GROTON PARISH COUNCIL

Minutes of the meeting held on 6 March at Groton Village Hall

Present: P Roberts, N Cox, D Wills, R Cheeseman, A Dixon-Smith, R Jones (Clerk)

Guests: Councillor J Finch (SCC), Councillor Bryn Hurren (BDC)

1. Apologies for absence – G Becker. Approved 2. Councillors’ Declarations of Interests in any item on this Agenda - None 3. Minutes of the Meeting of 9 January 2019 - Approved 4. Reports from County Council and Council 4.1. Councillor James Finch reported the following: SCC budget had been approved and £13m worth of savings had had to be made. This meant £260m in savings since 2011. Had to prioritise Children’s Services and Adult Care. Council Tax increasing by 2.99%. Projection for approximately 1,000 miles of road resurfacing in the coming year. CAB grant from SCC being reduced by 50% for 2019/20 but total grant will not be reduced due to a joint agreement with Ipswich NHS and East and West Suffolk NHS. 3-year review of Suffolk Fire and Rescue service taking place with a public consultation between 11 February and 7 April. Changes to SCC School Travel Policy being implemented from September 2019. Full details of the changes could be found on SCC website. Fostering Campaign – At least 25 new foster parents were needed. Drop-in session being held at Mary’s House on 11 March.

4.2. Councillor Bryn Hurren reported the following: Budget – Council Tax increasing for a Band D property by £80. CAB – BDC continuing to provide funding of £8,000 to Ipswich branch and £54,000 to Sudbury branch. Elections 2019 – Taking place on 2 May. Box Vale ward now included Brent Eleigh and . Local Housing – Planning Application to be heard within the next month.

5. Reports and Questions from Councillors and Members of the Public Potholes – Why not resurface a large area of road where there are several potholes instead of filling in individual holes? Not always possible as operatives will only carry out work on the job sheet.

6. Planning Matters 6.1. DC/19/00453 Groton Street Councillors agreed unanimously with the proposals to build four new affordable homes. This was supported by all members of the public who were present.

6.2. Planning Decisions Received Goslings Green – Further action required St Bartholemew’s Church – Further action required

Richard Jones Clerk to the Council 23 Glanville Road Hadleigh IP7 5SQ [email protected] 01473 828246

Castling’s Heath - Refused 6.3. Local Housing Update – See 6.1 6.4. Any Other Planning Matters - None 7. Chairman’s and Clerk’s Reports and Correspondence 7.1 Elections 2019 – The Clerk reminded Councillors who hadn’t yet completed their application for election that he had an appointment with BDC to hand in forms on 12 March. After that date, all forms would need to be handed in to BDC offices in Ipswich.

8. Highway and Footpath Matters Spout Hill needed to be swept. Councillor Hurren to ask for this to be done. Heath Road – Overgrown hedge blocking road.

9. Neighbourhood Plan Update Deferred until after elections. Still looking at joint plan with PC.

10. Financial matters: 10.1.Statement of Finances and Orders for Payment – approved as shown below Reserve Account as a 5 February 2019 £3522.64 Current Account as at 5 February 2019 £4838.02 Total £8360.66

Payments received: Interest on Reserve Account £0.60

Cheque No Amount Payee Purpose £ 000783 £66.19 R J Jones Clerk’s Expenses 000784 £27.60 SALC Training Fees 15.1.19 000785 £15.00 SALC Training Fees 20.2.19

10.2.Grant to Sudbury CAB - to remain the same and to be reconsidered for 2020/21. 10.3.Other financial matters - None 11. Future Agenda items – Neighbourhood Plan 12. Next meeting – Annual Parish Meeting and GPC AGM - 8 May 2019

Meeting closed at 8.00pm

Richard Jones Clerk to the Council 23 Glanville Road Hadleigh IP7 5SQ [email protected] 01473 828246