A Parish Council Meeting was held on Wednesday 11th March 2020 and commenced at 7.30pm in the village hall. The Chairman, Mr. Arthey welcomed the following Parish Cllrs. to the meeting – R Corcoran, M Hainsworth, B Howe, J Moore and A Sturgeon. Also present were District Cllr. L. Jamieson (in part) and Mrs V Waples (Clerk).
A statement was read out indicating that, in accordance with the changes in legislation, the public and councillors were permitted to film, record, photograph or use social media in order to report on the proceedings of the meeting. A full transcript of the statement is available from the Clerk upon request.
Apologies of Absence
- Apologies of absence were received from Cllr. R Howe due to personal commitments.
- Council consented to accept these apologies, aif.
- Council was informed that County Cllr. Finch had also submitted his apologies.
Declarations of Interest
- Local non-pecuniary interests were submitted as follows: Cllr. Arthey as Chair of the Village Hall Committee and Cllr. Howe as a member of the Village Hall Committee – both for agenda item 8b. There were no further declarations of pecuniary or local non-pecuniary interests for the agenda under discussion. There were no declarations of gifts of hospitality received exceeding £25.
- There were no requests for dispensations for the agenda under discussion.
Minutes of Previous Meetings
Minutes of the Parish Council Meeting of 15th January 2020 and 29th January 2020 were approved by all as a true and accurate record and signed as such by the Chairman.
Parish Matters
To receive updates on items raised at previous meetings
- Village Sign – to receive an update on the moving of the village sign – it was noted that the base had now been installed and the sign itself would be installed shortly.
- Flood at White Rose Crossroads – Clerk was asked to chase for action once again. Agreed that there was a need for a digger to clear the ditch from the crossroads to follow down past properties along Rose Green Road. Agreed that SCC Highways should be chased once again for remedial action.
Public Forum
- To receive a report from County Councillor James Finch – Cllr. Finch, having previously indicated that he would not be in attendance, had submitted a written report, a copy of which can be read at Appendix A.
- To receive a report from District Councillor Leigh Jamieson – Cllr. Jamieson was invited to submit his report, a copy of which can be read at Appendix B.
- To receive comments from the public present on agenda items – none present.
- To receive comments from the public present on any other issues concerning the village – none present.
Correspondence
To receive and consider correspondence as itemised:
- BMSDC - Town and Parish Council Liaison Meeting - Additional Information and Overview – Council noted the previously circulated documents airing from the meeting that had taken place during the first week in February.
- SCC – Highways – 2020 Grass Cutting Programme – Council noted a single cut was due for June 2020.
- SALC – Coronavirus update – all were aware that regular updates from both SALC and NALC would be provided on SALC’s website - https://www.salc.org.uk/ and all were encouraged to review the information and pass onto residents as appropriate.
- BMSDC – Community Governance Review - Council noted the intention in each District Council in April 2020 to recommend to full Council that a full Community Governance Review of all the Parishes and Towns in the Babergh and Mid Suffolk district areas is conducted during 2020.
Statutory Business
- To carry out the annual review of the Council’s Policies – the meeting reviewed the adopted policies of the council and agreed that they were fit for purpose and that the Council agreed to adhere to them as written. Policies reviewed were: Complaints Procedure; Data and Electronic Information Retention Policy; Data and Information Security Policy; Disciplinary Rules; Dispensation Policy; Freedom of Information Procedures (Policy for handling requests for information); Grant Awarding Policy; Grievance and Disciplinary Procedure; Protocol for Recording; Privacy Policy – General; Reimbursement of Expenses Procedure; Subject Access Policy and Training Policy.
Clerk’s Report
- To consider schedule of receipts received since the last meeting – Paper A – it was confirmed that the sum of £350 had been received from the profits of the Roundabout Magazine since the last meeting. Council agreed that a letter should be sent thanking Mrs Burt for the monies and that the identified project is to be the renovation and relocation of the village sign.
- To consider and approve the verified items awaiting authorization as per the schedule submitted – Paper A - Council was in agreement that those items identified should be paid, aif. A full list can be found at Appendix C the end of these minutes. Council was in agreement that Cllrs. Hainsworth and B Howe be added to the bank mandate with full signatory powers.
- To consider and receive the bank reconciliation to date – Paper B - the bank balance showed funds to the value of £788.60 taking into account the approved cheques as identified in agenda item 8ii above.
- To consider the draft year-end position for the year end 31st March 2020 – Paper C – Council noted the indicative year-end position with expected movement of £72 into the account as a VAT receipt.
- To consider the Council’s draft year-end reserve position – Paper D – Council noted the indicative position that overall reserves should stand at £860.
- To review and approve the Council's Asset Register – Paper E – Council noted that there had been no movement in the asset register for the year under review. It was noted that the register would need to be changed once the village sign had been relocated. An explanation of how a local authority’s asset register should be held within accordance with Proper Practices was provided to all present.
- To review the Council's Financial Risk Assessment – Paper F & Appendix – it was agreed to make an amendment to topic Council’s records to reflect the risk of the dangers surrounding cyber security and to change the risk category to Medium. Staff action would cover review of insurance, review of email address and manner in which secure information was sent.
Planning Applications
(note planning applications not circulated prior to meeting).
- To consider planning applications received: there were none received.
- To note planning applications determined by the local planning authority: there were none received.
Parish Councillors’ Reports
To receive reports on village issues from Councillors present –
- Cllr. Sturgeon asked that thanks be offered to the Chair for the clearing of ditches along Church Road and gullies along Kersey Road.
Date of Next Meeting
Annual Parish Council Meeting on 20th May 2020 commencing at 7.00pm following by the Annual Parish Council Meeting at 7.45pm in the Village Hall, Church Road, Lindsey, dependent upon advice from HM Government via NALC and SALC.
There being no other business the Chairman declared the meeting closed at 8.25pm.
Appendix A – County Councillor James Finch Report
County Council approves budget to increase spending for vulnerable residents
On 13 February 2020, Suffolk County Council approved its annual budget. The Council will increase its spending power again this coming financial year, particularly in Children’s and Adults services, where demand continues to rise year on year. In 2020/2021, the Council’s budget will rise to £556million which represents an increase of £37m (7.1%) from 2019/20. Children’s and Adults Services represent around 70% of the Council’s overall spend. But this year’s budget is based only on a 12-month financial settlement from government, rather than the three or four-year agreement which is usually offered.
As well as addressing the need to maintain funding for key services, the Council will invest an additional £3.5m into two one-year programmes, the Suffolk 2020 fund (£3m) and a highways investment fund (£500k). The Suffolk 2020 fund will be used for projects that can deliver a real difference for local communities. The intention is to adopt good ideas covering more than one area of Suffolk, rather than having a number of small-scale projects. To qualify for the fund, projects must link to one of the following themes: carbon reduction; carbon offset, road safety, natural environment; built environment; innovation; and use of technology. Each project must offer a clear return on investment through positive economic, social, or environmental impact. I can put ideas forward on behalf of their community and must seek the sponsorship of a Cabinet Member for consideration. Further details of the fund will be made available in due course.
Suffolk celebrates CQC success
Suffolk’s recent Care Quality Commission statistics are in and Suffolk is now top of the table for comparator local authority areas. In Suffolk, 89% of Adult Social Care locations are rated as ‘Good’ or ‘Outstanding’ by the Care Quality Commission, the standards agency for adult care. When it comes to the national rankings, Suffolk is performing equally well. Ranked as fourth nationally for ‘Good’ or ‘Outstanding’ rated care locations, Suffolk shines out as a great area for adult social care. This is particularly impressive when it is considered that Suffolk has over 100 more adult social care locations than any of the other areas listed in the top ten.
New roadwork permit scheme aims to address roadwork disruption
On 28 January, Suffolk County Council’s Cabinet gave the go-ahead for a new permit scheme that they hope will reduce delays on Suffolk’s roads caused by roadworks. The introduction of a permit scheme for the county’s roads will give Suffolk County Council’s Network Assurance Team enhanced powers to place conditions on work carried out by utility companies and other organisations, including Suffolk Highways. At present, public utilities simply need to inform Suffolk County Council of the dates when they are planning to do their works. Under a permit scheme, they would have to ask for permission and the council can either approve, refuse or amend their request as they see fit. Applicants would also have to pay a fee when applying for a permit to do roadworks. It is planned to be in place by 1st April 2020.
Suffolk Highways waives fees for VE and VJ Day Commemoration events
In commemoration of the 75th anniversary of Victory in Europe and Victory over Japan Days, Suffolk Highways has confirmed it will waive road closure application fees and help support communities with event traffic management. Communities in Suffolk will be organising commemorative events, some of which may require an application to Suffolk Highways for a road closure. The cost of road closures and subsequent works associated with event traffic management may be prohibitive for small communities, and so this is a way of helping those communities.
Hope for better national coordination of offshore wind farm projects
Suffolk County Council and East Suffolk Council have been calling for improved national coordination of the offshore wind farm projects off the county’s coast. This approach has now been recognised in an Ofgem report. The Office of Gas and Electricity Markets (Ofgem) document, published on 3 February 2020, suggests that money could be saved, and the environment better protected, if there is more coordination around the infrastructure of these projects. The councils continue to support the principle of offshore wind, as it will help reduce carbon emissions and provide significant economic benefits to the county and the UK. However, this should not be achieved at any cost to Suffolk, its residents and its natural environment.
Concerns about the apparent lack of coordination in the connection of energy projects have been repeatedly raised by the councils with government ministers, National Grid and wind farm developers. The key issue for the Stour Valley is the possibility of an increase in the pylons across the Dedham Vale to transmit this additional power.
The East Suffolk and North Essex NHS Foundation Trust public consultation
There are plans to build a new centre at Colchester Hospital for all of their patients who need planned orthopaedic surgery, such as hip and knee replacements. This will be a specialist unit to provide extra facilities for both the Ipswich and Colchester hospitals. The consultation closes on 1 April. In addition there are a series of public meetings. The nearest to here are on:
- 10 March, 6pm – 8pm, Central Library, Northgate Street, Ipswich
- 12 March, 6pm – 8pm, YMCA Hall, Williamson House, 159 Magdalen Street, Colchester
The new centre could open in 2024 and would have at least 48 beds and up to six specialist operating theatres. Every patient would stay at the centre in Colchester while having their surgery. All other care before and after the operation – such as x-rays, pre-assessments and physiotherapy – would be provided at either Colchester or Ipswich hospital, depending on which is closest to their home. Emergency orthopaedic surgery would also continue to take place at the patient’s nearest hospital. People can respond to the consultation at www.esneft.nhs.uk/publicconsultation/ or by email on hello@esneft.nhs.uk. All of the feedback they receive will be taken into account when North East Essex and Ipswich and East Suffolk clinical commissioning groups make a final decision on the proposal in the summer.
Popular Most Active County initiatives inspire Suffolk residents to get active
The Great East Swim and Run programmes have been inspiring Suffolk residents to get active for the last eight years. The programmes offer an opportunity for individuals who are not currently physically active to take part in a progressive programme of training and support, with the goal of taking part in the Great East Swim or Great East Run. More than 470 individuals looking to make a positive change to their health and wellbeing have taken part in the programmes to date, with more than 85% completing the full 12 and 16-week programmes, respectively. Participants have cited that, as well as weight loss and more energy, they felt a boost in confidence, improved self-esteem, and a real sense of pride and achievement through completing the programme.
The programmes are suitable for all ages, with participants from 18 to 80+ taking part in previous years. Nearly 6,000 participants took part in the main Great East Swim and the Great East Run events last year, many of whom were Suffolk residents. Entries are now open for the 2020 events.
Dates: Great East Swim - Saturday 20th June 2020; Great East Run - Sunday 20th September.
More information can be found on: https://www.greatrun.org/great-east-run and https://findarace.com/events/great-east-swim
I am delighted to say that I have secured Suffolk Mind, my Chairman’s Charity, as one of the main charities that is being supported by these two events.
More Fostering and Adoption Sessions in Boxford and the Stour Valley
Following another successful session in Mary’s House in December, I give below the next dates and times of a session for this year which will continue throughout 2020:
The Church Hall, Bear Street, Nayland – Thursday 7th May 19.00 – 21.00.
Appendix B – District Councillor Leigh Jamieson’s Report
Budget Report - General Fund
The Councils 2019/20 gross expenditure is £33.5M with an income of £23.3M. The Net Cost of service of £10.2M was funded from:
- Earmarked Reserves
- New Homes bonus
- S31 Grant
- Business Rates
- Collection Funds
- Rural Services Delivery Grant
- Council Tax
Over the course of the next four years the Council’s cumulative deficit is estimated to be £1.1M. To address this the Council will need to deliver significant income and/or savings by reviewing, remodelling and re-inventing the way that it operates. Its key objectives are to become self-financing and to have more than enough funds to invest within the council itself and across the district.
Housing Revenue Account
A surplus position is forecast for 2020/21 of £334k which is a significant improvement on the 2019/20 position (deficit of £193k). This has been achieved by reducing both revenue and capital budgets. A fundamental review of the housing service has been undertaken during 2019/20 to identify savings, efficiencies and income generation opportunities to achieve a sustainable business plan into the future.
Right to Buy (RTB) sales for Babergh were lower than those projected in the business plan. In 2018/19 Babergh sold 15 against an original projection of 27 sales. The money received from RTB sales can only be used as a 30% contribution towards the cost of a replacement home. The remaining 70% of the replacement cost must be found from other HRA resources.
The HRA reserve is currently £12.9M and the current business plan estimates that this will fall to £12.6M by 2049/50.
General Fund Capital Expenditure
The main General Fund projects included in the Capital Programme for Babergh over the period 2020/21 to 2023/24 are Kingfisher Leisure Centre (£1.1m), Hadleigh Pool and Leisure Centre Refurbishment (£1.5m), Babergh Regeneration Investment Fund (£3m), Housing grants (£3.3m), Community Grants (£0.6m) and replacement vehicles (£2.3m).
Commercial Investments - Former Council Offices in Hadleigh
Babergh approved the conversion of the former Corks Lane Council office in Hadleigh into 31 new homes and also the construction of an additional 26 new homes on the site, all for market sale. In March 2019 the Council created a new company, Babergh Growth Ltd, which entered into a joint venture with Norse Group Holdings Ltd, to complete the development and they will provide 50% of the finance.
A peak cash flow funding requirement of £3.57m is included in the capital programme, based on the assumption that Babergh will provide 50% of the development finance. I asked John Ward when this work is expected to start, and he advised that it would be in late spring but was unable to provide an estimated completion date when I pushed him. Cllr Ward also confirms that work on Angel Court is expected to start this month.
Babergh have also purchased the Borehamgate shopping precinct in Sudbury, with development still in the early stages. They are also planning to redevelop the former swimming pool in Belle Vue, Sudbury, into a restaurant and Hotel.
Unison End Violence at Work Charter
Following the council’s commitment to work towards the Unison End Violence at Work Charter, we have now received confirmation that we have met the standard required for each of the ten criteria. As a consequence, we can now become signatories to the charter.
Achieving this charter is an important validation of the commitment the council has to its staff and the efforts it makes to ensure that they are protected from the risk of violence or aggression whilst they go about their work.
Appendix C – Financial Report
Items received since the last meeting:
| Date | Description | Nett | VAT | Gross | Ref | Power |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 24.02.2020 | C Burt – Roundabout Magazine | 350.00 | 0.00 | 350.00 | ||
| Total Income | £350.00 | |||||
Items to be Authorized for Payment
| Date | Expenditure Description | Nett | VAT | Gross | Ref | Power |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 11.03.2020 | Clerk’s Salary & Expenses | 318.05 | 0.00 | 318.05 | 463 | LGA 1972 s111 & s112 |
| HM Revenue and Customs - PAYE | 151.20 | 0.00 | 151.20 | 464 | Income & Corp Taxes | |
| P Gillies | 360.00 | 72.00 | 432.00 | 465 | LGA 1972 s144 | |
| Lindsey Village Hall | 70.00 | 0.00 | 70.00 | 466 | LGA 1972 s111 | |
| Total Expenditure | £971.25 | |||||
Financial Report
| Date | £ |
|---|---|
| Opening Balance 15.01.20 | 1409.85 |
| Add Income Received January - March | 350.00 |
| Less Expenditure Incurred January - March | 0.00 |
| Less Expenditure from verified list 11.03.20 | 971.25 |
| Closing Balance 11.03.20 | 788.60 |
Bank Reconciliation
| Community Account | Statement – 30.12.19 | 2118.05 |
|---|---|---|
| Less unlogged cheques * | At 15.01.20 | 1679.45 |
| Plus unaccredited income | At 15.01.20 | 350.00 |
| Reconciled Total | 788.60 |
*
- 459 £200.00
- 460 £392.80
- 461 £65.40
- 462 £50.00
- 464 £318.05
- 464 £151.20
- 465 £432.00
- 466 £70.00
- £1679.45