Meeting of
PAKENHAM PARISH COUNCIL
7.30pm 7th December 2010, The Martin Room
Present: Cllr H Painter, Cllr M Sargent, Cllr N Farthing, Borough Councillor C Spicer and Mrs M Gardiner (clerk).
1 - Apologies for absence: Cllr R Griffin, Cllr A Kibbel, Cllr D Dorling, Cllr M Bryant and County Councillor Hopfensperger.
2 - Declarations of interest: none.
3 - Public Forum:
Newbury: the owner has received a letter telling him that planning permission is not required for his new access as Fen Road is unclassified. The Parish Council was asked to support the erection of two affordable homes on the site, but is unable to do this.
4 - County Councillor's Report: - received after the meeting.
Speeding in Upper Town
The speed limit panel are sill collecting data to decide what the best measures are with regards to traffic calming and or enforcement in the area.
Locality Budget
I am still awaiting details from the parish council to put in a request for the woods. This will need to be done fairly quickly as I have had a sudden influx of request for the monies and I need to know how much to put to one side.
Level of 30mph
I checked out why the signs were all at different heights and basically I got told that as long as the signs are not too high or low to be observed they would be no need to alter the height, however they would look at them when they are next in the area. Highways did say that they are all erected to a standard specification but general ware and tear sometimes means that signs move.
Winter Maintenance
Below is a link to the new guidance on clearing snow, I hope this helps when decided whether you should clear your own snow.
http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/Nl1/Newsroom/DG_191868
There has been a review of the winter maintenance and there is a link below which gives details and guidance including what roads are gritted and in what priority.
http://www.suffolk.gov.uk/TransportAndStreets/RoadMaintenance/
RoadSaltingAndSnowClearing.htm
New Strategic Direction
We have launched the 'New Strategic Direction', which is the new way of working for the council and aims to reduce the costs of the council by 30, as we are likely to receive between 1/4 and 1/3 less money with which to pay for services.
The idea being that there are three main aims:
1. To reduce as far as possible the Council's role as a direct provider of services;
2. To help communities become more self-reliant;
3. To support and strengthen local democracy and the role of councillors, both at the heart of the council and as advocates for their divisions.
Which means as follows: -
The County Council can be a cumbersome, bureaucratic and expensive means of providing services. By moving service delivery outside the council we can cut out layers of organisational bureaucracy, leaving a cheaper, more flexible and efficient core, and feeding money much more effectively to the services people need. It is NOT about handing over all services delivery to the private sector, but about talking to individual communities to find out what they need, and then helping them find the best way of delivering it.
By helping to build each community's capacity to support itself, we can help our towns and villages become stronger and more self-reliant, and create a culture in which people feel more willing and able to take control of their lives and help those around them.
The role of councillors is absolutely essential in helping communities in their divisions develop and then maintain the capacity and support networks that they need, while ensuring that the services that are provided meet the requirements of the community. They are the vital link between the community and the strategic council and also having more say in how projects and money is spent in their area.
The type of organisation that can help deliver services are:
Existing staff running the service as a self-sustaining social enterprise or co-operative.
Other existing social enterprises can take on services.
Private companies may be contracted to provided some services.
Charities are ready and willing to take on a greater role.
Local community groups, town and parish councils, or individuals, can do work that was previously done by the council, depending on the size and scale of the job.
The New Strategic Direction was launched in September and is due to be up and running in 2012.
The parish council should have received a survey for them to complete on your initial thoughts. It may be quite difficult to answer some of the questions as the document is still in its conceptional stage, but it would be interesting to hear your thoughts.
A number of working parties have been set up to start developing the NSD, I am a member of the democracy one and I will let you know how this progresses. I also attach a response to a letter which I sent out to a parish council who had some queries re the NSD this maybe of help to yourselves.
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5 - Borough Councillor's Report:
Grit bin - Cllr Spicer suggested that a grit bin at the top of Church Hill would improve safety on the hill. Agreed. Clerk to action.
Footpath stiles - have they been repaired? Also a safety issue.
2 Micklemere - Parking on narrow road without lights. Clerk to write.
Bridge House - Cllr Spicer is calling for confirmation that the annexe will not be turned into another holiday let.
The Borough Council is cutting 10% off all budgets and grants.
6 - Police report: - A representative was not able to attend but sent the following report:
No Reported Crimes.
SNT Priorities...
1. Stanton - Anti Social Behaviour and Criminal Damage in the area of the Village Hall.
2. Harecoursing - Bury Rural North Area.
3. Nowton - Apparent Drug using in the areas of Nowton Village Hall and Fox and Pin Lane.
The next Community Priority Setting Meeting...
We hold regular Community Priority Setting meetings, which are attended by the police, county, district and parish councillors, as well as our partners from health and educational organisations.
The aim is to:
Discuss issues put forward by the local community.
Discuss the top three priorities chosen by members of the public and decide how should be addressed and how we are going to tackle them.
Arrange feedback to local people about progress.
These meetings are open to the public, so if you would like to come along and raise issues with us, the next one for your area is on 7th December 2010. It starts at 7pm and finishes at approximately 9pm and will take place at The Community Centre, Old Bury Road, Stanton IP31 2BX.
Your Safer Neighbourhood Team are as follows...
Inspector 62 Jane Hertzog
Sergeant 696 Kevin Jay
PC 161 Sheena Tate
PC 1251 Simon Collins
PCSO 3199 Krista Wilding
PCSO 3123 Jonathan Burke
PCSO 3242 William Pardoe
PCSO 3215 Gemma Robinson
You can contact us by telephone on 01284 774223 or email us on stedsruralnorth.snt@suffolk.pnn.police.uk
The Chairman convened the meeting.
7 - Approve minutes: of meetings held on 21st October and 18th November 2010.
Councillors agreed that these should be signed as true records.
8 - Clerk's report:
Adoption of telephone kiosk at Grimstone End - The electricity supply will remain at BT's expense for the time being.
Speedwatch - Norton Parish Council will arrange a meeting for those interested in joining them. In view of the current financial climate we cannot commit. Clerk to reply.
9 - Planning application:
Outcome of planning applications
Agreed: Tree works at The Dell. Agreed, subject to replanting.
Cllr Dorling to ask for tenders for the work, to be received in time for the next meeting if possible.
10 - Finance Report:
A Finance Report was circulated. All payments were agreed.
Considerable discussion took place regarding the budget for 2011-2012. This was finally agreed and will be submitted to St Edmundsbury Borough Council.
An estimate for entrance gates to the village to be obtained. Reserves are held for this safety measure.
11 - Burial Ground:
Hanchets estimate for memorial repairs to be accepted.
12 - Correspondence for circulation:
SCC : New Strategic Direction; Trading standards.
St Edmundsbury : Proposed car parking charges 2011-2012.
CPRE : Countryside Voice; Fieldwork.
Suffolk Acre : Update magazine; The Big Society.
Sustainable Communities Act.
Clerks & Councils Direct
CGM & Playgrounds
13 - Councillor's reports: none.
14 - Date of next meeting:
25th January 2011 in the Martin Room, St Mary's Church.
