Pakenham Parish Council : Minutes 31st March 2011

PAKENHAM PARISH COUNCIL
Minutes of the meeting held 7.30pm 31st March 2011, The Martin Room

Present: Cllr H Painter, Cllr R Griffin, Cllr M Sargent, Cllr A Kibbel, Cllr D Dorling, Borough Councillor C Spicer and County Councillor R Hopfensperger. Mrs M Gardiner (clerk).

1 - Apologies for absence: Cllr N Farthing.

2 - Declarations of interest: none.

3 - Public Forum:-
Land at Mill Road - The land has been wire fenced and geese put on the land. There is little grass available to them. The RSPCA have been informed and they are monitoring the situation. The Chairman read a letter to the Council received from Jane Stanley stating that the land owner is being taken to court in June. Cllr Spicer will keep the Chief Executive of St Edmundsbury Council informed of any new developments. Cllr Spicer has received minutes of a meeting which itemised the problems at Bardwell and Pakenham. Clerk to request a copy from St Edmundsbury.
Grimstone End bus - took its last journey through the village this week. Local residents and County Councillors were on board.
Shetland Boats site - work is still taking place at the site. Neighbours asked the current position. The application for the erection of houses on site is going to Appeal shortly, although the exact date is not yet known.

4 - County Councillor's Report:-
The 315 bus serving Grimstone End stopped on Wednesday.
Cllr Hopfensperger reported that a proposal has been put forward to BSE Volunteer Bureau. They may be able to support the whole route with two minibuses, running at 10.00am, returning at 2.00pm. This service could start on 6th April, but has still to be confirmed. It would be run on a demand/response basis, i.e. prospective customers telephone or email to book a place. The cost to passengers would remain as currently and bus passes would be accepted. SCC would probably fund this service, but Cllr Hopfensperger would fund from her Locality Budget in the interim. To be confirmed.
Clare Country Park - discussions are taking place regarding a new manager for this park.
Locality Budget - an application has been made for money to improve the church path. Confirmation will not be received until after the election in May.
Potholes - Cllr Hopfensperger and Cllr Spicer to survey village for potholes that need repairing. £4.4m is available to help repair damage to roads.
Quality of Life budgets - £8.000 may be used by County Councillors for safety crossings and highway schemes locally. Intelligent street lighting is being trialled. This could be tailored for each individual parish.

5 - Borough Councillor's Report:-
Shetland Boats site - Cllr Spicer reported that the planning rules are unlikely to change until the Localism Bill is adopted.
Bridge House - The planning application has been granted. Cllr Spicer has asked for a copy of the conditions, but the 106 agreement has not yet been ratified. When received, neighbours will monitor whether the conditions are being met.
Parish Plan - Cllr Spicer thought that housing was not mentioned in the plan. Cllr Griffin corrected him and said that several villagers had enquired about housing. He welcomed support from Cllr Spicer on this subject. It was important that the Parish Council manages and controls who rents and lives in any dwellings built on land given by a benefactor. The village does need rented accommodation to be available.
Cllr Spicer apologised in advance for non-attendance at the Annual Parish Meeting - he has a prior Borough engagement. He read the report from the Village Hall and Playing Field Association.

6 - Police report : no report available.
Vehicles are still exceeding the speed limit along Fen Road.

The Chairman convened the meeting.

7 - Approve minutes of meeting held 22nd February and 15th March 2011.
These were approved and signed as a true record.

8 - Clerk's report:-
St Edmundsbury Parish Conference - Thursday 12th May. Clerk to book a place for one Councillor.
Roadside Nature Reserves - SCC request a donation of £50 towards the upkeep of marker posts at these sites. Agreed..
Grimstone End telephone kiosk - A maintenance guide has been received from BT. Cllr Dorling to arrange care with neighbour.
Memorial applications. Two applications have been received. Councillors approved both applications.

9 - Planning applications:-
SE/11/0260 - Woodlands, Fen Road
Extension of time limit for an additional three years for the commencement of development authorised by Planning permission SE/08/0758 for erection of first floor to existing bungalow to form two storey dwelling.
Councillors unanimously agreed they continue to have no objection to this proposal.
Planning applications received after publication of the agenda - none.
Outcome of planning applications:-
Granted - TPO65(1980)9 - Mulberry House, Church Hill

10 - Finance Report:-
A Finance Report was circulated. Payment of Hanchet's invoice was agreed after discussion and amendment.

11 - Tree Officer's report:-
The Dell - Tree works will take place on 14/15th April. Cllr Dorling has arranged a meeting with EDF Energy to clear trees from around overhead wires.
Church Green Wood - Cllr Dorling & Borough Cllr Spicer to check boundaries prior to the commencement of work.

12 - Footpath Officer's report:-
Ixworth footpath - The new permissive footpath to Ixworth will be checked and added to the leaflet.
The footpath map will be corrected where necessary.

13 - Correspondence for circulation:-
SCC : National Spring Clean week; Suffolk Air Quality Management; Suffolk Foundation funding.
NHS : Pharmacy at Thurston
Havebury Housing : Mystery Shopping
Glasdon Direct : Iles Waste Systems
Clerks & Councils Direct : Kompan

14 - Councillors' reports:-
Cllr Farthing has resigned from the Parish Council and will not be seeking re-election.
It was agreed to obtain an estimate for replacement or repair of the notice board at Grimstone End.

15 - Date of next meeting:-
Annual Parish Meeting & Pakenham Parish Council AGM - Thursday 19th May in Pakenham Village Hall.