Annual Parish Meeting Minutes 2021

Annual Parish Meeting Uploaded on June 23, 2021

APM(21)M

Melton Parish Council

Minutes of the Annual Parish Meeting of Melton held on Wednesday 28 April 2021 commencing at 19:00 via Zoom.

Cllr Alan Porter, the Chair of Melton Parish Council was in the Chair, and the meeting was attended by 15 Electors including 10 Parish Councillors.

The following were in attendance:

District Councillor Ms R Smith-Lyte

Mr W Grosvenor, Clerk to Melton Parish Council

Mrs P Alder, Asst Clerk and Management Officer to Melton Parish Council

21.01	INTRODUCTION – CHAIR MELTON PARISH COUNCIL The Chair of Melton Parish Council, Cllr Alan Porter, warmly welcomed everyone to the annual parish meeting.
21.02	APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE Apologies were received from the following: Cllr Gradwell Cllr Holmes Cllr Hosking Melton Parish Council’s Cycling Advocate Headteacher, Melton Primary School
21.03	MINUTES OF THE ANNUAL PARISH MEETING HELD ON 24 April 2019 Copies of the minutes are available on the Parish Council website at: www.melton-suffolk-pc.gov.uk
21.04	REPORT ON THE WORK OF MELTON PARISH COUNCIL FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2019 The Chair gave his Annual Report which is available in full on the Parish Council website at: www.melton-suffolk-pc.gov.uk The Chair lamented that everyone was not able to meet in person due to the Covid pandemic as it is normally a most enjoyable evening. This was his 7^th report as Chair. He began by announcing the winners of the 2021 Melton Annual Award. As it has been such an unusual year it seemed appropriate to give awards to three recipients. The winners were Marie-Therese Ind, Emma Needs and Maggie Porter for their commitment to and hard work for the community during the pandemic. Each received a framed certificate and gift voucher.
21.05	OPEN FORUM There was a short open forum for members of the public to raise any issues. Cllr Smith-Lyte asked if the Parish Council had declared an environmental climate emergency. Cllr Porter explained that the Council endeavours to incorporate green elements into the work we do but the Council felt that declaring an emergency was largely ineffectual. Cllr Smith-Lyte also asked if the new Pavilion will have a veranda. It was confirmed that there would be one. Melton Parish Council’s Footpath Advocate had walked the re-opened bridleway at Longwood Fields. The ability to have a cycleway/pedestrian crossing at Bredfield Road is difficult as it is too narrow for a refuge and the footpath would need to be widened. It was noted that the end of cycle route/end of cycle route signs here are the wrong way round and the Maintenance Officer would look at resolving this. It was felt that Love Lane could have some additional lighting as it is only partially lit. Cllr James raised the Great British Spring Clean and that he will be looking for support. It will be promoted on the MPC website. Cllr Brown pointed out that he had raised with the office the dangers of Saddlemakers Lane, St Audry’s Lane and Lodge Farm Lane whilst Yarmouth Road is closed.
21.06	REPORTS FROM COMMUNITY ORGANISATIONS
21.06.01	Report from the Melton Trust The report from the Chair of the Trust is available in full on the Parish Council website at: https://melton-suffolk-pc.gov.uk/documents/melton-trust-annual-report-2020/ Cllr Martin (a Trustee) presented the report and thanked the Melton Good Neighbour Scheme for referrals and reiterated that the biggest problem is reaching people. She hopes that the amended processes will help them to respond faster.
21.06.02	Report from Melton Women’s Institute In a brief report it was noted that they are very proud to have continued with monthly meetings virtually during the Covid pandemic. Membership has dropped from 57 to 52 but there is still a waiting list of 17. It is an amazing group of ladies and it’s lots of fun!
21.06.03	REPORT FROM HEADTEACHER, MELTON PRIMARY SCHOOL In the absence of the Headteacher, his report can be read on the website: https://melton-suffolk-pc.gov.uk/documents/melton-primary-school-annual-parish-report-2021/ Cllr Martin highlighted that there will be a nursery opening in September but there was a concern about falling pupil numbers in the area. There have been no Covid cases and the children are enthusiastic to be back at school. The school building improvements are looking good. Thanks was expressed to Cllr James and the Melton Good Neighbour Scheme and the Burness Parish Rooms for helping to organise and distribute food parcels.
21.06.04	Report on Melton Village Fete Cllrs Harvey-Smith and Biggle have contacted participants from previous fetes. They have received some responses and are confident more will trickle through. They are going to contact community groups next and wish to widen engagement through sport eg football and tennis. It was noted that a lot of groups are still not meeting regularly due to Covid restrictions. They are also looking at an additional food offer. Several attendees offered to provide contacts for things such as dog agility and the sheepdog that rounds up ducks.
21.06.05	Tree Warden’s report The Tree Warden’s report is available on the MPC website: https://melton-suffolk-pc.gov.uk/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/APM-Tree-Warden-Report.pdf The previous Tree Warden was thanked for all the work he has done, and it was noted how much tree planting and work had been carried out by the Tree Crew.
	The Chair, Cllr Porter, reported that the playing field car park would be reported on at the next Full Council meeting and reminded everyone about the NHS Thank You Day taking place on the 5^th July. A resident expressed her gratitude and amazement at how much goes on and thanked the Parish Council for their sterling work. Cllr Porter thanked everyone for attending and there being no further business, the meeting ended at 20:04.