Pakenham Parish Council : Minutes - 16th October 2007

PAKENHAM PARISH COUNCIL
Minutes of the meeting held 7.30pm Tuesday 16th October 2007
In the Martin Room in the Church

Present: Cllr H Painter (Chairman), Cllrs D Dorling, R Griffin, A Kibbel & N Farthing. Mrs M Gardiner (Clerk) was also in attendance. Several members of the village were present.

1 - Apologies for absence: Cllrs M Bryant & M Sargent.

2 - Borough Councillor’s report:-
Cllr Spicer reported that he is dealing with several matters on behalf of the parish council:-
Removal of the oil tank at Manor Garth
Possible changes to the road layout at Upper Town crossroads
Street light at the entrance to The Greenwoods
Brenricke – owners won the appeal & the site is now on the market.
Pig farm – postponed until next year
Proposed egg farm
Anderson’s Yard – consultation still on-going. Unlikely to go to planning before December, when Cllr Spicer will speak. He hopes that a parish councillor would also be able to attend. Cllr Spicer will encourage the Planning Dept to investigate the impartiality of the noise survey. Shetland Boats – Mr Murphy has made no planning application yet.

3 - County Councillor’s report: none available

4 - Public Forum:-
Children’s playground & teen shelter on playing field
Cllr Spicer explained that originally the Community Council had been told that planning permission was not required, but had found later that it was, as the land was not owned by the parish council. The playground was moved as the new area is considered safer and the police want to be able to view the teen area from the car park. There will be no floodlighting. The Chairman asked if the car park would be locked but this is not practical. The access gate from the car park on to the field is kept locked though. Any hedge bordering the site should be kept low.
Allotments
James Dawkins reported that about 15 people have shown interest and met at the site. The plot is approx 50m square and could support 15-20 allotments. The group are happy to have working parties to prepare the site but will need help with some problems. A digger and skip will be required to remove concrete, before ploughing and weed removal. The major issue is a water supply. Water butts could probably be positioned at the pavilion. The nearest mains water is at the BowlsClub, but all water is metered and cost is an issue. Fencing would be needed all around the site – a public footpath and the new teen area would border the area. Councillors are all in favour of the project and are happy to help in some way. The Council may require 5 years rent in advance if set-up costs are high. Mr Dawkins to bring map of the area to the next meeting. Cllr Painter to contact St Edmundsbury Allotment Officer. Clerk to check lease for current allotments.
Mr Barty’s tip along Mill Road is being used for fly-tipping, a local resident reported. He will contact Environmental Health with the details.

5 - Declarations of Interest:-
Cllr Farthing declared an interest in the playground planning application. He left the room while councillors discussed and voted on the application.

6 - Minutes of the previous meeting:-
4th September were agreed as a true record and signed. Minutes of the meeting 21st September will be amended and brought to the next meeting.

7 - Emergency Accommodation:-
Key holders’ details to be updated and form returned to St Edmundsbury.

8 - Risk Assessment:-
SALC & St Edmundsbury to be asked for advice.

9 - Clerk’s report:-
‘A Certain Truth’ – Al Gore’s film to be shown at SALC.
Safety Issues – Paul Field had replied to concerns about Baileypool Bridge. Clerk to ask him what he considers the best course of action to be. Councillors and villagers still consider the problems are due to lorries using their satnavs. Perhaps we could have a sign like the one at Needham market telling lorry drivers to ‘ignore satnavs’.
Upper Town crossroads – the drawing received is not as agreed at the site meeting and councillors do not consider this plan is feasible. Cllr Painter to contact Paul Field. A village ‘gate-way’ before these crossroads is a favoured option. Cllr Painter suggested match funding might be available.
Local Development Framework workshop, 31st October. Clerk to book Cllrs Kibbel & Farthing a place.
Neighbourhood Watch is celebrating 25 years and suggest holding a litter-pick or similar event to celebrate.

10 - Planning applications:-
SE/07/1425
(i) Re-siting of children’s play area with provision of play equipment and boundary fencing
(ii) provision of teenager area with associated shelter, basketball wall & table tennis area.
After further discussion on the site and its proximity to the allotments, Councillors unanimously agreed to approve the application with the proviso that suitable boundary fencing is erected. The Council would like the Tree Officer consulted before the proposed digging out of the soil takes place.

Proposed day nursery Councillors are invited to a site meeting at Old Hall Farm at 11.20am on Thursday 18th October.

11 - Finance report attached:-
Councillors unanimously agreed to increase the Fidelity Insurance to £30.000 as recommended by Lubbock Fine the auditors.

12 - Correspondence to be circulated:-
St Eds Rural News
PO Network changes
Standards Committee minutes
Town & Parish Standard
W Suffolk Local Strategic partnership Annual Conference 28th Nov; Reply by 14th Nov
SALC PAT testing
Parish meetings & parish polls
Local Councillor magazine
YMCA training
Victim support newsletter
Defra Climate change
Outdoor Fitness
Stop Stansted expansion

13 - Any other business:-
Dates when shooting is taking place will be published on the village notice boards.
Public footpaths: Fingerpost & stile at Fen Road end of footpath no 3 needs reinstating, where a 10’ gate & 2’ stile have been replaced by a 12’ gate. SCC are aware of the problem. Clerk to write to Cllr Hopfensperger, with copy to Footpath/Rights of Way Officer.
Pakenham’s footpath map should be revised and reprinted. Cllr Dorling to check cost of reprint with Moreton Hall Press & Mr Curtis volunteered to look for sponsorship. It was suggested that the local Ramblers Association group might be approached to check the footpaths before reprint.

14 - Date of next meeting:-
Planning meeting: 7.30pm Friday 26th October in the Martin Room.
Full council meeting: Monday 26th November, 7.30pm, the Martin Room,