Minutes for the September meeting have just been published…

📢 Wickhambrook Parish Council – September Meeting Update

The Parish Council met on Thursday 24 September. Here are some of the main things discussed and agreed:

🚗 Road safety & speeding

• Speed data continues to show some very high speeds around the village – including 65mph on Cemetery Road, 75mph on Shop Hill and 58mph on Bunter’s Road.

• The Council will ask for further ANPR monitoring at Shop Hill and invite our Police Community Engagement Officer to a future meeting.

• Requests will be made for improvements/repositioning of VAS signs at Boyden End/Nunnery Green and near The Old Post Office.

• A new “Cut Your Speed” poster competition may be run with Wickhambrook Primary Academy.

• A further Community Speedwatch session recorded 15 vehicles speeding, most at over 40mph.

• The Council continues to support the request to reduce the speed limit on the A143 between Wickham Street and Clopton Green from 40mph to 30mph.

🤝 Good Neighbour Scheme
The Council heard about the successful Good Neighbour Scheme in nearby Stansfield. These schemes can provide a valuable community safety net – helping with transport, social contact and practical support.

There was strong interest in developing something similar in Wickhambrook, particularly given our village demographics. The Council has asked for this to be brought back to the November meeting, with the aim of supporting a scheme for the parish.

🏘️ Bunters Road development
The Council considered the latest information relating to the proposed development of 43 homes off Bunters Road, together with the proposed commercial element.

Following the additional information supplied by the developer, the Council agreed that its previously raised concerns had been addressed, subject to appropriate conditions and contributions being secured.

The Council therefore raised no objection to the residential element, subject to:

• the relevant conditions requested by statutory consultees being attached;

• the £52,416.45 contribution towards play and sport being secured; and

• the commercial/employment element being consulted on separately.

🌳 Community & environment

• Work on parish trees has been completed.

• Advice is being sought on adding wildfire planning to the Community Emergency Plan.

• The cemetery records project is continuing, with only the remaining cast-iron crosses at the Chapel of Rest to be audited.

• Damage to a table tomb at All Saints Church has been noted.

📰 Parish newsletter
The Council agreed to produce an autumn printed newsletter for residents. Topics are expected to include:

• the A143 speed-limit request;

• parish elections;

• how the parish council budget works; and

• the proposed Good Neighbour Scheme.

📋 Planning
Two other applications considered at the meeting – for a two-storey outbuilding at Easterwood House and a detached cart lodge at Brook Cottage – received no objections from the Parish Council.

💡 Parish services
The Council agreed to renew its water supply contract and enter into a new three-year electricity contract.

Two new parish noticeboards and a replacement bin for the children’s play area are also expected to be installed by early October. The noticeboards have been funded through a £1,000 locality grant.

🏆 Young People’s Award
The Council discussed establishing an annual award in memory of the late Robert Everitt, recognising young people aged 12–18 who have shown commitment through volunteering, caring, taking on adult responsibilities or demonstrating bravery in adversity.

The award could recognise an individual or group, with nominations ideally coming from young people themselves. The Council will work with the school and local clubs to finalise the name and details, with a planned launch for nominations in December.

🌺 Remembrance
The Council has invited Year 6 pupils from Wickhambrook Primary Academy to lay the wreath at this year’s Remembrance ceremony at Wickhambrook Cemetery on Sunday 8 November.

A £50 donation was also agreed for the Royal British Legion wreath.

🏛️ Local Government Reorganisation
The Council noted that the Government has withdrawn its previous decision on reorganising local government in Suffolk. District and borough elections will therefore proceed under the existing arrangements in May 2027, with further information to follow as the position develops.

📅 Next Parish Council meeting
Thursday 26 November 2026 – 7:00pm
📍 Wickhambrook Memorial Social Centre Pavilion

Thank you to everyone who attended the meeting and contributed, particularly those who brought forward ideas around the Good Neighbour Scheme and the Young People’s Award. 🙌

You can find the full minutes here: