DEBENHAM PARISH COUNCIL

 

Minutes of the Meeting held on Monday 11th December 2006 at 7.30 p.m. at Dove Cottage

 

Present: Councillors Mr M Morley (in the chair), Mr A Moreton , Mrs Winrow-Giffin, Mrs C Hellier, Mrs I Bull, Mrs H Huish, Mr P Lorenzo, Mrs A Evans, Mr R Walters, Mrs L Cockerton, the Clerk Miss N Rush and one member of the public.

 

1.

Apologies for absence. Apologies received from Cllrs Grover and Skelton

 

 

2.

To receive declarations of interest relating to this agenda No declarations made in relation to this agenda.

 

 

3.

To approve Minutes of the Planning Meeting held 13th November 06. A query was raised over the decision made by the Council in the public session. The Clerk informed members that following advice from SALC it is good practice to resume standing orders during a public session for Council to pass a resolution, however in this instance the proposal was for the Clerk to send a letter regarding a health and safety issuewhich was urgent and did not need a Council decision. Cllr Evans stated that she had sent her apologies to the Clerk via e-mail, unfortunately the e-mail was never received therefore the record of apologies at the meeting is accurate. There being no further comments Cllr Moreton proposed, seconded by Cllr Walters six in favour, four abstentions that the minutes be signed as a true and correct record.

 

 

4.

Suspension of standing orders: for ten minutes: to allow members of the public to speak. All agreed that standing orders should be suspended at 7.35pm. Mrs Dalison addressed the Council from the Public Gallery thanking them for the strimming of the verge along Ipswich Road and requesting that thanks be conveyed to the Woodland group for the new netting on the bridge which prevents people from slipping over. Further thanks were given to the Christmas Tree working party who have achieved a magnificent display. The Chairman requested that standing orders be resumed at 7.37pm, all agreed. Cllr Winrow-Giffin proposed, seconded by Cllr Moreton all in favour that a letter of thanks be sent to Bob Daniels at the Highways Department for the strimming work carried out on Ipswich Road. Cllr Morley proposed all in favour that a letter of thanks be sent to Kevin Voller for his speed in installing the wire netting across the bridge at the lake.  The Chairman formally thanked the Christmas Tree group and Dr Huish for their hard work and commented on how beautiful the tree looks and that the tree is a major feature in the village.  

 

 

5.

Planning applications

 

5.1

2888/06 52 Gardeners Road, Debenham. Extension to bungalow. One Councillor raised concern that it was overdevelopment of the plot however the concern was allayed by another Councillor who informed the meeting that the proposed development would be at the rear of the existing property and would not be seen from the road. Cllr Huish proposed, seconded by Cllr Moreton eight in favour, two against that approval is recommended with the caveat that there are no objections from the neighbours.

 

 

5.2

2862/06 Maltings House, Kenton Road, Debenham. Outdoor swimming pool and erection of garden shed. Following discussion Cllr Lorenzo proposed, seconded by Cllr Evans all in favour that approval is recommended for this application.

 

6.

Applications received since publication of agenda. None received

 

 

7.

To agree on final recommendations for submission to MSDC Planning

Department. The Clerk read out the recommendations, all agreed that these be submitted to MSDC Planning Department.

 

 

8.

MSDC notifications received:

 

2483/06 7 Lock Close, Debenham. Erection of single storey pitched roof extension. Planning Permission Granted.

 

1242/06 Crows Hall Debenham. Change of use from agricultural land to recreational use for all weather riding mιnage, including associated land drainage. Planning permission granted. It was noted that the permission did not include the proposed exterior lights.

 

1247/06 Crows Hall, Debenham. Demolition of existing fleton brick and asbestos roofed bore hole pump house and replacement with enlarged timber framed pump house. Listed Building Consent Granted.

 

 

9.

Proposed diversion of Footpath No 37 and Bridleway No38 (part). One member stated that they objected to the proposed change to bridle path No 38 as it currently joined with two other bridle paths which are all in regular use. Members were further informed that the proposed route was over land not owned by the applicant and concluded with a bridge access onto the lower level of Low Road which when wet would be extremely dangerous. It was also noted that there was no evidence that the owners of the land for the proposed route had been consulted and that it was understood that the applicants had been reported as intentionally blocking the bridleway. Cllr Winrow-Giffin proposed, seconded by Cllr Hellier agreed by all that refusal is recommended for the rerouting of bridle way No 38 due to the potential imposed danger to riders and horses, no evidence that the owners of the land where the proposed route be located having been consulted and the existing route being a vital component of a well used circular route. No objection was raised to the rerouting of footpath No 37.  

 

 

10.

Consideration of revised radius criteria for housing association houses in the village. Following discussion Council agreed that the existing criteria should be adhered to, where any vacant property be offered initially to those on the waiting list residing in Debenham, if no applicants then the property can be offered to those on the waiting list residing in the immediate surrounding villages and then offered to those residing in a wider area. The Clerk agreed to obtain a copy of the allocation policy from Barbara Roode at the housing association.

 

 

11.

Formulation of response to Planning Department Questionnaire. The Clerk agreed to write a letter to the planning department detailing the administrative problems she had experienced whilst obtaining the recent permission for the New Urn Garden.     Clerk

 

12.

Payments. Decision

 

 

 

 

 

 

12.1

UK Hosts. Domain management Dec 06

117.50

 

 

12.2

B&G Services. WC Cleaning

686.67

 

 

12.3

Heelis and Lodge. Audit costs –  05/06 interim and year end

295.00

 

 

12.4

Jacky Hunt – Locum Clerk – Fee 20/11/06 – 24/11/06

73.15

 

 

12.5

Jacky Hunt – Expenses. Mileage and 3 x 1st class stamps. 20/11/06 – 27/11/06

16.19

 

 

12.6

Reeza Awoodun. Website Editing Dec 06

100.00

 

 

12.7

Nikki Rush. Clerk wages. 20th November – 8th December 06

Deferred to the 18th

 

 

12.8

Nikki Rush. Expenses 20th November to 8th December 06

Deferred to the 18th

 

 

12.9

Mark Sillett. Street Cleaning. 20th November to 8th December 06

468.00

 

 

 

 

 

A member requested Council  give special consideration of the payment of item 12.3 with respect to the vastly increased audit charge. Council were informed that the cost of the audit for 04/05 was £90.00 but had now risen to £205.00 for the 05/06 audit. An explanatory letter accompanied the invoice explaining that the fees had risen as from 1st May 06; however no advice had been received previously to this effect. The other part of the invoice was for time spent trying to discover where the anomaly in the 05/06 accounts was. Unfortunately the internal auditor was unsuccessful and recommended that the accounts be given to an accountant for balancing. Members questioned why the Council should pay for a professional service which did not achieve its purpose. The Clerk agreed to write a letter to the Internal Auditor explaining Councils concerns.

Cllr Walters proposed, seconded by Cllr Moreton all in favour that all of the accounts be paid except item 12.3.  

 

 

 

 

13.

Receipts. To note

 

 

13.1

Allotment rent

19.39

 

 

13.2

Cemetery Fees

33.00

 

Council noted the receipts as read out by the Chair.

 

 

 

 

14.

Provision of new answer phone for parish office. Estimated maximum cost £50.00. The Clerk explained that the existing parish answering machine was faulty with respect that the outgoing message being very faint and unclear. The trouble shooting section of the manual had been consulted but the outcome remained the same. One Councillor asked whether the answering machine was still under guarantee, to which the Clerk replied that it was not. Cllr Morley proposed from the chair, all in favour that the Clerk be permitted to purchase a new telephone / answering machine at a cost not exceeding £50.00 

 

 

 

 

15.

Signing of withdrawal form for National Savings Bank. The Clerk asked Cllr Cockerton, as previous Clerk and administrator of the bank account to contact the National Savings Bank to obtain a closing balance. The request was refused as it was stated that the NSB book should be returned with the signed form and a request for the account to be closed. The Chairman Cllr Morley and the Vice Chair Cllr Moreton signed the form for the Clerk to return to the NSB.

 

 

 

 

16.

Section 137

 

 

16.1

Eye Volunteer Centre. Donation request. The Clerk informed members that £25.00 had been allocated to Eye Volunteer Centre in the 06/07 precept. Cllr Huish proposed, seconded by Cllr Walters all in favour that a donation of £25.00 be given to the Eye Volunteer Centre.

 

 

 

 

17.

Suspension of standing orders: for ten minutes: to allow members of the public to speak All agreed that standing orders be suspended at 8.42pm. Mrs Dalison informed council of the achievement of Clare Holm who had recently returned from Italy after being awarded a team gold in the under 23’s cross country running competition. Standing orders resumed at 8.43pm Cllr Huish proposed, seconded by Cllr Evans agreed by all that the Clerk write a letter on behalf of the Council congratulating Clare on her fantastic achievement.

 

 

 

 

Meeting adjourned at 8.44pm, reconvened at 9pm

 

 

 

 

18.

Presentation on the Village Plan. The Chairman Cllr Morley and Vice Chairman Cllr Moreton gave a very professional, thought provoking presentation on the proposed new Parish Plan which is to update the existing Village Appraisal which was carried out approximately six years ago. Cllr Moreton proposed, seconded by Cllr Walters agreed by all that an update of the Parish Plan should be conducted. Members were informed that Suffolk Acre were keen to be involved in the production of Parish Plans and would, if Council desired, send a representative to give a presentation on the recommended approach in a specific public consultation meeting. Cllr Morley proposed nine in agreement, one abstention that Suffolk Acre be approached with the view to giving a presentation at a public consultation meeting.

 

 

 

 

19.

A.O.B. For information exchange only. Members were informed that the date for taking down the Christmas tree and removing the Cypress Tree on Market green would be Saturday 6th January 07. The working party requested the assistance of more Councillors.  Now that the date was fixed, Clerk was asked to contact all residents in the vicinity who would be directly effected.

 

 

 

 

20.

Date of next meeting Monday 18th December 06

 

 

Meeting closed at 9.50pm