Present
- Present
- Cllr Dr J Wymer, Cllr R Dinsey, Cllr Hudson, Cllr Holmes
- In attendance
- District Cllr Sarah Pugh and three members of the public
Apologies
Cllr Felicity Driver.
Declaration of Interests & Requests for Dispensations
None received.
Co-option
Proposed and seconded that Barry Tyler be co-opted as a member of Brockley Parish Council – all in agreement. The Declaration of Acceptance of Office form was duly signed.
To Approve the Minutes of the Parish Council Meeting Held on Thursday 26th September 2023
It was proposed by Cllr Dinsey, seconded by Cllr Wymer that the minutes of the meeting of the 26th September 2023 are approved – unanimous.
Matters Arising from the Minutes
In relation to the overhanging leylandii trees that had damaged the UK Power Network overhead cable, Cllr Pugh said a conversation has taken place with WSC who were looking into case law where neighbours do not maintain their trees, unfortunately nothing was found. Recommended the resident concerned speak again with the neighbour possibly with the aid of the Citizens Advice Bureau.
Agenda item 11 - When last met, permission to install new tarmac at the entrance to the village hall had not been received. With the date from the contractor imminent, and with only one or two metres maximum of highway involved, Cllr Wymer wrote to Suffolk Highways requesting an exemption be made. With no response, councillors gave consent for the work to go ahead.
County & District Councillor Reports
Cllr Pugh’s report included the review of the WSC grass cutting service, comments for consideration to be sent to the portfolio holder Cllr Ian Shipp; the Local Plan has been drafted and will be sent out for final consideration in January. There will be a six-week public consultation and subsequently it will be sent to the Secretary of State for inspection with approval coming into force in 2025; new guidance will be issued in January regarding the way people vote in elections, to come into force in May 2024, the changes affect postal vote handling; Cllr Pugh has been appointed the WSC representative on a national network to improve services and support for rural communities in the UK. Questions to Cllr Pugh included the removal of three cherry trees, the need for wire netting on the bridges from Mill Road leading up to St Andrew’s Close, a footpath needed from the end of Mill Road up to the village hall.
Public Forum
A comment was made on the excellent job carried out at the village hall driveway, as the ditch needs clearing out, there is flooding on the road just past Hedgerows. No further matters were raised.
To Receive Finance Reports and Approve Cheques Raised Since the Last Meeting
| Bank statement as of 12th October 2023 | 22941.82 |
|---|---|
| Less outstanding cheque | -1192.50 |
| Balance | 21749.32 |
| Cheques drawn to be signed at the meeting | |
| Clerk’s salary + back pay | -264.94 |
| Cllr Dinsey reimbursement | -65.85 |
| Balance for Parish Notice Board Company | -1669.50 |
| Oliver Cornish - Grass cutting | -225.00 |
| Community Heartbeat | -391.80 |
| T Nunn Tarmacadam | -4980.00 |
| Balance | 14152.23 |
With reference to the cost to reinstate tarmac around the drain, the parish council agreed to support paying the village halls element of the invoice i.e. £250. As Trustees of the village hall, Cllrs Wymer, Baber and Dinsey abstained from voting.
To Set the Precept for the 2024-2025 Financial Year
Following full and detailed discussion, it was proposed and seconded that the precept for the budget year 2024-2025 be increased from £8,866 to £9308, this equates to a 3.02% increase over the previous year - approved.
Anglian Water
At the September meeting it was agreed that quotations be sought for the cost of a) extending the arco drain across the car park to the ditch on the west side and b) digging out the ditches surrounding the village green. Both the Village Hall Trustees and Anglian Water have seen the quotes. AW are keen to have the work done and are presently looking into identifying funding streams. Additionally, Cllr Wyer has met with the strategic pipeline people who have intimated that when the men and equipment are in Rede in January and are unable to work because of certain weather conditions they will clear out the ditches free of charge, including litter picking. Two options are available to the parish council a) wait to see if AW secure funding by January to pay for the work along with the Arco drain b) if funding has not arrived by January, pursue the offer by the strategic pipeline representatives.
Biodiversity Consultation
The planned hedge planting was carried out on Saturday morning, there was some disappointment the whips received from the Woodland Trust were very small. For future discussion, whether to wait to let the hedge grow up around the fence, or if a faster hedge is required, purchase additional whips. Following the consultation, a plan will be put together of various priorities residents would like to see over the next twelve months. These will be brought back to the January/March parish council meeting to decide which to financially support next year.
Traffic Concerns
Speed surveys to be funded by Cllr Bennett but no further update when these will be undertaken.; broken down 30mph sign, presently in the hedge, to be replaced. Discussion at the January/March meeting regarding the purchase of a larger diameter pole to enable the installation of a solar powered VAS. A decision to be made whether the existing speed indicator device is moved around the village or a second one purchased, costs to be sought. Once done the parish council will look at whether to carry out a Community Speed Watch.
Risk Register to Include Playground Reports
A quotation for the annual tree survey has been received for £420.00, this was unanimously approved; Cllr Wymer to book the contractor. Cllr Baber felt an annual tree survey was excessive, advice to be taken. A guide on using the defibrillator to be included in the village magazine and also positioned next to the machine.
Risk Register: The defibrillator has had a new battery and new pads. To show the PC’s appreciation, a small gift to be purchased for the volunteer who maintains the equipment. Alister English is to take on the role of Editor for the Community Newsletter with Jean English responsible for distribution. It was suggested by Cllr Baber a new resident’s welcome pack be resurrected. Discussion at the next meeting, Cllr Baber to lead on the project.
Communications
Dealt with earlier in the meeting.
Correspondence
WSC Grass and Hedge Cutting
The WSC grass and hedge cutting review has been put in the village newsletter for residents to respond to; particularly relevant to the open areas of grass and the two green verges on the corner of Woodcrofts.
SCC Library Consultation
On a specific note, the mobile library vans have come to the end of their useful life, and it is highly unlikely they will be replaced. The Book Club have been sent this information. The consultation will be running online for some while for comments/opinions.
AOB
Anglian Water Strategic Pipeline: Work to commence for one week in Kiln Lane, Rede in January with a Stop/Go paddle arrangement rather than a road closure. The work will then move onto Rede Road later in January and then to the B1066 where a layby will be created to store equipment. Temporary traffic lights to be set up for the final phase of the work.
Footbridge to footpath: Discussed earlier in the meeting, Cllr Holmes to take forward.
Planters for village hall drive: Cllr Baber proposed two stone troughs be purchased from a reclamation yard - agreed. Cllr Wymer and Cllr Baber to investigate costings for the next meeting.
Notice board: The new notice board is due to be delivered on Friday, help is required on Tuesday to get the board assembled (weather dependent).
Christmas Tree and Carols around the tree: Responsibility of the Village Hall Trustees.
Date of Next Meeting
Date agreed as Tuesday 30th January 2024 at 7.00pm
With no further business the meeting closed at 8.05pm.