November 2023 Minutes
Minutes of the Sutton St Edmund Parish Council held on 21st November 2023 at The Museum of Technology.
Present: Cllrs C Hatch (Chairman), C. Hunns, C. Allen, District Cllr Eldridge, County Cllr Pepper, Miss D Leedham (Parish Clerk) and 17 members of the Public.
The Chairman welcomed everyone to the meeting.
Public Forum
Residents raised the following concerns with proposed Solar Farms:
Loss of agricultural land
Proportion of land locally being given over to Solar Farms - multiple locations in the very close proximity
Fencing - both the impact on wildlife and aesthetics of the area
Safety - especially whilst walking alone
Privacy – concerns with cameras and their viewing locations and loss of privacy whilst using the public footpaths
Lack of suitable infrastructure especially along Guanockgate and South Eau Bank for the building and maintenance of the Solar Farms
The impact of lighting on nocturnal wildlife
The Council encouraged residents to attend next week’s Pace Solar briefinga dn forward any comments to the Clerk.
1. Apologies for absence and acceptance of reasons given
None.
2. To receive any declarations of interest in accordance with the requirements of the Localism Act 2011 and to consider any requests for dispensations
None.
3. To consider minutes from 3rd October 2023 and resolve to approve as minutes - approved
Council resolved to accept the notes as a true copy of the minutes, the Chairman duly signed
4. To review and resolve accordingly on the:
a. latest Financial report – all agreed
The Financial report had been circulated and it was resolved to accept the figures as below:
b. 1st and 2nd quarter Budget reports – all agreed
The 1st and 2nd quarter Budget Report, was reviewed and agreed by Council.
c. 2024-25 Budget proposal
The 2024-25 Budget Report, was reviewed and agreed by Council, following a proposal by the Chairman and seconding by Cllr Allen.
d. 2024-25 Precept figure proposal
The Proposed 2024-25 Precept figure of £12613.19, was reviewed and agreed by Council, following a proposal by the Chairman and seconding by Cllr Hunns.
5. To review the latest planning applications and resolve accordingly:
a. Planning Consultations
The following Planning applications had been circulated and any comments made were listed on the SHDC portal:
H19-0910-23 - Change of use of site to pony paddock and stables – Retrospective
H19-0906-23 - Proposed Dwelling
The Council were asked to advise the Clerk of any comments on the following Planning applications which will be added to SHDC portal:
H19-0207-23 - Conversion of domestic garage into self-contained annexe (Cllrs to add comments added)
b. To discuss and resolve accordingly on Solar Farms – following public forum – discussed – need to represent all.
Please see the Public Forum.
6. To consider and resolve accordingly on:
a. updates from CSW
Following a discussion regarding CSW, it was agreed Cllr Allen would draft a CSW rota with more Speed watchs taking place as the days draw lighter.
The Council thanked District Cllr Eldridge for the 40mph speed signs.
b. SIDs options for purchase
After discussion, the Council agreed to purchase SIDs based on feedback from Highways, Clerk to liaise with Highways. The Council also requested the Clerk speak with Highways regarding moving the current signs to South Eau Bank.
7. To receive and resolve accordingly on reports from representatives on external bodies:
a. Poors Charity
The Chairman, Cllr Hunns and the Clerk updated the meeting noting that the AGM had recently taken place and the Council were awarded a £500 grant for the Defibrillator. It was also noted that the next meeting would be taking place next Monday.
b. Education Charity
The Chairman and Cllr Hunns updated the meeting noting that the AGM had recently taken place and the next meeting would be October 2024.
8. To review and resolve accordingly on the Councils use of:
a. Airtable
The Council discussed Airtable and it was agreed that Cllr Allen would look to build the reports the Council uses and run a trial period with the Clerk before a decision is taken.
b. Scribe Accounts
The Council agreed to review following the Airtable trial.
9. To consider any correspondence not included within the agenda
The Council discussed recent correspondence from the Police and agreed for the Chairman to attend as representative of the Parish Council.
The Council raised concerns with the placement of the 30mph speed signs near the welcome gates and the addition of 30mph roundels as the Speed limit changes, Clerk to raise concerns with LCC Highways.
10. To advise of items for inclusion at the next meeting
11. To confirm the next year’s meeting dates:
Next years meeting dates were confirmed as:
16th January 2024
19th March 2024
21st May 2024
16th July 2024
17th September 2024
19th November 2024
12. To confirm the date of the next Parish Council meeting as:
Tuesday 16th January 2024, 7pm at Sutton St Edmund Village Hall.
13. Closed Session
To resolve on whether the Council will move into closed session to consider the following matters in accordance with the Public Bodies (Admission to Meetings) Act 1960. Should this resolution be passed the public and press will be required to leave the meeting at this stage.
a. To update and resolve accordingly on staffing matters
The Council confirmed the Clerk would be remaining in position and resolved for the Clerk to undertake the CiLCA.