by Wickhambrook Parish Clerk
Hello, it’s been a busy few months since I last wrote.
Parish Council and Estates Committee meetings
At the end of last year the Parish Council and Estates Committee decided to make some changes to the number of meetings it holds. The changes mean a reduction from eleven to seven meetings for the Parish Council, and from six to five for the Estates Committees. Councillors and committee members took this decision because it is hoped that this will free up more time between meetings for the Clerk to support the project work identified which is important to the parish and its residents (for example, play equipment).
If any urgent matters arise between the meetings, it will still be possible to deal with these by having an extra-ordinary meeting. The schedule will be reviewed next year, and if need be adjusted. Meetings in 2020 are listed below:
Parish Council:
27th February, 23rd April, 28th May (Annual meeting of the Parish Council @ 6:30pm followed by Annual Parish Meeting @ 7:30pm), 30th July, 24th September and 26th November
Estates Committee:
March 5th, June 4th, August 6th, October 1st and December 3rd 2020.
All meetings take place in the Pavilion of the Memorial Centre and begin at 7.30 p.m.
(see all Parish Council Events here)
Formal opening of Wickhambrook Memorial Garden
The Wickhambrook Memorial Garden, a place of rest and contemplation, was formally opened on Sunday 10th November following the laying of wreaths at the War Memorial. It was well attended, with many children who helped to plant spring bulbs on the perimeter of the garden. School children also took part in Spring bulb planting on the following Tuesday. Thanks to Mary Jolland for organising the event and spring bulb planting, and Councilllor and Mrs Merritt for the supply and serving of Refreshments on Remembrance Sunday.
Parish Budget 2020-21 and Precept
At its January meeting the Parish Council approved the budget for the next financial year (2020-2021) and set the precept (the amount of money that it asks to be raised through council tax). The precept for the next year was set at £35,610.00, an increase of £2.56 (3.64%). More information about the budget can be found on the Parish Council Documents page.
Spring Litter Pick – Sunday 5th April
Meet at the MSC Hall Car Park – please check here for the start time.
Play Equipment at the Recreation Ground and Bury Road Pocket Park
The Parish Council is pleased to be able to let you know that a refurbishment of the Playfort has now been completed and has re-opened.
We would like to extend its thanks to our lay member Mr Roger Merry, who has worked hard to find a solution to bring the fort back into use, as many parents have reported how much the children enjoy playing in the fort.
Parents of children who use the pocket park at Bury Road will, we hope, be pleased to hear that the Parish Council has agreed that the proposal to purchase a new piece of play equipment for older children (8 – 12 years). An example of the style of equipment which the Parish Council is seeking to purchase is shown below:
This will be a substantial investment for the Parish Council, so I am currently researching grant funding towards the proposed equipment.
The Parish Council is also undertaking some initial research into options for outdoor fitness equipment on Six Acres to report to a future meeting. If you have any ideas about type and styles of equipment which would be accessible and widely used, please contact me at with your suggestions.
New uses for the BT Phone Box at Thorns Corner
The Parish Council has been considering establishing a book swap in the old BT Phone Box at Thorns Corner. The phone box will require re-painting, and some re-glazing. If you would be interested in participating in this project, or have other suggestions for how the phone box could be used, please contact .
Footpaths and Highways
This winter has so far been exceptionally wet and sections of Byway 31 are in a very poor state for walking, a part of their reason for existence. Restricting the use of byways by 4×4 vehicles is difficult, but Suffolk County Council have just posted Restraint Notices on a section of the Byway to limit their use during this wet weather (https://wickhambrook.org/a-plea-to-equestrian-users-of-byway-31/).
It would also be very helpful to pedestrians if horse riders could leave a reasonable non-trampled area, at least to one side of the route for the use of pedestrians, as this byway is central to many routes taken by walkers.
If you have a problem with footpaths and byways, you can report a problem direct to Suffolk County Council here:
Rights of Way: https://www.suffolk.gov.uk/roads-and-transport/public-rights-of-way-in-suffolk/report-a-public-right-of-way-issue/
And for all matters related to problems on Highways: https://www.suffolk.gov.uk/roads-and-transport/
Recent Planning Decisions made West Suffolk Council
DC/19/1102/FUL – Planning Application
Erection of 5no. dwellings with cart sheds and alterations to vehicular access (following demolition of existing agricultural buildings)
Clopton Hall Farm Ltd, Clopton Hall, Giffords Lane, Wickhambrook, CB8 8PQ
WSC: Approved
WPC: No Objection (Min. No. 19.06.18)
Application to Discharge Conditions 3 (access and visibility splays), 4 (new vehicular access), 5 (surface water onto highway), 6 (surface water discharge) and 9 (electrical charging point) of application DC/19/0961/FUL
Land Adjacent To Bunters Gait Nunnery Green Wickhambrook Suffolk
WSC: Decided N.b.PC’S not consulted on applications to discharge conditions
DC/19/0480/FUL – Planning Application
Change of use from commercial to residential dwelling (C3) and associated works
Timber Barn, Peacocks Farm, Farley Green, Wickhambrook
WSC: Not Req’d
WPC: No Comment Submitted (19.07.14)
Noted: No Planning applications had been notified by West Suffolk Council for comment:
DC/19/0480/FUL – Planning Application
Change of use from commercial to residential dwelling (C3) and associated works
Timber Barn, Peacocks Farm, Farley Green, Wickhambrook
WSC: Granted
WPC: No Comment Submitted (19.07.14)
DCON(B)/17/1721
Application to Discharge Condition 24 (Landscape and Ecological Management Plan) of Application
DC/17/1721/FUL
Land West Of Cemetery Road Wickhambrook Suffolk
WSC: Approved
WPC: No Comment Submitted (19.11.14.1)
DC/19/2028/LB
Application for Listed Building Consent – Conversion of barn to dwelling including (i) replacement of corrugated lean-to with timber clad single storey pitched roof room (ii) replacement fenestration (iii) removal of asbestos roofing sheets
Timber Barn Peacocks Farm Farley Green Wickhambrook Suffolk
WSC: Approved
WPC: Supported (19.11.1320.01.13
And last but not least…
Parking Congestion at Wickhambrook Primary Academy
Requests for consideration of traffic calming measures were first raised by parishioners at September 2018 Parish Council meeting and have been considered by the Parish Council at subsequent meetings. A summary of the work that has been done to date can be found on the Website.
Please take a look at the article our new Councillor, Sandy Thwaite has written for The Scene, and there’s also more background information on the Parish Council news section.
Wishing you all an improvement in the weather and that spring is soon with us.
Hilary Workman
Clerk and RFO
Wickhambrook Parish Council