Suffolk Village of the Year 2023

Parish Council Meeting Report, 27th Feb 2020

It was recorded that Cllr Turner and Cllr Williams declared a Pecuniary interest in Agenda Item 7.2 Finance, Cllr Cutting-Keyton declared a Non-Pecuniary Interest in Agenda Item 7.2. Finance, Cllr Webster declared a Non-Pecuniary Interest in Agenda Item 8.1 Planning.

Outstanding Actions:

  • A number of asset maintenance issues required to be progressed for quotations;
  • Under seat modification to the Bandstand, Great Green.
  • Replacing the Great Green Noticeboard in hardwood.
  • Feasibility and cost of re-siting the Parish Council owned telephone kiosk from outside the Post Office to the corner of the Great Green.
  • Refurbishing the two-car parking bay at the corner of Great Green.
  • Harrowing and Hollow Tyning the Great Green.
  • Refurbish the Bus Shelter at MacKenzie Place and the Bench at Mill Corner.
  • Refurbish two benches on the Great Green – postponed due to bad weather.
  • Alternative quotations for Grounds Management at the Great Green and to check on the ongoing availability of the Parish Council’s existing Contractor to undertake verge Cutting and edge Cutting on the Great Green.

 

Actions closed:

  • Purchased a Petrol Leaf Blower.
  • Clerk has published the Public Health Coronavirus Communication on the Website.
  • Cllr Williams has de-mossed the Village Hall Car Park to reduce slip safety risk and will spray the surface once the weather conditions improve.
  • The Clerk provided details of permitted Parish Council expenditure on the proposed VE 75 Celebration Event.
  • The Clerk to submit the Contractor’s invoice to HISCOX for removing the 2 Willow trees on the Great Green and claim reimbursement.
  • Cllr Southgate has discussed the need for a security grille in the Pavilion kitchen with the football club. It was agreed that this is not required at present but will be reviewed at a later date.
  • Cllr Southgate has provided signed copies of the Parish Council’s Pavilion Hire Agreement to the Football Club. The Football Club agreed to sign and return the agreement within two weeks, along with a letter confirming their compliance with the Licensing Conditions, a copy of their Insurance Policy and a cheque for the balance of their annual rental fee.

 

Public Participation Session:

District Cllr Mayberry advised that she had voted to retain prayers before BMSDC Council meetings and voted against the BMSDC Budget due to gender pay gap differences.

District Cllr Arthey confirmed the approval timetable for the Parish Council’s CIL123 bid and advised that he had visited the MacKenzie Place development building site and Earls Meadow, Bruffs Line and the SCC Meadow and expressed his admiration for the Parish Council’s assets.

He confirmed the 3.1% increase in the BMSDC Council Tax (+£5/Annum for a Band D Dwelling) and a Rent Rise of 2.7%, an increase in the cost of long term parking from £2-£3 and a new 3 year funding contribution for CAB of £53,500/annum.

A new Joint Area Parking Management Plan has been prepared in anticipation of Civil Parking Enforcement powers transferring to the District Council in April.

Suffolk County Cllr Lindsay (who has been off sick for some time) provided a written report which was circulated to Cllrs prior to the meeting.

Three members of the public were present to inform discussions on an planning application on the agenda.

Planning: Applications Received: It was noted that the following applications had been referred to the Parish Council:

DC/19/05654: Full Planning Application – Erection of 1No detached dwelling (following demolition of existing semi-detached bungalows and outbuildings): Lane End, Colchester Green, Cockfield, Bury St Edmunds Suffolk IP30 0HG Notice that the Application has been Withdrawn.

DC/20/00476: Submission of Details under Outline Planning Permission DC/18/00474 – Access, Appearance, Landscaping, Layout and Scale for up to 3no dwellings and new vehicular access: Plot 1, Land at Bury Road, Cross Green, Cockfield, Bury St Edmunds Suffolk IP30 0LG. The Parish Council objects to this application.  (Full details of the Parish Council’s Consultation response are available on the BMSDC Website).

DC/19/04755: Resubmission of Outline Planning Application (Access to be considered all other matters reserved) – Erection of up to 28no. dwellings (Plots 5, 6 and 7 of Reserved Matters Permission DC/19/02020 to be repositioned/amended). Land to The Rear of Plough and Fleece Inn, Great Green, Cockfield, Bury St Edmunds Suffolk IP30 0HJ.The Parish Council Supports this Application. (Full details of the Parish Council’s Consultation response are available on the BMSDC Website).

Planning: Applications Decisions Received:

 DC/19/05086: Discharge of Conditions Application for DC/18/00306 – Condition 11 (Details of Access) and Condition 12 (Surface Water Discharge): Land to The West of the Plough and Fleece Inn, Great Green, Cockfield Bury StEdmunds Suffolk. Decision: Approved Conditions: 11 & 12.

DC/19/03826: Full Planning Application – Change of use from all residential (C3) to mixed use part residential and business of boarding dogs (sui generis) Gambrel, Chapel Road, Cockfield, Bury St Edmunds Suffolk IP30 0HE. Decision: Planning Permission has been Granted.

 DC/19/05790: Application for Outline Planning Permission (some matters reserved – access to be considered) – Erection of 2No detached dwellings and creation of new vehicular access. Abbey Farm House, Bury Road, Cockfield, Bury St Edmunds Suffolk IP30 0LB. Decision: Planning Permission has been Refused.

 DC/20/00165: Application to determine if Prior Approval is required for a Proposed Change of Use of Agricultural Buildings to Dwelling houses (Class C3) and for building operations reasonably necessary for conversion. Town & Country Planning (General Permitted Development) Order 2015 as amended Schedule 2, Part3 Class Q: Colchester Green Farm, Colchester Green, Cockfield, Bury St Edmunds Suffolk IP30 0HG. Decision: Prior Approval to the development has been GIVEN subject to conditions.

 DC/19/03793: Planning Application. Erection of 2no semi-detached dwellings

Land North Of 4 Hedgerow Cottages, Windsor Green, Cockfield, Bury St Edmunds Suffolk IP30 0LY. Decision: Planning Permission has been Refused.

 Financial; The Clerk tabled a proposal for a two year Fixed Rate Agreement with E.ON for the supply of Electricity at the Pavilion.  Whilst it was cheaper than the previous Agreement, the Clerk was requested to obtain quotations from alternative Suppliers.

 Pavilion Update (tree root encroachment and subsidence); The Clerk confirmed that our Tree Surgeon contractor had removed the Willows at Great Green. HISCOX have confirmed that they will reimburse the Insurer’s contribution (less VAT, which will be reclaimed by the Parish Council) to the Parish Council once they receive our Contractor’s invoice. The Clerk confirmed that he will be the point of contact with HISCOX for the drainage repair work, which will not commence until the ground conditions on Great Green improve.

VE 75th celebration Event, 8th May 2020

Cllr Cutting-Keyton confirmed the proposed timetable for the event. The Parish Council will provide drinks for the toast, the WI have been asked to provide refreshments and the Football Club have offered to provide a ‘paid’ bar.                                                                                                                                           

Greens Management; Nothing to report.

Local Needs Housing; Cllr Morley confirmed that work had commenced on the MacKenzie place Development.  Cllr Cutting-Keyton commended the orderly management of the construction site.

 Pavilion; Cllr Turner has installed the LED lights in the Pavilion. The Football Club will sign and return the pavilion hire agreement, together with a letter confirming their compliance with the Licensing conditions, a copy of their Insurance and a cheque for the balance of their annual hire fee.

 Suffolk Association of Local Councils (SALC);  Cllr Cutting-Keyton attended the Area PC Liaison Meeting on 04 February 2020 at Stowmarket and advised Cllrs about the Budget Position, the new Corporate Plan, the Community Governance Review, Planning Update, the Joint Local Plan, Enforcement Improvements, Suffolk Design and CIL Expenditure Review.

She further advised that Civil Parking enforcement will commence in April and that discussions are ongoing with SCC about Verges and Litter.

 Earl’s Meadow; Cllr Williams thanked volunteers for planting bulbs around Earls Meadow/Bruffs Line. It was agreed that two places be booked on the SALC Allotment Management Course for Cllr Morley and A N Other.

Cemetery; It was agreed acceptance of a quotation of £200 + VAT from S Bradnam to trim the left-hand perimeter hedge to a height of 6’0”. The proposal was carried. Whilst the work needs to be undertaken prior to the bird nesting season, the Clerk was asked to ensure that no heavy equipment causes damage to the cemetery until ground conditions have improved.

Parish Paths; Nothing to report.

Highways and Emergencies; Cllr Cutting-Keyton asked that the Coronavirus is on the Agenda for the 26 March 2020 Parish Council meeting.

Police/Fire; Cllr Cutting-Keyton confirmed that she had completed and submitted the Police Survey on behalf of the Parish Council.

 Play Equipment; District Cllr Arthey confirmed that the Parish Council’s CIL123 Bid would be determined at the 12/03/20 BMSDC Cabinet Meeting.

Village Hall Car Park; It was agreed that a quotation £150.00 + VAT from a local contractor (S Bradnam) to trim the 3 trees sited on the Village Hall car park be accepted.

 Neighbourhood CIL; Cllr Morley advised that feasibility work on the Extension to the Village Hall Car Park has been deferred until it is known whether the Parish Council’s CIL123 Funding Bid for the Children’s Adventure Playground had been successful.

SCC Meadow & Ex-Railway Track Land Purchase; Following further dialogue with our solicitors, it was agreed that the Clerk be requested to Instruct Ashtons Legal to Complete the purchase on behalf of the Parish Council.

 It was noted the following items to be included on the March Agenda:

  1. Coronavirus
  2. Grounds Management on Great Green
  3. Verge Cutting/Edge Cutting of Great Green
  4. The date for the Annual Parish Meeting
  5. The development strategy for future Budget Expenditure.

 

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