Gt Blakenham Parish Council Meeting Minutes

Minutes of Gt Blakenham Parish Council meeting held on Thursday 14th March 2024
in the Parish Room, Stowmarket Road, Great Blakenham at 7.30pm.

Present: Cllr Steve Plume (Chairman), Cllr Nick Leonard, Cllr Debbie Kemp, Karen Grimwood (Parish Clerk), MSDC Cllr Marriott.

1. To Receive and Approve Any Apologies for Absence

Cllr Will Durrant & Cllr Chris Chambers

2. Declaration of Any Pecuniary and Non-Pecuniary Interests

Councillor's declaration of interest appropriate to any item on the agenda. None
To receive written requests for dispensations for disclosable pecuniary interest (if any). None
To grant any requests for dispensations as appropriate. None
Co-option of parish councillor(s) / to sign declaration of acceptance. None

3. Public Forum

To receive the report from the County Councillor — See attached report. Cllr Chambers to investigate the need for remedial work on Bramford Road to address the ongoing issue of flooding. Port One have advised that they have reported to Highways that where they have connected to the drainage the culvert is full of debris which is causing the flooding. They also advised that they have reported a water leak to Anglian Water concerning Addison Way. The issues of various landowners agreeing to sort this issue is delaying any repairs. Highways are investigating and putting works into place for the blocked drain on Chalk Hill Lane. The flooding on Gipping Road is still ongoing. Repairs will be very complex when they are agreed as it involves various parties including Network Rail.
To receive the report from the District Councillor — See attached report. Cllr Marriott to investigate how many properties are empty in the village and how long they are empty for. Cllr Marriott to investigate who we send our questions to concerning who allocates housing to the flats in Masons Drive.
To receive questions from members of the public — None

4. To Approve the Draft Minutes of the Meeting of the Council Held on 8th February 2024

Approved

5. To Note the Clerk's Update from Previous Meetings

Tree guards have been purchased/installed for the trees on Hackneys Corner as agreed. Noted
Oak Tree on allotment has been crowned as agreed. Noted
Soil stack removal at cemetery not completed as let down by contractor. Agreed to wait for drier weather before seeking another contractor as worried that the grass will be damaged.

6. Planning

To consider the following planning applications. DC/24/00645 Blue Leighs Caravan Park, Reduce crown height and spread, balance to Chalk Hill Lane, Great Blakenham, Suffolk reduce risk of failure in adverse weather conditions. Response by 1st March 2024. Clerk responded with no objections. Noted
To note any planning determinations. DC/24/00645 Blue Leighs Caravan Park, Chalk Hill Lane, Great Blakenham, Suffolk

7. Growth, Highways, and Infrastructure

Erection of Bowls Pavilion (following demolition of existing portacabin). Response by 6th March 2024. Clerk responded with no objections as PC already agreed support. NOTED
Construction and operation of a solar photovoltaic farm including ancillary equipment. The application is being considered by the Development and Regulation Committee on 19 March 2024. NOTED
Reduce crown height and spread, balance to reduce risk of failure in adverse weather conditions. Approved 8th March 2024. NOTED
Update on CIL Monies owed. — CIL money owed to PC in regards to housing development off Chalk Hill Lane called Cemetery Close. MSDC debt recovery are involved and will keep PC update as it progresses.
Update on flooded property on Stowmarket Road. - Drain on Chalk Hill lane blocked and being investigated for repair by Highways
Flooding on Bramford Rd/Addison. Anglian Water and highways responsible. Cllr Chambers to investigate
Note large pothole/dropped drain on Gipping Road near Whitebridge. Appears to have been repaired

8. Governance

To note internal audit for 23/24 will be booked with SALC as soon as available. Noted
Request for support for Barham Picnic Site project. - Clerk to gain clarification on legal situation on Picnic site, Business plan details and invite to the next meeting to provide an overview.
Hedgehog Highway project. - Clerk to purchase one box of hedgehog highways to see what interest we get from parishioners.
Update on Gipping Valley Bowls Club project — Club have obtained 106 funding from BMSDC to demolish existing building, excavate and build new foundations to receive a new wooden clad pavilion. Further funds will be required to fit kitchen, installing heating etc. Hope work will start mid-September and completed by March 25.
Review policies — Whistleblowing, Noticeboard, Complaints, Dignity at work policies reviewed and agreed.

9. Allotments

Update on availability — Plot 25 has been allocated and the tenant has agreed to clear the plot and signed a disclaimer for injury/accidents. Clerk to contact the other people on waiting list to see if they would like to clear a plot or to wait until a contractor is found.
It should be noted that the initial overview of plans for Stowmarket Rd indicates that the allotment will remain in its current location. Noted
Discuss enquiry to solicitors for licence of allotment. Clerk to contact Salc for advise
Discuss application for community asset. Clerk to contact Salc for advise

10. Village Maintenance

Discuss damage to verges on Hackneys Corner/Hoods Drive etc from vehicles - Cllr Chambers to investigate if we need to have permission to place bollards or planters on verges to stop cars parking on verges.
Update from district and county Cllrs for who responsibility for painting of White Bridge, Gipping Rd. No update
Update on village hall refresh programme. Trustees are looking to have a public consultation day for villagers to say what they would like to happen at the hall. Ongoing work to obtain funding and businesses to start phase one of work required on the village hall.

11. Churchyard and Cemetery

Discuss review of Cemetery Fees — Cllrs to obtain comparison fees from surrounding villages and Ipswich cemetery
Update of Cemetery Policies — Agreement to start reviewing policies and handbook.

12. Training and Development for Councillors and Clerk

Cllr Leonard and clerk interested in attending burial course.

13. Finance

To consider approving and making the following payments:
- Shades Hackneys Corner maintenance as per tender - £2433
- Shades Grounds Maintenance as per tender - £2434
- Shades Street cleaning as per tender - £2435
- Payroll Ending 29th Feb 2024
- Clerk Mobile EE - £11.00
- Chair Mobile and Wifi Hub - £26.00
Payments outside of meeting agreed in previous minutes
- Fisk Tree Services Oak tree crowning on allotment £445.00
- Gt Blakenham Money to support purchase of table/chairs £4078.24
- Village Hall curtains Designer Metal 4x Tree guards Inv 5668 £576.00

14. Reports

To receive reports from Councillors assigned to the following:

Suez Annual Report — See attached
Village Hall — Cllr Kemp — There has been some changes to trustees due to the secretary resigning but has now been rectified. Trustees are very grateful for the donation for new chairs and tables and these have now been purchased. The bar takings have been very good at all the events and will need more volunteers going forward. The cycle speedway members Rep has changed. Looking for funding for ongoing works required.
NSIP Update — see attached

15. Correspondence

Request for update on concrete blocks on footpath off Bramford Road — This has been reported to highways again by PC to see if private landowner can come up with an alternative way to stop motorbikes using the lane but allowing the public to walk through. PC unable to do anything more than this as have no rights.
Anti-social behaviour near and around Budgens Store. Issues with shoplifting, violence to staff and anti-social behaviour in area around store. Issues to be looked at by all parties to see what can be done and to contact the police commissioner.

16. Future Meetings

To note invitation for items to be considered in the next meeting.
To note the date of the next scheduled Meeting on 11th April 2024 and any items for the agenda.

Karen Grimwood - Clerk to Great Blakenham Parish Council
Email: pc@qreatblakenham.suffolk.qov.uk
Phone: 07508830777
Parish Council website: www.greatblakenham.suffolk.cloud
Date: 9th March 2024