The attendance record showed 17 persons present.

1. Apologies for absence.
None received.

2 Minutes of the 2003 Annual Parish Meeting.
With the approval of the meeting these were taken as read and signed.

3. Matters arising from the minutes.
No matters were raised.

4. Annual presentation of the Alf Hicks Crystal Biscuit Barrel.
The Chairman reported that the Parish Council had unanimously decided that the recipient of the Biscuit Barrel should be Ivy Haygreen in recognition of her many years of outstanding service to the Village.
Parish Councillor Paul Bevan presented Ivy with the Biscuit Barrel and award certificate.

5. Presentation to Brenda Fairhall
Parish Councillor Jeff Claydon explained that the Parish Council had decided that Brenda’s outstanding service to the community should be recognised. Six years as Parish Clerk, followed by 26 years continuous service as Parish Councillor before her retirement in 2003, Trustee of the United Charities for several years, governor of the primary school as well as being involved with other committees and services.
The Chairman presented Brenda with a framed pastel portrait of her dog “Cloe” and a book of “Historical Maps of Suffolk”.

6. Report by the Chairman of the Parish Council, Julian Wilson.
The Chairman said that the at the start of the year there had only been three Parish Councillors in post and the first meeting had been inquorate due to one of this number being unable to attend. However at the re-convened meeting Paul Bevan, Allan Harrison and Stephen Sumner were co-opted and in July the Council was brought up to full strength with the co-option of Julia Walker.
He continued by highlighting some of the matters involving the Parish Council over the past year:
6.1 Parish Council meetings. Thirteen meetings had been held during the year, including two extraordinary meetings.
6.2 Planning and other information. Over 30 planning applications had been considered and over 100 information items circulated.
6.3 Speeding. The 40 mph speed limit had been implemented. There had been varied progress in reducing speeding past the school.
6.4 Footpaths. Various access and condition issues had been dealt with.
6.5 Website. The parish site, put together by Mdsign, was brought on line and well worth visiting.
6.6 Six acres sports facilities. Agreements had been established for the Tennis and Bowls Clubs to clarify responsibilities. An order had been placed for disabled access paths to both facilities and an additional gate installed in the tennis courts.
6.7 Neighbourhood Watch. A meeting had been held with the Co-ordinator and the Community Beat Officer to resolve some communication problems and to plan for the future.
There being no questions from the floor, the Chairman closed with thanks to the Parish Councillors and the Clerk for their support throughout the year.

7. Report by the Chairman of the Parish Council Estates Committee, Julian Wilson
The Committee, which had met twelve times during the year, had been started as an experiment but had proved itself in lightening the load on the main Parish Council meetings and in its use of lay members to assist, particularly with essential risk assessments and safety inspections.
He closed by expressing his intention not to stand for the Committee for the coming year due to pressure of other work and thanked the Parish Council and lay members of the committee for their work and support throughout the current year.

8. Teen Project report by Peter Miller
The grant from Sport England of £28,732 had been approved in July, the order for the Project placed in September and the main installation work completed in December. Following a satisfactory safety inspection by the Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents the Project was officially opened by County Councillor Jane Midwood on 31st January.
Despite appalling weather the opening was very well attended by representatives of grant providers, local organisations, individuals involved in local fundraising and the press. Sadly the weather conditions prevented skaters and BMXers demonstrating their skills.
Pam and Peter Miller had been presented with gifts from the Project users for which they wished again to express their thanks particularly as it was something the youngsters had themselves arranged.
Some minor works were still to be completed but these did not prevent full use of the facility. Unfortunately there had been some minor vandalism which had been referred to the police. It was stressed local youngsters were not involved.
In closing Peter said that it had been a hard three years work to get the Project in place but seeing the skatepark getting plenty of use and the games area being used by all ages made it worthwhile.

9. Parish Council Financial Report
The Clerk presented the financial statement for the year ending 31st March (copy attached).
There were no questions from the floor.

10. Report by County Councillor Jane Midwood.
Jane opened by saying that she had 17 Annual Parish Meetings to attend of which this was the 14th. Nevertheless she wished to thank the parish for inviting her to present her report.
10.1 Council Tax. An increase of 3.8% had been approved for the County Council Labour/Liberal Democrat administration, an opposition proposal for 2.8% in line with inflation having been rejected. Although 3.8% seemed low it needed to be considered in the context of the previous year’s massive 18.5% rise.
10.2 Locality Budget. Total budget now £1M. In January over £100,000 from previous years had still not been allocated by County Councillors in St Edmundsbury. Jane stressed that her budget was always fully allocated and this year would be used towards refurbishment of an area in the front playground of the school.
10.3 Denominational school transport. The decision to charge for such transport will effect Catholic families who may have to pay up to £80 per child per term. This despite Catholic schools not being funded from Council Tax as they are maintained by the diocese. Efforts are being made to try to mitigate the transport costs.
10.4 Highways maintenance. The standard answer of “no money in the budget” to meet maintenance requests has been supplemented by “shortage of staff” – currently West Area Highways is short of three Highways Engineers, who examine roads and assess repairs needed, and a Speed Management Engineer and is finding it very difficult to recruit. Budget cuts for 2004 include reduced investment on less heavily used footways and reduced structural maintenance on unclassified roads both of which particularly effect rural areas.
10.5 Teen Project. Really enjoyed taking part in the opening and is delighted to see this wonderful facility being used. Peter and Pam Miller are to be applauded for their sterling work on the Project.
10.6 Commitments. Owing to other County Council commitments it has been necessary to stand down from the county Adoption Panel, a decision made with regret but membership of the Shadow Cabinet and being opposition lead on the Access and Community Overview and Scrutiny Committee had brought a huge workload.
10.7 From the floor:
10.7.1 Q. Is the County Council responsible for trimming roadside verges?
             A. Sometimes and sometimes the landowner.
10.7.2 Q. Do Highways check the quality of work done, much of which is appalling?
             A. Do not know but will ask.
10.7.3 Q. Why is there the shortage of Highways Engineers?
             A. Apparently reflects a national shortage.
There being no further questions Jane concluded by stressing that she considered the most important part of her job being to represent her constituents and asked them not to hesitate to contact her if they feel she may be able to help with a County Council matter.

11. Report by Borough Councillor Derek Redhead
11.1 Council Tax. Borough Council increase restricted to 6.5% thanks to a substantial Government grant. An alternative of 3% was proposed but rejected. Subsequently the Finance Officer recommended a 3% year-on-year increase and this was adopted.
11.2 Council Housing stock transfer. Completion of the transfer resulted in a reduction of housing staff in the Borough Council from 1300 to 983.
11.2 Waste recycling. The Brown Bin scheme has resulted in 11,000 tons of garden and kitchen waste being collected for recycling in the last year. The Blue Bin scheme had a mixed reception – proliferation of bins; lack of storage space; environmental impact of bins on view on pavements and roadside. Loss of the weekly Black Bin collection had raised concerns about possible social impact during the summer months.
11.3 Leisure Services. The two Leisure Centres are to be put into a Trust – probably by October. Main advantage is rate relief of 80% (Bury Centre rates approx. £250,000). Disadvantage that they will not be able to re-claim VAT on repairs.
11.4 Multiscreen cinema. Work started but had to be stopped while a water main is moved.
11.5 Cattle Market development. The planning application has been made and is being issued for public consultation. Derek said that he continued to express his concerns at reduction of parking, links to the existing shopping area, and the capital cost and revenue return of the public building.
11.6 From the floor:
11.6.1 Q. How will functions be attracted to the building if parking is inadequate? Parking is already a problem without the loss of parking spaces.
             A. The multi-storey is underused but the cinema developers have promised security patrols which should increase usage.
11.6.2 Q. Have there been any studies of general traffic flow with the development?
             A. Said that there is no problem but some doubts about this response.

12. Report by Community Beat Officer, PC Martin England.
12.1 Healthy Homes scheme. Additional funding available for the free home check and resultant work. Anyone eligible should be encouraged to apply.
12.2 Parking outside school. Addressed with the school and hopefully taken care of. It is hoped that the walking route will be used more during the summer.
12.3 Teen Project. Has reduced considerably the number of calls regarding nuisance, particularly from Nunnery Green. The vandals referred to earlier had been spoken to. Anyone causing problems in future will be contacted and, if appropriate, parents informed.
12.3 Speeding. Results of speed checks were not available but there had been some convictions.
12.4 Crime. Over the nine villages on the patch, there were 171 reported crimes including 56 at the prison. In Wickhambrook there were 27 compared with 38 last year. The highest ratio was from outbuildings so sheds, barns, etc. should be checked for security. Of the 27 reported crimes, 7 had been detected which was recognised as not being good. However compared with some places outside Suffolk our crime figures were not a cause for concern.
12.5 From the floor:
12.5.1 Q. Are motorcycles allowed to use the track past Australia farm?
             A. Motor vehicles are allowed but has spoken to some riders recently.
12.5.2 Q. What about the footpath from Coltsfoot Green to the school?
             A. Motor vehicles are not allowed. If registration numbers or riders names are available this can be followed-up.

13. Report on United Charities by Julian Wilson.
13.1 Trustees. With the death this year of James Green a trustee was lost but Ann Jones and Margaret Robinson had now joined as trustees.
13.2 Almshouses. It is hoped that renovation will be completed by the end of June. Thanks must go to the Borough Council for a grant to enable completion of the work. This was badly needed to make up the funding shortfall due to the investment slump.

14. Memorial Social Centre report by the Chairman, Jeff Claydon.
14.1 Improvement and maintenance. The provision of hot water to the toilets and external refurbishment of the building need to be investigated. The Hall floor needs re-finishing but there is a problem with damp which needs to be identified. The heating system still needs some attention.
14.2 Income and expenditure. It had been a successful year with a good level of bookings. However running costs of £10,000 to £12,000 per annum against income of around £10,000 means that hire charges will have to be increased.
There being no questions Jeff closed his report with thanks to the Vice Chairman, Treasurer, Booking Manager and other Trustees.

15. Any Other Business.
Nothing raised.

The Chairman declared the meeting closed at 9.20 p.m.