Pakenham Parish Council : Minutes 23rd March 2016

PAKENHAM PARISH COUNCIL
Minutes of the meeting held on Wednesday, 23rd March 2016 at 7.30pm
Pakenham Village Hall

Present: Cllr Painter (Chair), Cllr Brookman, Cllr Davey, Cllr Dorling and Cllr Palfrey 
Five Members of the public were in attendance.
Mrs S Brown (clerk) took the minutes.  
 
1 - Record Councillors’ apologies for absence:-
Apologies received and accepted from Cllr Bagnell and Cllr Sidebotham
 
2 - Declarations of interest: No declarations were received.
 
3 - Police Report:-
No Officer was in attendance - a report had been received and was read to Council which included: one burglary other building overnight 27th & 28th February a detached residential garage was broken into a lawn mower and tools were stolen. Following the Suffolk Local Policing Review, policing in Suffolk is to be redesigned to meet the demands of today and the challenges of the future. It was advised a meeting on Wednesday, 30th March 7pm at Morton Hall Community Centre in Bury St Edmunds had been arranged to find out more about these changes.

County Councillor’s report:-
Cllr Hopfensperger attended and gave her report which included:  Hen Abbot has been appointed Highways Officer for the Pakenham area, a number of dates were given for a site visit to Pakenham looking at general highway matters and speeding on either 21st April am or pm, 22nd am only or 29th April am only. Cllr Davey to attend the site visit with Cllr Dorling, Cllr Painter to attend if available, to inform Clerk which date is suitable. There had been problems with the drains at the village hall Cllr Hopfensperger had arranged for Officers from highways to meet with the Chair of the village hall to help resolve the matter. Cllr Hopfensperger updated Council on the Devolution deal, there is still a lot of work involved and there will be a full public as well as business engagement sessions. Cllr Dorling asked if the current highway issues will be carried out, it was confirmed there will be no delay in any work already programmed and advised the highways items forwarded to her by the clerk had now been passed to the new highways officer. Cllr Dorling advised the Pakenham sign ‘please drive carefully’ sited near the windmill had been damaged or disappeared. Cllr Hopfensperger to report. It was also advised a number of pot holes on the A143 were a real problem. It was asked that any issues brought to the attention of the Highways officer will be carried out, it was suggested a list is produced of what items will be carried out. Cllr Painter asked whether an additional assembly building will be built if devolution is agreed. Cllr Hopfensperger advised the new body will sit within the current infrastructure and no extra buildings will be needed and there will be no extra costs it will be cost neutral. Council discussed Cllr Hopfensperger agreed there could be a complete restructure of local government in the future.

Borough Councillors report:-
Cllr Brown attended and gave his report which included: He had been asked by a resident about Anglia Water Bailey Pool it was advised it was in Ixworth a planning application was needed for works to the pumping station. Cllr Brown advised ‘Newbury’ went to delegation panel and has been approved; he had spoken to the resident who has agreed to remove the rubbish and debris within the next month. Any further applications received in respect of this plot will come before the parish council. Cllr Brown updated Council on Mr Chester’s appeal.

Public Forum:-
Cllr Brookman left the meeting declaring an interest as the residents from ‘Ponderosa’ addressed the Council. They had listened to the objections to their original planning application and had now re-submitted new plans. Cllr Painter explained how the planning system worked in relation to the parish council. The resident gave a brief explanation of the new plans. Council thanked the residents for attending but could not give a view until they received the new application from the planning department. Cllr Brookman re-joined the meeting. A resident asked if they needed planning permission for a new gas tank. Cllr Painter advised, as the resident’s home was in a conservation area he probably needed permission and suggested he ring the planning department for advice. Cllr Brookman advised if no planning permission is needed to get the decision in writing. It was advised there was still a problem with flooding on Pakenham Road the clerk to contact Highways again. 
 
4 - To consider the approval of the minutes of the last meetings:-
The minutes of the meetings held on 17th February were approved and signed as a true record. 
 
5 - Matters arising from previous meeting:- 
i. Affordable Housing: Nothing further had been received from Havebury Housing. A member of the public asked if Council were still intending to go ahead, if it had to be with Havebury and what would happen with the allotments. Cllr Painter advised Council had not decided whether to go ahead with the project as still waiting to hear back from Havebury housing. As Havebury own the road leading to the site it was felt easier to deal with Havebury. When more details have been received a meeting will be called to allow residents to attend to give their views. Cllr Dorling highlighted the problem of the subsidence in the Dell affecting the fence -  a signed agreement will be needed with Havebury taking responsibility for the issue. The three allotments which may be affected will need to be moved and added to the existing allotment area this will be done with as little damage as possible. Cllr Brookman advised letting Havebury know the date of the next meeting and asking for an update by then otherwise Council will approach another housing association. 

6 - Clerks Report:-
There had been three changes to the model financial regulations which will be incorporated into Pakenham’s Financial Regulations. Standing Orders will be updated to reflect the changes, these will be sent out to Councillors for the next meeting. One response had been received from a funeral directors who are happy to pay £25 for removal of spoil. BT have confirmed they have requested a repair to the kiosk on The Street and it will be repaired as soon as possible. They have added the kiosk to the list of repaints for the 2016 season, this work is only done between April and October of each year, the kiosk will be repainted when the contract team are next in this area. No works have been reported as needed in respect of the risk assessment of assets with the late summer tree inspection due this year.
. Outstanding Highway items: All issues had been passed to Cllr Hopfensperger to take to Highways.
 
7 - To Review level of dog waste in village:-
This was mentioned in ‘Church and Village News’ but still being found on pavements and on the playing field. Cllr Dorling advised the WaterMill end of the village there was no dog waste bin and suggested Bailey Pool or Grimestone End would be a good place to install one. Council discussed, the clerk to find prices for dog waste bins and litter bins, to place on next agenda.
 
8 - To consider quotes for Grass/Hedge cutting contract:-
Two quotations had been received. Council discussed and agreed to appoint M & TJ’s but will review the contract after twelve months.
 
9 - Allotment rent review:-
Council discussed Cllr Brookman proposed increasing the rent to £16 a full plot and £8 for a half plot seconded by Cllr Dorling a majority decision. The clerk to write to allotment holders advising them this is the first increase in three years.
 
10 - To consider application for additional inscription on headstone (B18):-
Council discussed and all in agreement no objection
 
11 - To consider planting of trees within lawn cemetery meadow:-
Cllr Dorling advised the tree stumps have now been ground down and it was important to keep the grass down. Council agreed if necessary to ask M & TJ’s to carry out extra cuts. Cllr Dorling suggested once the boundary posts are in place it would be nice to plant hedging between them. Council discussed and agreed for a natural hedge to be planted in November. Cllr Painter asked whether any locality grant would be available for this to be carried out Cllr Brown advised a grant may be available. Cllr Dorling to get some prices.
 
12 - Correspondence:-
Clerks & Councils Direct to circulate. A donation request had been received from Magpas Air Ambulance, a commemorative medal for HM The Queen 90th birthday celebrations. The next Parish Conference is taking place on Monday, 11th April 6pm registration and refreshments 5.30pm to be held at the Village Hall in Stanton, Cllr Palfrey advised he would be attending. 
 
13 - Planning:-
DC/16/0291/FUL : Gemeed, Bury Road
Proposed donkey stable
Council discussed Cllr Dorling proposed no objections seconded by Cllr Brookman all in agreement.

DC/16/0483/CLP : Gemeed, Bury Road
Application for lawful development certificate for proposed use or development conservatory on side elevation.
Council discussed Cllr Dorling proposed no objection seconded by Cllr Brookman all in agreement.

DC/16/0331/HH : The Old Shop, The Street
Porch to east elevation, single storey rear extension alterations to roof over utility room.
Council discussed Cllr Brookman proposed no objection Cllr Dorling seconded majority decision 

DC/16/0356/LB : The Old Shop, The Street
As above with remove internal brick arches and piers and replace with steel joist: Council discussed Cllr Brookman proposed no objection seconded by Cllr Dorling, majority decision. 

Any applications determined by planning authority: No decisions received

14 - To Consider purchase of new IT equipment:-
Council discussed and agree to the purchase of a new laptop and scanner. The clerk to find prices for the next meeting.

15 - Finance Report and to consider payments to be made:-
The deposit account has a cleared balance of £6681.86.
The current account a cleared balance at 14th December of £13,549.21 uncleared balance after invoices (on the agenda) have been paid £8981.42