Summary Report of the Ordinary Meeting of the Parish Council held on the Thursday 27th October 2022
(Please note: ‘To obtain a copy of the full formal minutes of this meeting, please email the Parish Clerk, parish.council@cockfield.org.uk)
BMSDC Public Realm Land: The Clerk confirmed he had received a response from SCC Cabinet member responsible for Highways, confirming that SCC Highways would now be pursuing the matter of the problematic fence line at the entrance to Dukes Meadow and hopefully obtain a solution.
Local Needs Housing: The Clerk has completed the application for ‘Granting of a new right of common and application for registration of a right in the commons register’, however the Declaration needs to be signed by a JP or practising Solicitor.
Greens Management: The Clerk was instructed to defer the contractor painting the bandstand until the spring due to adverse weather conditions.
Pavilion & Shed: The Clerk was also asked to seek quotations to paint the Pavilion & Shed next Spring. The Parish Council agreed it will purchase and supply the paint.
Earls Meadow: Following requests from residents the Clerk confirmed that he has received BMSDC’s written approval to site a new Dog Litter Bin in Jeffreys Green and that orders had been placed for the equipment / emptying etc.
Playground: Cllr Golding confirmed that he had carried out some landscape maintenance at the play equipment, but needed further top soil to fill under the slides of the multi-activity centres which, was weather dependant. The Clerk has contacted APL Ltd who will be returning to site, in the near future, to adjust tensions on the Zip Wire and tighten some fixings on the see-saw. However, the equipment remains safe to use as confirmed by our specialist inspector.
Parish Paths: Cllr Webster confirmed that he had fixed ‘Discover Suffolk’ footpath plaques onto SCC footpaths.
Pavilion: The Clerk confirmed he had met a locksmith at the Pavilion to provide a quote to replace the broken lock, and is awaiting the quote.
Highways and Emergencies:
The Chairman expressed thanks to local residents for their assistance in repairing the pothole on the corner of Cross Green.
Planning: Applications Received for Parish Council Consultation:
DC/22/05023: Planning Application – Construction of a field access: Field West of Corner Farm, Lawshall Road, Cockfield, IP30 0JP (The Parish Council has no comment on this application which is outside the Parish)
DC/22/05151: Notification of Works to Trees in a Conservation Area – Fell 1No. Cherry (T1): Oak House, Cross Green, Cockfield, Bury St Edmunds Suffolk IP30 0LG. (The Parish Council Supports the Application).
DC/22/04803: Householder Application – Erection of a single storey side extension and relocation of oil tank: Water End Cottage, Cross Green, Cockfield, Bury St Edmunds Suffolk IP30 0LG (The Parish Council has No Objections to this Application).
DC/22/04804: Application for Listed Building Consent – Erection of a single storey side extension and relocation of oil tank: Water End Cottage, Cross Green, Cockfield, Bury St Edmunds Suffolk IP30 0LG (The Parish Council has no comment on this Application).
Planning Decisions notified by BMSDC:
DC/21/06568: Planning Application. Erection of 3no dwellings and associated parking and landscaping. Land At Junction of Bury Road and Felsham Road, Great Green, Cockfield, IP30 0HJ. Decision: Planning Permission has been Refused.
DC/22/02966: Planning Application – Retention of change of use of land to garden curtilage. Change of use and conversion of and alterations to existing ancillary (detached) outbuilding to form additional guest accommodation to host dwelling 2 Willow Bridge Cottages, Willow Bridge, Cockfield, IP30 0JA. Decision: Planning Permission has been Approved.
DC/22/03982: Householder Application – Erection of a two-storey side extension (conversion of existing machinery building) Windsor Green Farm Barn, Windsor Green, Cockfield, Bury St Edmunds Suffolk IP30 0LY. Decision: Planning Permission has been Refused.
Village Hall Car Park: It was agreed that to keep on top of village hall car park maintenance issues, a contractor be appointed for regular works instead of ad-hoc visits.
Allotments: With the interest in allotments increasing, work is progressing with creating an improved entrance, track, car parking, shelter and hard standing, the purchase of allotment marker posts, timber path edging, weed suppressant material/pegs etc to create allotment paths.
Repairs to the Pavilion – Klargester: It was agreed to proceed with maintenance work as identified by the specialists.
Neighbourhood CIL: The Clerk provided Cllrs with a progress update on the Bus Shelter project which is likely to be completed in February 2023. This is weather and resource availability dependant. Residents should note during the work only limited provision for the bus stop will be available.
Greens Management: Cllr Morley advised that a new Oak tree has been planted on the Great Green as the Queen Elizabeth Memorial Tree with a commemorative plague; also that the area around the pond has been cleared.
Glebe Land: Cllr Webster confirmed that an article has been published in GL advertising the Allotments for rental and several positive responses have been received.
Earls Meadow: The new bench in Jeffreys Green has now been installed and councillors noted that a low post and rail fence needs to be erected along the top of the river bank in front of the bench, to provide additional protection.
Cemetery: Cllr Turner advised that he is awaiting a quotation for a new Cemetery gate post to replace a rotten one.
Parish Paths: Cllr Webster advised that he had reported trip hazards on the Abbey footpath to SCC and advised that following receipt of complaints about the footbridge over the stream on the Abbey footpath, he had inspected the bridge and reported its poor condition to SCC and was awaiting a response.
Pavilion: The Clerk was asked to investigate the installation of a smart meter.
Speed awareness – Cllr Turner advised that the Parish Council’s oldest SID will need replacing next year and requested provision be considered for a new one in the 2023/24 budget & precept.
Local Needs Housing: Cllr Morley advised that the final phase of the Jeffreys Green open market housing is progressing well and will be completed in the Spring 2023.
Highways and Emergencies: Cllr Cutting-Keyton reported that the letter D was missing from the Cockfield Sign on the Felsham Rd. Cllr Turner was asked to source a replacement letter / sign as SCC had no budget for this work.
King Charles Coronation: The Council agreed to explore what the village could do as a celebration event.
EV Charge point – The clerk to carry out initial investigation into what would be involved for an EV charging point at the village hall, for discussion at next meeting.
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