| 9975 |
Minutes of a Meeting of the Wickhambrook Parish Council
22nd July 2004 at 7.30 p.m. in All Saints Church Meeting Room |
| Present |
ACTION |
Cllrs. J. Wilson (Chairman), S. Sumner,
J. Claydon, J. Walker, P. Bevan, A. Harrison
Borough Cllr. D. Redhead
Clerk P. Miller
Representative of the Wickhambrook Bowls Club – A. Lightley
1. Apologies for absence
Cllr. K. Merritt; County Cllr. J. Midwood; Community Beat Officer
PC M. England
2. Minutes of Meeting of 24th
June
The previously issued minutes were taken as read and signed. |
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3. Matters arising.
There were no matters arising that were not otherwise on the
agenda. |
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4. Declarations of interest in agenda items.
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There were no declarations of interest.
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| 5. Reports |
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5.1 Borough Cllr.
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6. Clerk’s Report
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| 6.1 Borough Comprehensive Performance Review consultation.
The joint response prepared from individually completed questionnaires
was tabled. |
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6.2 Suffolk Housing Society Annual Report. Circulated. Noted.
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| 6.3 CPRE “Fieldwork” newsletter. Circulated. Noted. |
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| 6.4 CPRE “Countryside Voice” newsletter. Circulated.
Noted. |
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| 6.5 Local Transport Plan consultation. Circulated. Individual
responses to questionnaire to be summarised. |
Clerk |
| 6.6 Removal of BT payphones. Circulated. Although it was not
considered that the BT proposal to remove the payphones at Ashfield
Green and Genesis Green on economic grounds could be objected
to it was felt that more information could have been provided
regarding the criteria used. |
Clerk |
6.7 Tree Wardens’ Seminar. Attendance by Cllr. Bevan
approved.
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PB |
| 7. Finance |
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| 7.1 The following payments were approved: |
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| 7.1.1 |
1118 |
PCC of Wickhambrook |
Donation – historic memorial repairs |
200.00 S137 |
| 7.1.2 |
1119 |
P. Miller |
Car expenses – Records Office |
10.31 |
| 7.1.3 |
1120 |
J. Crysell |
Repair to cemetery gates |
50.00 |
| 7.1.4 |
1121 |
P. Miller |
Car expenses – internal audit |
101.76 |
| 7.1.5 |
1122 |
Wicksteed Leisure Ltd |
Replacement swing seats and chains |
140.24 |
| 7.2 Disputed electricity bills. The Clerk
reported that he had referred this to Energywatch. |
| 7.3 Audit. The Clerk presented a satisfactory
report from the Internal Auditor, Heelis and Lodge. All
required documents had been forwarded to the External
Auditor, Lubbock Fine. |
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| 8. Planning |
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| 8.1 The following applications had been considered by the
Parish Council on circulation: |
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| 8.2 The following applications were considered: |
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| 8.2.1 SE/04/2692/P – Attleton Farm – stable block,
horse arena and vehicle access – no objection
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| however it was resolved that concerns regarding
work already started, possible change of use, surface drainage
and removal of foul sewage be raised with the Planning Officer.
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| 8.3 The following applications granted/refused by the Borough
Council or withdrawn were noted: |
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8.3.1 SE/04/2176/P – BT Radio Station, Genesis Green
(Lidgate) – replacement antennas - granted
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| 9976 |
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8.3.2 SE/04/2211/P – Crows Farmhouse – extensions
– refused
8.3.3 SE/04/2230/P – Land off Wash Lane – change
of use and erection of barns – refused
8.3.4 SE/o4/2231/P – 13 Coltsfoot close – conservatory
– granted
8.3.5 SE/04/1957/P – 2 Bleak Cottage, Cemetery Road –
conservatory – granted
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| 8.4 The following planning appeals were considered: |
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| 8.4.1 SE/04/1600/P – Sunnydale, Wash Lane – refused
removal of agricultural occupancy condition - objections
to stand |
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8.4.2 SE/04/1433/P – OS5806, Bury Road, Depden –
refused retention of gipsy caravans - objections to
stand
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| 9. Estates Committee |
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| There had been no meeting in July. |
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| 10. MSC representative’s report |
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10.1 Assistance with repair to fence adjoining car park requested.
Referred to Estates Committee.
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Clerk |
| 10.2 Bowls Club. Although no formal information had been received
it was the opinion of the trustees that the Club should not
be dissolved. |
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| 10.3 Financial support from the Precept. The trustees had
been advised of the budget deadline for consideration of any
application for 2005/6. |
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| 10.4 Use of Pavilion for meetings. Request for keyholding
to be progressed. |
SS |
| 11. United Charities representatives report |
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| Additional minor repairs had delayed re-decorating but an
Open Day to be held on Saturday 24th July. |
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| 12. Hedges, Verges, Roads and Drains |
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| 12.1 Cutting of verges. The Clerk confirmed that he had advised
highways of concerns. |
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| 12.2 Thorns Close drainage sump. The Clerk had contacted Highways
and been advised that work would start shortly. The property
owner had been advised accordingly. |
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| 12.3 Meeting Green hedges. Highways had responded that an
inspection would be made but any remedial work was not likely
to be carried until September/October. |
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12.4 Bus stop on A143. Highways had responded that as several
service areas are involved a joint response may be required.
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| 12.5 Footway – Browns Close/Cemetery Road. Overgrowth
reported to Highways. Cllr. Claydon reported that it had been
cleared. |
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| 14. Rights of Way |
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| 14.1 Cutting of footpaths. The Clerk reported that he had
referred concerns regarding lack of cutting to Rights of Way.
Subsequently field edge cutting had been carried out and crossfield
obstructions identified for action. |
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| 15. Neighbourhood Watch |
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Cllr. Sumner reported that he had not yet contacted the Neighbourhood
Watch Co-ordinator.
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SS |
| 16. Bowls Club. |
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Following receipt of a letter giving notice that the Club
could not continue beyond the current season, the Club was invited
to make representations to the meeting.
A. Lightley explained that he was the sole representative due
to other members being committed to a league match and reported
and responded to questions:
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| 16.1 Financial and membership figures for the previous five
years (tabled) indicated that there would be insufficient funds
to cover costs beyond the current season and that membership
had steadily diminished. |
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| 16.2 Lack of on-site toilet and bar facilities precludes running
of fundraising events and attracting of new members. All other
clubs in the area have such facilities. Although MSC facilities
are used these have to be paid for. Income is solely from membership
subscriptions and match fees. |
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| 16.3 Appeals for new members through the Scene, What’s-On
and fliers had been unsuccessful and it is difficult to plan
further promotion with the current uncertainty of the Club’s
future. Other bowls clubs in the area having similar problems
in attracting members. The majority of current members live
outside the village. |
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| 16.4 Following the death of the main greenkeeper, maintenance
of the green could probably not be sustained beyond the current
season. |
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| 9977 |
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| 16.5 The green is not level and attempts made in 2001/2 to
correct this had not been completely successful. |
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| 16.6 The green is not of best quality and it has been suggested
that this is due to incorrect original laying rather than subsequent
deterioration. |
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| On completion of his submission, A. Lightley left
the meeting. |
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| 16.7 Following discussion of the points raised it was agreed
that: |
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| 16.7.1 Expert inspection of the green be carried out to assess
what remedial action may be needed and to advise on-going maintenance
costs. Borough Cllr. Redhead offered to arrange this. |
DR |
| 16.7.2 Dependent on the outcome of the inspection, joint discussion
to be arranged between the Parish Council, Bowls Club and MSC
with a view to calling a public meeting to assess the damand
and future viability of a bowls club. |
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| 16.7.3 That, if called, the public meeting be widely publicised
throughout the potential membership catchment area and through
local media. |
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| 16.7.4 Providing that future viability of a bowls club can
be assured, a campaign be launched to attract membership and
fund essential grounds maintenance and facilities. |
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| 16.8 The Clerk was instructed to advise the Bowls Club accordingly
and to arrange the joint meeting once the inspection report
is received. |
Clerk |
| 17. SALC AGM report |
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| Cllr. Sumner reported that he had attended but as the meeting
had been very recent asked leave to report fully at the next
meeting. This was agreed. |
SS |
18. Date of next meeting
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| Thursday 26th August, 7.30 p.m. in All Saints Church Meeting
Room |
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18. Dates of subsequent meetings
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| 23rd September; 28th October |
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| 19. Any other business |
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Nothing raised.
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| Meeting closed at 9.40p.m. |
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