The Parish Council met on Thursday 27th April 2017.
Our County Councillor, Jenny Antill, confirmed that she will not be standing for re-election on 4th May. She offered a brief overview of the last four years and thanked the Parish Council for its support and help. The Chairman, in reply, expressed the gratitude of the Council and councillors for what she had been able to achieve.
(Subsequent to the meeting, at the election on 4th May, Robert Lindsay was elected as our County Councillor).
It was noted that a housing consultation event will take place on Tuesday 2nd May in the Village Hall to invite public comments regarding a proposed development in the village. The event will be attended by representatives of Suffolk County Council, Orwell Housing, Babergh District Council, Cockfield Parish Council and the architects involved in the project to date.
(This event was extremely well attended by residents of Cockfield who demonstrated a lot of interest and were invited to forward their comments. The results of the consultation, based upon comments received, will be reviewed during May).
It is planned to undertake mole draining on Great Green at the end of the football season. This work is planned in such a way as to avoid disrupting events that are planned on the Green during the summer.
It was also noted that the wooden play equipment has been reviewed and requires a coat of preservative – bolts, brackets and rubber fixings on the equipment will also receive attention as required. The matting under the swings requires attention and turf and/or wood chippings will be put down.
The deterioration of the Village Sign (on Parsonage Green) is worse than originally thought. It is believed that a replacement will be needed fairly soon and it was agreed to come up with a costed proposal at the next meeting.
The damaged wooden sleepers on Footpath 23 have been replaced, together with others which were seemingly in need of attention. The Clerk was asked to convey thanks to the Public Rights of Way Team at the County Council for carrying out this work. The damaged/fallen tree on the footpath on the Lavenham side of Earl’s Hall bridge has been dealt with by Cllr Williams to whom the Council expressed its thanks.
The Annual Village Meeting will take place on Tuesday 16th May in the Village Hall.
The next meetings of the Parish Council will take place on Thursday 18th May and Thursday 29th June both at 7.30 pm.
The Parish Council may be contacted through the Clerk, Doug Reed, on 01359 241009 or by e-mail at parish.council@cockfield.org.uk
