Meeting Date: Monday 17th November 2025
Venue: Mendham Primary School
Time: 7.00pm
- Committee Members
- Jason Chettleburgh, Richard Mattocks, Neil Marsden, Jimmy Kent, Mark Shortt, Gary Kent, Sheila Preston, Dean Clarke, Steve Smith
- Role
- Chair, Vice Chair
- Present/Absent
- Present: Jason Chettleburgh, Neil Marsden, Mark Shortt, Gary Kent, Sheila Preston, Dean Clarke
Absent: Richard Mattocks, Jimmy Kent, Steve Smith
In attendance:
Clerk: Jo Howe
Members of the public:
Steve (The Old Spinney), Ralph Tompkins, Andrew Howe
- 1. Welcome and Apologies
RM apologises – Work commitments
JK apologises – Unwell
SS apologies – Work commitments - 2. Public Forum
Andrew Howe (AH) requested money to fully update the Parish Council website which he has kindly volunteered to do. £30 for the domain change and the parish council have been advised to change their email address to .GOV at a further £60 cost. The PC agreed to this and stated they look forward to a new website in 2026.
Steve (The Old Spinney) stated although he did not object to SHLAA (Mid Suffolk call from land) he did have concerns over flooding in the village and whether this would be exacerbated.
JC explained that SHLAA is still in very early stages so any development if approved is a long way off and the drainage in the village is to be updated, hopefully in the near future as test holes were dug in the summer and we await the results from these and a date for the improvements to the drainage. Steve asked if we could purchase additional Dog waste bins. This has been discussed previously by the PC and unfortunately due to costs it was decided not to go ahead. Steve also asked if anything could be done regarding speeding into the village. NM explained that the PC had a meeting with highways who stated that it would be highly unlikely due to the bends in the road that any speed signage would be approved as Mendham has a natural speed prevention in its road layout. The PC is looking into purchase a SID (Speed Indicator Device) and hopefully will be in placed in 2026. The PC has purchased a Mendham Village sign including ‘Please Drive Carefully’ wording which will be erected in 2026.
- 3. Minutes of last meeting
Minutes approved and signed off. JH to publish on Website - 4. Matters arising
NA - 5. Ditch Progress
NM explained the ditch in Mendham is not too bad but could do with a tidy up and is to arrange for it to be excavated which has been approved by PC. The Ditch in Withersdale Street is unfortunately owned by the drainage board so NM is to liaise with them to request them to clear it, if they can’t do it, would they be happy for the PC to arrange to have it cleared. - 6. Car Park
Drains repaired and completed. JH to claim VAT back from costs. PC to purchase a cycle rack for the Car Park. The Coal House was discussed as slabs have appeared at the rear of the property on PC land. An email was sent to the owner to have these removed which he has refused to do. So JC asked the PC for approval to seek legal advice to enforce the removal. DC proposed GK seconded. A vote was unanimous. Motion passed. JH to email Solicitors - 7. Chestnut tree
The Chestnut Tree is owned by Suffolk council. A report has been submitted to them to reduce the tree size by 25%. PC to await the feedback. Thanks must go to the Tebbs family for keeping the village drains clear of tree debris which has greatly helped the flooding in the village. - 8. SHLAA
Nothing further to add - 9. Mendham Village Sign
Awaiting the grant - 10. Finances and cheques
JH to put in for VAT refund. Cheque – Car Park £4860.00 - 11. Correspondence
NA - 12. Planning
NA - 13. Any other business
PC to purchase a new Salt Bin to be sited near Alfred Munnings Pub. Gardening – JC to look into employing a gardener for Hedge trimming and car park maintenance. The Bottle banks are to be removed in June 2026 as we are all now to have household glass waste. JH also stated the School have asked if the can have a clothing bin in the Car Park to raise funds for their charity. JH to research. - 14. Next meeting
19th January 2026 at 7pm. Mendham school
The meeting closed at: 8:05pm
Signed by Chair:
Date: