Gt Blakenham Parish Council Meeting Minutes

Meeting Date:

Summary
This summary is generated by AI and may contain errors. It does not form part of the official minutes.
Residents might be interested to know that Cllr Nick Leonard has been elected as the new Chair of the Parish Council. Concerns about Sackers were also discussed, including issues with overloaded bays and increased traffic on Gipping Road. Additionally, a planning application for a waste management facility was withdrawn.

Minutes of Gt Blakenham Parish Council meeting held on Tuesday 24th September 2024 in Great Blakenham Village Hall, Mill Lane at 7.30pm.

Present
Cllr Debbie Kemp, Vice Chair Cllr Nick Leonard, Cllr Will Durrant, Karen Grimwood (Parish Clerk), District Cllr Addrienne Marriott, SCC Cllr Chris Chambers and eight members of the public

1. Declaration of Any Pecuniary and Non-Pecuniary Interests

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

2. To Elect the Chairman of Great Blakenham Parish Council

Cllr Steve Plume stepped down from his roles as Chair and Councillor at the end of July 2024. In the interim, Cllr Nick Leonard served as acting Chair until this meeting. Cllr Durrant nominated Cllr Leonard for the position of new Chair, with Cllr Kemp providing a second to the nomination. Cllr Leonard has agreed to assume the role of Chair.

3. To Elect the Deputy Chairman of Great Blakenham Parish Council

Cllr Durrant proposed Cllr Kemp for the role of Vice Chair, which was seconded by Cllr Leonard. Cllr Kemp accepted the position.

4. Public Forum

  1. To receive the report from the County Councillor — See attached monthly report. Also provided update concerning Sackers.
  2. To receive the report from the District Councillor — See attached report
  3. To receive questions from members of the public
  • Questions concerning Sackers — Please see response/update in section 8e.
  • Concerned the bays are being overloaded. How will this be monitored?
  • What preventative measures for detecting lithium batteries are in place?
  • Will they install water sprinklers?
  • Operating hours and why do they operate outside these and on Sunday?
  • How are license conditions enforced?
  • Air pollution issues?
  • Increased traffic on Gipping Road
  • Why have Sackers not attended the meeting?

5. To Approve the Draft Minutes of the Meeting of the Council Held on 11th July 2024

Approved

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

7. Planning

  1. To consider the following planning applications.
    • SCC/0085/24 S Sacker (Claydon) Ltd MS Gipping Road Great Blakenham IP6 OJB
    • DC/24/03230 1 Stowmarket Road, Great Blakenham, Ipswich, Suffolk IP6 OLQ
  2. To note any planning determinations.
    • DC/24/02130 Part Land Adjacent To Units 36 & 37, Claydon Business Park, Gipping Road, Great Blakenham IP6 ONL
    • Change of use of land from B8 to Sui Generis (waste management facility) including removal of existing building to extend the site. APPLICATION WITHDRAWN
    • DC/24/02320 3 Old Bell Lane, Great Blakenham, Ipswich, Suffolk IP6 OFN
    • Change of use of land to residential amenity land to enable construction of new driveway to existing access. SUPPORTED BY PC
    • Erection of B2 unit for use as a motor vehicle workshop / garage services and associated works. NOTED
    • Erection of a single storey rear extension and insertion of sun tunnels to existing roof slope. NOTED

8. Growth, Highways, and Infrastructure

  1. Footpath/Cycle Way from Bramford to Gt Blakenham. Cllr Chambers is seeking assistance from the PC to support/secure funding for the development of a foot and cycle path connecting Bramford to Great Blakenham and Claydon. This initiative aims to provide a safer route for schoolchildren to the sole school in the vicinity and safe access for all other users. PC are in full support.
  2. Traffic Survey Bramford Road. SCC will conduct a traffic survey report for Bramford Road, analyzing both incoming and outgoing traffic in the village. This data will be compared with information from speed indication devices to identify the primary traffic flow patterns. See attached report.
  3. MSDC Scoping Report. The clerk to respond that the parish council does not support any additional development in the village, as it believes the current development quota has already been surpassed. Should any further development be considered, it would necessitate the establishment of adequate infrastructure to accommodate the increased traffic, as well as the required pre-schools, primary and secondary schools, and GP surgeries.
  4. Bus Transport from Claydon/Gt Blakenham. Cllr Chambers has proposed a collaborative effort to sponsor the extension of operating hours for the No 88 bus service to include evenings and Sundays. The PC is in full support of this initiative.
  5. Sackers Update. Cllr Chambers and MP Patrick Spencer organised a visit to Sackers two weeks following the recent fire to address the causes and preventive strategies. During this meeting, Sackers indicated their intention to withdraw the planning application for site expansion. There was a consensus that Sackers lacked a proper understanding of the workings of the parish council and the meeting procedures, and it was also perceived that they had underestimated the level of public interest surrounding their application.
  6. Concerns regarding the potential overloading of bays and the accumulation of excess waste on-site were expressed. It was advised that a scheduling system for waste deliveries has been implemented, requiring a designated time slot for each delivery. This approach facilitates a steady processing rate, thereby preventing the buildup of waste.
  7. Cllr Chambers will look into the frequency with which an SCC enforcement officer assesses the overloading of bays and other planning conditions at the site, and will provide a report to the Parish Council once the information is gathered.
  8. Cllr Chambers will reach out to the fire service to address the matter of fire sprinklers and to determine whether Sackers has been instructed to install them. He will provide an update once this information is obtained.
  9. Residents have noted that Sackers are operating outside of designated hours, including Sundays. Cllr Chambers will verify the operating hours with SCC and will share the information once it is obtained.
  10. Cllr Chambers and Cllr Marriott recognise the increasing challenge within the waste management sector regarding the safe disposal and handling of lithium-ion batteries, which pose a risk of significant fires. Discussions about the proper disposal of these batteries are taking place at both district and county levels, with MP Patrick Spencer also planning to address the matter at the government level. There is a consensus that all members of society share the responsibility for the safe disposal of batteries, and it is essential to implement measures to confront this issue.
  11. Cllr Chambers has contacted the Environment Agency to inquire about the safety measures implemented at Sackers and the site's operational expectations. He has also addressed concerns regarding air pollution and its monitoring. A response is still pending. The Parish Council fully endorses this correspondence with the Environment Agency.
  12. All meeting participants acknowledge that Sackers plays a vital role in the waste industry and contributes to local employment; however, it is imperative that safety and environmental standards for the business and nearby residents are not compromised.
  13. Speed device data — Clerk had issues downloading data so will update in next meeting
  14. Baylam Neighbourhood plan — Noted

9. Governance

  1. Barham Picnic site update. Barham Picnic Site expresses gratitude to the Parish Council for their support of the project and the £10,000 contribution. Invoices have been submitted to verify the allocation of the £10,000.
  2. Gipping Valley Bowls Club update. The old pavilion has been dismantled, with equipment removed in preparation for demolition, and the foundations for the new pavilion have been excavated. The building suppliers are currently manufacturing the new pavilion and are expected to arrive on site in October to commence construction. An application for additional funding from the Landfill Tax Grant Scheme has been initiated to cover the estimated fitting costs of £30,000 to £40,000. However, they have underestimated the extra fees necessary to meet planning and building regulations, which has somewhat depleted their funds, though they will continue their fundraising efforts. They are optimistic about making sufficient progress to hold a grand opening in early Spring.
  3. Bank signatories update. Cllr Kemp and Cllr Leonard have been appointed as signatories for Unity Trust Bank, while Cllr Steve Plume has been removed following his resignation.
  4. Policy Reviews — Policies require a final review and must be approved at the upcoming meeting.
  5. Insurance renewal. The councillors approved the renewal of the CAS insurance policy and emphasized the necessity of incorporating speed indicator devices as a permanent municipal fixture.
  6. Hedge trimmer purchase quotes. The decision has been made to proceed with the purchase of the hedge trimmer and safety equipment to place the order up to £150.00. The parish council will seek to recruit volunteers to assist in trimming hedges along pathways and other areas within the village.
  7. Storage. GBVH has offered the Parish Council with exclusive access to a storage cupboard for the purpose of storing documents and files. The Parish Council has accepted this offer but believes it is necessary to establish a contract to formalize the exclusivity and potentially include a nominal fee of £25.00 to the hall.

10. Allotments

  1. Plot update. Three plots have been designated and are currently undergoing successful clearance. Additionally, three more plots are set to become available soon.
  2. Waiting list update. There are currently eight individuals on the waiting list, indicating that the three available plots are likely to be occupied shortly.

11. Village Maintenance

  1. Community black bins — Community bins are currently stored at GBVH until further notice
  2. Bramford Road Bank. The Parish Council is pleased with the clearing of the bank along Bramford Road. A quote has been requested to ensure this maintenance is performed twice a year to manage the growth effectively.
  3. Landscaping quote. The quotes to landscape areas at Hackney's Corner near Budgens were deemed excessive. Consequently, the Parish Council opted to continue regular grass cutting and invest in additional flowering bulbs to enhance the area's appearance and attract beneficial insects.
  4. Dog Fouling — Concerns have been raised regarding dog fouling in the village, particularly in the recreation area near the village hall. It was agreed that the clerk should contact MSDC to report the issue and to request additional signage and informational materials.

12. Churchyard and Cemetery

  1. Memorial Fee. An error dating back to 2014 led to the incorrect assignment of a burial plot. This issue prompted a complaint in December 2022, after which the PC proposed to cover the expenses for a memorial to address the distress and suffering experienced by the family at that time. However, the PC did not establish a price limit for the memorial, resulting in a large invoice to be paid by the Parish Council.
  2. Topple Test — Agreed that this need to completed as soon as possible. Clerk to arrange

13. Training and Development for Councillors and Clerk

Clerk to book Cllr Kemp and Cllr Leonard on training as chair.

14. Finance

  1. To consider approving and making the following payments:
    • GBVH Hire of hall 24.09.24 INV38 £45.00 LGA1972s111
    • Three HG3 Mobile phone contract 02.09.24 £11.87 LGA1972s111
    • Clerk (EE reimbursement) Phone/wifi hub June, July, August 2024 £84.12 LGA1972s111
    • NSK Landscapes Clearance of Bramford Rd Bank Inv02973 £36.00 LGA1972s111
    • Shades Hackneys corner as per tender — Inv2534 £135.00 LGA1972s111
    • Shades Grounds maintenance as per tender — INV 2535 £507.50 LGA1972s111
    • Shades Street Cleaning as per tender Inv -2536 £1316.67 LGA1972s111
    • Shades Allotment Shed painting Inv2528 £386.40 LGA1972s111
    • Hunnabals Memorial for late J Hunt £5999.10 LGA1972s111
    • Payroll Clerk ending 31.08.2024 £958.04 LGA1972s111
  2. Payments outside of meeting
    • Three HG3 Mobile phone contract 02.08.24 £11.87 LGA1972s111
    • Nest Pension Contributions IT000008419340 backdated £164.32 LGA1972s111
    • Payroll Clerk ending 31.07.2024 £58.04 LGA1972s111
    • Shades Inv2514, 2515, 2516 as per tender £1959.17 LGA1972s111
    • Lloyds Bank Bank Fees £3.00 LGA1972s111
  3. Money Received
    • Cemetery Fees Purchase EROB Plot D15 £100.00
    • MSDC Cleansing Grant £5948.80
  4. Bank Balance @ 31.07.2024
    • Unity Trust Current Account Balance - £195,262.29
    • Unity Trust Saver Account Balance - £9376.42
  5. Bank Balance @ 31.08.2024
    • Unity Trust Current Account Balance - £198,214.69
    • Unity Trust Saver Account Balance - £9376.42

15. Reports

To receive reports from Councillors assigned to the following:

Village Hall — Cllr Debbie Kemp

The Parish Council acknowledges the significant dedication and effort demonstrated by the new committee thus far and recognises the hall as a valuable resource for the community. While the current active trustees are performing admirably, there is a pressing need for additional trustees to ensure the effective operation and advancement of repair and refurbishment projects. It is essential for the trustees to secure funding and finalise the Lottery funding application to facilitate the necessary roof repairs, which will subsequently enable the installation of solar panels donated by Port One. Previous challenges with a resident club led to a mediation meeting, and I am pleased to report that relations have since improved, contributing to a more positive atmosphere.

16. Correspondence

Emails concerning fire and planning application at Sackers Waste Recycling — Responded with update

17. Future Meetings

  1. To note invitation for items to be considered in the next meeting.
  2. To note the date of the next scheduled Meeting on 10th October 2024 and any items for the agenda.

Karen Grimwood
Clerk to Great Blakenham Parish Council
Email: pc@greatblakenham.suffolk.gov.uk
Phone: 07508830777
Parish Council website: www.greatblakenham.suffolk.cloud
Date: 18/09/2024

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