Minutes of the Meeting of Ringsfield & Weston Parish Council held on Friday 4 December 2015 at 7.30pm at Ringsfield Village Hall

Councillors Present : Cllr L Rees (Chairman), Cllr D Cannell, Cllr C Scott

Also Present : Mrs T Hazell (Clerk), Cllr K Springall, Mr S Hemp

1. Welcome and Apologies

The Chairman welcomed councillors and asked if there were any apologies.

The clerk reported that Cllr Francis, Cllr Johnson, Cllr Arnold, and Cllr D Ritchie had sent apologies.

Also two members of the parish who are interested in becoming councillors, Sarah Statt and Stephen Warner had been invited to the meeting by the clerk, but had sent apologies.

2. Declarations of Interest regarding the agenda - none.

3. To confirm the minutes of the Parish Council meeting held on 16 October 2015.

On the motion of Cllr Cannell, seconded by Cllr Scott, it was unanimously agreed by those members present, that these minutes be signed as a true and correct record.

The meeting adjourned for public participation.

a) Report from the Police : There was no Police presence.

b) Report from Suffolk County Council : Cllr Ritchie was not present as was away on a training course. No report received.

c) Report from Waveney District Councillor : Cllr Springall

Cllr Springall reported that he has met with Mark Kerridge about speed signs at school but they will only clean standing signs and will repaint signs on road, but flashing lights cannot be installed due to insufficient street lights. We can purchase our own at a cost of £3K each + fittings and posts.

Cllr Springall also warned of scam emails from firms saying they can get rate rebates and asking for bank details, when of course they take money out, not put it in!

Cllr Springall stated that the devolution issue is still being thrashed out but he has no firm details as yet.

The Chairman opened the meeting for public consultation.

d) Residents’ Questions :

Mr Hemp asked if we could precept for a donation to the Community Council. Discussion took place but the clerk stated that we hold a reserve so any donations should come out of that and not as a specific item.

The Chairman closed the meeting for public consultation. e) Newsletter : The Chairman had produced and printed the newsletter and sorted out with councillors about distribution. Mr Hemp kindly agreed to deliver some in the absence of councillors.

f) Carols on the Green : The Chairman is printing a new Carol Sheet with carols in the right order. Rev’d Simister will look after the lighting and will collect the tilly lamps from Cllr Johnson. Cllr Cannell will look after the roping off. The clerk was asked to look for the risk assessment. Although Cllr Sherriff was not present, it was thought he was looking after the tree, but we need to check on this. The clerk was asked to email all councillors and ask them to liaise with the Chairman about helping out on the evening, as several roles still need to be filled.

g) Community Council news : Nothing has been heard from Robert Horn and the Chairman felt we should just draft something out ourselves. It was agreed to defer this until the next meeting when more councillors are present.

h) Beccles Relief Road : The clerk had received documents regarding the Compulsory Purchase Order for the land being taken for this road which councillors looked at. The clerk will file them for the records.

7. Clerks Report

The clerk had circulated a report (see attached). The clerk was asked to file.

There will be road drainage works taking placed in Church Lane/Cucumber lane, Weston from 7th December for 5 days.

8. Reports of meetings/training attended by councillors

Beccles Relief Road – Cllr Scott had attended the last meeting which was chaired by Peter Aldous MP. The CPO had been discussed and it was a very lively meeting with the most controversial issue being the closing off of Cucumber Lane. The SCC representative had given a very good summary of events and another meeting will be held in January 2016.

9. Planning Application

a. DC/15/4565/FUL and DC/15/4566/FUL for construction of pig buildings, Phase1 and Phase 2, at Granary Farm, Ringsfield by Brian Barker.

On the motion of the Chairman, seconded by the Vice-Chairman, it was agreed to offer no objection. 10. Finances

a. On the motion of the Chairman, seconded by the Cllr Scott, it was unanimously agreed to sign the following cheques :

Mrs P Hazell (Clerk’s salary) £241.00 HMRC (PAYE for clerk) £60.20

b. To set the precept for 2016/17

The clerk had prepared a budget build which she went through item by item.

On the motion of the Chairman, seconded by the Vice-Chairman, it was agreed to leave the precept the same as last year, i.e. £6500. The motion was carried unanimously by those members present.

11. Matters Arising/Questions not dealt with in the agenda

a. The matter of the driveway at Mr Spaans property in Kings Lane, Weston was discussed. There is only one opening on to the road but then it splits into two to go to the different properties. Although there was nothing in the planning permission which detailed a new driveway, this is not actually a new opening. It was agreed to take no action.

12. Date of Next Meeting : Friday 22 January 2016 at 7.30 pm (subject tohall availability)

There being no further business, the Chairman closed the meeting at 9.30 pm.

Chairman ……………………………………………………… Dated ………………………………..