Minutes of the Council Meeting Held in Lindsey Village Hall

Minutes of the Council Meeting held on Wednesday 12th November 2025 in Lindsey Village Hall, Church Road, Lindsey which commenced at 7.35pm.

In attendance: Cllrs. C Arthey (in Chair), R Corcoran, M Hainsworth, B Howe, J Moore and A Sturgeon, County Councillor J Finch (in part), District Councillor L Jamieson (in part) and Mrs V Waples, Parish Clerk.

1. Opening and Welcome

The Chair, Cllr. Arthey, opened the meeting and thanked all for attending. The statement on reporting at meetings of the parish council was read by the Clerk. The Chair opened the meeting and thanked all for attending.

2. Apologies of Absence

To receive apologies of absence – there were no applicable apologies of absence as all were present.
Apologies of absence were noted from County Cllr. Finch.

3. Declaration of Members Interest

To receive declarations of registrable, other and non-registerable interests as detailed in Appendix B of the LGA Model Code of Conduct Model Code of Conduct 2020 – Cllr. Moore declared a pecuniary for agenda item 9i. There were no further declarations of interests submitted.
There were no declarations of gifts of hospitality received exceeding £50.
There were no requests for dispensations for the agenda under discussion.

4. Minutes of Previous Meetings

To approve the minutes of the following Council Meeting:

Council Meeting of 10th September 2025 - the meeting resolved that the circulated minutes were a true and accurate record of the meeting that took place, and resolved for the Chair to sign the minutes, which was undertaken in accordance with prevailing legislation, aif.

5. Public Forum

(maximum 10 minutes)

To receive a report from County Councillor James Finch – Cllr. Finch was invited to submit his report in which he commented or drew the meeting’s attention to the following: a copy of the written report submitted can be seen at Appendix A
- Report based on what has been happening over the past six months – LGR and Devolution and Mayoral Elections.
- Tim Passmore was noted as the Conservative candidate for the Mayoral elections.
There were no questions / issues raised by Councillors for onward submission.
To receive a report from District Councillor Leigh Jamieson – Cllr. Jamieson was invited to submit his report in which he commented or drew the meeting’s attention to the following: a copy of the written report submitted can be seen at Appendix B.
- Listed Building Consent orders to allow Grade II listed buildings to add secondary glazing to existing windows but changing a single pane for double glazing is still not permitted.
- Community Governance Review.
- Call for sites 2025-2026 due to the review of the Joint Local Plan.
To receive comments from the public on the agenda as published – the clerk confirmed that no matters had been raised by the public.

6. Parish Matters

Climate Awareness / climate emergency – to receive an update / information on climate related issue coming forth – community energy plan with generation owned and utilised by the community. Use of electricity was expected to triple in the imminent future. Project would be a low cost source of energy free from price volatility. Wind, solar and battery storage could provide up to 80% of energy required. A site on the end of the village has been identified as being most suitable. Projected performance was said to be encouraging both in terms of installation costs and energy costs. Communities local to generation sites would be able to plug into the energy produced with savings on standing charges. Main issue would be the overall height of the turbine in close proximity to airfields and neighbouring properties. 40mtrs. is the height of the turbine with 60mtrs. being the overall height to the tip of the blade. Issues relating to the impact on birds and noise for the community were matters that would need to be explored further. 30mtr. towers rising to 45mtrs. have been reviewed but the energy generated was not cost effective. It was emphasized that this would be a community project overseen by a community interest company. Heating Bildeston are also reviewing similar projects and have access to advice and fundings streams. Discussion followed over whether solar farms would be more preferable to the community. Cllr. Sturgeon was asked to progress this matter further.
To receive a progress report on matters relating to:
- Traffic calming and appropriate signage on the A1141 in the vicinity of Canada Cottages and Hollow Trees Farm Shop – it was noted that a survey was first undertaken 15 years ago and that this had now been repeated at the end of October. Cllr. Finch was still awaiting those results prior to commenting further.
- Traffic calming on C720 between Church Road to Lindsey Tye – it was noted that Cllr. Finch was still to discuss this matter further with the relevant Highways Officer. A speed survey would need to be undertaken and dependent upon the results further consideration could be given to either the deployment of vehicle activated signs or whether there were other traffic calming measures that could be introduced in this area.

7. Statutory Matters

Casual Vacancy – council noted that BMSDC have confirmed that they have not received any requests for an election for the casual vacancy, so the Parish Council is able to fill the vacancy by co-option.
To consider applications from persons interested in filling the casual vacancy – there were no applications coming forward at this point in time.
Babergh District Council – Notice of Community Governance Review – council resolved that it did not wish to propose changes to parish arrangements for effective future governance.

8. Planning Matters

To consider the following planning applications:
- DC/25/03914 Proposal: Application for Listed Building Consent - Extension to dwellinghouse and alterations to existing dog kennel. Location: The Long House, Folly Farm, Waldingfield Road – all noted the less than substantial harm comment from the Heritage Officer. It was resolved to support the proposal as there would be no detrimental impact on the listed building or its setting.
- DC/25/03909 Proposal: Householder Application - Extension to dwellinghouse and alterations to existing dog kennel. Location: The Long House, Folly Farm, Waldingfield Road – it was resolved that, as the impact on residential amenities and street scene was considered to be negligible, the council would support the application as written.
To note the following planning applications determined by the local planning authority:
- DC/25/02699 – Planning permission for the erection of two-storey and single-storey extensions and alterations. Change of use of part of agricultural land to residential curtilage. Location Seagers Cottage, Kersey Road.
BMSDC - Babergh and Mid Suffolk Joint Local Plan Review: Publication of the Draft Babergh and Mid Suffolk Strategic Housing Land Availability Assessment and Forthcoming Call for Sites – all noted the publication of the SHLAA and the forthcoming call for sites.
BMSDC - Babergh and Mid Suffolk Joint Local Plan Call for Sites 2025 and Babergh and Mid Suffolk Draft Five-Year Housing Land Supply Position Statements – all noted that it was for landowners to submit sites under the Call for Sites and that there would be the opportunity for the council to comment on site submitted at a later stage. Council had no comment to submit on the Housing Land Supply position.

9. Correspondence: To Consider / Note the Following

Devolution – to note correspondence on this matter from SALC, Suffolk County Council and Babergh District Council – all noted correspondence on this matter.
SALC – Nationally Significant Infrastructure Projects Bulletin – October 2025 – all noted correspondence on this matter.
BMSDC – Town and Parish Updates – council confirmed all monthly updates are emailed to Councillors for their perusal.
SALC – to note all weekly news bulletins are emailed to Councillors for their perusal. Councillors to contact the Clerk if there are any items of interest / training courses they wish to attend.

10. Financial Matters

To consider schedule of receipts received and payments made since the last meeting – Paper A – all confirmed receipt of Paper A (details can be seen at Appendix D) noting that there were no receipts allocated into the account since the last meeting. Payments that had been made between meetings as shown on Paper A (details can be seen in Appendix D) covered the direct debit to HMRC (£249.20) for 2nd quarter of 2025-2026 PAYE due.
To consider and approve the verified items awaiting authorization as per the schedule submitted – Paper B - all confirmed receipt of Paper B (details can be seen at Appendix D) - having reviewed the paper submitted, it was resolved to approve the payment awaiting authorisation for settlement via online transfer.
To consider the Council's financial position to date – Paper C – Council noted the reconciled position of £8,269.90 once the accounts awaiting payment had been settled, aif. Councillors Corcoran and Hainsworth confirmed that they had verified the position against the bank statements and cashbook. (Details can be found at Appendix D).
To consider the council budget versus actual statement to end of November 2025 – Paper D – all reviewed the submitted paper noting the slight underspend for the year, in the main due to decreased administrative costs.
To consider the first draft of the budget for the year 1st April 2026 to 31st March 2027 – all confirmed receipt of the illustrative draft which would be formally debated at the next meeting once the tax base had been received. Council resolved to be minded to set the budget at £6,514 for the year commencing 1st April 2026.

11. Clerk’s Report

To discuss further remedial works to the village sign – a local artist, Suzanne Perry of Brett Gallery had been approached by the Chair and she had agreed to inspect the sign and provide the council with a price. The work to be undertaken would include the application of 3 coats of yacht varnish applied over the repainted sign for enhanced protection. It was noted that the Chair had agreed that the council would be responsible for the removal of the sign and transportation to and from the artist. It was resolved that, given the difficulty in sourcing someone to carry out the work, the Chair and Clerk would observe the council’s financial regulations in seeking to obtain value for money as opposed to formal estimates prior to placing a firm order.

12. Parish Councillors’ Reports

Elm Cottage – it was queried as to whether it was the responsibility as a parish council to progress the matter of the building being non weather tight to the planning department. All were in agreement that the property should not be left in this state of disrepair and all efforts should be made to bring this back into housing stock.
Issue with deliveries and housing names – it was asked as to whether there was a map of Lindsey with all dwellings located upon it. It was suggested that the “what3words” app was an appropriate app for precise location.
Hedgerow at White Rose – the hedgerow had been trimmed but it was apparent that further work was required. Discussion had also been had over how the hedgerow could be pulled back from the roadside.

13. Date of Next Meeting

All meetings will take place in the Village Hall, Church Road, Lindsey.

To note the next meeting is scheduled as 21st January 2026 – all noted the confirmed date. Post meeting note – changed to Wednesday 28th January 2026.

14. Close of Meeting

There being no other business the Chairman declared the meeting closed 9.15pm.

Appendix A – Report from County Councillor James Finch

One Suffolk plan revealed saving Suffolk £39.4 million a year with more local services - Millions of pounds of public money would be saved and reinvested in frontline services and benefits for the whole of Suffolk, if the Government backs a new plan published today (Monday 8 September). The ambitious proposal will see all of Suffolk’s six councils abolished and replaced with one new unitary council - which would deliver both local and county-wide services. The One Suffolk business case demonstrates that a single unitary for Suffolk will save £78.2 million after the first five years, while three councils would cost an eye-watering £145.3 million more than the current two-tier system. After the first five years, one council would save £39.4 million a year, whereas three would cost £13.1 million more than the current model. The business case is built on rigorous financial analysis of Suffolk-based data conducted by global advisory firm Grant Thornton, rather than generic national modelling. One Suffolk would have the capacity to create real improvements to council services which would benefit everyone, including:
- Improved financial resilience, enabling the unitary council to free up resources for frontline services and keep council tax as low as possible.
- Harmonising Council Tax to the lowest level across Suffolk. Based on current levels this would result in Band D properties seeing a reduction of £245 in Ipswich, £17 in East Suffolk, £29 in West Suffolk, £19 in Babergh and a freeze in Mid Suffolk.
- A new deal for market towns, including Ipswich, backed by a £40m capital investment fund, and a review of car parking charges and markets conducted in consultation with traders, businesses and representative bodies.
- Empowering communities by offering powers and funding to town and parish councils where these councils express a desire for additional responsibilities. Creating a new town council for Ipswich to enhance democratic representation.
- A proactive and revitalised highways service that says ‘yes’ more - acting swiftly, communicating clearly and delivering more.
- Creating a unified planning framework that delivers greater consistency, efficiency, and strategic alignment across Suffolk, paired with local planning committees so decisions are made close to home.
- Leveraging technology and innovation to create a modern council prepared for future challenges.
- Building a strong, flourishing, and resilient local economy that serves all residents, businesses, and communities.
- A stronger voice for Suffolk through effective collaboration with the new mayor, focusing on clear investment priorities that maximise benefits.
The One Suffolk campaign engaged communities from across Suffolk, with 8,189 responses to our Residents’ Survey. This made it the largest survey response rate for the county council in the past decade. Immediately after a Full Council meeting, the Council’s Cabinet approved the One Suffolk Business Plan on 16 September and submitted it to Government on 26 September. Government Ministers will be then deciding later this year which proposals to put out to public consultation, before making their final decision in early 2026. This is the Business Case – Executive summary and the full report: One Suffolk Business Case
Window now open to apply for primary school places - The deadline for applications to secure a place for primary school places, including infant and junior schools, is Thursday 15 January 2026. All applications received by the closing date are processed at the same time using the schools’ oversubscription criteria to prioritise applications when necessary. Late applications are processed after all of those received on time. Last year, Suffolk County Council received over 14,700 on time applications for pupils wishing to start at a primary or infant school, or to transfer to a junior school, or into Year 7 at a secondary school from September 2025. 94% of applicants received offers for their first preference school and 98.4% of applicants received an offer for one of their top three preferred schools.
Mapping project reaches major digital milestone - Suffolk County Council has reached a major digital milestone in putting the county on the map. It has completed the Definitive Map and Statement (DM&S) consolidation project, using modern background mapping to prepare the updated legal record of public rights of way (PROW) such as footpaths, bridleways, and byways in Suffolk. The consolidation project is the process of preparing a new digital DM&S that incorporates all legal changes since the previous issue. Moving away from hand-drawn maps and written notes, the council has created new versions of the maps from a digital database using specialist software against Ordnance Survey Mastermap base mapping. It has involved checking and digitising more than 10,500 individual routes across the county, ensuring they reflect the effects of more than 2,600 legal orders, including complex public path order packages. This ensures that Suffolk’s PROW network — which extends across thousands of miles of countryside — is properly recorded and accessible for generations to come. The updated Definitive Maps are clearer and easier to interpret and working from a digital database makes it easier to share data with a wide range of partners, including user groups, councils, developers, the National Trust, Natural England, and the Forestry Commission. Working copies of the maps are available for the public to view and download from the Rights of Way and Access pages of the Suffolk County Council website.
Councillors approve devolution deal, paving the way for major investment for Suffolk - Suffolk County Council’s cabinet has voted in favour of creating a new mayoral authority for Norfolk and Suffolk - which will bring £1 billion to the counties in the next 30 years - following overwhelming support from councillors in an extraordinary Full Council meeting on Thursday 2 October. The new mayoral combined county authority (MCCA) would have access to a starting annual investment fund of £37.4 million - funded by the government. This is in addition to devolved funding from Whitehall to deliver public services. The investment fund would enable the new mayor to support a wide range of long-term, locally-driven projects that will boost economic growth, improve infrastructure and enhance the quality of life for residents. This could include transport infrastructure, housing and education and skills.
Suffolk Business Board backs devolution as catalyst for growth - The letter outlines the Board’s strong belief that devolution will empower local leadership, attract significant investment and drive economic growth across the region. Suffolk’s £21 billion economy is among the best-connected in the UK, home to globally recognised businesses and thousands of ambitious enterprises. The Suffolk Business Board, comprising leaders from key sectors across the region, is spearheading a new economic strategy aimed at accelerating inward investment, job creation and skills development. The letter states: “The ambitions and opportunities business can deliver needs the active support of a streamlined governance structure that can help create the conditions for growth. Which is why, as local business leaders, we endorse the proposal to create a Mayoral Combined County Authority across Norfolk and Suffolk – a transformative opportunity to unlock growth, give more power and decision-making authority to local people and shape a more prosperous future for our region.” The letter also underscores the successful track record of collaboration between Suffolk and Norfolk, which has already attracted over £1.3 billion in investment and created and safeguarded more than 15,300 new jobs in recent years. The full letter from the Chairman, Mark Pendlington can be read here: Open letter from the Suffolk Business Board
Virtual Fostering and Adoption Sessions for the Stour Valley - Fostering is a flexible role with options for short term care from a weekend a month to longer term opportunities, all providing life-changing support for local children. If you want to find out more about what it's like to foster or adopt with Suffolk County Council, please call a member of the team on 01473 264800.

Appendix B – Report from District Councillor Leigh Jamieson

Listed Building Window improvements - Babergh and Mid Suffolk have one of the highest numbers of listed properties in the country. Unfortunately, owners of these historic properties often find it difficult to heat them due to their poor energy performance. Very often the single glazed windows are a significant factor in this, and it leads to higher bills for owners and is costly for the environment. Historic England says retrofitting historic buildings will be fundamental to achieving net zero. Previously owners had to apply to the councils for Listed Building Consent to make upgrades. This could be time consuming and was not always successful. The Councils, working closely with Historic England, have now introduced a new Local Listed Building Consent Order – the first rural councils in the country to achieve this. Local Listed Building Consent Orders allow local planning authorities to make a pro-active and blanket grant of consent for listed buildings within a defined area. It makes sensitive improvements quicker and easier:
- Secondary glazing on historic windows - Grade II listed buildings can now have secondary glazing installed on historic windows without needing consent from the council, subject to certain conditions.
- Replacement of windows in Grade II listed buildings with double glazing, or energy saving glass – Where original windows have already been replaced after receiving listed building consent, they can be replaced again, subject to conditions.
- Replacement of an existing window in a modern extension to a listed building - Windows in Grade II listed buildings can be replaced, or have secondary glazing installed, if they have previously received listed building consent, subject to conditions.
District Wide Governance Review - At the last Babergh Full council meeting it was agreed that a community governance review will be undertaken to look at the following aspects of governance arrangements for existing parishes:
- to consider the names and styles of any existing parish council
- to consider the number of councillors to be elected to any existing parish council; and
- to consider any grouping arrangements.
The review, which has been requested by a number of parishes in the district, will not automatically mean there will be changes but it will examine whether there is a case for change. The CGR Working Group is not seeking a particular solution at this stage. It wishes to test views and assess what solutions are the right ones to pursue with each individual parish. As a parish council you should have received a request for submissions back in May, if you wanted to submit one. No submissions were required if you are happy with the status quo.
Council Call For Sites - In preparation for the Joint Local Plan review the council has begun a ‘Call for Sites’. The Call for Sites, which began on the 20th October runs until 5pm on 9 January 2026. This invites submissions of land to be put forward for consideration to be included in Local Plans - for uses such as housing, employment, sports and leisure and community purpose although no site put forward will automatically see development take place. Each suggested site will be considered by planning teams before it is decided whether it goes forward as a proposed Local Plan site allocation. Decisions about preferred allocations will be based on a range of evidence and assessment, as well as through public engagement.
Corks Lane - The Chair of Overview and Scrutiny and I - I’m vice chair, have initiated an investigation in to the Corks Lane development. Initially we have instigated a full review of everything that has happened from 2017 until now. We will then take this before the Overview and Scrutiny committee to ascertain which areas are of greatest concern. The plan is then to seek independent advice on these areas.

Appendix C – Briefing Notes from Babergh and Mid Suffolk District Councils

Three councils for Suffolk business case submitted to the government Plans to transform local services were agreed this week by Suffolk’s district and borough councils, as well as cabinet members, and have been submitted to the Government.
Case for Change plans to revolutionise Suffolk council services published Plans to revolutionise council services in Suffolk – delivering real improvements for local communities, saving at least £34m a year, and reinvesting £20m of that money annually into council services – have been published.
Grant returns to tackle winter loneliness A grant aimed at tackling social isolation during the colder months has returned for a third consecutive year thanks to continued funding from Babergh and Mid Suffolk District Councils.
Babergh District Council partners with EEZYBIKE to launch new e-bikes in Lavenham Residents and visitors in Lavenham can now hire EEZYBIKEs that are stored in an EEZYPOD in the Cock Inn car park, off Church Street.
Pre-school places, playgrounds and village facilities receive funding boost Pre-school provision, playgrounds, footpaths to connect villages and village hall improvements are amongst the successful bids to receive Community Infrastructure Levy funding, following agreement by cabinet members at Babergh District Council.
Babergh and Mid Suffolk District Councils restate objections to pylon project as application submitted Both Babergh and Mid Suffolk District Councils have objected to the “considerable and potentially devastating impacts” of National Grid’s Norwich to Tilbury project, with pylons proposed to cut through communities and countryside, including some of the districts’ most sensitive landscapes.
Communities brave the elements to show support for elite cyclists Organisers of the Lloyds Tour of Britain thanked communities for braving the elements and turning out in force to support the race through town and villages across our districts.
32,000 solar panels and counting for Solar Together Suffolk project The successful Solar Together Suffolk scheme is now open for registration for 2025.
Unparalleled parking in Babergh and Mid Suffolk Babergh and Mid Suffolk District Councils have earned 19 Park Mark and Park Access awards for their work improving safety and accessibility in their car parks.
More students given opportunity to debate climate issues at COP-style event Almost 100 year 8 and 9 students from schools across Babergh and Mid Suffolk will take part in a COP-style event next month.
VCFSE funding summits The Babergh and Mid Suffolk grants and funding team will be hosting a free funding summit on Wednesday 19 November at Chamberlin Hall, Bildeston, from 9am to 2.30pm. The event will help community organisations access the funding they need and is being delivered in partnership with Suffolk Community Foundation, Community Action Suffolk, Suffolk County Council and the National Lottery Community Fund. Book online: Conference Booking Form : AideCRM

Appendix D – Financial Report

Items received since the last meeting:

Income	Description	Nett	VAT	Gross	Ref
Total Income	£0.00

Items Paid out since the last meeting:

Income	Description	Nett	VAT	Gross	Ref
23.10.25	HMRC – PAYE – 2nd Qtr.	249.20	0.00	249.20	DD
Total Expenditure	£249.20

Items Authorized for Payment:

Expenditure	Description	Nett	VAT	Gross	Ref
Clerk	Clerk’s Salary & Expenses	598.45	0.00	598.45	BACS
Total Expenditure	£598.45

Financial Report

Date	£
Opening Balance 04.09.25	9117.55
Add Income Received October to November	0.00
Less Expenditure Incurred October to November	249.20
Less Verified Expenditure 12.11.25	598.45
Closing Balance 12.11.25	8269.90

Bank Reconciliation

Community Account Statement at 06.11.25	8868.35
Less uncleared payments	598.45
Plus unaccredited income	0.00
Reconciled Total As at 12.11.25	8269.90

Within the balance above are the following reserves:

(Restricted) CIL reserve - £4,478.18
Earmarked General reserve - £1,331.75
Election reserve - £836.59
General Fund - £1,623.38