Apologies
No apologies for absence were received. There were 11 residents were in attendance and Lydia Kindred (minute taker). Robert Wardley, in his position of Chair of the Parish Council, chaired the meeting.
Minutes
Minutes from the Parish meeting held on 19th May 2025 were agreed.
Parish Council Report
Cllr. Wardley provided a very comprehensive report of the Parish Council’s activities for the year. He also advised that this is 54th year of being on the Parish Council.
Local Government Representatives
District Councillor
Vince Langdon-Morris sent a Report which has been circulated amongst Parish Councillors and published on the village website.
Suffolk County Councillor
There was no report from the County Councillor due to the elections taking place on 7th May and a new Councillor now in the process of taking up office.
Reports from Village Clubs & Organisations
Dennington CEVAP School
A report from the Headteacher was received, sharing achievements from the year and trips the pupils have been on.
Dennington Village Hall
A report from the Village Hall is awaited and will be shared on the website when received.
Dennington Sports Club
A written report was received which gave a summary from the different groups who use the club and details of upcoming events.
Dennington Consolidated Charities
A written report was received which Adrian Neill read out. This detailed changes to the Trustees and outlined the purpose of the organisation. It also reported on current projects it is implementing and supporting.
Dennington Women’s Institute
A short written report was received. The WI has had a very variable programme over the year, with events from talks from the Mind charity to how to reuse clothes. Membership has increased to 37 and they have had trips to county quizzes and Aldeburgh Summer theatre. Members have continued to keep the village hall colourful by filling the tubs at the entrance.
Dennington Parochial Council
Robert Rous provided a verbal report. There are regularly 3 out of 4 Sunday services held here, and an occasional organist. They have applied for National Lottery funding to help with the large roof project. The church gates are due to be replaced in the next couple of weeks.
Parish Recorder
A comprehensive report covering the year 2025 has been received and published on the Village Website.
Any Other Groups
A member of the allotment group gave a short report on changes to the core team following the death of the Chair. Some residents have been asked to tidy their plots up, but most plots are thriving with dedicated tenants. There is 1 spare plot currently.
Open Forum
A resident reported on the Village Hall Fete on 4th July and the upcoming AGM to which everyone is invited. He also advised on two sites in the village identified through East Suffolk Council’s Call for Sites process as part of their Local Plan development works.
A resident expressed concerns about a dwindling number of volunteers in the village, noting the very high turn out for community events such as the Christmas Lights Switch-On but less engagement when people are being asked to contribute.
Another resident suggested village communications need consolidating and going across as many different platforms as possible to reach each other. A resident has recently taken over social media for the Village Hall Committee and it was suggested to discuss this further with her.
Copies of all written reports received have been published on the village website.
Robert Wardley thanked everyone for attending and closed the Parish meeting at 7.45pm.