Meeting of
PAKENHAM PARISH COUNCIL
7.30pm Monday 26th November 2007 In the Martin Room in the Church
Present: Cllr H Painter (Chairman), Cllrs D Dorling, R Griffin, A Kibbel & Borough Cllr C Spicer. Mrs M Gardiner (Clerk) was also in attendance. Several members of the village were present.
1 - Apologies for absence: Cllrs N Farthing & M Sargent.
2 - Borough Councillor’s report:
Cllr Spicer reported on matters on which he is acting on behalf of the parish council:
He had received a letter from Stephen Whitwell about the Parish Council’s responsibility for the village website. Councillors suggested that Mrs Harvey be invited to the next parish council meeting.
Removal of the oil tank at Manor Garth.
Street light at the entrance to The Greenwoods
Brenricke – Mrs Ivory is now planning to keep the original house and to enlarge it.
Proposed egg farm – it had been pointed out to the land-owner that there were several wild bird lakes very close to the proposed chicken farm, which, in view of the current avian flu problem, might cause problems.
Anderson’s Yard – consultation still on-going. Residents are concerned about the length of time the application is taking to get through the planning process, when all the time operations are continuing on the site.
3 - County Councillor’s report:
Cllr R Hopfensperger was unable to attend due to the over-running of a previous meeting.
4 - Police report – none received:
Suffolk Roadsafe – is an initiative where local communities raise funds to provide equipment to enable volunteers to run a Community Speed Watch Scheme on a rota basis. Training will be given by the police but the scheme would be co-ordinated and run by volunteers.
Councillors decided not to pursue this idea at present.
5 - Public Forum:
Allotments For next meeting.
Misty Meadows – The owner had requested that a street light be placed on the corner of Fen Road outside his property. Cllr Spicer was asked to look into the feasibility of this.
6 - Declarations of Interest:
Cllr Griffin declared a personal interest in the footpath issue.
7 - Minutes of the previous meeting:
16th October were agreed as a true record and signed.
Minutes of the meeting 21st September had been amended as agreed.
8 - Planning applications:
SE/07/1745 – 15 Manor Garth
Erection of single storey extension to side elevation to provide additional living accommodation. Councillors considered this application with a view to the proximity of neighbouring properties. They unanimously agreed to support the application.
SE/07/1681 - Water Mill Farm, Mill Road
Change of use from dwelling to dwelling & visitor centre and associated works.
Councillors carefully considered proposals to upgrade this building and to incorporate a visitor centre. They unanimously agreed that such a venture will be an asset to the village and that they support the application.
TPO236(1997)7 – 1 The Greenwood
Pollard one horse chestnut tree.
This was discussed fully and the reasons for pollarding were not considered sufficient. The tree appears to be no imminent threat to people or property at this time.
Councillors unanimously objected to the application
SE/07/1638 – Land to rear of Garden House, Fen Rd
Retrospective change of use of agricultural land to garden land & retention of shed.
This land is adjacent to land considered under a recent application. Councillors discussed this application and agreed unanimously that they will accept the proposal with the proviso that consent will be granted without permitted development rights, in order to protect the open aspect and views enjoyed by the neighbours.
Application granted:
1 & 2 Upper Town – erection of cart lodge..
9 - Tree Warden’s report:
Hedgerow Survey & Countryside Access Scheme – for next agenda.
10 - Footpath Warden’s report – report attached:
A letter had been received from the local Ramblers Group saying that they would be happy to walk and report on the village footpaths. A considerable amount of work has taken place on upgrading the footpath running from Fen Road to Old Hall Farm. Cllr Griffin has a calendar of shooting dates that will be published on the village notice boards to warn residents. It was suggested that a red flag positioned at each end of the footpath might serve to warn walkers that shooting was taking place in the vicinity. Cllr Bryant will arrange to meet with Mr Brown (the land owner) to discuss villagers’ grievances, No price has yet been receive for a reprint of the footpath leaflet.
11 - Clerk’s report:
Computer equipment - Pakenham’s application to SALC for computer equipment has been successful. We now have a laptop computer and a laser printer for the Council’s use. A motion to take on responsibility for this equipment and be responsible for any ongoing costs was proposed by Councillors and agreed unanimously
Suffolk Acre Rural Housing survey – for next agenda
St Edmundsbury Borough Council – A letter has been received regarding empty property rate relief for the Buggy Club. Clerk to follow up.
Countryside Forum – 4th December. No Councillors available to attend.
David Ruffley – has launched a campaign to save local Post Offices. He asks for signatures on his petition in local post offices. Article to be put on notice boards.
Moyses Hall Exhibition – for notice boards
Clerk’s CPD – for clerk to consider Emergency Accommodation - not yet finalised.
Emergency Planning Preparedness – for future discussion.
Green Squirrel Project – is designed to allow grants for insulation through the Suffolk Credit Union.
For notice boards. Avian Flu – Advice from Defra has been received by the clerk and information has been posted on notice boards as soon as it is received.
12 - Finance Report - attached:
Councillors unanimously agreed all payments listed in the report and the cheques were signed after consulting with the Council’s Financial Regulations. The Audit has been returned by Lubbock Fine. A motion to accept the finding was agreed by all councillors and the notice and completion of audit form will be placed on the notice boards.
The application form to increase Fidelity Insurance to £30.000 as recommended by Lubbock Fine the auditors was completed and signed.
Councillors agreed to think about the Parish Council estimates for 2008-9 and to discuss these at a special meeting to be arranged.
Risk Assessment – Councillors agreed to go ahead with a professional assessment by CCAS. The Community Council will be asked to consider the matter at their next meeting and to let us know if they wish to have an assessment done at the same time.
Clerk’s salary review. NALC have recently come to an agreement over new pay scales for clerks, which are back-dated to April 2007. Councillors unanimously agreed to award the clerk an increase in wages.
Requests had been received from Newstalk & Optua for donations. Councillors agreed to send £50 to Newstalk as local residents made use of this scheme.
A request was received from the Church asking if the Council would be prepared to help with the cost of grass-cutting. Councillors agreed to budget £200 for this for the coming year.
13 - Correspondence to be circulated:
Go-East - response by 18th December, for next meeting
SCC - Suffolk Fire & Rescue Service
Minerals Development Plan
Waste Development Plan
School Organisation Review
Budget Proposals
Suffolk Climate Action Plan
St Edmundsbury - Gipsy & traveller sites
Standards Committee
Suffolk Acre - SuffolkScene & evaluation
SALC - Post Office consultation
CPRE - Countryside Voice
Urban & Rural outdoor furniture
Playground equipment
14 - Any other business:
Upper Town crossroads – a survey, drawings and further discussions are to take place.
Cllr Kibbel gave a report on the recent planning forum he attended, which he found very informative. He put the motion that the Council should draw up a Parish Plan and councillors unanimously agreed with this.
Cllr Painter will contact St Edmundsbury to ask for a visit from the Parish Plan Officer in the new year.
15 - Date of next meeting: Monday 7th January 2008. Venue to be confirmed.
