Parish Council Minutes 21 March 2005

A Council Meeting was held on Monday 21st March, 2005 in Bealings Village Hall commencing at 8.00 p.m.
PRESENT

Mr. E. Barnett - Chairman
Mr. J. Haywood-Smith - Vice Chairman
Mr. J. Carter-Jonas
Mr. K. Wilcox
Mrs. E. Lynch
Dr. S. Williams
Mrs. V.A. Hinton - Acting Clerk

IN ATTENDANCE

Mr. S. Hudson - County Councillor

APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE
Apologies had been received from Mr. I. Jowers and Mrs. Sally Johnson. No apologies had been received from Mrs. J. Thurkettle once again. The Chairman would follow up.

At the commencement of the Meeting the Chairman welcomed everyone and thanked them for attending. Mr. Hudson would be joining the meeting later as he had another Council Meeting to attend.

1. Parish Clerk
There had been three responses in connection with the advertised vacancy.
Julian Haywood-Smith had received two telephone calls and the Chairman had received a letter from Mrs. Sarah Cartwright. The Chairman would follow up. Vivien Hinton had only anticipated continuing as Acting Clerk until the 31st. March, 2005 but agreed to remain for a little while longer, unless it proved impossible for her to do so.

2. To receive Councillors Declarations of Interest in any item on this Agenda
Mr. Barnett stated that he felt it necessary for him to declare an interest in any discussions relating to the village hall because he may have a conflict of interest and felt that he should not take part. Mr. J. Haywood-Smith said that he would be happy for the Chairman to remain during any discussions.

3. To approve the Minutes from the Meeting held on Monday 24th January, 2005
The Minutes of the Meeting held on 21st January, 2005 were approved as a true and accurate record of the discussion at that meeting. Mrs. Emily Lynch proposed and Mr. Ken Wilcox seconded the proposal. The Minutes were then signed by the Chairman.

4. Matters arising from the Minutes
(i) East of England Plan
The Chairman had been unable to attend the consultation meeting which had been held on Monday 7th February, 2005.

5. Village Playing Field
The Chairman thanked those that had distributed the questionnaires and reported that Lt. Bealings Parish Council were currently processing and analysing the responses and hoped to have completed this by the time of their next Parish Council Meeting to be held in two weeks time. It was reported that 60% of those sent questionnaires had replied – most of the responses were favourable. 106 questionnaires had been issued in Gt. Bealings and 61 had returned. 57 supported, 3 were against and 1 had no comments to make. 95% of the respondents support the proposal to go ahead with the refurbishment. At least 12 people have offered to help in a variety of ways. It was agreed that as soon as both Gt. and Lt. Bealings had completed their analysis that a joint meeting would be held to discuss the way forward. Representatives of the Village Hall Committee would also be invited to attend. It was agreed that a general open meeting should be held in the Village Hall after the Parish Councils had met. The Chairman would draft a letter to be sent to Lt. Bealings Parish Council. It was thought that the refurbishment would cost approximately £80,000. It was agreed that the Council must finalise with Suffolk Acre regarding the possibility of receiving a grant.

6. Website
Julian Haywood-Smith reported that the playground proposal was now on the website as was the planned photograph competition. The importance of keeping the website up to date was stressed. It was also agreed that it would be a good idea to put historical facts on the website and knowledgeable local people would be contacted.

7. Village Fete
After discussion it was agreed that Saturday 24th September, 2005 would be the most suitable date. The Chairman would contact Lt. Bealings Parish Council to find out if they were interested in holding a joint fund raiser. If they were not interested, then Gt. Bealings would still hold their own Fete on 24th September, 2005. It was agreed that an organising committee should be set up nearer the time.

8. Traffic – outstanding 30 m.p.h. sign on Boot Street
Still not resolved. It was reported that potholes had appeared in several roads around the village. The Chairman would contact Mr. Guy Pearse regarding this.

9. Expenditure
(i) Cheque Signing
Mr. Julian Haywood-Smith proposed and Mrs. Emily Lynch seconded the proposal that the following cheques be issued and signed:-

1. Mary Stiles - £128.33 – balance of Gerald’s salary 2004/05
2. Vivien Hinton £256.67 – Clerk’s salary December 04 – March 05
3. Suffolk Acre £20.00 – Annual Subscription
4. Suffolk Accident Rescue Service £20.00 – Donation
5. Mr. E.W. Barnett £30.00 – reimbursement for purchase of flowers for
Mrs. M. Stiles.
6. Local Council Review £13.00 - renewal

10. Any Other Business including correspondence
(ii) SCDC – “Working with Town & Parish Councils
The Chairman distributed to all Councillors a questionnaire that had been received from Suffolk Coastal District Council and asked them to bring their responses for discussion at the May Council Meeting.

(iii) defra – Clean Neighourhoods and Environment Bill
An undated letter had been received from defra regarding the Clean Neighbourhoods and Environment Bill, the contents of which were discussed.

(iv) The Standards Board – “A Code for the future”
A letter dated 18th February, 2005 had been received from The Standards Board enclosing 5 copies of a leaflet introducing the consultation. Councillors were asked to consider their responses for discussion at the May Council Meeting.

(v) Playing Field Money
Discussion took place concerning the opening of an account in which to place any money raised in connection with the playing field. The Chairman would arrange and would let Mr. Wilcox know so that the £1,445 that he had raised could be paid in.
The money had been raised by charging hire fees for metal detecting days out.
Mr. Wilcox would let Mr. Haywood-Smith have any photographs that he had taken of the old coins found.

(vi) Locality Fund
The Chairman reported that the £1,500 received from the Locality Fund had been safely banked.

(vii) Steven Hudson
Mr. Hudson reported that this would be the last meeting he would be attending as County Councillor representing Gt. Bealings because he had been selected to run for Kesgrave and Rushmere. Mr. Peter Bellfield would be taking over from Mr. Hudson as the Conservative County Councillor if elected in the May 5th elections. The
2004-05-31

Chairman thanked Steven very much for all his hard work and said he would be invited to the official opening of the new playing field.

(viii) Annual Parish Meeting
The Annual Parish Meeting would commence at 7.00 p.m. on
Monday 16th May, 2005. The Village Playing Field would be on the Agenda and also the results of the photographic competition. The Chairman said he would be happy to provide refreshments as usual. The Parish Council Meeting would commence immediately following the Annual Parish Meeting.


The Meeting closed at 9.10 p.m.

The next Meeting would be held on Monday 16th May, 2005 immediately after the Annual Parish Meeting which would commence at 7.00 p.m.