Minutes of the Estimates Meeting of Great Cornard Parish Council held in

the Stevenson Centre on 5th January 2009

PRESENT     Councillors    P.K. Beer       Chairman     

                                                H.N.Todd

                                                N.H.T.Proctor

                                                J.F.Millins

                                                J.R.A.Sayers

                                                M.D.Newman

                                                R.I.Wade

                                                Mrs C.J. Webb

           Council Manager       M.J.Fitt

1)         Apologies for Absence

Councillors Mrs A. Harper-Clark, Mrs F.A. Jackson, R.R. Sims, D.R.G. Thomas, Mrs C.A. Todd

and D.M. Walton

2)         Declarations of Interest, Gifts or Hospitality

Cllrs P.K.Beer, H.Todd, M. Newman and JRA Sayers declared that they are members of Babergh District Council. Cllrs P.K.Beer and JRA Sayers declared that they are members of Sudbury Town Council. Cllr P.K.Beer declared that he is a member of Suffolk County Council.

These members declared that their views expressed at this meeting would be based on information available at the time and might not be the same as those expressed at meetings involving other councils.

3)         Precept 2008/2009

The Chairman opened the meeting and welcomed members of the Council. He apologised to members that copies of the draft budget had not been circulated with the Agenda. This was an administrative oversight, although the budget to be proposed would have differed from figures available at the time of the Agenda. He then invited Cllr.H.N.Todd as Chairman of the Policy and Finance Committee to propose the Budget.

Cllr.Todd proposed the budget which provided for an increase of 3.2% in the rate applicable to a band D house, which is less than the current rise in inflation, as shown on the Government’s statistical website at 4.8% for the year to date.

After a detailed discussion of the figures, the Council agreed to reduce the sums set aside for projects in the coming year and accordingly the increase for a band D house was reduced to 2.4% (Appendix A)

During the discussion the Council RESOLVED:-

Firstly that no provision should be made for expenses at the Poplar Road, Community Drop-In and that the premises should close on 31^st March 2009 with the lease being returned to Babergh District Council.

Secondly that a paper proposed by Cllr Wade setting out a strategy for the distribution of grant monies be adopted as Council policy for the coming year. (Appendix B)

The proposed budget was seconded by Cllr.P.K.Beer and passed by the Council. The Precept on the Charging Authority will be £190,408 for the year 2009/2010

4)         Planning Applications Received

B/08/01858/tel – Reservoir & Water Tower, Upper Tye       

Notification under part 24 of the Town & Country Planning (General Permitted Development) Order 1995 (as amended)- Installation of additional equipment cabinet and replacement antennae

Recommend – APPROVAL

B/08/01751/FHA – 24 Cats lane

Erection of a two-storey rear and side extension

Recommend – APPROVAL

B/08/01679/FHA – 37 Canhams Road

Erection of a rear extension to existing garage

Recommend – APPROVAL

B/08/01747/FUL – Land North of Shawlands Avenue

Erection of a 17.5m high telecommunications pole with 2 antennas and equipment cabinet

Recommend – APPROVAL

B/08/01356/FHA – 7 Rye Hill

Installation of 2 dormer windows in connection with loft conversion

Recommend – APPROVAL

B/08/01726/FUL – 26A Kings Hill  

Continued use of part of 26 Kings Hill as a single self contained dwelling (No 26 to remain in use as a dwelling)

Recommend – APPROVAL

B/08/01631/FUL – Land West of 28 Cornerth Crescent

Erection of 1 detached two-storey dwelling as amended by drawing F-396-PO1 received 8/12/08 

Recommend - APPROVAL

Meeting Closed 8.20pm

                                                                        Signed                                              

                                                                        P.K.Beer: Chairman