July 2009
16/07/09 08:02
The July meeting was attended by 10 Parish Councillors, a police officer and 4 parishioners. Mr John Goodyear, SCC Rural Pavement Programme Officer, was invited to discuss with the Council the provision of a footway from The Village Green to Alley Road. This scheme had, from previous information, expected to have been provided during 2009/10, but now had slipped to a priority of 150/215, which could now take another 20 years to fulfil. Mr Goodyear explained that in 2004 a new assessment scheme had been developed, and the problem for this scheme was its length and so its cost, for which. copies of the priority assessment and cost estimate had been provided for Councillors. Councillors were disappointed with this, and pressed the case for children walking to the Green to access buses, but it appeared that the straight nature of Falkenham Road and distance involved, did not assist the assessment. It was agreed that representations should be made through the County Councillor and direct to the County Council on the apparent unfairness of the assessment methodology.
Two parishioners raised with the Council the hedge bordering the Village Green, and the Clerk reported that a quotation had been received to radically trim the hedge, on the Green side, to improve its sustainability. Subject to this resulting in future costs being reduced the Council was minded to take this up. A quotation had also been obtained for repainting the bus shelter and Village Sign post. It was felt the Village Green seat should also be included, but before proceeding necessary repairs to the roof should be attended to. Renovation of the Village Sign itself would be investigated.
Mrs O’Brien (CC) had sent a written report, referring to the new constitution of the CC, and her own appointment to the Police Authority and Development Control. She was particularly concerned about the impact, and lack of consultation, on the increased allocation of housing to Martlesham , and had expressed these concerns in a note to the SCDC Task group. The Parish’s Locality Grant had been increased to £1300.
Mrs Green (PC/DC) gave an update on continued concerns about the transfer of heart services away from Ipswich Hospital, which was endorsed by Councillors; there were fears that Ipswich was being downgraded. Pc Crisp reported on two property incidents in Kirton, which were undetected, and a report of a door to door salesman in Back Road; these were deprecated and incidents should be reported immediately to the Police. He was investigating a report of a tracked vehicle using the Village Green during the previous week.
The provision of a footpath from Weir Place had again stalled, and subject to completion of any outstanding enquiries, was considered best closed. A view was expressed that the alternative option of a footpath along Park Road might be put to SCC through Mr Goodyear. The Council was disappointed by the outcome of the Inquiry into 15 Guston Gardens, but had to accept the Inspectors decision. Nevertheless, the Inspector had laid down a number of conditions on development proceeding and these would be kept under review.
The reservations of the Internal Auditor had been resolved, a revised Audit report had been received, and their Account was approved. The Clerk had submitted the Annual Return to BDO.
The RG [Recreation Ground] committee have awarded a contract to replace safety surfacing, in September, of the Play Area. New CCTV cameras have been installed, though initially these had not proved vandal proof. It appears there is progress at last on the Cycle Jumps and sufficient grants seem likely to be available to allow it to proceed.
The Environment/Transport committee had considered SCDC Climate Change Strategy, and will prepare a response. They could report that Far East Travel buses had taken over from Country Travel, and routing buses along Falkenham/Back Roads will commence 1st September; apart from school double-deckers which cannot negotiate the corners.
The Planning Committee met after the meeting closed, and considered an application in Rectory Lane, and interim plans for The Maltings.
The next Parish Council meeting is on 17th August.
Colin Shaw, Clerk
Two parishioners raised with the Council the hedge bordering the Village Green, and the Clerk reported that a quotation had been received to radically trim the hedge, on the Green side, to improve its sustainability. Subject to this resulting in future costs being reduced the Council was minded to take this up. A quotation had also been obtained for repainting the bus shelter and Village Sign post. It was felt the Village Green seat should also be included, but before proceeding necessary repairs to the roof should be attended to. Renovation of the Village Sign itself would be investigated.
Mrs O’Brien (CC) had sent a written report, referring to the new constitution of the CC, and her own appointment to the Police Authority and Development Control. She was particularly concerned about the impact, and lack of consultation, on the increased allocation of housing to Martlesham , and had expressed these concerns in a note to the SCDC Task group. The Parish’s Locality Grant had been increased to £1300.
Mrs Green (PC/DC) gave an update on continued concerns about the transfer of heart services away from Ipswich Hospital, which was endorsed by Councillors; there were fears that Ipswich was being downgraded. Pc Crisp reported on two property incidents in Kirton, which were undetected, and a report of a door to door salesman in Back Road; these were deprecated and incidents should be reported immediately to the Police. He was investigating a report of a tracked vehicle using the Village Green during the previous week.
The provision of a footpath from Weir Place had again stalled, and subject to completion of any outstanding enquiries, was considered best closed. A view was expressed that the alternative option of a footpath along Park Road might be put to SCC through Mr Goodyear. The Council was disappointed by the outcome of the Inquiry into 15 Guston Gardens, but had to accept the Inspectors decision. Nevertheless, the Inspector had laid down a number of conditions on development proceeding and these would be kept under review.
The reservations of the Internal Auditor had been resolved, a revised Audit report had been received, and their Account was approved. The Clerk had submitted the Annual Return to BDO.
The RG [Recreation Ground] committee have awarded a contract to replace safety surfacing, in September, of the Play Area. New CCTV cameras have been installed, though initially these had not proved vandal proof. It appears there is progress at last on the Cycle Jumps and sufficient grants seem likely to be available to allow it to proceed.
The Environment/Transport committee had considered SCDC Climate Change Strategy, and will prepare a response. They could report that Far East Travel buses had taken over from Country Travel, and routing buses along Falkenham/Back Roads will commence 1st September; apart from school double-deckers which cannot negotiate the corners.
The Planning Committee met after the meeting closed, and considered an application in Rectory Lane, and interim plans for The Maltings.
The next Parish Council meeting is on 17th August.
Colin Shaw, Clerk