Minutes of the Parish Council Meeting held in Barham Church Hall

Present: Cllrs Richard Morris (Chair), Stephen Russell (Vice Chair), Clare Taylor, Will Draper, Nick Harvey, John Morgan, Mark Tomkins, Bill Woodhall, Roy Woodfine, Tavid Dobson (Parish Clerk)

1. Apologies

Lainey Pace (Minute Secretary)

2. Declarations of Interest and Request for Dispensation

There were no declarations of interest nor requests for dispensation.

3. Finance

3.1 Report by Responsible Financial Officer

August Payments will be authorised and signed off by Cllr Taylor and Cllr Morris W/C 4^th August and then displayed on the noticeboards and posted on the Website. Standing Orders for Payments etc will be reviewed at the next FSG meeting Action FSG
Bank Statement Income & Expenditure sheet balance £198,950.00. Reviewed and signed by Cllr Tomkins.
SALC Update – Payroll Members Price Increase 1 April 2025. First Employee (without Pension) £8.50 and Charge for Payroll Services From £38.00 Plus VAT to £45.00 Plus VAT.
2025/26 Budget Reserve – in line with Parish improvements, additional items have been included in the Reserve to formalise expenditure. This was agreed by the Parish Council. The Reserve currently stands at £65600.00.
The Mid Suffolk Sports Infrastructure Fund Form was tabled at the meeting for Cllrs to view. It was agreed that once the PC has agreed a way forward a decision would be made on how to move forward with the MUGA.
PKF External Auditors have acknowledged they are in receipt of our forms on 26/06/25. Further updates will be provided once the accounts have been confirmed. Action Cllr Taylor
An update was given on The Broadsheet Advertising Sponsorship moneys received so far. A further update will be provided at the next PC meeting in September. Action Cllr Taylor
Savings Accounts – The FSG recommendations were discussed and agreed by the PC.

Bank	Account Type	Interest Rate	Access Limit	Access Penalties	FSCS Protn.
Hinckley & Rugby BS	Local Council 90 Day Notice	3.15%	No Access 90 Day	No Access	85K
HSBC	Savings - Money Manage Account	Approx 1.4	Everyday Access	None	85K

Cllr Taylor is awaiting confirmation of a savings account with HSBC and will provide an update at the next meeting. Cllr Taylor was instructed to set up the savings accounts. Action Cllr Taylor

Play Equipment – The FSG recommendation was discussed and agreed by the PC. Proludic (the company who installed the play equipment) are to be appointed to address the items identified on the MSDC play equipment inspection report. The quote is £1295.84 Action Cllr Taylor and Parish Clerk

4. Planning

4.1 Report by Badwell Ash Planning Application Assessment Group

4.2 DC/25/02899

Land West Of, The Street, Badwell Ash, Suffolk. APPLICATION FOR PLANNING PERMISSION WITHOUT COMPLIANCE OF CONDITION(S) - DC/25/02899. Variation of Condition 2 (Approved documents) providing a new layout for 8no market dwellings.

Summary: This application is principally to slightly alter the design of some dwellings and marginally change the orientation of 2 other dwellings and in this respect there is little to comment on in terms of materials, etc as the main Planning Application has already been approved subject to usual conditions. The slight change of orientation of 2 of the properties potentially improves the aesthetic layout of the development. However, there are some significant issues, firstly relating to the change of 2 of the properties from 'Affordable' to 'Market' properties. Badwell Ash Parish Council has already opposed this proposal in their response to DC/25/02925 - 106D. Other issues relate to: (i) ensuring that a pedestrian walkway to connect to the village as originally proposed is in fact built and surfaced before the developer leaves the site; (ii) ensuring there is a plan to deal with the ongoing sewerage issues in this part of Badwell Ash and that this is implemented before the developer leaves the site. Recommendation: Badwell Ash Parish Council oppose the change to no affordable properties in this development and additionally wish items (i) and (ii) above to be agreed/resolved before the completion of this development. It does seem that this has been a missed opportunity to achieve housing suitable for the Parish in terms of affordability, material choices, eco credentials, pedestrian/cycle linkage to Badwell village centre, and traffic concerns.

Following discussion, the PC accepted the PAAG recommendation subject to the inclusion of the option of ‘shared ownership’ be included in the summary recommendation. The PC also asked the PAAG to write to Richard Winch on the issue of why Housing Associations are not taking up the affordable housing being built in small developments. Action PAAG and Parish Clerk

4.3 DC/25/02925

Land West Of, The Street, Badwell Ash, Suffolk. APPLICATION FOR MODIFICATION OR DISCHARGE S106. Proposal to remove provision of 2no Affordable Housing units to be replaced by commuted sum.

Summary: In the forthcoming Badwell Ash and Long Thurlow Neighbourhood Plan, the Parish Council have been absolutely plain in Policy BALT 3 - Housing Mix: that smaller, starter/affordable homes are our need. The current proposal goes against the Size and Tenure segments of BALT 3. In addition, at a stroke, 25% of the dwellings in the development will have been switched to market-type properties; and finally, this change has been made a mere 3 months after the final permission was granted. Recommendation: Badwell Ash Parish Council object to this modification to remove the provision of 2 affordable homes in this development

Following discussion, the PC accepted the PAAG recommendation. Action Parish Clerk

5. Dates of Future Meetings

The next meeting will be held on the 2^nd September, 7pm

2 September 2025	7 October 2025	4 November 2025	2 December 2025
6 January 2026	3 February 2026	3 March 2026

The Chair closed the meeting

Signed as an accurate minute of the meeting
Chair of Parish Council

Appendix 1

BACS Payments for Authorisation – August 2025

Name	Details	Amount	Method
Lorraine Pace	Salary	105.00	BACS
HMRC	Tax & NS Payment NOT before 6^th of the Month	214.54	BACS
Clerk T Dobson	Salary	632.87	BACS
M Tomkins	LT Clips for New Sid's	34.50	BACS
Badwell Ash Village Hall	Main Hall /Toilets Decoration Grant	2120.00	BACS
Stephen Rose	Street Cleaning June / July	216.00	BACS
Badwell Ash Village Hall	Room Hire Q3 and extra Hire	196.00	BACS
Gipping Press	500 x The Broadsheet Newsletter	247.00	BACS

Neighbourhood Plan Finances

5^th May 2025	Balance Carried Forward 2024/25	£1899.97
5^th May 2025	The Lord Thurlow Hall – NP Meeting	£ 25.00
15 July 2025	Rachel Leggett – Village Survey	£1007.20
BALANCE		£ 867.77

Signed ……………………………………… Print Name ………………………………………