Meeting Date: 16th January 2023
Venue: Mendham Primary School
Time: 7.00pm
- Present
- Dennis Pye, Jimmy Kent, Richard Mattocks, Mark Shortt, Les Doel, Dean Clarke, Neil Marsden
- Absent
- Sheila Preston
- In attendance
- Clerk: Liz Frere-Smith
- 1. Public Forum & Reports from Councillors – All reports forwarded to councillors as received.
- 2. Welcome and Apologies – Apologies received from SP
- 3. Declarations of interest and any dispensations allowed – None declared
- 4. Minutes of previous meeting – Agreed as accurate and correct
- 5. Matters arising not covered by the agenda – All covered by agenda
- 6. Finances
- No cheques for approval or signatory
- Current balance £17979 which includes CIL funding.
- Bank had requested confirmation of details of the Parish Council – EFS to complete request mandate amendment forms again
- 7. Planning – No planning applications received and all decision notices forwarded
- 8. Car Park
The current status of the CIL application for the car park improvements was confirmed by EFS. Conversations with Royston Emmerson had been completed during December who had confirmed that he was happy to support our application and would help with ensuring that the required paperwork was submitted in time for this month’s application round. He had completed a drive by of the carpark and confirmed that speedy attention was required. He had amended/corrected the quote and had requested confirmation that the quote submitted was still current. He also requested written support from Cllr Lavinia Hadingham.
EFS to request supportive letter.
DC and RM discussed suitable options for edging of the carpark and using railway sleepers for this function was agreed to be a suitable and more affordable option.
EFS to obtain quote for 40 x sleepers and submit as part of the CIL bid
Further discussion followed regarding the options for drainage of the surface water. An underground system was agreed to be too expensive and not suitable for the size and type of the traffic. The decision was made to request that the contractors to guide the surface water towards basic soakaways.
Much discussion followed with regard to flooding within the village, but PC could offer no guarantee that flooding would increase or reduce due to the resurfacing of the carpark, it was also advised that the water offload will also enter the established (approx. 1mtr) perimeter edges to the carpark which will assist the water offload directly to the road areas. It was acknowledged that currently the water flows down Mundy’s Lane from surrounding land areas contributes to the current flooding issues as well as the directional falls from the highways road leading to areas adjoining the car park area, water runs downhill.
EFS to include emailed concern in the minutes
LD was very concerned about the possibility of flooding and requested the following statement to be recorded:
Given that we live opposite the car park entrance and have had to deal with potential flooding on more than one occasion and, while appreciating the assurances given by other members of the Council, I am concerned about the proposed "soak-away" drainage system.
If the PC considers the statement raised by LD to be a risk and no acceptable to the village to proceed then we can simply abandon the complete exercise and go back to the same loose fill road chippings as in-situ now, a step back from improvements and avoiding trip hazards, but requires an answer
Further investigation and due diligence is required with regard to the concerns with flooding within the village.
JK enquired if the bottle banks would be moved and as they are current on a concrete plinth but this would be costly to so they would stay where they were.
- 9. Correspondence
Mid Suffolk were providing support to ensure that the garden at Studio Corner was cleared from rubbish. DP had met with Mc Daniel who suggested that the small carpark would be surfaced within a few days. The on-site contractors suggested that it may take more than a few days. Once it was completed McDaniel was keen to hand over the responsibility to either the school or the PC.
EFS to discuss with School about them taking ‘ownership’
Several of the recipients of the annual donations had recorded their thanks for funds received.
- 10. Any Other Business
Clerk suggested that the notice board requires some attention as looking a bit tatty.
EFS to see if Steve Smith would like to complete the required repairs.
Residents of the house behind the car park were happy to pay for the trees to be attended by a tree surgeon but would like the PC to inform car park users that the carpark would be out of use 13th Feb 2023 (half term)
EFS to send reminder of dates for closure
RM would locate cones and LD would put out cones on the morning. DP would inform local residents and car park uses prior to closure date.
EFS to email Tracy Tompkins
NM enquired regarding coronation event and suggested that the various groups join up to plan any events.
DC enquired whether the current disclaimer on the car park was adequate. A new disclaimer was to be investigated
EFS to report pothole via website
LD reported a pot hole at the junction.
- 11. Date of next meeting
20th March 2023
The meeting closed at: 7.50pm
Signed by Chair:
Date: