Apologies
- District Cllr Sarah Pugh
- Cllr Ray Dinsey
- Cllr Felicity Driver
- Cllr Geoffrey Baber
Declaration of Interests & Requests for Dispensations
None.
To Approve the Minutes of the Parish Council Meeting Held on 23rd January 2025
Proposed and seconded that the minutes of the meeting of the 23rd January 2025 are approved – all in favour.
Matters Arising from the Minutes
No updates from Cllr Bennet regarding the painting of the yellow lines at the bus stop; Suffolk Highways are not going ahead with the 40mph buffer zone due to the stretch of road not being long enough, they are, however, changing the whole section of road between Brockley and Hartest to 40mph.
County & District Councillors Reports
No reports were available.
Public Forum
In relation to the children’s playground, concerns were raised relating to:
- the drop at the end of the slide
- lack of a grab handle on the multi play equipment that enables a child to pull themselves into the castle section
All Out Play to be asked to revisit and look at the issues. Risks identified on the WSC inspection report include the height difference in the slabs before and after the gate, the gate should shut more slowly and open outwards rather than inwards.
Finance
Balance as of 12th December 2024 stands at 14347.63
- Less approved expenditure - 3042.50
- Income received since the last meeting 5750.00
- Less an unpresented cheque -16.00
- Expenditure since the last meeting -12000.00
Balance as of 11th February 2025 5039.13
Cheques to be approved at the meeting
- J Wymer bus shelter cleaning -35.00
- Clerk’s salary x 2 months - 237.02
Balance following approval of cheques 4767.11
Proposed and seconded that the payments schedule be approved – all in favour.
Budget 2025/2026 Costs for Projects
Children’s Playground: David Rhodes has mended some of the rotten posts, volunteers have come forward to paint the fence, ten litres of wood preservative stain to be purchased, the children’s picnic bench is due for delivery shortly with the full cost being met from Cllr Pugh’s locality budget, a quotation for £350 has been received to rotavate and turf the swings area, agreed grass seed to be purchased as an alternative, two broken paving slabs to be replaced, replacement for trees along the grass verge, along with the poplar tree to be monitored, for forward budgeting, Barry Tyler to develop a maintenance plan, Cllr Wymer to replace the ‘No dogs allowed’ sign.
Traffic calming: Speed survey at both ends of Mill Road not to be pursued at this present time. If permitted, a pole to be purchased allowing the current speed indicator device to be regularly moved.
Tree survey: The quotation received from R H Tree Consultants for £456.00 plus vat was unanimously accepted. Cllr Tyler to liaise with the contractor for a price for the work identified in the report.
Bus shelter: Now cleaned, a small notice board for the inside of the shelter to be purchased, for access purposes a key to be hung on a chain, cost £380 plus vat
Other matters discussed: Marginal plants at the village pond £100, VE Day £250 for ice creams confirmed, the three month trial period for the newsletter to be extended for two further months, unless essential, the PC confirmed its decision not to give the donation of £1000 to the village hall, donations to St Andrew’s Church £750 and Brockley Chapel £250.00 agreed.
Village Green Grass Cutting
Three quotations have been received. Following discussion, the contract to be awarded to Brockley resident Graham Metson – all in favour.
Village Hall Management Committee – Standing Item
Owing to the increase in costs of running the village hall, hire fees may have to be looked at in next year’s budget which could see charges being increased, an outside clock on the apex of the village hall is to be purchased, leaflets advertising the village hall/pricing to be developed.
Risk Register
Even after numerous conversations with Santander, online banking is still not in place, an alternate bank to be sourced. No salary increase expected in the next financial year, medium risk to be kept for the bus stop and the playground reduced to low.
Correspondence
A consultation regarding a new solar farm at Stone Cross Green, Whepstead is to be held on the 3rd April between 3pm and 7pm at Whepstead village centre. West Suffolk MP Nick Timothy would like to meet with Councillors, it has been suggested a visit to Brockley could either be to open the new children’s playground at Easter or judge the VE Day fancy dress competition and announce the winner at the fish & chip supper, awaiting a response. Cllr Driver has raised an issue regarding the fence erected around the Six Bells green. Cllr Wymer to download the Land Registry map to check whether easements/public rights of way are shown. To save on cost, the clerk to ask District Cllr Pugh whether the map is downloadable direct from WSC.
Any Other Business
Update on potential fly tipping – donations were taken to the telephone box but unfortunately left outside and torn open by a fox, not fly tipped.
For safety reasons, discussion regarding the possibility of having a path along the play area to be an agenda item at a later date.
Date of Next Meeting
Thursday 22nd May 2025 at 7.00pm - Annual Parish Meeting followed by the Annual General Meeting.
With no further business the meeting closed at 20.05pm.