- Present
- Cllrs Richard Morris (Chair), Stephen Russell (Vice Chair), Will Draper, John Morgan, Clare Taylor, Mark Tomkins, Nick Harvey, Bill Woodhall, Roy Woodfine, Peter Dixon (Parish Clerk).
- Also Present
- District Cllr Richard Winch and four members of the public.
A resident addressed the meeting to offer support to the PC in its efforts to manage traffic speed through the village. His observations showed there was a greater risk by those who regularly speed out of the village. He specifically offered strong support for a speed watch campaign and supported the Parish in its programme of installing speed cameras.
Apologies
Apologies were received from C Cllr Andy Mellen.
Declarations of Interest and Request for Dispensation
There were no declarations of interest nor requests for dispensation.
Reports from Local Councillors
- A copy of C Cllr Andy Mellen's report was circulated to PC members and noted.
- D Cllr Richard Winch's report was circulated. He pointed out that Norfolk and Suffolk County Councils had written to government expressing their interest in taking forward devolution within their area through the establishment of a Mayoral Combined County Authority which would mean Mid Suffolk District Council would be abolished.
- MSDC had committed to a capital programme of £36.3m in 2024/25. Some of the areas for investment included sports and health facilities; investment in land for biodiversity, public access and flood alleviation. There was money available for the MUGA, (Multi Use Games Area).
- The Joint Local Plan (JLP) for Babergh and Mid Suffolk was being reviewed and would take three years to produce.
- The new timetable for the Simonds 73 bus service came into force on 24 February. This was a reduced bus service but it would be a viable service.
- Suffolk County Council notified the developer that toad ladders could not go into any of the adopted drains that they were responsible for so these were now being fitted to private drains only.
Minutes
- The minute of the meeting held on the 4 February were approved and signed. The Clerk notified the PC that draft agendas and minutes can be put on noticeboards. This duly noted.
- There were no matters arising.
Governance
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Recruitment of Proper Officer and RFO
It was reported that informal interviews had taken place and formal interviews will take place soon. Cllrs Morris and Taylor were appointed to interview to find successful candidate before the next meeting.
Action Cllrs Morris and Taylor
The Clerk notified the PC that an email had been received from a resident raising procedural matters relating to the way some documents had been loaded on to the PC website and their accuracy. After discussion these points were noted by the meeting and it was agreed that the Chair would respond in writing once some aspects had been clarified.
Cllrs Russell, Taylor and Tomkins agreed to clarify the issues.
Action Cllrs Morgan, Russell, Taylor and Tomkins.
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Procedures for approving Planning applications
Cllr Tomkins reported that as all planning applications were now being referred to a Working Group for assessment a Planning Procedure Policy was needed and he intended to table one at a future meeting.
Action Cllr Tomkins
Report by Responsible Financial Officer (RFO)
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The latest HSBC bank statement was signed off by Cllr Russell. The PC's bank mandate has been updated with previous signatories removed and Cllrs Russell and Taylor added.
Cllr Taylor tabled a summary of payments and invoices for March 2025. These were signed off by Cllr Morris and Russell, see Appendix 1.
Cllr Taylor reported that she was preparing a report on VAT for the year and asked if any outstanding invoices could be sent to her in time.
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Parish Infrastructure Investment Plan (PIIP)
Cllr Russell reported there was no further update at present.
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Replacement of computers and ancillary equipment
It was agreed that these could not be purchased until the changes to the PC's bank mandate had been completed.
Action Cllrs Taylor and Woodfine
Neighbourhood Plan
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Neighbourhood Plan Update
Cllr Russell reported that the Neighbourhood Plan was now with MSDC for forwarding to the Examiner. No further action was required at this time.
MUGA (Multi Use Games Area) Update
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Cllr Harvey reported that there had been no more objections. The application will go to the Council in April.
Traffic Management and Road Safety
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Replacement Speed Cameras
Cllr Tomkins reported that he had been working with the Long Thurlow Speed Watch team to have two SID's (speed indicators) fitted at either end of the village and he was looking at prices of solar power versions. Cllr Woodfine reported that Elancity had an offer of a twin pack of solar SIDs which might be more cost effective. It was agreed for Cllr Woodfine to bring back a recommendation to the PC with costs for two new solar panel SID's for Badwell Ash and Long Thurlow.
Action Cllr Woodfine
Cllr Russell reported he was still waiting to hear from the County Highways Department regarding the installation of a replacement for the damaged SID pole in Badwell Ash. Cllr Richard Winch agreed to contact C Cllr Andy Mellen to request a date from the County Highways Department.
Action Cllr Winch and Cllr Russell
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Traffic monitoring Parish wide
Cllr Russell reported that the last traffic monitoring had been undertaken by Suffolk Police in 2021. They had concluded that there was no safe place for volunteers to undertake traffic monitoring. Since then, there have been additional houses built and an increase in traffic. Cllr Russell recommended the council requested traffic monitoring is undertaken and to see if there is now a safe place for volunteers to operate a speed watch. This was agreed.
Action Cllr Russell
Minor Works and Projects
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Repair to war memorial
Cllr Harvey reported that further potential repairs may be needed to the pillar of the War memorial. It was agreed that Cllrs Harvey and Taylor would look into the cost of any necessary repairs.
Action Cllrs Harvey and Taylor.
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"Pride of Place" expenditure/ street furniture renewal
Cllr Tomkins reported that a grant for £3,600 has been made by MSDC under their "Pride of Place" budget to fund new poles for signposts and two new benches. He would draft an article for the next Badwell Broadsheet seeking Parishioners' views on the location of the benches.
Action Cllr Tomkins
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Replacement bench - St Mary's Crescent
A new bench is available to replace the rotten wooden bench on the green at St Mary's Crescent. Cllr Draper agreed to ask Stephen Rose carry out the work.
Action Cllr Draper
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Defibrillators
It was reported that February's inspection of both defibrillators has been undertaken. It was agreed that in future Cllr Morgan will undertake monthly inspections in Badwell Ash and Cllr Woodfine would do the same in Long Thurlow.
Action Cllrs Morgan and Woodfine
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Footpath Update
Cllr Woodall reported that the County footpaths officer has reported that Footpath 11 beside the Mulberry Homes development would be re-opened shortly. It was agreed that Cllr Woodall would visit the site to keep pressure on the developer.
Action Cllr Woodall
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Playground Inspection
Cllr Draper had undertaken the inspection for February and updated the log. Cllr Harvey would undertake the inspection for March.
Action Cllr Harvey
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Grounds maintenance schedule 2025
Cllr Draper reported that he would be meeting with Stephen Rose to draw up a schedule of grounds maintenance which will be tabled at the next meeting.
It was agreed that three quotes should be obtained for grass cutting to include cutting a patch of grass outside of the Badwell Ash Village Hall.
Action Cllr Draper
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Thermal Imaging Update
Cllr Tomkins reported that he had some interest from the Parish for surveys. The cameras have been collected and Cllrs Morgan, Russell, Tomkins, Woodfine and Parishioner Mark Pace would be undertaking assessments in early March. It was agreed that a statement should be included in the next Badwell Broadsheet.
Action Cllrs Morgan, Russell, Tomkins and Woodfine
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Great British Spring Clean – Arrangements
The Annual Spring Clean date has been chosen as Saturday 29 March, commencing at 10.00am for approximately 2 hours. The pick will start from the Village Hall in Badwell Ash and from Cllr Woodfine's house in Long Thurlow.
VE Day Celebrations (Thursday 8 May)
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Cllr Morris reported that as the Village Hall Events Co-ordinator had stepped down and there were currently no events planned.
Planning
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Richer Road development roadway - update
Cllr Taylor reported that the highway issues outside the building site in Richer Road had been solved.
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Disposal of planning applications - see attached reports
It was agreed to call an Extraordinary Parish Council on 10 March, 7pm at Badwell Ash Village Hall to to consider the Planning Applications detailed below:
- DC/25/00162 - A retrospective planning application for the installation of a wooden canopy fronting the Rumbles Fish Bar and
- DC/25/00353 - Erection of single storey side extension to dwelling and single storey rear extension to garage
and to consider the recommendations of the Parish Council's Planning Application Working Group.
Action Parish Clerk, Cllrs Russell, Woodfine & Woodhall
Date of Future Meetings
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The next PC meeting will be held on 1 April 2025 at 7pm at Badwell Ash Village Hall.
The Annual Parish Meeting and the Annual Parish Council Meeting will both be held on 6 May 2025.
Signed as a correct record of the above meeting
Chair …………………………………………………. Date ………………………...........