Minutes of the Annual General Meeting held in Barham Church Hall, on
Monday 20th May 2024, 7.00pm
- Present
- Cllr Brenda Mitchell, Cllr Casey Wooltorton, Cllr Paul Fenn, Cllr Marilyn Lesley, Cllr Ian Woods, Cllr Graham Head, Cllr Bonnie Head & Cllr Julie Gregory.
- Also present
- SCC Chris Chambers, BMSDC David Penny & John Whitehead the Clerk and 13 members of the public.
1.5 Election of Chairman – To Receive Nominations
Cllr Lesley nominated and proposed Cllr Wooltorton, seconded Cllr B Head. All agreed, Cllr Wooltorton elected as Chairman.
2.5 Election of Vice Chairman – To Receive Nominations
The new Chair asked for nominations for Vice Chairman and proposed Cllr Gregory, seconded Cllr Fenn. All agreed, Cllr Gregory elected as Vice Chair. Declaration of Acceptance to Office forms were signed for both roles.
Open Forum
The Chair asked the public to be respectful and polite in this open session and that each member of the public may speak for 3 minutes.
Member of the public asked why the PC has not confirmed that 3 quotes were sought for the electric works at the picnic site and why the electrical work was carried out when the PC had intended on 7th August 2023 to give the picnic site freehold back to Suffolk County Council? Also queried the water meter to be installed at the site.
The previous grass cutting/village maintenance contractor for Barham over the past 3½ years had carried out various jobs in the village which included cutting the footpath along the Norwich Road to the Sorrell Horse and this cost in total £3624.20 for his work. In the last 6 months the Parish Council has spent £5581.46 on village maintenance/grass cutting which seems a lot on money.
Noted that the PC spent £693.37 for a public notice to be placed in the EADT advertising the notice of disposal of land, Barham picnic site to the Barham Picnic Site Charity. Then due to an error of the PC email address on the notice, spent another £693.37 to have the notice republished.
The Chairman informed that as per standing orders the PC did get 3 quotes for the electric works. Member of the public objected to this statement.
The Chairman asked the member of the public not to interrupt or he would move on to the next person for questions.
Member of the public said that the PC did not get the quotes and she has proof in the minutes.
The Chairman clarified that the PC did have 3 quotes, the PC had discussed the quotes and had agreed on the middle price. SALC has confirmed that a Parish Council is not required to disclose all of the quotes to members of the public due to confidentiality issues.
Member of the public interrupted again, so the Chairman advised that if this happens again, he will close the meeting.
After another interruption the Chairman proposed to close the meeting, will resume the meeting closed to the public in 2 weeks’ time seconded Cllr Lesley. A show of hands was 6 in favour to close the meeting 2 against.
The meeting was closed at 7.10pm
Chairman …………………………………………………. Date ………………………...........