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This is an informal report of the meeting held on 10 May 2010.

Apologies from Mrs Backhouse and Mrs Dunnett.

Minutes of the previous meeting - Mr Taylor asked that his observations of the Waste Recycling operations be corrected.

Election of Chairman - proposed by Mrs Misselbrook and seconded by Mr Smeathers, Mr John Steele was re-elected unopposed.

Election of Vice Chairman - Mr Taylor declined to stand again, and a reluctant Mr Paul Smeathers was elected unopposed.

Other positions were agreed (in the absence of two councillors) as per the last year, without Mr Taylor. Additionally, Mr Patrick Friend will be asked to continue as Transport Monitor (bus services).

Matters arising from previous minutes -
Item 18.8 - having discovered that BDC no longer employs a rodent-remover but refers enquiries instead to a private company, the clerk has written to Mr King of Glemsford.
Item 7.4 - no information on 15 Folly Road. Clerk to write to Babergh DC again.
Item 9.2 - Village News - no new information received.

Police -
- No officer was present and no report has been received. We had previously requested a monthly report to be sent to the Council, and an officer to attend at least at six-monthly intervals. However, we do have a 10-day list of speeding offences in Suffolk; 148 offences in those 10 days - average fine probably £60, with penalty points.
- Speedwatch - still only Mr Humphries is fully cleared to use the radar gun, but he has no other information whatever. The mysterious tortu(r)ous administrative procedure grinds on. And on. Mr Steele will ask Mr Crimmin (Newton PC) if he has any information. A group of about 10 officers (and Speedwatch trainees???) were seen lurking in Chilton a few days ago.

Planning - no new applications.

Public Comment - none present.

Treasurer -
The Clerk will clarify the movements of monies for the Playing Field refurbishment so that we can all see what's going where.

Playing Field -
The new play equipment continues to attract lots of children, even from other nearby villages.
We have received only one tender for regular grass cutting in the play area, and a contract will now be placed.
Thought is now being directed towards possible further development of the playing field as a recreational centre. SCC is being consulted.

Village hall -
- The entrance porch will be replaced next, by Sky Windows, after which work on the actual new heated floor can begin.
- A (largely illegible) Engineer's report on the suitability of the roof to support the heavy PV panels has been received and is with the architect and Babergh DC.

Road Safety -
- There is concern at the larger number of HGVs using Valley Road, which is limited to 7.5 tonnes.
- Barrow Road (Acton) to Washmere Green will be closed 7 - 25 June for carriageway repairs.

Ten Tree Road site -
A resident wishes to rent a newly vacanted storage container. We need to know what will be stored, and the nature of the business, before granting a licence to occupy, which would be reviewd annually.

Street Lighting - All lamps are still working.

Branchlines - no report.

A.O.B.
Clerk to find out if we are permitted to place a grit bin near the Church. If so, we will get all 3 bins placed this month.
Mr Taylor resigned from the council, and read out a letter to the council explaining his reasons, which centred around his ill health and inadequte support from the Clerk during the playground refurbishment. On behalf of the council, Mr Smeathers thanked him for all his strenuous successful efforts in pursuit of the council's aims.

The meeting closed at 9.27pm.
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Remember, parishioners can talk to any councillor about any local matter, or contact the Clerk on Sudbury 312605 (answerphone during the day) or email gwpclerk@hotmail.co.uk

Street lights - please let the Clerk know if any lights near you are faulty. Note that the contractors can take up to 10 days to respond and may be longer if spare parts are not readily available. Remember that street lighting technicians are like gold dust, and spare parts probably come from inaccessible mountain regions of China.

The Minutes of the above meeting will become available to the public after the next Council meeting, and will be posted on Parish Council notice boards. Minutes of earlier meetings may be inspected on personal application to the Clerk.

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