Minutes Signed

Meeting Date:

Summary
This summary is generated by AI and may contain errors. It does not form part of the official minutes.
Exciting updates for residents: Streetlights on Stowmarket Rd will soon be brighter with new bulbs and brackets. The council is also planning an informal meeting with neighboring parishes to discuss the Port One expansion. Plus, look out for new signs at the Village Hall Playground to ensure a safe and fun environment for everyone.
Present
Chair Cllr Nick Leonard, Vice Chair Cllr Debbie Kemp, Cllr Karen Wheeler, Karen Grimwood (Parish Clerk), SCC Cllr Chris Chambers, GBVH representative and 1 member of the public.

1. Apologies for Absence

  1. MSDC Cllr Marriott, Cllr Powell, Cllr Durrant

2. Declaration of Interests

  1. Councillor's declaration of interest appropriate to any item on the agenda. — Cllr Leonard 8b Sea Cadets
  2. To receive written requests for dispensations for disclosable pecuniary interest (if any)
  3. To grant any requests for dispensations as appropriate.
  4. Co-option of parish councillor(s) / to sign declaration of acceptance.

3. Public Forum

  1. To receive the report from the County Councillor - see attached report
  2. To receive the report from the District Councillor — see attached report
  3. To receive questions from members of the public

4. Planning

  1. To consider the following planning applications.
    • DC/24/05243 Land Adjacent To 10 Chapel Lane, Great Blakenham, Ipswich, Suffolk
    • DC/25/01207 Units 5 And 6, Plummers Dell, Great Blakenham, Ipswich Suffolk IP6 OJG
  2. To note planning determinations.
    • DC/25/00478 86 Plummers Dell IP6 OHW
    • Land Adjacent To 10 Chapel Lane, Great Blakenham, Ipswich, Suffolk
    • Response extended to 11th April 2025
    • Retention of change of use of land from B2 to B1 office use and re-positioning of Porta cabin. Re-positioning of portacabin approved under application 1308/17. OBJECTED FURTHER INFO REQUIRED
    • Erection of single storey rear extension (following demolition of conservatory), first floor extension and front porch extension - GRANTED

5. Approval of Draft Minutes

Draft Minutes of the Meeting of the Council held on 13th March 2025 Approved

6. Clerk's Update from Previous Meetings

  1. Logged the concrete boulders in Blue Barn Lane with Highways. Response - They have inspected the route again. The landowner did reposition one of the concrete blocks in May 2024 (following contact from the rights of way department) to improve the access and the width that is available there now is, in keeping with the width that exists between the concrete bollards that have been in position there for a long time. We feel this was a reasonable response.
  2. Written to Environment agency concerning Stop plank and brick repair-awaiting response.
  3. Village Hall Playground - Playground inspection will be booked and no dogs/disclaimer signs will be installed.

7. Growth, Highways, and Infrastructure

  1. Street Lighting — Agreed to replace bulbs and pole brackets to streetlights on Stowmarket Rd. Cost 2385+VAT
  2. Port One — The application for the expansion of Port One was reviewed, Clerk tasked to organise an informal meeting with neighbouring parishes to gather their opinions on the expansion and how it will affect them.
  3. Email domains — Cllr Powell examined the possibility of transitioning to gov.uk domains, considering associated costs, and recommended continuing with Suffolk.cloud for management and transition, which would incur a fee of £130. Additionally, he proposed the implementation of a Bring Your Own Device (BYOD) policy to facilitate email access on personal devices. The council agreed to proceed with both the engagement of Suffolk.cloud and the adoption of the BYOD policy.
  4. Donation requests — Parish Room flooring, Sea Cadets, Bowls club heating, Brave futures
    • Parish room flooring — declined to a donation at this present time.
    • Sea Cadets - Agreed to £100 donation
    • Brave Futures — Agreed to £100 donation
    • Bowls Club flooring - They agreed that the club could utilise the remaining £2,014 from the initial £25,000 donation towards plumbing expenses but chose not to provide any additional funding.
  5. Potential Joint PC surgery meeting - Agreed that would like to host a joint meeting and clerk to arrange a convenient time
  6. Internal/External Audit — Chair agreed & Signed section 1 of the AGAR for internal audit. Agreed to PKF Littlejohn completing the external audit. This is to be submitted by 31.07.2025
  7. Litter/dog bin emptying service - Advised by MSDC that they had overcharged by £15 last year and they will remove from this year's invoice.
  8. Maintenance Tender update — Clerk advised that has received 3 tenders so far but wanted to make council aware that costs will likely be higher than previously thought.

8. Allotments

  1. Community Asset — Application in progress

9. Village Maintenance

None

10. Churchyard and Cemetery

  1. Topple testing update — Clerk advised that has not been very successful in contacting relatives for gravestones that need maintenance.
  2. Cemetery shelter — Agreed clerk will look into costs of new shelter over the coming months

11. Training and Development for Councillors and Clerk

None

12. Finance

  1. To consider approving and making the following payments: Approved
    Payee Method Amount Legislation
    Payroll Ending 31.03.2025 B £1050.22 LGA 1972 s111
    Nest Month 12 Ending 31.03.2025 B £50.61 LGA 1972 s111
    HMRC P30 Ending 5th April 2025 B £162.87 LGA 1972 s111
    EE/K Grimwood WIFI/mobile reimbursement B £28.04 LGA 1972 s111
    Shades Inv 2643 Mole Hill clearance at churchyard. B £30.00 LGA 1972 s111
    Shades Hackneys Corner maintenance as per tender Inv 2642 B £2135.00 LGA 1972 s111
    Shades Street Cleaning as per tender Inv 2640 B £1316.67 LGA 1972 s111
    Shades Grounds Maintenance as per tender Inv 2641 B £507.50 LGA 1972 s111
    Three Clerk phone contract DD £13.00 LGA 1972 s111
    SALC Councillor Basics Training INV 29539 B £158.40 LGA 1972 s111
    ICO renewal fee ICO:00019642948 B £52.00 LGA 1972 s111
    Parish Rooms Yearly Room Hire B £200.00 LGA 1972 s111
    Pest Control Services Wasp nest treatment cemetery B £65.00 LGA 1972 s111
    SALC 6 months payroll service Inv 29651 B £57.60 LGA 1972 s111
    SALC membership subscription 2025/26 Inv 29926 B £799.04 LGA 1972 s111
  2. Payments outside of meeting — None
  3. Money Received — £67.08 Bank credit
  4. Bank Balance @ 31/03/2025
    • Unity Trust Current Account Balance - £168,937.84
    • Unity Trust Saver Account Balance - £12,032.47

13. Reports - GBVH

Village Hall funding - Councillors require quotes for the security and fire alarm systems before any funding can be allocated. Once these have been received the request for support can be revisited again.

Discussed the process of changing the deeds, and the councillors believe that solicitors are unnecessary for this task. With assistance from CAS and their templates, the constitution can be revised. A consultation period with village residents is essential to address any objections. If there are none, the GBVH can then approach the Charities Commission to officially adopt the changes at no cost.

GBVH requested help with grant applications; link provided to register and gain information on available funding in Suffolk, along with support and advice on how to apply. Home Funding 4 Suffolk

Illegal encampment - A caravan was parked overnight at the village hall, prompting several individuals to be contacted regarding the procedures for addressing illegal encampments. All involved parties were informed about the necessary steps to take should similar situations arise in the future.

14. Correspondence

  1. Working hours of landfill site
  2. Height of landfill mound

Cllr Chambers has contacted the dept who monitors the site and advised that they are currently investigating all issues. He will update when he has a response.

15. 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 8th May 2025 and any items for the agenda.

Karen Grimwood - Clerk & Responsible Financial Officer
Great Blakenham Parish Council
Email: pc@greatblakenham.suffolk.gov.uk
Phone: 07463329570
Date: 11th April 2025

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