Summary report of the Ordinary Meeting of the Parish Council on 28 October 2021 at 7.30pm held in the Village Hall, Cockfield.
Please note: ‘To obtain a copy of the full formal minutes of this meeting, please email the Parish Clerk, parish.council@cockfield.org.uk’
The meeting agenda included an item on the recent anti-social behaviour incidents in the village. The running schedule was amended, to bring forward time set aside, to allow Pc Darren Marshall to give reassurance and an update, as permitted by the on-going investigation, and also take questions from members of the public.
Bandstand refurbishment: As there was some doubt, Cllr Southgate has now determined the paint type used previously and is now in a position to give an overall specification for the refurbishment work.
Pavilion Balustrade: Whilst refurbishment work has taken place, we need to particularly consider the requirement for the balustrade at each end of the building, as these continue to suffer damage and degradation. Also review the wider pavilion refurbishment necessities for next year.
Planning – ACV: The Clerk noted that the Plough & Fleece Inn is now registered as an Asset of Community Value
Remembrance 2021: Cllr Morley confirmed that he had installed the life-size Tommy silhouette at Parsonage Green.
Village Sign maintenance: Cllr Turner agreed to apply a coat of paint to the village sign on Parsonage Green. It was noted the support post condition requires monitoring as this was now deteriorating.
Village Hall Car Park – Cllr Cutting-Keyton to compile a wider schedule of maintenance work relating to the Village Hall Car Park, so this is correctly captured in the maintenance tracker schedule.
Public Participation Session:
SCC Councillor Robert Lindsay had provided an update to Cllrs in advance concerning, £50m “Bus Back Better Bid”; Lorry route consultation; Full Council – local electricity supply motion passed; Suffolk Schools Reintroduction of Face Coverings; Sizewell C Government Support & Funding Strategy.
Planning applications referred to the Parish Council for consultation
DC/21/05600: Householder Application – Erection of single storey linked extension. The Long House, Parsonage Green, Cockfield, Suffolk IP30 0HB. (Consultation Response Deadline: 3/11/21) The Parish Council supported this application
DC/21/05687: Application under S73a for removal or variation of a condition following planning permission DC/18/00306 dated 17/05/2018. Town and Country Planning Act 1990. Outline Planning Permission (access to be considered) for the erection of up to 10 dwellings – To vary and re-word Condition 17 (Sustainable Urban Drainage Scheme) specific to the 10 Dwelling scheme and remove Condition 18 (Pre-Commencement Condition – Construction Surface Water Management Plan). Plough and Fleece Inn, Great Green, Cockfield, Suffolk IP30 0HJ (Consultation Response Deadline: 6/11/21) The Parish Council supported this application noting the authority had indicated they were satisfied with revised condition wording
DC/21/05381: Householder planning application – Erection of one and a half storey side extension with half hipped roof and front and rear dormers (following removal of existing flat roof extension), removal of existing lean-to roofs to rear with gabled roof continued over and re-instatement of gable end, replacement of rainwater goods and internal alterations and associated works as detailed in Design and Access Statements and supporting plans.: Sussex Cottage, Chapel Road, Cockfield, Suffolk IP30 0HE. (Consultation Response Deadline: 10/11/21) The Parish Council supported this application
DC/21/05382: Application for Listed Building Consent – Erection of one and a half storey side extension with half hipped roof and front and rear dormers (following removal of existing flat roof extension), removal of existing lean-to roofs to rear with gabled roof continued over and re-instatement of gable end, replacement of rainwater goods and internal alterations and associated works as detailed in Design and Access Statement and supporting plans: Sussex Cottage, Chapel Road, Cockfield, Suffolk IP30 0HE. (Consultation Response Deadline: 10/11/21) The Parish Council supported this application
BMSDC Planning Committee Meeting on Wednesday 3rd November. Agenda item DC/21/02296: Land to the Rear of Plough and Fleece Inn, Great Green, Cockfield, Suffolk. The Parish Council objected to the application particularly concerning the SuDS proposal, despite inference the proposal is now likely to be accepted by the authority.
The Council noted BMSDC planning permissions/refusals received:
DC/21/04148: Householder Planning Application – Alteration to cart-lodge to create roof space studio. Highfield House, Howe Lane, Cockfield, Suffolk IP30 0HA. Decision: Planning Permission has been Granted.
DC/21/04375: Full Planning Application – Erection of 1No dwelling and garage (following demolition of existing barn) (in lieu of Part Q approved under DC/20/05787). Earls Hall Farmhouse, Earls Hall Road, Cockfield, Suffolk IP30 0JD. Decision: Planning Permission has been Granted.
DC/21/03753: Application for Listed Building Consent – Remove areas of cement and masonry paint from external render, repair with lime plaster and redecorate with limewash. Installation of 2no. cast iron vents and 1no. vented pantile. Internal and external repairs and alterations as detailed in the Schedule of Works and Heritage Statement: The Abbey Cottage, Windsor Green, Cockfield, Suffolk IP30 0LY. (Resubmission due to amended plan). Decision: Listed Building Consent has been Granted.
DC/21/03719: Application under S73a for removal or variation of a condition following approval of DC/19/02020 dated 18/09/2019. Town and Country Planning Act 1990 Reserved Matters for 10 No dwellings. Variation of condition 2 (Approved Plans & Documents) – Amendment to positions of Plots 05, 06 and 07 including addition of single garage to Plot 06 and double garage to Plot 07 (as approved under Outline Application DC/19/04755). Additionally, change of surface material for the proposed driveways and change of fencing. Details as per drawing DAPA_1431_400_00. Land to the West of Plough And Fleece Inn, Great Green, Cockfield, Suffolk. Decision: Planning Permission has been Granted.
DC/21/04408: Householder application – Erection of two storey rear extension. Install plinth around all external walls and rebuild chimney both in red brick, render front. Replace existing extension roof with slate tiles and clad with wood feather board to side. To garage apply wood feather board cladding, replace front doors to timber and roof tiles to slate, install red brick plinth. (re-submission of DC/21/00437) Laburnum Cottage, Windsor Green, Cockfield, Suffolk IP30 0LY Decision: Planning Permission has been Granted.
DC/21/05002: Notification for Works to trees in a Conservation Area – Pollard 1No Ash tree in rear garden by up to 30%. Location: Conifers, Cross Green, Cockfield, Suffolk IP30 0LG. Decision: BMSDC Do not wish to Object.
DC/21/02648: Outline Planning Application (some matters reserved, access to be considered) Town and Country Planning Act 1990 – Severance of garden amenity land and erection of 1No dwelling and garage. 8 Mackenzie Place, Cockfield, Suffolk, IP30 0HY. (Resubmission due to amended drawing). Decision: Outline Planning Permission has been Granted.
Neighbourhood CIL: update from Cllrs Webster and Morley, on costings, allowed members to agree a contractor can be engaged to provide the gates and plot fencing. Work was likely to be in January but would still allow us to move forward with designating the allotment plots.
Future of the Village Minibus: A working group of Cllrs would meet prior to the next meeting and report back on proposals.
Parish Councillor Vacancy: Following written submissions from prospective candidates, the delegated working group met the individuals, and from the interviews were then able to recommend to the council that Joe Brinkley should be co-opted to the council for the remaining council term.
Members considered a resolution from Cllr Levett that the Parish Council requests BMSDC to undertake a Community Governance Review (CGR), to enable the Parish Council to increase its number of Cllrs from 9 to 10. The administration associated with this in any event determined that any change would not be effective in this council term. After a vote, this proposal was not adopted.
Queen’s Platinum Jubilee 2022 celebration: There was no update from the working group other than the marquee has been secured for the event and that this item is now a rolling agenda matter.
Maintenance Schedule and Asset Management:
Maintenance Calendar – the spreadsheet schedules show no urgent actions and those items due are in hand and ongoing.
Earls Meadow – Repair work to the shed damaged in the recent incident to be assessed and the shed made secure.
Cemetery – The Parish Council’s tree surgeon will be asked to review trees and hedges for any maintenance needs.
Playground – The Greens Committee were reviewing any recommendations contained in the Annual Safety Inspection Report. These were general maintenance issues and no items were identified as risk requiring immediate attention, although The Clerk will contact the installing contractor to query a disparity in safety surface provision and recent breakage of a hand-hold device on the climbing beam.
Cllrs agreed that with SCC Highways’ inactivity and lack of budget, Cllr R Turner was to arrange replacing the missing “Cockfield” sign on the A1141 approach to Stow Hill.
The Councils maintenance contractor had advised the pavilion Klargester required bearings replaced and associated repair work. Councillors agreed to authorise the repairs as the unit was not operating correctly.
The notice board at Crowbrook was reported as being in poor state and potentially beyond economic repair. Costs to be sought for a proprietary manufactured replacement as a simple solution.
Local Needs Housing: The contractors assistance on the new bus shelter is now confirmed, although getting this work progressed and accepted by SSC Highways will still remain with the Parish council. The Clerk, Cllrs Cutting-Keyton and Southgate will pick up this action for the applications. Cllrs were informed that, as with many building materials, costs for this project are rising and quotations need to be updated.
Highways and Emergencies – Cllr Levitt advised that the deferred litter pick along the A1141 by Bradley Smith and his group would be arranged to suit his availability, which is likely to be early November.
Correspondence: The Council had received the Annual Report and Request for a donation from Sudbury Citizens Advice Bureau. This being our nearest charity branch, The Council would consider this at the next meeting.
