MINUTES OF THE PARISH COUNCIL MEETING HELD IN BARHAM CHURCH HALL, ON MONDAY 11th SEPTEMBER 2023, 7.00pm.
- Present
- Chair Gail Cornish, Cllr Brenda Mitchell, Cllr Paul Fenn, Cllr Marilyn Lesley, Cllr Bonnie Head, Cllr Graham Head & Cllr Julie Gregory.
- Also present
- SCC Chris Chambers, BMSDC John Whitehead, BMSDC David Penny, the Clerk and 7 members of the public.
Open Forum
The Chair welcomed all to the meeting. She reminded to all the protocol to conduct parish council meetings and that 20 minutes will be given for the open forum.
- Member of the public asked if the PC will be considering the “20s Plenty” initiative, Chair advised that it will be included on the agenda for the next meeting.
- Footpaths in the village still need to be cutback, Chair advised that this is currently being addressed with SCC.
- Member of the public asked when will the Picnic Site be open? Chair advised that the PC is currently awaiting the SCC solicitor to draw up the transfer papers for the picnic site to be passed over to the Charity who will then need to apply for funding to get the site back open to the public so could not say but suggested at approx. 18 months’ time.
- How can the PC deal with the traffic which is diverted off the A14 through Barham? SCC Chris Chambers replied that there is not much that can be done to alleviate this, it only happens if there is an incident on the A14 and the road gets closed. If vehicles are speeding then Highways would work with the police regarding this. Weight restrictions through Barham are temporarily lifted when it is an official diversion.
- Member of the public asked how the PC is getting on with the Community Speed Watch as the speeding through the village has become bad again? The Chair informed that currently have 7 volunteers and hope to be up and running soon once the training has been carried out.
- Taylor Whimpey is creating a lot of dust along the Norwich Road can they be asked to supply a window cleaner for the affected homes. Chair will raise this at the next liaison meeting. 1 liaison meeting has taken place so far and the next is due to take place on 26th September.
Report from SCC Chris Chambers.
Informed that he does not have a specific report for September as his last report is still current. He advised that the boundary fencing around Shrubland Hall is privately owned therefore the PC should write to the owner regarding this matter. He will pass on to SCC Rights of Way that the safety barrier at Coopers Way has gone and needs replacing. He has reported all of the previous issues regarding overgrown footpaths and these have been added to the SCC works schedule. Cllr B Head had previous sent a list of priorities.
He would like to bring to the attention of the PC the “Community Self Help Scheme” and encourages the PC to apply. Training is will be given along with PPE and help with insurance, PC can employ a 3rd party contractor or use volunteers to carry out general tidying of the village. He will send the PC details. He has Locality Budget to help with 3rd party contractors.
Report from BMSDC Dave Penny.
The report received from him and Cllr Whitehead has been sent to all in advance of the meeting. Encouraged the PC to take part in the “Pride in our Place” initiative. Chair informed that the PC hopes to work alongside Claydon, each to apply for the £400 grant available. Day / week to encourage community involvement and carry out the works to be arranged in early March 2024.
He informed that he is trying to set up a multi parish cycling group to look at ways to connect the surrounding villages safely, this could be done by using existing footpaths. He is looking for a volunteer from each village. Chair will include this it next In Touch article and put on the agenda for next meeting.
Member of the public would like to know from the district and county councillors how it explains the loss to local tax payers money on the current housing stock? ESC Cllr Penny will get back to the member of the public regarding this and advised that the finance portfolio holder at the district council is looking into it. BMSDC John Whitehead advised that he has Locality money for parish initiatives.
1.9 Apologies
- Apologies for absence. Vice Chairman Casey Wooltorton, on holiday.
- Consent/non consent to absence. Approved
2.9 Councillors Declaration of Interests
- Dispensation to be considered under 13h of standing order for Cllr Gregory to be allowed to vote Other Registrable Interests relating to Barham Country Park, to May 2024, as she is on the charity Barham Picnic Site Community Project. This will be dealt with at the next PC meeting
- Declaration of interests with regards to any item on the agenda. The Chair reminded that a depensation has been granted to the other members of the Barham Picnic Site Community Project Charity to last for one year.
3.9 To Approve the Minutes of the Last Parish Council Meeting on 7th August 2023
Approved correct, signed by the Chair, proposed Cllr Mitchell seconded Cllr G Head.
4.9 Matters Arising from Minutes of the Last Meeting, to Include
- Workplan, updated.
- Report back working party Street Cleaners. Chair reported that the working party has met with the street cleaners. It has been agreed that they will give the PC monthly time sheets and bills going forward. Their contract and risk assessment both to be reviewed and they are sending in a copy of their public liability insurance.
5.9 To Co-opt a New Member onto Barham Parish Council
One application has been received from Mr Ian Woods (he apologies he is unable to attend the meeting), the PC agreed to co-opt him onto the PC, proposed Cllr Fenn and seconded Cllr Lesley.
6.9 Review of Planning List & To Discuss Any New Planning Applications Received
The Chair reported that the PC has put in an objection to the district council regarding DC/23/03569 Erection of 9 Dwellings at the site of the Doctors Surgery, Kirby Rise.
SCC/0020/23MS Installation and use of site infrastructure and car park with landscape planting. Barham Quarry, Sandy Lane, Barham, Ipswich, Suffolk, IP6 0PB. The Chair informed that she has had a site visit, that they intended to put in a removable building to house toilets, shower, rest room and office. Site not overlooked and a long way from Church and can see no issues with the application. The PC agreed not to object to the application.
Councillors are invited for a tour of the Shrublands Quarry site, date to be confirmed.
7.9 To Discuss S106 Money Available from Great Blakenham Development
Should Barham Parish Council put together a proposal for the money or not apply and allow the money to be used on sport facilities at the High School which will be open to the public out of school hours. The Chair reminded that the £200,000 S106 money which is available, must be used for sports facility. Deadline for application to district council is December 2023. It was proposed that as the money could only be used at Barham Country Park and other grants would be available that the PC will not now apply for the money. This would mean the Highschool could apply and they will be able to make use of the money for its new sports facility which will be open for public to use. This was agreed by all, proposed Cllr Gregory seconded Cllr B Head.
8.9 To Propose a Working Party to Look at Regular Grass Cutting of Kirby Rise and End of Church Lane
The Chair asked for volunteers to join her in looking at the costs/contracts of regular grass cutting at the above locations. Cllrs Mitchell & Lesley to carry this out with her and will bring quotes to the next PC meeting.
9.9 To Discuss Parish Council Insurance Details and Quote Received
The Chair reported that the new quote has been received, £1,412.56. The PC is now in the 2nd year of a 3 year contract which is due to end in 2025. Once the picnic site has been handed back then the buildings will be removed from the insurance policy. The PC agreed to go ahead with the renewal.
10.9 Finance
- Monthly Payments – to agree the payments for August 2023. August payments £2541.00, receipts none. Approved by all and signed by Cllr Mitchell.
- Monthly reconciliation – to approve the bank reconciliation for August. As at 31/07/23 the Current Account £31,702.67 this includes £8959.93 CIL money and £3693.71 towards new play equipment, country park. Business Premium Account £4,735.32. Approved by all, Cllr Mitchell signed the bank reconciliations.
- Election Fee – Invoice to pay £2676.77 for the contested election in May. Approved for payment.
11.9 Reports
Councillors to report on any meetings that they have attended since the last Parish Council meeting.
- Claydon & Barham Village Hall Committee - Cllr Mitchell due to go to the next meeting on 19th September.
- Pigeon – Chair reported that a meeting has taken place, PC has put forward ideas for the use of the community land at the Norwich Road site.
- Taylor Whimpey – Chair reported that the first liaison meeting has taken place with the developers and was very informative. It was asked that they put an update in the In Touch magazine. First show house should be ready February 2024. First occupants on the site July 2024 through to October 2028. Chair encouraged any issues residents might have to give feedback to the PC so that it can be taken to the next liaison meeting.
- Dog Bin Thornhill Road - Chair informed that as this is damaged a new bin and post has been ordered. Old one to be repaired and kept as a spare.
- Car Parking Issue Coopers Way - Chair advised a resident had complained and was investigating if there was a way of dealing with the issue.
- Meeting with MP Dr Dan Poulter – Chair advised that Henely PC arranged a meeting regarding a new Doctors Surgery. An option is being worked on for a hub surgery at Gt Blakenham. A satellite surgery is also a possibility. He was not prepared to give a satisfactory answer regarding the Barham Community Site to be considered for a surgery. Dr Dan Poulton promised an update in November and a future meeting December or January.
12.9 Correspondence
- Complaints Procedure. Communication has been received from a member of the public asking many questions relating to Barham Country Park and if the PC has a complaints procedure in place. The Chair advised that the PC does have a policy in place which is available on the PC website.
13.9 Date of Forthcoming Meetings
2023 - 30th October & 4th December. 15th January, 26th February & 8th April 2024.
The meeting ended at 8.03pm
Chairman …………………………………………………. Date ………………………...........