MINUTES OF THE BROCKLEY PARISH COUNCIL MEETING HELD ON THURSDAY 24th JULY 2025 IN THE VILLAGE HALL, BROCKLEY AT 7.00PM
- Present
- Cllr Dr J Wymer, Cllr S Hudson, Cllr B Tyler, Cllr S Holmes, Cllr R Dinsey, Cllr F Driver, Cllr Baber, County Cllr Bobby Bennett and one member of the public
Apologies
District Cllr Sarah Pugh.
Declaration of Interests and Requests for Dispensation
None received.
To Approve the Minutes of the Annual Council Meeting Held on Thursday 22nd May 2025
Proposed and seconded that the minutes of the Annual Council meeting of the 22nd May 2025 are approved – all in favour.
Matters Arising from the Minutes
Dog signs are now in place, a thank you to Nick Haywood from the Community Trust; Anglian Water are to flatten the whole surface where the hump is, a road closure over a weekend is expected; a thank you to David Rhodes for clearing away the nettles and brambles from the 30mph speed signs located at the north of the village; Anglian Water have donated the 30mph signs, currently with dustbin bags over them, for us to replace the faded signs, David Rhodes to action; the Saxon Wood planning application has been withdrawn as the planning officer thought it too imposing.
County & District Reports
District Cllr Sarah Pugh’s report was previously circulated and noted.
Topics in County Cllr Bobby Bennett’s report included the LGA devolution consultation, with the engagement survey open until 18th August; the Trading Standards team are dealing with the change in the law regarding vapes; the library transition to SCC has gone smoothly; as confirmed, it is a statutory bus stop and not by request, Cllr Bennett to chase Matthew Fox concerning the re-instatement of the faded painted lines. Issues raised by Councillors, potholes yet to be filled in, signage put out by contractors requires moving as restricting the view at junctions (private licensed companies not SCC).
Public Forum
A member of the public felt the drop at the end of the slide is not safe for younger users. In response, Cllr Tyler said the design of the slide was produced by an experienced play equipment company and in his opinion was not dangerous. To be monitored.
Finance
Balance as of 11th July 2025 stands at £16,061.65 with cheques outstanding of £838.12.
Expenditure to be approved at the meeting:
- Fenland Trees -550.00
- A English -120.00
- Clerk's salary x 2 -237.02
- Stationary/postage -13.81
- St Andrew's Church donation -750.00
- Baptist Church donation -250.00
Prior to the approval of a donation to St Andrew’s Church, Cllr Baber declared an interest in this payment and left the room at 7.20pm.
Following discussion, it was proposed by Cllr Driver, seconded by Cllr Dinsey that the donation to St Andrew’s Church be increased from £750 to £1000 with the donation to the Baptist Chapel remaining at £250 – approved by majority vote. To be reviewed annually.
Cllr Baber returned to the meeting at 7.30pm. The payment to Fenland Trees was deferred until remedial works are completed.
Traffic Calming
Approval for two new poles has been given, one for the south end of the village on the B1106 and one along the village green. Once the signs have arrived the speed indicator device will be able to be moved to each of the three agreed sites. Consideration to be given to purchase a solar panel to power the SID rather than batteries, cost in the region of £380. Thanks were given to Cllr Dinsey for the changeover of the very heavy batteries. In conclusion, it was agreed that when the poles arrive and are in situ, the parish council will purchase at least one solar panel including fittings – all in favour.
Safe Access Pathway to the Village Green
In order to ascertain what actions are needed, a meeting has taken place between the Parish Council, grounds maintenance contractors and SCC. To provide access from the end of the path on one side and the village green on the other, a dropped kerb is required with an open access of 1.5m to accommodate wheelchairs. As the grass verge/bank would be lowered, the ditch would be covered over for people to walk across to the Green. Permission from Suffolk Highways cost circa £100, putting in a dropped kerb access £4k, path down the length of the village green, from the junction of the B1066 to the village hall drive £17k. An alternative option would be to remove the fence and hedging on the corner of the Green and create a new access with a closely mown path down to the village hall. A public consultation would be required. Usage will be monitored as costs will be in the region of £10k plus. Following discussion, it was agreed to revisit the project once the new SID is in place and traffic numbers and speed of vehicle using the road are known – all in agreement.
Whepstead Solar Farm Project
On behalf of the Parish Council, Cllr Baber attended the recently held public meeting. Following debate, and by majority vote, the decision of the Parish Council was to object on the basis that the solar farm was badly located and an eyesore to the local area.
May Elections 2026
Now deferred until May 2027. Cllr Wymer said she will be stepping down as Chair in May 2026 and together with Cllr Baber will not be seeking re-election in May 2027. No further discussion at this present time required.
Review of Newsletter Arrangements
With the bulk of the work being carried out by two unpaid residents, it was agreed by majority vote to reduce the amount of pay made to the current editor by 50% and the balance given to the two volunteers.
Risk Register
A report relating to the playground and play area was circulated at the meeting. Key concerns were the brittleness and cracks to the exterior fence at the play area; the basketball equipment needs cleaning (Cllr Dinsey to action) and insets replaced (Cllr Holmes to action); the adjacent area with the children’s picnic bench has as a number of trip hazards and requires clearing, rotavating and re-seeding; Cllr Wymer to seek costs; ongoing issues with the gate, Cllr Tyler to investigate the price of a replacement, Cllr Holmes to look at switching the spring from the unused gate to the problematic gate.
Correspondence
Local Plan agreed and published; a village family has lost their cat to rodent poisoning, an Information leaflet to be included in the newsletter; e-scooters using the Green and noise from cars revving their engines whilst being parked outside the village hall, Cllr Wymer to speak with the Policing Team.
Date of Next Meeting
Confirmed as Thursday 18th September 2025 at 7.00pm.
There being no further business the meeting closed at 8.40pm.