HEMINGSTONE PARISH COUNCIL Annual Parish Meeting AGM of the Parish Council 7.30pm on Wednesday May 9, 2018 The Hut, Hemingstone Notes and Minutes Annual Parish Meeting Refreshments will be available 1 Apologies for Absence District Cllr James Caston had sent apologies. 20 members of the public were present together with Parish Cllrs David Byrnand, Mohammed Touman, Claire Martin, David Penny and Jason Fayers, District Cllr John Whitehead, County Cllr John Field and the Clerk, Rod Caird 2 Chairman s welcome, introduction and report on 2017/18 Cllr Byrnand, Chairman, reported that nine meetings had been held this year; Tim Turner had stood down as Parish Councillor and Jason Fayers had joined. A public use defibrillator has been purchased with the support of the Cavemen Club and installed in the disused phone box. The Council s budget was set for 2018/19 and the precept requirement was unchanged. The Parish Council submitted comments to the Mid Suffolk District Council Local Plan consultation. The VAS is positioned on the B1078 and data about traffic behaviour will soon be available. Cllr Byrnand said he would be standing down as Chairman and would not accept nomination at the AGM following this meeting. 3 Reports from District and County Councillors, and open discussion on issues raised by residents, including the planned one-way traffic system through Coddenham and Hemingstone, and proposals for a Neighbourhood Watch scheme in the village Cllr Field s written report will be available on the village website. In answer to a question he said that elected councillors did not have much say in prioritising the Highways Department s 21 million (over three years) road resurfacing
spend. He also clarified that 200m of the County s cash reserves were allocated to specific projects such as the new Orwell crossing and the Lowestoft bridge; 50m was kept as an unallocated reserve. The housing proposal for Barham Church Lane now has the planning status of minded to refuse. Cllr Whitehead s written report will be available on the vilage website. In answer to a question he said that funding would be available from the District Councillors budgets for the purchase of a Speed Indicator Device if that was requested by the Parish Council. After discussion it was agreed a Neighbourhood Watch scheme for the village could be set up and the Parish Council will support this if necessary. Details will be published in the Six Villages Magazine. After discussion about the proposed trial of a one-way gyratory traffic experment through Coddenham, which would affect Hemingstone roads and residents, it was agreed to write to Highways officers seeking a meeting so that Hemingstone s views could be expressed. A strong view was put forward that Hemingstone had not been properly consulted, and that the scheme s effects on the whole of Hemingstone had not been properly considered. The lack of consultation may amount to maladministration and a resident has made a Freedom of Information application to establish what process was followed. 4 Reports from village organisations: The WI St Gregory s Church The Hut Committee Caveman Club Others 1. The WI was not present as their own meeting was taking place. 2. The Church Fete will be held on June 2; the church gates have been painted and a tidy-up was very successful. Volunteers are needed for grass-cutting. The Chuch now has its own MP3 player for music during services. 3. The Hut will be 100 years old in two years time. It may be possible to apply to the Suez Trust for grants for improvements. 500 worth of electrical issues have been sorted out and the 300 insurance has been renewed; the boiler and vacuum cleaner have been replaced. The bank account is now online. There are regular bookings from the WI, Dominoes Club, Cavemen,
5 Date of Next Meeting May 8, 2019 Yoga and frequent children s parties. 4. The Cavemen Club meets every two months (with a women s group meeting in the month in between). 13 attended the last meeting and more members are very welcome. 5. It was noted that a report from the village History Recorder and Archvist Chris Codd should be a regular item at this meeting. Hemingstone s record keeping in the past has been patchy but the Recorder is now keeping detailed track of how the village is changing. AGM of the Parish Council 1/090518 Election of Chairman and Deputy for 2018/19 Mohammed Touman was elected Chair and Claire Martin Deputy Chair wihout contest. Gratitude was expressed to David Byrnand for his service as Chair. 2/090518 Apologies for absence and approvals None 3/090518 Declarations of interest and dispensations requested None 4/090518 Approval of the Minutes of the PC meeting on March 14, 2018 The Minutes were approved. 5/090518 Public comments on matters on the Agenda None at this time; comments had been made earlier. 6/090518 Progress reports: Planning applications, including the work being carried out at Charity Farm Barn Village footpath map
The proposed gyratory traffic scheme in Coddenham and Hemingstone 1. Serious concern was expressed about the building work at Charity Farm Barns, where the old barn had been completely demolished, contrary to assurances at the planning stage and without planners agreement. It was agreed to maintain close contact with Planning Enforcement and to monitor the site. It was also agreed not to oppose the single-storey extension at Crankies Gate provided the neighours are happy with it. 2. The Footpath Map was approved with enthusiasm and it was agreed to send it to the sign-maker. A launch event would be arranged. 3. The gyratory scheme in Coddenham had already been discussed. 7/090518 Financial report, including payments due, and presentation and approval of The accounts of the Parish Council for 2017/18 (and the relevant annual return paperwork) The updated Standing Orders The Asset Register The Risk Assessment The updated Financial Regulations The accounts for 2017/18 were approved and the Annual Return was signed for audit. The Standing Orders, Asset Register, Risk Asessment and Financial regulations ere approved and adopted. A payment was made to HMRC for PAYE ( 28.80), to Rod Caird for Clerk pay ( 115.42), and to SALC for annual subscription ( 135.52). A payment is due to be made to Claire Martin for refreshments purchased for the Annual Parish Meeting ( 40.31). The first instalment of the precept ( 1,000) has been received and the bank balance is now 6,755.05. A general reserve from funds held at the end of 2017/18 amounts to 1,172.53; an earmarked reserve which includes CIL funding and a donation from the Bowls Club amounts to 4,862.26. 8/090518 Urgent matters to be brought to the attention of the Parish Council It was agreed to ask Mid Suffolk planners about the site behind the BMW garage which seems inactive and very messy. It was agreed the next Agenda would include discussion of a Speed
Indicator Device and also high-speed broadband provision. 9/090518 Dates of meetings in 2018/19 The next meeting will be held on Wednesday July 11, 2018. Further dates will be agreed thereafter.