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Minutes of the Parish Council Meeting held on the 5th October 2006 at 7.30 pm
in the Reading Room, Great Yeldham.
Present were:
Mr. M. Wood. (Chairman), Mrs. P. Slimming (Vice Chairman), Mrs. B. McNeill, Mrs. M. Baker, Mr. C. Cumaranatunge,
Mr. D. Dyson, Mr. R. Francis, Mr. I. Spencer.
In attendance:- Mr. R. Liming Clerk to the Parish Council
1086. Apologies for absence.
County Councillor Mr. David Finch. District Councillor Mr. Nigel G. McCrea.
Mr. B. Sargeant.
1087. Declarations of interest.
Councillor Mrs. M. Baker declared a
Prejudicial interest in agenda item No 6, (to consider Planning Applications referred to the Parish Council
for comment).
The chairman then requested, that subject to the agreement of the meeting, item 6 of the agenda be
moved to item no 10, making it the last item on the agenda and thereby allowing Mrs Baker to take
part in most of the meeting, Approved by meeting.
1088. To approve the Parish Council Accounts for the year 2005/2006.
Following the circulation of copies of the accounts for the year 2005/2006, members unanimously
resolved to approve them and then authorised the completion of the Annual Return, together with
the signatures of the Chairman and the Clerk, to be dispatched to the Auditor.
1089. To approve the minutes.
The minutes of the September meeting of the Parish Council were confirmed as a correct record.
1090. Report on Footpath to the Burial Ground.
Further to a letter received from Mrs Rowell, 11 Churchfields, Great Yeldham, requesting an
immediate improvement to the dangerous footpath leading to the Burial Ground, and informing
the Parish Council of their distress when having to walk on the roadway, facing oncoming traffic
when attending their own children’s funeral.
County Councillor David Finch, who had attended the September meeting, said that he would give the
matter his immediate attention.
Within one week a telephone call was received by the clerk at 8.30 am. from Councillor Finch,
stating that he was, together with the Highway Engineers, inspecting the footpath outside the
Burial Ground that their decision was that the work on the footpath would be completed in the
near future.
Councillor Cumaranatunge, acting in his capacity as Parish Council Highways representative, had
also contacted Councillor Finch on the problem and had received the same assurance (refer letter).
1091. Correspondence.
A letter received from Councillor Mrs. B. McNeill was suggested as an agenda item for the
November meeting.
A letter received from Mr C.R. Eschborn, 2. Whitlocks Drive, Great Yeldham querying the need for
Mr Cumaranatunge to declare an interest in Parish Council discussions relating to the proposed
Doctors Surgery, because of alleged actions by Mr Cumaranatunge, was read to the meeting.
The chairman then quoted from the National Association Of Local Councils ‘Standing Orders And
Chairmanship’, adopted by the Parish Council in the 2006 A.G.M., minute no 1039.
The reference made was that under ‘Personal and Prejudicial Interests’, section 10, page 4 of the
Standing Orders, where it states that, ultimately, it is for the member to decide whether or not to
disclose any relevant interest. No declaration of interest had been made by Mr Cumaranatunge
under item two of the agenda of the October meeting.
Members were then informed of general information letters received by the Parish Council.
1092. Proposed Woodland Burial Ground.
The Chairman reported that exploratory talks relating to advice, estimates and information
required to enable the project to proceed in a manner in which everyone will agree, are now well in
hand.
1093. 'Got a idea?'
The clerk informed the meeting that a few of younger members of the village, working with the
Hedingham Youth Centre, intended submitting a funding application to enable them be able to
purchase a seat. If successful, the seat will be offered to the Parish Council in the hope that it will
be located in the play area.
1094. Accounts for Payment.
Accounts for payment for the month of September 2006 were approved for payment by members.
1095. Planning Applications received for consideration.
Application No 06/01854/FUL
Erection of 2 no. semi detached dwellings with single garages and alterations to existing cottage.
Land Adjacent to Old Oaks, Leather Lane. Great Yeldham.
Members objected to the plan as submitted and resolved that they would prefer a single dwelling on
the site with more parking space. Members also wished to draw attention to the close proximity of
listed trees.
Application no 06/01802/FUL
Erection of G.P. Practice, multi purpose clinical room with associated parking.
Land adjacent 2 Whitlock Drive. Great Yeldham.
The chairman reminded members that the application was before them as a planning matter only and
should not be a general discussion of the policy of the Parish Council towards the proposed Doctors
Surgery.
The chairman suggested that the following points be considered for attachment to their reply:
1. Although Great Yeldham Parish Council are owners of the site, we feel it proper for us to make
some general comments. Agreed by members.
2. We do not think that the extra traffic would pose a significant safety problem. We would
welcome the extra car parking which would be made available for users of the Reading Room. Agreed by
members.
3. We would regret the inevitable loss of visual and recreational amenity which would result from
building on an attractive green. Agreed by members.
4. We would prefer the new surgery building to be sited on the lower part of the green to allow maximum
space for neighbourhood green above it to provide a new play area for the local children.
At this point Councillor Cumaranatunge proposed a Point of order, "is this lawful?". This
was overruled by the chairman who then called on members to vote on item 4. The voting was
5 for and 2 against. Mr Cumaranatunge then requested the vote be recorded.
Mrs. P. Slimming, Mrs. B. McNeill, Mr. I. Spencer. Mr. R. Francis and Mr. M. Wood voted for
Mr. D. Dyson and Mr. Cumaranatunge voted against.
Members then voted in favour of supporting the application subject to being consulted on any future
Landscaping matters.
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