Little Bealings Annual Parish Meeting 9 March 2009

Parish Council Chairman’s Report

The Chairman reported that Mrs F Hopkins had been co-opted to the Council in November to fill the vacancy created by the resignation of Mrs J Shaw. Mr P Carr had been elected Vice Chairman. On behalf of the Council Miss Williams had attended Police liaison meetings, Mr Carr attended Save Our Rural Roads (SORR) group, and the Chairman and Mr Carr attended Suffolk Association of Local Councils meetings and represented the Council on the Joint Parish Plan Steering Group. The Chairman also represented the Council on the Village Hall Management Committee and, with Mrs Wilson, had attended Local Government Review (LGR) meetings. Mr Beaumont, Mr Carr and Mrs Hopkins had studied the Local Development Framework (LDF). Mrs Cook continued as Footpath and Tree Warden, with Mr Ball undertaking maintenance work.

Meetings: There have been six scheduled meetings during the last year, plus four extra to consider planning applications and one to deal with the LDF consultation.

Parish Plan: The Council has supported the process and will be discussing the Actions arising from the survey data. An Exhibition will present the findings to residents and the JPPSG is keen to see how the Actions will be implemented.

LDF: This will replace the Local Plan and the Council has responded to the consultation on options and site allocations. Community involvement is an important part of the new system.

Planning Applications: All the applications received were approved, or approved with amendments. Planning permission had been granted for the change of use for the Grove Farm buildings for commercial and industrial use, but the developer still hoped to build houses with the support of the Council.

Highways: The resurfacing of Martlesham Road has been completed and a flooding problem cured. Traffic lights on the A1214 have been removed following a trial by SCC. Membership of SORR has grown to 16 villages and the group has the respect and co-operation of SCC. The parish continues to belong to SCC’s P3 scheme and maintenance work is carried out by George Ball, overseen by Jenny Cook.

Police: Safer Neighbourhood Teams (SNTs) have been introduced as a new approach to community policing. The parish belongs to the Kesgrave 12PT (named to denote that it has 12 member parishes) and councils, community partners and volunteers work with police staff to ensure local people receive an equal service, irrespective of location. In addition PC Wright has attended Council meetings or sent a written report. Apart from a school parking issue, Little Bealings is relatively crime and problem free.

LGR: The consultation timetable for this was very tight, with the options of either two Councils for Suffolk (Rural Suffolk and North Haven, the latter comprising a Greater Ipswich, Felixstowe and 46 fringe villages including Lt Bealings) or a One Suffolk Council. A well attended public meeting was held with Gt Bealings and Playford to consider the implications. The Council submitted its view to the Boundary Committee that it preferred a One Suffolk Council, but that, should two Councils be put in place, Lt Bealings should be a part of Rural Suffolk, not North Haven. Recently the decision date from the Boundary Committee had been amended and submissions can be made until 14 May.

Gypsies: Gypsies camped on a field without planning permission in the village with the acquiescence of the County Council. SCDC was unable to act as it had no alternative site to offer in the district. The matter was resolved when the field was sold privately and the gypsies moved away.

Finance: The Council’s income for the year is expected to be around £5,500 and expenditure around £5,400. Annual grants had totalled £635, made to the Village Hall, Playing Field, Benefice Magazine, Grundisburgh Newsletter and Coastal Accessible Transport.

Walks Leaflet: A Walks Leaflet had been published, with financial support from the County Council containing a map and four local routes. The Council had applied for funding for interpretation boards. Copies of the leaflet are available at the Village Hall, Admiral’s Head pub, the Church and from the Clerk.

Welcome Leaflet: This is produced for new residents and is available on request.

Suffolk Association of Local Councils: The Council had continued to belong to SALC, a source of guidance on local governance and its representatives have attended area meetings.

Website: www.little-bealings.suffolk.gov.uk Jenny Shaw had kindly offered to continued as webmaster. The website contains up to date information on the Council, Parish Plan, John Belstead Playing Field, bus timetables and a local history by Mr J Pawsey. More information is always welcome to keep it lively.

It has been a busy year and, with the development of the Parish Plan and changes in local government structure, this is expected to continue.

Ferial Evans

Chairman