To Note Members Present and to Receive and Approve Apologies for Absence
- Present
- Chairperson Rachael Arnott, Vice Chairperson Clare Varela, Councillors Derek Fletcher, Adam Robertson, Paul Radforth, Ryan Williams, Chris Thomas East Suffolk Councillors Letitia Smith, Suffolk County Councillors Melanie Vigo Di Gallidoro, Peter Byatt, Chair of allotments David Peek Members of the public 1
- Apologies received and accepted
- Councillor Julie Hall, East Suffolk Council Myles Scrancher
To Receive Any Declarations of Interest Regarding the Agenda
None
To Consider Applications for Dispensation
N/A
To Agree and Sign the Minutes of the Town Council Meeting of 6th November 2024 and Finance & Personnel Committee Meeting 26th November 2024
Resolved: It was resolved by all that these were true and accurate and were duly signed.
To Consider an Application from Lewis Underwood to Join the Town Council
It was proposed by Councillor Arnott, seconded by Councillor Radforth and resolved by all for Lewis to join the Town Council, a declaration of interest was signed and he was invited to join.
To Receive Reports from the Following
Note: No questions from the public will be taken during these reports. Public participation is a separate agenda item at item 7.
- Suffolk County Councillors – Signs missing and damaged Peter Byatt is chasing. Opening of Gull Wing Bridge, Missing Trees that had been removed and not replaced being investigated.
- East Suffolk Councillors – Report issued. Funds still available to be applied for.
- Patients Participation Group at Rosedale Surgery – Next meeting 5th December
- East Anglia Transport Museum – not present
- Allotments – General maintenance at the school ongoing. No issues at Allotments. Jubilee Bench planted up with bulbs received. Thanks to Councillor Letitia Smith for the grant received.
- Carlton Colville Community Kitchen and Wildlife Garden – Report received. Most successful year and thanks to David Peek for his advice and produce that he gave.
- Carlton Colville Community Centre – AGM had taken place re-elections had taken place. Minutes shared.
Public Participation
The purpose of the meeting is for Councillors to discuss Town Council Business. During each meeting the Council will allow a period of up to 15 minutes for public questions. During this time, residents can put questions to the Chairman regarding local concerns. Each question will be allocated 3 minutes. Where possible the Chairperson will respond but matters may have to be deferred and placed on a later month’s agenda for discussion. None raised.
To Agree Payments for November 2024
List was circulated prior to meeting. It was resolved by all that the 6 online payments totalling £6557.42 and 2 direct debits totalling £85.90 be paid. Spend v budget circulated. Bank Statement and reconciliation for October was duly signed.
To Propose that January’s Meeting is Changed from 1st January to 8th January 2025
It was resolved by all to change this date.
To Consider a Request for a Donation from Suffolk Accident Rescue Service (SARS) Following Additional Information Received
It was agreed to delay the decision on this until the end of the financial year. To be brought back to February meeting.
To Consider a Request for a Donation from Disability Advice Service (East Suffolk)
It was agreed to delay the decision on this until the end of the financial year. To be brought back to February meeting.
To Update on Hall Road Dip in the Road
Following Anglia Water report, the clerk had reported this back to all Suffolk County Councillors and the MP and was awaiting further response.
To Approve the Budget/Reserves and Precept Request for 2025/2026 from East Suffolk Council
It was proposed by Councillor Varela and seconded by Councillor Thomas and resolved by all to agree the budget figure of £60970 and request a precept from East Suffolk Council of £61,600 due to rising costs and no increase in this for the past 8+ years. This would result in a Band D property being charged £22.65 an increase of 6.5%. It was also resolved by all that the earmarked funds/reserves shown below could be moved during the year to allow for changing priorities and circumstances. In line with the Reserves policy it was agreed to hold 1 year’s precept as a Reserve.
- Skate Lessons - £3,500
- Community Garden - £1,000
- Play area at Community Centre - £50,000
- Community Centre Investment - £50,000
- Community Event - £5,000
- School allotment - £700
- Total - £110,200
To Agree that the New National Joint Council Figures for the Clerks Salary Will Be Backdated to April 2024 as per Her Contract
It was proposed by Councillor Arnott and seconded by Councillor Varela and resolved by all that the clerks salary increase should be applied from 1st April 2024.
To Discuss Having an Event at the Community Centre Next Year
Following the AGM of the community centre it was tentatively agreed to hold an event next year. Clerk to investigate dates of local events and come up with a proposal in January’s meeting for final decision.
To Discuss Any Matters in Abeyance for Next Meeting or Not Noted Anywhere Else on the Agenda
Councillor Robertson has attended the Cycling walking wheeling group on behalf of the Town Council and could confirm that there would be no impact on the Neighbourhood Plan. We await more information on what this group will look like going forward. Devolution White Paper to be discussed at next meeting. Polite signs for no parking on the bend outside Carlton Court hospital to be chased to be put back up again.
To Close the Meeting
Meeting closed at 8.00 pm
Signed……………………………………………………………………. Date……………………………