We have been working hard over the last two months to move some of our long-standing issues forward but with unfortunately only limited success. We continue to fight on!
These were the main matters discussed at the March Parish Council meeting:
Councillor Vacancy
Sadly, Lee Russell, who joined us in November last year, is unable to carry on due to new work commitments so we again have a vacancy on the council. If you are interested in joining us, please contact Mark Freeman, our Parish Clerk, in the first instance, to arrange a chat with some of the councillors to get more information about what goes on.
Sudbury Free Parking
We were very sad to hear that free parking will be coming to an end despite all the efforts taken to oppose it.
Parking around the Shop
Both Highways and Babergh have received our report and the Chief Executive of Babergh Council has asked the Chief Planning Officer to review the handling of the planning application for the Takeaway. We have been promised a response before the next PC meeting.
20mph zone along Folly Road
We were very disappointed to hear that this is no longer a possibility due to the fact that the ‘area of interest does not meet the required minimum length for the speed limit’. This had never been mentioned to us before. However, nothing daunted, our Suffolk County Councillor is still going to pursue this for us.
Sign to prevent HGVs travelling into Upsher Green
Again, we were frustrated to discover that a traffic survey revealed that there is not enough heavy traffic (apart from farm vehicles) using this road to warrant a sign.
Term time Parking for Pre-School on the Playing Field
We have sent in another detailed report explaining exactly what we are asking for and yet again await a response from Babergh. Our District Councillors will be following up on this for us.
Parking on the green at the junction of Bantocks and Valley Road
Having made a visit to the cottages at the end of Valley Road, it seems that parking on the green is less of an issue than the vehicles at the end of Bantocks Road. We want to remind everyone who parks close to a junction that it is illegal to park within 10m of a junction according to the Highway Code.
Clothing Bank at the Bowls Club
The Bowls Club has agreed to the siting of a clothing bank here so only one last hurdle left and that is to ensure Suffolk’s agreement as we rent this land from Suffolk County Council (SCC).
State of the road near the Bowls Club
Finally some good news! SCC have agreed to mend this private road later this year. Having measured the potholes – the largest being 1.2 m x 1m and 7 cm deep – we will now send photos out to them to encourage them to do it as early as possible.
Parking for the school
Sadly, we heard from an elderly resident about a nasty experience he had with one of the parents from the school. He received a torrent of abuse after asking the parent politely to move his car out of the turning circle at the end of Heathway. A member of the Traffic Group will be going into the school to ask for a general letter to be sent out to parents asking them to show respect to residents when parking for the school.
Transfer of ownership of Green Acre
We can finally see the end in sight for this long-running issue. After nearly 5 years, we now just have to decide on any searches we want to do before the land can finally be transferred across to the Parish Council. However, we won’t believe it until the paperwork is finally signed.
New and Replacement Playground Equipment
We have finally had one quote in for the basketball hoop and kickball goal. We continue to chase for more quotes.
Playing Field and Pavilion
The evidence we have found so far regarding the use of the playing field and pavilion has now been dispatched to our solicitor. He will look over this and let us know whether we have enough or whether we need to keep looking.
Annual Parish Meeting (APM) (see advert elsewhere in magazine)
We are hoping to hold a more ‘user-friendly’ version of the APM this year. This is a meeting which we are legally obliged to hold every year to report back to parishioners on what we have been doing and what we hope to do over the next year. In the past we have asked all village groups to present a report as this is also an opportunity to hear about all the things that are happening in the village. This year we want to combine this meeting with a Meet and Greet and invite all groups in the village to come and set up a stall in the Village Hall. A shorter more formal meeting at the end will include a report from the Chair and any reports from those unable to attend earlier in the day. We hope this will enable parishioners to find out about the groups that interest them and chat directly to those involved. This will take place on Sat 27th April between 3 and 7 pm with the official APM taking place after 6 pm.
Folly Road Hedges
We have attempted to visit those whose hedges have been causing problems to users of the footpaths at the end of Folly Road as well as to vehicles exiting onto the Main Road. We will be sending out a polite request for them to cut back their hedges, but as we are now into the nesting season, we will ask them to take great care when doing this.
Flooding
Working to solve the various flooding problems in the village has again led us to a place of everyone passing the buck. No-one will take responsibility. We have had some success around the pond, but fundamentally it is for the school and SCC to work to solve this. We continue to report everything onto the various authorities, but ultimately we have no power to get them to respond
If you have anything you wish the Council to consider at the next meeting (Monday 8th April), please email Mark Freeman on parishclerk.gwpc@waldingfield.uk or phone on 07922 336386. Or come to chat to members of the Parish Council at the Community Larder on Fridays at the Village Hall.
Many thanks, Clare Kiely, Chair of the Parish Council
