Minutes of the Parish Council Meeting Held in Barham Church Hall

MINUTES OF THE PARISH COUNCIL MEETING HELD IN BARHAM CHURCH HALL, ON MONDAY
16th MARCH 2026, 7.00pm

Present: Chairman Casey Wooltorton, Cllr Brenda Mitchell, Cllr Paul Fenn, Cllr Marilyn Lesley, Cllr Tim Carr & Cllr Julie Gregory.
Also present: BMSDC Cllrs David Penny and John Whitehead, SCC Cllr Chris Chambers, the Clerk and 3 representatives from Team AB (Port One).

Open Forum

Andrew Piper-Hunter representative from Team AB, developers of Port One confirmed that the planning application for the site was submitted to BMSDC planning department in November 2025. The Team is now working with planning consultees. Public consultations begun in January, these were being collated and given to the planning department. The public consultation has again been extended to the end of March, due to the size of the development. A decision should be reached by the end of the year.

Team AB are now actioning how the application could be improved particularly the connectivity for traffic around the site. In June a revised master plan will be submitted to the planning authority, this will include comments received from the consultees. Ecology and transport have already been highlighted by consultees. A road audit is to be carried out. Additional ecological data is required.

Cllr Fenn asked if solar panels will be installed on buildings? Some buildings have been identified for panels and some have not. It is a case of waiting until the buildings have been tenanted and to see how much electricity is used, before deciding how many panels are needed per building.

The Chairman hopes that there is still a commitment to install solar panels on the café at the picnic site once approved. APH confirmed Barham is still on the list to have solar panels installed on a public building.

Also informed that there will be a commitment to make a contribution towards upgrading/repairing the local roads around Barham. Will be continuing to publish updates in the In Touch magazine and will hand deliver the magazine to residents in Pest House lane area who currently do not receive a copy of the magazine. Looking to the future information, will be advertised electronically and public will be invited to communicate with the team directly. He will email the Clerk with contact details to be passed onto councillors.

BMSDC John Whitehead his report has been circulated ahead of the meeting. Outlined the budget. Cllr Mitchell would like to know what happens to the interest which the £70 million S106 money attracts? He informed that the interest goes into the general operating funds of the council.

SCC Chris Chambers reported that a budget of £850 million has been set for the year. Offsted is currently looking at the SEND service. HGV’s park up, out of site along the B1113 at Barham, whilst awaiting for the landfill site to open in the mornings. County elections to take place in May.

1.03 Apologies

Apologies for absence. Cllr Bonnie Head, Cllr Graham Head, on holiday.
Consent/non consent to absence. Approved.

2.03 Councillors Declaration of Interests

Declaration of interests with regards to any item on the agenda – None.

3.03 To Approve the Minutes of the Parish Council Meeting Held on 19th February 2025

The minutes were approved correct, proposed Cllr Gregory, seconded Cllr Mitchell and signed by the Chairman.

4.03 Matters Arising from the Minutes of the Last Meeting

Work Plan

The railway crossing by Barham Lakes will close and a new footpath will be installed around the lakes and under the railway line. The safety barrier leading down the steps will not be repaired until then. 2 directional signs still to be installed. Chairman to chase this up with the PROW officer again.

Cllr Chambers informed that he has reported to the Highways that the 30mph speed sign at Barham Green has been knocked down. He will chase this up. New “Welcome to Barham Village” signs, Cllr Chambers informed that these have been ordered and that he will pay for them out of his Locality Funding.

Chairman to attend a meeting with Taylor Whimpey on 6 May, this will involve the discussions on re-turfing the area of grass at the bottom of church lane. He will also ask the possibility of them installing a footpath by the junction of the new development and up to the corner of Kirby Rise.

Cllr Chambers will chase up the cutting of hedges which need to be done in and around Barham & Claydon. He will also chase up the cutting back of overhanging hedge at 3 Norwich Road. Advised that the PC could enrol onto the Community Self Help Scheme, this would enable the PC to intervene and carry out low scale works. Will send the Clerk a link.

5.03 To Co-opt a New Member onto Barham Parish Council

No applications received.

6.03 Review of Parish Council Planning List Discuss New Planning Applications Received

DC/26/00373 Calinol House, 5 Maple Grove, Barham – Granted by BMSDC. The PC had no objection to the application.
MS/221/76/VOC Broomfield Depot, Lafarge Aggregates Ltd, Lower Crescent, Barham – (operating hours). The PC had no objection to the application.
DC/26/00557 15 Sorrel Close, Barham. The PC had no objection to the application.
DC/26/00527 Discharge of Conditions re application DC/25/01795 – condition 9 (Fuel & Oil protocol) Barham Lakes, Pesthouse Lane. Granted by BMSDC. The Chairman informed that he feels the PC have been let down by the green party District Councillor as planning permission had been granted to Barham Lakes, for the change use of lodge from commercial to holiday let. The PC had opposed this application on grounds that the holiday let could be used as permanent accommodation.
New Developments at Land North of Pesthouse Lane, Barham. Proposed new road name, Willow. The PC approved this new road name. Developer has asked the PC to name the 2nd road through the development. PC suggests “Birch”.

7.03 Finance

Monthly Payments – to agree the payments for January & February 2026. January, payments £2,913.57, receipts £0.00, approved by all, signed off by Cllr Mitchell. February, payments £2105.16, receipts £0.00, approved by all, signed off by Cllr Mitchell.
Monthly reconciliation – February bank reconciliation. Cllr Fenn queried the payments of £2105.16 which have appeared on the Business Account, the Clerk will correct this, £0.00 payments. As at 28/02/26 the Current Account £14,943.55. Business Account £45,933.32. The accounts are holding reserves of £6,983.70 CIL money & £13,019.34 for grass cutting (Brett Aggregates). Signed off by Cllr Mitchell.
Donation Request received from the Claydon & Barham Good Neighbour Scheme. An application for grant funding has been received, £200 to help towards the hire of the village hall for community cuppa, mobile phone costs and public liability insurance. The Clerk advised that there is currently £155.00 remaining in the current year budget for donations. PC agreed unanimously to give a donation of £200 to this local group.
Donation Request received from the Air Ambulance. The PC believes that the government should help to fund this regional facility. Therefore, agreed that no donation to be granted by the PC.

8.03 To Carry Out the Annual Approval of Statutory Items

To Approve and Review the updated Internal Control Statement. The Chairman, Cllrs Mitchell & Gregory have reviewed the document ahead of the meeting and are happy for the PC to approve it. The Clerk added that the updated statement includes the addition of the WCAG 2.2 AA Accessibility Standards, which the PC have adopted. The document was approved by all, proposed Cllr Lesley seconded Cllr Fenn. Signed by Cllr Mitchell, Chairman and Clerk.
To Approve the New IT Policy. New recommended policy received from website host Suffolk Cloud. Agreed that the PC will adopt this policy which is new for Parish Councils, proposed Cllr Gregory, seconded Cllr Fenn. The Clerk informed that the new recommended by Parish Council Website Accessibility Statement has been received from Suffolk Cloud and will be uploaded onto the PC website.
To Review the Equal Opportunities Policy. This was reviewed and approved by the PC, all in favour. Proposed Cllr Carr seconded Cllr Fenn.
To Review the Privacy Notice for Staff. This was reviewed and approved by the PC, all in favour. Proposed Cllr Fenn seconded Cllr Carr.

The Clerk advised that further to the internal audit report last financial year, all of the PC statutory documents have now been reviewed over the past few months. The Chairman recommends that going forward all of the documents are reviewed once a year in March. Therefore next review March 2027.

9.03 Annual Inspection of Kirby Rise Play Area Carried Out by Sovereign

Chairman reported that a few things need to be carried out, again the rubber strip has been removed by children and need replacing on the slide. Sovereign has quoted £620.98 to replace the strip. Chairman is happy to carry out the work himself and can purchase the rubber strip for £2 metre (8 metres required). Grass tiles need to be replaced at the fireman’s pole, bumpy slide, basket swing and flat swing, £522.35. However not happy to pay £420.00 to Sovereign for the disposal of the damaged matting. Chairman will collect the matting and dispose of at the tip. Clerk to ask Sovereign for a revised quote. The PC agree that they are happy to go with a new sensibly priced quote ahead of the next PC meeting so that the work can be carried out. Proposed Cllr Fenn seconded Cllr Mitchell.

10.03 Renewal of Street Cleaning Contract for Another Year

Cllr Mitchell would like it acknowledged that Shades Street Cleaners have carried out superb work over the last year. Their work is observed in the village and the cleaners are regularly seen working. All agreed that the PC must renew the contract for another year, proposed Cllr Mitchell seconded Cllr Lesley. Chairman will contact Shades to advise of the renewal and for them to sign a new contract.

11.03 Reports

Councillors to report on any meetings that they have attended since the last meeting.

The Chairman attended a recent meeting with the Port One developers and surrounding parishes. An environmental specialist was also in attendance. They were asking that neighbouring PCs pay towards an environmental analysis, and that the payments had been worked out depending on the size of the council, Barham to pay £1200. The Chairman felt that this was an unfair amount and would not agree to the payment without consulting the PC. He believes that all 5 parishes should have been asked to pay equal amounts. At the time the Clerk was on holiday so it was not possible to call an extraordinary meeting. All agreed that the PC is happy with the actions of the Chairman.

Cllr Carr informed that he had attended a meeting with Port One and the district planning department. A useful meeting and good to keep abreast to what is being planned. He will attend the next meeting also.

BMSDC David Penny asked if residents of Barham had received the latest Mid Suffolk Council Newsletter and also a letter about changes to recycling. The changes to recycling are to be rolled out across the entire county. Food waste to be collected weekly rather than every 2 weeks. Cardboard waste bin to be introduced which will enable old cardboard boxes to be recycled and turned into new. 80% of recycled glass is turned into new. Tetra recycling to be introduced.

12.03 Date of Next Meeting

18th May 2026 Annual Parish Meeting followed by Annual General Meeting. 27th July, 21st September, 16th November.

The meeting ended at 8.50pm.

Chairman …………………………………………………. Date ………………………...........