There were none.

4.1      Ratification of in absentia election of Cllr J Pedgrift to Vice-chairmanship

The decision was ratified.

4.2      Removal of Bottle Banks due to car park damage from collection lorries

The Chair explained that the lorries that empty the bottle banks damage the village hall car park. The council resolved to request their removal. The Clerk will write to SCS requesting their removal by reason of the damage done.

4.3      Financial assistance for Chapel to perform requested drainage work

It was agreed that there was no need to discuss this matter unless a request for financial assistance is received.

4.4      Installation of Silt Trap near chapel by SCC Highways

The Chair explained the suggestion and after discussion it was agreed that there was no need to discuss this matter until the results of the drainage works at the chapel were known.

4.5      Village Road Sign maintenance

The Clerk reported that the parishioner in question had gathered £120 towards the work and the Council resolved to fund the difference. The Clerk will order the work.

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Cllr Bellfield reported that: –

• The SCC Accounts showed that SCC had saved £26. Over the next 4 years they are expected to save another £156 million which is approximately 25% of their budget.
• SCC Highways Dept. are spending more on maintenance this year than last year. They have repaired the majority of potholes, have completed more mileage of top dressing than last year and are maintaining the acknowledged high standard of the county’s roads.
• The introduction of the Endeavour Card (the young adults’ prepayment and discount card for public transport) has been delayed and is now expected at the half-term.

• The BT contract for CSD which was not to be extended due to additional costs for extra items is now likely to be extended because BT have offered a 5 year extension at apparently very favourable rates.
• The press recently criticised SCC for the plan to pay all staff a one-off bonus of £250 (pro-rata to hours) before SCC had released the news. SCC does intend to pay this bonus but will remove the current automatic salary increments and won’t pay it to senior staff. The change has been agreed with unions.

In response to a question on whether the bonus should be paid at all with regards to the aforementioned required budget savings, Cllr Bellfield pointed out that SCC has shed approximately 4,000 staff over recent years and staff have not had a wage rise for 3 years.

The Chair asked if the new Local Plan was in place and Cllr Bellfield explained that barring unlikely legal challenges to the implementation process it is.

Cllr Bellfield confirmed that SCDC do have to inform the Parish Council of any planning applications received for land within the parish but do not have to inform anyone else beyond posting the planning notice on the site.

After discussion of the current Suffolk Coastal Strategic Housing Land Availability Assessment Cllr Bellfield explained that he believed that Charsfield is classified, within the Local Plan, as a Sustainable Village which means that some development may take place. He also suggested that the Council might like to consider a Neighbourhood Plan, which required a referendum, needs to align with the Local Plan, will be adopted by SCDC and is then legally binding. The Clerk will investigate.

Cllr Bellfield agreed to apportion some of his locality budget towards the roundels that have already been discussed in Council. Clerk to write to SCC.

Clerk

Clerk

Cllr Snell had sent his apologies and report (below), which the Chair read out.

PCSO Hassler sent a report stating that there were no crimes reported in the Parish between the 1^st of May and the 30^th of June.

8.1      Required payments were approved as well as a Standing Order to pay the Clerk’s salary.

8.2      Balance of Accounts as at 28/6/13

8.3      The Clerk explained his calculated at cost printing expenses and the Council agreed to pay them as necessary.

8.4      The Clerk explained that an RFO is expected to maximise the interest gained by managing a current and savings account for the Council. The Clerk was asked to implement this.

8.5      The mandate change form changing the correspondence, adding bank account access for the new Clerk and removing it for the previous Clerk was approved and signed.

8.6      The NS&I forms were signed by the two Cllrs present. The Chair will arrange for the third to sign and send the forms off.

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The Chair reported a phone call about a pot hole. The Clerk explained that SCC prefer online entry of reports via their website and the Chair agreed to report the problem.

The correspondence report had previously been circulated.

EW

10.1   C13/1201/ – New 5 bed house next to Springfield House, Chapel Lane

The council had no objections to the proposal but pointed out the possibility of surface water from the site exacerbating the flooding problem down the hill by the Chapel. Clerk to inform SCDC.

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The dates will be approved by email.

Clerk

The Chair reported that he had attended the Charsfield Coronation Fest on Charsfield Recreation Ground on the 15^th of June and that it was a splendid event. The Council thanks all of the organisers and especially Jan Pedgrift.

The Chair reported that the Grit Bin had now been installed and that the appropriate staff at SCC had been informed so that it can be filled.

The Council discussed quotes for covering the village hall car park or sections of it with Tarmac. It was resolved that the clerk would arrange site visits from each contractor who quoted, with 3 Cllrs, to clarify requirements.

Cllr Pedgrift reminded the Council of the agreed £500 donation to the Charsfield Recreation Ground. The Clerk will arrange this.

Cllr Pedgrift reported that the school have been offered adjacent land for a playing field and car park and are considering the offer. Charsfield Recreation Ground have objected on the grounds of there being existing playing fields in the village. The Council have as yet received no planning application regarding to this land.

Cllr Pedgrift reported that the recreation ground is looking unkempt. Arrangements are underway for the thistles to be sprayed and a grant to tarmac the path has been applied for.

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