District
Councillor R Snell and Cty. Cllr P Bellfield
Parishioners N Hayward, Mr N Holland Brown
and Ms A Law
Mr M Ruffles (part time)
1-0708/5 – Chairman’s Welcome and
Apologies for Absence
The Chairman welcomed Councillors and
visitors to the meeting and advised that there were apologies for absence from Councillors
S Thurlow (ST) and K Churchill (KC) and from Parish Historical Recorder, W
Woodland.
2-0708/5 – To Receive Councillors’
Declaration of Interest in Agenda Items
JF indicated that he understood that
agenda item 5 would include consideration of application C07/1513/FUL (Sorell
Cottage, Friday St., Erection of side and rear extensions) which is his
immediate neighbour. Therefore, he declared an interest. There were no other declarations
of interest.
3-0708/5 – Minutes of Previous Meetings
Since several Councillors appeared not to
have received the minutes of the meetings of 11 July and 22 August 2007, minute
approval was deferred until the next meeting.
4-0708/5 – Matters arising from previous
minutes
(i)
Councillors’ Register of Interests (previous minute 4-0708/3 (i))
The Clerk confirmed that he
had received blank Register of Interests forms and these had been distributed
to councillors. Response had been received from DR, HS, KC, JF and WE.
Completion is still required from PS and ST.
(ii)
Audit of Village Hall Accounts (previous minute 4-0708/3
(ii))
In the absence of ST,
this matter was carried forward to the next meeting.
(iii) Planning Application C04/0438 – Red
House Farm, Conversion of barn to residential dwelling (previous minutes 4-0707/3
(iii) and 5-0708/4)
The Clerk advised
that he had written to SCDC as instructed by the council at the meeting of 22
August 2007. No proper reply had been received but an email of 06 September and
notes received on 15 September had clarified some points. The notes indicated
that the SCDC Development Control Sub-committee (at their meeting on 19
September 2007) would consider SCDC Planning Department’s recommendation that
the changes to the barn structure be considered minor and be permitted by means
of an amendment to the existing consent. Due to the short timescale, the Clerk
had requested that the Sub-committee defer a decision on the recommendation
pending proper consideration by BPC at their meeting on 26 September 2007. This
was rejected. However, The Chairman and the Clerk had attended the
Sub-committee meeting. The decision was taken that the Planning Dept be
permitted to treat the changes as minor by amendment to the existing approval, provided
that Brandeston Parish Council did not raise any new material issues arising
from its meeting on 26 September.
The Chairman then
adjourned the meeting to permit the discussion appended in the notes hereto.
The Chairman then
reconvened the meeting
The Clerk was
instructed to write to SCDC, Planning Dept. setting out the Council’s views as
stated in the appended notes and requesting
that this development be properly supervised such that no further breaches of
the consent are permitted.
(iv) Routing
of FP14 (previous minute 4-0708/3 (iv))
The Clerk
confirmed that Cty. Cllr Bellfield had taken up the matter of the incorrect
description of FP 14 with the SCC officers and he had confirmed to the Clerk that
they would undertake corrective action.
The Chairman
adjourned the meeting to permit Cty. Cllr Bellfield to comment as appended in
the notes (below)
The Chairman then
reconvened the meeting
(v) Erection of mirror for
Blacksmith’s Barn (previous minute 12-0708/3 (v))
The Clerk advised
that he had written to Mr and Mrs Moody as instructed by the previous meeting.
It was noted that the mirror was now erected.
(vi) Planning application C07/1223/FUL – 53
The Street, Erection of first floor extension and other works (previous minute
3-0707/4)
The Clerk
confirmed that he had written to SCDC, Planning Dept. as instructed by the previous
meeting. No further communication had been received.
(vii) Planning application C07/1491/FUL – Rose
Farm Cottage, Mutton Lane, Change of use from agricultural to garden (previous
minute 4-0708/4)
The Clerk
confirmed that he had written to SCDC, Planning Dept. as instructed by the previous
meeting. No further communication had been received.
9/1-0708/5 - Any other business as may be
raised and accepted as appropriate by the Chairman
The Chairman brought this item forward on
the agenda to permit Dist. Cllr. Snell to advise the Council as indicated in
the appended notes
The Chairman then reconvened the meeting
and reverted to the published agenda sequence
5-0708/5 - Planning
(i) Application
C07/0979/FUL and C07/0933/LBC – Hill Farm, Friday Street, Single storey
extension
The Clerk advised
that these applications had been approved
(ii)
Application C07/1513/FUL (Sorell Cottage, Friday St.,
Erection of Side and rear extensions)
The Clerk confirmed
that he had written to SCDC advising the council’s comments that they
considered that the exterior finishes served to identify the “growth” of the
property and questioning why weatherboarding is always black – a full range of other
colours are available and the Conservation Officer should consider
alternatives. No other objections were raised by the Council.
(iii)
Application C07/1731/FUL Brandeston Hall – Additional
classrooms
The Council noted
that in the context of the site, the change is away from the old buildings and is
located in the area of new buildings. It was considered that the proposal did
not affect the setting of a listed building or the character of the
conservation area. Accordingly, the Council approved the application but the
Clerk was instructed to point out that the red-line area on the site plan does
not encompass the whole site and that any development at the school should be
considered in the context of the WHOLE site
6-0708/5 – Financial Report by RFO (The
Clerk)
The Clerk circulated the current cashbook
statement and advised that the main account has a current balance of £1,721.32 and
the 100+ account a balance of £364.18 (both after allowing accruals for cheques
raised and for latest receipts). The Clerk pointed out that there were various
future expenses to be met (such as audit and election costs) and that the
second precept payment income was due at the end of September. He confirmed
that the Council’s finances continued to be satisfactory
7-0708/5 – Financial Matters
(i) The Council agreed payment to
BVH&RG of £8.00 for room hire for the next meeting at the village hall on a
date to be agreed.
(ii) The Councillors confirmed that they had
read and agreed to the terms required by Barclays Bank for amendment of the
signatories of the council’s accounts. They provided completed personal details
forms for DR, HS and WE (main account) and for HS and WE (100+ account). KC had
indicated to the Clerk that she was in the midst of changing her own bank
details from her maiden name to her married name. Accordingly, full completion change
in the details for the 100+ account was left in abeyance. The Clerk confirmed
that he also required identification papers as per Barclays’ requirements. The
Council then resolved (in respect of the Community Account and the 100+
Account) that :-
1.
the Council cancel the Council’s existing mandates
with Barclays Bank PLC (the Bank) (except in relation to cheques and other
instructions given before the Bank receives this resolution);
2.
the Council accept the terms of the Barclays Customer
Agreement and confirm such acceptance to the Bank by completing the Bank’s form
of Appointment of Bankers;
3.
the Council authorise any individual named in Section
2 (an “authorised person”) either individually or, if relevant, with other
authorised person(s) in accordance with Section 3 to:
(a)
enter into any other agreements with the Bank
(including banking facility agreements and indemnities) which they consider to
be in the interests of the Council from time-to-time; and
(b)
give instructions concerning the operation of the
Council’s bank accounts and otherwise communicate with Bank in each case in
writing or verbally, in accordance with the Customer Agreement.
The Council agreed
that it did not wish to register for the Bank’s telephone and computer
facility.
The Clerk was
instructed to complete the formalities with Barclays Bank for the community
account and the 100+ account (to follow)
(iii) Budget
for Parish Plan project
The Council
reviewed the proposed grant application and budget presented by the Brandeston
Parish Plan Steering Group. ₤66.66) The Council approved the budget of ₤1,333.23
and further approved a contribution towards this budget of ₤66.66 from
the Council. Accordingly, it was agreed that the grant application (in the
amount of ₤1,266.56) be forwarded to Suffolk ACRE.
8-0708/5 – Correspondence
There were no matters for discussion under
this heading.
9-0708/5 - Any other business as may be
raised and accepted as appropriate by the Chairman
There were no matters raised for
discussion under this item.
Date of Next Meeting
Date of next meeting was confirmed as 14
November 2007 at 8.00 pm at the village hall.
The meeting closed at 10.25 pm
NOTES OF DISCUSSION ON RED HOUSE BARN (see minute
4-0708/5 (iii))
Mr Ruffles advised that he had sent a
letter to SCDC on 29 August 2007 indicating that he believed that condition 3
of the consent (details of windows, doors etc) had been met by previous
provision of drawings - albeit that the annotated scale on the drawings was
incorrect but the drawings were actually of the required scale.
Mr. Ruffles provided to the meeting a number of
photographs and sketches (of the proposed new oak structure intended to replace
the barn structure removed and burnt), which he had also provided to SCDC,
Planning Dept.
Councilors stated that they considered that
the proposed introduction of a new oak frame cannot be considered a “minor”
amendment to the existing permission. Condition 2 of the permission C04/0086 is
clear in its requirement that the barn should be repaired in accordance with an
approved schedule of works prior to conversion works commencing. They strongly
believe that it is now incumbent upon the Mr. Ruffles to demonstrate that the
remaining elements of the original frame are both sufficient in number and
still capable of repair in order to proceed in accordance with the existing
planning permission.
They further stated that in their view, the details shown
to them by Mr. Ruffles did not constitute a satisfactory schedule of repairs.
Such a schedule should include, but not be limited to, a complete frame survey
showing the remaining old timbers and plinth walls, details of how the existing
and any new members integrate and complete details of the repairs to those of
the existing members which are to be retained. A design drawing for a new oak
frame building and a few photographs of what timbers remain is simply not sufficient
and the District Council would be falling well short of their duty to the
parish of Brandeston if this level of detail were to be accepted.
Councilors stated that if Mr. Ruffles were successful
in presenting a comprehensive schedule of repairs which the District Council
are able to approve, then it is essential that these repairs be completed
before any conversion work is commenced (as per condition 2 of the consent). All
other conditions of the existing consent must be strictly adhered to – in particular
conditions 3, 4 and 6. The current position is that these conditions have not
been met. Councilors were firmly of the view that unless all these issues can
be satisfactorily addressed, then they consider that the existing consent is
not capable of being implemented and a new application is necessary
NOTES OF ADVICE OF COUNTY COUNCILLOR
BELLFIELD (see minute 4-0708/5 (iv))
Councillor Bellfield stated that he had spoken
further to SCC Officers and asked them to write to BPC with regard to FP 14 and
confirm that the change of description of FP14 would be undertaken by them at
no cost to BPC
NOTES OF ADVICE OF DISTRICT COUNCILLOR
SNELL (see minute 9/1-0708/5)
Dist Cllr Snell advised that SCDC’s
committee memberships had been finalised and that he has been appointed cabinet
member for young people. SCDC has published its strategy (now approved) for
play, which is available on the SCDC website. He noted that the public enquiry for
Monewden airfield was successful insofar as the Inspector had upheld the
Enforcement Notice but had made recommendations for a new planning application,
including permitting 600 aircraft movements per annum compared to the current
permission for 400. He advised that there was a forthcoming planning
application for 6 eco-holiday units at Easton Farm Park which was considered
likely to be passed. However, a similar scheme at Charsfield was understood as
likely to be withdrawn in the face of considerable local opposition.
A site visit to Northampton had been made
related to consideration of proposals for changes at Parham wind farm site.
Cllr Snell reported that good progress was
being made on the new local plan with consideration being given to the views of
all district residents. Cllr Snell also confirmed the decision of the
Development Control Sub-committee in respect of Red House Barn as reported by
the Clerk.