Current minutes: [Foot of page for past minutes]
 
   THEBERTON AND EASTBRIDGE PARISH COUNCIL

Minutes of the meeting held on Wednesday 14^th December 2011 at 7.30 p.m. in the Jubilee Hall, Theberton.

Present: Mr. C. Brown (Chairman), Mr. T. Baskett (Vice-Chairman) Mr. P. Baskett, Mr. S. Beaumont, Mr. P. Jones, Mr. P. Mockett, Mr. J. Swallow, Mrs. H. Ward, Sir Peter Batho (SCDC), Mrs. M. Andrews (SCDC), Mr. R. Leighton (SCC), Mrs. J. Harvey (clerk) and three members of the public.

Report from Sir Peter Batho (SCDC)

Suffolk Coastal District Council is still struggling with finances. A special meeting of the main Council will be held tomorrow to deal with the Local Development Framework. This has been going on for seven years now at great expense.

Mr. Swallow asked if any decision had been made about car parking charges. Sir Peter explained that this still had to go before cabinet and decisions should be made in time for the next financial year. A general discussion then took place on car parking charges and how it affects small towns.

Mrs. Andrews and Mr. Leighton had nothing to report this time.

The meeting then commenced with the Parish Council agenda.

1. Apologies. Mr. S. Brett

2. Minutes of the last meeting.

Minutes of the Parish Council Meeting held on 9^th November 2011 were read, agreed and signed as a true record. Proposed by Mr. Swallow, seconded by Mrs. Ward.

3. Matters Arising.

Playing Fields: The clerk reported that the new swing had been installed, the new safety net and balance beam had also been replaced.

Mrs. Ward thanked the clerk for organising the recent Christmas Tree Festival.

3. Correspondence.

Planning Application: Proposed use of existing caravan park for up to 20 caravans, camper vans or tents and alterations to access road. Location: Land rear of Pump Cottages, Theberton. Mr. Beaumont agreed to declare an interest. The clerk read out a letter addressed to the Parish Council from the applicant, Mr. J. Keeble. Mr. Culver, a resident of Pump Cottages, was given the opportunity to speak briefly. After lengthy discussion, it was agreed that the following observations would be forwarded to the Planning Department:

Circumstances have changed since the original application which was for a caravan site behind a garage. The garage has since been replaced by five houses making the proposal close to residential property.

It is stated that the site will be used for 11 months of the year. The Parish Council is under the impression that holiday use is for 8 months (March to October).

It is also stated additional restrictions be added to ensure holiday use only, removal of any caravan, campervan or tent when not being occupied for holiday purposes and removal of any caravan, campervan or tent after a maximum of 56 days in any calendar year. The Parish Council is under the impression that a restriction of 28 days is normal for holiday use.

The Parish Council is extremely concerned about the lack of footpaths in Theberton, particularly at this end of the village. Anyone walking from the proposed caravan site into the village would have to walk in the road. The B1122 is extremely busy with a dangerous corner to negotiate if walking.

No screening is shown along the boundary of the gardens of Pump Cottages on the plans.

There is a lay by at the entrance to the access road. If large lorries are parked there it could affect vision onto the B1122.

Sir Peter Batho and Mrs Andrews both offered to speak on behalf of the Parish Council when the application was considered.

Refusal of Planning Permission: The proposal for the erection of new annexe, ancillary to the main house, for The Cottage, Theberton Hall Farm Lane, Theberton has been refused.

Firework Display: A letter of thanks has been received from the Community Council for the donation of £200 towards this year’s fireworks.

- 2 -

Back Lane: A letter had been received from The Planning Inspectorate stating that they have now agreed that this matter be determined by way of a local inquiry and not by written representations. Details of the arrangements to follow in due course. A discussion then took place on the length of time this matter is taking to resolve and the Parish Council is very disappointed that an inquiry has to be held.

Crime Rate for Theberton: An update on crimes that have occurred from the beginning of the year was sent by the Police. There have been four offences.

4. Finance.

Bank Balances: Community Account: £843.76

Business Saver Account: 8.47

Cheques issued:

£3402.00 (new swing and matting). £670.80 (replacement scramble net) (cheque not yet processed)

Receipts:

£65.47 recycling. £1200 being second payment from Playspace Scheme

Money transfer: £500 had been transferred from Business Saver to Community Account to cover cheques issued.

VAT refund: An application for a VAT refund of £665.03 had been applied for and acknowledged.

Parish Council Precept: Suffolk Coastal District Council require notification of any increase to the present precept by 27^th January. After a discussion it was unanimously agreed to raise the precept to £3000 per annum. This was necessary to cover increasing costs e.g. election expenses, maintenance to play areas.

HMRC PAYE: Every Parish Council is now required to register themselves as an employer with HMRC and to be responsible for paying their clerk on the PAYE system.

It was proposed that we use the services of the Suffolk Association of Local Councils who provide this service for a small monthly fee. This will get us up and running. The proposal was agreed.

5. Any Other Business.

Mr. T. Baskett asked that Mr. Raison, who had come along to our meeting, should be allowed to say a few words regarding the application for the caravan site. Mr. Raison was then given the opportunity to speak briefly.

Back Lane: Mr. Beaumont suggested that we write to Mr. & Mrs. Dowley at Theberton House to ask them to confirm that the signs are on their land and if they have given their permission for these signs.

Onnors Lane: Mrs. Ward raised the matter of the continual flooding that occurs at the top of Onnors Lane whenever it rains and the fact that there is always mud on this road. The clerk would contact Highways.

Grants: As we had been refused a grant from The Adnams Charity Mr.Beaumont suggested another source to whom the clerk could make enquiries.

RSPB: Mr. Jones raised concerns that the gates along the road to the RSPB Reserve have been shut and covered with wheelie bins, road signs, tapes and barriers. This seems to happen on Wednesday night into Thursday. The clerk would contact Adam Rowlands at the RSPB to see if he was aware.

SPLG: Mr. Swallow mentioned that the next SPLG meeting was at Theberton on 31^st January at 7.30 p.m. Tom McGarry, Communications Manager at EDF, and Paul Wood, Sizewell Project Manager at Suffolk County Council would be attending.

Grant for Village Hall: Mr. Swallow reported that the application for a major grant for the village hall had now been completed and sent. A response is expected this month.

Mr. T. Baskett raised the matter again of the combine parked opposite Peakhill Farm. This was far too near the road and dangerous. The clerk would contact Highways.

There being no other business the meeting closed at 9.10 p.m.