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Minutes of the meeting of the WICKHAM MARKET PARISH COUNCIL held on Monday 17 September 2012 at 7.30pm
PRESENT: Mr R Cooke, Mrs F Etheridge, Mrs J Evans, Mr G Jones, Mr M Manning, Mr B Nobbs, Miss V Pizzey, Mr J Ridd, Mr M Roseveare, Mrs E Salmon, Mr P Stone and Mr C Tucker
ALSO PRESENT: Mr B Hall (Suffolk Coastal District Council) and Mr M Bond (Suffolk County Council)
MINUTES
The minutes of the meeting held on 21 May 2012 were signed as a true record subject to the addition of Mr P Stone in the list of members present.
APPOINTMENT OF CHAIRMAN
It was reported that Mrs Joan Breese, current Chairman, had retired from the Parish Council for personal reasons. The members thanked her for all her efforts in the past and wished her well for the future. Arising from this it was proposed by Mr Manning and seconded by Mrs Salmon and
RESOLVED
that Mr C Tucker be appointed Chairman of the Council for the remainder of 2012/13.
And proposed by Mrs Salmon and seconded by Mr Jones and
RESOLVED
that Mr M Roseveare be appointed Vice Chairman of the Council for the remainder of 2012/13.
COUNTY COUNCILLOR REPORT
Mr Bond presented his report on getting support for old people needing care and home premises needing modifying to make them suitable. He also reported on the problem of young local children getting into Rendlesham school.
£4,000 remained in his locality budget and he was looking for appropriate grant applications or it would have to be given back at the end of the financial year.
Finally on Lehmann House at its meeting on 16 October 2012 the Suffolk County Council Cabinet would be deciding its policy on the provision of residential homes. Later in October the Cabinet member would be going to Lehmann House to explain the situation to residents.
MATTERS ARISING FROM MINUTES
The Parish Council agreed to defer any further consideration of the preparation of a Parish Plan until after a presentation by Gillian Benjamin from Suffolk ACRE on the process.
Village Hall fundraising - further to item 5.5 of the Parish Council minutes of 16 July 2012 it was agreed that a steering group should be set up to carry out the raising of the estimated £200,000 needed to repair and renovate the village hall. In addition to Mr Roseveare, the current representative on the Village Hall Management Committee Miss Pizzey and Mr Manning agreed to sit on the fundraising group.
Outreach Scheme - having been given the remaining funds in the Outreach Grant Scheme to spend in accordance with the Outreach Scheme criteria it was reported that the underlying aim of the Outreach Scheme was to reduce/prevent social isolation amongst older, frail or vulnerable adults. Any need must be identified by older people in the community and must be for the benefit of a target group. The Parish Council was requested to keep an eye open for appropriate schemes.
New Code of Conduct - further to item 11.5 of the Parish Council minutes of 16 July 2012, the Parish Council was reminded of the need to complete the new member interest forms immediately and return them to Suffolk Coastal District Council. These would then be available on the Parish and District Council websites. These forms had to be kept up to date.
The Clerk distributed an advisory leaflet from the Department for Communities and Local Government on “Openness and transparency on members interests”
Under the Localism Act 2012, the Parish Council had the power to grant any member a dispensation allowing them to speak on an item in which they had a Disclosable Pecuniary Interest. The dispensation could only be granted on certain grounds which were set out in the Localism Act.
The Parish Council agreed to delegate the authority for granting a dispensation to the Clerk in consultation with the Chairman. This would take the decision from the political arena and ensure the decision was made before the Parish Council meeting.
RESOLVED
That the Clerk be authorised to take the final decision on granting a dispensation after taking into account the views expressed by the Chairman or Vice Chairman.
Parish Links - The Parish Council agreed not to appoint a representative to Parish Links.
Specialist Members - it was agreed that some members should be asked to specialise in increasing their knowledge in specific areas of responsibility by receiving and studying information sent to them and by attending very occasional courses. They would then bring an increased knowledge of these topics to Council meetings.
RESOLVED
That the following members be appointed:
Planning - Mr G Jones and Mr M Manning
Housing - Mrs E Salmon
Environment - Mr P Stone
At the Council's meeting in May 2012, it agreed to ask Young Suffolk, a countywide organisation that supports the voluntary and community sector working with young people, to hold a workshop for Wickham Market Parish Council entitled “Introduction to Youth Participation”. The workshop was free but the Parish Council must provide refreshments. The workshop would take place on Monday 15 October 2012 starting at 6.30pm for about two hours in the Village Hall Committee Room.
OPEN SESSION (commenced at 8.10pm)
Following a question on the matter a member of the public was advised that the Parish Council had made no final decision on its response to housing development on the Glebe allotment site as no formal application had yet been received, However in preliminary discussions with the agent acting for the Glebe owners the Parish Council had made it clear that they did not want to see any development on the current Glebe allotment site and any house should be built on the proposed replacement allotment area.
Mr Hall reported that the District Council planning helpdesk was not closing but would only be open by appointment. The Local Development Framework Core Strategy was being considered by the Planning Inspectorate. The inspector was asking why Suffolk Coastal District Council was only planning for 7,600 new properties in the District when the government was wanting several thousand more. Until the Core Strategy was approved developers would be looking to apply for planning permission on new sites. Finally Flagship Housing was meeting in two weeks time to consider the future of Deben Court.
After a request from the public the Council agreed to consider the possibility of holding more meetings of the Parish Council, perhaps monthly (session closed at 8.40pm.)
ENVIRONMENTAL MATTERS
Councillor Jones that as the Co-op had moved and taken the CCTV cameras down off the old shop, he had thought to ask the Council to consider replacing the CCTV. However the police view was that the cost of a worthwhile scheme was very high and its effectiveness was limited.
He felt there was alternative action that could be taken to ensure good behaviour on the Hill area. Firstly was to circulate the availability of the police number 101 to all households in the village. Secondly was to consider the part employment of a PCSO to patrol this and a neighbouring village only at a cost of around £7,000 per annum.
Mr Hoe felt that this was a backdoor method of increasing police numbers but Woodbridge and Kesgrave had done it already.
The Council agreed that if the eventual Parish Plan indicated that the village supported this and accepted an increase in the precept to pay for it then it would be considered further.
POLICE MATTERS
Mr Hoe presented the police report which indicated there had been 14 crimes since the last meeting on 16 July 2012.
PLANNING MATTERS
Applications considered since your last meeting - land at 202 High Street, Wickham Market - erection of a detached dwelling and associated detached cartlodge and store (asked that the construction of the driveway should not detrimentally affect the neighbouring mature trees); Parma Industries, 123 High Street, Wickham Market IP13 0RD - erection of 11 residential dwellings, existing buildings to be removed (objection on grounds that properties on High Street still too high and should be lower or moved back); former RAF Bentwaters, Bentwaters Park, Rendlesham - change of use of buildings and land and moving a section of fence (objection on grounds of increased HGV and vehicular traffic through the village); Hill House, 52 High Street, Wickham Market IP13 0QT - demolition of existing conservatory and replacement with a brick base with timber framed conservatory to match rear elevation (no objection); 14-18 High Street, Wickham Market, Woodbridge, IP13 0HE - erection of pole mounted facia and wall mounted signs to new Co-operative supermarket (no comment); Marlow House, 38 High Street, Wickham Market IP13 0QS - alterations and additions to include replacement of kitchen door and replacement of some secondary glazing in sitting room (no comment).
Decisions reached since your last meeting - 210, 212, 216a and land surrounding, High Street, Wickham Market - variation of condition 04 of planning permission C11/0097 (6 affordable units varied from social rented to shared equity) (approved) ; The Papershop, Wickham Market, IP13 0RA - installation of new air conditioning units to the interior of the building in a store room and replace with a louvre grill (listed building consent granted); Greystone House, 87 High Street, Wickham Market IP13 0RA - erection of link extension between the existing house and cart lodge together with shed in rear garden (permission granted); mobile office, 7 Fullers Business Centre, Riverside View, Wickham Market - retention of one jackleg unit for use as mobile office (permission granted); Hill House, 52 High Street, Wickham Market IP13 0QT- demolition of existing conservatory and replacement with a brick base with timber framed conservatory to match rear elevation (listed building consent and planning permission granted); Marlow House, 38 High Street, Wickham Market IP13 0QS- alterations and additions to include replacement of kitchen door and replacement of some secondary glazing in sitting room (listed building consent granted): land at 202 High Street, Wickham Market - erection of a detached dwelling and associated detached cartlodge and store (permission granted).
ALLOTMENT MATTERS
It was reported that allotment rents would be collected on the evening of 15 October 2012 in the PC office at the rear of the village hall.
Notification had been received from Abbots Estate Agents concerning an increase in the rent of the Simons Cross allotment site:
RESOLVED
That an increase in the rent of the Simons Cross allotment site from £400 to £480 from 1 April 2013 be approved.
CEMETERY MATTERS
A meeting of the Cemetery Group had taken place on Thursday 30 August 2012. The headstones had been inspected for safety reasons and were satisfactory. A local builder was prepared to inspect the Bierhouse and give an estimate of the cost of repairs.
There was concern over the condition of the new garden of rest and a bench beside the old garden of rest. It was agreed to look for a small firm that might carry out repairs.
Finally it was suggested that it might be appropriate to get some sponsorship for the cemetery from a local firm. The Parish Council agreed that this should be pursued.
HIGHWAY MATTERS
High Street - 1A resident living in the High Street, behalf of other residents, had written complaining about the number of cars outside 181 - 205 High Street that were parked partly on the pavement to avoid possible damage from passing vehicles. This created a problem for pedestrians which was exacerbated on bin days when the bins were placed on the pavement for emptying. The residents were suggesting a white lined designated area for parking from number 205 to 181 where the double yellow lines started. Such an area might also contribute to traffic calming.
County Highways have said that they are not adverse to the proposal but wanted the support of the Parish Council before they take it on for member consideration. The resident and County Highways would consult with local residents in the area.
The Parish Council supported the proposal and agreed that it should be pursued subject to consultation.
Dallinghoo Road - County Highways had indicated that to combat the flooding on Dallinghoo Road they were going to:
1. repaire the existing drainage system which ran adjacent to the school to the tennis courts;
2. when repairs were complete get the entire system cleaned through by an industrial cleaning company;
3. possibly connect the end of the drainage system to the system in Broadway which led to the river;
4. if not, possibly replace the inspection chambers along the footpath with soakaways.
Notification has been received that Broad Road would now close from junction with Little Lane to Dallinghoo Road on 24 - 28 September and 1 - 5 October to allow new water and gas connections to be made to new barn.
Illegal Fly Posting - a number of people, including Mr Hall, had expressed annoyance about the number of posters that were appearing round the village, particularly at the Framlingham/A12/Campsea Ashe roundabout. Suffolk Highways had responded that they too were concerned at the posters which increased during the summer months as organisations copied each other and would be attaching stickers to all signs advising they were illegal and had 7 days to be removed otherwise SCC would remove them and repeat this approach each month at this location
FINANCE AND LEGAL MATTERS
Bi-monthly accounts - July/August - these were noted and accepted.
The Parish Council meeting dates for 2013 are 21 January 2013, 18 March 2013, 15 April 2013 (Annual Parish Meeting), 20 May 2013, 15 July 2013, 16 September 2013, 18 November 2013 - all starting at 7.30pm.
Review of Internal Audit 2012/2013 - the Parish Council received a report from the Clerk on the Council's current internal auditor, Mrs Heelis of Heelis and Lodge. It was clear that the performance of the auditor was satisfactory and in line with the Council's requirements for financial regulation.
RESOLVED
That the Council express its satisfaction with the performance of the internal audit and her services be retained for 2013/14.
CORRESPONDENCE.
Closed churchyard - advice had been received from Suffolk Coastal District that in order to meet its budget gap in 2012/13 further reductions in services were necessary. As a result, starting in the current financial year, the grass cutting of closed churchyards (this includes Wickham Market) would be reduced from 14 cuts per annum to a minimum of 2 cuts per annum If the Parish Council wanted any extra cuts then it would have to meet the additional costs.
The Council requested that information on the cost of additional cuts be requested from Suffolk Coastal District Council. The Council also asked for a meeting with the PCC to discuss sharing costs.
The Wickham Market and District Family Carers Support - this organisation had been awarded the top award from the Suffolk Foundation of £10,000. The award would be presented by County Councillor Colin Spence in the Autumn. The money would be used to develop a local information leaflet, employ outside help to organise filing and folders on PC's and some reserves for new developments. The remaining funds would be split between the Support Group, ongoing training and development, the Respite Care Volunteers project, the Fire Safety Project and the First Aid Team. The Parish Council congratulated the organisation for its success in this very difficult area of provision.
ITEMS FOR NEXT AGENDA
Monthly meetings, Training for parish councillors,
The meeting closed at 9.15pm