Councillors.
Matters for Next Meeting
There were no matters to be raised at the next meeting.
Next Meeting
The next meeting was confirmed as on Monday 4th September. There being no further business, the Chair thanked everyone for attending and closed the meeting at 9.15pm.
Signed M Lunn 4th September 2023
Chair Date