The Parish Clerk:
Rosemary Cochrane
Melvington
Willisham Road
Barking Tye
IP6 8HY
(01473) 657009
Email the Parish Clerk
Meetings:
Scheduled meetings take place on the third Thursday of every other month at Barking Village Hall at 7.30 pm - open to the public. A copy of the Minutes of these meetings can be seen upon request from the Clerk and on this website.
The Parish Councillors are:
- Cllr Susan Marsh - 01473 658583 - Chairman
- Cllr Michael Smith - 01473 658599 - Vice Chairman
- Cllr Michael Bailey - 01473 658525
- Cllr Alan Jones - 01449 722769
- Cllr Steve Austin - 01473 657493
- Cllr John Berry - 01449 720918
The Parish Council’s responsibilites include:
• Finance - The Parish Council is responsible for the approval and monitoring of Council expenditure, annually analysing future funding requirements and recommends the precept to be raised. Arranging insurance of parish property, loans and donations and other associated activities requiring finance.
• The Tye and Footpaths - maintenance of theTye (common)*, Public Footpaths and Play Equipment. The Parish Paths Partnership is responsible for the maintenance of the footpaths within the Parish of Barking, which is Chaired by Alistair Murthwaite.
*The Bye Laws can be viewed by clicking onto the following link - Barking Tye Bye Laws
• Planning – The Parish Council receives and considers consultation copies of all Planning Applications relating to the parish. Recommendations from the Council either in support of the application or as objections, are passed to Mid Suffolk District Council who, as Planning Authority, will make use of these comments in their determination of the application. A list of planning applications considered by the Parish Council can be viewed by following the attached link - Barking Parish Planning Applications
• Parish Property – The Parish Council provides and maintains litter bins, dog waste bins, notice boards, play equipment, benches and street lights.
• Highways and Lighting - The Parish Council oversees highways matters such as the need for road repairs, signposting, street lights and the supply of electricity for street lighting.
Twin Bin Collection dates for 2008 - 2009 for Barking & Darmsden
Freedom of Information Publication Scheme
Barking Parish Council is required to produce a publication scheme for information availability under the Freedom Of Information Act 2000.
Click onto the following links to view the Publication Policy & Core Classes adopted by Barking Parish Council and the Information Available from Barking Parish Council and associated costs.
The next Scheduled Meeting of the Parish Council
will be the held on Thursday 16th July 2009
at Barking Village Hall, at 7.30pm.
Summary of the Barking Parish Council
Annual General Meeting -28th May 2009
Cllr Sue Marsh was elected Chairman and Cllr Michael Smith was elected Vice-Chairman.
A letter of resignation was received from Cllr Alison Emsden, therefore a casual vacancy was declared.
Appointment of representatives to outside bodies – Needham Market & Barking Welfare Charities – Cllrs Jones and Marsh; Theobalds Foundation – Cllr Smith; Village Hall Management Committee – Cllr Bailey; Parish Paths Partnership – Cllr Marsh.
Membership of SALC and Suffolk ACRE were renewed.
Planning Applications: Coppers End, Barking – supported subject to a satisfactory tree survey; Colchester Barn, Needham Road – supported; Eden Barn, Willisham Road - supported.
The Statement of Accounts for the Year Ending 31st March 2009 was approved and the Annual Return was completed and signed. Grant applications from St Mary’s Church for the upkeep of the churchyard, and from EACH were approved.
Among other issues discussed was the cutting of the hay crop on the Tye, the high number of cement lorries travelling to and from the Stowmarket Relief Road via the Battisford Road, and a request from Barking Pre-school for a small garden at the Village Hall.
The issue of the possible fencing to exclude dogs at the site of the play area on the Tye was discussed. Following the consultation with residents, it was decided to proceed to the next stage of public consultation.
It was reported by the Parish Plan Steering Group that the questionnaires were to delivered and collected during June. If you have not yet received your questionnaire, please contact the Parish Clerk as soon as possible so your views can be included. The next scheduled meeting of the Parish Council will be on Thursday 16th July 2009 at 7.30pm at Barking Village Hall. A full set of the minutes of the meeting are held by the Parish Clerk – Rosemary Cochrane 01473 657009. Email pc@barking.suffolk.gov.uk or via the parish website www.barking.suffolk.gov.uk
Vacancy for Parish Councillor
Due to a resignation, a casual vacancy has been declared. It you are interested in representing Barking as a Parish Councillor, please contact the Parish Clerk as soon as possible. Closing date: Monday 13th July 2009.
Chairmans Report to
Annual Parish Meeting 14th May 2009
To see report ,click onto the following link -
Chairman's Annual Report 2009
Parish Councils Community Safety Series
(Click onto the links below to read the articles)
Reporting Loan Sharks in Suffolk
Community Safety - article 10
What's going on in your neighbourhood
Community Safety Series - article 9
Play your part to prevent speeding
Community Safety series - article 8
Play your part to prevent anti-social behaviour
Community safety series - article 7
Play Your Part by watching out for bogus callers
Suffolk County Council community safety article 5
Play your part in reducing cycle crime
Community safety article 6
Play your part by preventative planting to deter unwelcome visitors and enhance your garden and its wildlife
Parish Council community safety series – article 2 - Sept 07 – Western area
Play Your Part for cleaner, safer neighbourhoods
Parish Council community safety articles series – June 2007
Play Your Part for community safety
Parish Councils community safety series – article 3 – October 2007
Play your Part to keep fireworks fun
Community Safety series – article 4
Play your part to keep safe on darker nights
Issued by Suffolk County Council Community Safety Unit: 01473 264288 email communitysafety@csu.suffolkcc.gov.uk
Chairmans Report to
Annual Parish Meeting 15th May 2008
To see report ,click onto the following link -
Chairmans Annual Report 2008
BARKING PARISH COUNCIL NAMED
'PARISH COUNCIL OF THE YEAR'
Barking Parish Council is proud to announce that it has been named 'Parish Council of the Year' in the parish council category of the
Calor Gas Suffolk Village of the Year Competition. A hand crafted
gavel and a certificate will be presented to the Council during
the Awards Event to be held in Levington in either September
or October. A policy of training councillors and clerk, involving parishioners in decision making through newsletters and public meetings, encouraging candidates to seek election and forward
planning are all pointers to excellent local government.
Barking also won the Suffolk County Council Award for the
Best Public Open Space! A cheque for £100 and a certificate wil be
presented at the same event. We all know that the Tye is a
wonderful amenity and it is fantastic that the hard work
invovled in maintaining the Tye has been recognised.
Well done Barking!
Chairmans Report to
Annual Parish Meeting 17th May 2007
To see report ,click onto the following link -
Chairmans Annual Report 2007
Barking Parish Council
Centenary Celebrations
Summer Garden Party
A joint celebration took place on Saturday 4th August.
Barking Parish Council celebrated its' Centenary and hosted
the event at the Village Hall during a very warm and
sunny afternoon.
Village organisations including Ringshall & Barking WI,
the Chestnut Club, Barking Pre-School,
Barking Art Group, the Community Council, the Village Hall
Management Committee, Barking Carpet Bowls, the 100 Club,
the Parish Paths Partnership, Neighbourhood Watch,
the Local History Recorder, Barking Chapel & St Mary’s Church
were all present to showcase their activities, both past and
present in a joint celebration of parish life during the
past 100 years.
Hot August Night in Barking
126 villagers and friends attended at Summer Party in the garden
of the Barking Fox on 4th August to celebrate the Parish Centenary.
There was a hog roast and a live band - 'Roach', and everyone
enjoyed the music and dancing well into the night.
Please see 'Local News' for a full report and pictures of both events.
Celebration Dinner Dance
A celebratory Donner Dance was held at Barking Village Hall to cap
off a very eventful and successful year for the Parish of Barking.
48 revellers danced the night away at the Barking Parish Council Centenary Dinner Dance held at the Barking Village Hall on
Saturday 29th December. The event was the conclusion to a
fantastic Centenary year for the Parish of Barking.
Party-goers were welcomed with champagne and canapes,
followed by an excellent dinner of roast beef, choice of desserts,
cheese & biscuits, coffee and mints, which was prepared by
Chaplin Catering and the band - 'Slightly Soiled' provided music
from the 60s, 70's and 80s to dance to.
The village hall was transformed into a sea of white and gold and everyone was ballooon-popping before the night was over.
See Local News for a full review of the event (including photographs).
New Local History Recorder for Barking
Barking Parish Council has appointed Mabs Harrison as the new
'Local History Recorder' for the parish.
Please refer to the 'History' page for contact details
The Local Government White Paper 2006
More Local Power
In October 2006, the Department for Communities and Local Government released a white paper detailing how they aim to strengthen Local Communities, and give them more responsibilities. Local Councils have been campaigning for this, and the White Paper appeared to be in support of this. In a brief overview of the White Paper, new proposals are made for devolving power and significantly strengthening local government’s leadership role in local areas. The paper also looks at focusing on the improvements with partnership working, and giving Local people the opportunity to influence Local decision making. Some particular aspects of the White Paper that are worth noting include:
• There is a focus on strengthening participation, and enabling citizens and communities to help shape policies, services and places.
• Local Authorities will have the option of devolving a small budget to Councillor’s to spend in their area.
• A new performance framework has been introduced to provide a better balance between Local and National Priorities.
• Grants have been identified as an essential part of improving the situation.
New Child Car Seats Legislation
Follow the link to view details the new child car seat legislation www.childcarseats.org.uk
Community First Responders
A Community First Responder is a local volunteer who agrees to undertake training in order to respond to life threatening calls received by the Ambulance NHS Trust. Those calls will be within an agreed geographical area within the local community. The role of the Community First Responder is to provide emergency care until the emergency ambulance arrives. First Responders will be requested to attend selected emergency calls that may be life threatening, these will include Respiratory/Cardiac Arrest, Chest pain, Breathing difficulties, unconsciousness and collapses. The Community Responder will either walk or drive to the scene in their own vehicle. On arrival the Community Responder will have all the training and equipment necessary to manage the patient in those first few critical minutes before the ambulance arrives. The Community Responder will always be backed up by an ambulance. Community Responder volunteers operate as agents of the Ambulance Trust and as such are bound by EEAT Community Responder Policies and Procedures.
Becoming a Community Responder
If you would like to become a volunteer Community Responder you must be between the ages of 18 and 70 years and be physically fit. You must have a clean driving licence and no criminal record. All Responders are cleared by the Criminal Records Bureau before they are able to start Responding. It is essential that you have a sense of humour, a sympathetic and caring approach to people, and are flexible enough to work with an outgoing team of people.
The initial training for responders is over one weekend and is provided by the Ambulance Trust. You will need to complete a written knowledge test and practical assessments as part of your initial training, followed by assessments every three months. You must be able to attend monthly meetings held on the second Wednesday of each month when training is given and the group also discuss current issues.
Are you community minded? Do you have time to spare?
Find out more about Community Responding by calling Tracey (Group Co-ordinator) on 01449 723903, or Annette (Group Secretary) on 01449 722118.
Barking Parish Council Emergency Response Plan
A major emergency can take place at any time and be caused by a number of factors including adverse weather, a road, major rail or air accident, fire or a host of other events. Assistance may not be immediately available and in the event the incident is very wide spread, the community could be temporarily isolated, with residents of the parish not receiving outside help for some time.
Barking Parish Council has produced an Emergency Response Plan which is the plan of action in the event of an incident occurring which directly impacts on the Parish of Barking. In preparing this Plan it is important to record details of people who could assist in an emergency; as well as those who may need assistance.
Should such an event occur, our first thoughts will be for our own family and immediate neighbours, but it may be that you have special skills, equipment and/or knowledge which could prove invaluable to the wider community.
A questionnaire was issued to every household in the Parish of Barking and the results were incorporated into the Plan. Of course we all hope that this information will never have to be used, but it is better to be prepared for any eventuality.
The Plan will be reviewed regularly, so the questionnaire is still available via this Website to download/print, by clicking onto the following link - Emergency Response Plan Questionnaire. If you prefer to email your response to me, please send it to me at 
pc@barking.suffolk.gov.uk
Please be assured that any information that you supply will be retained by the Parish Council, and will only be used for the purpose of the Emergency Plan.
Rosemary Cochrane
Clerk
AVIAN INFLUENZA (BIRD FLU)
As part of Suffolk County Councils' contingency planning in relation to a potential outbreak of Bird Flu, Trading Standards have produced a fact sheet offering clear, practical advice and guidance for backyard poultry keepers. Additionally, a helpline has been set up that can be accessed by anyone requiring advice or guidance - 
08456 032 814
A copy of the fact sheet can be obtained from the clerk
- Rosemary Cochrane 
01473 657009
or view a copy by clicking on the following link - Bird Flu Fact Sheet
Mid Suffolk Concessionary Cards (Mid Suffolk Key)
In December 2003 the original DISC partnership between Suffolk CC and Mid Suffolk DC launched a new card scheme for citizens living in and around Stowmarket. The Mid Suffolk Card Scheme entitles holders to a range of discounts on both council and private sector services, allowing better value to be obtained for those on low incomes and an increase in trade for local venues and retailers.
Today, under its new name – Mid Suffolk Key - the scheme provides even more discounts to its cardholders across the whole of the Mid Suffolk District. Follow the link to find out more about the scheme www.suffolk-key.com
Crime & Disorder Reduction
Western Suffolk Crime & Disorder Reduction Partership has issued Anti-Social Behaviour
Reporting Forms. These are either available from the Parish Clerk or from the notice
board inside the Village Hall at Barking.
A list of useful contacts can be found by following the link for Crime & Disorder Reduction.