Offton and Willisham Parish CouncilMinutes of the Parish Council meeting held on 2nd November 2015

in Offton and Willisham Village Hall.

Present Cllr K EarlCllr l SeddonCllr I GilsonCllr A CoxCounty Cllr J Trueloveo Holtom (clerk)

Cllr M BoltonCllr D ParksCllr C Pinson-RoxburgCllr SWarnesDistrict Cllr D Card

Public present: Michael Ratcliffe (Chair of Residence association for Marshmoor Park), ColinHumphries, Linda Humphries, a representative from the Village Hall Management Committee JamesCrickmore.Public question time: The progress in regard of the traffic safety at the junction on Bildeston Rd andWallow lane in Offton was discussed.

1 Meeting administrationa) Apologies for absence- Cllr D Cattermole, Cllr A Rumsey gave their apologies, apologies accepted.b) Declarations of interest in respect to agenda items - Cllr C Pinson-Roxburg declared his interest

for the agenda item #7b as the Chairman for the Village Hall Management Committee.2 Sign minutes of previous meeting ze" August 2015 as a true records - Agreed and signed3 Matters arising from previous meeting 24thAugust 2015 minutes - none4 Planning applications:

Decisions on processed planning applications:B/15/00191/FUl and B/15/00193/FUl- Elmsett Hall, Offton Road, Offton, Ipswich - approved by ClerkBDCon 02/09/15 subject to a legal agreement under S106 of the Town and Country Planning Actrestricting HGV movements to and from Off ton and Somersham direction.

5 Parish administrationa) Chairman and representatives reports - nothing to reportb) County Councillor JTruelove report

Reported about the following matters: support of Syrian Vulnerable Persons Scheme by SCC,roadclosures issues, Suffolk's devolution proposals, new model of support for those requiring care,awards programme from Working Together Fund. The full report attached.

c) District Councillor D Card reportReported the following: MSDC Treasury management plan, Stowmarket Food Enterprise Zone,Stowmarket Technology Hub, Barking road closure, Community Infrastructure levy, localityFund, Community Achievement Awards, Community led Planning, Council Tax rebate scamwarning, Devolution of Power debate, Joint Strategic Plan to 2019. The full report attached.

6 Correspondence

• A letter of za" September from the Suffolk Constabulary - noted that due to a shortage of Clerkresources the Police attendance of Parisf Council meetings is limited;

• Newsletter "In Touch News" - distributed each month - to contact regarding the possibilityusing this publication to promote our local events;

• A letter of zs" October from Headway Suffolk reporting about their activities and asking for agrant - to contact Headway Suffolk that as per the decision of O&W Parish Council, we do notdistribute public money for charitable purposes leaving it to the discretion of the individualparishioners;

• Information of the case for the Right of Appeal in the Planning Process - councillors asked tojoin the petition individually via link httpsJllpetition.parliament.uklpetitionsl110489

• Community Action Suffolk annual Review 2014/2015 - noted .7 Community Ja) Affordable Housing project 11

Cllr Bolton reported that Hastoe Group contacted MSDC regarding any land available be MBpurchased for the project. Senior Development Officer at Hastoe Group I Wright wanted someassistance in the land acquisition from the Parish Council. It was suggested for councillors toapproach the local farmers.The Parish Council meeting was closed at 8:20pm for the presentation by J Crickmore regardingOff ton village play area and re-opened at 8:55pm.

b) Off ton village play area IThe project is designed as a fitness area for adults and children. It was reported that the VillageHall Management Committee has a shortage of £4300 to finance the village play area. There is atime limit for the secured funding by the end of March 2016. Proposed to provide a grant up to£4300 for the project. Voted unanimously or the provision of the requested grant. Cllr Pinson-Roxburg abstained from voting. Cllr Pinson-Roxburg thanked the Council for the provision of thegrant and Mr Crickmore for his hard work on the project.It was also suggested that the Village Hall crmmittee should apply for a grant from the MSDClocality fund.

c) Coffee morning meetings attendanceThe councillors were asked to attend the Coffee Mornings on 17th November and is'" December.

8 Parish Propertya) Off ton phone box I.

The cleaning rota was confirmed as: Cllr Seddon - November.b) Notice board at Wallow Lane in Off ton

INotice board is now installed and used. clerk9 Highways I

a) Traffic safety concerns at junction on Bildeston Rd and Castle Rd in OfftonThe SCCHighway department confirmed that the narrowing of the junction is technically feasible. clerkHowever the recent speed survey that was carried out at this junction revealed that there isinsufficient magnitude to justify the cost of £1500 for the project. Suggested to appeal to thelocal residents about the danger of entering the village and Castle Road at high speed.

b) Traffic safety concerns at junction on Bildeston Rd and Wallow Lane in OfftonPrior to the start of the meeting parishioners confirmed that the process has finally started inresponse to their concerns. SCCHighway department to conduct a speed survey to get anindication of the situation.

c) Road closure at BarkingThere was a notification that the road through Barking will be closed from 11thJanuary to 12th clerkFebruary 2016 instead of from 1stDecember to 23 December 2015.

d) Missing repeater sign "30mph" on the sign post to Tye Lane in WillishamConfirmed by the SCCHighway department that the sign will be re-installed in the next 2 weeks. clerk

e) Flooding/drainage problem at Corner Bungalow in WillishamConfirmed by the SCCHighway department that an order being placed for some cuts in the clerkcarriageway to be made. It was noted that the individual owners are responsible for themaintenance of the ditch. Clerk to contact SCCHighway to clarify the work to be done.

f) "No HGV" sign at Elmsett Lane in Off tonConfirmed by the SCCHighway department that the order for a sign was placed. clerk

10 Footpathsa) Dog fouling issues in Off ton •

We were contacted by a parishioner concerned by the dog fouling on the public path off the clerkCastle Road in Offton. Notes were placed on some public paths to appeal to dog's owners to clear

up after their pets. The situation seems to have improved but an appeal to be published in TheLink. Clerk to investigate whether SCCcan provide anti-fouling signs.

11 Training IIt was suggested for councillors to contact the clerk for the training courses. The clerk to makebooking on condition of the availability of budget for the training. clerk

12 Financea) Balances at bank and petty cash

Reported by clerk that we have the followimg bank balances: Cheque £1000.00, Community clerk£3,543.81, Deposit £11,143.27, Petty Cash £8.10.

b) Smaller authorities Transparency FundReported that the Transparency Fund is to assist with the compliance for small parishes for setup clerkcosts, internet connection, a computer costs up to £350, a scanner costs up to £100, web designcosts, costs to maintain the website, paid time spent on compliance. It was proposed to acquire ascanner/printer and back up facilities to assist in compliance with the new regulation.Reported that the following documents were published on our website: Standing orders, Code ofConduct, Financial Risk Protocol, Councillors responsibilities, 2014/15 Year end accounts andAuditors" reports, 2015/2016 Budget.

d) To approve payments and authorise cheques for signatureThe following payments were approved by/councillors: clerk

• SALCfor payroll services- £16.80;

• SALCfor councillor seminar - £120.00;

• Transfer to the community fund as per budget - £800.00;

• Suffolk Preservation Society membership fee - £25.00.

13 To consider any planning applications received after the agenda3556/15 Adjacent Maltings House, Ipswichl Road, Offton IP8 4SF clerkPrior approval (ClassA and B) of proposed change of use of agricultural building to a dwellinghouse (Use Class C3) and for associated operational development.Decided: No objections subject to the following: The current building has no any architecturalmerits and the proposed application does not enhance this. We are concerned with the visibilityalong the whole property and we would li~e to see the visibility along the whole Maltingsproperty improved as a condition of this application.

14 Confirm dates of next meetings: Meeting date confirmed on n" January 2016

Meeting concluded at 10:20 pm.

SYRIAN VULNERABLE PERSONSSCHEME

Suffolk Public Sector leaders have unanimously agreed to support the Syrian Vulnerable PersonsScheme by offering to take up to 200 refugees. The location of suitable services in greater Ipswich

means that the refugees will be settled predominantly in that area.

A county wide task group has been establis ed to make sure Suffolk is ready to accept refugees.How the public might help will be known shortly,

ROAD CLOSUREISSUESTHOUGHOUTTHE DIVISION

Since the start of the Broad Band project laying cable from Stowmarket to Wattisham Base therehave been prolonged and extensive road closures affecting most of the customary routes through

the Division. Many of the road closures have resulted in long diversionary routes for most of us, two

of them lasting months and one of them not finished yet. I have met the Chief Director of Services

and will shortly be meeting the new Highways Director to discuss the serious issues arising and hopethat s.cc will be more involved with co-ordination, communication and regular inspections.

SUFFOLK'SDEVOLUTION PROPOSALS

One of the designated seven work streams has focussed on economic growth.

Mechanisms to unlock growth,

The key ideas include:

Ways of boosting productivity,

Strategic partnerships to accelerate housing growth,

Reform to the skills and education systems

The above will be refined, discussed and agreed by the Challenge Session Team, then presented tosenior politicians and civil servants in early November. The outcomes will be reflected on by S.CC

and District Council Leaders together with the New Anglia Local Enterprise Partnership ahead of the

Government's Comprehensive Spending Revue on 25th November.

NEW HOME REVUECARESUPPORTTO LIVEAT HOME

S.c.c. , whilst remaining committed to deliwering a new model of support have, for the time being,

delayed its implementation. s.c.c. will now review the position case by case rather than from a

geographical basis. The approach has arisen because of the complexities of the customer reviews

and the changes to the systems to implement them. You will recall that social services and the N.H.Sare now working more closely together to meet the needs of those requiring care.

AWARDS PROGRAMME - WORKING TOGETHER FUND

Awards of up to £10,000 could be made to community applicants whose work reflects outstandingservice delivery or community activity achieved as a result of increased collaborative working. The

fund is open to charities, community groups and not for profit organisations.

Contact the Grants officer on 01473 786912

District Councillor's Report for Parish Councils(Barking, Baylham, Darmsden, Nettlestead, Offton, Samersham and Willisham)

Prepared by Cllr. David Card 11 September 2015

District Councillor Report for November 2015 prepared by Cllr David Card2 Nov 2015

for the parishes of Barking, Baylham, Darmsden, Nettlestead, Offton, Somersham andWillsham

MSDC Treasury Management Plan - I was given reassurance following my question to theSeptember Full Council meeting that making long Term Investments of up to £lOmillionfrom reserves to provide a new income stream of some £250,000 per annum is allowedunder the rules. The Council had previously also agreed in principle to borrow up to£25million for an investment return aimed at mitigating reduction in central governmentgrant funding.

Stowmarket Food Enterprise Zones. My suggested that all local food Businesses be invitedto a meeting to learn what this could mean for them appears to have been taken on board. Iawait details of date and venue and will advise you accordingly. In the meantime if any localfood business wishes to find out more do contact me.

Stowmarket Technology Hub - a proposal is being developed within the town that mayhave useful ramifications for us in the surroundlng villages.

Barking and other Road Closures - I have had a number of complaints about the 24/7 longterm road closures. Although this is not a District Council responsibility I have said I wouldwelcome a meeting called by SCCto discuss the problems and the inconvenience long term24/7 road closures cause. I am told the next Barking Road closure will be after Christmas inthe New Year.

Community Infrastructure Levy - Although we were told that the decision to adopt this newlevy would be sought at our September full council meeting this has still to happen.

District Councillor "one off" £5,000 Community/Locality Grant Fund - Each DistrictCouncillor has a budget of £5,000 of taxpayers money to recommend for local good causes.So far I have had no formal approaches and we have until early January 2016 to get bids in.Any organisation with a community project should contact me to start their bid bycompleting a Grant Application form.

Community Achievement Awards - nominations are sought across 4 categories- Rising Sta,Community Hero, Action in the Community and Outstanding local Business. The closingdatefor nominations is the 31st December 2015.

Community Led Planning - Currently a much more formal and expensive scheme calledNeighbourhood Plans has operated. The take up has not been that high so MSDC areproposing a simpler scheme called "Community led Planning". Guidance on the scheme isexpected to be made public shortly. This idea was last month's Joint Strategic Plan topic.

Scam Warnings - Council Tax Rebates - Fraudsters have been phoning victims telling themthat they have been placed in the wrong council tax bracket for a number of years and areentitled to a rebate worth about £7,000. Once the victim is convinced, the fraudster tells

If you have any questions or require more information do let me knowDavid Card 01449 722267 or email david.card@midsuffolk.gov.uk

District Councillor's Report for Parish Councils(Barking, Baylham, Darmsden, Nettlestead, Offton, Somersham and Willisham)

Prepared by Cllr. David Card 11 September 2015them that in order to receive the rebate they will need to pay an administration fee inadvance. The fraudsters have mainly been targeting victims aged 60 and over. Reports havecome from the Sussex area, but it is likely that the fraudsters will also start to target victimsin other areas.

Devolution of Powers Debate - The Government's Cities and Local Government DevolutionBill is being worked up behind the scenes. The Bill makes provision for the public sectorincluding local authorities to 'bid' to run functions currently delivered centrally by devolvingpowers to a more local level. Suffolk registered their interest in time only to be told to thinkagain and work with Norfolk and consider an elected mayor. This is a fast moving debatethat has already consumed much senior official and leading member's time and resource.

Joint Strategic Plan to 2019 This Plan remains at the core of MSDC thinking and approach(quote "the plan acts as an inspiration for all our communities ....to work with us to deliverthe best ways of achieving the plan's outcomes"). Babergh District Council have reviewedtheir plan and I continue to push MSDC to follow suit.

Housing - "Explore innovative approaches to housing delivery such as Self build, co-Housinq,Community Land Trusts and Equity share" ... especially for the First Time Buyer".

Economy & Environment- "... adopt the Community Infrastructure Levy (whereby developerscontribute to new facilities with some of the monies retained by town and parish councils)and work with communities to ensure that local infrastructure is invested in, to support newdevelopments"

Communities- "Identify and work with communities who wish to take up their rights(community right to build, community right to buy, community right to challenge,community right to bid, neighbourhood planning)"

Economy & Environment- "Community led planning will be supported and we are alreadymaking good progress where communities are prepared to lead sustainable growth in theirareas"

This month's topic:- Economy & Environment - "Understanding our businesses and buildingrelationships will help us to target our resources and deliver services directly to them orconnect them quickly to the support available".The Food Enterprise Scheme and The Stowmarket Technology Hub are two projects beingworked up. There is also a project called Gateway 14 around Ipswich. MSDC are holdingevents for networking with business and any business that wishes to find out more docontact me. I have suggested that a JOINT Local Business Forum with quarterly meetingsand an annual forum with active member participation. That could include Procurementopportunities, infrastructure provision including the award of the new Rail franchise andwhat our communities expect of the new franchise, better roads and connectivity with bothland lines and mobiles, broad band, water, waste etc .

If you have any questions or require more information do let me knowDavid Card 01449722267 or email david.card@midsuffolk.gov.uk