- Present
- Cllr A English, Cllr R Dinsey, Cllr R Jones, Cllr J Wymer and two members of the public.
1. Apologies
Cllr K Fisk, Cllr G Baber, Cllr D Boreham.
2. Declaration of Interests and Request for Dispensation
Cllr Jones declared an interest in agenda item 7 Finance.
3. County & District County Reports
District Councillor Sarah Pugh’s report was previously circulated and noted. Key points: If parishes are interested in having an electric vehicle charging point installed and where, contact Cllr Pugh in order not to be overlooked when the rural scheme is rolled out – information to be forwarded to the VHMC; the next public consultation for the draft Local Plan is expected to begin towards end of May. Cllr David Roach, Portfolio Holder for Planning has offered to do a presentation including questions from any rural communities who would like to engage in the process. Cllr Pugh to be contacted if interested in a visit. Suggested this could be a joint meeting with Whepstead Parish Council. A thank you was given to Cllr Pugh for her locality funding donation of £250 for tree planting celebrations. No report available from SCC.
4. Public Forum
The village sign is quite dirty and needs washing, the benches need attention as much of the varnish has peeled off. It is planned for the work to be programmed into the Village Hall Clear Up Day.
Agenda item 8 Queen’s Platinum Jubilee Celebration-location of memorial tree and agenda item 9 Update on village pond clearing were bought forward.
8. Location of Memorial Tree
Suggested the Jubilee tree is located in the top right hand corner set further back from the goal posts. The parish council were in favour of this location. As the tree is 3 metres tall, help will be required for planting in the ground. Ian Robertson to be responsible for watering etc.
9. Pond Clearing
Two action days so far to clear an abundance of vegetation. Vision for the future is to promote wild life and hopefully get young people interested and involved. Suffolk Wildlife Trust came along with advice and guidance, a digger was hired free of charge and the pond dredged. The water is now starting to clear. The next stage in May will be to introduce native plants into the pond, and by the end of the year to clear the southern side. To support the project, it was proposed by Cllr Jones, seconded by Cllr Dinsey that a donation of £340 is made for the purchase of a set of waders, a net to clear the pond of debris, plants, and the hire of a wood chipper- all agreed. The work being carried out to be communicated to the wider village by as many means as possible i.e. flyer on notice boards, link on village hall website to the newsletter.
5. To Approve the Minutes of the Meeting Held on Tuesday 11th January 2022
Proposed by Cllr Dinsey seconded by Cllr Wymer that the minutes of the meeting of the 11th January 2022 were a true and accurate record of the meeting - approved.
6. Matters Arising
A concern was raised that with Footpath 6 now extremely muddy and generally unusable, people are trespassing on other people’s land to get through. Rights of Way/SCC to be contacted. Going forward, the Parish Council website needs to be developed. An agenda item for the next meeting.
7. Finance Report
Cllr Jones declared an interest in agenda item 7 iv. and left the meeting
- Balance as of 12th March 2022: £23,307.08
Less unpresented cheques: - £619.21
Less payments retrospectively approved: - £321.21
Balance as of 24th March 2022: £22,366.66 - To approve the invoice for items for the Queen’s Jubilee - £154.65
- To approve the hire of the wood chipper - withdrawn
- To approve the invoice for leasing land for the bus shelter - £0.05
Proposed by Cllr Dinsey, seconded by Cllr English that the payments as per the schedule are approved – all in agreement.
Items 8 & 9 were discussed earlier in the meeting.
10. Village Pond Safety Equipment
Proposed by Cllr Jones, seconded by Cllr Wymer that a throw rope and mounting back board, up to a maximum of £150 be purchased – agreed. Furthermore, a full safety check to be carried out by the Fire & Rescue Service.
11. Village Hall Signage on the B1066 at the Mill Road Junction
With reference to the village sign on the B1066 at the Mill Road junction, to indicate where the village hall is located, Suffolk County Council have advised the application has to go through the Parish Council. The sign will be paid for by the VHMC. A survey by SCC to ensure the sign can be located at this site will be carried out.
12. Update on Bus Shelter
Following several delays, the bus timetable case is due to the fitted in the coming week.
13. Siting of Two Memorial Benches on the Playing Field
As the land is owned by the Parish Council, permission was given for the two new benches in memory of Penny Morris, to be sited a) to the right of the drive leading to the village hall b) along the cleared area by the pond.
14. Parish Council Chairman/Signatory for Bank Account
Deferred to the next meeting.
15. Consideration of Councillors to be Trustees
As there should be a minimum of four members of Brockley Parish Council sitting as Trustees on the Brockley Community Village Hall, the Chairman asked if any councillor would be willing to take on this responsibility. A copy of the Constitution to be available for the AGM.
16. Assets & Risks Document to be Reviewed and Adopted
Proposed by Cllr J Wymer, seconded by Cllr Jones that following a review the Assets & Risk document be adopted – unanimous. Cllr English to circulate.
17. Responsibility for Weekly Asset Checks
All asset checks are documented and kept in the blue file.
18. Traffic Calming – Solar Powered Vehicle Activated Signs
The Clerk to forward an email received from Elan City concerning solar powered vehicle activated signs.
19. Oak Posts
Cllr Boreham to be contacted for an update on the purchase of the oak posts.
20. Defibrillator
No issues. The Risk Register maintained by Jeff Keithley to be viewed.
21. Correspondence
Circulated as and when received.
22. Parish Matters for the Next Meeting/Date for the Next Meeting
Identified previously in the minutes / Date for the Annual Parish Meeting followed by the Annual General Meeting agreed as Thursday 26th May 2022 at 7.30pm.