Pakenham Parish Council : Minutes 23rd January 2019

PAKENHAM PARISH COUNCIL
Minutes of the meeting held on Wednesday,23rd January 2019 at 7.30pm
Pakenham Village Hall

Present: Cllr Painter, Cllr Dorling, Cllr Bagnell, Cllr Davey, Cllr Sargent and Cllr Sidebotham
Three 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 Palfrey

2 - Declarations of interest: None received

3:-
County Councillor's report: Cllr Hopfensperger attended and gave a report which included:-
An update on the Kebab Van, this has been raised with SCC legal team and the cheapest option available is a public space order and this is going to be looked at to see if this can be used in this instance as a first option. The second option is a traffic regulation order (TRO) to place double yellow lines which will cost approximately £5000. Cllr Hopfensperger stated if it was necessary, she would pay for the TRO through her locality monies. Advising the TRO would have to be published and if they were to receive objections this would escalate the costs. A brief discussion took place on the legalities of the planning application made by the Kebab Van; Cllr Hopfensperger to investigate this.
The budget paper will go to Cabinet and on 14 February to full Council.
A proposed £47m of funding to go towards the provision of special educational needs throughout Suffolk.
A community 'self-help' scheme from Highways will launch in April which allows volunteers to go on the highway. SCC will train one person per parish, including health and safety and equipment can be borrowed from SCC. Works able to be carried out include cleaning signs and cutting overhanging vegetation from around signs, insurance cover of Parish Council should be sufficient.
The continued flooding problem on Windmill Road was highlighted, Cllr Hopfensperger to chase again.
It was advised the Gates at Upper Town had been delayed due to Highways awaiting the results of the investigative work to where utilities are on the verge with regards to where the signs are positioned. As soon as there is an update to inform the Clerk.
Cllr Hopfensperger to send the Clerk dates in February and March of proposed visits by Councillors to Highways head office, the Clerk to circulate to Councillors.
Borough Councillors report: Cllr Brown sent his apologies as unable to attend. A report received following the meeting had been circulated which included an update on:-
coat of arms for West Suffolk,
updates on: 1, Micklemere, kebab van and Shetland Boatyard,
notification of Thurston's Neighbourhood Plan and to advise he had received a question from a resident on housing.
Public Forum: Council were advised a resident had been asked by Suffolk County Council to reinstate the verge, following a complaint to Suffolk County Council, after they had re-landscaped their front garden, this was briefly discussed. The posts, boulders on verges on Fen Road was highlighted, the issue had previously been reported to SCC by the Parish Council, Cllr Hopfensperger to chase.
It was advised cars are again parking on the pavement through the village, the Clerk to inform the Police.

4 - To consider the approval of the minutes of the last meetings:-
The minutes of the meeting held on 28th November 2018 were approved and signed as a true record.

5 - Reports:-
i. Outstanding Highways Issue: Discussed above, Cllr Bagnell advised a street light near the Bunbury Arms is being obscured by a tree covered in ivy which also maybe leaning on the cable, Clerk to report to SCC. It was advised drainage improvement works will be carried out on Station Hill and Oakwood Drive in Thurston starting on 4 February and will last for 3 weeks.
ii. Clerks Report: The Clerk advised the next Election would be held on Thursday, 2nd May with election notices being issued between 12-26th March. The deadline for delivery of the nomination papers to St Edmundsbury being 4pm on 3rd April.

6 - To consider housing needs survey:-
The Clerk confirmed the last Parish Plan had been completed in 2010. Information on Pakenham in regards population and housing had been ascertained from Suffolk Observatory, the results were discussed. A member of the public asked why more houses were not being built or supported by the Parish Council. The Chair advised the Parish Council had previously tried to push for affordable housing at a site in the village but had been unsuccessful. If someone has a site and wishes to put forward a development with affordable housing the Parish Council can look at the issue then.
A question from a member of the public was asked on the settlement boundary and St Emundsbury building policy, this was briefly discussed. A question was also asked on planning within the village stating the Parish Council should look at design and location. The Chair explained planning policy.

7 - To consider new allotments:-
It was confirmed the quotes received for the works at the new allotment site were £500 plus a further £100. It was hoped the works will commence within the next few weeks.

8 - To consider quotes for works to Sycamore tree:-
One quote had been received of £325 + VAT to fell the 3 multi stem Sycamore trees adjacent to Pakenham telephone exchange and remove arisings. Council discussed and all in agreement to go ahead with the works, the Clerk to let the Contractor know.

9 - To consider health check for defibrillator:-
The Clerk confirmed the cost of a health check for the defibrillator from the company it was purchased from cost £165.50 + VAT. Council discussed and all in agreement to go ahead with the health check, the Clerk to arrange.

10 - To consider defibrillator at Watermill & use of Borough Cllr locality monies:-
A response from the Pakenham Water Mill Management Committee had been received and was read to Council. The Committee would not be averse in principal to placing a cabinet on the premises as long as its position was discussed with the Chairman. Council discussed and agreed the Chair of the Parish Council to meet and discuss with the Chairman of the Management Committee. To place on next agenda.

11 - Correspondence: To circulate Clerks & Councils Direct:-
i. Suffolk Minerals & Waste Local Plan has been submitted on 21 December 2018 to the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government – Noted
ii. West Suffolk Council preparing for single Council in regards Lease Church Green – It was noted the lease with West Suffolk Council will be treated as having subsisted since the date of the lease.
iii. Memorial application – Council were happy with the memorial.
iv. Thurston Neighbourhood Development Plan 2018 – 2036 – Noted
v. Payroll Service Level Agreement – Noted and signed

12 - Planning Applications:-
DC/19/0081/HH : 25 The Owell
Detached garage with studio including external staircase (following demolition of existing detached garage and rear entrance).
Council discussed Cllr Sargent proposed no objection seconded by Cllr Bagnell all in agreement no objection.

13 - Finance Report and to consider payments to be made:-
The deposit account held a balance of £10,014.35 and the current account held a cleared balance at 31.12.18 of £16,412.20.
To confirm appointment of internal auditor for 2019: Council discussed and agreed to appoint Mr. M Sargeant.
All in agreement for the payment of invoices.

No further invoices had been received.

13 - Councillors' reports and items for future agenda:-
Cllr Bagnell gave his apologies for the March meeting.

14 - Date of next meeting:-
The date of the next scheduled meeting was confirmed as Wednesday, 20th February 2019 at 7.30pm in the village hall.

There being no further business the meeting was closed at 9.15pm

(Ref: 256-258)