Coronavirus/Covid-19
Current government advice is for everyone to try and stop unnecessary contact with other people – ‘social distancing’. We have decided to cancel all meetings that are currently scheduled. We will use technology to agree decisions. The office is closed to the public until further notice. We will keep our website up to date as far as MPC meetings are concerned.
Melton Primary School – governor needed
I recently mentioned that Melton Primary School was hoping to recruit some new governors. Unfortunately, no-one from Melton came forward. The school is a very important part of our community and it would be a shame if we could not provide it with a local governor. Please offer your help if you can, the school is a central part of Melton life and after all is the future of our community. If you would like to know more please contact the head teacher Alun Davies in the first instance. The school contact details are Telephone: 01394 382506 Email: admin@melton.suffolk.sch.uk
Annual Parish Meeting
The Annual Parish Meeting (APM) scheduled for 29th April has been cancelled along with all the other meetings. At that meeting I usually make a presentation to somebody in Melton who has made a contribution to the local community. It is simply called The Melton Annual Award so look out for the next issue of the Melton Messenger to find out who the 2020 winner is.
Road Chaos
The first bit of chaos stemmed from the dangerous chimney on a house in The Street that resulted in a road closure lasting some days to be then replaced by traffic lights. There were some unpleasant incidents, thoughtless drivers and of course the effect on local business like McColls.
The confusion then spread to Melton Road where signs proclaimed a 5 day closure from the 9th March. Our staff chased up SCC Highways department and Triio who knew nothing of the proposed closure. It turned out the signs should have been put in Turnpike Lane and they were eventually moved.
The building work is progressing opposite the garage in Melton Road, it is due to be completed by Easter. I think they have done a good job in trying to keep the vans parked on the other side of the road. It’s just amazing how many people are involved.
Springside shop
I have heard that the much loved Springside shop is to reopen which is good news. We must try and use it where possible. This keeps local people employed and reduces car miles.
Latest on the divestment plots of land
The divestment of the first tranche of the land is now in hand with both sets of solicitors, but will not be completed by the 1st April as originally planned. I am sure it will be sorted out soon.
St Audrys Club
The St Audrys Sports and Social club would like more members. A lot of good work is done by the cricket and football clubs that are both thriving in Melton.
17 Riduna Park
Part of the plan to justify the purchase of the office at Riduna Park was receiving an income by letting out the upstairs office, as we have bought a duplex unit. I am pleased to report the signed tenancy agreement has now been completed. The tenancy finally completes the business case for the acquisition of Riduna, a matter which was doubted by some members of our community. The interest we pay is fixed for the life of the loan so we know exactly what the repayments will be as we proceed.
Crime Reporting
Melton is a comparatively safe area but if crimes are not reported then sometimes a pattern of low level crime can’t be established. You can report a number of non-urgent crimes including theft, retail theft, criminal damage, hate crime, anti-social behaviour, and traffic collisions through the Suffolk Constabulary website: www.suffolk.police.uk/contact-us/report-something or report incidents when they happen to the Police through calling 999 if it is an emergency.
Tree Warden Report
A planting opportunity was identified at the Burness Rooms and Transition Woodbridge were notified, who keenly took it up as part of their ‘Scattered Orchards’ programme. 60 small trees have been requested (free of charge) from the Woodland Trust for delivery in November 2020. These will be useful if the hedge alongside Turnpike Lane fails to recover from the builders’ works this spring. One Saturday last month, 6 volunteers turned out to do maintenance on the surviving (90 out of 105) saplings alongside the ditch in the recreation ground and to fit further green tubes which we have managed to acquire. Hopefully they will have established good roots by now and will prosper this year! One of the tree warden’s volunteers has expressed interest in becoming the Tree Warden in 12 months’ time. In the meantime Lindsay Dann is happy to carry on.
Melton Fete
It is with regret that the 2020 Melton Fete scheduled for Saturday 18th July has been cancelled due to the ongoing issues with the Coronavirus and other circumstances outside our control. We are sorry for the disappointment this will cause. A lot of local groups rely on the funds raised at the fete to keep themselves going. There is a possibility a smaller event maybe staged later in the year.
