Meeting of
PAKENHAM PARISH COUNCIL
7.30pm 16th October 2008, The Martin Room, St Mary's Church
Present: Cllr H Painter (Chairman), Cllr N Farthing, Cllr M Sargent, Cllr R Griffin, Cllr A Keeble & Cllr D Dorling & Borough Cllr C Spicer. Several members of the public and Mrs M Gardiner (clerk) were also in attendance.
1 - Apologies for absence: Cllr M Bryant..
2 - Borough Councillor's report:
The erection of a new streetlight at The Greenwoods is still awaited.
Cllr Spicer read to the meeting a letter he had sent about the erection of a mobile home at the proposed egg unit.
2 Micklemere - the Council is awaiting the result of the appeal.
Shetland Boats - Mr Reiman has confirmed that he is the owner of the land and he is still keen to build the two houses for which planning permission was given, although this permission expires in November 2008. Consent for use of the land for boat building expired at the end of July and Councillors are still receiving complaints from neighbours. Clerk to ask the Planning Dept if Mr Reiman intends renewing this permission, otherwise will the Council issue him with an enforcement notice?
Land at Mill Road. Neighbours say that the problem has been there for two years now. Why has the enforcement order not yet been served? Cllr Spicer and the Clerk to write to Jane Stanley at St Edmundsbury Borough Council for an explanation.
Anderson's pit - Stephen Burgess (Planning Dept) is awaiting further information from the applicant.
3 - County Councillor's report: none available.
4 - Police report:
Sheena Tate is now the Safer Neighbourhood Team Police Officer for Pakenham again. She is based at Ixworth but was unable to attend the meeting. She reported that there had been no crimes in the village since 1st August. Also in the team are Sgt 248 Mowson, PC39 Whittaker, PCSO Bob Bailey & PCSO Jonathan Burke. Sheena will be setting up surgeries in the village as before.
5 - Public Forum:
Allotments.- A representative of the allotment committee was present and asked for a letter giving permission to the erection of sheds on the site. Clerk to write.
BT has given permission for rainwater to be harvested from the roof of the telephone exchange. The committee are also approaching Anglian Water about the possibility of a borehole.
Cllr Spicer suggested that the committee should approach St Edmundsbury about the funding available for capital improvements to rural schemes (ie for an underground storage tank)
There is a waiting list for allotments and the Council were asked to consider if any more land might be available.
A village resident asked if it would be possible for Pakenham Parish Council minutes to be sent to the local paper, as some other Parish Council's did. Cllr Farthing to investigate. AK to ask Gt Barton who organises their entry.
6 - Declaration of interest:
Cllr Farthing declared an interest in the planning application for Phoenix Cottage, Mill Road and left the meeting while this was being discussed.
The Chairman convened the meeting.
7 - Approve minutes of the meeting held on 28th August 2008.
Councillors agreed that these should be signed as a true record.
8 - Planning applications:
SE/08/1441 - Phoenix Cottage, Mill Road.
Erection of single storey rear extension (following demolition of existing rear extension)
Councillors carefully studied the plans and agreed unanimously that they had to objection to this application but they were concerned about the valley gutter and detail where the extension adjoins the neighbouring property.
Anderson's pit levels - the latest documents have been carefully studied by Councillors. Further information is due to be sent to the Planners by the applicant.
Granted:
4 The Owell, Pakenham.
Erection of (i) single storey rear extension (ii) first storey extension to side over existing flat roof extension.
Withdrawn:
Part of Mere Farm, Pakenham Road, Gt Barton
Use of land for stationing of a mobile home to supervise a free range unit.
SALC Planning Seminar - Councillors Dorling, Griffin and the Clerk had attended.
The use of the 106 agreement was explained.
St Edmundsbury Planning Forum - Councillor Farthing attended a briefing about the new planning system, details of which have still to be finalised.
9 - Church Wood:
The lease on the wood expired in 2002, so the Parish Council has no legal responsibility for the site. The wood is used very little by village residents. The motion ' The Parish Council does not wish to continue with ownership of the land' was proposed by the Chairman, seconded by Cllr Sargent and carried unanimously. Councillors discussed whether the site might be suitable for low cost housing. This had been suggested in the past but turned down at that time.
Clerk to contact Joy Bowes at St Edmundsbury Borough Council.
10 - Heritage Trail:
Councillor Painter will put a notice in the Post Office and on the village noticeboards explaining the idea and asking for help from residents. An explanatory booklet will give a social history of the village.
11 - Clerk's report:
Parish Council Conference, 6th November, Borough Offices : No-one free to attend.
Rural News : opportunity for twinning with a small village in France. Councillor Farthing to follow up.
Payphones : it may be possible for the Parish to be given ownership of the payphone in Fen Road when it is no longer viable for BT to service. Clerk to investigate.
Vent pipe at The Dell : Anglian Water have inspected the pipe and consider it warrants no further maintenance or attention.
Councillor Dorling has arranged for gullies in Fen Road to be cleared.
Clerk to thank Charlie Mitson of SCC for his cooperation.
A member of the Royal British Legion has suggested that it is the Council's responsibility to provide facilities for a parade on Remembrance Day and to provide insurance. Clerk to check with SALC.
12 - Finance Report: attached.
Councillors agreed specified payments should be made. It was unanimously agreed to pay the RBL £50 for a wreath for Remembrance Sunday. Councillor Dorling to attend.
A letter has been received from the PVH & PFA asking us to include a grant towards upkeep of the village hall in our budget for 2009-2010. Clerk to research grants made to them in the last five years. For budget meeting.
Audit - The Auditors, BDO Stoy Hayward have approved and returned the Annual Return for 2007-2008. Councillors unanimously agreed to accept their findings.
13 - Correspondence circulated to Councillors:
SCC : Suffolk Link; Unitary councils, Communities & Local Government, Bylaws.
St Edmundsbury BC : Home Assistance Policy; Rural News (October); Housing Strategy & Homelessness Strategy.
West Suffolk Local Strategic Partnership : Annual Conference 26th November
Suffolk Acre : Annual Review
SALC : Trainings, AGM & Annual Report Local Government Review
Suffolk Preservation Society: Community Planner, Boundary Committee proposal
CPRE : Fieldwork magazine
Shaws Books etc.
14 - Open Forum:
There is a build up of windfall apples and leaves by the bus shelter. Clerk to contact the owner of the tree & the Borough Council to ask for them to be swept up and taken away.
The Committee of Pakenham WI are planning an evening event and supper to thank Max & Jan Bacon for their massive contribution to the village. Date to be arranged after their vacation of the Post Office.
Parish Council Christmas meal 6th December at the Fox, 7.00 for 7.30pm.
15 - Date of next meeting:
7.30pm Friday 21st November 2008, The Martin Room, St Mary's Church.
