Ferguson Way, Kesgrave, IP5 2FZ | 01473 625 179
Full Council
29 June 2026
7.15pm
29 June 2026
7.15pm
Ferguson Way, Kesgrave, IP5 2FZ | 01473 625 179
Councillors: R Gibson (Vice-Chair, in the Chair), A Cook, A Comber, G Lynch, J Ogden, P Ling, S Athwall.
In Attendance: J Abbott (Town Clerk), A Upson (RFO), County Councillor A Jeffreys.
1. Welcome and Apologies for Absence
The Vice-Chair welcomed everyone to the meeting. Apologies were received from Councillor Ward (personal reasons). A note of absence was recorded for Councillor McCallum and Councillor Lawson.
Resolved: To permit the absence of the Chair, Councillor Beecroft-Smith, for the reasons provided. The vote was unanimous.
2. Declarations of Interest
a. The following declarations were made:
Councillor Comber declared an interest as a Scout Leader, First Responder and Centre Director, noting a potential interest may arise under item 8.
Councillors Gibson, Ogden, Ling, Lynch, Athwall, and Cook declared no interests.
b. The Clerk advised that from 29 June, Councillors would no longer be legally required to show their residential address on the public register of interests. The Council had already updated its register to show the Town Council office as the address for all Councillors. An email with instructions would be circulated.
3. Minutes of the Annual Town Council meeting held on the 11 May 2026
Resolved: That the minutes of the Annual Town Council meeting held on 11 May 2026 be received, considered, and agreed as an accurate record. The resolution was proposed by the Vice-Chair, seconded by Councillor Lynch, and passed unanimously.
4. Chairman's Communication
The Vice-Chair asked that the Council record its congratulations to the Events and Estates Organiser, the estates team, and all staff and Councillors involved in the recent, highly successful Fun Day. He also praised the excellent drone videos of the event shared on social media.
5. Clerks/Officer Report/Update
The Clerk reported on her attendance at a NALC planning reform session, an East Suffolk Clerks meeting, and the SNAP School photography project's mini-festival. She echoed the Vice-Chair's congratulations to the staff for their hard work on the Fun Day, noting the incredibly positive feedback received.
6. Members of the Public
It was noted that County Councillor Alistair Jeffreys was in attendance and would speak under item 7.
7. County and District Councillor Reports
County Councillor Alistair Jeffreys reported on a meeting regarding cycling, walking and wheeling improvements, including the Rushmere to Ipswich route and the Bortal Woods path. He noted concerns raised about the maintenance of existing cycle routes and illegal parking. He also updated the Council on the legal challenge to the Local Government Reorganisation (LGR) proposal for three unitary authorities.
District Councillor Geoff Lynch reported on meetings concerning LGR and the significant ongoing issues with the new four-day bin collection service in East Suffolk. He also expressed his view that the 'call for sites' process being undertaken by East Suffolk Council was illogical, given that the authority would cease to exist under LGR before the process concluded.
8. Finance & Governance
a. The minutes of the Finance & Governance Committee meeting of 1 June 2026 were received and noted.
b. The schedules of accounts for April and May 2026 were reviewed. It was noted that pump track related expenditure of £14,213.62 exceeded the budget but would be met from the overall budget without drawing on reserves.
Resolved: To approve the list of payments and receipts for the period 1 April 2026 to 31 May 2026. The resolution was passed unanimously.
Resolved: To approve the transfer from the KTC Card Payments Account to the Current Account for the period March 2026 to May 2026. The resolution was passed unanimously.
Resolved: To receive and approve the excellent Internal Audit Report for 2025-26, noting there were no recommendations for action. The resolution was passed unanimously.
e. The Annual Return for the year ended 31 March 2026 was considered.
Resolved: That in the absence of the Chair, the Vice-Chair be authorised to sign the Annual Return on behalf of the Town Council.
The supporting statements and accounts were reviewed. The assertions in Section 1 (Annual Governance Statement) were considered and agreed in turn. Section 2 (Accounting Statements) was also reviewed.
Resolved: To approve Section 1 (Annual Governance Statement) and Section 2 (Accounting Statements) of the AGAR for the year ended 31 March 2026. The resolution was passed unanimously.
f. The dates for the exercise of public rights were confirmed as Wednesday 1 July to Tuesday 11 August 2026.
Resolved: To approve the CIL reports as at 31 March 2026. The resolution was passed unanimously.
h. An update on the Flagstone Savings Account was received. It was noted for the minutes that the account has accrued £58,662.74 in interest since its inception.
Resolved: To approve the Asset Register, Inventory List and Summary of Additions/Disposals as at 31 March 2026. The resolution was passed unanimously.
Resolved: To approve the Ear-Marked Reserves as at 31 March 2026. The resolution was passed unanimously.
9. Planning & Development
The minutes of the Planning & Development Committee meetings held on 11 May, 1 June and 15 June 2026 were received and noted.
10. Community & Recreation
b. The action notes from the Community Partnership meeting of 19 May 2026 were noted.
c. The Clerk provided an update on the adoption of land from East Suffolk Council, confirming that the matter is expected to be on the agenda for the ESC Cabinet meeting on 15 July 2026.
d. The data report from the Speed Indication Device (SID) recently located in Dobbs Lane was received and noted. A discussion was held regarding the interpretation of the data and the ongoing monitoring of traffic volumes and speed.
Resolved: That the Town Council gives its support in principle to the AFC Kesgrave 'The Hollies Project', to assist the club in its application for CIL funding from East Suffolk Council for the construction of a car park. No financial commitment is made by the Town Council at this stage.
Resolved: To approve proceeding with the final stage of the land acquisition from Kesgrave Covenant Ltd, with the transfer to be completed at the legal costs largely already approved and spent. The resolution was proposed by Councillor Lynch, seconded by Councillor Cook, and passed unanimously.
11. Local Council Award Scheme
The Clerk reported that there was no further update at this time.
12. Community Engagement Improvement Plan
The Council received an interim report on the plan. The fantastic work undertaken by the Clerk and staff to improve the website, social media, and overall community engagement in recent months was noted and praised.
Resolved: To receive and agree the interim report on the Community Engagement Improvement Plan. The resolution was proposed by Councillor Comber, seconded by Councillor Ogden, and passed unanimously.
13. Devolution/Local Government Reorganisation (LGR)
The Clerk confirmed that the new 'Future Suffolk' website, providing factual information on LGR, was now live. A link would be added to the Town Council's website.
14. Other/Urgent Communications
A discussion was held regarding Martlesham Parish Council's project to acquire Bortal Woods. It was agreed that the Clerk would ask Martlesham Parish Council to formally specify what support, if any, they require from Kesgrave Town Council. The Clerk will also continue to seek advice from SALC regarding the legality of inter-council loans for information purposes.
15. Date of Next Meeting
The date of the next Town Council meeting was confirmed as Monday 27 July 2026 at 7.15pm.
16. Agenda Items for Next Meeting
It was requested that updates on the Bortal Woods and AFC Kesgrave projects be added to the next agenda.
17. Resolution to exclude the Public under the Public Bodies (Admission to Meetings) Act 1960
Resolved: That the public and press be excluded from the remainder of the meeting due to the confidential nature of the business to be transacted. The resolution was proposed by the Vice-Chair, seconded by Councillor Ling, and passed unanimously.
The public part of the meeting concluded at 8:57pm.