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Minutes of a Meeting of the Wickhambrook Parish Council
30th October 2003 at 7.30 p.m. in All Saints Church Meeting
Room |
Present
Cllrs. J. Wilson (Chairman), K. Merritt, A. Harrison, S. Sumner,
J. Claydon, P. Bevan, J. Walker
County Cllr. J. Midwood; Community Beat Officer P.C. M. England.
M. Sumner, C.Bird
Clerk P. Miller.
M. Sumner had been invited
to attend in her capacity as Website Designer with reference
to minute 17.
C. Bird had been invited
to attend in his capacity as Neighbourhood Watch Co-ordinator
with reference to minute 16.
1. Apologies
for absence
District Cllr. D. Redhead
2. Minutes of Meeting
of 25th September
The previously issued minutes were then taken as read and signed.
3. Matters arising.
There were no matters arising that were not otherwise on the
agenda.
4. Declarations of interest in agenda
items.
Cllr. Sumner declared interest in the website – minute
17
Cllr. Wilson declared interest in Outline Planning Application
SE/03/3191/P – minute9.1.2.
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ACTION |
5. Register of Interests
The Clerk reported that he was awaiting three cllrs. registrations. |
JC, JWa, SS |
6. Reports
6 .1 County Cllr. |
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| 6 .1.1 Funding Roadshow. 26th November from 7 p.m. in the
MSC Pavilion to advise on availability of grant funds and how
to access them. |
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6.1.2 “About Suffolk” County Council newsletter.
The cost of producing the newsletter and issuing to every house
is £12,000 p.a. It appeared that it was being issued in
Wickhambrook although there had been problems elsewhere.
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| 6 .1.3 County Council telephone numbers. A single access number
is to be introduced. |
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| 6.1.4 Other comments recorded under related minutes 6.2.5,
14.1 and 10.2.2. |
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| 6.2 Community Beat Officer |
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| 6.2.1 Air weapon attack. Another attack had been reported
on a bus near the Plumbers Arms. |
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| 6.2.2 Shed/garage break-ins. In many cases the buildings had
been found to have been left unlocked. |
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| 6.2.3 Cross-field approaches. Being used for access to properties. |
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| 6.2.4 Road accident. The Clerk reported an accident at Meeting
Green crossroads which was being attributed to hedges blocking
the line of site. PC England asked that further details be obtained. |
Clerk |
| 6.2.5 Bicycle riders on Church Road. County Cllr. Midwood
reported that children had been seen riding after dark without
lights. |
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| 6.2.6 Other comments recorded under related minutes 15.1 and
16. |
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7. Clerk’s Report
7.1 Legal Topic Note on cllrs. allowances. Appeared to have
been lost on circulation. The Clerk was instructed to re-circulate. |
Clerk |
| 7.2 Suffolk Preservation Society newsletter. Circulated. No
action required. |
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| 7.3 Suffolk ACRE annual report. Circulated. No action required.
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| 7.4 Local Transport Plan – progress report. Circulated.
No action required. |
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| 7.5 Suffolk Wildlife Trust annual report and newsletter. Circulated.
No action required. |
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| 7.6 The Local Channel – ‘free’ website.
Circulated. No action required. |
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| 7.7 Notice board/seat at Clopton/Bury Road. The developers
of Clopton Park (ex. Marshalls Yard) had been contacted and
had agreed that they intend to provide both. |
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| 7.8 Countryside Act information pack. On circulation. |
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| 7.9 SALC Risk Assessment course. On circulation. The date
for this had passed. |
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| 7.10 Ponds and Wildlife course information. On circulation. |
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| 7.11 CPRE newsletter. On circulation. |
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| 7.12 Drug Action information. On circulation. |
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| 7.13 SALC subscription information. On circulation. |
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| 7.14 Clerks & Councils Direct, September issue. On circulation. |
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| 7.15 Scene, November issue. Parish Council and Teen Project
reports had been submitted. |
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8. Finance
8.1 The following payments were approved: |
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| 8.1.1 1064 DR King and Son Grounds maintenance contract, 3rd
payment 2467.50 |
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| 8.1.2 1065 P. Miller Printing ink 38.40 |
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| 8.1.3 1066 Suffolk ACRE Membership subscription (late payment)
20.00 |
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| 8.1.4 1067 SALC Balance of Clerk’s training course fee
10.00 |
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| 8.1.5 1068 P. Miller Car expenses – training 28/30 October
69.16 |
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| 8.1.6 1069 P. Miller Petty cash top-up 50.00 |
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| 8.2 The Clerk reported that the challenged Powergen invoice
had resolved and the account is now £17.94 in credit. |
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| 8.3 The following donation appeals were considered and payments
approved: |
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| 8.3.1 1070 Wickhambrook Local History Society (History Recorder)
30.00 |
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| 8.3.2 1071 Suffolk Accident Rescue Service 30.00 |
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| 8.3.3 1072 Winged Fellowship Trust (Holidays for the disabled)
30.00 |
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8.3.4 1073 Victim Support Suffolk 30.00
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8.3.5 1073 St Edmundsbury Newstalk (talking newspaper for
the blind) 30.00
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8.4 The following income was received:
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8.4.1 Bank interest No. 1 Reserve a/c 54.64
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| 8.4.2 Bank interest No. 1 Capital a/c 21.92 |
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8.4.3 Bank interest No. 2 Reserve a/c (Teen Project) 56.46
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| 8.5 A letter of thanks from the Youth Club for the donated
equipment was tabled. |
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| 8.6 Audit for year ending 31st March 2003. The report of the
independent auditors, Heelis and Lodge, was tabled and the points
raised responded to by the Clerk. |
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| 8.7 Bank mandates. The Clerk reported that the specimen signature
forms had been lodged with the bank. There appeared to be three
outstanding mandate forms. |
AH, JWa, SS |
| 8.8 Budget for 2003/04. |
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8.8.1 Draft budget. This had been prepared by the Clerk and
issued. It was noted that the budget must be approved by end
November in order for the precept estimate to be submitted.
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8.8.2 MSC grant. It was noted that the MSC had not submitted
a figure. Cllr. Claydon agreed to obtain this before the next
meeting.
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JC |
8.8.3 Bowls Club grant. The Clerk reported that the Bowls
Club had indicated a wish for a grant towards essential repairs
to the pavilion but no figure had been advised.
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8.8.4 After discussion it was agreed that the budget be referred
to the November meeting.
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| 8.8.5 A vote of thanks to the Clerk for the clarity of the
draft proposals was passed. |
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9. Planning
9 .1 The following applications had been considered by the Parish
Council on circulation |
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9.1.1 SE/03/3018/P – 8 Bury Road – extension –
no objection
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9.1.2 SE/03/3154/P – New House Farm, Baxters Green –
new dwellings – no objection
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9.1.3 SE/03/3191/P – Grove Farm Stud – outline,
two dwellings – no objection
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9.1.4 SE/03/3263/P – 4 Clopton Park – conservatory
– no objection
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The Clerk expressed concern at planning applications being
returned from circulation too late for decision to be relayed
to Planning Dept. by the consultation closure date.
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9.2 The following application granted/refused by the Borough
Council were noted
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9.2.1 SE/03/1547/P – OS5086, Bury Road – retention
of 3 residential caravans – refused
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9.2.2 SE/03/1975/P – Wakelins barn – retention
of extension – granted
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| 9.2.3 SE/03/2304/P – Doctors Holding – swimming
pool and greenhouse – granted |
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| 9.2.4 SE/03/2468/P – 8 Wickham House Bungalows –
granted |
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9.2.5 SE/03/2529/P – Little Monks Farm – extension
– granted
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9.2.6 SE/03/2945/P – The Poppies, Malting End –
extensions – granted
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9.2.7 SE/03/3018/P – 8 Bury Road – extension -
granted
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10. Estates Committee
12.1 Minutes of the meeting of 7th October had been issued.
No matters were raised. |
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| 10.2 Teen Project progress. |
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10.2.1 Basework started on 22nd October. Three weeks had been
allowed for the basework, followed by a week for settling and
two weeks for equipment installation.
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10.2.2 County Cllr. Midwood said that she was delighted to
see work starting on the Project.
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| 10.3 Six acres sports agreements. The Clerk reported that
he had met with the Bowls Club committee and it appeared that
the question of payments to the MSC had been resolved. The agreements
for the Bowls Green and the pavilion had been signed. Agreements
on behalf of the Tennis Club still to be signed but it was understood
that this is a formality. |
Clerk |
11. MSC
Representatives report – there had been no trustees meeting.
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12. Tree Warden’s report
Cllr. Bevan reported that he had met with the grounds contractor
and identified work needed. He would map this for presentation
at the next meeting.
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PB |
13. United Charities representatives report
Cllr. Wilson reported that the trustees would meet on 29th October
to finalise programme of works. |
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14. Hedges, Verges, Roads and Drains
14.1 Overgrown hedges. County Cllr. Midwood reported that she
had not been able to make any headway with Highways Dept.
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| 14.2 Grit heaps. Not yet provided. The Clerk was instructed
to refer to Highways Dept.
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14.3 Bridge at Coltsfoot Green. Work appeared to have stopped.
The Clerk was instructed to seek information.
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Clerk |
| 14.4 Attendance of Highways representative. The Clerk reported
that he had contacted the West Area Highways manager who suggested
that a tour of problems rather than attendance at a Council
meeting would be more productive. The Clerk was instructed to
arrange this. Points of concern to be advised to the Clerk by
7th November. |
Clerk
All |
15. Rights of Way
15.1 Motorbikes on by-way 31, Coltsfoot Green to Genesis Green.
PC England advised this to be legal providing riders have 3rd
party insurance. There is no lower age limit and no driving
licence or road tax is required.
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| 18. Neighbourhood Watch |
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There was extensive discussion with the following conclusions.
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16.1 Communication. Communication between Neighbourhood Watch
Co-ordinator C. Bird and PC England had been inadequate. This
led to reports to Neighbourhood Watch being received too late
for useful follow-up.
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16.2 Police Newsletters. Receipt of these had been intermittent.
Now available by e-mail. The Clerk had already registered for
these.
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16.3 Public knowledge. There was general agreement that many
residents are unaware of the existence of local Neighbourhood
Watch.
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16.4 Interest. PC England reported that at a recent roadshow
in the village, those attending were aware of Neighbourhood
Watch in general but were not interested in helping.
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| 16.5 ‘Good neighbours’. Essential to the success
of Neighbourhood Watch is willingness of residents to pass information
and concerns to the Co-ordinator or the police. |
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16.6 Future action.16.6.1 C. Bird indicated that he was willing
to continue as co-ordinator but needs assistants.
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| 16.6.2 Agreed that local scheme needs to be re-started from
scratch in order to develop interest. |
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| 16.6.3 Flier to be distributed throughout village. C. Bird
and PC England to liaise on content. |
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| 16.6.4 Dedicated space to be provided on website. |
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| 17. Website |
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| 17.1 M. Sumner reported that she had contacted many village
clubs and organisations and most were keen to be represented
on the site. So far the site had 82 pages and could be expected
to reach over 100. It is hoped to have the site completed by
mid-November with a view to being on-line by early December.
Decisions are now needed from the Parish Council. |
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| 17.2 Cllr. Bevan reported that he had looked at the site proposals
and was very impressed. |
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| 17.3 Cllr. Bevan advised that written agreements would be
needed to the use of names, addresses, etc. in order to comply
with the Data Protection Act. |
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| 17.4 Resolved that Cllrs. Bevan and Merritt liaise with M.
Sumner and report back. |
PB, KM |
18. Date of next meeting
Thursday 27th November, 7.30 p.m. in All Saints Church Meeting
Room
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20. Dates of subsequent meetings
18th December; 22nd January 2004
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21. Any other business
Nothing raised. |
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| Meeting closed at 9.45 p.m. |
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