Pakenham Parish Council : Minutes 20th January 2021

PAKENHAM PARISH COUNCIL
Minutes of a virtual Meeting of the Council
held on Wednesday, 20th January 2021 at 7.30pm

Present: Cllr Painter, Cllr Dorling, Cllr Bagnell, Cllr Davey, Cllr Palfrey, Cllr Sargent and Cllr Sidebotham. One Member of the public was in attendance. Mrs S Brown (clerk) took the minutes.

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

2 - Declarations of interest:-
Cllrs Painter, Dorling and Bagnell in item 9 email from resident – Rivendell

3:-
County Councillors Report: Cllr Hopfensperger was in attendance and provided a report which was circulated to Councillors and included:-
As of 4 January, Suffolk is in line with national Covid-19 restrictions – moving into a national lockdown, testing capacity has increased in response to demand, Support payments available for those told to self-isolate on low incomes, Suffolk 2020 fund projects to deliver over £2.5 million in new community focused initiatives across the county, proposed changes to Sizewell C application are step in right direction, Help shape guidance for new housing developments in Suffolk, Suffolk wins the Most Innovative Family Information Service award, Green light given for Council's new housing joint venture company, New cycle parking installed thanks to Government's emergency Active Travel Fund – Bury St Edmunds and Haverhill, New public health report focuses on improving health for everyone, Covid Vaccination Roll Out I understand members of the community have had concerns with regards to being communicated with over the vaccinations, a website has been set up on www.sneevaccine.org.uk which gives information on the roll-out plan and where the vaccination centres are. Local issues in Pakenham: response to Sizewell C Fen Meadow Suffolk County Council have taken into account the Parish Council views and questions and also that of the Watermill, this has been built into their response to the consultation. They have suggested that Sizewell speak directly to the Council. Thurston Road – HGV issues from Thurston Developments, Cllr Hopfensperger advised she had given this issue some thought on how we can take this forward, given that responses we've received to date have not been helpful and believe we should look at participating in the HGV (lorry route) review. This is where the council is looking at weight limits and lorry routes to ensure that they are appropriate but also asking for feedback from parishes on issues which effect their area. Council was happy for Cllr Hopfensperger to take this forward for Pakenham. Council discussed the lack of response following the infrastructure meeting last year and the failure of highways officers to respond to subsequent letter and emails. It was highlighted many verges had been damaged by HGV's visiting the development sites in Thurston, Cllr Hopfensperger advised a highways officer had photographed these and the developers will be reinstating the verges. Council further discussed the need for safe cycle routes within and around Pakenham. The Clerk advised following an email sent to Highways an officer had responded apologising that they haven't been able to meet to discuss cycle routes following discussion last summer as things had been quite hectic. However, they are happy to have a call/meeting via Zoom and he will look to ask for a colleague to join who is involved with cycling issues. The Council to send some suitable times and dates to meet. Cllr Hopfensperger and Cllr Brown happy to join the meeting and were available most days, the Clerk to arrange. Cllr Hopfensperger happy to keep chasing and advised the Cabinet Member has been made aware and is also on the case. Council discussed what they would like from the meeting including answers to the letter which was sent to highways last year. Cllr Hopfensperger to make a list of the questions and issues which Pakenham would like answered, to check with Cllr Painter before sending to Highways to allow them to prepare the answers in readiness for the meeting.
Borough Councillor's Report:-
Cllr Brown was in attendance and provided a report which had been circulated to Councillors and included: Bury May festival cancelled, land purchase at Great Barton, West Suffolk shall soon complete the purchase of land for 40 houses by the A143. Whilst this is planned and a known action, it does put more concern on the housing activity in neighbouring village of Thurston, which has not conducted a sufficient impact assessment of traffic surrounding the Bunbury Arms junction. Business financial support there are three grants currently available for businesses in West Suffolk: the local restrictions support grant, the additional restrictions grant January and February 2021 and the closed business lockdown payment to visit www.westsuffolk.gov.uk/c19business for further information. Fraud alert covid-19 vaccinations. Cllr Brown confirmed his support of Cllr Hopfensperger with the HGV review with Pakenham and highways meeting. Council briefly discussed traffic issues in the surrounding area and felt the developers could have been made to contribute more to the traffic routes/systems and highway improvements and mitigations.
Public Forum:-
A member of the public advised he was also interested in developing cycle infrastructure in the area and the need to help reduce traffic. To help ensure the increase in cycling due to Covid was able to continue with safe routes. Council was in agreement that it was important for SCC to understand this need it was acknowledged that residents would still need to use cars as well.

4 - To consider the approval of the minutes of the last meetings:-
The minutes of the meeting held on 16th December 2020 were approved to be signed as a true record.

5 - Reports:-
i. Infrastructure meeting/Cycle Routes/Quiet Lane: As discussed above a zoom meeting to be arranged to discuss traffic infrastructure and cycle routes. A response had been received in regards Thurston Road assessed for quiet lane status 8 December – Dual laned road not suitable for quiet lane status. Cycle lane needs to consider an alternative scheme. The Clerk had asked the quiet lanes team for an update on Church Hill but had not received an update as yet.
ii. Sizewell C: A letter had been received from Sizewell in regards a survey of Pakenham fenlands which had been circulated to Councillors who had agreed the letter to be sent to the Newsletter to keep residents informed. Council discussed the letter including the possible movement of fen land to Pakenham, purchasing of land and survey, the effect on the stream, this was all dependant on Sizewell receiving planning permission. Council agreed if any further information is received to send to the Newsletter to keep residents informed.
iii. Outstanding Highway Issues: The Clerk advised Brand Road had flooded 23/24 December and was dealt with at the time. The Clerk had reported this to SCC Ref: 00300947 and received an update: our staff have visited the location of your report and assessed the issue. We believe at this time it does not warrant remedial action however, we will continue to monitor the location as part of our routine inspections and if the matter worsens significantly, we will take action. iv. Clerks Report: Nothing to report.

6 - To consider allotment fees, plots and update to tenancy agreement:-
All Councillors had received a copy of the tenancy agreement prior to the meeting. Cllr Bagnell was thanked for all his work in removing the carpet and debris from allotment site. Cllr Bagnell advised he was helped by a resident and asked for a letter of thanks to be sent, the Clerk to arrange. Council discussed the tenancy agreement and agreed to add to item 5 (j) No carpet or such like material to be used on plots other than Geotech membrane which may be used for no longer than 3 months within any one year with permission of the Parish Council. To also add 5(k) Plots should not be used for the storage of pallets, old garden furniture or vehicles. To adapt item 9 to include notice being sent by email. The Clerk to update and circulate to Councillors in readiness for the next meeting. Cllrs Painter, Sidebotham and Sargent to visit the allotments to ascertain which plots were not kept in good condition and which may require a letter of notice. The Clerk to send Councillors a map of the plots. Council agreed it would be useful if allotment holders set up an allotment association. To place on next agenda.

7 - To consider cleaning of war memorial inscription:-
Cllr Dorling advised he had checked the war memorial which was just inside the porch to the church, there were two inscriptions which were probably of brass which were quite tarnished and pitted although it was not known if the pitting was natural. Cllr Bagnell advised he would assess to see if he could do anything with them when it was safe to visit, Cllr Painter to also inspect if possible. The Clerk had circulated to Councillors a booklet on maintenance of war memorials downloaded from the War Memorials Trust. Councillor Bagnell left the meeting.

8 - To consider village litter picking:-
Cllr Sidebotham advised a resident had asked if fellow walkers could pick up litter. It was advised by Cllr Brown the guidelines did not allow for litter picking at the present time. Council thanked the resident who had been litter picking with a litter stick for all his work at helping to keep the village tidy.

9 - Correspondence:-
• Donation request Norton pre-school: Circulated to Councillors. Council discussed Cllr Painter proposed a donation of £100 seconded by Cllr Sidebotham all in agreement.
• West Suffolk Council: i. Finance support impact of Covid-19 on tax base: Circulated to Councillors. Council discussed the extra one-off payment of £118 council tax support grant Cllr Painter proposed changing the precept to reflect receipt of the new payment seconded by Cllr Dorling all in agreement. ii. Community Emergency Plan: Circulated to Councillors – Noted.
• NHS Suffolk virtual community event about Covid: Circulated to Councillors – Noted.
• PCC Policing element of council tax and survey: Circulated to Councillors – Noted.
• Sizewell C – Fenland Survey: Circulated to Councillors see item 5ii.
• Emails/telephone calls received from residents: Report of flooding on Brand Road discussed in item 5iii above.
• A resident had highlighted the work of the postmistress who had kept the post office and shop running for residents, Council discussed and agreed a card of thanks should be sent on behalf of the village.
• Email received and circulated to Councillors thanking the Council for work on footpaths in the village.
• Email received asking for the reason the Parish Council objected to a planning application DC/20/2030/FUL Rivendell, Grimstone End, circulated to Councillors. Cllr Dorling advised receiving visits from 3 residents not happy with the application, Cllr Brown advised if any resident had an objection, they could either forward a letter to the planning department at West Suffolk or send an email to him or to the Clerk to forward to planning. Cllr Dorling had also received a visit from the applicant who was not happy that the Council had objected to the application. Cllrs Painter and Dorling had advised their interest in the item and had not taken part in the original discussion and decision made at the meeting of 16 December 2020. Council advised they had objected to the change of use to a holiday let as they felt it was an inappropriate location for a holiday let as no nearby shops or amenities leading to increase in traffic and therefore having a detrimental impact on local residents.

10 - Planning Applications to comment: No applications received.
i. Applications determined by Planning Authority: Updated
DC/20/1569/TPO Mulberry House – Approved 4..21
DC/20/1497/FUL Land east of Redcastle Farm – Approved 18.1.21
DC/20/1680/HH Mill Bungalow – Approved 25.11.20
DC/20/1692/LB The Old Bakery – Approved 9.12.20
DC/20/1922/HH The Garden House – Approved 22.12.20
ii. Update on gates at Pelembach:-
The planning officer had responded: If an existing access then gates could be installed without planning permission provided, if they did not exceed 1m in height above ground level. Council advised the access had been created at the same time as the gates were installed. Cllr Dorling to send a photo of the access/gates to the Clerk to advise the planning officer.
iii. Cllr Davey advised a resident had queried not hearing anything from planning in regards an application sent in last year. Cllr Brown advised he was aware of this and had spoken to the planning officer. Council briefly discussed application DC/20/1028/FUL no decision had been received from the Planning Authority.

11 - Finance Report:-
Bank balances: the deposit account held £10,129.50 at 30 April 2020.
The current account held a cleared balance of £16,162.16 at 31 December 2020.

i. To consider any payments to be made: No invoices had been received.
ii. To confirm internal audit to be carried out by M Saunders: Council discussed and all in agreement for the audit to be carried out by M Saunders.
iii.To confirm precept in regards of finance support grant: Council discussed and Cllr Painter proposed reducing the precept by £118 (finance grant) to £11,907 seconded by Cllr Dorling all in agreement for the Chairman to sign the updated application for precept 2021/22

12 - Councillors' reports and items for future agenda:-
Cllr Sargent advised footpath no.1 at the back of the garages on The Owell was becoming overgrown/overhanging with vegetation. The Clerk to advise the footpath officer at SCC.

13 - Date of next meeting:-
The date of the next scheduled virtual meeting was confirmed as Wednesday, 17th February 2021.

There being no further business the meeting was closed at 9.45pm.

(Ref: 338-342)