WICKHAM MARKET PARISH COUNCIL
MINUTES OF THE ANNUAL MEETING OF WICKHAM MARKET PARISH COUNCIL
HELD ON MONDAY 16TH MAY 2016 AT 7:30PM IN WICKHAM MARKET
VILLAGE HALL, COMMITTEE ROOM
Present: Cllr Dick Jenkinson (Chairman)
Cllr Margaret Blackall Cllr David Chenery
Cllr Robin Cooke Cllr Michael Hawes Cllr Emma Lawrence Cllr Brian Nobbs
Cllr Val Pizzey Cllr John Ridd
Cllr Patrick Roper Cllr Michael Roseveare
Cllr Edna Salmon
In attendance: Joanne Jones – Parish Clerk. District Cllr Mark Amoss and there were 3 members of the public present.
1. Election of Chairman and Signing of Declaration of Acceptance of Office
Cllr Jenkinson asked for nominations for Chairman. Cllr Cooke nominated Cllr Jenkinson to continue within the role of Chairman, Seconded by Cllr Hawes. All in Favour. Cllr Jenkinson was duly Elected and the Declaration of Acceptance of Office was signed and witnessed by the Clerk.
2. Election of Vice Chairman and Signing of Declaration of Acceptance of Office
The Chairman asked for nominations for Vice Chairman. The Chairman nominated Cllr Roseveare to continue within this role. Cllr Roseveare stated he would welcome nominations from other Councillors for this role due to his current workload. There were no other nominations for Vice Chairman and therefore the Chairman’s Proposal was Seconded by Cllr Ridd. All in Favour. Cllr Roseveare agreed to continue to remain within the role of Vice Chairman. Cllr Roseveare was duly Elected and the Declaration of Acceptance of Office was signed and witnessed by the Clerk.
3. Open Public Session
There were no comments from the members of the public present.
To receive a report from County Councillor Michael Bond
County Cllr Bond was not present. No written report had been submitted.
To receive a report from District Cllr Mark Amoss
District Cllr Mark Amoss gave details of funding given to date from his Enabling Community
Budget and urged the Parish Council to apply for funding towards projects, as required. He
reported he had received a report regarding graffiti within the bus shelter at the Hill to which he
gave details. District Cllr Amoss confirmed the next Suffolk Constabulary Tasking meeting
was due to take place on Thursday 30th June 2016 at 10:30am at Woodbridge Police Station.
Cllr Roper volunteered to attend this meeting. District Cllr Amoss congratulated the Chairman
on the outcome of the recent Open Public Meeting held regarding the George Public House.
The Chairman asked if Cllr Amoss was aware if Robert Scrimgeour had sent a letter to
Montaque Investments to which Cllr Amoss confirmed he had not been informed regarding
this letter being sent but would look into this on behalf of the Parish Council. Cllr Cooke asked
if the scaffolding had now been inspected to which the Chairman advised he was chasing up
this matter with SCDC. The Chairman thanked District Cllr Amoss for his report.
To receive a report from Suffolk Constabulary
Suffolk Constabulary were not present. Cllr Hawes gave details of the written report received
and concerns were raised that the crimes stated were for Rendlesham and not Wickham Market,
The Chairman formally opened the meeting at 7:56pm
4. To receive Apologies for Absence
There were none.
5. Election of Committees and Representatives & to elect Chairman for 2016/17
The following were Approved:-
Committees:-
Planning – Cllr Roseveare (Chairman), Nobbs, Hawes, Salmon & Jenkinson
Finance & General Purpose – Cllr Jenkinson (Chairman) Roper, Cooke, Roseveare & Pizzey
Environment & Leisure – Cllr Chenery (Chairman), Blackall, Ridd, Cooke, Dave Bescoby,
& Anne Westover
Neighbourhood Plan Committee – Cllr Jenkinson (Chairman), George Hering (Vice Chairman),
Cllrs Salmon & Cooke, Colin Owens, Bryan Archer, Ray Lewis, Lizzie Richie, Sue Jones &
Neighbourhood Plan Working Group Members - Gloria Creasey, Jacky Carpenter, Michael
Margetts, Steve Aylward, Arthur Stansfield, Roger Theobald and Ray Clune
Cemetery Group – Cllrs Roper, Blackall, Linda Merriam, Terry Peake, Jo Jones & Anne
Westover
Representatives:-
Allotments - Michael Margetts (Glebe), Bernard Catchpole/Micky Elliot (Simons Cross)
Village Hall Management Committee – Cllr Roper (Trustee)
Village Hall Rebuild Committee – Cllrs Lawrence & Roseveare
SALC/LCPAS – Cllr Chenery
Tree Warden - Terry Peake
Footpaths – Terry Peake
All Saints Youth Club – Cllr Ridd
Sizewell C Liaison Representative – Cllrs Roseveare & Jenkinson
Wickham Market Town Team – Cllrs Salmon & Jenkinson
Parish Plan Steering Group – Cllr Cooke (Chairman), Cllr Lawrence, Roger Theobald, Peter
Elliot, Pauline & Brian Nicklin
Wickham Market Partnership – Cllr Jenkinson
Webmaster – Jo Jones
6. To receive Councillors Declarations of Interest
The Chairman declared a Pecuniary Interest as he is a Director of WM Inspirations. He also
declared a Non-Pecuniary Interest as he is a member of WM Town Team and WMP. Cllr Roper
declared a Non-Pecuniary Interest as he is a Trustee on Wickham Market Village Hall
Management Committee. Cllr Salmon declared a Non-Pecuniary Interest as she is a member of
WM Town Team.
6.1. To Consider any Dispensations
There were none.
7. To Approve the draft minutes of the Parish Council meeting held on Monday 21st March
2016
The draft minutes of the meeting held on Monday 21st March 2016 had been circulated to all Councillors prior to the meeting and were Proposed for Approval by Cllr Lawrence, Seconded by Cllr Hawes. 11 in Favour, 1 Abstention. The minutes were duly signed by the Chairman as a true record of the meeting.
8. Matters arising from the previous minutes which do not appear elsewhere on the agenda
Cllr Lawrence confirmed members of the Village Hall Management Committee still had some
concerns regarding the Village Hall Rebuild Committee being a separate entity from the Parish
Council due to legal implications. She confirmed Margaret Holland along with Mary Sculpher
and Cllr Jenkinson had therefore arranged to meet with a representative from Community
Action Suffolk in order to receive clarification on this matter and to look into options for the
most suitable way forward. Cllr Lawrence volunteered her services in order to assist in taking
this project forward.
8.1 - The George Public House – To receive an update regarding the outcome of the Open
Public Meeting and actions agreed
The Chairman gave details regarding the meeting held and confirmed as a result of this meeting
Robert Scrimgeour, SCDC had agreed to write to Montaque Investments. He confirmed he
would chase Robert up with regards to this matter and would also look into if Katherine Scott,
SCDC had received a response in respect of the proposed scaffolding inspection. Cllr Ridd
stated he was aware quite a few members of the public were upset with SCDC’s attitude at this
meeting and therefore he had volunteered to write to the local MP. District Cllr Amoss gave
details regarding the viable options available and realistic actions that could be taken
/achieved by SCDC and urged Parishioners to compile a business case for the renovation of this
building.
8.2 - Bowls Club Licence and Village Hall Lease Renewal – To receive an update
The Chairman confirmed the draft leases had now been received from Blocks. He suggested the
way forward would be for a meeting to be held with representatives from WMVHMC, the
Bowls Club and Football Club to consider these draft leases and in order so that an
Extraordinary Council meeting can be held to approve them.
8.3 – Lehmann House update
The Chairman confirmed progress was slowly moving in right direction to which he provided
details.
8.4 – Wickham Market Inspirations update
The Chairman gave details regarding the grand opening event to be held on Wednesday 25th
May 2016 and confirmed the Shareholders opening was due to take place on Saturday 21st May
2016. He reported the shop now had 90% occupancy and he hoped it would be to be a great
success.
8.5 – The Pightle update
The Clerk confirmed she had asked SCC to arrange for the grass to be cut. Cllr Hawes raised
concerns regarding the sale of the land at Lehmann House and the land at the Pightle to which
the Chairman provided clarification. The Chairman confirmed this land could not be transferred
to the Parish Council until the sale of Lehmann House was complete. Cllr Hawes asked if the
E & L Committee would then be responsible for managing the Pightle and suggested if events
were to be held that a formal letting system should be carried out. It was also suggested the
Clerk should check with the Insurance Company as to what cover would be provided on this
land once it had been transferred to the Parish Council in respect of travellers.
9. Parish Council Matters
9.1 – To consider the siting of a Vehicle Activated Speed sign and correspondence received
from a local resident regarding speeding
Cllr Chenery declared a non-pecuniary interest regarding this item. The Chairman gave details
regarding the suggested sites where the posts could be sited being one at The Hill going south by
Snowdon House, one coming into Wickham Market from Ufford by the Old School and finally
one by the Industrial Estate on Border Cot Lane. He confirmed SCC Highways had been to
inspect these sites and unfortunately due to the sight line the one at Border Cot Lane would not
be viable to which he gave details. There was a brief discussion and it was suggested the
implementation of a 30mph speed limit on Border Cot Lane could be re-visited.
Cllr Chenery provided further details regarding the Vehicle Activated Speed Sign scheme.
The Chairman gave details of correspondence received from a local resident regarding speeding
and it was agreed the Chairman would respond to this correspondence. He provided details of a
speed survey carried out at The Drift and it was suggested that more speed checks could be
carried out close to Hopkins Homes development.
The Chairman asked Cllr Chenery if the Village Gateway by the Hopkins Homes development
would be reinstated to which Cllr Chenery confirmed he would look into requesting for this to be
replaced. Cllr Ridd raised concerns regarding the general condition of the road signs within the
village and the Chairman suggested that Cllr Ridd e-mailed a list of damaged road signs to Cllr
Chenery. Cllr Chenery urged for Councillors to raise any matters regarding speeding with
Suffolk Constabulary at their next Tasking Setting Meeting.
9.2 – To receive an update on an informal meeting held regarding possible funding
available from Shared Access along with siting of mobile telephone mast
The Clerk confirmed an informal meeting had been held in which herself along with Cllrs
Chenery, Blackall and Penny Jenkinson had recently attended with Phil Wright from Shared Access. She provided details regarding this meeting and confirmed Shared Access were keen to look into providing a mobile phone signal mast on the Village Hall Playing Field in return for either free flood lighting on the sports pitch or a sum of £25,000. She advised this mast would only support Vodafone and O2 networks and a formal lease for the land whereby the mast was to be sited would be required. The Chairman closed the meeting to allow Mike Richardson Chairman WMFC to comment. Mike confirmed the Football Club would not be in favour of
4 flood lights but would like floodlighting for training as at present they were having to use the pitch at Farlingaye High School. The Chairman gave details regarding the tennis courts and suggested possibly this area could be used as a five a side training pitch. There was a discussion and the Chairman confirmed as a result of the Parish Plan analysis 50% of those who completed this questionnaire had stated they were not happy with their mobile phone signal. District Cllr Amoss provided further information regarding the proposed scheme and urged the Parish Council to look into various precautions prior to any agreement being signed. It was agreed subject to conditions the Parish Council would look into this matter further. It was also agreed that Jo Jones should ask Blocks for costings to draft a lease, as required.
10. Clerks Report
To confirm I have received the renewal subscription from SALC and I would like to ask the
Parish Council to approve if they would still like to continue to subscribe to SALC, or not.
To advise I have received notification from Clarke & Simpson that Nigel Holland is going to
raise the rent of the Simons Cross Allotment Site to £620.00 per year with effect from 1st April
2017.
I have received an e-mail in which I circulated to all Councillors regarding vandalism at the
toilets within the Long Stay Car Park. SC Norse have suggested these toilets should be locked at
5pm in order to prevent future occurrences.
I have received an up to date footpath map from SCC and will ask for some PDF copies as the
original is rather large in order so these can be advertised within the village.
I have now received the Approved Conversation Area Appraisal from SCDC and have copies
available if Councillors wish to view this. The covering letter from SCDC also includes details
of comments made by local residents in respect of this appraisal.
SALC Subscription – The Clerk and Cllr Chenery gave details regarding the services in which
SALC & LCPAS provide and the costs of subscriptions involved. Cllr Chenery suggested as he
had agreed to take on the SALC representative role that he could look into both services
provided. It was agreed the Parish Council would subscribe to SALC this year. Proposed by
Cllr Jenkinson, Seconded by Cllr Lawrence. All in Favour.
Cllr Lawrence raised concerns regarding the proposal to close the toilet facilities at the Long
Stay Car Park at 5pm. There was a brief discussion and it was suggested these facilities should
remain open during the Summer months until 7pm. District Cllr Amoss suggested they could
close half hour before dark during the Summer months then at 5.30pm from October to March
on an auto timer.
There was a discussion regarding what action the Parish Council could take to assist prevent
future occurrences of vandalism within the village and the Chairman suggested the remaining