Pakenham Parish Council : Minutes - 25th May 2004

PAKENHAM PARISH COUNCIL
Minutes of the meeting held on 25 MAY 2004
Pakenham Village Hall
(following the Annual Parish Meeting)

Present: Cllr J Mangnall, Cllr D Dorling, Cllr L Couper, Cllr H Painter, Cllr P Smith, Cllr R Griffin, Cllr C Spicer, Mr R Dennis-Jones, Mrs P Hunt, Mr S Whitwell, Mr C Whitwell and Mrs J Brookman (Clerk).

APOLOGIES: Cllr J Speare and Cllr V White, Pc S Barnes-Smith.

1.0 - ELECTION OF OFFICERS:-
Cllr Dorling proposed Cllr Mangnall continue as Chairman, this was seconded by Cllr Painter. Cllr Mangnall proposed Cllr Painter continue as Vice-Chairman, this was seconded by Cllr Couper.

2.0 - DECLARATION OF ACCEPTANCE OF OFFICE:-
Cllr Mangnall accepted the office of Chairman and signed the Declaration of Acceptance.

3.0 - REAPPOINTMENT OF CLERK:-
Cllr Mangnall proposed Mrs Jane Brookman be reappointed as clerk, this motion was seconded by Cllr Smith.

4.0 - DECLARATION OF INTERESTS:-
Cllrs Mangnall, Smith and Painter declared an interest in any items relating to the Village Hall and Cllr Dorling declared an interest in planning application SE/04/2213/P Topiary Art Designs.

5.0 - PUBLIC FORUM:-
Mr Stephen Whitwell addressed the meeting with reference to planning application SE/04/1016/P relating to Manor Farm, Upper Town, Pakenham.

6.0 - POLICE REPORT:-
No police matters to report.

7.0 - BOROUGH COUNCILLOR'S REPORT:-
Cllr Spicer confirmed that matters at the pumping station adjacent to Willowdene, Fen Road were in hand after long running problems and that the Environmental Health Agency and Anglia Water should soon have the matter resolved.

8.0 - COUNTY COUNCILLOR'S REPORT:-
A report from Cllr White was read in her absence. Cllr White is still pursuing the lowering of the kerb adjacent to The Fox and also the possibility of white road markings at the front of the Village Hall.

The Bury Rural Sector Commander has reported a successful first month of the Speedar pilot scheme, Cllr White wished to thank Pc Sue Barnes-Smith for her commitment to the village.

The Locality Fund has been approved and Cllr White confirmed that she will be able to contribute to the Parent & Toddler Group and a small amount could be available for other Pakenham projects.

Cllr White also confirmed that there will be overflying exercises during June. There will also be a new intake of recruits in June and they will be available for community projects as part of their training. Cllr White will pass on requests.

The meeting was convened.

9.0 - MINUTES OF PREVIOUS MEETINGS:-
The minutes of 5 and 22 April, 2004 were approved and signed as a true record.

10.0 - CLERK'S REPORT:-
Mr Peter Longfield, Chairman of Ixworth Parish Plan Group had contacted the clerk to confirm that properties technically in the Parish of Pakenham would be included in the Parish Plan Survey for Ixworth.

The insurance premium was due for renewal and it was confirmed that values stay the same but that the village seat should be included upon completion.

11.0 - PLANNING APPLICATIONS:-

SE/04/2103/LB - Newe House, Fen Road, Pakenham. Insertion of new window and removal of fire escape on north elevation. SE/04/2183/LB and P - Alterations associated with conversion of barn to form swimming pool and associated facilities. No observations.

Cllr Dorling declared an interest in the following application and left the meeting.
SE/04/2213/P - Topiary Art Designs, Mill Road, Grimestone End, Pakenham. The Parish Council made the following observations; very concerned about the control of the site and that the building will be turned into a dwelling outside the development area of the village; concern about the size and permanence of the proposed building; concern the site will be used for manufacturing and subsequently as a retail outlet; and concern regarding the highways if traffic use intensifies.

SE/04/2235/P - Acorns, Brand Road, Great Barton. The Parish Council requested that if planning permission is granted that the permission restricts the use of the property to one household. (Subsequent enquiry to Planning Office confirmed no first floor plans received and confirmed vaulted ceiling).

Cllr Dorling returned to the meeting.

OUTCOME OF PLANNING APPLICATIONS:-

SE/04/1319/P - Home Farm, Bull Lane, Pakenham - Erection of (i) single storey extension; and (ii) porch. Granted.

SE/04/1242/LB - Compton Cottage, Fen Road, Pakenham - Alterations & repairs to fire damaged property including rethatching with water reed, rebuilding chimney, replacement of windows and removal of render. Granted.

SE/04/1782/P - 5 Fen Road, Pakenham - Erection of two storey rear extension. Granted.

SE/04/1618/P - Bramble Cottage, Fen Road, Pakenham. Application withdrawn.

12.0 - FINANCE REPORT:-

The clerk reported that the audit of 2003 had been completed and included the figures reported at the Annual Parish Meeting of 2003, these were signed by Cllr Mangnall on behalf of the Parish Council. The internal audit was totally clear. The details of the "Statement of Assurance" were read to the Parish Council by Cllr Mangnall and the chairman signed the Annual Return to confirm this.

13.0 - PARISH CAR PARK AT ST MARY'S CHURCH:-
Cllr Painter confirmed that tenders were due in by 4 June, 2004 and would be opened at the next meeting.

The matter of the rubbish tip in the corner of the car park had been brought to the attention of Cllr Mangnall. It was agreed that the rubbish tip would be flattened when the car park is surfaced and then the Parish Council would provide a bin for use by people tending graves.

14.0 - VILLAGE NOTICE BOARD:-
Barrie Chester has agreed to make a notice board to compliment the village seat and should be completed within the next two months.

15.0 - CORRESPONDENCE:-
Letter from Insp Kidd-Stanton, Bury Rural Police re Village Speeding Pilot scheme that will run for six months from 1 April 2004, Pakenham will not be included in this scheme. During the month of April 53 warning letters were issued, 10 speeding tickets and one person was reported for offences and will be dealt with at court.

SALC and Suffolk Strategic Partnership are hosting a day entitled "Community Enterprises A Real Option" on 30 June at Ufford Park Hotel, Woodbridge.

Letter from Suffolk CC detailing temporary 30 mph and 10 mph speed limits on the A143 Bury Road, Gt Barton and Pakenham for 5 days between 1 June and 21 June, 2004.

E-mail from Prof and Mrs Harbury confirming they have sent their complaint re planning application SE/01/2867 Willowdene/Barfield site, to the Ombudsman.

Letter from Suffolk CC - Temporary closure of public rights of way - Footpath 1 (part) Pakenham for fitting of new bridge between 1 and 14 June 2004.

Havebury News - April 2004.

Confirmation from St Edmundsbury Borough Council of Pakenham's entry for the Village of the Year Competition.

Correspondence from BT Ross & Co regarding application for Justices' License by Messrs Thorogood and Kingston re The Fox Public House, Pakenham to be heard at Bury Court on 14 May 2004.

Letter from St Edmundsbury Borough Council regarding St Edmundsbury Rural Services Review. A consultation paper has been prepared, Rural Action Plan, and consists of 6 topics. The Review Panel overseeing this would welcome views from Parish Councils.

Details of Review of Parish and Town Council Revenue Support Grants from St Edmundsbury Borough Council. Request for Parish Council to consider the report and options and let them know the council's thoughts.

Copies of the Local Councillor distributed to all Parish Councillors.

Request from Winged Fellowship Trust for a donation to support their work to support people with physical disabilities and their carers in this area. Request declined.

Letter from Mrs Jackie Whitwell supporting the recent Planning Application at Manor Farm, Upper Town, Pakenham.

16.0 - OPEN FORUM:-
Cllr Mangnall had details of two courses being offered by Suffolk ACRE, Fire Safety and In the News, no interested parties.

The Parish Council agreed to obtain a copy of the

Environment Agency's floodplain The Street, Pakenham.

17.0 - DATE OF NEXT MEETING:-
The next meeting of the Parish Council to be confirmed.

The meeting was closed at 10.20 pm