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Pakenham Parish Council : Minutes 19th July 2012
PAKENHAM PARISH COUNCIL
Minutes of the meeting held 7.30pm 19th July 2012
Pakenham Village Hall
Present: Cllr H Painter, Cllr D Dorling, Cllr R Griffin, Cllr M Sargent, Cllr C Palfrey, Cllr M Bagnall, Cllr I Brookman; PCSO J Burke & County Councillor R Hopfensperger. Mrs M Gardiner (clerk) was also in attendance. Members of the public attended
Code of Conduct – The new code came into force on 1st July. Cllr Dorling proposed that Pakenham Parish Council adopt this code. Clr Griffin seconded the motion and it was carried unanimously.
1 - Apologies for absence: Borough Councillor C Spicer
2 - Declarations of interest: none.
3 - Public Forum:-
Speeding traffic – A car was badly damaged in the village this week and it could easily have been an animal or a child. Mrs Sidebotham stated that cars and buses often travel in excess of 30mph. PCSO Burke stated that the only place for a speed check is by the entrance to Nether Hall.Cllr Hopfensperger has requested a visit from SID through SCC. PCSO Burke stated that it may be possible to have a temporary SDR (covert camera) although there was a waiting list for a visit. When he did a speed check earlier this year he only caught one car speeding. He agreed to do another speed check before the next meeting and report back. He felt that speed bumps are effective in housing estates but would not be suitable for the village. He explained the Speedwatch scheme again.
Village newsletter – Mr Head put the case for moving forward quickly with a village newsletter. The Chairman stated that he and Cllr Palfrey attended a PCC meeting this week, where the majority of the members were for a village newsletter incorporating church news. The other two villages in the benefice already have their own newsletters.
Cllr Painter stated again that residents have expressed a wish for a village newsletter as Church News has limited circulation. Mr Head wanted publicity for services such as the mobile library, buses etc as the more people that use them the more likely they are to be retained. Cllr Painter said that the PCC has another meeting with other churches in the benefice next Wednesday where the newsletter will be discussed. They will report back to the Parish Council.
Footpaths – Several members of the public have written or told Councillors that many footpaths in the village were very overgrown. Hedgerows are usually cut at the end of July. SCC is responsible for keeping some footpaths clear and can enforce landowners to act, although farmers are responsible for permissive paths. Cllr Griffin will inspect the footpaths and advise SCC where work is necessary. Cllr Hopfensperger will support him. The Parish Council has an OS footpath map. Clerk to ask SCC for further copies.
Manor Garth – Some trees in Manor Garth which are the responsibility of SCC need trimming. Cllr Hopfensperger will report this.
Mill Road – is now very muddy where a gulley is blocked. Cllr Hopfensperger will report this to Highways.
Site in Mill Road Court case - the Court has told the owner that he must not do anything further on the site. There are no chickens there now but about 50 geese. Rats are also seen running around.
Cllr Hopfensperger will chase jetting of the blocked gulleys in Fen Road and near Ixworth bridge.
The Fox Public House – A letter has been received from a resident regarding lack of any progress from the developer on this site and the lack of any maintenance. He enclosed a newspaper cutting showing action that has been taken in similar circumstances in another village. Villagers have expressed a desire to buy the pub for the community. The Chairman replied that he understands that the developer doesn’t want to sell the property although he hasn’t yet made a planning application. It was asked if there was any way the pub could be opened on a temporary basis by the village. The developer had a meeting with Parish Councillors several weeks ago, when he stated that he wanted to build and sell the houses before he opens the pub.
When a planning application is received the Parish Council can tell the Borough Council that the survey showed that the village want the pub open and ask for this to happen before the houses are sold. Cllr Painter told the public that the Borough Council has the final say on the application, not the Parish Council.
A member of the public asked whether it would be possible to have the building listed. It is in a conservation area and the building does have a history. It was Mr Greene’s first pub and there is also the Reading Room. Cllr Painter will approach English Heritage with a view to investigating the possibility of listing the building.
4 - County Councillor’s Report:-
SCC have set up a group of young people to look at the introduction of an Oyster card to replace the previous card. It will offer discounts for transport to and from school, jobs etc for youngsters under 19.
Cllr Painter asked about the covert speed camera that the police said might be available to the village for 30 days after the police have done their speed checks. Cllr Hopfensperger has no knowledge of this and will enquire about it. SID was requested several weeks ago and should be in the village soon, placed in two locations in The Street.
Cllr Hopfensperger talked about Speedwatch and suggested contact with a councillor in Horringer for advice. Mrs Sidebotham agreed to co-ordinate the scheme and notices will be displayed around the village and in the newsletter asking for volunteers to take part in the scheme. About six volunteers will be needed. It may be possible to share costs with Stowlangtoft.
Giant Hogweed - Several plants are growing on the highway verge opposite Manor Garth. Cllr Hopfensperger will report this to Highways and ask them to remove the plants for safety reasons.
Cllr Painter told Cllr Hopfensperger that groups using the village hall were desperate for storage. Two more sheds are needed for pantomime and toddlers group storage. Permissions are not yet in place for these sheds. He asked if Cllr Hopfensperger would be able to contribute towards the cost from her Locality budget. She said that she may be able to contribute on receipt of a definite quotation and suggested that the village hall committee contact Kirsty Pitwood to investigate a Rural Initiative grant. Cllr Hopfensperger promised to give the Parish Council an indication of a grant that may be possible.
5 - Borough Councillor’s Report:-
Cllr Spicer had a meeting in Ipswich to attend but sent the following report:
Since the last meeting I am pleased to report that after 6 months, Havebury have renewed the fence between No.3 River Close and St.Mary’s View.
I am still busy in representing the Borough as Deputy Mayor at events, in particular the stay in Bury of the Rwandan Olympic Team.
Finally, at the request of both Mr. Edgar and the Higson Family I have called in to Committee the Newbury, Fen Road, planning application. Since then the Higsons have withdrawn their objection and will not be represented. The Planning Officer’s report is awaited.
6 - Police report:-
26/05/12 - Assault occasioning ABH – The Owell
* Victim has requested no publicity
03/06/12 - Common Assault - Church Hill
* Victim has requested no publicity
03/06/12 - Assault occasioning ABH - Church Hill
* Victim has requested no publicity
21/06/12 - Burglary, other Building - Upper Town
* Overnight an unknown offender has entered an insecure garage block and removed a Stihl Petrol Chainsaw and Gerni Pressure Washer from within.
22/06/12 - Common Assault - The Owell
* Victim has requested no publicity
14/07/12 - Message/Letter/E-mail sent Indecent/Threatening/False - The Owell
* Victim has requested no publicity
16/07/12 - Burglary, other Building - Church Hill
* Over a two day period an unknown offender has entered a large detached property by cutting perimeter fencing and gained entry to an outbuilding stealing a ride on Honda Lawnmower and Stihl Strimmer from within.
NON STOP RTC – THE STREET, PAKENHAM – 18TH JULY 2012
Police are appealing for witnesses to a non-stop RTC that occurred in the morning hours of Wednesday 18th July outside the property called Talisman.
‘Police were called in the morning of Wednesday 18th July by the owner of a Silver Seat Leon, registration number YD52 ZKK. Severe damage to the front driver’s side wing was discovered by the owner after 9am Wednesday morning, the damage had not been done at 7:30am.
It is believed that a large vehicle entered the village between these times, potentially a HGV low-loader carrying a combine harvester.
Did you see the accident occur? Do you know where the HGV was going? If you have any details of this accident please contact Suffolk Police on 101 and quote ref no. 78 18/07/12.
SNT Priority Tasking Meeting;
At the recent tasking meeting held at Ixworth on Wednesday 13th June the panel and members of the public decided on the following as new priorities…
1. ASB in Barrow, areas of the Church cemetery and the Skate park
2. Attention to the various village halls in the St Eds Rural North area, in relation to ASB and damage offences throughout the summer holidays. (Including Stanton, Gt Barton, Barrow).We have discharged ASB issues in Stanton (given the low number of calls, and patrol attention not resulting in any major issues), further to this, patrols with still continue and any issue we are made aware of will be dealt with. In ASB issues at Seven Hills, Ingham (patrol attention given, meetings well on the way to address signage etc, and speeding (many months attributed to it and good results.)
SNT Speeding Priority
172 Endorsable Fixed Penalty Notices
11 Drivers reported for Summons for speeds over 50mph
5 Fixed Penalty Notices issued for failing to wear a Seat Belt
2 Vehicles seized for No insurance
256 Verbal warnings for speeds between 35-39 mph
County Crime Levels;
* The overall crime level in Suffolk has reduced again by 1%. This is the sixth consecutive year that crime has fallen in Suffolk making Suffolk one of the most crime free areas of the UK.
* Overall there were 716 fewer crimes recorded.
* From our latest survey 93% of people feel safe in the Neighbourhood they live in, in Suffolk.
The Chairman convened the meeting.
7 - Approve minutes of meeting held on 21st June 2012:-
These were approved and signed as a true record.
8 - Planning applications:-
Withdrawn:-
SE/12/1037/FUL - Field adjacent to Beaumonts Hall, Pakenham.
Erection of wind turbine
9 - Green Spaces in Pakenham:-
Cllr Dorling reported that he had looked at some of the community green spaces in Pakenham with someone from Suffolk Wildlife Trust. They considered Anderson’s Pit a valuable habitat for a wide range of species and it is used by villagers for dog walking etc. It would be good if it could be purchased for the use and benefit of the community.
Suffolk Wildlife would be happy to help with publicising Church Green Wood and possibly organising a ‘discover your local wildlife place’ event.
Councillors agreed that the purchase of Anderson’s Pit was not a viable project at the current time.
10 - Finance Report:-
A Finance Report was circulated and agreed.
A request was made to fund further Welcome Packs to be distributed by the WI.
Cllr Griffin requested printing expenses for the Housing Needs Survey covering letter and labels.
Payment for fixings for the replacement litter bin was also requested.
The above three payments were agreed.
A quotation for the remainder of the fencing at Church Wood was accepted.
11 - New Code of Conduct for Councillors:-
The Code of Conduct for Suffolk recommended by SALC has been adopted by the Parish Council.
New Declaration of Interest forms have been completed by all Councillors and will be copied and sent to the Borough Council.
12 - Clerk’s report:-
Training - A SALC training has been arranged for 4th October 2012 in the Village Hall, Pakenham, 7.00-9.30pm. This is for new and current Councillors. All Councillors are encouraged to attend, however long they have been in post. An invitation will be sent to neighbouring parishes to join us.
SALC are holding a Code of Conduct briefing on Wednesday 15th August at Gt Barton Village Hall, 7.00-9.00pm.
Streetlight - the clerk has received a letter about the malfunction of the streetlight at the junction of Fen Road and Maulkins Hall Drive. This has been reported with no result so far. Cllr Brookman agreed to check on the light and contact SCC if necessary.
Footpaths - A visitor to the area contacted the clerk to report that parts of the circular walk were very difficult to negotiate due to overgrown hedges and pathways. Cllr Griffin will check the route and contact landowners to ask them to deal with.any problem areas.
13 - Correspondence:-
SCC : Risk of flooding
SALC : Council Tax Reforms; Sustainable Communities Act
Suffolk Acre : AGM report
14 - Councillor’s reports:-
Housing Needs Survey - Cllr Palfrey thanked Cllr Griffin and his wife for their hard work in distributing the questionnaires to every house in the parish. Suffolk Acre had reported a 30% return which is good. They aim to report back by the end of August, after which a special meeting will be called., when Suffolk Acre will present their findings.
Newbury, Fen Road - Mr Edgar asked Cllr Griffin to enquire whether the Parish Council will ask Borough Cllr Spicer to support his application when it comes before the Planning Committee. Cllr Spicer has told Mr Edgar that he will only speak at the meeting if requested to do so by the Parish Council. Cllr Griffin proposed that the Parish Council should ask Cllr Spicer to speak in favour of the application. The motion was defeated by a narrow majority. Councillors decided that, at the last meeting, the decision was not to object rather than support the application.
15 - Date of next meeting:-
Thursday 23rd August 2012 in the Village Hall.