Minutes of Troston Parish Council Meeting
Tuesday 7th July 2026 7PM at Troston Village Hall
Cllr Bilverstone chaired the meeting with Cllrs Riddick, Norris, Mouncey, Fletcher and the Clerk.
- Cllr Bilverstone welcomed everyone to the meeting and reminded everybody present that the meeting may be recorded. Apologies were accepted from Cllrs Moffat, Pugson, Speed and Kent.
- There were no updates to Councillors register of members interest forms.
- No written requests for dispensation had been received prior to the meeting.
- Approval of the minutes Tuesday 2nd June 2026
The minutes of the Council meeting on Tuesday 2nd June 2026 were agreed, approved and signed to stand as an accurate record of the meeting. - Meeting open for questions from the public – 15 minutes total
A resident shared that there will be a protest walk relating to the proposed use to house asylum seekers at RAF Barnham on Saturday. - Report from RAF Honington
The Clerk reported that RAF Honington have not appointed a community liaison officer but are hoping to later this year. - Report from County Councillor Tim Kent
Cllr Kent sent his apologies and this report as follows: Update on the Bunbury Arms crossroads – Delays to roundabout installation have been caused because the preferred scheme required land to be purchased to complete. A new scheme is proposed requiring no land purchase. Update on dangerous or obstructive parking - If vehicles are parking in a manner that is dangerous or obstructive, this should be reported to the local police. The only way to introduce permanent parking restrictions would be through a new Traffic Regulation Order (TRO) to install double yellow lines. Please note that this process would need to be fully funded and can cost several thousand pounds. It would also require the support of local parish residents, as well as your own support. I have checked regarding policing and the police leave parking to District Council enforcement and residents should report offending vehicles using the following link Report street parking infringement. The Parish Council may wish to consider the installation of double yellow lines. This would still leave an enforcement issue and would cost several thousand pounds. - Report from District Councillor Andrew Speed
Cllr Speed sent his apologies. - Council to consider planning applications, comments & completed planning applications
The Clerk reported that planning application DC/26/0208/FUL - one self-build dwelling at 21 Church Lane had been granted. Application DC/26/0457/P3QPA Prior approval application under part 3 of the Town and Country Planning (General Permitted Development) (Amendment and Consequential Provisions) (England) Order 2015 - change of use from agricultural building including rear extension to create one dwelling (class C3) at The Old Slaughter House had been granted. Application DC/26/0458/P3QPA for 6 dwellings at Lower Farm was still pending a decision. - Council to consider replacing the broken bench by the telephone box
Councillors discussed purchasing a replacement bench for the site next to the telephone box and agreed to proceed. Cllr Bilverstone proposed a bench made from recycled plastic in construction, would seat 3 people and be able to be anchored to the ground and be guaranteed for 25 years. Budget would be £600. Seconded by Cllr Fletcher. Unanimously agreed. Cllrs Speed and Kent advised they would be able to fund a third of the cost as matched funding. - Council to consider purchasing new noticeboards
The Council discussed the examples of noticeboards and costs supplied by the Clerk prior to the meeting. Cllr Bilverstone advised that there is a need for 2 disclaimer notices at Troston Woods which could be housed in noticeboards. It was agreed that at this stage the notices could be printed, laminated and fixed to hardboard signs and staked at both entries to the woods. Council had previously discussed a larger printed information board showing a map of the woods, along with facts. Cllr Pugson will discuss with a resident the construction of a framework to house the board and organise a quote. Items 8 & 9 - Cllrs Speed and Kent advised they would be able to fund £250 each towards these items. - Council to consider official signage for Troston Woods
Cllr Bilverstone proposed laminating disclaimer signs and fixing to hardboard and staking into the ground at the 2 entrances to the woods. Seconded by Cllr Riddick. Unanimously agreed. - Playground/playing field
- Update on any works completed in the playground/playing field
No further work has been carried out due to the ground being so hard. - Biodiversity/environmental updates for the playfield
Martin Aldridge our Tree Warden advised he would like to apply for a grant to purchase trees for the playfield area to provide a natural windbreak and much needed shade. After discussions Cllr Bilverstone proposed applying for the grants. Seconded by Cllr Pugson. Unanimously agreed.
- Update on any works completed in the playground/playing field
- Village matters/maintenance
- To receive any updates regarding Troston Woods
The Council were updated on the work carried out by volunteers at the wood on 21st March 2026 actions taken:- Bottom step levelled and filled with gravel (still 3 more steps to do).
- Nettles and weeds cleared along the edge of the steps.
- Removed some dead branches overhanging path.
- Walked the path to determine which paths are on the map - moved some path edging to discourage the use of 'extra' paths with Martin Aldridge
- Approx 5 dead silver birch trees along path cut down.
- Update on the repairs to village sign
Cllr Bilverstone reported that the village name plate on the village sign has now been restored and is back in position. The main oak post of the sign is a bit loose and discussions were held to concrete it back in place later this year. Cllr Pugson advised he had removed the directional arms to work on, the Honington arm is now restored and back in place. The remaining two will be finished by the weekend.
- To receive any updates regarding Troston Woods
- Finance
- The Clerk provided a schedule of payments which were agreed and approved unanimously.
Payment authorisation sheet for meeting 2nd June 2026 Date Ref. Supplier / customer Description Net VAT Total Payment type 27/05/2026 23 Unity Trust Bank Bank fee - March 2026 £7.00 £- £7.00 D/D 27/05/2026 24 Countryside Conservation 2 maintenance visits grass cutting £529.20 £105.84 £635.04 B/T 27/05/2026 25 SALC 2025/26 Internal Audit £290.00 £58.00 £348.00 B/T 27/05/2026 26 Des Pugson Expenses - Weather shield treatment Troston Woods & screws for village sign £26.63 £5.32 £31.95 B/T 27/05/2026 27 Amanda Jackson Salary - May £431.23 £- £431.23 B/T 27/05/2026 28 Amanda Jackson May working from home allowance £25.00 £- £25.00 B/T 27/05/2026 29 HMRC Tax & NI contributions as calculated by SALC £5.90 £- £5.90 D/D 27/05/2026 30 SCC Pension Employer & employee pension contributions £102.68 £- £102.68 B/T 27/05/2026 31 KallKwik May 26 newsletter £90.00 £18.00 £108.00 B/T 27/05/2026 32 Diana Bilverstone Expenses - Material for village sign repair £18.82 £3.76 £22.58 B/T Total: £1,526.46 £190.92 £1,717.38
D/D Direct Debit
B/T Bank Payment
- The Clerk had circulated bank reconciliations prior to the meeting for both Current and Savings accounts which were unanimously agreed and approved.
- Clerk’s report and Responsible Financial officer report:
Bank balances as at 27/5/2026- Unity Trust Current Account
- £500.41
- Unity Trust Savings Account
- £29,300.18
- Total balance
- £29,800.59
Savings Account Interest £-
Moved from current account to savings account £-
Moved from Savings account to Current account £780.00
Credits received £-
Payments made under S137* £-Earmarked reserves as at 27/5/2026
RESERVE As of 1/4/2026 Spent to date Remaining Training £330.00 £206.00 £124.00 Election £90.00 0 £90.00 Troston Woods £200.00 0 £200.00 £620.00 £206.00 £414.00
Councillors are reminded to update their Register of Members’ Interest forms and to declare any gifts or hospitality valued over £25.00.
Website hosting update:
The Clerk advised that Suffolk Cloud have been commissioned to host the new Parish Council website as agreed. One Suffolk will be advised of the change and a link will be obtained to enable the new host to start migrating Parish Council data to the new site.The Clerk advised Cllrs that SALC are running a playground inspection course at the end of June at a cost of £128.50 if Council would like to do any training on this matter. Council decided they did not want to proceed with this.
- End of year accounts
- Council considered the report from the internal auditor and noted the recommendations and comments. Cllr Bilverstone proposed acceptance of the recommendation and consideration to the comments and for the Clerk to implement. Seconded by Cllr Fletcher. Unanimously agreed. Cllr Bilverstone thanked the Clerk for all her hard work and the results of a great Internal Audit.
- Council considered, approved and Cllr Bilverstone signed section 1 of the Annual statement of the 2025/26 AGAR. There were no questions.
- Council considered, approved and Cllr Bilverstone signed section 2, Accounting Statement of the 2025/26 AGAR. There were no questions.
- Council confirmed the AGAR 2025/26 is complete and can be submitted to the External Auditor. Unanimously agreed.
- Good Governance – continuing Procedural items for the Councils Annual Meeting:
- Review of the Asset Register as fencing and cones added:
Council reviewed the Asset Register circulated prior to the meeting and decided on the following;- To remove the broken bench by the telephone box that has now been removed.
- Amend the location of the WW1 silhouettes from the village hall to the church.
- Note that the petrol brush cutter is not working and is with Cllr Mouncey who has kindly offered to try to repair it.
- Add the new Vehicle activated sign which is currently stored at the village hall.
- Add 2 traffic cones
- Add 2 metal traffic signs
- Add 1 roll of orange temporary security fencing
- Add 2 red plastic barriers approx. 5 feet
- Add 5 wooden sign bases
- Review of the Asset Register as fencing and cones added:
- Error in number on the agenda – should have been 15 a
- Councillor reports and items for future agendas and Correspondence for action or information
- Cllr Bilverstone advised that a glass panel low down on the phone box has smashed, maybe from a stone flying up. She will clear away the glass. Add to July agenda for action.
- Cllr Bilverstone forwarded to the Clerk £4.71 in cash from the seed swap scheme in the phone box. The Clerk will keep the cash and transfer the funds from her account as there is no Unity Trust Bank in Bury St Edmunds. Unanimously agreed.
- Cllr Pugson asked if the Council would be running a community day for tackling jobs throughout the village. It was decided to discuss this at a future meeting.
- Date of the next meeting
Parish Council Meeting - Tuesday 7th July 2026 at 7.00pm
There being no further business, the meeting closed at 9.00pm.