A Meeting of the Parish Council was held at 7-30pm at the Pavilion, Walpole on
18th November 2025.
- Present
- Cllr. R. Chase (Chair); Cllr. C. Leggett (Vice-Chair); Cllr. L. Andrews; Cllr. Z. Mair; Cllr. M. Porter; Cllr. A. Thomas; Cllr. B. Travers, District Cllr. J. Ewart
- Also Present
- Paul Widdowson (Acting Clerk)
1) Apologies
Cllr J Winter was not present. County Cllr. S. Burroughes, Cllr. J. Henson, Cllr J Lewis gave their apologies.
2) To receive declarations of interest
Cllr. Z. Mair and Cllr. M. Porter declared an interest in the Walpole and Cookley Playing Fields Trust.
3) Requests for dispensations
There were no requests for dispensations.
4) To receive a report from the County and District Councillors
County Cllr. S. Burroughes sent a written report to the meeting.
5) Public Session
Members of the public have fifteen minutes to ask questions on topics on the agenda. There were no members of the public at the Parish Council Meeting for this Agenda Item.
6) To confirm the Minutes of the Parish Council Meeting held on October 21st 2025
The Minutes of the Parish Council Meeting held on October 21st 2025 were agreed with following adjustments.
- “Cllr. M Porter said that Suffolk County Council Highways had re-laid the road very well but still needed to clear out the gullies.“ – to be adjusted to specify Peasenhall Road as location.
- “Cllr. Z. Mair said that there had been an accident near Walpole and that some potholes were very deep.” – discussion to specify the nature and location of the accident. To be referred to as the Cookley turning before the Blyth bridge.
Action – Cllr B Travers to revise minutes
Proposer: Cllr. C Leggett: Seconder: Cllr. Z Mair:
7) Highways
Pothole repairs have been performed in the Parish – some discussion on quality – photos have been taken to be submitted by Cllr M Porter. Walpole Lane drains to be unblocked but requires specialists – no information on date to be done.
8) Training
Cllr. Z. Mair reported that the First Aid Course has been postponed until February. She said that the cost would be £350. District Cllr. J. Ewart had agreed to make a contribution to the cost of the course. It was agreed that individuals would be charged £10, although District Cllr J Ewart would pay for the entirety of the course and additional would go into Parish funds for first aid.
Action - Cllr Z Mair to advise soonest when course is booked.
9) Village School Building
Cllr. R. Chase gave an update on the Village Hall Building from an email sent by County Cllr. S. Burroughes. Building and plot will be put up for auction December 2025. Update from District Cllr J Ewart on the Call for Sites and planning – School Building would not require planning permission to be sold.
Action – District Cllr J Ewart to write to Ben Warner(?) to enquire what the planning options/restrictions would be.
Action – Cllr R Chase to write to Flagship Housing association for advice. Could they buy the property (suggestion from Cllr M Porter). Potential counterbalance to Neave Close.
Question - Cllr M Porter – where does the money go to if the council is selling.
Action - District Cllr J Ewart to find out.
10) Neave Close
Cllr. R. Chase reported that it is unlikely to hear any more news before 2026. Parish input has been taken which is hoped to be included in the decisions.
11) Cemetery Fees Review
Cllr R Chase and Cllr C Leggett are taking on the management of the cemetery under training by P Widdowson. Initial report by Cllr C Leggett – proposed the following (not exhaustive list)
- Headstones permitted but not curbstones (edges),
- No larger American style coffins,
- Plots purchased from January 2026 would need to be renewed in writing every 25 years
- A condition that graves purchased can be reused after 100 years.
- For cremation, once the current area is filled another needs to be found.
- Upon purchase of a burial plot a certificate (or similar) should be issued by the Parish Council for records – query on certificate design/content.
Action – Cllr C Leggett to prepare final wording for agreement at a future meeting
12) Suffolk Water Recycling and Proposed Works
Discussion on Suffolk Water proposals – Cllr M Porter briefed the council on potential impacts. Timescale could be 5 years hence. Potential impact of concrete truck traffic.
13) Planning Matters
The Chair reported that there were no planning matters.
14) Clerk’s Report, Correspondence and Donations
The Clerk (Paul W – acting) said a council sewer report needs to be done. SALC audit needs to be done, as Parish Council falls into a specific bracket. Fee would be £189. Suffolk Fire and Rescue have sent a note to all pavilion/structures owners as a warning (post a fire at a cricket pavilion). Communication passed to Pavilion representative.
15) Financial Report
- Balances at the Bank on October 7th 2025:
- Business Community Account £10,674.62
- Business Savings Account £11,456.45
- Payments and Receipts:
Payments: No new transactions noted – refer to C& W Financial Report November 18th
The Financial Report was accepted.
Proposer: Cllr. R. Chase: Seconder: Cllr. M. Porter:
16) Budget and Precept
As per communication from Suffolk Council. Proposed 2.32% increase to £12,750 – Proposed Cllr R Chase, Seconded Cllr Z Mair – agreed by councillors.
Action – Clerk and Chair to submit to Suffolk Council (inc CIL)
17) To receive reports and to agree matters regarding
- Footpaths; It was reported that the footpaths had no problems to raise
- Trees; There was no report.
- Cemetery; No report – discussed. There has been a burial since the last meeting.
- Allotments: Cllr J Henson not present – no report.
Discussion on helicopters to/from Heveningham.
Action - District Cllr J Ewart to send details of how to complain
18) To receive agenda items for the next Parish Council Meeting
It was noted that there was a Parish Council Meeting scheduled for January 20th 2026.
The Meeting ended at 20:36.
Minutes prepared by Cllr B Travers