PARISH COUNCIL

MINUTES of the Parish Council Meeting held online on November 17, 2020 at 7.30pm

PRESENT Cllrs Peter Miller, Graham Austin, Jason Kirk, Trevor Cade, Peter Hudson and Michael Noble. Rod Caird (Clerk), District Councillor Tony Fryatt, County Councillor Gordon Jones and one member of the public were also present

1/171120 Apologies and approvals of absence

None

2/171120 To consider whether it is possible to fill the vacancy on the Parish Council by co-opting a volunteer.

It was agreed without dissent to co-opt Felicity Borwick as a Parish Councillor, with immediate effect. Cllr Borwick then joined the meeting in that capacity. 3/171120 Declarations of Interest and Requests for Dispensation

None 4/171120 To approve the Minutes of the meeting held on September 15, 2020

The minutes were approved. 5/171120 To receive reports from the County and District Councillors, and comments from members of the public on matters on the Agenda, to include follow-up on the County proposal for investment in electric vehicle charging points.

Cllr Jones had sent a written report. Preparation of the 2021/22 is challenging because of uncertainty about council tax revenues and unanticipated costs, especially the level of demand for adult care. The proposal for a 20mph speed limit came to full council on October 22 and was rejected as a blanket measure. Some specific situations may call for it, however and Lower Road was mentioned as a suitable site for the lower limit, It was noted that the Village Hall may be a suitable site for a vehicle charging point and Cllr Noble would raise this at the Village Hall committee.

Cllr Fryatt had also sent a written report. He emphasised the importance of the C planning application, especially as regards anticipated traffic volumes south of Woodbridge. This has been raised with Dan Poulter MP and would be pursued further during the planning process.

The government’s proposed changes to the planning process are unacceptable and need to be revised fundamentally. Local voices must be clearly heard during all planning discussions. East ’s Statement of Community Involvement and also its Cycling and Walking Strategy and Recreational Disturbance and Mitigation Strategy are ongoing consultations.

Some Locality Budget funds are still available for suitable projects.

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6/171120 20/3947/FUL | Proposed two storey side/rear extensions and alterations | The Hollies Lower Road Westerfield – parish councillors were consulted by email and no objection was raised

20/3643/FUL | Rear single storey glazed extension similar in size and scale to that which has been previously approved, but with a lower roof in the proposed and high quality materials and consideration | Little Orchard Westerfield Road - parish councillors were consulted by email and no objection was raised

20/3147/FUL | Proposed Stable Building and New Access onto Cockfield Lane | Penshurst Westerfield Road – it was noted that this has now been approved 19/2271/OUT Outline planning application for the erection of eight dwellings with garages, Part land south of Old Glebe House, Westerfield Road – refused and appeal lodged AP/20/0002

19/3662/FUL Construction of two new dwellings (one detached chalet bungalow and one detached bungalow) with detached garages and extension of vehicular access driveway – Land Adjacent to Mallards, 5 St Mary Way – conditionally allowed on appeal

19/4699/FUL Construction of a detached chalet style bungalow etc., The Bungalow, Lower Road – refused and appeal lodged AP/20/0026 DC/18/3850 – Variation of conditions 1-27 to allow for separate discharge of residential and commercial development, Old Station Yard – permitted

The status of each of these applications was noted Update on consultations on reserved matters relevant to Garden Suburb and other Ipswich Borough Council consultations Issues are still being discussed between the developer, Ipswich Borough Council and interested parties including Westerfield Parish Council. Detail of the ownership of the land between the proposed Country Park and Lower Road is tricky to establish but all parties are agreed constructive use of the land is desirable. Responding to a Borough Council Heritage Consultation the Parish Council requested continued support for a footpath between Tuddenham Road and Westerfield.

Issues arising from recent developments on the Sizewell C planning application process

Local councils are vocal and unanimous in their opposition to the current plans.

Issues arising from the current status of the East Suffolk Local Plan, including consultations on community involvement, recreational disturbance and mitigation strategy, cycling and walking strategy and affordable housing The Local Plan has now been adopted; the chairman will draft comments to be submitted in relation to the various current consultations. It was noted that shared ownership is a desirable alternative to Housing Association rentals as a part of the affordable housing strategy.

It is anticipated a detailed planning application will be submitted in January for the Lower Road site. Recent activity on the site is to do with drainage plans which will form part of the application.

It was agreed to write to Dr Dan Poulter MP in support of his efforts to improve the government’s proposals for planning reforms.

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7/171120 To discuss any policing concerns in the absence of meetings of the Safer Neighbourhood Team

SNT meetings had been held on Zoom; no issues of direct relevance had been raised but it was noted SALC’s guidance on the definitions of Anti-Social Behaviour were worth consideration. 8/171120 To discuss issues arising from other meetings attended by Parish Councillors, including the SALC Local Forum

The SALC Local Forum next year will be looking at Highways issues. Following the Disability Forum meeting further consideration should be given to Westerfield facilities including dropped kerbs. 9/171120 To discuss concerns about traffic speeds and road safety in the village

After discussion it was agreed to organise a questionnaire for distribution throughout the village, asking for opinions on steps which might be taken to improve road safety. It was noted Highways has agreed to spend £3,000 studying possible improvements to the crossroads. A number of other suggestions were made including speed bumps, speed cameras, and engineering changes to road layouts. It was noted that enforcement is the key to speeding problems and that data needed to be collected from the existing SIDs in the village, in order to get an accurate picture of the current traffic behaviour situation. Cllr Jones reported that some areas of the county are trialling a Number Plate Recognition speed sign which would transmit information about offenders direct to the police, rather than simply advising drivers of their current speed. 10/171120 To discuss what progress can be made towards development of a Westerfield Neighbourhood Plan

Nothing can be done about this during the coronavirus restrictions.

11/171120 To consider the updated Asset Register and development of a Parish Infrastructure Investment Plan (PIIP) as encouraged by East Suffolk Council

A small group of Parish Councillors will meet to draw up specific plans for infrastructure investment which can be reported to the January meeting. It was recognised this is a high priority. 12/171120 To consider a proposal from / that a joint claim be made to East Suffolk, also including Tuddenham, for allocated sports and play funding to improve play areas

The proposal was agreed without dissent. 13/171120 To consider East Suffolk Community support measures during the coronavirus pandemic and the current lock-down

Residents who have volunteered to help during the crisis were warmly thanked for their efforts. Contact point details will be published in the forthcoming Newsletter.

14/171120 To consider the proposed County electoral ward boundary changes (the closing date for the consultation is November 23

Comments on the proposals were agreed, concluding that Westerfield Parish Council consider that the importance of Community Identity should be recognised, and changes made to the new division such that it includes Gt Bealings, Lt. Bealings, Hasketon, and and possibly does not include the geographically distant parish of

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Campsea Ash and .

15/171120 To receive a financial report from the Clerk including payments due, and to consider a draft budget for 2021/22, leading towards setting the precept for that year at the January 2021 meeting

A bank reconciliation was presented showing a balance of £70,144.93. It was noted reserves were held as follows: CIL payments held as specified reserve for village infrastructure projects: £19,001.56 Earmarked reserve: £25,000.00 General reserve: £23,808.95.

Since the September meeting the following payments have been made or are now due:

November 13, 2020 SALC 1085 £ 3.12 VAT£ 0.62 Training November 23, 2020 Rod Caird 1086 £ 301.08 Clerk pay November 26, 2020 PKF Littlejohn 1087 £ 200.00 £ 40.00 Ext audit

16/171120 Correspondence and urgent matters to be brought to the attention of the Parish Council and confirmation of the next meeting on Tuesday, January 19, 2021

The meeting date was confirmed. The Newsletter would be published in the coming weeks and would include necessary contact information for help which may be required during the lockdown etc. It was noted that a new Vicar has been appointed and she will be warmly welcomed to the village.

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