Present
- Present
- James Hardy (Chair) Cllr. Terry Mee Cllr. Chris Hurlock
- Clerk
- Lydia Kindred
It was agreed that, with so few Councillors present, less important and non-urgent items would be considered further at the next meeting.
Apologies for Absence
Cllr. Alan Perry, Cllr. Leslie Judd, Cllr. Linda Montgomery. The reasons for absence were considered and these were accepted. County Councillor Burroughes & District Councillor Sally Nobel sent their apologies.
Minutes of Meeting Held on 19th November 2025
These were approved as a true record and signed by the Chair.
Matters Arising
None
Public Forum
None
Chair’s Report
The Chair and a resident installed a bench at Fairfield Green. The Chair has also removed the signage from the SID poles, as requested by Suffolk County Council, in anticipation of the installation of thicker posts.
He has been liaising with a Councillor from a neighbouring Parish Council regarding ongoing issues with Sizewell C’s park and ride construction and associated traffic. A response from Sizewell is still awaited.
Clerk’s Report
Application DC/25/3854/FUL re bungalow extensions at Blomvyle Hall Bungalow has been permitted.
The evening for volunteers to try and secure the church’s future will be on Tuesday 27th January at 6pm in the village hall.
The clerk now has access to her gov.uk email address and has started the switchover process.
The mowing contractor has confirmed he will do the third small area near the layby within his quoted additional £20.
The clerk will attend ESC’s next Town and Parish Council Planning Forum on 2nd February.
Suffolk County Council agreed on 9th January to support the introduction of 20mph speed limits across the county in residential areas and locations with high pedestrian use, particularly where current average vehicle speeds are below 28mph.
The consultation on Local Government Review, including proposals on the number of unitary councils for Suffolk, closed on 11th January and the government should make its decision in the coming months. The mayoral elections originally scheduled for May 2026 have been postponed until 2028. A consultation is currently underway seeking views on whether County Council elections should take place in May, in light of the Local Government Review and the upcoming abolition of the County Council.
Financial Matters
- The following payments were approved:
Amount Payee Details Reference £70.00 Suffolk Cloud Accessibility report 311 £120.00 Suffolk Cloud Hosting & support 270 £1,194.93 L. Kindred Pay to 31.12.25 - £301.12 HMRC PAYE to 05.01.26 - £79.20 Suffolk Association Local Councils Cllr Perry training 30712 - Receipts since the last meeting: £0.98 interest
- Payments since the last meeting:
- £232.00 Leiston Press Printing re CIL spend & emergency plan (CIL)
- £25.00 P& R Locksmiths Bench plaque
- Bank balances & CCLA deposit funds as at 31.12.2025:
- Community Account: £357.57
- Deposit Account: £3,031.89
- CCLA funds: £26,870.39
- The bank statements were reviewed and the bank reconciliation signed by the RFO and Examining Councillor.
- The year-to-date accounts were noted.
Barclays Bank Mandate
Cllr Judd is experiencing difficulties being added to the bank mandate. It was agreed that either Cllr Perry or Cllr Montgomery would also be added. The clerk will ask about their willingness to do so and whether they are existing Barclays customers.
Assets Register & Car Sale
There was no interest from residents in purchasing the car bequeathed to the Parish Council. As previously agreed, the vehicle was therefore sold to a dealer for £5,750, having sought comparative prices online. The clerk asked that her thanks be minuted to the estate’s executor for his help and patience throughout this unusual transaction. The car was noted on the Council’s Asset Register and marked as disposed of in January 2026.
Community Emergency Plan
Responses to the resident survey regarding the Community Emergency Plan were disappointingly low. Further responses will be required if the Plan is to be effective. The clerk will wait to see any further responses are received and will then liaise with the Joint Emergency Planning Officer at East Suffolk Council regarding drafting the Plan.
Newsletter & CIL Responses
Two suggestions for community CIL projects were received from residents. The first was for a covered pergola-style seating area at the park. Cllr Mee suggested it may be more helpful to consider an awning from the Village Hall over the paved area where the picnic benches are located. Cllr Hurlock will ask the Village Hall Committee for their views on both options. If they are in favour, the clerk will obtain quotations for Councillors to consider further.
Another resident asked if the village sign could be replaced. Councillors noted that the current sign is in poor condition. The clerk will seek quotations for replacement.
All Saints Church
It was agreed to donate £400 annually to the church to assist with their maintenance costs and to support this village asset.
Year-End Projections and Budget
The year-end projections were considered. It was noted that most of the council’s costs are fixed, but there are some items such as asset maintenance and S137 expenditure where there is some flexibility. It was agreed to reduce the Asset Maintenance figure down to £500 and to include the £400 church payment. The budgeted costs totalled £12,400.
Precept for 2026-2027
The budget was considered alongside the level of general and earmarked reserves. Councillors noted that CIL funds cannot be used for routine maintenance costs. The proposed budget significantly exceeds last year’s precept of £10,040. Councillors agreed that the precept would need to increase or general reserves would fall below recommended levels.
It was agreed to request a precept of £12,000, equating to £64.12 per annum for a Band D property. Last year, a Band D property paid £52.54. Although this shows as a 22% increase, it equates to approximately £12 per year, which Councillors considered reasonable.
Wildlife Projects and Grant Funding
It was agreed to support hedgehog rescue projects within the village. The Council will purchase pens, enclosures and supplies up to a cost of £1,000, funded through Cllr Noble’s Enabling Communities Budget. The equipment will remain the property of the Council but will be on long-term loan to residents. If there are any remaining grant funds it was agreed to use these to support the English grey partridge project in the village, to purchase either storage bins or feed.
Latest Sizewell Forum
A verbal report from Cllr Montgomery will be considered at the next meeting. The Clerk will speak with Cllr Montgomery regarding the possibility of a volunteer Sizewell representative. Councillors noted, however, that residents have had limited ideas for CIL-funded projects to date, and there may currently not be a strong need to apply for Sizewell C grant funding, especially as the funding would be ongoing for several years.
Correspondence
CalComms- Request for another meeting re the battery storage plant planning application and flood report feedback – it was agreed to invite them to attend the public section of our next Council meeting.
Suffolk County Council S19 Flood Investigation Report 12 month update- request for updates on actions – the clerk will respond to this.
Request for funding from St Elizabeth Hospice – it was agreed to donate £100
ESC Consultation on how to engage the public with planning processes– noted.
Local government review consultation- This was circulated and Councillors were encouraged to respond as individuals due to consultation ending 11.01.2026. The government will give their view on the proposals in the coming months.
Cllr. Noble’s Enabling Communities Grant- confirmation that the grant request was accepted.
Suffolk PCC asking for views on draft proposal for the policing element for the council tax precept- survey closes 29th January
Suffolk Police advising that Police Connect is being replaced by Suffolk Connected
Letter of thanks from Citizens Advice Bureau for donation
Councillors’ Reports
Cllr. Mee has reported potholes near the traffic lights.
Cllr. Hardy has received complaints about footpaths and hedges in the village not being maintained.
Matters to be Raised at the Next Meeting
None
Next Meeting
This was confirmed as Wednesday 18th March 2026.
There being no further business, the Chair thanked everyone for attending and closed the meeting at 8.20pm.
Signed: ………………………. ………………………..
Chair Date