MINUTES OF THE BROCKLEY ANNUAL COUNCIL MEETING HELD ON THURSDAY 18TH JULY 2024
IN THE VILLAGE HALL, BROCKLEY AT 7.00PM
- Present
- Cllr Dr J Wymer, Cllr R Dinsey, Cllr S Hudson, Cllr S Holmes, Cllr B Tyler, Cllr G Baber, Cllr Felicity Driver
- In attendance
- one member of the public
Apologies
County Cllr Bobby Bennett.
Declaration of Interests & Requests for Dispensations
Cllr Baber declared an interest in agenda item 8 Mill Lane - Flooding.
To Approve the Minutes of the Parish Council Meeting Held on Monday 23rd May 2024
Proposed and seconded that the minutes of the Meeting of the 23rd May 2024 are unanimously approved.
Matters Arising from the Minutes
Still waiting for Rob Mott to put in the oak posts. D Day celebrations raised almost £800. Cllr Baber asked that the organisers be commended, in particular the Chairman Cllr Wymer. A video of the day is available to view on YouTube.
County & District Council Reports
No reports have been received.
Public Forum
No issues were raised.
Finance
- Balance as of 14th June 2024 stands at £21,678.90 less unpresented cheques of £2,234.46 leaving a balance at 12th July 2024 of £19,444.34.
- Cheques to be approved at the meeting
- Brockley Village Hall hire 24.00
- Oliver Grass Services 250.00
- Clerk’s salary x 2 months 228.20
- A English – newsletter 120.00
- Expenses for the D Day celebrations to be sent to Cllr Wymer.
- Following assurance from Santander the completed forms to set up online banking were filled in correctly, they have been returned for the following reason – ‘A copy of the minutes in which the clerk was authorised to be a signatory has not been provided’. To be corrected and resubmitted as follows:
Resolved: Brockley Parish Council approves the authorisation of the Clerk, Mrs Christine Mason, as a signatory on the Brockley Parish Council bank account – all in favour.
Mill Lane Footpath
Anglian Water has offered free of charge to raise the level of the footpath between 20cm to 30cm; the Parish Council have accepted the offer. To comply with SCC standards, confirmation in writing to be sent by AW to James Pickerin, SCC Rights of Way Officer. Additionally, WSC have now opened applications for a small Rural Community Grant that could provide funding for a French Drain, a quotation has been previously received for the sum of £2,755. Deadline 25th September 2024 with monies available from April 2025. Clearing the ditch would be undertaken by volunteers.
Speeding Traffic
A copy of data downloaded from the speed camera was circulated at the meeting (to be appended to the minutes). Due to high level of speeding, Suffolk Police installed a covert camera from 4th to 9th July in order to collect their own speed data. This has resulted in a speed enforcement site being set up, on a monthly basis. Furthermore, funded through Cllr Bobby Bennett, SCC has agreed to put in a 40mph buffer zone before the 30mph speed signs on the Hartest Road. Hartest Parish Council were consulted and had no objections.
Following full discussion, it was proposed and seconded that a second solar panel SID, including a pole be purchased plus a solar panel unit for the existing speed device - all in favour. Cllr Dinsey to action.
Children’s Play Area Including Surrounding Area
The June 2024 inspection report highlighted 2 areas of moderate risk meaning there is a high probability that an accident can happen if the situation is not addressed. The two areas are:
- The site in general with the ground dirty, covered in weeds and brambles and surface matting lifting along the edges
- The multi play toddler equipment is slippery with algae and moss, evidence of wood rot within the timber, eroded fixings and the foundation of the equipment loosening.
A vote was taken on the way forward and agreed estimates be sought to get the equipment repaired, made safe and cleaned, advertise in the village magazine for a maintenance person, public liability essential, temporary close the play area until work is completed.
Outside seating area/benches: the picnic bench outside the village hall has rotted away, the two metal benches at the far end of The Green are dirty and require cleaning. With both benches having been donated the responsibility to maintain and clean them falls to the Parish Council. In line with WSC’s short term policy on dedicated benches located in the Abbey Gardens, a time limit of ten years to be applied with the caveat that the dedication could be renewed - approved. It was furthermore agreed to offer residents the opportunity to sponsor/donate a recycled plastic picnic bench, approximate cost £600. To be advertised in the village magazine. Costs for cleaning existing benches to be sought.
Risk Register
The risk factor for the play equipment has been raised to High; Financial Regulations, Standing Orders, review of the newsletter to be agenda items at the next meeting; a head torch and wipes to be purchased for the person looking after the defibrillator; two trees over hanging the fence are looking dangerous, a willow tree at the back of Cllr Hudson’s fence needs attention and ivy on trees requires reviewing, in the first instance David Gott to be contacted. Cllr Tyler to contact WSC in relation to taping off the play area. Information to that effect to be posted on the notice board.
Correspondence
Survey regarding the taxi service in Bury St Edmunds; feedback on a proposed new street trading policy for West Suffolk; Thriving Communities Funding now open for applications; apology received from SCC for damaging a resident’s grass whilst spraying; flashing light on top of road works van.
Parish Matters for the Next Meeting
Agreed within the agenda.
Date of Next Meeting
Thursday September 19th 2024 at 7.00pm.
Any Other Business
Overgrown hedging by the Old Forge, Chapel Lane, the owner to be contacted. A notice board for the bus stop required, brown leaves on the lime tree in Woodcrofts, maybe the result of spraying, to be monitored.
With no further business the meeting closed at 8.30pm.