Barham Parish Council Meeting Minutes

Summary
This summary is generated by AI and may contain errors. It does not form part of the official minutes.
Residents will be interested to know that Suffolk's libraries are set to return under council control after contract negotiations with Suffolk Libraries fell through. Additionally, discussions continue on the future of local government, with proposals for a single or multiple unitary councils in Suffolk. Lastly, the council is advocating for no pylons in the Norwich to Tilbury Pylon Scheme, pushing for underground solutions instead.
Published
Present
Cllrs Richard Morris (Chair), Stephen Russell (Vice Chair), Will Draper, Nick Harvey, John Morgan, Clare Taylor, Mark Tomkins, Bill Woodhall, Roy Woodfine, Tavid Dobson (Parish Clerk) supported by Peter Dixon and Lainey Pace (Minute Secretary)
Also Present
County Cllr Andy Mellen, District Councillor Richard Winch and one member of the public.

1. Apologies

None.

2. Declarations of Pecuniary Interest and Requests for Dispensations

None.

3. Reports from Local Councillors

  1. A copy of County Cllr Mellen's report was circulated prior to the meeting. C Cllr Mellen reported that SCC's Arboriculturist has looked at the over-hanging tree on the Langham Road and has confirmed there is no imminent risk. The tree is the responsibility of the land owner.

  2. SCC administration was told to bring Suffolk’s libraries back in-house at the end of the current contract for the library on 31st May. Suffolk Libraries, who have held the contract since the service was divested in 2012, were the only bidder for the contract, but negotiations broke down and the council felt it had no alternative but to bring the libraries back under council control.

  3. Proposals from all Suffolk councils were submitted to the government by 21st March, regarding local government reorganisation. Suffolk County Council has announced that it will be proposing one single unitary council for Suffolk. Subsequently, all the district and borough councils have now voted to propose multiple unitaries (2 or 3) as their preferred option. All the councils now need to prepare a business case and submit it to the government by September. The government should announce by the end of the year what local government in Suffolk will look like in future.

    The plan is for a mayor for Norfolk and Suffolk to be elected in May 2026, and the government’s public consultation on a new Mayoral Combined County Authority for Norfolk and Suffolk is open until 13 April. To share your views fill out the online consultation survey at www.gov.uk/government/consultations/norfolk-and-suffolk-devolution

  4. National Grid undertook final consultations for the Norwich to Tilbury Pylon Scheme project in Suffolk in March, in anticipation of receiving a Development Consent Order application later in the year. Suffolk County Council has welcomed a series of changes to the latest set of plans, evidence that National Grid has listened to some of the councils’ concerns and those of local communities. However fundamental differences remain, with the council clear that offshore and undergrounding solutions should be priorities for the scheme. National Grid has confirmed that undergrounding through the Waveney valley, which the council were hoping for, is now not likely to happen. The council has pledged to continue to fight for no pylons, and if the scheme is agreed, for proper compensation for residents and communities.

4. Minutes

  1. The minutes of the last meeting were agreed with one correction; that the meeting was held on Tuesday, not Monday 4th March. The correction was noted and the minutes were signed off. There are some minutes and agendas still to be placed on the PC website. Action Cllr Morgan

  2. Matters arising from the minute not covered on the agenda

    None.

5. Governance

  1. Recruitment of Clerk, RFO and Minute Secretary

    Effective as of 1st April, Tavid Dobson has been appointed as the new Parish Clerk; Cllr Clare Taylor will continue to cover the role of RFO and Lorraine (Lainey) Pace has been appointed as minute secretary.

  2. Village Hall Liaison Update

    Cllr Draper reported that the VHC will meet with their preferred contractor on the 11th April at 2.30pm to look at the heating in the large hall. It was agreed that they should obtain a quote for the repair of the faulty heater in order to resolve the issue in the short term. Cllr Draper to report this back to the VHC. Action Cllr Draper

    The VHC are trying to recruit new members and their next meeting will be held on The 28th April which will be an AGM and a meeting. Agreed that both Cllr Draper and the new Parish Clerk would attend. Action Cllr Draper and Parish Clerk

  3. Parish Meeting and AGM – format and arrangements

    The next meeting of the PC will be held on the 6th May at 7pm. It will be an AGM followed by a Parish meeting. The Chair and Vice Chair will be re-elected followed by an update on the Broadsheet and various items relating to the Parish.

6. Finance

  1. Report by Responsible Financial Officer (RFO)

    Cllr Taylor circulated a finance statement for March payments which have been signed off, see (Appendix One) and there are no outstanding payments. Cllr Morgan has checked and signed off this month’s Bank statement. The sum of £2,057 for toad ladders has been reimbursed as it was not possible to install these. Cllr Winch suggested that this money is used in some other way to help wildlife and nature within the Parish.

    Cllrs Taylor and Russell are working to resolve the issues with the PC’s bank mandate. Action Cllrs Taylor and Russell

    Cllr Taylor will undertake preparation for an audit of the Parish accounts in due course. Action Cllr Taylor

  2. Parish Infrastructure Investment Plan (PIIP)

    Cllr Russell reported that there was no further update at present. Project areas from the Neighbourhood Plan are to be identified and these will be incorporated and taken forward within the PIIP. Cllr Russell to bring these to this meeting for discussion. Action Cllr Russell

  3. Replacement of computers and ancillary equipment

    Cllr Taylor has set up a business account for the PC with Currys and has purchased a new printer, and a keyboard. Cllr Woodfine reported Costco are offering a good deal on antivirus security licenses. It was agreed to purchase a further two new lap tops and Cllr Woodfine to pass on the details of the Costco deal to Cllr Taylor. Action Cllrs Taylor and Woodfine

  4. Grant Application – St Mary’s PCC for drainage survey

    St Mary’s PCC has written requesting funding for the cost of a camera survey to check the origin of dampness in the South Aisle of St Mary’s Church. Following further discussion, it was agreed that the Clerk will reply requesting they submit a formal grant application and also to provide details of repairs/projects that they want to undertake to the church so the PC can better understand what the next 12 month plan is for the church so they can support as appropriate. Action Parish Clerk

  5. Grant Application – St Mary’s PCC for card payment connectivity

    St Mary’s PCC would like to set up a digital giving system in St Mary’s church and have written a letter outlining their proposal of how this can be achieved and requesting funding to help with this. It was agreed that a reply is written outlining the PC’s concern with their proposed method and to suggest they investigate the cost of a dedicated telephone line being installed instead. Action Parish Clerk

7. Neighbourhood Plan

  1. Neighbourhood Plan (NP)

    Cllr Russell reported that the NP will go to consultation soon and the outcome will be known at the end of May/June 2025. MSDC has agreed to cover the cost of the referendum.

    The Clerk asked if the PC would consider using the NP logo for the PC which was agreed. Consent needs to be obtained from Katy Haylock who designed the NP logo beforehand. Action Cllr Russell

  2. To consider response to Babergh and Mid Suffolk District Council Neighbourhood Planning (NP) – Interim Housing Requirement Advice

    The proposed numbers of new houses for the Parish is challenging and the impact these will have on infrastructure and traffic growth is a cause for concern. As the NP has been signed off, it is not possible to add this in to it. However, these issues can be taken forward in the project groups that will be set up relating to the Parish Infrastructure Plan (PIIP).

8. MUGA (Multi Use Games Area)

The MUGA will be considered on the 7th May. Cllr Harvey confirmed he is willing to attend on behalf of the PC which was agreed. Action Cllr Harvey

9. Traffic Management and Road Safety

  1. Replacement Speed Cameras

    Cllr Woodfine has looked into the cost of solar SIDs for Badwell Ash and Long Thurlow. He has a quote for 2x SIDs, however with a bulk discount of £250 these will be £2,500 each. It was agreed to go ahead and purchase three SIDs, two for Long Thurlow and one for Badwell Ash. Action Cllrs Woodfine and Taylor

  2. Traffic Monitoring Parish wide

    Cllr Russell to update on this at the next meeting. Action Cllr Russell

10. Minor Works and Projects

  1. Repair to war memorial

    Cllr Harvey confirmed this was completed today. Thanks were extended to Cllr Harvey for his help with this which has been undertaken with no charge to the PC.

  2. “Pride of Place” expenditure street furniture renewal

    Cllr Tomkins reported that two new benches have been delivered and an article was put in the April/May edition of the Broadsheet asking Parishioners for their feedback on where they would like these located within the Parish.

    Cllr Tomkins explained the sign post on Sheepgate Lane in Long Thurlow needs replacing and this has not been included in this grant application. He has obtained a quote for the cost to replace this for £266.50 This was agreed. Action Cllr Tomkins

  3. Replacement bench – St Mary’s Crescent

    Cllr Draper has spoken to Stephen Rose who has confirmed he is willing to carry out the work to replace the rotten wooden bench on the green in St Mary’s Crescent. Stephen has suggested as there are two benches around the memorial, to locate this bench near the junction of St Mary’s Crescent looking back into the village. Cllr Draper confirmed this suggestion is supported by residents in St Mary’s Crescent. It was agreed that Cllr Draper contacts the owner of the bench to ask if they are happy with this suggestion and if not that the bench should be located where it was previously. If they are in agreement then written confirmation from residents in St Mary’s Crescent that they agree should be obtained. Action Cllr Draper

  4. Defibrillators (2)

    The inspection of both defibrillators has been undertaken for March and both are working. Cllr Woodfine reported he was unable to gain access to the website in order to log the details. Further investigation required

  5. Footpaths

    Cllr Woodhall reported he has walked footpaths five to nine and the footpath beside the Mulberry Homes development site. All these paths are currently clear. Peter Dixon asked if he could be authorised by the Parish Council to continue exploring, with the SCC footpaths officer, the possibility of re-aligning footpaths 10 and 11; to explore with the landowner on a ‘no prejudice’ basis and to report further to the Council. This was agreed.

  6. Playground inspection

    Cllr Harvey confirmed the playground inspection for March has been undertaken and signed off. He noted some of the equipment is squeaky. Cllr Taylor reported there has been a report of dog mess in and around the playground. Dogs must be kept on leads and should not go into the playground area itself. Cllr Woodhall will undertake the inspection for April. Action Cllr Woodhall

  7. Grounds maintenance schedule 2025

    Cllr Draper met with Stephen Rose to discuss a schedule for grounds and village maintenance and confirmed Stephen is happy to continue to undertake this for the Parish. The PC is to agree scope and schedule of work with Stephen, and issue a work instruction. Action Parish Clerk

  8. Thermal imaging

    Cllr Tomkins reported that a total of 18 thermal imaging surveys were undertaken and he has sent a report to MSDC.

  9. Great British Spring Clean arrangements

    Cllr Tomkins reported that a team of 9 residents from Long Thurlow turned up for the litter pick on the 29th March. There was less rubbish than before.

11. Planning

  1. Update on application DC/25/00353

    Full notification of this planning application for a single storey extension to a dwelling in Symonds Close has been received. This was voted on and agreed.

  2. Application DC/25/00162

    The retrospective planning application for the installation of a wooden canopy fronting the Rumbles Fish Bar has been withdrawn. It is agreed that the Clerk is to write to Rumbles Fish Bar extending an invitation to meet and discuss proposals, if they decide to submit a new application. Action Parish Clerk

12. Dates of future meetings

6th May (Parish Meeting and AGM)
3rd June; 1st July (Apologies received from Cllr Taylor); 5th August (if needed)
2nd September; 7th October; 4th November; 2nd December.

Signed as a correct record of the above meeting

Chair ………………………………………………….

Appendix One

BACS Payments for Authorisation – Extra March Payments for Year End 2024/25
Badwell Ash Village Hall Rent PC Meeting Jan / Feb / March 2025 60.00 BACS
Sarah Sharpe Broadsheet – PAID First March Payments 180.00 BACS
Suffolk County Council BAPC Street Light Maintenance 877.87 BACS
Curry's New IT Equipment 837.06 BACS
Costcutters UK New Benches x 2 916.59 BACS

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