The November meeting was especially hard for us as it came so soon after the sad news of the untimely loss of Clive Hutton, the husband of Christine, one of our fellow Parish Councillors. We had got to know Clive well during our time on the Council with his ready sense of humour and his willingness to step in to help with any jobs that he was asked to do. He will be greatly missed. Our love and thoughts are with Christine and her daughter Wendy at this very difficult time.
The following matters were discussed at the Parish Council meeting in November:
Dropped Kerbs
We are still looking at ways to ensure that anyone in a wheelchair can access the entrance to the school. Highways have explained that their budget for this year is all spoken for so, at our next meeting, we will be looking again at the options for new dropped kerbs and deciding which one would be best for the village; we will fund this with Parish Council money.
It was also brought to our attention that those bringing children to the Primary School are parking across the current dropped kerbs which is a traffic offence. We will be monitoring this and asking the Head to remind all parents about it.
Quiet Lanes
We had promised to revisit this, particularly in relation to Upsher Green, but have been told that no new requests for Quiet Lanes are being accepted at present. A new pilot scheme is underway and after this we hope that the scheme will be offered out again.
Parking at the junction of Bantocks/Valley Road
Highways have visited this site and stated that any new double yellow lines would only extend back to 10m from the junction and we would again be back to the problem of cost versus enforcement. However, we have now asked them to consider the option of creating a lay-by here which would really solve this issue, but again, there will be no money forthcoming from SCC and the cost may be prohibitive.
Additional AED Defibrillator
The new solar-powered defibrillator has arrived and now its position needs to be decided as we want it to be easily accessible but the solar panels must get the most sun possible.
Donations
We considered a number of applications for donations and grants at the meeting and have decided to fund the Community Larder for a year. They already have a generous discount from the Village Hall itself and we will be making up the shortfall. We feel it is important to give long-term security to Reverend Faith and those who run the Larder. Other donations made can be found in the minutes of the meeting on the Parish Council section of the village website – greatwaldingfield.uk.
Play Equipment
Our annual ROSPA inspection of the play equipment has taken place and we were pleased that there were no serious faults found.
Footpath from Folly Road to the Church.
The bid for Babergh CIL money to fund the improvements to this path has gone in; we are putting £1000 towards this and wait to hear if we’ve been successful. We also want to thank everyone who helped to put down wood chippings and clear undergrowth along the path. This was one of the requirements so that this path could be put forward for Babergh money.
Folly Field (next to Overing Avenue)
We continue our efforts to gain ownership of Folly Field, but it is a long and painful process. It hasn’t yet been passed over from Bellway to Babergh so there is some way to go.
Keeping ditches clear
As we approach winter, with the current climate changes we are aware that keeping the ditches clear around the village is more important than ever. We are hearing from residents who have concerns about this and are searching out landowners/farmers to help with the clearing.
However, unless your land documents say otherwise, if your land runs right up to a ditch (even if there’s a fence in between) you have what’s called riparian responsibliities over half the ditch. This means that it is your responsibility to keep your half of the ditch clear of weeds including not throwing anything into the ditch which might block it.
Monthly Meet a Councillor
This month a Councillor will be available between 10.30 and 11.30 am in the Village Hall at the Coffee Morning on Wednesday 11th December and in the Committee Room at the side of the Village Hall between 6.30 and 7.30 pm on the same day. Do come along if you have something you’d like to discuss with the Parish Council.
One of the most useful things about our Parish Council meetings is the chance to hear from our County and District Councillors. I want to take this opportunity to thank Philip Faircloth-Mutton, Margaret Maybury and Paul Clover for all they do for the village and especially for their support to us as Parish Councillors.
If you have anything you wish either to bring to the Council’s attention or for the Council to consider at the next meeting (Monday 13th January), please email Mark Freeman on parishclerk.gwpc@waldingfield.uk or phone on 07922 336386. Alternatively the Clerk is at the village hall every morning between 9-11.30 apart from Wednesday.
Many thanks, Clare Kiely, Chair of the Parish Council
