Annual Parish Meeting
Held on 19th May, the meeting was chaired by Julian Wilson, Chairman
of the Parish Council.
After the usual opening formalities there were two presentations.
The first, of the Alf Hicks Crystal Biscuit Barrel for outstanding
service to the village was to Ivy Haygreen. Ivy was presented with
the Biscuit Barrel, which she will hold for the year, and a framed
certificate. The second presentation was to Brenda Fairhall in recognition
of over 30 years service, initially as Clerk to the Parish Council
for six years and then continuously as Parish Councillor. Brenda was
presented with a book of historical maps of Suffolk and a framed portrait
of her, much loved dog, Chloe.
After the presentations, Julian reported on the work of the Parish
Council and its Estates Committee over the past year. He highlighted
changes in the make-up of the Parish Council; the number of meetings
attended and the amount of paperwork, planning applications and other
documents that had been dealt with.
Peter Miller presented a brief report on the Teen
Project including confirmation of the Lottery grant of
£28,742 from Sport England. Sadly he also reported that some
minor damage had been done to the equipment by "visitors"
from outside the village. Fortunately they had been recognised and
reported the PC England
who had taken prompt action.
County Councillor Jane Midwood reported on the work of the County
Council and the Council Tax for the present year. She highlighted
Locality Budgets, funds County Councillors have to allocate to their
parishes for specific projects, stressing that she ensures that she
spends every penny of hers; the imposition of school transport charges
for children attending Catholic schools which she considered to be
grossly unfair; and the on-going problem of poor road maintenance
with the assurance that she is doing everything she can to try to
improve the situation.
Borough Councillor Derek Redhead reported that the Borough's portion
of the Council Tax had been held down thanks to a substantial Government
grant. The Brown Bin recycling scheme was proving extremely successful
although the Blue bins have had a mixed reception from residents.
Concern has also been expressed at the loss of weekly black bin collection
particularly with the approach of hot weather. Work on the Bury multiscreen
cinema had started but had then stopped when an unexpected water main
had been detected. The Cattle Market development plans are being subjected
to public consultation before final consideration by the Borough Planning
Committee but Derek said that he still had serious concerns about
the amount of parking space, links to the existing shopping area and
the viability of the public events facility.
Community Beat Officer PC Martin England reported on crime figures
and that Suffolk is aiming to be the safest county by 2006, a target
which, he said, looks likely to be achieved. The present co-ordinator
of the village Neighbourhood Watch scheme is standing down and efforts
are in hand to find a replacement and to recruit additional local
contacts. Martin said that he had visited the Teen Project several
times and was much impressed with the facility particularly as, since
its opening, he had had far less calls about youngsters being a nuisance
around the village.
Julian Wilson, as a trustee of the United Charities reported on the
refurbishment of the Almshouses
and Jeff Claydon, Chairman of the MSC
reported on the work of the Memorial Hall trustees.
The meeting attracted an attendance of 17. Of these, two were receiving
presentations, six presenting reports and six others were Parish Councillors
or lay members of the Estates committee who may have considered it
their duty to attend. Presumably the low attendance, coupled with
the apparent lack of interest in Parish Council meetings, all of which
are open to the public, implies that residents are completely happy
with the services they receive and the level of Council Tax and how
it is spent - or simply don't care. Feel free to respond, either through
the Scene or direct to a councillor or the Clerk.
Annual Parish Council Meeting
Your Parish Councillors
are - Paul Bevan, Jeff Claydon, Allan Harrison, Kerry Merritt, Steve
Sumner, Julia Walker and Julian Wilson.
The Parish Council is legally required to elect its Chairperson and
to appoint committees and representatives to other bodies annually.
At this year's meeting, on 27th May, Julian Wilson was re-elected
Chair of the Parish Council with Paul Bevan as Vice-Chair. The Estates
Committee was re-appointed and Julia Walker subsequently elected Chair
with Alan Harrison as Vice-Chair. Other appointments were: Paul Bevan
- Tree Warden; Kerry Merritt - member of Estates Committee and representative
to the Suffolk Association of Local Councils Area Meetings; Steve
Sumner - MSC representative; Julian Wilson - United Charities representative.
The Estates Committee lay members re-appointed were Peter Bayman,
Pam Miller, Allan Mitchell and Jenny Shaw.
Brenda Fairhall was re-appointed as the second Parish Council representative
to the United Charities. Public Rights of Way Following concern raised
at the Annual Parish Meeting and subsequently about improper use of
the footpaths it seems appropriate to try to clarify the situation.
There are four classes of Rights of Way - Public Footpaths, Bridleways,
Roads Used as Public Paths (RUPPs) and Byways open to all Traffic
(BOATs).
Public Footpaths such as that leading from Coltsfoot Green to the
School may only be used by the public on foot although it is generally
agreed that they can take a pram, pushchair or dog.
Bridleways- e.g. from the Ousden Road, past Australia Farm, down the
hill, across the stream and on to the Ashfield Green road may be used
on foot, horseback or pedal cycle.
RUPPs - none appear on the village map - are as Bridleways although
vehicle access may also be allowed.
BOATs - Coltsfoot Green, past Australia Farm and on towards Genesis
Green for example, can be used by all, including motor vehicles. However
the same rules apply as for vehicles on the road, i.e. the vehicle
must be taxed and the driver/rider licensed and insured.
The Parish Council and users of the paths have been asked to inform
the police of improper use, particularly of vehicles being driven
on footpaths.
If you are unsure about the status of any particular path, the Clerk
may be able to advise.
Peter Miller - Parish Clerk
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