MINUTES OF THE MEETING OF YOXFORD PARISH COUNCIL HELD IN YOXFORD VILLAGE HALL ON THURSDAY 19^th JUNE 2008 AT 7 30pm.

The Chairman welcomed everyone to the meeting including four members of the public, Mr J Grooms, Miss B Grooms, Mrs J Henson, and Mr P Andrews.

1. TIME FOR THE PUBLIC TO SPEAK.

All four members of the public were present to ask about the provision of allotment land in Yoxford. Mr John Grooms, who has worked an allotment for the past 35-36 years reported that it has been bought over his head, and that he has received notice to get off – advice from the Allotment Association is that as the allotment is on private land the landowner is within his rights to give notice, whereas an allotment on a local council site would be safe. The Chairman had received prior notice of this matter, and some enquiries had been made about the provision of more allotments in Yoxford – it is not easy to find out how to go about it, but as more than six people have expressed an interest, the parish council is duty bound to do something about it - the next step seems to be that anyone interested in having an allotment should put a request to the parish council in writing – Mr Grooms, who has a list of about 16 names is prepared to work with the parish council on the matter. There followed some discussion of possible suitable sites including various land off Little Street – when asked advice, Mr Leighton stated that parishes are usually able to find a landowner who has a piece of land to spare, and is willing to rent. More information needs to be found about size of plots envisaged, and how many people are really interested, before landowners can really be approached.

Following thanks, the members of the public left the meeting. During further discussion Mrs Pearce said that she has known allotments in Yoxford all her life - Mrs Ardizonne said, if a site is identified a letter could be sent to the landowner from the parish council as it is duty bound – all parish councillors present understood the obligation and were in favour of pursuing the matter.

2. ATTENDANCE.

Mr N Kerridge (Chairman), Mr J Childs (Vice-chairman), Mrs L Andrews, Mrs D Ardizonne,

Mr C Connolly, Mrs J Easton, Mrs D Harknett, Mrs J Pearce, Mr D Turley. Mr R Leighton (CC) was also present and Mr B Slater (DC) attended at 8.15pm. Apologies for absence were received from

Mrs J Berry, Mr E Draper, Mrs K McIntyre, Mr P Weldon and PCSO J Newson.

3. MINUTES OF THE LAST MEETING.

The minutes of the last meeting, having been circulated, were proposed as a true record by Mrs Pearce, and seconded by Mrs Harknett – all present were in favour, and the minutes were duly signed.

4. MATTERS ARISING FROM ITEM 3.

Mrs Pearce reported in Mr Slater’s absence, that he had looked into responsibility for planting and maintenance of the landscaping at the Badger site - once the planting is as it should be, Badgers will pay £5,000 to cover 10 years maintenance, divided between SCC and SCDC – from then it will be covered by householders’ council tax.

   5.   CLERK’S REPORT.

SCDC grass cutting costs -Tim Collard will supply a breakdown of costs – he can explain and justify hours spent at each location – he agreed that grass cutting takes a large proportion of the precept – less cuts would be cheaper, but this would not give such a good result. Mrs Easton queried the standard of cutting at the play area recently – it seems that the tufts left resulted from the recent work undertaken ready for the new equipment.

Contact made with SCC concerning letters from Mrs Kettel and Mrs Allen about bus service changes (ref. 1081659) –YPC support for their problem has been registered – Mrs K & Mrs A have been told the matter is being looked into.[ reply received after meeting –tbc.]

Mr Goodyear is prepared to have a site meeting about a continuous footway and crossing point at SMHill – Mr Kerridge to contact again to arrange.

Mrs Sylvester notified about the situation of no change in the 40mph limit on the B1122.

Speedwatch – possibility of a speed camera visit in the High Street – PC Fossey covers speedwatch for the whole of Suffolk and PC Maclaren operates from Saxmundham – PCSO Newson has asked to be notified of particular problem times and places - he will then ask for a camera. [Time and place suggested 8.30am-9.30am – bottom of SMHill in both directions]

Parking on the A1120 – Little Street – reply from SCC (mainly copy of letter to resident) –tbc

Lorry traffic survey result – A1120 – results read out– lorries on the A1120 are still a problem (Sat. Nav. may be part to blame) – much of the traffic is servicing local needs – also, although less lorries they are bigger – this is a continuing problem for all the villages along the A1120 – following discussion it was decided to write saying that YPC is not happy, and please do something about the lorries using the route – comment was also made that if there was a solution it would be in place by now – this problem has been unsolvable on for years.

Courses for new PCs – there should be suitable courses in the autumn at SALC – dates to be discussed with Mrs Harknett and Mrs Andrews who would like to attend.

Bus shelter – information to be circulated before further discussion – there is a need for a shelter but the main thing is to decide where to situate it, and how to finance it – agenda item next meeting.

Flagship Housing – further information received about the Meadowlands development – tbc. then agenda item next meeting – Mr Slater said that it will be all ‘affordable’ – possibly a mix of to rent or shared equity – there is still concern at SCDC planning about the play area size.

  6.   ACCOUNTS.

The annual accounts are all completed and ready to go to the external auditor. Section 2 of the annual return, the Annual Governance Statement, needs to be completed at this meeting – all accounts documents are available for inspection, and the Notice of

Appointment of the Date for Exercise of Electors’ Rights will be displayed as required from 23 June 2008. No member present declared a conflict of interests with BDO Stoy Hayward, and Section 2 was duly completed and signed. It was again agreed to make a gift to the value of£25 to the internal auditor.

Notification received of the War Memorials Trust AGM 7 July 2008, and request for an extra anniversary donation – tbc. - for discussion next meeting.

   7.    CORRESPONDENCE.

SCDC – removal of payphones – comments needed by 18 June 2008 – circulated - reply sent objecting to removal of payphone in the High St by A12.

SCC – rural deprivation report – memory stick circulated – Yoxford not included.

Town & Parish Liaison meeting – 17/7/2008 – this will be informative about the Boundary Committee proposals, about which the PC will be asked for a reponse - Mr Kerridge & Mr Childs to attend.

Suffolk Coastal LSP – priorities in the district – already circulated – any comments needed by 4/7/08.

SCDC – planning enforcement policy – already circulated – Mrs Ardizonne commented about Little St. smells – YPC letters did help – Offwat did come out - this matter is now being taken seriously.

SALC – Safer Neighbourhood Teams – any questions or comments? Following discussion it was decided to comment that proper policemen on the beat are preferable to PCSOs, who cost as much as a PC but don’t have the same power – what has the change actually achieved?

SPS & Orwell Housing conference – 22/7/2008 – no-one to attend from YPC.

Go-East – EE Plan available to view or download – tbc.

Oakar Foxtrot Productions – poster displayed as requested.

Greenprint Forum - dates of meetings in 2009 – Mrs Ardizonne & Mr Haslam to attend 30/6/2008.

CAB AGM 15/7/2008 – anyone to attend? – apologies to be sent.

Keep Suffolk Clean – poster displayed as requested.

Information on community play areas – tbc.

Fordham Research information – tbc.

To be circulated: Fieldwork. Greenacre.

   8.    PLANNING.

C80/1026 – proposed conversion of house and shop to single family dwelling – London House – full planning permission.

The work that has gone on so far has been mainly roof work not alterations – following discussion a proposal of ‘no objection’ was made by Mr Turley – seconded by Mr Connolly – all present were in favour.

C08/1027 – change of use from shop to residential to be used in association with existing residential unit, including associated internal alterations – London House – listed building consent.

The shop building must be retained – a proposal of ‘no objection’ was made by Mr Connolly – seconded by Mr Childs – all present were in favour.

C08/0932 – repairs and alterations and construction of internal gallery at first floor level – Dairy House – Cockfield Hall.

Mr Childs commented that something needs to be done, as this listed building is in a poor state of repair – it cannot be seen from the road – he made a proposal of ‘no objection’ – seconded by Mrs Harknett – all present were infavour.

C08/0911 & 0912 – erection of swimming pool and ancilliary accommodation within existing walled garden area. Alteration of existing garden wall to provide additional access to store and adjacent garden areas – Cockfield Hall – full planning permission and listed building consent.

A proposal of ‘no objection’ was made by Mr Connolly – seconded by Mr Childs – all present were in favour.

Notification of permissions granted:

C08/0686 – erection of implement/stable/feed store in paddock and erection of garden shed – land to the rear of Woodland Cottages.

C087/1302 – erection of four field shelters (including implement store) and sand school for private equestrian use – Cockfield Hall.

   9.    QUESTIONS TO THE CHAIRMAN.

Mrs Pearce mentioned the lay-by near the new Badger houses on the A12 – visitors to the houses use it including ambulances and carers; lorries often stop there and drivers eat or rest; generally people come and go, but recently there have been vehicles parked for long periods with ‘for sale’ notices – how does the parish council stand on this matter – has anyone any views on it? Mr Leighton advised that the parish council could remonstrate with anyone leaving vehicles for sale – the lay-by is really for local traffic and that passing through - clerk to contact SCDC for advice.

Mrs Harknett asked when the play equipment is going in to the Little Street play area – it should be within the next few days.

Mr Leighton updated the parish council on the Schools Review – it is all going well but the biggest problem is what to do with Saxmundham middle school building – Leiston High school cannot cope until funds come in, so Leiston or Saxmundham middle schools may be used meanwhile. Primary schools are all on line to exist as now, but with larger numbers – local school numbers are holding up well – the only problem will be if they fall below viable numbers (like Cookley) – during transition numbers must not drain to Framlingham – the rumour that some primary schools will close is not true at present.

Mr Slater spoke about Suffolk Coastal Team Voice where young people have a say – the next forum is at 6pm on Thursday 26^th June ’08 at Rochford House– the organisers would like youngsters aged 13 to 19 to attend – so far there are far more from the other end of the district so please will PCs encourage attendance from anyone they know.

   10.    DATE OF NEXT MEETING.

The next meeting will be on Tuesday 29^th July at 7.30pm.

THE NEXT MEETING OF YOXFORD PARISH WILL BE HELD IN YOXFORD VILLAGE HALL ON TUESDAY 29^th JULY 2008 AT 7.30pm.

The agenda is as follows:

1. TIME FOR THE PUBLIC TO SPEAK.
2. ATTENDANCE.
3. MINUTES OF THE LAST MEETING.
4. MATTERS ARISING FROM ITEM 3.
5. CLERK’S REPORT.
6. ACCOUNTS.
7. POSSIBLE PROVISION OF BUS SHELTER.
8. PROPOSED DEVELOPMENT BY FLAGSHIP HOUSING.
9. CORRESPONDENCE.
10. PLANNING.
11. QUESTIONS TO THE CHAIRMAN.
12. DATE OF NEXT MEETING.