Meeting of
PAKENHAM PARISH COUNCIL
THURSDAY 5TH APRIL 2007 - PAKENHAM VILLAGE HALL
PRESENT: Cllr M Sargent, Cllr H Painter, Cllr R Griffin,
Cllr D Dorling.
Mrs M Gardiner (clerk) was in attendance & Borough Cllr C Spicer attended for part of the meeting.
1 - APOLOGIES: Cllr L Patterson, CPC S Tate.
2 - DECLARATION OF INTERESTS: None
3 - PUBLIC FORUM:
Nine members of the public were present and they were concerned primarily about Anderson's pit and the extension to the planning application made by Shetland Boats or Reiman Marine as it has now become named.
Anderson's pit. There is now a metal platform 30 ft high, which holds pallets that are then loaded on to vehicles. There has been a planting programme to divide fields.
It is known that the site is used for teaching rough terrain driving to Carters and other firms. He is obviously running a business from here - does he want to develop it as a commercial enterprise?
There are 6 or 7 large items of machinery at Anderson's pit, which create constant and unacceptable noise for those living nearby, as well as the constant bleeps from reversing vehicles.
Shetland Boats have applied for an extension to their planning permission to run until the end of the year. The original application was granted to be specific to Shetland Boats, but the new application is in the name of Reiman Marine for continued use as a boatyard. Can this transfer of title be accepted? The business could continue until the end of the year, then appeal, which would give them another 6 months. Councillors and villagers do not consider this acceptable, but have achieved nothing by contacting the Enforcement Officers.
Large cranes are on site used for lifting boats onto trailers and traffic on and off the site is becoming heavier and more frequent.
The fear is that the area will become an industrial area, which will suit them and Mr Anderson very well.
Nothing further has been heard about the proposed housing on the site.
For further discussion when Cllr Spicer arrives.
4 - POLICE REPORT:
CPC Tate emailed her report.
'There have been 3 reported crimes in Pakenham this month. A dwelling burglary in Fen Road. A site hut and container entered and tools taken from Fen Road. Insecure barn entered and trailer stolen from Thurston Road.
I would like to make as many people as possible aware that the rural area is suffering a spate of trailer thefts (typically the larger sized twin-axled aluminium 'ifor williams' type. These thefts/burglaries occur both day and night so extra vigilance is required at all times. Anything out of the ordinary or suspicious should be reported immediately to the Police. Any suspicious vehicles please note as much of the registration and description as possible.
I will be holding a Police surgery at the village hall midday on Friday 13th April.'
Villagers were concerned that Neighbourhood Watch had lost their rapport with the police. Inspector Zoe Finn had told them that the situation will improve when the Community Support Officers start work.
There is concern over the level of crime in the village recently, particularly at Grimstone End, and on the playing field. Clerk to write to police voicing our concerns
5 - BOROUGH COUNCILLOR'S REPORT:
Public Service Village - there is a public document available explaining the finance for this.
Pakenham items
Cllr Spicer is still chasing the re-instatement of a street light at the entrance to The Greenwoods.
54 The Owell. Cllr Spicer supported the Council at the planning committee when this was discussed, voicing all our concerns. It was classed as a brown-field site as a shed has been on the land. Mrs Littlewood had stated that it would be social housing. A neighbour had also objected to this application and a site meeting will be arranged. A possible date is 19th April, but Cllr Spicer will keep villagers and councillors informed.
Neighbourhood Watch told Cllr Spicer that CPC Tate had been off sick again and that when this happens no support is available to her. Councillors also requested the restoration of police patrols at the playing field.
Cllr Spicer agreed to follow this up.
Shetland Boats site: Cllr Spicer will support the council in its objections to the application to extend the planning permission on this site. He listened to public concerns about lack of enforcement of planning conditions applied to current planning consent and the fact that they have no confidence that James Reiman will keep to conditions in the future. Cllr Spicer told the meeting that the business was planning to move to its other premises in Brandon at the end of the year.
No 2 Micklemere: no progress.
Anderson's pit: Cllr Spicer is continuing to urge the Planning Dept to take some action in this case. The enforcement team have a full case-load, so they have to prioritise and there is no evidence of harm being caused so they do not see this case as priority. The Borough Council had asked Cllr Spicer not to contact Mr Anderson direct. Cllr Spicer will approach the Chief Executive Officer to see if more officers can be appointed to help the enforcement team. Trees have been planted around the site to protect the property.
The public were concerned that they paid their rates, but don't get the service they pay for. They asked why conditions were applied if they could not be upheld? They are suffering constant noise from the site, which is affecting their quiet enjoyment of their rural properties.
Dumping on the A143 & Mill Road: The dumped soil is still being analysed to see where it came from. Local residents said a bus had been parked there while children were visiting the windmill. They asked if posts and tape could be erected at the entrance to the site with a 'no parking' sign. The Borough council is more concerned with the site at Bardwell than about the two sites at Pakenham.
6 - COUNTY COUNCILLOR'S REPORT: none available.
The Chairman convened the meeting.
7 - MINUTES OF THE PREVIOUS MEETING:
Minutes of the previous meeting 26th February were agreed as a true record and signed.
8 - CLERK'S REPORT:
A letter had been received from Mr Ballard regarding the overhanging hedge in Fen Road. He enclosed a map on which to mark the offending hedge and offered to apply to Defra for permission to trim it back. This was required under the Countryside Stewardship Scheme. Cllr Griffin to follow up.
9 - PLANNING APPLICATIONS:
SE/07/0336 - Meadow Garth, Mill Road.
Provision of ménage for private use.
Councillors had no objection to this application.
SE/07/0492- Gemeed, Bury Road, Ixworth.
Erection of 2 storey & single storey extension to rear following demolition of lean-to (Revised scheme)
Councillors considered this carefully and all declared they had no objections to this application.
SE/07/0506 - The Broadway, Grimstone End. Crescent Trustees Ltd
Continued use of former builder's office for Class B1 (Business)
Councillors all agreed that they had no objection to this application.
SE/07/0507 - The Broadway, Grimstone End - James Reiman Marine Ltd
Continued use of former builder's yard for boat building
Further discussion took place on the lines of that previously minuted in the Public Forum & Cllr Spicer's report.
Councillors were unanimous in wishing to object most strongly to this application as follows:
Please refer to correspondence with Patsy Dell and other members of the planning department.
The Council have been seeking enforcement of conditions applied to the current planning consent ever since it was agreed, with no success. We suspect that they have not complied with the 106 agreement.
The original application was granted to be specific to Shetland Boats, but the new application is in the name of James Reiman.Marine Ltd. Can this transfer of title be accepted?
Large cranes on site are used for lifting boats onto trailers and traffic on and off the site is becoming heavier and more frequent.
The noise, traffic, odours (which are suspected to be caustic), and visual intrusion are all detrimental to villagers living nearby and is ruining their quality of life and enjoyment of their village environment and are potential threats to health.
Councillors and villagers all object very strongly to the continuation of this work on the site.
10 - FINANCE REPORT: attached.
The Councillors agreed all payments, although the church car park and driveway will be inspected before payment.
An enquiry had been made about the increase in village precept. Clerk to reply.
A claim for the repayment of VAT has been made.
The Auditors had returned the audit for the year 2006/7. Councillors took note of their comments. The insurance cover will be reviewed at the next meeting
St Edmundsbury has agreed a precept of £15458 for the year 2007/8.
Draft end of year accounts were available for Councillors to view.
SALC membership and the insurance had sent renewal notices - for May renewal.
A note about St Edmundsbury's 'Community Chest' awards was circulated.
.
11 - THE DELL:
Hedge trimming & fencing: Mark Bleay had completed his work. D Thrower has been asked to prepare a new estimate for fencing. This work needs doing as soon as possible as already a carpet has been dumped on the side of the road.
Councillors expressed concern about the trees in the Dell. Three or four have come down recently. Many need pollarding. Cllr Painter to contact the Tree Officer to arrange for him to visit the site. Cllr Dorling also to attend.
12 - CORRESPONDENCE:
St Edmundsbury:
Parish Council Conference 12th April, Horringer - no-one free to attend.
Rural News - new newsletter - circulated.
Standards Committee minutes.
Exercise/Actrivity provision - Cllr Mangnall to reply.
SCC: Mobile library provision - notice displayed on noticeboard.
Childline: Easter Eggstravaganza
West Suffolk Cruse Notice sent to website and village newsletter
St Nicholas Hospice: Pumpkin growing competition - other groups also running competitions.
Society of Local Clerks: Membership details & costs - clerk will not join at this time.
NALC: Quality parish council review
Website: uchooseBurytowncentre.co.uk website - for people interested in developments in the town.
Suffolk Acre: Membership certificate received
CPRE : Fieldwork magazine & Countryside Voice magazine circulated.
Suffolk Preservation Society: Comments on Heritage White Paper
Suffolk View magazine circulated.
13 - OPEN FORUM:
The noticeboard outside the village hall needs repair to its doors. The lock is not working. Clerk to contact Barry Chester.
Church Green Wood - Cllr Mangnall visited the site with a view to asking the probation service to tidy it. The driveway is clear, but overhanging trees make it difficult to get through the gate. There was a circular path, but all paths need re-defining. Cllr Spicer asked if there was a reason why dogs were not allowed. Councillors agreed to delete this sign, so that more people used the area. Cllr Mangnall to contact the probation service regarding the work.
Buggy Club - have moved their equipment, but left the caravan on the land. There is still equipment and concrete among the brambles. Another organisation would like to use the container if it was emptied and the key provided. Clerk to write requesting removal of the caravan within 14 days and to make the offer regarding the container.
This land could become another allotment. Clerk to offer it to the recent applicant. The land will need a lot of work prior to planting and so could be offered free for 5 years.
Residents in The Owell have been enquiring about the cost of dropped kerbs. It is prohibitive for one house, possibly less for several. Councillors suggest they contact the Highways Dept for advice, as dropped kerbs would make the road much safer. It is very difficult to manoeuvre between parked cars in the evenings and weekends. Havebury Housing could be approached for possible funding.
14 - DATE OF NEXT MEETING:
Monday 21st May 2007, 8.00pm in the Village Hall.
The Annual Parish Meeting will take place at 7.00pm on the same day.
