Minutes of the Meeting
Minutes of Gt Blakenham Parish Council meeting held on Thursday 9th July 2026 at Parish Rooms. Present: Chair Nick Leonard, Cllr Matt Powell, Cllr Debbie Kemp, Cllr Karen Wheeler, Karen Grimwood (Parish Clerk), SCC Cllr Asa Downing, MSDC Cllr Adrienne and 1 member of the public.
1. Apologies for Absence
To receive and approve any apologies for absence – None
2. Declaration of Interests
Declaration of any pecuniary and non-pecuniary interests – None
- Councillor’s declaration of interest appropriate to any item on the agenda.
- To receive written requests for dispensations for disclosable pecuniary interest (if any).
- To grant any requests for dispensations as appropriate.
- Co-option of parish councillor(s) / to sign declaration of acceptance.
3. Public Forum
- To receive the report from the County Councillor.- See attached
- To receive the report from the District Councillor.- See attached
- To receive questions from members of the public.- None received
4. Approval of Minutes
To approve the Draft Minutes of the Meeting of the Council held on 11th June 2026. - Approved and signed
5. Clerk’s Update
To note the Clerk’s update from previous meeting.
- Stowmarket Rd lease – The Clerk reported that the land agent has responded and indicated that a 10-year lease may be possible. The Council asked the Clerk to negotiate for a longer lease term if possible.
- Allotment clearance – The Clerk reported that the allotment requires significant clearance work prior to its handover to the landowner. Following an inspection, it was noted that a number of items remaining on the site may be suitable for sale to village residents, and the Council discussed holding an open day to facilitate the sale. The Clerk was asked to obtain a quotation for the removal and reinstatement of the existing noticeboard at the allotment site to replace the noticeboard on Gipping Road near Brands. The Clerk was also asked to obtain a quotation for moving the items that are no longer required to the front of the plots in preparation for the proposed sale. The Council discussed the future of fencing and the parking barrier, including whether these should be retained, relocated or disposed of. No decision was made, and the matter will be considered further once the site clearance has progressed.
- Skip hire – The Council discussed the hire of a skip to remove any remaining waste from the site. It was agreed that arrangements for the skip hire could proceed nearer the time, once the site clearance work had progressed.
- Emailed Baylham re Port One – Noted that Baylham PC has received a trial version of PlanCouncil to try. The Council discussed nominating a representative to become familiar with its operation before any decision is made regarding future adoption. Cllr Powell volunteered to act as the Council's representative.
- Update on sleeping in vans in layby – It was reported that there have been several instances of people sleeping in vans in and around Great Blakenham, Barham, and surrounding villages. The Police, Mid Suffolk District Council (MSDC), and Highways have all been contacted by the Parish Council and Cllr Downing regarding these concerns. The response received was that the situation is linked to the UK Ijtema event being held at Shrubland Hall, Barham. Cllr Downing has been advised that MSDC and the Police are working with the event organisers to provide security and enforcement. It was confirmed that all public footpaths will remain open and accessible for dog walkers and other users. The event organisers will provide security and stewards to monitor the site and surrounding areas. The overall view of the Parish Council and Cllr Downing is that Shrubland Hall may not be the most suitable location for hosting such an event due to a number of concerns, including the impact on surrounding villages, access, traffic management, and potential disruption to local residents. However, it was acknowledged that the event organisers, MSDC, and the Police are working together to address concerns and implement measures to minimise the impact on the local community.
6. Planning
- To consider the following planning applications:
| Reference | Location | Proposal | PC Comment Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| DC/26/02688 | Land Adjacent Stowmarket Road, Great Blakenham, Suffolk | Application for Consent to display an Advertisement(s) - Erection of 2no. Signs | 10.07.26 Objection |
| DC/26/02449 | Unit 1, Addison Way, Great Blakenham, IP6 0RL | Erection of new parts store | 10.07.26 No Objection |
Objection DC/26/02688 - Members agreed to submit an objection to the application on the grounds that the proposed signage was considered inappropriate in terms of its impact on the character and visual amenity of the area.
- To note planning determinations
| Reference | Location | Proposal | PC Comment |
|---|---|---|---|
| DC/26/02003 | 11 Kiln Close Gt Blakenham | Conversion of part garage to home office. | Noted |
| DC/26/00787 | 36 Chapel Lane, Great Blakenham, Ipswich, Suffolk IP6 0JR | Installation of 90mm external wall insulation and re-render | Noted |
7. Highways and Infrastructure
- Port One - It was noted that Jack has left the AB team at Port One. The new contact point will be Andrew. The Clerk will seek an update from Port One and the Planning Authority regarding the progress of the S106 agreement. Noted that work had not started on Gipping Meadows.
8. Governance
- Discuss potential planning complaint - The Parish Council asked Cllr Marriott to seek clarification regarding the planning officer’s non-attendance at a meeting at Port One and to better understand their approach to considering Parish Council concerns and objections.
- Standing Orders – Deferred to the next meeting to allow time for the Clerk to incorporate amendments
- Quarterly finance – The Clerk presented the Parish Council’s quarterly financial report. No issues were raised, other than a request for confirmation of the allocation of earmarked reserves.
9. Village Maintenance
- Improvement ideas - The Parish Council discussed ideas to enhance the village, including:
- Christmas lights and a Christmas tree at Hackney’s Corner.
- Self-watering planters at village gateway signs.
- Upgrading the recreation ground in partnership with the Village Hall Trustees.
- Relandscaping Hackney’s Corner near Tesco.
The Clerk to explore potential costs, funding opportunities and practical requirements.
10. Training and Development for Councillors and Clerk
- GDPR course – Clerk to book a course
11. Finance
To consider approving and making the following payments: Approved
| Payee | Method | Description | Amount | Legislation |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Shades | Bacs | Street Cleaning as per tender 2893 | £1275.33 | LGA 1972 s111 |
| Shades | Bacs | Grounds Maintenance as per tender 2894 | £758.33 | LGA 1972 s111 |
| Shades | Bacs | Bus shelter, Signs as per tender 2895 | £485.33 | LGA 1972 s111 |
| Three | DD | Phone contracts | £37.98 | LGA 1972 s111 |
| Salc | Bacs | Payroll provision 30885 | £57.60 | LGA 1972 s111 |
| HMRC | Bacs | P30 ending 05.07.26 | £376.25 | LGA 1972 s111 |
| Payroll | Bacs | Month ending 30.06.26 | £1075.83 | LGA 1972 s111 |
| Nest Pension | DD | Month 3 ending 30.06.26 | £53.99 | LGA 1972 s111 |
| Lloyds | DD | Card fee | £3.00 | LGA 1972 s111 |
| Unity Trust | DD | Service charge | £7.00 | LGA 1972 s111 |
Income Received
30.06.2026 – Credit Interest £819.65 – Noted
Bank Balances @ 30.06.2026
Unity Trust Current Account: £35,285.49 – Noted
Unity Trust Saver Account: £169,486.23
Total: £204,771.72
12. Reports
- Village Hall
13. Future Meetings
- To note invitation for items to be considered in the next meeting.
- To note the date of the next scheduled meeting on 10th September 2026 and any items for the agenda.