Pakenham Parish Council Minutes - 2nd December 2002

Meeting of

PAKENHAM PARISH COUNCIL

MINUTES OF THE MEETING HELD ON 2 DECEMBER 2002

PRESENT: Cllr D Dorling, Cllr J Mangnall, Cllr B Chester, Cllr P Smith, Cllr A Cox, Cllr H Painter and Mrs J Brookman (Clerk).

APOLOGIES: Apologies were received from Cllr L Couper and Mrs V White.

1. DECLARATION OF INTERESTS:
Cllr J Mangnall, Cllr H Painter and Cllr P Smith all declared an interest in matters relating to the new Village Hall. Cllr Mangnall also declared an interest in letter sent to the Clerk concerning the Pakenham Post Office and Shop.

2. MINUTES OF PREVIOUS MEETINGS:
The minutes of the meeting held on 21 October, 2002 were approved and signed as a true record.

The minutes of the meeting held on 1 November, 2002 were approved and signed as a true record.

3. CLERK’S REPORT:
The clerk read three letters to the meeting concerning the village post office and shop from Cllr Mangnall.

Letter 1 requested approval of the parish council for a village collection in aid of a CCTV camera to be installed at the present Post Office, ( this could then be transferred to the new Post Office and Shop at the village hall) and would the parish council be willing to donate to such a fund. Village people had expressed a wish to assist with increasing the present security measures. It was agreed that a collection could be done with the Parish Council’s blessing and all members of the Parish Council agreed to personally contribute to support the fund. It was agreed that the Parish Council would take on the responsibility for the upkeep of the camera so that Max and Jan Bacon would not incur any running costs and that when the Post Office moved to the new Village Hall site the camera would be moved to offer a security aid to the new premises.

Letter 2 Cllr Mangnall asked if the Parish Council would be prepared to direct the money precepted for 2003/04 for the Village Hall and Paying Fields Association and for village improvements, to finance the shortfall in budgeting for the new Village Hall and for this to assist in the repayment of a ten year loan should it be required. The Parish Council agreed to support this request and write to the Community Fund of the National Lottery to confirm this.

Letter 3 A request from Cllr Mangnall asking the Parish Council whether it would be willing to apply to the Countryside Agency for a grant of £25,000 towards building and equipping the Post Office and village shop in the new Village Hall if this is in accordance with guidance from SALC. The Parish Council agreed this in principle if SALC are in agreement.

4. PRECEPT AND FINANCE REPORT:
The precept for 2003/2004 was approved as attached.

Cheques signed since the last meeting:
749	Mr A J Hosken – October wages	£97.50
750	Royal British Legion donation	£50.00
751	C & G Builders bus shelter repairs	£440.00
752	Clerk’s wages – October	£89.66
753	Pakenham Bowls Club donation	£75.00
754	Inland Revenue – Clerk’s Tax	£75.24
755	Cancelled
756	Cancelled
757	Mr A J Hosken – November wages and October overtime	£180.00
Cheques signed at the meeting
758	Clerk’s expenses for the year	£141.49
759	Clerk’s back pay and Nov wages	£124.13

5. PLANNING APPLICATIONS:

NEW PLANNING APPLICATIONS:

SE/02/3694 Fen House, Fen Road, Pakenham
Erection of single storey side extension incorporating garage (following demolition of existing garage) The Parish Council had no objections to this application.

SE/02/3703/P & SE/02/3704/LB Newe House, Fen Road, Pakenham. Conversion and extension of former stable block to form living accommodation. The Parish Council had no objections to this application.

OUTCOME OF PLANNING APPLICATIONS:

SE/02/2987/P 2 Micklemere, Mill Road, Grimstone End, Pakenham. Erection of two storey side extension. GRANTED

SE/02/2971/LB 8 The Street, Pakenham. Removal of internal wall on ground floor. GRANTED

SE/02/2822/P Plot 3, Adjacent to Willowdene, The Street, Pakenham. Erection of utility extension (to approved dwelling). GRANTED

SE/02/2764/P Strathcona, Grimstone End, Pakenham. Erection of first floor storeroom and extension to utility room. GRANTED

6. HEDGE CUTTING CONTRACT (PARISH BURIAL GROUND , THE ALLOTMENTS AND THE DELL):
The hedge cutting had not yet taken place, concern was raised as to the amount of public liability cover that the contractor had in place and it was agreed that this should be increased to £5 million pounds.

It was noted that lights and barriers had been erected at The Dell opposite the telephone exchange. It was agreed that Cllr Painter would contact a structural engineer and visit the site and that the engineer would be asked to prepare a report with advice, works to be carried out with a time scale and costings. A risk assessment should then be completed.

7. CONTRACT FOR STREET CLEANER:
Cllr Mangnall had prepared a draft contact and the contents were discussed and agreed. It was agreed that the hourly rate of pay be increased to £5.00 as from the 1 January, 2003. Clerk to make enquiries regarding Inland Revenue and National Insurance.

8. FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT 2000:
A set of details of the Freedom of Information Act 2000 to be circulated around the Parish Council.

9. COUNTY AND BOROUGH COUNCILLOR’S REPORT:
Mrs White submitted a written report in her absence as follows:

The new lights on The Owell have been delayed as 24/7 have had a problem with the waivements and need to have legal permission before connections to the mains can be carried out. It is hoped some lights will be working very soon.

Anglian Water have been carrying out electrical work on the three Pakenham pumping stations which should control flooding, particularly in Fen Road.

The Borough Council has submitted a bid for an all postal ballot “pilot” application which it hopes will encourage a higher participation of voters at the 2003 local elections. The cost will be £91,000, 21% more than the estimate of £75,000 for a traditional Borough and Parish election but there will be more discussions with the suppliers regarding costs and how to reduce these further.

The cabinet will consider the Village Hall Committee’s request for funding/grant shortly, and Mrs White confirmed that she will contribute £10,000 from the County Council Locality Grant.

There is to be meeting between IKEA representatives, the Borough Council planners and their consultants on 6 December 2002.

The County Council are considering the Draft Suffolk Waste

Local Plan which will be published in January 2003, Parish Councils will be able and welcome to comment.

10. POLICE REPORT:
The meeting was informed that Pc Kidd would be moving and that Pakenham will be allocated another officer.

11. OPEN FORUM:
Cllr Smith had attended the County Emergency Planning Seminar and confirmed the need for Parish Councils to organise and have plans in place. It was confirmed that Pakenham is not listed as a high flood risk area.

Cllr Smith confirmed he would be attending the St Edmunds Area Council of SALC meeting to be held on 6 December 2002.

The Parish Council confirmed they would support the campaign group formed to have broadband installed in the Pakenham Exchange and approved Cllr Smith to be a signatory.

Cllr Chester reported that the Buggy Club lease remained unresolved due to financial difficulties. It was agreed that the Parish Council would subsidise the rent with £100 (50% of the lease) and the situation would be reviewed annually.

12. CORRESPONDENCE:
The Standards Board for England has produced a handout card “The Code to Protect You”, copies circulated to all Parish Councillors.

A letter from David Ruffley MP concerning a press release following the recent storms had been distributed.

Details regarding The Register of Electors from St Edmundsbury Borough Council was tabled. Clerk to obtain a copy.

13. DATE OF NEXT MEETING:
The next meeting will be held on Monday 27 January, 2003 and the following meeting on Monday 3 March, 2003.