Pakenham Parish Council : Minutes 25th November 2015

PAKENHAM PARISH COUNCIL
Minutes of the meeting held on 25th November 2015
Pakenham Village Hall

Present:Cllr Painter (Chair) Cllr Dorling, Cllr Bagnell, Cllr Brookman, Cllr Davey, Cllr Palfrey and Cllr Sidebotham
Three Members of the public were in attendance
Mrs S Brown (clerk) took the minutes.

1 - Record Councillors' apologies for absence: All in attendance

2 - Declarations of interest: No declarations were received.

3 - Police Report:-
No Officer was in attendance but a report had been received there had been no crimes of interest since the last meeting.

County Councillors report:-
Cllr Hopfensperger did not attend and no report had been received.

Borough Councillors report:-
Cllr Brown gave his report which included: Suffolk County Council, St Edmundsbury and Forest Heath have voted to create a 'Housing Company'. SCC has land which they will release with the aim to build houses; any profits generated going back to the shareholders i.e. SCC, St Edmundsbury and Forest Heath. The new housing will contain 30% of affordable housing and houses will be exempt from the right to buy scheme. Council discussed with Cllr Brown how this would work. Devolution: Suffolk and Norfolk have been given monies/funding and more freedom over what they can and can't do within devolution. One of the focus's of devolution is on the economy with the setting up of enterprise zones one of which will be sited locally in the Rougham/Moreton Hall area, Council discussed.
Both St Edmundsbury and SCC own street lights following discussion SCC will take over ownership of all street lights.
Mill Road enforcement is going through internal and legal processes at St Edmundsbury. Cllr Brown should be in a position to update the Council in the second week of December. A member of the public advised some fencing had been taken from the site and expressed their displeasure at the lack of action being taken. Cllr Brookman highlighted Mr Gallin had stood in a public meeting and stated the tree planting would take place in November, Cllr Brown was asked to advise Mr Gallin of this. Cllr Brookman also highlighted a freedom of information request sent by the Council into costs incurred with regards to this enforcement only the last years costs had been given. Cllr Brookman felt the Council may be minded to ask for the full costs, over the years, this enforcement had cost. Cllr Brown advised St Edmundsbury did now have a full enforcement team and were now dealing with past issues. Council agreed for the clerk to write to Mr Gallin reminding him of his statement in relation to the enforcement and stating how disappointed the parish council were that we were still waiting for an outcome on the enforcement action which has been approved. Cllr Painter suggested if this issue goes past Christmas the Parish Council may go to the Ombusdsman the clerk to put the matter on the next agenda.
Cllr Brown was looking at what can be done in regards to speeding and asked whether the parish council would support a mobile 'smiley face' sign. Council discussed and were very happy to support this. Cllr Brown to ascertain the details and report back to the Council. A member of the public advised a number of vehicles were undertaking 'U' turns at the end of Mill Road and asked whether a sign could be placed advising of 'No U turns'.
A complaint from a resident of Havebury housing was being followed up.
Cllr Brown advised he would be attending the planning appeal DC/15/0872 The Willows application for listed building consent retention of softwood casement windows to support the applicant. Council discussed all in agreement for the Chairman to write a letter of support.
Cllr Brown had received a letter from a member of the public on the Fox Public house to be circulated to Councillors.
Cllr Brown reported there was nothing further which can be done re the kebab van on Bury Road as no rules were being broken. The original generator has now been replaced with a quieter more suitable generator.

Public Forum:-
It was advised the street light on Church Hill was still not working. A pothole was reported opposite 3 Micklemere, the clerk to report to SCC.

4 - To consider the approval of the minutes of the last meetings:-
The minutes of the meetings held on 21st October were approved and signed as a true record.

5 - Matters arising from previous meeting:-
Affordable Housing update: Havebury housing advised they are more than happy to move to the next stage of discussion, a copy of the sketch with some background information will be sent to the planners for their comments. They ask the Parish Council if they have aspirations for a particular price for the land or would they like Havebury to make an offer? Council discussed particularly the access road which Council felt needed to be part of the discussion. Clerk to write to Havebury advising the Parish Council were happy to discuss this further. The Parish Council wish to make Havebury aware the access drive will need to be improved as part of any scheme for new housing on the allotment site. If Havebury could advise the parish council in the first instance of the approximate value of the land and the likely programme of works. Cllr Painter reported he had received a letter from a resident on using the term 'affordable housing'. The clerk to reply informing the resident 'affordable housing' is the recognised term.
Cllr Dorling reported the trees and grass area around the edge of the cemetery meadow had been cleared but a number of stumps needed grinding down which would cost approximately £200 clerk to put on next agenda.

6 - Clerk's Report:-
The transparency code application for funds was accepted for £136.92. There have been two burials since the last meeting (plots B18 and E17) both £200 and a reservation of a plot F11 for a non resident of £355. Telephone kiosk light which had been reported as not working Mr Griffin had not replaced it previously and was unable to change the bulb. Cllr Brown offered to arrange an electrician to carry out the works, Council were happy for him to go ahead. A copy of the environmental report on the stream had been sent to a resident who had expressed concern. The Water Mill had been sent an update following their enquiry on highway works. Cllr Dorling advised the hedge still needed to be cut back further. The clerk to write to the Water Mill asking whether it was possible to cut the hedge further back and they were very welcome to speak to Cllr Dorling for advice. A meeting had taken place between Cllr Painter, a resident and engineer from Anglian Water re the possible cutting down of a tree. It had been asked if a screen fence could be erected. Anglian Water had given an update: the tree cutting has had to be postponed pending approval from Natural England that the works can go ahead as the tree falls within a SSSI; this may take a month or so. They are currently looking into the most suitable type of fence to install. The clerk to obtain an SSSI map of the area.
Outstanding highway items: All issues received at and since the last meeting had been reported to SCC. A technician from SCC had advised the missing cross road sign is to be replaced. The police had advised they were aware some people turn right at the junction with A143 and when they see the offence they do deal with it. The clerk to chase all items asked to be carried out on the highways visit.

7 - To review charges at the Lawn Cemetery:-
Council discussed and agreed to increase the advance reservation charge for non-residents to £395 to keep all other prices as they are. Cllr Dorling advised spoil was being left and was encroaching on the gravelled area. Council discussed it was agreed the clerk to inform funeral directors to ask the grave diggers to remove spoil or if they are happy to pay the Parish Council to clear the spoil at a charge of £25. The charge will be made unless the funeral directors confirm they will be taking the spoil away. To place on the next agenda.

8 - To consider security at the allotments:-
Council discussed and agreed there was nothing further they could do.

9 - Correspondence:-
A letter had been received from St Mary's Church asking for permission to use the meadow behind St Marys Church for a theatre production of The Wizard of Oz on 9th July 2016. Council discussed and agreed they were happy for this to go ahead subject to seeing relevant risk assessment and insurance. The clerk advised a letter had been received in regards to a walker having slipped on wood which had been placed on part of the circular footpath in Pakenham. All details had been passed to the Rights of Way Officer at SCC who had dealt with the matter. Details on the procurement of audit for smaller authorities had been received, council discussed, the clerk advised the estimated cost over 5 years to access an auditor from the Sector Led Body would be approximately £100, Council discussed all in agreement not to opt out. To circulate: Suffolk Clean sweep, Suffolk View, Clerks & Councils Direct, Countryside Voice & CPRE.

10 - Planning Applications:-
i. DC/15/2081/HH The Gables, Fen Road
First floor rear extension and associated alterations: Council discussed and had no objection

ii. DC/15/2291/OUT Land north of Newbury, Fen Road
Outline planning application construction of 2no. semi-detached 1.5 storey dwellings with off street parking with vehicular access: Council discussed Cllr Bagnell proposed objecting to the application seconded by Cllr Palfrey with the comments: in regards to current policy the Council dispute whether the development is within a closely knit 'cluster' of 10 or more existing dwellings. The Council dispute whether there is an otherwise continuous built up frontage. The Council found it incredibly difficult to comment on this scheme with so little detail. All Councillors in agreement.

Any applications determined by planning authority:-
DC/15/1904/TCA Church Green, Church Hill
Trees in a conservation area Ash fell – Granted 22.10.15
DC/15/1849/FUL Ponderosa, Fen Road – 1 dwelling – Refused

11 - To consider dates for next year's meetings:-
Council discussed and agreed the following dates: Wednesdays – 27 January, 17 February, 23 March, 27 April, 25 May, 22 June, 27 July, 28 September, 26 October and 23 November.

12 - Finance Report and to consider payments to be made:-
The deposit account has a cleared balance of £6681.86.
The current account cleared balance at 9th September 2015 £15,245.76
The uncleared balance after the invoices on the agenda have been paid of £13,094.89
To consider budget 2016/17 and precept: A copy of the third quarter against budget was circulated – a copy of the proposed budget was circulated: Council discussed to place on next agenda
No further invoices had been received

13 - Councillors' reports and items for future agenda:-
To place contract for grass cutting on next agenda. Church meadow to consider grinding of tree stumps.

14 - Date of next meeting:-
The date of the next scheduled meeting was confirmed as Wednesday, 27th January 2016

There being no further business the meeting was closed at 9.35pm