Parish Minutes

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 the village! The Parish Council plans to lease Wet Meadow on Stowmarket Road, preserving it as a green space for everyone to enjoy. Plus, look out for festive cheer as solar lights will adorn trees in the village, complementing Christmas events at the hall and church.

Minutes of the Meeting

Present
Chair Nick Leonard, Cllr Matt Powell, Cllr Debbie Kemp, Karen Grimwood (Parish Clerk), SCC Cllr Chris Chambers and MSDC Cllr Adrienne Marriott.
  1. To receive and approve any apologies for absence - Cllr Wheeler
  2. Declaration of any pecuniary and non-pecuniary interests - None
    1. Councillor's declaration of interest appropriate to any item on the agenda.
    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. Cllr Chambers also confirmed that the height of the landfill sight is being investigated.
    2. To receive the report from the District Councillor - See attached report.
    3. To receive questions from members of the public - None
  4. To approve the Draft Minutes of the Meeting of the Council held on 9th October 2025 - Approved
  5. To note the Clerk’s update from previous meetings.
    1. Joint Neighbourhood - All relevant parties have been advised that GBPC will not be continuing with the joint neighbourhood plan.
    2. Christmas Decorations - PC agreed that as the village hall and church are arranging Christmas events and trees that PC would provide solar lights for trees in village. Clerk to action
  6. Planning
    1. To consider the following planning applications.- None received
    2. To note any planning determinations. -
    DC/25/04083 59 Blueleighs Park, Chalk Hill Lane, Great Blakenham, Ipswich Suffolk IP6 0ND Tree Preservation Order MS/1411/W1 - Trim 1 No. Oak (T1) by approximately 2 - 2.5 metres NOTED
  7. Growth, Highways, and Infrastructure
    1. Note B&MSC Call for sites - Noted
    2. Port One Mitigations - Cllr Marriott was asked to investigate the status of S106 obligations on the last phase of Port One. Following correspondence from Vincent Pearce, Principal Planning Officer at MSDC, councillors requested a written update on the expected delivery dates. A meeting with MSDC and Port One took place on 12 November 2025, which confirmed that most obligations had not yet progressed. Further discussions are planned, with the next meeting scheduled for 27 November 2025.
    3. Street Lighting - The Parish Council were advised by Suffolk Highways that a street lamp on Mill Lane is no longer functioning. The unit requires full replacement at a cost of £480 + VAT. The Council agreed to proceed with the replacement.
    4. Wet Meadow - The Parish Council agreed that they would like to lease the meadow on Stowmarket Road. Although the land will not be suitable for use as allotments, securing the meadow will preserve an important green space within the village for residents and wildlife to enjoy. It was agreed that the Clerk will contact the land agent to arrange for a 20-year lease to be drafted. Cllr. Leonard has contacted a solicitor who will be able to review the lease prior to signing.
  8. Governance
    1. Note Salc Audit Increase - Noted that fees will increase 2026/2027 to £342 + vat.
    2. Note new multipay card received - Noted
    3. Budget - The Parish Council approved the budget in readiness for the precept submission in January 2026. It was noted that, to ensure sufficient funds for the coming year, the precept and all other associated expenses will need to be increased by 5%. See attached report.
    4. Printer - The Clerk reported that the current office printer was not functioning correctly and it was agreed to replace it with a smaller, compact model. Members agreed a budget of £500 for a suitable replacement, with preference given to a printer that is compatible with the software already in use. They will seek to trade in or sell the existing printer to recoup some of the cost.
    5. Note fees for financial software package 26/27 - Rialtas advised cost of 2026/2027 fees would increase to £210 + VAT
  9. Village Maintenance
    1. Defibrillators - It was noted that the current items have expired and replacement units have been ordered.
    2. Speed Indication devices - It was noted that the speed indication devices are still not working. Cllrs will set a date to remove so that they can be sent back to the retailer
  10. Allotments
    1. Note allotment Notice of Termination - PC have received written notice to leave the land where the current allotment is by October 2026. PC are still looking for an alternative site.
    2. Plot allocation - PC decided that any new residents wanting a plot can stay until September 2026 to ensure time to clear the site as per the written notice.
  11. Churchyard and Cemetery
    1. Note hedge management completed. Noted
  12. Training and Development for Councillors and Clerk - None
  13. Finance
    1. To consider approving and making the following payments - Approved
    Payee Method Description Amount Authority
    River Gipping Trust Bacs Donation towards yearly costs £1000.00 LGA 1972 s111
    Shades Bacs Bus Shelter, signs & notice boards as per tender 2779 £485.33 LGA 1972 s111
    Shades Bacs Street cleaning as per tender 2778 £1213.33 LGA 1972 s111
    Shades Bacs Grounds Maintenance as pe tender 2777 £758.33 LGA 1972 s111
    Shades Bacs Cemetery Hedge cut as per agreed quote 2767 £1305.50 LGA 1972 s111
    Nest Pension DD Month 7 ending 31.10.25 £53.99 LGA 1972 s111
    Three (HG) DD Mobile phone contracts £33.98 LGA 1972 s111
    Unity Trust DD Bank service charge £6.00 LGA 1972 s111
    Lloyds Bank DD Multipay card Service charge £3.00 LGA 1972 s111
    Payroll Bacs Month ending 31.10.25 £1075.83 LGA 1972 s111
    NSK Landscapes Bacs Removal of tree in churchyard as per agreed quote Inv03288 £456.00 LGA 1972 s111
    Defibshop Bacs Defib replacement pads x 3 £252.00 LGA 1972 s111
    Royal British Legion Bacs Wreath & Donation £50.00 LGA 1972 s111

    Income received
    07/10/2025 – Cem Fees £50.00 – Noted

    Bank Balance @ 31.10.2025
    Unity Trust Current Account Balance - £46,548.96
    Unity Trust Saver Account Balance - £164,276.49
    Total - £210,825.45

  14. Reports
    1. Village Hall - see attached report
  15. Correspondence
    1. Note compliment received concerning cemetery maintenance - Noted
  16. Future meetings
    1. To note invitation for items to be considered in the next meeting. Port One Mitigations

Signed …………………………………………………. Date ………………………...........

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