Council Papers and Reports
www.onesuffolk.co.uk/PalgravePC
Annual Report 2008 - 2009
Community Council Report
County Councillor's Report
District Councillor's Report
School Report
Church Report
Police Report
Minutes of the Annual meeting of Palgrave Parish Council at
the Community
Centre, Palgrave on 6th May 2009
Present:
Councillors Barlow, Thorburn, Howard, Mrs Bunbury (Chairman), Ms
Hicks,
Ms. Sneddon, Mrs Pattenden
3 Members of the Public 1 member of press
05.09.1 Election of Chairman: The clerk took the
nominations
Cllr Barlow proposed Sian Bunbury; this was seconded by Cllr
Howard and was unanimously agreed.
05.09.2 Apologies from Cllr Ling, Sparks,
05.09.3 Election of Vice–Chairman and Sub-Committees
Cllr. Barlow proposed Cllr. Thorburn; this was seconded by Ms.
Hicks and unanimously agreed
05.09.4 Membership of Sub-Committees
Footpaths – Cllrs Sparks (Chairman), Barlow,
Thorburn, Miss Sneddon & Mrs Pattenden
Churchyard & Cemetery - Cllrs Howard (Chairman),
Ling, Mrs Bunbury,
Ms Hicks and Miss Sneddon
Working Group on Clerk’s Salary – Cllr. Thorburn, Mrs
Bunbury & Mrs Pattenden
05.09.5 Vacancies for Councillors -There are still two
vacancies on the council, these have been advertised Ms Sneddon
said she would speak to David Long and Ms Hicks said she would talk
to Mr & Mrs Kershaw.
05.09.6 Declaration of Interests – there were none
05.09.7 Minutes of the meeting held on 18th
March were approved and signed
05.09.8 Matters Arising – Mrs Bunbury had met with Julia
Proctor regarding the access road by The Green. Clerk had received
a letter from Julia Proctor outlining proposed alterations. It is
intended to make junctions at the North and South ends narrower,
Julia said the approximate cost would be £3,000 but there was no
funding at the moment. The council agreed to accept the offer to
reduce the access width to the minimum that was permissible but a
final decision would be made when costing had been done and also if
there was any money available in the Locality Budget. The
Councillors were still concerned that these alterations may still
be inadequate to stop the traffic. Signs would be cleaned, 20’s
plenty sign would be moved so it was not obscured by trees, and
gulleys in the road would be cleared of leaves.
Two quotes had been received for repairing the Churchyard Wall,
one from John Taylor which was bricklayer £20.61p per hour and
labourer £17.35p an hour an average working day 8 hours .The other
from Keith Buck was £100 a day and it was decided to accept the
price of £100 a day from Keith Buck
Mr Moule had requested a photo of his late wife be incorporated
on her memorial stone, Perfitts Stonemason’s had done a sample for
the council to see, A year ago another request from a parishioner
had been refused for a photograph on a headstone and it was felt
that the decision could not be changed. Ms Hicks felt very strongly
about the decision and thought that a black and white photo would
be acceptable.
A vote was taken whether to accept photographs on memorials and
the decision were
1 vote for,4 against and 1 abstain. The regulations would be
amended accordingly.
Clerk to write to Perfitts of the council’s decision
05.09.9 Report from Footpath sub committee – Cllr Sparks
had provided a list of footpaths stating the current condition of
them. Jobs Lane was still a top priority has worked had not been
completed, clerk had been speaking to Alastair McVail who has taken
over from Clare Dickson for the time being and he would be respond
with information about outstanding work.
05.09.10 Report from Churchyard & Cemetery sub
committee- Mrs Bunbury said that since 23rd May 2008
there had been four burials in the cemetery. The sub committee
occasionally meet to discuss maintenance and working parties for
tidying the Churchyard and Cemetery. A lock had been purchased for
the Cemetery gates and a sign has been put on the gate notifying
where to locate the key if gates are closed. The gates had not been
closed over Easter and Christmas.
05.09.11 Financial Report – It was reported by the Clerk
the first half of the Precept Payment (£5048.00) had been
transferred to the bank account. End of year statements were handed
out, clerk explained that a cheque written to Hartismere Hospital
in 2007 had not been presented so therefore the £50 would now be
entered onto accounts spread sheet the final balance as at
31st March was £7688.53p
05.09.12 Authorisation of cheque payments were approved
for the following
MSDC – Cemetery Rates £84.88p
RGM – March Grass cutting of Church & Cemetery £230.00p
SALC-- Subscriptions £282.00 p
RGM – April Grass cutting of Church & Cemetery £230.00p
The clerk had been to SALC for an Audit course and reported back
that Risk Assessment forms had to be reviewed annually and the
Internal Auditor should formally be asked to undertake specific
work. SALC would be forwarding example Risk Assessment forms to
clerk. Cllr Thorburn commented that risk assessment was in practice
with account and agendas being sent out prior to meetings,
signatures required on cheques by two signatories, bank statements
and cheque book examined by a member of the Parish Council,
accounts audited by adequately qualified person. Bank statements
and cheque book are kept in a secure place. Notice exercising
electors rights to inspect books have been displayed. Fidelity
Insurance is covered with Zurich. It was also suggested to keep a
journal with date, action taken, reference number and amount for
audit purpose.
05.09.13 Planning and Planning Decisions - There were no
planning applications or decisions. However application 4202/08
Grange Farm, Old Bury Road – erection of an agricultural storage
building had been withdrawn.
05.09.14Audit Arrangements – The accounts have been
checked by Keith Charman, Internal Auditor and also Mrs Pattenden
had reconciled the bank statements against the cheque book.
The required notice to let parishioners know when they can
inspect the accounts had been put up in both the Community Centre
and the Parish Council notice board for the period 27th
April until 26th May.
05.09.15 Meeting Dates 2009/2010
17th June, 22nd July, 9th
September, 14th October, 9th December
13th January, 24th February,
17th March, 5th May, (AGM), 12th
May (APM)
Mark Timms from the Upper Waveney Valley will be coming on the
17th June
05.09.16 Report from Clerk’s Appointment Working
Party
Mrs Bunbury said that they meet once a year with the Clerk and
salary updates were usually announced in April although it never
comes into force until October and then back dated pay has to be
adjusted. It was recommended to continue her employment and this
was approved unanimously, Mrs Bunbury thanked her for her work and
an updated contract would be prepared..
05.09.17 AOB
Clerk had been sent an update of the Boundary Commission. MSDC
are still in favour of a single unity authority, consultation
deadline is 14th May.
Judy Ward had asked whether there would be any tidying up done
around the pond but it was decided that volunteers were already
being asked to do sufficient work. There had been some positive
feed back regarding the work that had been done to the pond.
Water has been running down Denmark Hill from a manhole cover,
Cllr Sparks has already informed Anglian Water who advised it was
not their problem, clerk to investigate further.
.
Next Meeting 13th May Parish AGM
Meeting closed at 8.45 p.m.
Minutes of the Annual Parish Meeting held
at Palgrave Community Centre on 13th May 2009
Present: Councillors Mrs S. Bunbury
(Chairman), Barlow, Ling, Thorburn, Howard
County Councillor Michell, District
Councillor Laurie, PC Jacques Grotier,
PCSO Steven Long, Hugh Bunbury (Churchwarden)
Chris Shillinglaw (Chairman Community Council)
8 members of the public were
present.
05.09.18 Apologies: Councillor Sparks,
Mrs Pattenden, Ms Sneddon,
Ms Hicks, WPC Shadbolt, Angela Hall (Head
teacher Palgrave Primary School)
05.09.19 Mrs Bunbury commenced the
meeting by introducing the Councillors to the public; she asked if
there was anything that they wished to bring up in the meeting for
discussion. There were four items already listed these were energy
saving in the village, footpath Denmark Hill, street lighting and
the parking on the green outside the reading room.
05.09.20. Police Report: In the
absence on WPC Shadbolt who is at present based in Stowmarket, PC
Jacques Grotier started by thanking the parish council for their
help and assistance during the past year and also the members of
public who had given up their time to attend meetings. Total number
of crimes in Palgrave from May 08 until May 09 was 41. Suffolk
Constabulary web site has developed over the past twelve months it
gives the public the ability to see images of some of the County’s
wanted persons, report criminal damage and theft on line. The Safer
Neighbourhood Team has been through changes with a reduction of a
SNT constable but it also has another PCSO Gemma Hamilton. The
sanction detection rate of Mid Suffolk for the business year is
32.08% which is a very good result.
Chris Shillinglaw asked PC Grotier to convey
thanks to PDSO Kedge who attends most of the coffee morning and
helps at the fun days and summer fete. It was appreciated by the
Community Council that he was in attendance to help rather then
being there for criminal reason.
05.09.21 Parish Council Report Mrs
Bunbury reported that during the past year Bob Honnor had resigned
from the Parish Council and now there were two vacancies. If any
one expressed any interest they were asked to contact the clerk or
any councillor.
The Parish council is grateful that County
Councillor Michell and District Councillor Laurie continue to
assist and have kept the Council informed over the year regarding
the Boundary Commission. The precept had been set at £10,096 which
took into account increased expenses mainly grass cutting of the
Churchyard and Cemetery.
There had been ten planning applications
during the year. Applications included work to the trees, porch
extension at the school, householder and listed building
extensions. Traffic through the Access Only road has been monitored
during the year and more restrictions are in the process of being
sought.
The affordable housing is now near completion
and all the houses will be available to rent, the houses are for
people with local connections and the development will be named
Common Hill.
A large proportion of the Council’s
expenditure is spent on maintenance of The Green, the Churchyard,
Cemetery and street lighting.
The Council is very grateful to the
volunteers from the village that help with litter picking,
decorating the Community Centre and clearance and trimming of the
Churchyard and Cemetery.
The web site continues to grow this is due to
the hard work of Roger Coomber. It contains Parish council Agendas,
Minutes, Palgrave Star, School newsletter and Church Services,
there are also links with Palgrave, Ontario. Roger has now stood
down as webmaster and the Council thanks him for his work. The
clerk has taken over until a new webmaster is found. Jean Thorndyke
also keeps a scrap book of village photographs and cuttings and
thanks goes to her.
5.09.22 County Councillors
Report: Cllr Michell reported that this was his last year in
the 4 year term of this County Council, elections take place on the
4th June. He said it had been a hard year of decision
making, hard work, achievement and change. The Boundary Committee
is still examining the best way to establish unitary authorities in
Suffolk. Cllr Michell still hopes that it will end up with a One
Suffolk solution, he believes in a united Suffolk not a divided
Suffolk. The Audit Commission has awarded Suffolk County Council a
4 star rating in recognition of the quality of services provided.
Endeavour House in Ipswich has been the HQ over the past 4 years of
the County Council. As Chairman of the council he has regularly
welcomed school councils and groups which included the East Suffolk
WI celebrating their 90th anniversary and also Head
teachers from China. Cllr Michell’s role as councillor has been to
inform 20 parishes, and advise where he can and to use the locality
budget where necessary.
5.09.23. District Councillors Report:
Cllr Laurie started by thanking Cllr Michell for being a good
tutor. He went on to say that the council tax settlement from
central government continues to astound, making it harder each year
to try and not cut services and to keep the increase to the bare
minimum of 3.5%. On a positive note this years housing stock survey
revealed Mid Suffolk to be the best in the region, a good sign that
the Council is looking after its tenants.. Once again the re
cycling and environmental teams have been winning awards for their
progress and innovation. Provisions of larger litter bins in all A
road lay bys in the district is looking good.
5.09.24. Community Council Report
Chris Shillinglaw reported that during the first six months the
Community Council’s income and expenditure is running at the
anticipated level with an increase expected in the second half of
the year. Donations and fundraising, sees the Committee attempting
to refurbish and decorate the centre. It was regrettable that the
failure to secure EEDA/C.Red funding means that electrical systems
and double glazing as well as sustainable energy sourcing will need
further thoughts and plans. A time period for feedback on this will
end on 31st May. At a cost of £500.00 the trees on the
field are now in Health and Safety compliance and the play area is
under refurbishment.
The continued support of Cllr Michell is
welcomed by the Community Council, likewise to the Police who
attend as many functions as possible.
Membership of The Community council still
sits at a disappointing 188 members, The football changing rooms
are under refurbishment and the Ron Potter Bar has been newly
painted and windows replaced.
A drive to encourage younger members to take
part and also newcomers to the village to take part in events still
continues.
The Community Council thanked the Parish
Council for their continued support. The PDCC AGM is programmed for
November and an election of a new committee.
5.09.25: Church Report Hugh Bunbury
(Church warden) reported that the year began without a Parish
Priest, but in September Michael Thompson and his family were
welcomed to the village. In June Ginny Manning completed the next
part of her training and became an Ordained Local Minister, she is
now able to lead worship including Holy Communion.
The Benefice Country Day in September was a
new and enjoyable event from which the proceeds were distributed
between the parishes, The annual cost of maintaining the church is
around £15,000. However the Church does contribute to six charities
which include SOS Bus in Norwich and a school project in Tanzania
with which the Dioceses have links.
Links between the Church and both the school
and Community Council have been maintained with weekly school
assemblies in the Church.
Although the congregation is small a regular
pattern of worship continues and so does a monthly meeting of the
Sunday Club.
The Church is supported by many people in
many ways who give their time and money so generously. It is a
pleasure to see the Churchyard cut and trimmed which is hope is
appreciated by visitors and families.
5.09.26: School Report The new
lobby has been completed, the next phase of building development
will be to remove the old boiler from the hall and design a new
learning centre in the hall. It is hope to have a library, cooking,
art are in addition to the ICT area. The school continues to work
with Gislingham School. The children are involved in sports
activities such as a Small Schools Football League, netball
tournaments, swimming galas, cross country events and tchoukball
festivals. The children feel part of the community taking part in
the flower festivals and visiting the Friendship Club, they are
beginning to be involved in a creation of a garden at the end of
the village and have formed a garden committee. The children are
busy with their sats at the moment.
5.09.27: Open Discussion: There was a
discussion regarding the wind turbine proposed by the Community
Council It was discussed whether been enough information and
meetings informing residents of the proposed wind turbine. There
had been articles in the Star, coffee mornings, meetings and also
information on the web site. It was asked what the role of the
Parish Council was in this matter, and the meeting was informed
that the Parish Council was behind the Community Council in
principle of pursuing greener energy but not necessarily with a
wind turbine. If the fund had been granted the whole matter would
have gone to consultation and plans would have to have been
submitted. Mrs Bunbury closed the discussion saying that the
Community Council was now seeking ideas from the residents by
31st May and that the Community Council were aware of
the feelings of the village.
Concerns were made regarding a footpath down
Denmark Hill, at the moment there is not one and with the new
houses down there it feels that a footpath is now needed. It was
agreed to raise the matter with County Highways.
Street Lighting – A parishioner felt that
another light is needed in Crossing Road opposite Blands close at
the moment the Parish Council support and fund 15 lights and a
possibility of an additional light would be looked into.
Parking in front of Church Terrace is
becoming a problem, Parish Council to look at this.
The access only road is in the process of
being looked at in an attempt to make the restriction
clearer
All full reports from this meeting and a copy
of the budget are available from the clerk.
Meeting closed at 9.25p.m.
Next Meeting 17th June