Mendham Parish Council

Meeting Date: 31st October 2022
Venue: Mendham Primary School
Time: 7.00pm

Committee Members: Dennis Pye, Jimmy Kent, Richard Mattocks, Neil Marsden, Mark Shortt, Les Doel, Sheila Preston, Dean Clarke, Vacancy
Role: Chair
Present/Absent: Present

In attendance:
Clerk: Liz Frere-Smith

1. Public Forum – No member of the public in attendance
2. Welcome and Apologies
3. Declarations of interest and any dispensations allowed
MS and clerk (EFS) declared interest regarding Primary School request for funding
4. CIL Spending
Several requests for financial support had been received from differing areas of the village. Many were focussed on the image and improvements within the centre of the village. They were discussed and agreed as follows
- Car park resurfacing – This was seen as the most important area to be addressed with the current state of the car park considered to be hazardous to users. DC had sought quotes from a local supplier with the preferred option of a tarmac surface. These were as follows:
  - Option 1 - Asphalt £11026
  - Option 2 – Surface Dressing £7267
  - Option 3 – Planings £2264

The preferred option was that of asphalt which was decided would provide the most suitable surface for the current size and frequent usage of the car park.

Clerk had submitted a request to Mid Suffolk CIL fund (prior to the meeting and closing date of 31/10/2022) for £8952 which had a small financial buffer inbuilt compared to the quotes received. Any funds not spent would be returned to Mid Suffolk Council.

The issue of adequate drainage was discussed and this may incur further costs to ensure that the local village flooding is not exacerbated. Advice would be sought from the contractor and a solution be sought.

SP requested if the recycling bins could be re-sited due to the damage being done to the rear wall of her garden. There was no real objection to this request other than a lack of suitable options to site them and they were an important facility within the village.

Further quotes would be required and EFS would send to DC the details of a contractor previously used at one of the schools. DC would continue to meet and discuss the options with the contractors.

EFS to provide details of surfacing contractor.

The timing of the works would need to coincide with a school holiday so a possible Easter works was tentatively agreed.

It was also agreed that more general sprucing up could be completed with consideration of the notice board which was looking a bit shabby.

It was proposed by RM that this project be approved and agreement was received from all other members of the council. The precise amount of funding would depend on the required works but the general consensus was to support Option 1. £11026

The Primary School had submitted a request for funding support to help with the financing of the proposed outdoor classroom. The project was significant in size and funding from other sources had be requested and some had been secured. The provision would provide alternative opportunities for the children within the school.

SP commented that many of the children were not ‘residents’ and had concerns over the allocation of funds this way.

DC stressed the importance of supporting the local school and once the facility had gone it would never be replaced in the community.

It was proposed by RM that this project be approved and agreement was received from all other members of the council. The precise amount of funding would depend on the actual spend of the car park resurfacing but the suggestion was that financial support would be in the region of £2000

EFS to write to School and VH about decided spends

5. Correspondence
EFS had reported all maintenance request regarding hedges and roads via the Mid Suffolk online reporting tool. Replies for all 4 requests stated ‘not currently deemed essential’. EFS to remind LH about the state of the garden at a council owned property within the village which continued to be an eyesore. SP requested the contact details of LH to add pressure to this issue.
- Clerk to draft letter to send to residents if an issue has been reported.
6. Any Other Business
Reporting of vehicle out of tax and MOT to the council
Remind McDaniel of his obligation to complete the car parking areas for school staff parking
- Clerk to report and send reminder email.
7. Date of next meeting
21st November 2022 7pm Mendham Primary School

The meeting closed at: 7.50pm

Signed by Chair:
Date:

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