PRESS RELEASE FROM GT BARTON PARISH COUNCIL - JANUARY 2015 Councillor Philip Reeve chaired the meeting of Gt Barton Parish Council with Councillors John Nunn, Michele Faiers, Kate Trevitt, Peter Fisk, Matthew Parker, Andrew Hill, Maggie Dunn, Roger Davison, Derek Troth and Eddie Gibson present. No members of the public were present. Great Barton Scout Group was to update the Parish Council on their future plans but due to business/personal commitments by their leaders Councillor Philip Reeve gave an update on the Scout Group’s plans to rebuild their hut. The life expectancy of the current wooden building is limited and will not cater for the groups’ expansion. A proposal was outlined to the Gt Barton Thanksgiving Fund trustees to erect a brand new building which would be larger to accommodate the expected Groups numbers The Scout Group are now investigating the legal requirements surrounding a new build following the Trustees agreeing in principle to support the scheme. Councillor Rebecca Hopfensperger will chase the many maintenance items outstanding, from the village (ie Street lights not working, vegetation cutting etc) with Suffolk County Council. A farmer has requested signage for Thurston Road to warn motorists of his farm entrances. The Clerk is liaising with Symmonds Coaches who are aware of the issues when coaches have to pull onto the opposite carriageway of the A143, to turn into Thurston Road from Ixworth. The route of the buses and their times are dictated by the number of vehicles and children being transported to the school at Thurston. Symmonds have lobbied in the past for a slip road into Thurston Road but this was not taken up by Suffolk County Council due to the cost and land availability. Councillor Sarah Broughton advised that there will be a consultation on the Barton Hill, (east of A134 to Fornham Road) Waste Transfer Site, in March. There was a discussion on the proposals for this site ( to be known as West Suffolk Operational Hub) and it’s possible impact on Gt Barton. Police – There had been 3 crimes of interest in the Parish since the last meeting; Criminal damage to a vehicle, whilst located in the rear parking area of a property, a vehicle has been scratched and footprints left all over, causing damage; a rural field has been entered and a bird scarer and gas bottle have been removed; damage has been caused to the outer pane of a double glazed window. The mobile Vehicle Activated Sign has been operational on the A143. The Parish Council are working with Suffolk County Council to see if there is a suitable site for this Sign, on East Barton Road, from the A143. Further mounting moles at approved sites around the village should be installed shortly. A safety assessment for a further pelican crossing on the A143 is still awaited from Suffolk County Council, along with drawings and information regarding land availability, footpath width and the location of utilities. The Clerk will enquire with Suffolk County Council, whether signage is appropriate, to make drivers aware of the staggered junction (with Cox Lane and Bertuna Close) as they enter the village, along East Barton Road, from Shinham Bridge. The Council analysed graphs, from historic figures, showing the speed and number of vehicles using the A143. Progress on the Heads of Terms for Icepits Wood is still with Suffolk County Council’s legal department, awaiting confirmation on 2 items. The operational assessment carried out before the felling in 2010 was reviewed. An independent inspection will be arranged once the Heads of Terms have been signed. 3 additional access paths are under consideration. To find Parishioners aspirations for Icepits an “open meeting” will be organised to seek representatives to be part of a future “working party” to manage the wood. Residents were asked, through the newsletter and at a drop-in event, what they would spend an increased precept on. Parish councils receive funding by levying a "precept" through the council tax. 3 consistent themes emerged as priorities (1) Increasing the amount of footpaths and improving maintenance of the existing ones (2) Installing another pedestrian crossing on the A143 to improve access to the Village Hall and Playing Fields (and also hopefully to act as a traffic calming measure) (3) Provision of a teenage/youth games area. ‘ All councillors had received the ‘Plain English Guide To Planning and a copy is available on the website www.greatbarton.onesuffolk.net The Parish Council are liaising with Havebury Housing Partnership over the car park which is situated off School Road, since the sale of the Forge bungalows. Legal advice is being sort to understand the rights of the community. The transport committee will look into the following items: the possibility of widening the footpath from School Road to the petrol station and raised by a resident the widening of the pavement area from the pre-school to the primary school. A request had been received to increase the length of the barrier outside the school, which prevents children running from the school onto the road. The transport committee had discussed the following items at their meeting on 7 th January: Advising residents bordering the proposed enhance footpath scheme, by letter and providing a map; Suffolk County Council Farms Division will be contacted to explore the permissive footpath from School Road, skirting around the pre-school, primary school playing field and along the perimeter of the arable field finally meeting up with the A143 East of the black barns, nearly opposite Cox Lane. The extension to the enhanced footpath scheme also involves developing linkages to and from Icepits Wood. The Clerk confirmed the status of The Park as “Footpath for 200 metres from the Western end (Livermere Road), then 600 metres of Byway open to all traffic for the remainder through to the A143”. Suffolk County Council is reviewing the legal status of Park Lane (Muddy Lane) before the wording on new signage can be decided. A successful drop-in event promoting the ‘Affordable Housing Scheme’ on East Barton Road and helping people register on the Choice Based Lettings Scheme, was held by the Parish Council and St Edmundsbury Borough Council’s housing team on 18th January. Details of how to register and information on the development are available on the Parish Council’s website or through the clerk. The Councillors then paid a site visit to the development which is due to be finished in April/May 2015. Following the improvements to Elms Close, the Council are looking into making it one way. All Councillors will retire together on 11th May 2015. Newly elected/co-opted Councillors come into office the same day. The A143 The Street, will be closed from 9 – 13th February from 20:00 to 05:00 from Cox Lane to the junction with Church Road. A diversion will be in place. The Clerk confirmed that there are no specific byelaws that restrict or prohibit the lighting of garden bonfires in St Edmundsbury Borough. However, where the burning of waste is considered to be a statutory nuisance, Environmental Health should be contacted. The flooding from a blocked drain between The Coppice and The Park will be advised to Suffolk County Council. The next Parish Council meeting is on Monday 16th February 2015 at 7.15pm in the community room at the village hall. Everyone is welcome to attend.