January 2023 Minutes
Minutes of the general meeting of Sutton St Edmund Parish Council held on 17th January 2022 at Sutton St Edmund Village Hall.
Present: Cllrs G. Masters (Chairman), C. Hunns, C. Allen, C. Hatch, District Councillor Seymour, 0 members of the public, Miss D Leedham (mentoring Parish Clerk), and D Blackburn (probationary Parish Clerk).
Chairman’s welcome
The Chairman welcomed everyone to the meeting.
Public Forum
A resident reported the poor state of Luttongate.
Agenda
1. Apologies for absence and reasons given.
a. None.
2. To receive any declarations of interest in accordance with Localism Act 2011 and to consider any requests for dispensations in respect of DPI’s.
a. None.
3. Notes of the general meeting held on 15th November 2022 to be approved as the new minutes.
a. Following amendment of a previous Councillors name, Council resolved to accept the notes as a true copy of the minutes, the Chairman duly signed.
4. Vacancy for position of Clerk/RFO
a. Council welcomed the new Clerk and agreed a handover period to be reviewed at the next Council meeting.
5. Police matters.
a. It was reported that someone, in a neighbouring parish, had been charged and fined, in relation to recent Fly Tipping.
6. CSW
a. The Chairman advised the meeting that a new program of Speed Watch surveys would commence in the spring. The Clerk is to seek guidance from Highways over the detailed location of the new ‘Village Welcome Gates’. Council agreed for the Clerk to progress the application to the Wrydecroft Farm Grant scheme for SIDs.
7. Financial matters.
a. The Financial report had been previously circulated and the meeting resolved to accept the figures.
b. The previously circulated, budget report (3rd quarter), was accepted by Council.
c. The 2023-24 Budget Report, was reviewed and agreed by Council, following proposal by Councillor Allen and seconding by Councillor Hatch.
d. The proposed precept figure, £11,888, for 2023-24 was considered and accepted by Council, following proposal by Councillor Hatch and seconding by the Chairman
8. Village Hall.
a. Councillor Allen advised the meeting of recent Village Hall social events and of the proposed ‘Pizza-night’. A calendar of upcoming events is understood to be in preparation. The meeting discussed the selection of a new Council representative on the Village Hall committee. Councillor Allen agreed to take over the role and would progress an invoice presented to Council by the Village Hall committee.
9. Playing Field.
a. Councillor Hatch reported that he had been unsuccessful in obtaining quotes for pruning and maintenance, but would nevertheless forward details of a tree surgeon approached, for filing by the Clerk.
10. Highways.
a. Highways Dept. progress was reported by Councillor Hatch and the Clerk is to obtain further progress reports / updates from them, as available. The Clerk is to approach Highways concerning reinstatement of the car park area, following their use.
11. Planning applications.
a. No new planning applications have been received.
b. Councillor Hatch and the Clerk updated the meeting on PACE Solar proposal (Tydd Solar Farm).
12. Council representation
District Councillor Seymour had to leave the meeting at this point 20:42
a. Council representation on Sutton St Edmund Charities was discussed and it was agreed that Councillor Hatch should take on this role, with Councillor Hunns to advise the Charity.
13. Bus Shelter
a. Options concerning the Bus Shelter bench are to be researched by the Chairman, who will report back to the Council.
14. To consider any correspondence not included within the agenda.
No correspondence to consider.
15. To confirm the date of the next Parish Council meeting
Tuesday 14th March 2023, 7pm at Sutton St Edmund Village Hall.
16. Councillors reports & items for inclusion at the next meeting.
Need for new litter picking equipment, due to wear and tear; budget up to £100 proposed by the Chairman, seconded by Councillor Allen; Agreed by Meeting. Councillor Hatch to forward items to purchase to the Clerk.
17. To resolve whether to move into closed session and exclude public, Police and press (who will be required to leave the meeting at this stage, in accordance with the Local Government Act 1972), due to the confidential nature of business to be discussed. Should this resolution be passed, members of the public, Police and press will be required to leave the meeting at this stage.
a. Council agreed the 2023-24 NJC pay scale award and also agreed additional hours for the Mentoring Clerk.
b. The situation surrounding the Play Equipment was discussed.
c. It was resolved for Councillors Allen and Hatch and for the New Clerk to be added to the bank mandate.
Meeting closed at 21.27pm.