Pakenham Parish Council : Minutes 20th September 2012

PAKENHAM PARISH COUNCIL
Minutes of the meeting held 7.30pm 20th September 2012
Pakenham Village Hall

Present: Cllr H Painter, Cllr D Dorling, Cllr C Palfrey, Cllr M Bagnall, Cllr I Brookman, Cllr R Griffin and Cllr M Sargent.County Councillor R Hopfensperger arrived during the meeting to present her report. Mrs M Gardiner (clerk) was also in attendance. Members of the public were in attendance.

1 - Apologies for absence: none.
 
2 - Declarations of interest: The Chairman expressed an interest in the planning application for Bell House and withdrew from the meeting for the discussion and decision on this application.

3 - Public Forum:-
The Fox Public House – Residents asked if there had been any progress. The Chairman told the meeting that the developer has approached the Planning Dept with his ideas and it is understood that the Borough were supportive. Nothing further has been heard. Residents are concerned that the building will deteriorate during the winter and spoil the look of the village. Rats have been seen nearby and neighbours will contact the Environmental Health Dept again. If nothing has been heard from the developer by the end of September the Parish Council will consider asking for the building to be listed. However an application for the building to be listed may not be successful.
Community Land Trusts have been formed in other villages to purchase similar buildings and this may be possible if The Fox is put up for sale again.

4 - County Councillor’s Report:-
The future of the bus service along Fen Road has been secured until April 2013.
The Giant Hogweed has been sprayed.
Fen Road gulleys have been cleared, please inform if they get blocked again.
Cllr Hopfensperger reported the damage to Baileypool Bridge and an officer was sent to inspect it.  She told the council that bollards were not installed so that farm vehicles could use the road and that the bridge was constructed in a manner that could be easily repaired.  Cllr Hopfensperger was asked to pursue the erection of bollards, or at least one on each side of the bridge.  Councillors were anxious to avoid further damage, which might cause the road to be closed.
There is a special Cabinet meeting on Monday to discuss better broadband in the county and to decide on a supplier. 90% of Suffolk should get 2mB. Superfast broadband will not be available in rural areas. Work should start in 2013 and finish in Spring 2015.
Grant for storage shed at the village hall. Cllr Hopfesperger confirmed that she would be able to provide a grant for a storage shed. As shed details are not yet available, Cllr Painter asked for the money to be reserved.

5 - Borough Councillor’s Report: no report available.

6 - Police report:-
PCSO J Burke presented his report:-
2 Crimes were reported between 19/07/12 and 20/09/12...
28/07/12 - Theft, other - Church Hill
During hours of darkness unknown offenders have stolen a large amount of BT owned copper cabling from overhead power lines.  Crime has been finalised.
29/07/12 - Harassment, pursue a course of conduct
Victim has requested no publicity
SPEEDING
Since complaints received at the last Parish council meeting to myself we have completed 6 separate speed checks within the village. We gave two warnings to drivers between the speeds of 35-39mph.
To my knowledge I believe that there is also a SDR speed-monitoring device in the village at this time.  This records traffic flow and speed.
SNT PRIORITY
Our new priority set by members of the public at the recent Public tasking meeting this month is to tackle crime and Anti-social behaviour in and around rural village halls and in Pakenham’s playing field car park. Please inform police when this occurs.
On the back of this we have received a couple of reports of young people doing handbrake turns and skids in vehicles in the recreation ground car park in Pakenham and we are actively patrolling the area at night to identify these people and deal with them appropriately.
SNT Speeding Priority:-
183 - Endorsable Fixed Penalty Notices
11 - Drivers reported for Summons for speeds over 50mph
7 - Fixed Penalty Notices issued for failing to wear a Seat Belt
2 - Vehicles seized for No insurance
265 - Verbal warnings for speeds between 35-39 mph

On a personal note…
I have finally been accepted by Suffolk Constabulary to become a Police Officer, this may be the last report I send before I start training in January/February 2013.
I have thoroughly enjoyed my last 5 and a half years as a PCSO, and I am proud to of served such a wonderfully supportive and caring community. St Edmundsbury Rural North will always be close to my heart as I have been brought up and lived in the area all my life.
I would like to thank all members of the public and the Parish council for their continued support and encouragement and I will be sad to leave the area but I will never forget.
The Chairman thanked PCSO Burke for all his efforts on behalf of the village over the last few years and wished him well for the future.
Cable theft was mentioned by a member of the public and PCSO Burke told the meeting that BT were patrolling at night-time in an effort to stop further cable theft.

The Chairman convened the meeting.

7 - Approve minutes of meeting held on 23rd August 2012:- 
The minutes were approved and signed as a true record. 

8 - Planning applications:-
SE/12/1117/HHLBCA – Bell House, The Street
Proposed enlargement of existing garage, proposed guest annexe.
Councillors studied the plans and unanimously agreed that they have no objection to the application.

Granted: Summer Cottage, Grimstone End

9 - Parish Plan:-
Housing Needs Survey - Cllr Griffin reported that Louise Wilby from Suffolk ACRE has been invited to present her report at the next Parish Council meeting on 18th October.
Two paper copies of the report will be circulated amongst Councillors and it is also available by email.
Newsletter - Councillors Brookman and Palfrey will meet with the Churchwardens and other members of the PCC to discuss the size, content etc of the newsletter. The aim is to formulate a statement to be signed by both parties agreeing responsibilities.

10 - The Dell/Church Green Wood:-
The last fencing at Church Green Wood is now in place. Cllr Dorling has met with the Tree Surgeon on site and agreed that only tidying up work is necessary at present. One days work should cover this. Neighbouring properties have requested that the overhanging trees have their crowns reduced. Councillors to meet on site, before the next parish Council meeting, to decide priorities and budget. The interpretation board presently states that no dogs are allowed. This is unrealistic and could be changed - for discussion at site meeting.
An opening ceremony in the Spring has been suggested and SWT have offered to assist.

11 - General Power of Competence:-
The clerk has gained the certificate necessary for the Parish Council to adopt the General Power of Competence. A discussion took place and councillors agreed that they would read all the paperwork and make a decision about adoption at a future date.

12 - Finance Report:-
A Finance Report was circulated and agreed. A letter was signed transferring funds between accounts.
Expenses for woods inspections to be paid at next meeting.
The annual return has been received from the auditors, with no issues arising. Councillors unanimously agreed to approve and accept the document.

13 - Clerk’s report:-
The clerk reminded councillors of the SALC training, which will be held on 4th October in Pakenham Village Hall, starting at 7.00pm.
A letter has been received from an allotment-holder requesting trimming of the trees owned by BT, which overhang his allotment. Clerk to contact BT.
The Parish Council’s Standing Orders and Financial Orders should be revisited to see if any updates are required. Clerk to circulate before November meeting.

14 - Correspondence:-
Police : Suffolk Safekey
SALC : AGM invitation; Local Councillor magazine
Suffolk Acre : Update magazine
CPRE : Suffolk View; Fieldwork
Clerk & Councils Direct

15 - Councillor’s reports:-
A resident has asked if she may plant a tree in memory of her mother in the cemetery. This is a lawn cemetery and there is little available space for trees. Cllr Dorling to speak to the watermill to see if they can help.
A resident has reported nuisance from a recent bonfire along Fen Road.
In reply to a question, Cllr Griffin reported that local footpaths are slowly being cleared and that he will follow up any problems.
The footpath behind houses in The Owell continues to be a problem. Borough Councillor Spicer will be asked to ascertain whether the path belongs to the Borough Council or to Havebury Housing Association. It is part of the village’s circular footpath.

16 - Date of next meeting:-
Thursday 18th October 2012 in the Village Hall.