Posted 21 hours ago

jan #2

BARHAM PARISH COUNCIL

MINUTES OF THE PARISH COUNCIL MEETING HELD IN BARHAM CHURCH HALL, ON MONDAY 28th JULY 2025, 7.00pm

PRESENT: Chairman Casey Wooltorton, Cllr Julie Gregory, Cllr Ian Woods, Cllr Brenda Mitchell, Cllr Tim Carr, Cllr Marilyn Lesley, Cllr Bonnie Head & Cllr Graham Head. Also present: BMSDC Cllrs David Penny and John Whitehead, Suffolk County Councillor Chris Chambers the Clerk and 3 members of the public.

OPEN FORUM

Member of the public informed that the damaged railings at the front of Shrubland Hall have still not been replaced. She is willing to contact the owner to chase this up.

No presentation from Port One Technology Park leadership team, regarding the planned expansion of the existing site at Great Blakenham.

BMSDC David Penny June report has been distributed to all ahead of the meeting.

CIL has been under review, there is now increased support for existing community cafes and community shops. Also support for community-supported agriculture schemes. District CIL can now be applied for at any time of the year.

The Chairman noted that despite the increased CIL support for existing cafes, the Barham Picnic Site Charity has been told that there is no support for new cafes and is extremely disappointed and frustrated at this. Barham picnic site charity has been waiting some time to be in a position to apply for funding for the new café at the site. Now that planning permission has been granted for a café, he has applied for CIL money. Despite being told previously that there will always be plenty of funding available for the provision of a new café, he has now been told that only £100,000 can be applied for. Funding is also needed for the proposed new play area.

Cllr Penny noted that the PC has an agenda item for the village sign, he informed that a Pride in Your Place grant could be applied for to help with this. He also reported on Devolution and the Local Government Debate. The proposal is to have multiple unitaries, although the actual number is still down to the councils. Elections will take place on 1st May 2026 for a Mayor of the Council.

The Chairman also stated that the Parish Council is extremely disappointed that it gets ignored, particularly with planning responses. He had made this opinion known at a recent meeting which district councillors were in attendance and had now been invited to discuss this matter further at a meeting with the district council's Chief Executive.

Suffolk County Councillor Chris Chambers his reported has been circulated to all ahead of the meeting. Suffolk Libraries have been brought In House to run, all 45 libraries to remain open and normal opening times to continue. Work continues as the council is preparing business cases to put forward regarding the proposed devolution of the councils. It is the choice of the SCC to go for one unitary council. Changes to national infrastructure planning framework. An £8 million grant has been received towards public transport.

Cllr Mitchell asked what will happen to the £55 million CIL money which the county council holds once devolution happens? He replied that there is no change and that the CIL money will still exist. She informed that she is also disappointed that the Barham Picnic Site charity has been told by the councils that as the village is in an affluent area it does not meet the criteria for grant funding.

1.07 APOLOGIES

  • Apologies for absence. Cllr Paul Fenn – Holiday.
  • Consent/non consent to absence. Consent was granted to the PC.

2.07 COUNCILLORS DECLARATION OF INTERESTS

  • Declaration of interests with regards to any item on the agenda – None.
  • (Councillors who are on the Barham Picnic Site Community Charity have previously been granted dispensations relating to Barham Picnic Site, to July 2028.)

3.07 TO APPROVE THE MINUTES OF THE PARISH COUNCIL MEETING HELD ON 19th MAY 2025

The minutes were approved correct, proposed Cllr Mitchell, seconded Cllr Carr, signed by the Chairman.

4.07 MATTERS ARISING FROM THE MINUTES OF THE LAST MEETING

  • Work on the road sign which has been knocked down at Pesthouse Lane has been repaired.
  • Repair of steps leading down to the Barham Lakes is being dealt with by the PROW officer Oliver Westall.
  • Barham Green 30mph speed sign knocked down, Chris Chambers is dealing with this.
  • Work on the bus shelter has been carried out.
  • Cllr B Head asked if the Pride In Your Place grant could be applied for bus shelter cleaning. Clerk to get a quote for cleaning.
  • The Chairman has been informed by SCC that the “Welcome to Barham” village signs do not meet the legal requirements of Highways, therefore need to be replaced.
  • Cllr Chambers will pass on details of recommended suppliers for village signs.
  • The Chairman to follow up with Taylor Wimpey who are to re-turf the area at the bottom of Church Lane on the junction.
  • Overgrown hedges blocking drivers view along Old Norwich Rd into Claydon...

5.07 REVIEW OF PARISH COUNCIL PLANNING LIST DISCUSS NEW PLANNING APPLICATIONS RECEIVED

  • Planning permission has been granted to the Barham picnic site, change of use from information/Visitors centre to cafe and extension of building. Erection of play area.
  • Planning permission also granted to Barham Lakes, Pesthouse Lane to change use of lodge from commercial to holiday let and alternatively ground floor assembly room for anglers.

6.07 FINANCE

  • Monthly Payments – to agree the payments for May & June 2025.
  • May, payments £2144.85, no receipts, approved by all, signed off by Cllr Mitchell.
  • June, payments £2932.71, no receipts, approved by all, signed off by Cllr Mitchell.
  • Monthly reconciliation – June bank reconciliation.
  • As at 30/06/25 the Current Account £75,218.64. Business Account £55,586.09...

The meeting ended at 8.35pm.

Chairman …………………………………………………. Date ………………………...........