Pakenham Parish Council : Minutes 19th February 2020

PAKENHAM PARISH COUNCIL
Minutes of the meeting held on Wednesday, 19th February 2020 at 7.45pm
Pakenham Village Hall

Present: Cllr Painter, Cllr Dorling, Cllr Bagnell, Cllr Davey, Cllr Palfrey and Cllr Sidebotham
Two 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 Sargent. Cllr Bagnell advised he would have to leave the meeting at 9pm.

Declarations of interest: Cllr Bagnell for item 10i.

3:-
Community Engagement & Rural Energy Officer Rural Coffee Caravan:-
Officer Annette Dunning attended the meeting and spoke about the upcoming free 'Energy Advice Café' to be held in Pakenham Village Hall on Friday, 21 February 10 – 12 noon. This event will cover funding to help reduce energy bills, switching energy supplier, heating grants, insulation and try to answer any questions on energy in their home from those attending. The officer was thanked for attending the meeting and for arranging the event in the village hall.
County Councillor's report: Cllr Hopfensperger did not attend and no report had been received.
Borough Councillors report: Cllr Brown did not attend and no report had been received.
Public Forum: A resident reported seeing a transit tipper truck at 2.30/3am and youngsters with the truck going off at speed in the direction of Ixworth and the youngsters going towards Thieves Lane. The incident had been reported to the police as it may be drug related.
It was asked if the land on the Pakenham side of the river could be designated as a nature reserve as it is full of wildlife including owls. The area was thought to be inside Ixworth conservation area and if near the roman villa site it is unlikely any building works taking place. Council agreed they had no objection to the area being designated as a nature reserve and would advise Cllr Brown.
A complaint was made by a resident in regards the kebab van on Bury Road using a neon sign between the hours of 1pm and closure, the Clerk to advise Cllr Brown.

4 - To consider the approval of the minutes of the last meetings:-
The minutes of the meeting held on 15th January 2020 were approved and signed as a true record.

Reports:-
i. Outstanding Highways Issues: The Clerk had reminded Cllr Hopfensperger in regards the hazardous water still lying on the road at the junction with the A143. A resident had advised a drain on Fen Road was overflowing, the Clerk had reported this to SCC Ref: 00269699. The loose stones on Fen Road following the resurfacing works had also been reported.
Infrastructure Meeting: Cllr Hopfensperger was in the process of arranging a meeting between all stakeholders to talk about the cumulative impact of development particularly in the Thurston area. Council discussed the main issues which they would like addressed at the meeting: Pakenham Parish Council request to meet with SCC Highways & stakeholders to discuss the cumulative effect of proposed new housing in the neighbouring villages of Thurston, Great Barton and Ixworth.
Reference is made to SCC Highways report for planning application DC/19/02090.
It is understood that in Thurston there are now 7 proposed and 5 granted housing sites plus the Granary site giving a total number of 1247 new dwellings, plus a new primary school. This level of development will approximately double the size of Thurston.
There are also around 1500 homes and various other buildings including a primary school proposed for Great Barton and a further 400 dwellings proposed for Ixworth.
UPPER TOWN CROSSROADS AND ROAD TO THURSTON FROM PAKENHAM: For many years Pakenham Parish Council have been trying to make the Upper Town Crossroads safer as there have been numerous accidents at this junction. Recently highway gates were installed to help calm traffic. The road from Pakenham to Thurston is very narrow with an 'S' bend which makes the passing of two large vehicles impossible. There are no footpaths and use of this road by pedestrians or bicycles is very dangerous.
Increasingly because of traffic congestion at the A143 and particularly the Bunbury Arms junction, traffic is using the road from the A143 through Upper Town crossroads to Thurston and onward to Bury.
There appears to have been no consideration given to the impact on the Upper Town crossroads or the narrow road leading to Thurston by either the applicants or SCC Highways.
Clearly traffic on this road and junction will be increased especially as the Bunbury Arms junction will in future be at capacity and an alternative route will be taken by many to avoid the Bunbury Arms.
Pakenham parish council urge that an analysis of Pakenham Upper Town crossroads and the road to Thurston is undertaken before any further planning applications are approved. This is especially true because of the location of the proposed housing site DC/19/02090.
BUNBURY ARMS CROSSROADS: For many local people the A143 through Great Barton and particularly at the Bunbury Arms crossroads is already at capacity with traffic often stationery during rush hour.
The Highway Authority make it clear that the Bunbury Arms junction is over capacity at one arm and at capacity on two arms.
The Highway Agency suggest that the addition of traffic lights with better software will improve capacity, they do not say this will work.
There seems to have been no consideration given to the additional housing proposed for Great Barton and Ixwoth and cumulative effect on the traffic on the Bunbury Arms.
Pakenham Parish Council urge that no further planning consents are given in Thurston until a comprehensive assessment of the impact on the Highway in neighbouring villages is undertaken.
LORRY MOVEMENTS: There are a number of restrictions on lorry movements in the area. We assume this has been considered when assessing the Highways impact and the Parish Council ask for confirmation on where lorries will be restricted and directed. This is particularly of concern on the road between Pakenham and Thurston where two large vehicles will not be able to pass each other.
CYCLE ROUTES AND PEDESTRIAN ACCESS: For pedestrians and cyclists travelling from Pakenham to Thurston the connecting road is very dangerous with no footpaths or cycle ways. The additional housing in Thurston will exacerbate this situation especially housing adjacent to this route. In the Highway comments on DC/19/02090 there is reference to the National Planning Framework concerning safe access and access from this proposed site to the centre of Thurston, Railway Station etc. No consideration is given to access from Pakenham or attempt to mitigate the effect of extra traffic on pedestrians and cyclists. Many of the children of Pakenham will go to these schools.
To send a copy of the above to Cllr Hopfensperger and Cllr Brown. To advise MSDC planning department: although not formally consulted on Application DC/19/02090 Pakenham Parish Council object to this application with a copy of the concerns expressed above.

ii. Clerks Report: Anglian Water had advised a job had been raised to investigate the pump noise, if it is their equipment. The projector had been purchased and an HDMI cable had also been purchased to allow the laptop to be connected to the projector.

iii. Letter(s) in relation to a complaint received by Council: The Clerk reported a letter of complaint had been received from a resident about the use of inappropriate language at the meeting of 27 November, the clerk had sent a letter of apology. The Clerk had received notification from the Monitoring Officer of a complaint in regards Councillor and an alleged breach of the Code of Conduct. The Councillor had written a letter of apology to the Parish Council and all attending the meeting of 27 November for his use of inappropriate language and will follow the Code of Conduct in future. A copy of the letter had also been sent to the complainant and the Monitoring Officer. The Monitoring Officer had written to confirm the outcome of the complaint: 'Whilst Cllr Bagnell's actions were in breach of the Code of Conduct, I am satisfied the actions he took subsequently addressed the matter and no further action is required.'

6 - To consider works within Church Green Wood/The Dell:-
Cllr Dorling advised a notice had been placed in the next Newsletter asking for volunteers for a Pakenham Wildlife Group with an event scheduled for Saturday, 14 March 10 – 1pm to help with snowdrop splitting in Church Green Wood. Council briefly discussed and it was hoped the event would have a good number of volunteers. Cllr Dorling advised Urban Forestry had advised they would be carrying out the tree survey on 13 March.

7 - To consider fence by the Lawn Cemetery:-
Cllr Dorling advised a small fence of approximately 6 wooden posts and wire with M & TJs then able to mow the area it was hoped this would discourage the practice of grave diggers leaving soil in the area. Council discussed and all in agreement to go ahead, Cllr Dorling to organise.

8 - Allotment fence update and to consider metal angle posts:-
The Clerk had contacted allotment holders re maintenance works to the current wooden fence. Two tenants had responded advising: This is a little more involved than it initially seems. Replacing the posts would probably damage the wire when removing the old. What would be easier is some angle iron supports. We have calculated that we will need 30 no. 4ft x 2" angle iron posts to secure the wooden posts, if they could come with 3 or 4 holes drilled in them.
Clarkes website had 1.5m high angle posts, width 40mm x 40mm, thickness 3mm pointed end black primed cost £9.18 each or buy 10 for £7.80 each total of £234 plus any end posts at £38.73 each, 5 litres of bituminous paint cost £16.99 plus the cost of nails. Council discussed various options and agreed Cllr Dorling to meet M & TJs at the site for advice and to arrange a quote for works. To place on next agenda.

9 - Correspondence:-
Circulated to Council:-
i. Police Data for December, SALC e-bulletin for January/February, West Suffolk Planning Department Newsletter
ii. Gladman developments Ltd – Thurston Development: Discussed in item 5i Infrastructure meeting.
iii. West Suffolk Parish and Town Forum: Tuesday, 17 March at Newmarket Memorial Hall, Newmarket: Cllr Sidebotham has been registered to attend.
Emails received from residents:-
i. Re the possible demise of the Wednesday bus service to Bury, this has been taken up by County Councillors Joanna Spicer and Rebecca Hopfensperger who are looking into this, which may be caused by the yearly retendering exercise.
ii. Report of digger on plot on Fen Road: Cllr Dorling has confirmed the site in question is at Micklemere where lorry loads of rubble had been spread and West Suffolk had issued an enforcement notice to clear. The landowner has now cleared the rubble which is assumed to be in compliance of the enforcement order.
iii. A resident had noted that in the pit next to the playing field entrance, somebody has cut small trails and small jumps into the ground for walking or bike riding. Is this allowed as I visited the pit and thought about making improvements to one of the small trails but was unsure about it if I was permitted. The Clerk had asked the Council's inspection officer to check: There are 2 small pits about 6" deep cut out and the soil heaped up in front of the holes to make a jump off: Council briefly discussed the Clerk to advise happy if the resident wished to level the bumps but any other works they would need to advise the Council first as this is a protected area. To advise the resident of the working group in Church Green Wood.
iv. A resident reported heavy goods lorries parking overnight in Bury Road and did not believe the road is suitable as the lorries are very large and if they drive in forwards they then have to reverse out into the main part of Bury Road which is increasingly busy. Council discussed and agreed the Clerk to forward to Cllr Hopfensperger.

10 - Planning Applications to comment: Cllr Bagnell left the meeting.
i. DC/20/0048/VAR : Paltry Farm, Brand Road
Variation of condition 2 of DC/18/1507/FUL to allow use of amended plans for Change of use to B8 storage & distribution building to 1no. residential dwelling.
Council discussed, Cllr Sidebotham proposed objecting to the application seconded by Cllr Dorling all in agreement with the comment: the change of use from B8 storage to a residential dwelling would be the establishment of a dwelling in the countryside.

11 - Finance Report and to consider payments to be made:-
The deposit account held a cleared balance of £10,068.96
and the current account held a cleared balance of £15,888.31 at 31.1.2020
All Councillors were in agreement for the payment of invoices as below:-

No further invoices had been received.

12 - Councillors' reports and items for future agenda:-
Cllr Painter advised of rubbish on verge of Bull Road, the clerk to report if still insitu.
Cllr Palfrey had attended the PVH & PFA last meeting and informed them of the locality grants available, they are hoping to use some of these monies for hand dryers.
Cllr Palfrey highlighted in the published Ixworth minutes of 11 December a Councillor had stated 5 houses had been approved to be built in Pakenham, this was incorrect. Application DC/19/1447/OUT for 5 dwellings had been refused on 21 January 2020, the Clerk to advise Ixworth Parish Council Clerk.
Cllr Dorling advised he had received complaints of mole hills in the lawn cemetery, Cllr Dorling to ask M & TJs if the ground could be levelled or if a mole catcher was needed. Council were happy for Cllr Dorling to organise a mole catcher if the advice was to use one.

13 - Date of next meeting:-
The date of the next scheduled meeting was confirmed as Wednesday, 18th March 2020 at 7.45pm in the village hall.

There being no further business the meeting was closed at 9.30pm

(Ref: 300 – 305)