Present
- Present
- Cllr B Gasper (Chair), Cllr S Godfrey, Cllr A Kerrison, Cllr K Raby, Cllr L Raby, Cllr S Main, Cllr W Petersen
- In attendance
- Mrs S Frankis, Clerk & RFO to Burstall Parish Council
District Cllr M Rowland
The meeting was chaired by Cllr Gasper.
Apologies
None received.
Dispensations
None were received.
The meeting was adjourned.
Reports
Cllr Rowland advised that the Local Government Review consultation has now closed. He will be attending the Babergh District Council meeting on 20th January 2026; Cllr Gasper asked if he would raise the matter of the proposed Alcemi BESS development, which he agreed to do. Cllr Rowland is to meet with Cllr Gasper and Cllr Petersen to better understand the issues associated with the proposal so that he can submit appropriate and relevant matters for the agenda for the next meeting of the District Council.
The Parish Council discussed the difficulties, obstructions and stonewalling it continues to face with regards to trying to get those in a position of responsibility to address the omission of any safety and security resilience at the Bramford substation site – the Bramford substation site refers to all solar farms, BESS and national infrastructure companies in the vicinity.
Cllr Rowland confirmed his support for the Burstall Village Hall CIL funding application.
No report had been received from County Cllr Hudson.
Comments
No comments were received.
The meeting was reconvened.
Minutes
The minutes of the Parish Council meeting held on 12th November 2025, having been circulated to the Council prior to the meeting, were confirmed and signed as an accurate record of the meeting.
Matters Arising
Cllr Godfrey advised he had received a response to his request to James Cartlidge MP, asking him to discuss the worrying lack of safety and security measures at the Bramford substation site; Mr Cartlidge refused to engage on the matter as he advised it wouldn’t be within the remit of his shadow government position. Cllr Godfrey is minded to respond to ask again, that Mr Cartlidge engages as his elected member of parliament.
Re. minute number 503
Babergh District Council has advised that the Parish Council’s community governance review has been accepted by the working group. The Clerk advised that Parish Council members are encouraged to make their own representations on this initial consultation, which will end on Friday 23rd January 2026. Further details can be found on the Babergh District Council community governance review website.
Cllr Godfrey suggested responding to the fire service, and communicate to Suffolk County Council, that in the view of the Parish Council, the Chief Fire Safety Officer isn’t taking his role seriously enough with regards to fire safety and risk at the Bramford substation site.
Finance
- The Council unanimously approved the following payments:
- P47. Mrs S Frankis / broadband (POA 1954, s51) £15.00
- P48. Mrs S Frankis / HP Ink (LGA 1972, s139) £3.49
- P49. Mrs S Frankis (LGA 1972, ss101,111,112) £201.04
- P50. Unity Trust Bank / fees (LGA 9172, s139) £6.00
- P51. Mrs S Frankis / home broadband (POA 1954, s51) £15.00
- P52. Mrs S Frankis / HP Ink Dec. 25 (LGA 1972, s139) £3.49
- P53. Mrs S Frankis / HP Ink Jan. 26 (LGA 1972, s139) £3.49
- P54. Mrs S Frankis (LGA 1072, ss101,111,112) £264.46
- P55. HMRC /PAYE (LGA 1972, ss101,111,112) £13.60
- P56. Mrs S Frankis / Norton software (LGA 1972, s139) £24.99
- P57. Nosegay / grass cutting Nov.25 (LGA 1972, s139) £220.50
- P58. Nosegay / grass cutting Dec. 25 (LGA 1972, s139) £157.50
- P59. Unity Trust Unity Trust Bank / fees (LGA 9172, s139) £6.00
- The November and December 2025 Budget and Precept Reports, having been circulated to the Council prior to the meeting, were agreed.
- The Council unanimously agreed to set the 2026/27 budget at £10,377.00 and to submit a 2026/27 precept demand for £10,377.00 to Babergh District Council. This should represent a 0% movement on the 2025/26 precept.
- Action: The Clerk is to submit a precept demand for £10,377.00 to Babergh District Council.
Policies
- The Council unanimously agreed to adopt the updated Complaints Procedure, as circulated prior to the meeting.
- The Council unanimously agreed to adopt the updated Co-option Policy and Procedure, as circulated prior to the meeting.
- The Council unanimously agreed to adopt the updated Dignity at Work Policy, as circulated prior to the meeting.
- The Council unanimously agreed to adopt the updated Disciplinary Procedure, as circulated prior to the meeting.
- The Council unanimously agreed to adopt the updated Disciplinary Policy, as circulated prior to the meeting.
- The Council unanimously agreed to adopt the updated Electronic Communications and Media Policy, as circulated prior to the meeting.
- The Council unanimously agreed to adopt the updated Equality and Diversity Policy, as circulated prior to the meeting.
- The Council unanimously agreed to adopt the updated Filming, Videoing, Photography and Audio Recording at Parish Council meetings Policy, as circulated prior to the meeting.
- The Council unanimously agreed to adopt the updated Gifts and Hospitality Policy, as circulated to the Council prior to the meeting.
- The Council unanimously agreed to adopt the updated Grant Application Form, as circulated to the Council prior to the meeting.
- The Council unanimously agreed to adopt the updated Grant Application Policy, as circulated to the Council prior to the meeting.
- The Council unanimously agreed to adopt the updated Grievance Policy and Procedure, as circulated to the Council prior to the meeting.
- The Council unanimously agreed to adopt the updated Health and Safety Policy, as circulated to the Council prior to the meeting.
- The Council unanimously agreed to adopt the updated Lone Worker Policy, as circulated to the Council prior to the meeting.
- The Council unanimously agreed to adopt the updated Media Policy, as circulated to the Council prior to the meeting.
- The Council unanimously agreed to adopt the updated Safeguarding Policy, as circulated to the Council prior to the meeting.
Planning
The Council unanimously agreed to submit an objection to planning application DC/25/05114, on the grounds of the proposed development of greenbelt land and no new job opportunities for local residents.
- Action: Cllr Main is to draft a response to be submitted to MSDC.
Traffic Calming Measures
The Suffolk Highways traffic surveys have been completed and received by the Parish Council. Cllr K Raby advised he has spoken with Melanie Hall, SCC Community Liaison Engineer, with regards to the introduction of a temporary 20mph speed limit through the village whilst development is in progress at the Bramford substation site; Melanie Hall is to speak with Steve Merry, SCC.
SCC are looking at ways of reinstating signage at Coronation Corner by widening the junction with double height kerbs; this is presently at the design stage. Melanie Hall has also suggested traffic calming measures by having 30mph ‘roundals’ painted on the road; the Parish Council would have to fund the scheme.
Burstall Emergency Plan
Cllr Kerrison advised he is due to meet with Ben Wilding of SCC on 30th January 2026. Mr Wilding had invited a representative of the fire service to join the meeting but they have declined, saying that they have already met with representatives of Burstall Parish Council. Cllr Kerrison has advised Mr Wilding that the Parish Council has not in fact had the meeting with the Chief Fire Officer, as asked for by the Council and promised by fire officials. Cllr Kerrison will request again that the Chief Fire Officer attends the meeting.
Internal Auditor
The Council unanimously agreed to re-appoint Heelis and Lodge as the internal auditor for 2026.
Meeting Dates
The meeting dates for 2026/27 were agreed as follows:
- 13th May 2026 Annual Parish meeting and Annual Parish Council meeting
- 8th July 2026 Parish Council meeting
- 9th September 2026 Parish Council meeting
- 11th November 2026 Parish Council meeting
- 13th January 2027 Parish Council meeting
- 10th March 2027 Parish Council meeting
- Action: The Clerk is to book the Village Hall as the venue for the 2026/27 meetings.
Cllrs K and L Raby gave their apologies for the meetings scheduled for 13th May 2026.
Next Meeting
The next meeting of the Parish Council will be held on 11th March 2026.
Matters Raised by Members
Cllr L Raby advised that the telephone kiosk now had shelving and the renovation is nearing completion.
There being no other business, the meeting closed at 20.40.
Signed ………………………………………………… Date …………………………………………