The Annual Parish Meeting for Lindsey was held on 11th May 2016 at 7.00pm in the Village Hall. It was agreed that Councillor Arthey would take the Chair for the meeting. He continued by welcoming the Parish Councillors: Mr. R. Corcoran; Mr. M. Hainsworth; Mrs. R. Howe; Mrs. F. Moore; Mr. A. Sturgeon and Mr. D. Waldron, as well as Mrs V Waples (Clerk) County Councillor James Finch and District Councillor Bryn Hurren and 2 members of the public.
- The Chair of the Parish Council welcomed all to the meeting.
- There were no apologies for absence.
- The minutes of the previous meeting of 20th May 2015 were approved by all present and signed by the Chairman of the Parish Council as a true and accurate record.
- To receive a report on Village Issues that have arisen over the past year: Broadband update - further to the initial presentation given by County Broadband, prospective pledges from villagers have been received to the value of £6,550.00. A total of 14 properties have pledged funds, with 5 of them stating that they would be prepared to provide definitive costs. The Parish Council will be updated when this information has been received. Once we are aware if an installation is viable, a door knocking exercise could be undertaken to confirm final pledges. It has also been suggested that a 'sub-committee' be formed at this stage to progress the project.
The following reports were then given as follows (full transcripts of which are kept on file).
Mr James Finch - County Councillor
Mr. Finch was invited to submit his report in which he thanked the Chairman and the Parish Council for the welcome always extended to him. He outlined the 12 months of achievements at Suffolk County Council during 2014-2015 and made mention of the following:
- SCC freezes General Council Tax for sixth year in a row - the council has made savings in excess of £170million since the Government’s deficit reduction programme began in 2011/2012 and faces the need to make further savings of over £80million during the next two years. The budget passed in April saw a ZERO% increase in base Council Tax. The Administration decided to implement the 2% National Adult Social Care Levy to support the implementation of the National Living Wage. The budget for Adult Social Care and Children’s Services increased. SCC has achieved its annual target savings for the current year.
- Suffolk schools’ ascent of league tables continues - figures out last month confirmed the trend of improvement in Suffolk’s relative position in educational attainment. In data released by the government in January, Suffolk has climbed 18 places in the national league table for GCSE results since the previous year; from 125th to 107th. This means we are now at the national average.
- Suffolk’s Children’s Services inspected rated Good by Ofsted - Suffolk County Council’s Children’s Services have been inspected and rated GOOD by Ofsted following the publication of its inspection report on 15th February 2016. The report praises the work of the council in protecting and looking after children and young people, with some areas of outstanding practice highlighted in the report. The inspection was carried out between 23 November and 17 December 2015.
- Suffolk’s Better Broadband BDUK programme - Work had been completed on the 1st Contract of the Broadband rollout the 2nd contract of the Superfast Extension Programme (is progressing which is planned to enable 95% of properties in Suffolk are connected. The first phase of this rollout will be shared onto a map on the SCC website, and the second phase will be added within the next couple of months. To date, we have enabled 35 cabinets, and reached over 3,000 premises under the Superfast Extension Programme towards a target of over 1,000 cabinets, and over 50,000 premises by the end of 2019.
- £1bn Devolution Deal announced for East Anglia in the Budget on 16th March - Following weeks of negotiation between Government and local councils and Local Enterprise Partnerships (LEPs), a deal worth over £1bn for East Anglia has been announced by George Osborne MP, Chancellor of the Exchequer in his Budget Speech on 16th March.
As part of the deal East Anglia would receive:
- £900m (£30m a year for the next 30 years) to invest in infrastructure
- £175m to invest in housing
The Deal, which sets out a fundamentally different relationship between Government and local public services, was negotiated by Leaders from councils across Suffolk, Norfolk, Cambridgeshire and Peterborough and the New Anglia and Greater Cambridgeshire and Greater Peterborough LEPs. If ratified by the relevant councils and LEP Boards, The Deal would see decisions currently being made by Government on such things as infrastructure, growth, employment and skills being made locally in East Anglia in the future. The Deal requires the creation of a Combined Authority and directly elected Mayor and it is proposed that the first mayoral elections would be in May 2017 alongside the county council elections. The directly elected Mayor would act as Chairman to the East Anglia Combined Authority and would exercise the following powers and functions devolved from Government:
- Responsibility for a multi-year, consolidated and, devolved local transport budget.
- Responsibility for a new Key Route Network of local authority roads that will be managed and maintained by the Combined Authority on behalf of the Mayor.
- Powers over strategic planning and housing, including £175m ring-fenced funding to deliver an ambitious target of new homes.
When questioned, he confirmed that work had been agreed for the Kersey/Bildeston to Hadleigh crossroads, bank / hedgerows to be cut back. It was reiterated that this was a blind junction and that a greater level of care was needed. The meeting asked that County Cllr. Finch chase up the work and confirm the schedule for works to be carried out at the next Parish Council Meeting.
Mr. Bryn Hurren - District Councillor
Mr. Hurren was invited to submit his report in which he commented on the following items:
- Budget - Local Government support would be phased out by the end of 2020 and the budget was part of a process to work out how the Council would be able to stand on its own feet. Council tax for MSDC was expected to rise by 3.5%. He reminded that BDC collected the precept on behalf of all authorities and that 99% of council tax and 98% of business rates had been collected in 2015-2016. The Council had made significant savings by increased sharing of resources with MSDC; 1 Head if Planning and 1 Chief Executive.
- Devolution - a deal worth over £1bn for East Anglia was announced in the March budget. As part of the deal East Anglia would receive: £900m to invest in infrastructure and £175m to invest in housing. However the deal was not a done deal and he was of the opinion that it was a good deal. The deal would require the creation of a Combined Authority and directly elected Mayor and he failed to see how this was no another layer of government.
- Council's Joint Strategic Plan - the 2 organisations will review and update the strategies of both councils over the coming year and will endeavour to produce a new Strategic Plan.
- New Homes - BDC has planning consent to build 27 new homes which have been supported by the Homes and Communities Grant Funding and a New Housing Allocations Policy has been adopted.
- CIL - CIL charging will begin on 11th April and will mean that any planning permission granted after that date may be liable to CIL. There will be more information on this over the coming months.
- Help to Buy - Council tenants who wish to buy their own homes are been encouraged to apply for £20k grants to help them onto the property ladder. It can also be used to buy land to build.
- Rents in Babergh as across all council owned houses are expected to reduce by 1% for each year for the next 4 years.
- Solar Panel Project - 2150 homes are due to be fitted with Photovoltaic panels and to date 2041 have had the panels fitted.
- He confirmed that he had attended all the Council's meetings and that he was part of a group working to get a mobile phone mast in the District to boost mobile signals. He also sits on the Scrutiny Committee; Joint Standard Board for Suffolk; Ipswich and Area CAB; Pin Mill Management Group and was Chair of the Quay Theatre Committee.
Sudbury SNT
A report had been submitted on behalf of Inspector Danny Cooper which stated that from 4th April the Sudbury SNT had a new look and focuses on the issues that can affect local residents, visitors and organisations in Sudbury and the surrounding area. Each member of the SNT now had an additional 'specialist link role' for those issues that most commonly affect the community. It was also confirmed that local crime information was still unavailable and that the analytical team are working on the data and will be available in the June newsletter.
Reports from the Community
Village Hall Management Committee
On behalf of the Committee, Mr Clive Arthey reported that during 2015-2016 the hall has continued to be hired for a wide range of uses, including as a polling station for the electors of the village. We also hosted the annual village celebration event and held our fund-raising quiz. During the year we have purchased lightweight folding tables which have been a welcome improvement for users of the hall.
We have also been involved in the investigations into 'better broadband' for the village initial proposals include the Village Hall being used as a 'hub' and providing the hall with free wi-fi for users. Our thanks to a resident for gathering together the pledges of support from households in the village.
It has been 18 months since the overgrown leylandii roadside hedge was reduced to stumps. During the coming year we hope the roots will have decayed enough to allow the careful removal of the stumps and the erection of a fence.
Our annual income from hall hire has not increased significantly and we still struggle to cover our maintenance and running costs for the year. We thank a resident for resuming her Treasurer role and once again are grateful to the Parish Council for its grant contribution towards our overheads. Finally our special thanks to the resident who does so much to keep the hall secure, well maintained and looking good inside and out.
St Peter's Church Council
A written report had been submitted on behalf of the Treasurer of St Peter's Lindsey PCC, Mr M Moore. It was reported that progress towards uniting St Peter's with Hadleigh has slowed down considerably. This is because this move has become involved with the much larger Deanery and Diocesan reorganisation which is currently in progress. It is not possible at present to say when and how all this will be resolved but in the meantime we are being looked after by Hadleigh and tow church wardens from Hadleigh have been appointed. There have been a number of PCC Meetings throughout the year. The Annual Parochial Church Council Meeting chaired by the Dean of Hadleigh was held on 12th April 2016. six services were held in St Peter's Lindsey during the year and there were two joint services held with Hadleigh: Mothering Sunday and Remembrance Day. A contract with Lister Countryside Services maintains the upkeep of the churchyard in good order and new gravel has been laid on the path. The costs of churchyard maintenance are supported by a contribution from the Parish Council and from the Friends.
Parish Council
On behalf of the Parish Council, Mr Clive Arthey, the Chairman, reported that the Parish Council elections were held in May 2015, with six councillors re-elected and one vacancy. The vacancy was filled by co-option and the Council welcomed Mark Hainsworth to the Parish Council. We were not able to record significant public attendance at our regular meetings until the issue of better broadband was on our agenda, we then had a very good turnout showing how important it is to many in the village. We were made aware of the different options for a better service for the village including a presentation for a wireless service from County Broadband. As a Parish Council, we supported further investigating the wireless option, but with the likely cost far higher than required. We thank a resident for receiving and collating the various pledges and for her continued work with County Broadband. Her report will be submitted to the Annual Parish Meeting and the Parish Council for information and updates will be provided as and when available. I would like to thank our County Councillor, James Finch and our District Councillor, Bryn Hurren for their attendance and written reports, often both! Whilst we do not expect them to dominate our proceedings, we very much appreciate their involvement and for keeping us informed of how our Council Tax is being spent. Thanks also to all of the Parish Councillors for giving their time and commitment to supporting and enhancing our community, and to our Clerk, Vicky, who ensures our Parish Council is fully compliant and functions properly and smoothly.
Friends of St Peter's Church
There have been periodic meetings held to plan fund raising events throughout the year. Events carried out in 5 meetings since the last report to the Parish in 2014. The following fund raising and community activities have taken place: barn dance at the Red Rose in - September as a joint event with Kersey; Harvest supper in October on the eve of Harvest Festival; C were a very successful sell-out theatrical event - Pull Up Your Socks Britain, which took place at White Rose house in May; Christmas Flower arranging event in December and the Annual Soup and Cheese Lunch held at Folly Farm in March 2016. During the past year the Friends have contributed to minor church repairs and to churchyard maintenance. The Friends' account remains healthy, ready to respond to any sudden repairs necessary to keep out beautiful old church weather-proof and in good repair. This year, the Friends, with additional village representatives, have been involved in reviving the Village Newsletter, started by Ian McGregor, on a bi-monthly basis.
Kersey Village School
A written report had been submitted from the Head-Teacher of Kersey School in which she stated that they prided themselves on being a small, friendly school where individual needs are met and all involved in the school are listened to and respected. On a daily basis this ethos is seen through a calm learning atmosphere that gives all children the opportunities to succeed. The children were fundamental to the school and throughout the year the school continues to meet regularly, the children facilitate and clerk the meeting, with the help of a Governor and teacher, very effectively taking into account the views of the rest of the school. The School Council lead an assembly each week where all can contribute, ask questions and discuss important issues. The children have also begun a Worship Council to discuss our spiritual ethos and development. We pride ourselves on our Christian values and work hard to embed respect, responsibility, resilience, resourcefulness, readiness and reflectiveness in everything we do. We enjoy celebrating achievements, both in and out of school and weekly assemblies allow the children to share their skills and acknowledge. The children have had opportunities to share their learning with their parents and the community during Discovery Cafes, class assemblies, two Eucharist services, A Christmas and Easter performance which were all very well received. Our school roll is currently 76. Our school continues to enjoy great popularity and we currently have a full quota of reception children registered to begin next September. The report mentioned a number of educational visits and events that had been enjoyed by the children and events at which the school had been represented. All classes had participated in a local area litter pick, supporting the community and their own eco-status. The eco-team have almost completed the building of their bottle greenhouse. The Friends of Kersey continue to support the school purchasing educational equipment and providing transport to and from events. They organised a very enjoyable and successful Pumpkin event, provided refreshments at the Christmas Fayre, present for all pupils and an Easter Egg Hunt on the last day of the Spring Term. All Keystage Two pupils have instrument lessons and the whole school will be participating in our first 'Celebration of Music' in May. The school continue to discuss with parents the parking situation in the morning and at afternoon collection and we thank the Bell Inn for their support and continued offer to use their car park allowing parents and pupils to work up to school and reduce the congestion problems. The school continues to have a committed team of individual staff and other stakeholders working hard to do the very best for all pupils, so that we can all work together and learn to achieve our potential.
Public Forum
There were no members of the public present although it was agreed by those present that the crossroads on the Kersey/Bildeston to Hadleigh road was in urgent need of attention to ensure that it was safe for all road users,
The Chairman closed the meeting at 8.05pm by thanking all for their attendance.