Minutes of Little Bealings
Parish Council meeting held at Bealings Village Hall at
7.30pm on Monday 10 November 2008
Present: Mrs F Evans, Mr K Beaumont, Mr P Carr, Dr C Rowe, Miss D Williams and Mrs M Wilson
Also Present: Mr P Bellfield, Mr I Jowers and Mr S Jalota, all for part of the meeting
In attendance: Mrs C Ramsden, Clerk to the Council
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Actions by Councillors |
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Apologies and Declarations
of Interest None. |
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Minutes of the Meetings held
on 8 September 2008 These were signed as a true record. It was agreed to amend the order of the
Agenda to consider items 4 (Co-option of Parish Councillor and Election of
Vice Chairman), 5 (Gypsies) and 7 (Highways) before items 3 (Matters Arising
from the Minutes) and 6 (Police). |
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Co-option of Parish Councillor and Election of Vice Chairman The vacancy caused by the resignation of the Vice Chairman, Mrs Shaw, had been advertised, but SCDC had not received notice from electors requesting an election. It was therefore RESOLVED: · that Mrs Frances Hopkins be co-opted to the Council. Mrs Hopkins signed the declaration of acceptance of office. It was also RESOLVED: ·
that Mr Carr be elected Vice
Chairman of the Council |
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4 5 6 7 8 |
Gypsies Mr Jalota, the County Council’s Social Diversity and Inclusion Manager, attended the meeting at the Parish Council’s request. The Chairman expressed concern that SCC had given permission for gypsies to use land in the parish in August and that there had been no consultation or planning permission for the land in question. Mr Jalota explained that he had responsibility for gypsies and travellers across Suffolk, and that this included making sure services were available for all and offering advice and support to the Council and landowners. He said that there was a protocol agreed with the police and district councils for dealing with unauthorised encampments and the first obligation was to undertake a welfare assessment of the gypsies to establish whether their immediate needs were met. Action depended on the outcome of the assessment and on the location of the encampment, with a stay of up to 28 days allowed in most cases. SCC’s powers were limited, with a Court needing to be satisfied that an alternative site was available and needs were met before enforcement action was taken. It was noted that the welfare assessment had not shown any immediate needs to be met and the gypsies had left the land of their own accord. However, the land was for sale at auction and it was understood that they wished to purchase it. Mr Jalota advised that if this happened SCC could not prevent the gypsies returning to the land. The matter would become a planning issue to be dealt with by SCDC, as no permission exists for residential use of the land, but it may take many years to resolve through the planning process. Mr Jalota advised that SCDC did not have alternative sites in the district for the gypsies to use. It was noted that the land was being offered for sale as amenity land while it was thought that it was agricultural land. One solution would be for it to be purchased by another party and access by the gypsies prevented by the new landowner. Mr Jalota offered to check whether the Parish Council had any powers which would enable it to take action in the matter and to be a conduit for further advice and support to the Council. The meeting was adjourned at 7.55pm to enable a parishioner to address the Council. The meeting reconvened at 8.05pm. It was RESOLVED:
Highways SORR Mr Carr reported that a SORR
meeting had been held, but he had been unable to attend. He would check when the Council’s
membership subscription for 2008/09 was due. Maintenance SCC had advised that works had begun to address the flooding on Martlesham Road and that the resurfacing would take place during December after the new drains were in place. SCC had filled the sandboxes
and Mr Finch had again agreed to spread sand at the level crossing as in
previous years. Footpaths There had been no response from SCC concerning the surface of the verge opposite Brimar. Mr Bellfield agreed to pursue the matter on behalf of the Council. Mr Ball had completed cutting for the year and his report and invoice for £151.75p had been received. SCC would be asked for payment as previously agreed. The signpost for FP1A was loose and had been reported to SCC for attention. Mr Bellfield reported to the Council on SCC matters relating to schools reorganisation, officer business mileage rates, an economic summit, appointments and training, and the recommendations of an HGV working group before leaving the meeting. Matters arising from the
Minutes Deposit of Council Records
at SRO The Clerk reported that the Council’s minute book for 1994 – 2006 had been deposited at the Records Office. Other information concerning accounts, declarations of office and papers relating to the development of Sandy Lane would be retained by the Council. SALC Conference and AGM Mr Carr and the Chairman reported on this which included presentations on road infrastructure and Snoasis and the resolutions to be considered by NALC at its AGM. It was RESOLVED: · that papers be circulated to Councillors Suffolk ACRE AGM Mrs Wilson reported on this, which included a presentation on Climate Change. It was RESOLVED: · that a report be circulated to Councillors Police It was noted that an incident had prevented an officer attending the previous meeting, but that due to changes to SNT areas there was no explanation of the incidents which had been considered to be missing from the previous report. Although an officer had hoped to attend, a written report was delivered to the meeting. It was RESOLVED: · that this be circulated to Councillors. Miss Williams reported on her
attendance at the last meeting of the ‘3PT’ SNT at Kesgrave, which would
evolve to include 12 parishes (and be known as the ‘12PT’). It was noted that the issues discussed
showed that these parishes had different problems and that the group
included, for example, youth workers. Planning Development of Grove Farm,
The Street Data from the parish plan survey was received which showed that there
was some support for smaller housing and sheltered accommodation for the
elderly. Social rented housing and
light industrial developments were not supported. The developer had asked the Council to
re-consider plans for housing, for which permission had previously been
refused. It was RESOLVED: ·
to pass the data to the developer and advise that the Council’s views
on the previous plans for a housing development were unchanged. A different layout would be considered if
submitted. C08/1751: Pine Hills,
Playford Road - Construction of New Conservation Lake Dr Rowe declared a personal interest in this item. It was RESOLVED: ·
to support the devleopment C08/1442: 10 Richards Drive – Erection of
single-storey side, rear and front extensions, repositioned oil tank and
re-alignment of driveway It was noted that SCDC had granted consent. C08/1845: Land South of
Grundisburgh Road, Tuddenham – Change of use of agricultural land to parkland
burial site with provision for informal public access and creation of new
vehicular access The Council had not been consulted on this application. It was RESOLVED: ·
not to comment on the proposal. It was also RESOLVED that: ·
Mr Carr would attend an SCDC LDF Workshop and Discussion Forum on 1
December ·
in view of Mrs Shaw’s resignation, the payment of the membership fee of
£25 to Suffolk Preservation Society be held in abeyance until another need
for training was identified ·
information on Planning SI 2008/2362 from SALC and on changes to
permitted householder development from SCDC be circulated to Councillors |
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Finance Income and Expenditure The Chairman reported the following income and expenditure: Income: SCDC: £2,575: the second half of the precept Gt Bealings PC: £7.85: half of the insurance premium for
the shared village sign Expenditure: Cheques were signed as follows: · Clerk’s Salary and Expenses – £840.01 · Mr G Ball – Footpath cutting for 2008/09 – £151.75 · BDO Stoy Hayward LLP – Audit Fee for 2007/08 - £141.00. It was noted that the external audit for 2007/08 had been completed and advertised as required. No matter of concern had been raised by the auditors. · Planning Workshop on 23 October attended by the Chairman - £29.38
Budget for 2009/10 The Council considered a draft
budget 2009/10. It was noted that the
parish plan may produce capital projects for the Council, but details were
not yet available. It was RESOLVED that:
resulting in revenue and capital budget summaries as follows:
Bank and National Savings Investment
Account Signatories It was RESOLVED that: · Mrs Evans, Mr Beaumont and Mrs Wilson be signatories for the Council’s Barclays Bank account ·
Mrs Evans and Mrs Wilson be
signatories for the Council’s National Savings Investment Account |
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Communication Webmaster It was noted that Mrs Shaw was willing to continue as the Council’s
webmaster as a volunteer and had enquired about insurance. It was also noted that cover was provided,
but that work must be at the sole request and under the sole control of the
Council, that training had been completed in duties and use of equipment,
that equipment was tested for safety, including PAT testing and risk
assessment of the working environment, and that the onesuffolk conditions were
strictly adhered to. It was RESOLVED
that : ·
Mrs Shaw’s offer be accepted ·
the insurance requirements should be adhered to by the Council and Mrs
Shaw ·
Mrs Shaw be asked to arrange for the necessary testing and risk
assessment by Suffolk ACRE at the Council’s cost E-Communities Mrs Shaw had passed details of SALC’s e-communities initiative to Councillors. It involved the appointment of a co-ordinator and residents joining a confidential distribution list. This enabled blind copy emails to be sent advising of, for example, local crime or vandalism problems, as well as parish events and other matters of interest. It was RESOLVED: ·
that an e-community was a useful
tool in sharing information quickly ·
that the JPPSG should be
informed of the idea, in order that it could be considered in the context of
the parish plan actions Christmas Card A draft Christmas message to parishioners was considered. It was RESOLVED: · that no Christmas message be sent. Matters Arising from Circulated Items Circulations 2008/09 and 10 had been returned to the Clerk. It was noted that the Information Commissioner’s Office was changing the emphasis of the publication scheme which every public authority had to adopt and maintain under the Freedom of Information Act, to require a more proactive approach. Local Councils are required to adopt the new model scheme and guide to information and be operating in accordance with them by 1 January 2010. It was RESOLVED: · to adopt the model publication scheme and publish information in accordance with it · that information would be available in hard copy and/or on the website as appropriate It was also RESOLVED that: · no response would be sent to the consultation on the making and enforcement of byelaws Correspondence It was RESOLVED: · that the following papers and correspondence be circulated to Councillors: ·
Report from Bealings Village Hall
Trust on progress on playing field development and costings ·
Clerk and Councils Direct for
November 2008 ·
Local Councils Update: No 109 ·
SCC: Draft Fire Action Plan 09/10 ·
SPS: copy letter to Defra re flood and coastal
erosion risk consultation · Consultation on codes of Conduct for Local Authority Members and Employees · NHS decision regarding the rurality of Melton · The Standard Newsletter for 24 October 2008 It was also RESOLVED: · that the Chairman would not attend the Kesgrave Annual Reception, although the Clerk may be available to do so · not to respond to SCDC’s request for information for the electoral register |
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Date of Next Meeting The next meeting of the Council
would be on 12 January 2009. |
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There being no further business to discuss the meeting closed at 10.55pm.