Town Mayor’s Report
Hello everyone my name is Brian Lazenby and in May was given the honour and dignity of being voted by your Town Council as Mayor for the forthcoming year. This is the second time I have held the office of Town Mayor, the first being in 2000. I have lived in Hadleigh since 1976, so whilst not being qualified as a Real Suffolk Boy I have tried my best for the last 32 years, having been elected to the Town Council in 1992 and Babergh District Council in 1994 for the South Cosford Ward, and continue to serve in these posts. Being a Merchant Navy Officer for 40 years I served in various war zones including Suez Canal and the first Kuwait campaign, during which time I had the privilege to be selected to lay the wreath on the tomb of the unknown warrior in Westminster Abbey on behalf of the Merchant Navy and Fishing Fleet. I was an elected member to serve on the committee of NUMAST before I retired and am a member of the Royal British Legion. I was the founder/Chair of the Hadleigh Pensioners Association which is affiliated to the National Pensioners Convention. The above gives you a rough idea of whom through your representatives you have elected. In the short time I have been in office I have visited Hadleigh High School to view this years GCSE Art Show. The amount of dedicated work amazed me – we certainly have a lot of gifted young people in this town (one only hears about the minority who cause trouble). Quite frankly the quality and variety of what these youngsters produced is a credit to the School, not forgetting the teachers and staff who all have my deepest admiration. I attended the May Show, and felt sorry for the organisers and staff as the weather was miserable but I wish to thank them for all putting on a very good show. I visited the Beaumont school for the youngsters May Day Show. The May Queen and her attendants all looked wonderful. Many thanks to the Headteacher and her staff, not forgetting Tracy Alexander and all the attending parents and grandparents for a bright and happy afternoon. I was honoured to be able to greet the French visitors to our town by invitation of the Hadleigh Twinning Association on this their 30th anniversary. And on my behalf the Deputy Mayor, Cllr. Laurie Munson attended the Cruse Annual General Meeting. Their members expressed their thanks that a representative from Hadleigh Town Council was able to be at the meeting. I look forward to keeping you up to date on the work of the Mayor in the Hadleigh Community News.

HADLEIGH TOWN COUNCIL
Report of the Annual Meeting of the Council Held on the 8th May 2008
Present: Mrs. M. Munson, (Town Mayor), Mrs T. Alexander, N. Amin, Mrs. K. Batty, Mrs. P.A. Black, D. Buchanan, K. Grimsey, D.G. Grutchfield, Mrs. D.A. Haylock, B.L. Lazenby, P.M. Matthews, L. Munson and T. Sheldrick
Apologies were received from Mrs. J. Byrne and Miss P.F. Cook.
It was noted that Councillor B.L. Lazenby would be arriving late.
WELCOME AND REPORT FROM OUTGOING TOWN MAYOR
The Town Mayor gave her final report for the year and finished by thanking the Councillors for their support during her year in office.
TOWN MAYOR The Clerk reported that she had received a letter from Councillor D.A. Haylock withdrawing her nomination for the position of Town Mayor. Councillor Grutchfield nominated Councillor B.L. Lazenby as the next Town Mayor. This was seconded by Councillor Mrs. P. Black. It was agreed unanimously that Councillor Lazenby be, and he is hereby elected, Town Mayor to serve until the next Annual Meeting of the Council.
DEPUTY TOWN MAYOR Councillor Grimsey informed the meeting that Councillor Grutchfield had contacted him by phone the previous evening informing him that he could not hold the post of Deputy Mayor and be Chair of the Sports & Recreation Committee. It was his wish to remain as the Chairman of the Sports & Recreation Committee and would therefore withdraw his nomination for the position of Deputy Mayor. Councillor Mrs. P. Black nominated Councillor L. Munson as the next Deputy Town Mayor. This was seconded by Councillor K. Grimsey. It was agreed unanimously that Councillor L. Munson be and he is hereby elected, Deputy Town Mayor to serve until the next Annual Meeting of the Council. In the absence of the newly appointed Mayor at this point the Meeting was adjourned for a short period to enable the new Deputy Mayor to be presented with his chain of office. At the resumption, the newly installed Deputy Mayor, signed the Declaration of Acceptance of Office form and, on behalf of the Council, thanked Mrs. Munson for her work and efforts during her term of office and presented her with a past-mayors jewel.
RENAMING OF SPORTS & RECREATION COMMITTEE
Following agreement at the last Town Council Meeting that issues relating to the cemetery would be dealt with by this committee it was agreed that it would be renamed as the Sports & Open Spaces Committee.
COMPOSITION AND APPOINTMENT OF COMMITTEES Following receipt of Councillors preferences, it was RESOLVED that membership of the Committees for the coming year be as set out below.
PLANNING – (11 members)
B.L. Lazenby (Town Mayor), L. Munson (Deputy Mayor)
N. Amin, T. Alexander, Mrs. J. Byrne, Miss P. Cook, K. Grimsey
D.G. Grutchfield, J. Haylock, P. Matthews, M. Munson, T. Sheldrick
SPORTS AND RECREATION – (8 members)
B.L. Lazenby (Town Mayor), L. Munson (Deputy Mayor)
Mrs. P. Black, Mrs. J. Byrne, K. Grimsey, Mrs. J. Haylock
P. Matthews, Mrs. M. Munson
ENVIRONMENT AND GENERAL PURPOSES – (8 members)
B.L. Lazenby (Town Mayor), L. Munson (Deputy Mayor)
N. Amin, T. Alexander, Mrs. K. Batty, D. Buchanan
D.G. Grutchfield, T. Sheldrick
FINANCE AND PERSONNEL – (6 members)
B.L. Lazenby (Town Mayor), L. Munson (Deputy Mayor)
Mrs. M. Munson (Retiring Town Mayor)
Chairman of the Hadleigh Market Feoffment Charity
Plus one representative each nominated by the Sports and Recreation Committee and the Environment & General Purposes Committee.
REPRESENTATIVES
The following appointments for the year were agreed:
S.A.L.C. Representative - Mrs. J. Byrne
Transport Liaison Officer - Mr. D. Warner
Tree Warden - Mr. L. Munson
Asst. Tree Wardens - Mr. T. Sheldrick & Mr. D. Buchanan
Town Forum Representatives (2) - Mr. P. Matthews (Chairman) Mr. N. Amin & Mr.L.Munson
Traffic Management and - Mr. T. Sheldrick
Environmental Working Party (max 4)
Wattisham Liaison Officer - Mrs. J. Byrne & Mrs. K. Batty
Footpath Warden Mr. D. Warner
Hadleigh Twinning Association Mrs. M. Munson
Leisure Facilities Representatives Mr. K. Grimsey & Mrs.J. Byrne
MINUTES The Minutes of the Meeting of the Council held on the 17th April 2008 were taken as read and confirmed and signed.
Arising from the Minutes:
Questions pursuant to Standing Order No. 24 Councillor Haylock asked if the clerk had received a reply to her letter. The Clerk reported that she had received a letter from the District Council informing her that her letter had been forwarded to N. Ward in the planning department requesting that the planning staff do not give out the wrong information relating to the Tesco Planning Application.
East House Councillor Sheldrick asked if the assessment had been received, but to date it had not.
Alcohol Free Zones within the Town Councillor Grimsey asked if any response had been received from members of the public. To date no response had been received.
POLICING As there was no representative from the Police this matter could not be dealt with.
MAYOR’S COMMUNICATIONS The Clerk reported:-
i) A letter received from SALC regarding the Suffolk PCSO Pilot. Councillors had been e.mailed details prior to the meeting. It was agreed that this would be an agenda item for discussion at the next Town Council Meeting. ii) an e.mail received from Ann Scott, Community Safety Officer, Babergh District Council regarding Hadleigh Fun Day arrangements. iii) the street closure notice for the Hadleigh Arts Trust on Sunday 22nd June 2008. iv) letter received from Babergh District Council regarding Tourism in Hadleigh informing her that her letter of the 23rd April was receiving attention. v) letter received from Babergh District Council regarding Magdalen Road toilets.
ACCOUNTS FOR PAYMENT It was RESOLVED that accounts amounting to £17,500.78 be approved for payment.
REPORTS It was agreed that the existing arrangements for the Police, County and District Councillors to give short reports at Council Meetings would continue. It was agreed that a member of staff should liaise with the police prior to meetings to ensure clarity of information. The Clerk requested that, where possible, the District Council Reports were presented in written format for ease of minute taking.
PLANNING COMMITTEE The Minutes of the Meeting of the Committee held on the 17th April 2007 was noted.
ANNUAL TOWN MEETING The Clerk reported that around 30 people attended this Annual Meeting. Reports were given by the Town Mayor, the County Councillor and District Councillors and from 7 town based organisations. There were no matters raised at the meeting requiring the particular attention of the Council although the Council members were thanked for all their hard work and thanked for the improved maintenance of the cemetery.
REPORT OF THE DISTRICT COUNCILLORS Councillor Whiting had tendered his apologies but presented a written report for the meeting which was tabled for Councillors. His report began my congratulating both the new and past Mayor and their deputy’s for representing the town within the region. He reported that he had attended a seminar on planning decisions; a development committee meeting, site inspections and a training seminar on Local Development Framework Core Strategy. Councillor Munson reported that she had attended seminars one of which was based on the new planning guide lines and the boundary commission is looking at boundary changes in Suffolk and Norfolk during June and the outcome is due to be announced in December. Babergh District Council has submitted their preferences. Councillor Riley reported his concerns that monies allocated for leisure and other facilities are properly spent. He reported the High School’s concerns if the proposed leisure centre at the swimming pool is approved and the effects of the loss of revenue to the school. Councillor Grutchfield reported on licensing bills; the housing panel are meeting on a monthly basis as social housing is a great concern; a seminar encouraging parishes to come forward with land which could be used for social housing, funded by housing associations; and changes to the 106 agreement. At this point Councillor Lazenby arrived and took over chairing the meeting.
REPORT OF THE COUNTY COUNCILLOR Councillor Grutchfield reported on the boundary review in Suffolk, vaccine availability for bluetongue outbreaks in the County, “Join a Library Campaign” as part of the National Year of Reading and the review of residential homes for older people.
NEW TOWN & TOURIST GUIDE Councillors noted details of the launch of the new town and tourist guide. It was agreed that a letter of thanks be given to Craig Martin and Ken Oliver and any financial remuneration be discussed at the next Finance & Personnel Committee Meeting.
HADLEIGH SWIMMING POOL Councillor Lazenby reported that Ryan Jones and Penny Arnold had visited new swimming pools in the Yorkshire area but to date was not in receipt of a report from Ryan Jones. He had received a verbal report from Penny Arnold who had been impressed with the pools visited. A letter received from Hadleigh High School raising concerns over the proposed leisure facilities to be built at the swimming pool site was reported and their comments were noted. It was noted that Penny Arnold would be leaving her position on South Suffolk Leisure during July 2008. Interviews were taking place shortly.
EAST HOUSE Councillor Grutchfield reported that there had been a number of offers received and the buyer had been chosen at a figure of 11⁄2 million. Babergh District Council continues to maintain East House at a cost of £500 a month. The Chair will investigate if Suffolk County Council has given Babergh District Council an amount of money to reinstate East House to a certain standard as it was felt this work would be unnecessary if the building was being sold to a developer.
MRS CAROL A. BAILEY BA(Hons) – TOWN CLERK

Report of the Meeting of the Planning Committee held on 15th May
Present: B Lazenby – (Town Mayor) – Up to Minute No. 5, N Amin, Mrs J A Byrne, Miss P F Cook, D G Grutchfield and P M Matthews.
Apologies were received from: Mrs T Alexander, Mrs D A Haylock, K Grimsey, L Munson, M Munson and T Sheldrick.
CHAIR The Town Mayor – Councillor Lazenby chaired the beginning of the Meeting.
CHAIR OF PLANNING COMMITTEE Councillor Cook was elected to serve as the Chair for this Committee for the ensuing year.
VICE CHAIR Councillor Haylock was elected to serve as the Vice Chair for this Committee for the ensuing year.
MINUTES The Minutes of the Meeting of the Committee held on the 17th April 2008 was confirmed as a correct record and signed.
Councillor Cook chairs the Meeting and the Mayor – Councillor Lazenby leaves the position of Chair and leaves the Meeting.
In view of there not now being a Quorum the following planning proposals will need to be dealt with by way of officer delegated recommendations.
MATTERS ARISING Minute No. 97 – B/07/01269/FUL – HADLEIGH UNITED FOOTBALL CLUB – The Deputy Clerk reported on the notes received following a telephone conversation between a local resident and the Town Council’s Services Officer.
TOWN AND COUNTRY PLANNING The Committee considered the applications for Planning Consent, details of which are listed in the Schedule attached to these Minutes and upon which the following decisions were reached:-
B/08/00182/LBC – 130 BENTON STREET, HADLEIGH
Application for Listed Building Consent – Insertion of front door
Approval was recommended (voting was unanimous following the officer delegated recommendation), where it was noted that the joinery quality would be Redwood to match existing joinery and that the ironmongery matches the original door.
B/08/00342/LBC – 33 & 35 BENTON STREET, HADLEIGH
Application for Listed Building Consent – Internal alterations
Refusal was recommended (voting was unanimous following the officer delegated recommendation), on the grounds of insufficient historic information being available and concerns about the supporting beam being removed. The Committee will be guided by the views and observations of Babergh’s Conservation Officer. The Committee also noted the Local Planning Authority’s previous practice of writing to new owners of listed properties informing them of their obligations, where it was felt that in this case the applicant would have welcomed further advice about her listed property.
B/08/00431/FUL – ORCHARD COURT, CROCKATT ROAD INDUSTRIAL ESTATE, HADLEIGH Erection of 72 metres of galvanised palisade 1800cm high boundary fencing, including front gates. Approval was recommended (voting was unanimous following the officer delegated recommendation) as this proposal will be suitable on this site.
B/08/00481/FHA – 74 BENTON STREET, HADLEIGH
Erection of single-storey rear extension. Approval was recommended (voting was unanimous following the officer delegated recommendation) as this proposal will be suitable on this site.
Councillor Grutchfield declared a Prejudicial Interest and left the Meeting for the duration of the following item.
B/08/00495/OUT – LAND NORTH OF 16 BRIDGE STREET, HADLEIGH Outline – Erection of terrace of 4 No. cottage style dwellings. Approval was recommended (voting was unanimous for those voting, following the officer delegated recommendation) although the Committee would wish to ensure that there is a right of access.
B/08/00509/FHA – 20 BRADFIELD CRESCENT, HADLEIGH
Erection of detached single garage (following demolition of existing shed). Approval was recommended, (voting was unanimous following the officer delegated recommendation), as the proposal will be appropriate on this site and will assist in some way with vehicles not being parked on the public highway.
B/08/00533/FUL – OAK MEADOWS, VAUXHALL BUNGALOWS, WOODLANDS ROAD, RAYDON, IPSWICH – ADJOINING PARISH
The Committed simply noted this application. Councillors Byrne and Cook declared respective Personal Interests and took no part in the discussion and subsequent vote for the next item.
B/08/00541/CDP – HADLEIGH HIGH SCHOOL, HIGHLANDS ROAD, HADLEIGH. Application under Regulation 3 of the Town & Country Planning General Regulation 1992 – Erection of two 0.37m transmission dishes. The Committee noted the full details of this application and the additional information as received from the County Council. Approval was recommended (voting was unanimous for those voting, following the officer delegated recommendation).
B/08/00558/FUL – ORCHARD COURT, CROCKATT ROAD, LADY LANE INDUSTRIAL ESTATE, HADLEIGH. Change of use of car park to car forecourt for the display of cars for sale. Approval was recommended (voting was unanimous, following the officer delegated recommendation), as this proposal will be suitable on this site.
B/08/00577/FHA – 1 PLACE FARM CLOSE, HADLEIGH
Erection of two-storey side extension. Approval was recommended (voting was unanimous following the officer delegated recommendation), provided the extension is not out of character and is appropriate on this site. The Deputy Clerk declared a Personal Interest in the next item as the application is for the dwelling next door to her own private property.
B/08/00592/FHA – 33 CASTLE ROAD, HADLEIGH
Erection of single-storey side extension and a rear conservatory
Approval was recommended, (voting was unanimous following the Town Clerk’s officer delegated recommendation), as there is ample room on this site and similar extensions are evident in this area.
B/08/00674/TCA – BARCLAYS BANK PLC. 40 HIGH STREET, HADLEIGH. Remove epicormic growth and reduce crown of 5 no. Sycamore trees. Approval was recommended (voting was unanimous following the officer delegated recommendation), where this proposal would be suitable on this site.
B/08/00180/ENF – LAND TO THE EAST OF HADLEIGH HALL, CHURCH WALK, HADLEIGH - GATE. The Committee noted the standard acknowledgement letter as received from Babergh’s Enforcement Section.
B/08/00064/FUL – LAND EAST OF GALLOWS HILL, HADLEIGH
Erection of one and two-storey buildings to provide Elderly residential care accommodation comprising 52 bedrooms and 22 units, residential facilities, communal areas, staff facilities and external recreation facilities. Construction of new vehicular access.
It was noted that the above application has been withdrawn and it will not now therefore be determined by the Local Planning Authority.
B/07/01691/FUL – TOWN HOUSE FARM, HOOK LANE, HADLEIGH – Erection of detached single-storey office building (existing garage to be demolished). The Committee noted that this application has been withdrawn and it will not therefore now be determined by the Local Planning Authority.
B/08/00121/FUL – BARCLAYS BANK PLC. 40 HIGH STREET, HADLEIGH Installation of external CCTV camera
The Committee noted that this application has been withdrawn and it will not therefore now be determined by the Local Planning Authority.
PLANNING OBLIGATIONS (SECTION 106 AGREEMENTS)
Councillor Grutchfield advised the Committee that he has some information regarding the broad principles of this policy and he would pass the paper to the Deputy Clerk. The matter would be included on the Agenda of the next Planning Committee Meeting for discussion. The Committee asked that the paper be copied to all Town Councillors.
MRS S. CLEMENTS – DEPUTY TOWN CLERK