| 9985 |
Minutes of a Meeting of the Wickhambrook Parish Council
28th October 2004 at 7.30 p.m. in the MSC Pavilion |
| Present |
ACTION |
Cllrs. J. Wilson (Chairman), S. Sumner, J. Claydon,
J. Walker, K. Merritt, Cllr. A. Harrison, P. Bevan
Borough Cllr. D. Redhead
Clerk P. Miller
1 member of the public.
The Chairman welcomed the members of the public who advised
that he was not there in relation to any specific item of business.
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1. Apologies for absence
None received |
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2. Minutes of Meeting of
23rd September
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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Cllr. Sumner declared interest in the village
website (minute 7.5.1.1).
Cllr. Wilson declared interest in Grove farm Stud (minute 8.1.7).
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| 5. Reports |
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5.1 Borough Cllr.
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| 5.1.1 Cattle Market. Latest proposals received.
The Cllr. found these rather disappointing. Officers were adamant
that all consultation questionnaires had been issued although
there seemed little evidence to support this. Of the Borough
population of 130,000, only 1,300 responses had been received.
Main concerns reported were reduction in car parking, inadequate
link between the old and new shopping areas, the choice of Debenhams
as the anchor store and the design of the buildings with its
strong use of timber. The Cllr. believed that the link had been
properly addressed in the latest proposals by providing for
compulsory purchase of properties alongside the existing alleyway
to allow its widening. 52% of respondents were opposed to the
public building and the Cllr. expressed his on-going concern
that there was still no business plan or real indication of
how this building will be used to generate sufficient revenue
to justify the £9M capital cost. In response to a question
regarding existing public facilities, Corn Exchange and Athenaeum,
the Cllr. responded that the capacity of the proposed building
is no greater than that of the Corn Exchange and that there
is a school of thought that it might be better to improve this
facility. |
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5.1.2 Haverhill improvement plan. Public meeting
at Castle Manor School on 1st November.
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6. Clerk’s Report
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6.1 Action on SALC AGM 2003 resolutions. Circulated.
Contents noted.
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6.2 Hedgerow Survey newsletter. Circulated. Contents
noted.
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6.3 Wildlife Training Day. Circulated. Contents
noted.
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6.4 Common Land – right of way for vehicles.
Circulated. Contents noted.
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6.5 Suffolk Under Pressure conference. Notice
circulated. Noted.
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6.6 Suffolk Preservation Society newsletter.
Circulated. Contents noted.
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6.7 Clerks & Councils Direct – September
issue. Circulated. Contents noted.
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6.8 Clean Neighbourhoods consultation. Circulated.
No response.
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6.9 Political Activities of Local Government
Employees. Circulated. No response.
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| 6.10 Model Code of Conduct for Local Government
Employees. Circulated. No response. |
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| 6.11 Local Transport Plan. Results document circulated.
Contents noted. |
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| 6.12 Wildlife Trust newsletters. Circulated.
Contents noted. |
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| 6.13 CPRE newsletter. Circulated. Contents noted. |
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| 6.14 Tree Planting Scheme. The Clerk apologised
for his oversight in not circulating details. Cllr. Bevan, Tree
Officer, outlined his proposed planting sites at the school,
the Cemetery and Coltsfoot Green. No other plantings were suggested.
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PB |
| 6.15 Bus service changes. Circulated. Cllr.
Sumner had suggested that these be displayed on the village
website. The Clerk explained that changes were so frequent that
it would be difficult to ensure that the site was kept up to
date. Agreed that no action be taken. |
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| 9986 |
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6.16 Rural Housing seminar. Notice circulated.
Noted.
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6.17 Parish Conference. Borough Offices, Angel
Hill, 2nd December. Cllr. Walker offered to attend and this
was approved. The Clerk was instructed to confirm arrangements.
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JWa
Clerk |
6.18 Disability Discrimination Act – Playgrounds,
2nd edition. It was noted that the 1st edition had been considered
by the Estates Committee and it had been agreed that no action
be taken at that time. The Clerk responded that he had circulated
this edition as he felt that all Cllrs. would wish to be aware
of the possible implications.
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| 6.19 Training on Planning Matters. Papers passed
to Cllr. Merritt who would be attending. |
KM |
| 7. Finance |
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| 7.1 The following payments were approved: |
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| 7.1.1 |
1139 |
J. Crysell |
Cemetery chapel security and gutter clearing
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33.80 |
| 7.1.2 |
127 |
Griffin Fencing |
Teen Project goal net |
293.75 No.2 a/c |
| 7.1.3 |
1140 |
D.R. King & Son |
Grounds contract – 2nd payment |
2,350.00 |
| 7.1.4 |
1141 |
P. Miller |
Printer ink |
25.90 |
| 7.1.5 |
1142 |
P. Miller |
Petty cash |
50.00 |
| 7.2 The following income was received: |
| 7.2.1 |
100357 |
Suffolk C.C. |
Locality Fund donation from County Cllr. |
636.00 |
| 7.2 The following donation appeals were
considered and payments approved: |
| 7.2.1 |
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Bank interest No.1 account
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127.95 |
| 7.2.2 |
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Bank interest No.2 account
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39.77 |
| 7.2.3 |
100358 |
HJ Paintin Ltd |
Cemetery fee – interment |
40.00 |
| 7.2.4 |
100358 |
HJ Paintin Ltd |
Cemetery fee – inscription (non-parish) |
30.00 |
| 7.2.5 |
100358 |
Y. Whitehead |
Grave space & memorial |
90.00 |
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| 7.4 Disputed electricity bills. The Clerk reported
that he had just received a revised account but had not yet
checked it. |
Clerk |
| 7.5 Budget and precept estimate 2005/2006. |
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7.5.1 The Clerk had prepared a draft budget which
had been issued to Cllrs. in advance of the meeting. There were
no questions raised on the main content.
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| The following items had been listed for further
consideration: |
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| 7.5.1.1 Website operating costs. |
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| Cllr Sumner, having declared interest,
retired from the meeting while expenditure on the website was
considered. |
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The Clerk explained that he had projected the
costs to cover the period December 2004 to April 2006. Agreed
that running costs plus statistics and alternative site fees
be budgeted for.
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| Cllr. Sumner was recalled to the meeting. |
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7.5.1.2 Bowls Club grant. The Bowls Club had
requested £500 to assist with refurbishment of the bowling
green. Agreed that this amount be budgeted with payment subject
to a statement of costs incurred and supporting invoices/receipts.
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7.5.1.3 WicKids Youth Club grant. The Club had
requested £500-£1,000. The Clerk provided details
of the Club’s needs and other grant application. Agreed
that £1,000 be budgeted. Payment subject to details of
need and outcome of other grant application.
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| 7.5.2 Subject to the above additions it was proposed
Cllr. Sumner, seconded Cllr. Claydon and resolved unanimously
that the draft budget be accepted and the Clerk was instructed
to issue the precept estimate accordingly. |
Clerk |
| 8. Planning |
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| 8.1 The following applications had been considered
by the Parish Council on circulation: |
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8.1.1 SE/04/3271/P – Genesis Green Stud
– staff flats – no objection
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8.1.2 SE/04/3304/LB – Lane Cottage, Coltsfoot
Green – various alterations – no objection
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8.1.3 SE/04/3305/P – Saddlers Cottage,
Wickham Street – extension – no objection
but reservations
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8.1.4 SE/04/3225/PN – Dodds Farm, cellphone
mast – no objection
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8.1.5 SE/04/3359/P – Crows Farm –
extensions – no objection
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8.1.6 SE/04/3417/P – Queens Cottage, Ousden
– replacement ceilings – no objection
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8.1.7 SE/04/3393/P – Grove Farm Stud –
staff quarters – no objection
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| Not circulated to Cllr. Wilson –
interest known. |
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| Other Cllrs. questioned whether they should have
declared interest as the application was on behalf of the Chairman.
The Clerk advised that within the interest guidelines they probably
should all have done so. However there would then be no local
response to the application which could be construed as the
Cllrs. being in dereliction of duty. It was agreed that the
response to the application should stand. |
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| 9987 |
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| 8.1.8 SE/04/3568/P – Sunnydale, Wash Lane
–agricultural occupancy condition removal - objection |
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| Apparent inconsistencies in submission; need
for local housing for agricultural workers. |
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| 8.1.9 SE/04/3567/P – Lane Cottage, Coltsfoot
Green – satellite dish – no objection |
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| 8.1.10 SE/04/3564/P – 2 Wickham House Bungalows
– dormer windows – no objection |
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| 8.1.11 SE/04/3565/P – 3 Wickham House Bungalows
– extension & dormer windows– no objection |
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8.2 The following revised applications
were considered:
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| In considering these applications account
was taken of objections from neighbours and a report from their
planning consultant. |
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| 8.2.1 SE/04/3564/P – 2 Wickham House Bungalows
– dormer windows – no objection |
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| 8.2.2 SE/04/3565/P – 3 Wickham House Bungalows
– extension and dormer windows – no objection
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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/04/3303/P – 8 Wickham House Bungalows
– enlarged rooflight – granted |
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| 8.3.2 SE/04/3100/P – Samples Farm, Ashfield
Green – barn change of use – granted |
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| 8.3.3 SE/04/3144/P – Genesis Green Stud
– replacement stables - granted |
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| 8.3.4 SE/04/3078/P – Westlea Cottage, Attleton
Green – replacement garage – granted |
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| 8.3.5 SE/04/3065/LB – Wakelins, Genesis
Green – retetion of security lights – granted |
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| 8.3.6 SE/04/3023/P – West View, Genesis
Green – extension - granted |
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| 8.4 The following planning appeal notice was
considered: |
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8.4.1 SE/04/2810/P – Land adj. Landmark,
Coltsfoot Green – outline dwelling – objections
to stand
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| 9. Estates Committee |
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| No meeting in October. |
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| 10. MSC representative’s report |
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| No trustees meeting. |
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| 10.2 Events. Consideration is being given to
running a number of events during the year. |
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| 11. United Charities representatives
report |
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11.1 Almshouses building work almost finished
and furnishing imminent.
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| 11.2 One house has been offered. Other still
available. |
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| 12. Hedges, Verges, Roads and Drains |
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12.1 Thorns Close house numbering. The Clerk
reported on advice from Borough Engineers that the sign board
was awaiting installation.
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Clerk |
12.2 Parking in Coltsfoot Close. The Clerk reported
that Highways had confirmed that provision of an “H”
on the roadway at the drive entrance could not be considered.
Resident to be advised.
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Clerk |
12.3 Meeting Green hedges. The Clerk reported
that following further complaints of poor visibility due to
the overgrown hedges, Highways had agreed to review.
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| 12.4 Shop Hill. The Clerk reported that following
complaints of overgrown banks alongside the footway restricting
its use, Highways had agreed to review. |
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| 13. Rights of Way |
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| 13.1 Footpaths Improvement Plan. The Clerk presented
the response summarising Cllrs. views. |
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| 14. Standards Board Referral |
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14.1 The Clerk presented the Standards Board
response to the referral. After consideration of the letter
referred to in the allegation and an explanatory letter from
the Clerk the Board had concluded that “In all the circumstances,
it was considered that the alleged conduct (even if it were
found to have occurred) would not have involved any failure
to comply with the authority’s Code of Conduct. Accordingly,
the decision was that this allegation should NOT BE INVESTIGATED.”
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14.2 Borough Cllr. Redhead explained why he had
considered it necessary to refer the matter to the Standards
Board and the possible implications for his own position had
he failed to do so.
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14.3 Cllr. Wilson expressed the view that the
way in which the referral had been made was most unfortunate
and that compliance with the letter of the Code of Conduct often
presented problems for Cllrs. where the need to declare interest
conflicted with their duty to represent parishioners.
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15. Date of next meeting
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| Thursday 9th December, 7.30 p.m., All Saints
Church Meeting Room. |
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16. Dates of subsequent meetings
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| 20th January 2005 |
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| 17. Any other business |
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| Nothing raised. |
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| Meeting closed at 9.35p.m. |
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