Gt Blakenham Parish Council Meeting Minutes

Minutes of Gt Blakenham Parish Council meeting held on Thursday 11th January 2024
in the Parish Room, Stowmarket Road, Great Blakenham at 7.30pm.

Present: Cllr Steve Plume (Chairman), Cllr Nick Leonard, Cllr Debbie Kemp, Cllr Will Durrant, Karen Grimwood (Parish Clerk), SCC Cllr Chambers, MSDC Cllr Marriott, 1 member of the public

1. To Receive and Approve Any Apologies for Absence

None

2. Declaration of Any Pecuniary and Non-Pecuniary Interests

Councillor's declaration of interest appropriate to any item on the agenda. Cllr Leonard declared interest for Q8b
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 is aware of flooded properties in Stowmarket Road caused by drainage issues. He advises that residents of any flooding to properties must be registered with SCC. He has met with the drainage dept and was advised that someone would be out to look at the damage and help to rectify the damage and problems. He was also aware that members of the public and PC had reported the storm drain/culvert on Chalk Hill Lane over previous months and that it was not classed as a priority. He will be investigating this and who is responsible for the drain.
To receive the report from the District Councillor — See attached report. Cllrs aware of the police commissioning survey and wanted it noted that it is felt that local villages appear to be paying a premium for the town's policing, but it is notable that we do not have much of a police presence and when we do it's only through a PCSO. Request for Cllr Marriott to look into MSDC stance on allotments and any potential threats of building developments on land or adjacent land going forward.
To receive questions from members of the public (15 mins) Concerned about amount and speed of traffic on Stowmarket Rd especially from HGV lorries. Cllrs confirmed that two speed indication devices have been purchased and just waiting for them to be installed in appropriate locations and on poles. The devices capture data which can be analysed when needed. Hope to be installed by the end of February 2024.

4. To Approve the Draft Minutes of the Meeting of the Council Held on 9th November 2023

Approved

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

Daffodil/tulip bulbs purchased and planted for Hackneys Corner verge in December 2023.
Noticeboard at village Hall erected. Big thank you to Charlie and his team at Port One for completing this service for the Parish.
Port One Planning Application & community gain offer of solar panel has been postponed until January 17th 2024.
Trees to be planted Hackneys Corner January 18th 2024.
Cllr Plume and clerk visited Chalk Hill Lane to record images of potholes and took measurements.

6. Planning

To consider the following planning applications
To note any planning determinations

DC/22/05259

Any other planning matters to note

7. Growth, Highways, and Infrastructure

Land Adjacent To The Port One Business And Logistics Park, Condition 22 (Highway Mitigation) in order to allow Phase 5 (Units 7, 8, 9 & 10) of the Logistics Park granted under reserved matters Blackacre Hill, Bramford Road, Great Blakenham IP6 ORL

DC/22/00661 NOTED

SID Devices Update — See 3c
To consider painting of bridge on Gipping Road. - County and district Cllrs to enquire who is responsible for bridge and maintenance and report back to clerk.
To discuss how to stop cars parking/driving on Hackneys corner verge. Discussed installing wood bollards or low fencing. Clerk to investigate ideas

8. Governance

Budgets and Precept approval for 24/25 — Cllrs agreed to increase precept for the first time in 5 years by 6%. The decision caused mainly by costs of living increase, including a 25% rise in bin and litter collection fees, as well as insurance premiums, was not taken lightly. These increased running costs were necessary to facilitate the progress of infrastructure projects that have been approved for the village.
Donation process to be reviewed — Clerk to provide spreadsheet with dates and amounts of donations
1. Donation request from Citizens Advise Support - £500 approved
2. Donation request from Headway Suffolk - £500 approved
Dog Bins/Litter removal cost increase — Cost has been increased by 25% under approval by government

9. Allotments

Tree on allotment plot 23 will be crowned in first week of February 2024 - Letters to be sent to adjoining households and email to plot holder.
To discuss allotment clearance plan. - Quotes to be obtained to clear plots and cover freshly cleared area with membrane to stop weed growth until plots allocated. Deposit fee discussed to ensure area is kept to standard.
To discuss allotment license - Landowner still not provided licence contract. Clerk in discussions with landowners' solicitors to chase. Cllr Marriott to inquire MSDC stance on allotment land in regard to planning for housing to be approved. Decided to join association of Allotments so that legal advice can be accessed.

10. Village Maintenance

To discuss maintenance contract and additional project quotes. Current maintenance contractors wish to concentrate on tender work only so request to be excluded from any extra work outside of what they are contracted to do. Agreed to obtain quotes for any additional work that needs completing.
To consider removing turf from small areas of Hackneys Corner and to reseed with wildflowers with cooperation from Biodiversity Officer MSDC - Cllr Plume in discussions with biodiversity officer to go ahead with this idea. Problems with grass cutting at wrong time of the year. Clerk to email Cllr Chambers with problems so can investigate.
To consider a bramble removal program from the bank on Bramford Road during early spring and reseed areas with wildflower seeds.

11. Churchyard and Cemetery

Soil dump emptying — Agreed to obtain quotes to have work completed

12. Training and Development for Councillors and Clerk

Cllr Leonard requested to enrol on planning training

13. Finance

To consider approving and making the following payments:
- Shades Hackneys Corner maintenance as per tender — Invoice - 2411 (paid out of meeting)
- Shades Grounds maintenance as per tender - Invoice 2410 (Paid out of meeting)
- Shades Street cleaning as per tender - Invoice 2409 (Paid out of meeting)
- Shades Hackneys Corner maintenance as per tender — Invoice 2417
- Shades Grounds maintenance as per tender - Invoice 2418
- Shades Street cleaning as per tender - Invoice 2419
- Clerk Reimbursement of EE Wifi Hub and Mobile costs November 2023 (paid out of meeting)
- Clerk Reimbursement of EE Wifi Hub and Mobile costs December 2023
- Monthly Payroll Month ending 31/11/2023 (Paid out of meeting)
- Monthly Payroll Month ending 31/12/2023
- Salc Training Invoice 27364
- Suffolk.cloud Support/host of website Invoice 2024/005
- Three Clerk Mobile - 10479067602/11/2023
- British Legion Donation for Wreath — EJD31
- GBVH Christmas arty S137 (paid out of meeting)
- LLoyds Bank Multipay card Service charges
- Unity Trust Bank Multipay Card
- Lloyds Bank Clerk Mobile - 110479067600100002
Payments Received
- Unity Trust Bank D Credit Interest
- EofE co-op Burial Memorial Fee B

Additional payment of £90.36 to HMRC was added after agenda was published. Noted and agreed

14. Reports

To receive reports from Councillors assigned to the following:

Gt Blakenham Village Hall — Cllr Debbie Kemp Report attached

15. Correspondence

Compliment received on work completed at cemetery hedging.

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 Thursday 8th February 2024 and any items for the agenda.

Karen Grimwood
Clerk to Great Blakenham Parish Council
Email: pc@greatblakenham.suffolk.gov.uk
Phone: 07463329570

Parish Council website: www.greatblakenham.suffolk.cloud
Date: 5th January 2024