Minutes of the Marlesford Parish Council meeting, held on
Friday 19th August 2022, 7.00pm, in the Marlesford Community Centre.
- Present
- Chairman Roger Waterfall, Vice Chairman Richard Cooper, Cllr Diana Howard, Cllr Lesley Bensley, Cllr Heather McConville & Lord Marlesford.
- In Attendance
- 5 members of the public and the Clerk.
The Chairman welcomed everyone to the meeting, he then presented Lord Marlesford with a photograph of the Parish Council, as recognition of his 44 years of service as Chairman to Marlesford Parish Council.
Apologies for Absence
- Cllr Sam Catling – medical reasons.
- ESC Carol Poulter – family commitments & SCC Stephen Burroughes.
The apologies were approved by the Parish Council.
Declaration of Interests
None
Minutes of the Annual General Meeting Held on Monday 28th May 2022
The minutes were approved correct by the council and signed by the Chairman, proposed Cllr Cooper, seconded Cllr Howard.
Matters Arising from the Minutes
- To Consider installing Wi-fi at the Community Centre. It had previously been agreed by the PC to go ahead with this, ESC Cllr Poulter had said that she would fund it. Cllr Howard advised that she has completed the funding application form and is still waiting to hear back from the district council. She will go back to Cllr Poulter to remind her of her offer to fund.
- Re-Build the Bus Shelter. The Chairman advised that a rebuild cost for insurance purposes is likely to be £4,000. This will be added to the PC asset register.
- Quiet Lanes Posts and New Sign for The Ford. The Chairman reported that he now has all of the Quiet Lane signs ready to erect, however still waiting for the posts to be made smaller and moved to the revised locations. He has also asked Highways for a new “Ford” sign as the old one is faded.
- CIL Money – To receive suggestions on how to spend the CIL money received to date. Cllr Bensley advised that she has drafted a letter to be given to all residents inviting suggestions on what to spend the CIL money on. Once ideas are gathered a parish meeting will be called to discuss.
- Village Noticeboard. The Chairman informed that the cost of a new noticeboard to be erected on the front of the bus shelter at the A12, is £200. It will be able to display 9 x A4 pages. It was agreed by all to purchase, proposed Cllr Cooper seconded Cllr Howard.
Sizewell C - To Include Four Village Bypass (SEGway) & Proposals for Park and Ride at Wickham Market
The Chairman advised that this item would be brought forward for the members of the public and he opened the meeting to the public.
Cllr Cooper reported that the Secretary of State has granted permission for Sizewell C to go ahead. However it is expected that the cost of a new build is likely to be well over the originally forecast £20 billion, no settled funding plan has yet been agreed. A final investment decision by EDF to be made in 2023. EDF has committed to A12 mitigations (for a quiet surface, road crossings, improved footways and speed limit down to 30mph) and this is now enshrined in the Deed of Obligation signed by EDF, SCC and ESC. Mitigation plans will be displayed in the community centre. He will argue with EDF and SCC for some mitigation measures to be put in before work starts on Sizewell C. Improvements are also needed to the Bell Lane junction and the same for Marlesford Rd and Campsea Ashe Rd. Member of the public suggests that there will be a huge problem with trying to get out of the junctions onto the A12. Cllr Cooper confirmed that there is a list of issues that have been raised with EDF and SCC but have not been committed to. EDF is aware of this list and it will be referred to if/when traffic problem arise in the village and surrounding area.
Also pushing for a pedestrian and cycle way through Marlesford and up to the proposed Wickham Market park and ride. However funding and land ownership is still to be resolved. EDF claim that the traffic increase as a result of EDF related vehicles will only be 5%. However, this ignores the fact that HGV and bus traffic will increase by 124% over the current base of HGV and bus traffic. HGV’s and buses will cause significant issues for the properties along side the A12 who already have to put up with excessive noise and vibration. Cllr Poulter and Cllr Cooper are currently in discussion with EDF over what can be done for one property on the A12 and an EDF representative has been invited to come along to experience the effects of traffic and what could be to expected with an increase of HGV and bus traffic.
The Chairman advised that new pylons will be needed and will come out from Sizewell. It would be hoped that the electricity will be supplied for the UK and not to export it. Cllr Bensley informed that SCC is opposed to more pylons.
Lord Marlesford advised that there is grounds for a Judicial Review, due to the decision of the whole process. He encouraged all to read the recent paper which Cllr Cooper has written. The Chairman thanked Cllr Cooper for his work.
Members of the public then left the meeting.
Scottish Power North Sea Wind Farms
The Chairman advised that Abnormal Indivisible Loads (AILs) are expected to be brought to Friston from Lowestoft. The alternative option is opposed by the Port of Felixstow.
To Adopt the New Local Government Act – Councillor Code of Conduct
The Clerk advised the Parish Council that it is recommended to adopt the new councillor code of conduct, which will replace the previous code. The difference in the new code is that is contains a broader declaration of interests, the previous code was seen to have weakness’s on the provision for interests. The Code is for Parish Councillors and they are expected to take high standards at all times in compliance. The code only applies when acting as a Councillor (On Duty), not as a private individual. It was agreed by all to adopt the new code, subject to Lord Marlesfords approval, proposed Cllr Cooper seconded Cllr McConville.
The Chairman asked the PC if they are happy with the current website domain and email address, both of which are secure. All agreed that they are happy and no change needed.
Finance
- Statement of Accounts. Bank balances as at 19th August 2022, Barclays Community Account £12,409.30 inc. £5319.81 CIL money, Business Premium Account £839.71. The statement of accounts was approved by all and was signed by Cllr McConville.
- Internal Audit to be carried out by Cllr McConville. Happy to carry out the internal audit before the next PC meeting.
- Suffolk Cloud – Website Hosting, invoice to pay £120.00
- To Reimburse Cllr Howard for the purchase of book tokens – Jubilee prizes and also mileage to collect the Quiet Lanes brochures. £80.00 for book tokens and £17.16 for mileage. Agreed also to pay Cllr Cooper £56.09 to reimburse for the Jubilee lunch bar costs.
The Chairman praised the village for the big success of the Platinum Jubilee lunch.
- Payment for AGM Photographs. £100.00 payment to the Chairman.
- Clerks Pay & Expenses – Invoices to pay Clerks pay £400.32 to end of June & £400.32 to end of September. HMRC P30 £19.40 and expenses £182.70 which includes half year working from home pay February to July and also £40.00 paid out by the Clerk for the Data Protection ICO certificate.
All of the above payments were approved by the PC, proposed Cllr McConville seconded Cllr Bensley.
The renewal of the CPRE membership is now due, however the Clerk will pay out of her expenses as she has run out of PC cheques. She will invoice the PC at the next meeting.
To Receive Reports from East Suffolk District Councillor Carol Poulter & Suffolk County Councillor Stephen Burroughes
The District and County Councillor reports have been forward to all. The 2 reports seem to have a fair bit in common, but nothing relating directly to Marlesford.
Reports from Parish Representatives
SALC – Cllr Bensley, there is 50% funding available to fund energy projects costing up to £10,000, this could be rolled in with the CIL money. Could consider solar panels for the community hall roof.
Planning - The Chairman advised that no new planning applications have been received since the last PC meeting.
Firs Bowling Green – Cllr Waterfall has nothing to report and has not received any response on the progress at the land registry.
Footpaths & Access – In Cllr Catlings absence no report has been received.
Cllr Bensley informed that at the boundary with Wickham Market on the old A12, there is a large amount of fly tipping. She will report this to Highways.
Highways - Cllr Howard informed that the bridge has now been repaired at the Ford.
Website – Cllr Howard has nothing to report. The new LGA Councillor Code of Conduct will be put onto the website. The Chairman informed that he has updated the list of Councilors and Chairman on the website and village magazine. All are happy for the list to be circulated via the village email also.
Environmental Dimension of all other Policies – In Cllr Catlings absence no report has been received.
To Review the Standing Orders and Financial Orders
All were happy that no amendments are needed to be made this year.
Correspondence
None
Any Other Business
- Climate Change Awareness – Cllr Bensley informed that SALC will be holding a meeting for local initiatives on 13th September, the Chairman to attend and will report back at the next PC meeting. Cllr Cooper suggests involving the younger people of the community as well as the whole village.
- Conservation Area Legislation – Chairman advised that a large part of Marlesford is in a conservation area. A recent inspection of the village carried out by East Suffolk Conservation Officer had found no issues. The PC could apply for Article 4 Legislation which would strengthen the conservation area. The Chairman to write in support of this and for Marlesford to adopt.
Date of Next Parish Council Meeting
Cllr Cooper suggests that the reason why the district and county councilors do not always attend the PC meetings is due to the meeting taking place on a Friday evening. Would hope for better attendance if the PC meetings were changed to a weekday evening instead, or 2 meetings a year on a weekday and 2 meetings a year on a Friday.
The date of the next meeting to take place on Thursday 17th November 2022.
Meeting ended at 8.30pm
Signed ……………………………………………… (Chairman) Date ………………………………