| 4. |
Police Report. (direct copy of the report given by PCSO
Bales) Reported Crimes. From 17th September
2007 until 15th October 2007 there were two reported
crimes in Debenham, one of theft and one of harassment.
Reporting Crimes We often meet people who tell is about
criminal activity and anti-social behaviour but when we ask them
to make a complaint they refuse; mainly for the following
reasons: They don’t want to get involved; Fear of reprisals;
They feel a warning will be sufficient and do not wish to take
the matter further. If no one makes a complaint it limits our
options when tackling community problems. I would like to take
this opportunity to encourage people to come forward if they are
experiencing criminal or anti-social behaviour and help us do
something about it.
The Weekends. On Friday 5th October we
conducted a planned high visibility operation involving seven
officers from three different stations. The aim was to target
anti-social behaviour in Debenham, particulary on Friday nights.
The officers dealt with a large group of young people who had
come into the village from as far away as Ipswich, many of the
youths were questioned and searched with alcohol being
confiscated where appropriate. At 23.15hrs the group was ordered
to disperse with local youths to return home and non-residents
to leave the village and not return for at least 24 hours. In
all seven officers were on patrol, both on foot and in vehicles,
for approximately three and half hours.
Contact Us. Please feel free to contact any of the
officers at Debenham Police Station regarding criminal,
suspicious or antisocial activities or call the Community
Information Hotline on 01284 774029.
PCSO Bales further informed the meeting that tickets had been
issued to dangerous and illegally parked vehicles. However the
procedure being followed was to track down the owner of the
vehicle to raise their awareness of the problem, if the vehicle
was seen to be parked in such a location again a ticket would be
issued. One Councillor asked if there was anything that could be
done about drivers using Chancery Lane as a cut though. PCSO
Bales said he had on numerous occasions stood at the Primary
School end to diffract from vehicles using the lane other then
for access. Unfortunately experience had proven that people
always have an un-provable excuse for why they are using the
lane. It is very easy to say that you are visiting a friend in
the lane but very difficult for the Police to prove otherwise
unless they follow you to that address. |
| In addition,
PCSO Bales confirmed that more parking tickets had been issued
around the village, particularly in the area of the schools. Car
owners are asked to conform with the clearly marked parking
restrictions. It was agreed to bring item 12.3 forward |
| 12.3 |
Speed
Watch. Update. Cllr Moreton explained that seven volunteers
had now been fully trained and vetted and the Speed Watch was
all set to commence, apart from the issuing of I.D Cards by the
police for which photos had been taken the previous week. Ten
suggested locations had been reviewed by Colin Gray of the
Suffolk Police but unfortunately three had been deemed not to be
suitable. It was noted that the volunteers had no power to issue
fines for speeding but that details would be taken of all
vehicles exceeding the speed limit and given to the Police,
where a letter would be sent to the registered owner of the
vehicle to caution them to slow down. If the same vehicle is
caught again a final warning would be issued. If the vehicle is
caught speeding a third time then the Police will take legal
action and issue a speeding fine. PCSO Chris Bales stated that
the local Police were keen for the scheme to work as it acts as
a deterrent. It was hoped that if proven successful in Debenham
that the scheme would be taken out to other villages. Chris
expressed his thanks to Cllr Moreton for all his hard work.
|
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|
| 5. |
County Councillors Report. Apologies
received.
|
| |
|
| 6. |
District Councillors Report. District Cllr Kathy Guthrie
informed the meeting that the House Waste disposal site at Eye
was now open again with free compost being given to members of
the public. It was reported that this news had been well
received. Recent problems caused by the low flying helicopters
where horses had been frightened had been taken up with RAF
Wattisham, who had apologised for any inconvenience caused but
had explained that the training was needed in low flying
techniques. It was recommended that individuals write to RAF
Wattisham if at all distressed by the situation. |
| |
|
| 7. |
Meeting open to allow members of the public to speak for 10
minutes. The meeting was opened to the public at 8.05pm,
no comments received. |
| |
|
| 8. |
Planning applications received |
| |
|
| 9.1 |
2782/07 Poplar Hall Barn, Low Road, Debenham. Alter
fenestration to existing residential barn. Following discussion
of the application Cllr Moreton proposed, seconded by Cllr
Bull agreed by all that support be given for this
application. |
| |
|
| 9.2 |
2476/07 19 Henniker Road, Debenham. Erection of first floor
extension. Council discussed this application and also
considered the letter of objection that had been received. Cllr
Huish proposed, seconded by Cllr Lamb agreed by all that due to
the loss of amenity to No 3 that the Council does not support
this application. |
| |
|
| 9.3 |
2590/07 Land above Wetheringsett Road, Mickfield. Potential
Wind Energy Development. The Chair explained that the
application received was in fact an opinion scoping application
in order to obtain the feelings of the communities which would
be affected if the Wind Farm was permitted to be built. It was
proposed that the initial development would consist of four to
five windmills. Mickfield had been assigned as the ideal
location by MSDC as it could be considered as being an
industrial site and therefore could be classed as brown field.
One member stated that in her opinion most wind farms propose
one size when in reality on completion the site is actually
bigger. It was also felt important to note that recent studies
on the wind farms in Germany had proven that the amount of
electricity being produced was below the specified output. One
Councillor stated that the windmills are far more aesthetically
pleasing on the eye then the existing Mendlesham mast, but may
pose as a distraction to drivers on the A140. Following more
discussion eleven in agreement, one abstention that the
following points be submitted to MSDC.
§1 The Wind Turbines could be a
serious distraction to drivers on an already dangerous
A140.
§2 The proposed site is used as
agricultural land but is a former airfield and could
therefore be classed as a Brown Field site
§3 Relatively few residential
properties will be significantly impacted, however those
at Wetherup Street are very close to the site.
§4 It is recognised that
generation from renewables is an important initiative,
however land based wind farms have a greater impact on
communities than those which are sea based and should be
avoided whenever possible.
§5 Adjacent residents to the
proposed site must be individually contacted and
consulted.
§6 There may be other comments
forthcoming as the consultation proceeds.
|
| |
|
| 9.4 |
2517/07 Wanda Cottage, Pettaugh. Change of use to a
residential school for a maximum of 6 pupils. Members discussed
the application. It was noted that the residents of the school
typically suffered behavioural problems. Members further noted
that a similar institution in the 1960s and ‘70s known as
Kerrison School Thorndon, had hugely benefited the local
community. It was also stressed that the Council was considering
a planning application and that the normal rules relating to
material or valid planning objections would apply. Cllr Lamb
proposed, seconded by Cllr Winrow-Giffin eight in agreement, two
against and two abstentions that support be given for this
application as it was felt that no material objections applied
and that the Council could not object to an organisation which
was trying to improve the lives of young people from unfortunate
backgrounds. |
| |
|
| 10. |
Accounts for payment for September |
| |
|
| 10.1 |
UK Hosts
Internet Limited Domain management for Oct 07 |
94.00 |
| |
|
|
| 10.2 |
Barry
Woods. Website Editing for Oct 07 |
100.00 |
| |
|
|
| 10.3 |
GB
Contracts. Grass cutting. Playarea, One cut September |
No invoice |
| |
|
|
| 10.4 |
GB
Contracts. Grass cutting. URC Burial Ground One cut September |
No invoice |
| |
|
|
| 10.5 |
GB
Contracts. Grass cutting. Cemetery One cut September |
No invoice |
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|
|
| 10.6 |
GB
Contracts. Grass cutting. Churchyard, One cut September |
No invoice |
| |
|
|
| 10.7 |
B&G
Services. WC Cleaning 27th August 07 to 30th
September. Five Weeks |
858.34 |
| |
|
|
| 10.8 |
Clerk
wages. 17th September to 12th October 4
weeks |
683.32 |
| |
|
|
| 10.9 |
Inland
Revenue. Clerk Tax and NI |
131.82 |
| |
|
|
| 10.10 |
Clerks
Expenses Printer cartridges, stamps and mileage |
45.73 |
| |
|
|
| 10.11 |
Mark
Sillett Street Cleaning. 10th September 07 to 12th
October 07 |
644.08 |
| |
|
|
| 10.12 |
SCC
Environment and Transport. Payment for new WC sign and Cemetery,
Playarea etc sign |
341.12 |
| |
|
|
| 10.13 |
Monster
Play Systems. Equipment for Upper Gardeners Play area.
|
5740.44 |
| |
|
|
| 10.14 |
Section
145 (Arts and Entertainment) Donation |
|
| |
|
|
| a) |
Debenham Christmas Fayre |
100.00 |
| |
|
|
| 10.15 |
River
Deben Internal Drainage Board. Allotment drainage |
6.71 |
| |
|
|
| 10.16 |
MSDC
Election costs for May 07 |
89.81 |
| |
|
|
| 10.17 |
Digital
Photocopier Systems. Sep 07 – Dec 07 |
31.41 |
|
Cllr Walters proposed, seconded by Cllr Huish all agreed
that the above payments be made
|
| 11. |
Receipts |
| |
|
|
| 11.1 |
Website |
300.00 |
| |
|
|
| 11.2 |
Cemetery
Fees |
335.10 |
| |
|
|
| 11.3 |
Allotment Rent |
252.88 |
| Noted by Council |
| 12. |
Working Groups |
| |
|
| 12.1 |
Street Lights |
| |
|
| a) |
Removal of light attached to the rear of the Red Lion. Update.
The Clerk reported that the order had been sent to Suffolk
County Council over a month ago and that it had been chased
several times. An e-mail had been received that day from Greg
King stating that as of the 15th October the order
had not been received from Chris Goldring. The Clerk was asked
to request the County Councillors assistance in resolving this
matter. |
| |
|
| b) |
Little Back Lane Consultation results. Decision. Comments
received from members of the public had suggested that another
design of street light could be obtained and installed. Cllr
Moreton explained that this option had been explored but was
deemed not viable due to the increased maintenance costs of
having just one light from another supplier. Our existing
contractor, Suffolk County Council, are very competitive in
their energy and maintenance costs and unfortunately do not
carry spares for any model of street light that they do not
supply. The suggested light which was included in the
consultation had been recommended by the Street Light Department
at Suffolk County Council as it not only was acceptable to the
Conservation Officer if it was painted black but it also met all
the criteria regarding the spillage of light. Eighty-four votes
had been received on the website of which 55% were in favour of
a replacement light outside the toilets, 22% were against and 5%
gave other suggestions of lighting Little Back Lane, including
putting a light in the trees at the top of the lane and leaving
the toilet lights on for longer. Various comments were also
posted onto the website and all comments were copied to Council
for consideration in the final decision. It was agreed that
adequate lighting is fundamental for safety as it is a road and
not a footpath. Cllr Winrow-Giffin proposed, seconded by Cllr
Whayman agreed by all that the proposed light standard in
black is installed adjacent to the toilets. |
| |
|
| 12.2 |
Play
Area Working Group |
| |
|
| a) |
Update on Upper Gardeners Road Play Area. Fence / Gate / Play
Equipment. The meeting was informed that the equipment was
now in place and was being well used by the local children. An
e-mail had been received from Chris Fry at MSDC stating that if
the Parish Council pay for the gate and barrier then MSDC would
reimburse the cost from the 106 Agreement. Agreement of bridging
loan will be on the agenda for November. Feedback received to
date for the new equipment had indicated that the children were
ecstatic. Some parents had asked whether the installation meant
that the equipment on The Meadows would now be installed. It was
reported that MSDC have the responsibility for the installation
of equipment for The Meadows, whereas the Parish Council had the
responsibility for the Upper Gardeners Play Area. It was agreed
that the press would be invited to an official opening once the
gate and barrier had been installed. |
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| 12.4. |
Website. |
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|
| a) |
Polling Question. Decision. Cllr Morley proposed, agreed
by all that the following polling question, which has been
approved by the Neighbourhood Team, be submitted to the website.
‘Policing of Debenham....Has the introduction of Safer
Neighbourhood Policing teams improved visible presence of
uniformed officers patrolling our streets ?’ |
| |
|
| b) |
Monthly Report. £300.00 had been received from the new
sponsor with two other companies wanting to be the "sole"
sponsor of the website. It was agreed that the Editor would be
negotiating with all concerned to achieve an agreeable outcome.
The Website was now on track to becoming self sufficient in the
near future, which is excellent news and a real testament to
Barry’s work. Cllr Morley proposed agreed by all that the
archiving policy states that minutes from January 2003 to the
present day would all be on the website. Minutes prior to this
date would be available as a hard copy on application to the
Clerk. |
| |
|
| 13. |
Highways |
| |
|
| 13.1 |
Cross
Green. Progress to date. The Chairman invited the District
Councillor to update the meeting on the progress to date.
Members were informed that a pack had been put together to be
put to the Executive Committee at MSDC on the 29th
October 07. It was reported that the pack contained archived
photographs of the road including when the Fire Station was
located where the resource centre is now and also showed
pictures of lines on the road indicating that it was then
maintained by either District or County Councils. The
documentation also contained strong arguments for the Executive
Committee to overturn their original decision and adopt the road
or at least accept responsibility along with other parties for
its repair and future maintenance. |
| The District
Councillor left the meeting at 9.30pm |
| 13.2 |
Extension of the yellow lines out side Neaves. Decision.
Council discussed and some members thought that introducing more
restrictions on parking would put people off visiting the
village. Cllr Lorenzo proposed, seconded by Cllr Walters
that the yellow lines are not extended. Cllr Huish proposed
an amendment which was seconded by Cllr Winrow-Giffin that a
priority system be investigated for the short section of roadway
fro Neaves to Priory Lane. Members were requested to vote on the
amended proposal. Eight in favour, four against. Amended
motion passed. |
| |
|
| 14. |
Woodland and Waterways |
| |
|
| 14.1 |
Report from AGM on 1st October 2007. One member stated that
the Woodland Committee must request a budget from the Parish
Council for the Woodland in writing for inclusion in the precept
build. Also that the responsibility for the path entrancing the
woodland must be confirmed as it was constructed for the sole
purpose of the accessing the woodland and lake. |
| |
|
| 14.2 |
Minutes from the AGM on the 2nd October 2006.
Noted and appended to these minutes. |
| |
|
| 15. |
Cherry Tree Green. Decision to send letter to MSDC requesting
that the path be widened to accommodate wheel chairs and
buggies. It was reported that the path was very narrow and
it was doubtful whether it met the current DDA standards, even
with little growth of the conifer hedge which is planted
directly beside the path. The Clerk agreed to write a letter to
the owner of the path, MSDC, requesting that the path be widened
to accommodate wheel chairs and push chairs without the need to
have to go on the grass. |
| |
|
| 16. |
Issues raised by parishioners at the Surgery on the 6th
October 07 |
| |
|
| 16.1 |
Inconsiderate parking in Aspall Road and other areas in the
village. This problem had been reported to the Police
and PCSO Bales had assured the Clerk that the Police were far
more active and had been issuing warnings and tickets to
offenders. |
| |
|
| 16.2 |
Chancery Lane (URC end). The access only signs are either hidden
by foliage or are too low. Cllr Bull offered to cut the
foliage which was obscuring the sign. |
| |
|
| 16.3 |
Request a brown MSDC supplied wheelie bin for garden waste.
It was agreed that the District Cllr Kathy Guthrie would be
asked to take this matter up directly with MSDC. |
| |
|
| 16.4 |
Four
requests for Little Back Lane to be lit once the street light at
the rear of the Red Lion has been removed. Noted.
|
| |
|
| 17. |
Village Plan. To decide on date for launch night. It was
suggested that Suffolk Acre be invited to have a stand at a
local event to publicise the Parish Plan and its benefits to the
community. It was further recommended that Suffolk Acre be
contacted and invited to suggest a date for the third week in
January where they would be available to attend an event to
promote the Parish Plan. The Council would then send individual
invitions to the organisations within the village inviting them
to the event to try and encourage volunteers. The Clerk
agreed to contact Suffolk Acre. |
| |
|
| 18. |
Clerks’ report / Action List. The Clerk reported that there
was no report this month other then the items reported under
item 20 as there had been no change to the actions. It was
agreed that the list be sent out via e-mail to all members in
the hope that progress could be made. |
| |
|
| 19. |
Correspondence circulated among council |
| a) |
MSDC Cultural and
Community Services. Response to letter requesting a new
information board. In pack |
| b) |
MSDC Waste and
Environmental Services. Cleansing grant claim. For information
|
| c) |
Woodland Committee.
Letter in response to request to repair path to DDA standard |
| d) |
SALC : The Local
Councillor |
| e) |
MSDC Building
Control. Street name for Affordable Housing Development.
Confirmation of original suggestion ‘Orchid Close’. Cllr Morely
had already confirmed this with MSDC. |
| |
|
| 20. |
Correspondence
sent |
| a) |
SCC Highways
Department. Request for Zebra Crossing |
| b) |
Planning Policy
Local Development Consultation Response |
| c) |
Land Bid Response –
The meeting was informed that our first submission would be
taken as a guidance but there would be more consultation.
|
| d) |
Review of SCC
accommodation for older people response |
| e) |
MSDC review of
licensing policy -response |
| f) |
Allotment receipts |
| g) |
SCC Highways. Letter
regarding the repair to Henry Street / Gardeners Road before the
completion of the Meadows Development. |
| h) |
Letter to
parishioner regarding the topple testing |
| i) |
Letter to tenant
explaining the need for the annual 10% increase in allotment
rent. |
| |
|
| 21. |
Chair’s urgent
business: any items not on this agenda but of such urgency as to
Merit, in the Chairman’s opinion, immediate action. The
Chairman reported that he was unsure of the allocation of the
Affordable Houses and was trying to obtain the details of how
many of the eleven houses had been allocated to people with a
close connection with Debenham. |
| |
|
| 22. |
Meeting open
to allow members of public the public to speak for 10 minutes.
No comments received. |
| |
|
| 23. |
Any other
business – for information exchange only. Cllr Evans
informed the meeting that there would be a site meeting with
David Benham and his team from MSDC to discuss various planning
options of the memorial garden on the URC Burial Ground. The
Clerk was requested to put a reminder in the Parish Magazine of
the request not to put posters on trees and telegraph /
electricity poles through out the village. Cllr
Winrow-Giffin reported that the Probation Service had agreed to
carry out the clearance of various identified areas and would
require skips for the disposal of the rubbish. It was agreed
that this would be an agenda item for November. |