ANNUAL REPORTS FROM:
CHAIRMAN
COUNTY COUNCILLOR
WEST SUFFOLK COUNCILLOR
and the BALANCE SHEET
CHAIRMAN
COUNTY COUNCILLOR
WEST SUFFOLK COUNCILLOR
and the BALANCE SHEET
CHAIRMAN'S REPORT
TO ANNUAL PARISH MEETING 13th MAY 2024
1. The Parish Council (PC) continued to function efficiently and I would like to thank our clerk, Mrs Plampin who works tirelessly and efficiently on your behalf, whilst liaising with the police and other organisations. She is an efficient clerk, for not only does she do the administration but also contacts various departments, often on numerous occasions, whilst keeping us on the straight and narrow in respect of changing regulations. I am very grateful to Mrs Sue Jay for volunteering to join us, her experience will be useful to the Parish Council.
We are fortunate to have a community whose members are interested in the wellbeing of the villages.
2. We are well supported by our County and West Suffolk councillors; Mrs Joanna Spicer and Mr Andrew Smith (reports attached). Both are diligent in attending PC meetings and have made financial contributions to the community including help towards another Speed Indicator Device (SID) on Green Lane outside camp, to reduce speeding in that area, particularly outside the Camp Post Office. We have also purchased a new sign for Honington Green, to replace the present one that has deteriorated after 30 years.
3. Highways have yet to resolve the flooding at Willow Green but the flooding behind the Sapiston bus shelter has been successfully resolved, thanks to Councillor Spicer’s tenacity and commitment by Highways engineers. The PC has paid for larger pipes to be installed at Boreham House in preparation for work to connect the ditch at the east side of the house to the one at the west. It is hoped that this together with ditching carried out by Euston Estate will also solve the problem of flooding at Parch House. However, the work will cause significant inconvenience at the property, whilst having no benefit to them.
Highways have finally repaired the bridge; the delay being caused by the change of sub-contractors. David Thrower continues to keep the Playing Field and other areas of the villages, neat and tidy. I thank him for his flexibility when asked to take on other tasks, including clearing the footpath up to The RAF Families Club.
4. The Parish Website is now managed and updated by Mrs Harriet van der Lande, whilst Ian P-P continues to input Facebook, in addition to his excellent work at The Village Hall. Items for inclusion on the site are welcome. Equally, items are welcome for inclusion in the monthly newsletter but not anonymous ones and items may be subject to reduction, to allow them to fit in the newsletter. Caroline Keyton and Carol King are to be congratulated for producing the newsletter and I would also like to thank those villagers who deliver the newsletter every month.
5. Liaison with the RAF base continues to be good and a representative from the base has attended most of our PC meetings and updated us on events on the base but at present that post is vacant. The annual Families Day event is to be on the 25th of July, to which villagers will be invited.
6. The Playing Field continues to be well used and the PC has purchased a climbing wall that has proved to be popular and defective items have been replaced by members of the PC. The Phone Box Library continues to be well used and enjoyed by many. My thanks go to those who keep it tidy.
7. We had a successful litter-pick in March and I would also like to thank those who joined us and those who have had regular collections on their own initiative. We now have litter pickers and West Suffolk black bags if anyone needs them. They will be collected by the bin men, if you do not have room in your black bin.
8. The PC continues to support local charities and village activities. The church received £500.00 as a contribution to grounds maintenance and a further £700 for fabric fund. We have also given support to the Village Hall, East Anglian Air Ambulance, the tree group and local charities.
9. The increase in the precept has again been kept to a minimum and it should be remembered that residents in RAF housing contribute approximately half of the money to our account, which is why members of the camp and their dependants have use of the Village Hall at the discounted rate.
10. Dog fouling continues to be an issue as irresponsible owners do not clear up after their pets, both on our country walks or from our pavements. I urge all dog owners to be responsible and to clear up after their dogs. I thank Martin Waterman for emptying the bins on the Allotment Field, as the West Suffolk Council will not, as they are on private land.
11. The Village Hall, Tree Group, Allotments and Fuel Charity reports may also be seen on the website. However, I would like to say how grateful we all are for the work done by those who run the hall and it would be remiss of me not to congratulate them for the valuable asset that is used by many of us.
12. The PC received the proposed, revised West Suffolk Local Plan to have 15 houses on Troston Road and 10 on Bardwell Road but the PC consider that 5 on each plot is more appropriate and will continue to pursue that view in the future.
13. I have replaced the timetables at the bus shelters and a new one has been installed at Poplar Close.
14. The problem of cars parked on the pavement at Willow Green has mostly been resolved, after warnings were issued by the Police.
Mr R G C Williams,
Chair
TO ANNUAL PARISH MEETING 13th MAY 2024
1. The Parish Council (PC) continued to function efficiently and I would like to thank our clerk, Mrs Plampin who works tirelessly and efficiently on your behalf, whilst liaising with the police and other organisations. She is an efficient clerk, for not only does she do the administration but also contacts various departments, often on numerous occasions, whilst keeping us on the straight and narrow in respect of changing regulations. I am very grateful to Mrs Sue Jay for volunteering to join us, her experience will be useful to the Parish Council.
We are fortunate to have a community whose members are interested in the wellbeing of the villages.
2. We are well supported by our County and West Suffolk councillors; Mrs Joanna Spicer and Mr Andrew Smith (reports attached). Both are diligent in attending PC meetings and have made financial contributions to the community including help towards another Speed Indicator Device (SID) on Green Lane outside camp, to reduce speeding in that area, particularly outside the Camp Post Office. We have also purchased a new sign for Honington Green, to replace the present one that has deteriorated after 30 years.
3. Highways have yet to resolve the flooding at Willow Green but the flooding behind the Sapiston bus shelter has been successfully resolved, thanks to Councillor Spicer’s tenacity and commitment by Highways engineers. The PC has paid for larger pipes to be installed at Boreham House in preparation for work to connect the ditch at the east side of the house to the one at the west. It is hoped that this together with ditching carried out by Euston Estate will also solve the problem of flooding at Parch House. However, the work will cause significant inconvenience at the property, whilst having no benefit to them.
Highways have finally repaired the bridge; the delay being caused by the change of sub-contractors. David Thrower continues to keep the Playing Field and other areas of the villages, neat and tidy. I thank him for his flexibility when asked to take on other tasks, including clearing the footpath up to The RAF Families Club.
4. The Parish Website is now managed and updated by Mrs Harriet van der Lande, whilst Ian P-P continues to input Facebook, in addition to his excellent work at The Village Hall. Items for inclusion on the site are welcome. Equally, items are welcome for inclusion in the monthly newsletter but not anonymous ones and items may be subject to reduction, to allow them to fit in the newsletter. Caroline Keyton and Carol King are to be congratulated for producing the newsletter and I would also like to thank those villagers who deliver the newsletter every month.
5. Liaison with the RAF base continues to be good and a representative from the base has attended most of our PC meetings and updated us on events on the base but at present that post is vacant. The annual Families Day event is to be on the 25th of July, to which villagers will be invited.
6. The Playing Field continues to be well used and the PC has purchased a climbing wall that has proved to be popular and defective items have been replaced by members of the PC. The Phone Box Library continues to be well used and enjoyed by many. My thanks go to those who keep it tidy.
7. We had a successful litter-pick in March and I would also like to thank those who joined us and those who have had regular collections on their own initiative. We now have litter pickers and West Suffolk black bags if anyone needs them. They will be collected by the bin men, if you do not have room in your black bin.
8. The PC continues to support local charities and village activities. The church received £500.00 as a contribution to grounds maintenance and a further £700 for fabric fund. We have also given support to the Village Hall, East Anglian Air Ambulance, the tree group and local charities.
9. The increase in the precept has again been kept to a minimum and it should be remembered that residents in RAF housing contribute approximately half of the money to our account, which is why members of the camp and their dependants have use of the Village Hall at the discounted rate.
10. Dog fouling continues to be an issue as irresponsible owners do not clear up after their pets, both on our country walks or from our pavements. I urge all dog owners to be responsible and to clear up after their dogs. I thank Martin Waterman for emptying the bins on the Allotment Field, as the West Suffolk Council will not, as they are on private land.
11. The Village Hall, Tree Group, Allotments and Fuel Charity reports may also be seen on the website. However, I would like to say how grateful we all are for the work done by those who run the hall and it would be remiss of me not to congratulate them for the valuable asset that is used by many of us.
12. The PC received the proposed, revised West Suffolk Local Plan to have 15 houses on Troston Road and 10 on Bardwell Road but the PC consider that 5 on each plot is more appropriate and will continue to pursue that view in the future.
13. I have replaced the timetables at the bus shelters and a new one has been installed at Poplar Close.
14. The problem of cars parked on the pavement at Willow Green has mostly been resolved, after warnings were issued by the Police.
Mr R G C Williams,
Chair
JOANNA SPICER - COUNTY COUNCILLOR
ANNUAL REPORT 2024 - HONINGTON and SAPISTON
Firstly I would like to thank the chairman, members and clerk of Honington cum Sapiston Parish Council for inviting me to attend their meetings over the last year and for always making me welcome. Andrew Smith and I do our best to work in partnership with parish councils as we navigate the complexities of local government responsibilities.
The county council has had a challenging year as we meet our statutory responsibilities caring for vulnerable older people, those with disabilities, children, special education and young people. About 79% of our total annual expenditure is on these services which are provided 365 days a year.
This year we have had to make difficult decisions over the level of council tax and we are making some significant savings involving service cuts and reducing staff numbers. Meanwhile we continue to ensure we have adequate budgets for the fire and rescue service, highways, trading standards, the environment and climate change, school support and libraries. The total budget for 2024-25 is an increase of 8.6% to £752.8million. Since October 2023 the council has had a new contract for highway services with Milestone and we are cautiously pleased with how repairs and resurfacing is progressing.
We are currently consulting on the proposal from Government for a “Devolution Deal” for Suffolk which will bring investment in Suffolk of £480million over the next 30 years. In return for this new money and devolved decision making we will be required to have a directly elected leader of the county council from May 2025.
My engagement with the parish council over the last year has primarily been in relation to flooding – and in particular in Sapiston. What has been worrying is where dwellings have been affected both on Bardwell Road and the homes around the bus shelter. I am grateful that SCC highways officers have made many visits to Sapiston and that also I was able to facilitate meetings involving SCC and Euston Estate and residents of Bardwell Road.
Good news that the bridge between your villages has now been repaired after the accident last April. I was pleased to help get the path at Hilly Close repaired
Joanna Spicer,
County Councillor, [email protected]
ANNUAL REPORT 2024 - HONINGTON and SAPISTON
Firstly I would like to thank the chairman, members and clerk of Honington cum Sapiston Parish Council for inviting me to attend their meetings over the last year and for always making me welcome. Andrew Smith and I do our best to work in partnership with parish councils as we navigate the complexities of local government responsibilities.
The county council has had a challenging year as we meet our statutory responsibilities caring for vulnerable older people, those with disabilities, children, special education and young people. About 79% of our total annual expenditure is on these services which are provided 365 days a year.
This year we have had to make difficult decisions over the level of council tax and we are making some significant savings involving service cuts and reducing staff numbers. Meanwhile we continue to ensure we have adequate budgets for the fire and rescue service, highways, trading standards, the environment and climate change, school support and libraries. The total budget for 2024-25 is an increase of 8.6% to £752.8million. Since October 2023 the council has had a new contract for highway services with Milestone and we are cautiously pleased with how repairs and resurfacing is progressing.
We are currently consulting on the proposal from Government for a “Devolution Deal” for Suffolk which will bring investment in Suffolk of £480million over the next 30 years. In return for this new money and devolved decision making we will be required to have a directly elected leader of the county council from May 2025.
My engagement with the parish council over the last year has primarily been in relation to flooding – and in particular in Sapiston. What has been worrying is where dwellings have been affected both on Bardwell Road and the homes around the bus shelter. I am grateful that SCC highways officers have made many visits to Sapiston and that also I was able to facilitate meetings involving SCC and Euston Estate and residents of Bardwell Road.
Good news that the bridge between your villages has now been repaired after the accident last April. I was pleased to help get the path at Hilly Close repaired
Joanna Spicer,
County Councillor, [email protected]
ANDREW SMITH - WEST SUFFOLK COUNCILLOR - BARDWELL WARD
2024 ANNUAL REPORT
At the West Suffolk Council Meeting 20th February 2024 the main agenda item was the budget for 2024/25. It was a balanced budget and unlike many councils we do not have high levels of debt.
Some of the budget proposals included: an increase of £3.00 to the brown bin charge; a 3% council tax increase which for a Band D properties converts to an annual increase of £5.76 and the introduction of a second home premium. Investment proposals include: £1.2m to develop our commercial unit asset in Anglian Lane; £2.75m to top up our Net Zero fund; £6.2m to renovate the Bury leisure centre and £1.7m towards the transitional costs associated with the introduction of food waste kerbside collections.
Our new Council Leader is keen to improve how the Council engage with communities and has introduced Cabinet Tours of the towns in West Suffolk and these visits will be extended to rural areas in the future. The Chair of the Council has also attended many local parish council meetings, and indeed he attended one at Honington and Sapiston earlier this year. These visits in general have been extremely well received.
During the year I was able to provide some modest funding towards the purchase of a new SID unit.
Andrew Smith
West Suffolk Councillor - Bardwell Ward - 13/05/2024
2024 ANNUAL REPORT
At the West Suffolk Council Meeting 20th February 2024 the main agenda item was the budget for 2024/25. It was a balanced budget and unlike many councils we do not have high levels of debt.
Some of the budget proposals included: an increase of £3.00 to the brown bin charge; a 3% council tax increase which for a Band D properties converts to an annual increase of £5.76 and the introduction of a second home premium. Investment proposals include: £1.2m to develop our commercial unit asset in Anglian Lane; £2.75m to top up our Net Zero fund; £6.2m to renovate the Bury leisure centre and £1.7m towards the transitional costs associated with the introduction of food waste kerbside collections.
Our new Council Leader is keen to improve how the Council engage with communities and has introduced Cabinet Tours of the towns in West Suffolk and these visits will be extended to rural areas in the future. The Chair of the Council has also attended many local parish council meetings, and indeed he attended one at Honington and Sapiston earlier this year. These visits in general have been extremely well received.
During the year I was able to provide some modest funding towards the purchase of a new SID unit.
Andrew Smith
West Suffolk Councillor - Bardwell Ward - 13/05/2024
