AGM 16 May 2011

Minutes of the meeting of the WICKHAM MARKET PARISH COUNCIL held on Monday 16 May 2011 at 7.30pm

PRESENT: Mr M Argent, Mrs J Breese, Mr R Cooke, Mrs F Etheridge, Mrs J Evans, Mr G Jones, Mr M Manning, Mr B Nobbs, Miss V Pizzey, Mr J Ridd, Mr M Roseveare and Mr C Tucker.

ALSO PRESENT: Mr B Hall (Suffolk Coastal District Council)

1. APPOINTMENT OF CHAIRMAN

. It was proposed by Mr M Manning and seconded by Mr C Tucker and

RESOLVED

That Mr M Argent be appointed as Chairman of the Council for 2011/2012

2. APPOINTMENT OF VICE CHAIRMAN

It was proposed by Mr M Argent and seconded by Mr M Manning and

RESOLVED

That Mrs J Breese be appointed as Vice-Chairman of the Council for 2011/2012

  1. APOLOGIES were received from Mrs E Salmon

  1. MINUTES

The minutes of the meeting held on 21 March 2011 were signed as a true record.

  1. MATTERS ARISING

5.1 The Library Group continued to meet and the Expression of Interest and Business Plan were being firmed up by the WM Partnership. No details from the County Council were available at the moment but a petition was to be handed over on 27 April 2011 and the matter of libraries was to be discussed by the Suffolk County Council on 14 July 2011and the County Council Cabinet on 19 July 2011. A clearer picture should then emerge.

5.2 Suffolk Coastal Services had indicated that it was happy for the flower bed to be adopted by the village and the Wickham Market Gardening Club was willing to take on regular maintenance and planting. The Co-op had been informally asked if they would like to sponsor the garden and were waiting for an idea of cost.

5.3 A Poppy weekend to mark the 90th anniversary of the British Legion was taking place on 11 and 12 June 2011. On 11 June there would be a “forties” evening followed on 12 June 2011 by a group rally and march through the village.

5.4 So far nine hanging baskets had been sponsored so sponsorship was still being sought. Mr Hammond of Orchard campsite had once again agreed to hang and water the baskets.

5.5 Planning permission had now been granted for the redevelopment of Deben Court which clearly left concerns about how Chapel Lane would handle the resultant construction and residents traffic. It was agreed to invite representatives of Flagship Housing Association and Suffolk County Council highways to the next meeting of the Parish Council to discuss these issues.

5.6 It was confirmed that another Italian Market would be held on 25 June 2011 and a Christmas market on 3 December 2011. It was also planned that over Christmas each of the properties around the Hill would have a decorated Christmas tree on the external wall facing the Hill to create a festive atmosphere for the area. In 2012 a quilters weekend was to take place and it was hoped that a craft market could be organised.

  1. ELECTION OF COMMITTEES AND REPRESENTATIVES FOR 2011/2012

RESOLVED

That the following committees and representatives be appointed for 2011/2012

Planning Committee J Evans, J Breese, M Roseveare, G Jones, B Nobbs

Cemetery Group M Roseveare, M Manning, V Pizzey, F Etheridge

Finance Group C Tucker, M Argent, G Jones, R Cooke

Allotments Group P Stone (non-elected) (Glebe), B Catchpole (liaison Simons Cross),

Village Hall rep M Roseveare

SALC rep J Ridd

Tree Warden T Peake

Footpaths T Peake

Campaign to Save

Our Rural Roads R Cooke

  1. OPEN SESSION (commenced at 8.10pm)

Concern was expressed by a number of residents that if the Deben Court, Co-op and Gospel Hall sites all began building at the same time then the construction traffic in the village would become untenable. Further to item 5.1 above it was noted that a senior traffic officer from Suffolk County Council would be asked to the next meeting of the Parish Council.

It was agreed that the planning officers at Suffolk Coastal District Council should be reminded of the potential traffic problems and deal with these in the legal agreements now being prepared along with the planning permissions.

On 27 May 2011 representatives of the East of England Co-operative Society would be touring the village to look at environmental projects underway.

Mr Hall reported that some residents in Chapel Lane had been fined for parking in the medical centre car park for longer than was allowed. The problem of cars having to be parked in the roads, because properties had no garaging space, was getting worse throughout the village. The Parish Council felt that this was a matter between the residents and Suffolk Coastal District Council. It could not condone illegal parking, however it accepted that this was a worsening problem in certain parts of the village.

The Clerk reported that the development of a parish council website was being investigated. Mr Peter Stone would assist in the matter.

Mr Bond presented his report and there were no questions.

  1. POLICE MATTERS

There were 6 reported crimes since the last meeting. Wickham Market was now a priority for an increase in police presence to combat anti-social behaviour, littering and nuisance issues. Residents of the village were advised to register for ‘police direct'

  1. PLANNING MATTERS

9.1 Applications dealt with since the last meeting - 28 Spring Lane, Wickham Market IP13 0SJ - erection of an extension to existing reception and shop (no objections): 70A High Street, Wickham Market IP13 0QU - internal and external alterations (no objections); Hill House, 52 High Street, Wickham Market IP13 0QT - fitting of 3 vertically sliding aluminium framed secondary double glazing to two first floor bedrooms: 119 High Street, Wickham Market IP13 0RD - erection of cartlodge, wall and gates and widening of vehicular access (no objections): 133 and 135 High Street, Wickham Market IP13 0RD - erection of garages (no objection); Land to rear of 131-141 High Street, Wickham Market - erection of detached dwelling (no objection); The Orchard Campsite, 28 Spring Lane, Wickham Market IP13 0SJ - replacement of extant planning permission for swimming pool (no objection)

9.2 Decisions received since last meeting - 36 Dallinghoo Road, Wickham Market IP13 0RP - erection of two storey rear extension and first floor extension over existing bedroom; Whistlecraft Cottage, 41 Mill Lane, Wickham Market IP13 0SF - Change of use of cartlodge to Holiday accommodation: Land and barn rear of 2-6 Little Lane, Wickham Market - erection of one dwelling, existing barn to be demolished (permission and conservation area consent granted):70A High Street, Wickham Market - conversion of building into 2 x one bed residential units and alterations to facade, alterations of shop window and entrance door and insertions of 2 conversion roof lights. Change of use of ground floor from A1 to A3 (permission and listed building consent granted)

10. ALLOTMENT MATTERS

RESOLVED

That £60 be paid towards the cost of bramble clearance on the Glebe allotment site.

11. CEMETERY MATTERS

11.1 A meeting of the Cemetery Group would take place during the summer to discuss the matter of cemetery charges and to survey the standing headstones and would report back to the next appropriate meeting of the Parish Council.

11.2 A letter had been received from a Mrs Scarborough who was an archivist with the Wickham Market Archive Centre seeking permission to record the gravestones in the cemetery whilst the information remained legible. The Council felt that this would be a valuable exercise and:

RESOLVED

That permission be given for Mrs Scarborough to carry out the survey.

12. HIGHWAY MATTERS

The Planning Committee at its meeting on 7 March 2011 was advised of the proposed developments at the former Bentwaters airbase and how any additional HGV traffic might affect Wickham Market.There was concern that if there was an estimated 10% increase in traffic along the A1152, much of this would end up going along Lower High Street and Border Cot Lane in Wickham Market. The traffic survey undertaken took no account of the fact that in Wickham Market the route currently taken by many HGV's passed within feet/inches of people's homes and lives.

The Committee had stressed to Suffolk Coastal District Council that the development of Bentwaters must not be allowed to exacerbate the already difficult problem of HGV's coming through the village, which was totally unsuitable for vehicles of this size and urged that any planning permission given for the future of Bentwaters site, contain a condition requiring HGV's to use only the agreed lorry route through Melton. Wickham Market was not suitable to deal with HGV traffic, even at the current level, let alone if the development went ahead.

The Parish Council fully supported the actions of the Planning Committee.

13. FINANCIAL AND LEGAL MATTERS

13.1 Bi-monthly accounts - March/April 2011, these were noted and accepted.

13.2 Annual Accounts 2010/2011 - it was proposed by Mr Manning and seconded by Miss Pizzey and:

RESOLVED

That the Annual Accounts for 2010/2011 be adopted and submitted to the Internal Auditor.

13.3 Wickham Market Youth Football Club - It was agreed that the Annual Licence should be renewed.

13.4 As reported at the last meeting all parish councils had to be registered as an employer with HMRC and operate PAYE on the income earned by the Parish Clerk and Cemetery Administrative Officer. SALC was now offering a payroll service for both employees which would cost £11 a month in total.

RESOLVED

That the payroll service of SALC be employed for both members of staff.

13.5 Mr David Edwards had indicated that he was retiring from his post representing the Parish Council on the Barker Educational Foundation. The next meeting is scheduled for 9 January 2012.

RESOLVED

That Mr M Manning be appointed as the Parish Council representative.

14. ENVIRONMENT MATTERS

14.1 Suffolk Coastal District Council had written to advise that within the next three months the bell shaped plastic bottle banks, at the village hall car park, would be replaced by metal wheeled-bin recycling banks indicating what type of glass they accepted.

14.2 Suffolk County Council had formally written confirming that the closure of six of the seven household waste recycling centres had been delayed until at least 31 July 2011.

15. CORRESPONDENCE

15.1 A letter of thanks had been received from the Wickham Market Youth Club as a result of the £1,000 grant awarded in January 2011.

15.2 Mr Daniel Poulter MP had written concerning “Meet you MP” events that he had held elsewhere. These allowed residents to talk to him about issues that were affecting them and their area. Mr Poulter had offered to do one of these events in Wickham Market if the Parish Council felt it would be beneficial.

The Parish Council agreed that such an event would be useful to residents and asked the Clerk to arrange it.

16. SUGGESTIONS FOR NEXT AGENDA

Traffic issues on Chapel Lane.

The meeting closed at 9.15pm