Attendance

Present: Cllrs Rod Gibson (Chair), Alastair Cook, Avtar Athwall, Dr John Ling and Jonathan Ogden.

In attendance: Joanna Abbott (Town Clerk) and County Councillor Alistair Jeffreys (as a member of the public).

The meeting commenced at 6.15pm.

The Chair read the emergency evacuation procedure.

1. Welcome and Apologies for Absence

Apologies for absence were received from Councillor Beecroft-Smith for personal reasons.

Resolved: to accept the apologies for absence from Councillor Beecroft-Smith.

2. Declaration of Interests

Councillor Ogden declared a non-pecuniary interest in agenda item 7a (11 Dodson Vale) as he knows the neighbouring objector.

Councillors Gibson, Cook, Athwall and Ling declared no interests.

3. Minutes of the last Meeting held on the 15 June 2026

Resolved: It was unanimously agreed that the minutes of the meeting held on 15 June 2026 be approved and signed by the Chair as a correct record.

4. Clerks/Officer Report/Update

The Town Clerk advised that an enforcement query regarding an extension at 15 Dodson Vale had been investigated by East Suffolk Council (ESC). It was deemed that planning permission was not required, and the case has been closed. The Committee noted the update.

5. Members of the Public

County Councillor Alistair Jeffreys was welcomed to the meeting. He advised that he would ask his question at the Full Council meeting.

6. Copy Letters of Objection/In Support/Observations

The Chair noted that he had received correspondence from a resident regarding planning application DC/26/2193/VOC (11 Dodson Vale), which would be considered under agenda item 7a.

7. Schedule of Planning Proposals

8. Schedule of Planning Decisions

The schedule of recent planning decisions from East Suffolk Council was noted. The Town Clerk provided context on the decision for DC/26/1148/TPO at 44 Wright Lane, confirming the Committee was satisfied with the reasoning provided by the ESC Tree Officer for permitting the works despite the Council's objection.

9. Possible Referral to Planning Committee (LPA) as opposed to Officer Delegated

There were no items to refer.

10. Preparing a new Local Plan in East Suffolk; Local Plan Scoping Consultation on what matters most

The Committee reviewed and discussed a draft response to the consultation questionnaire, prepared by the Chair. Members agreed that the draft encapsulated the key points previously discussed by the Council.

Resolved: to unanimously approve the prepared statement and submit it as the Council's formal response to the East Suffolk Local Plan Scoping Consultation questionnaire.

11. Other/Urgent Communications

The Town Clerk presented correspondence from Bloor Homes regarding their proposals for land at Foxhall Road, which included an offer to meet with the Council. Following discussion, it was agreed that it would be more constructive to review the formal planning application once submitted before deciding on a meeting.

Resolved: that the Town Clerk will respond to Bloor Homes, thanking them for the offer and stating that the Council will await the submission of the formal planning application before deciding whether to take up the offer, but wishes to keep the offer open.

12. Suggestions for the Press and Social Media

Members were reminded to forward any suggestions to the Town Clerk.

13. Next Meeting

The next meeting was confirmed for Monday 13 July 2026 at 6.15pm.

14. Agenda Items for Next Meeting

Members were reminded to submit any items for the next agenda to the Town Clerk in good time.

15. Resolution to exclude the Public under the Public Bodies (Admission to Meetings) Act 1960

Resolved: to exclude the public and press from the remainder of the meeting, in accordance with the Public Bodies (Admission to Meetings) Act 1960, to discuss confidential matters.

County Councillor Jeffreys left the meeting.

This part of the meeting closed at 6.50pm.