October November 2008: News - Parish Council
Well, Summer seems to have passed us by and as we now head into the Autumn months Parish Councillors will be heading down to the Village Hall in the dark once a month. August and September have been fairly quiet so this is really only an update about items previously reported.
VILLAGE OF THE YEAR:
Last month I was pleased to inform you that Brantham had done fairly well in the recent Village of the Year competition. The Parish Council has now been advised that Brantham has been awarded a ‘Highly Commended Certificate’, which will be presented on 10th October 2008 by the Vice-Chairman of Babergh District Council.
UNITARY LOCAL GOVERNMENT IN SUFFOLK:
Parish Councillors have taken the opportunity to attend meetings and receive a presentation by Suffolk County Council and Ipswich Borough Council about the proposed Suffolk Boundary Review. There appear to be two options available: a Suffolk unitary authority comprising of the existing county apart from the Lowestoft area or an Ipswich and Felixstowe unitary (North Haven) and a Suffolk unitary comprising the rest of the county apart from the Lowestoft area. If the second option is chosen as the preferred choice this will mean that Brantham will become part of the Ipswich and Felixstowe unitary.
Now that Parish Councillors have been given the necessary information they will be meeting again to agree what they consider would be best option for Brantham and make a single representation to the Boundary Committee before the end of the consultation period.
LOWER SPORTS FIELD
In the last edition of the Bugle I was pleased to report that money had been donated to allow us to purchase some new sports equipment. However, there is still some discussion as to where it should be installed. The lower sports field is currently receiving the Parish Council’s full attention and it is looking at ways to humanly resolve the rabbit infestation that it currently has on this piece of land, so that goals posts can be installed. I will keep you updated!
PLANNING MEETINGS:
The planning committee meets at the Village Hall, New Village on the fourth Wednesday of every month to discuss all planning applications received. Members of the public are welcome to attend and would be very welcome. If you think a planning application will affect you in any way and would like the Parish Council to help this is an ideal opportunity to express you views. Once a planning application has been approved it is very difficult for the Parish Council to become involved. The next meetings are on Wednesday 22nd October and Wednesday 26th November 2008 starting at 7.30pm. Planning applications will be on view from 7.00pm.
PARISH COUNCIL MEETINGS:
Parish Council meetings take place on the first Wednesday of each month. Parish Councillors will shortly be attending a training course on how to ensure that meetings are run quickly and effectively – no more late nights!!! All members of the public are welcome to attend and there is always a public session prior to the start of the meeting. The dates of the next meetings are Wednesday 1st October and Wednesday 5th November at Brantham Village Hall starting at 7.30pm.
We look forward to seeing some of you at our monthly meetings.
Liz Evans
Parish Clerk |
