Pakenham Parish Council : Minutes 27th September 2022

PAKENHAM PARISH COUNCIL
Minutes of the meeting held on Tuesday, 27th September 2022 at 7.30pm
Pakenham Village Hall

Present: Cllr Painter, Cllr Dorling, Cllr Davey, Cllr Palfrey and Cllr Sargent Seven Members of the public were in attendance.
Mrs S Brown (clerk) took the minutes.

1 - Record Councillors' apologies for absence:-
Apologies received from Cllr Bagnell and Cllr Sidebotham all in agreement to approve absences.

2 - Declarations of interest: No declarations of interest received.

3:-
County Councillor's Report: Cllr Hopfensperger did not attend but sent apologies a report had been received with included: Suffolk supports you with the cost of living; the importance of buses; blue badge abuser prosecuted and ordered to pay £3,504; bus charter to deliver highest standards for passengers; Suffolk waste partnership back national campaign to raise awareness of safe battery disposal; Could you help a family in need? – Suffolk supports Ukraine; Council to boost electric vehicle charging across Suffolk and letting agent sentenced after leaving landlords out of pocket.
Borough Councillor's Report: Cllr Brown did not attend but sent apologies a report had been received which included: the 12th West Suffolk Business Festival is taking place from 3 – 14 October 2022. For further details of the events, please see www.businessfestival.org and please note that there is an outbreak of Avian Flu (Bird Flu) in Fakenham Magna, with necessary restrictions in place. Otherwise, all is relatively quiet at the moment locally.
Public Forum: A resident advised of damage to their verge, garden and drive due to the use of heavy vehicles during building works being undertaken at next door site. The Chair advised the resident to instruct a solicitor to deal with the matter as it is on private land. The Chair to contact the resident after the meeting. The Clerk to contact West Suffolk District Council environmental department to ensure the Dell woodland edge, bank and mature tree have not been damaged.

4 - To consider the approval of the minutes of the last meetings:-
The minutes of the meeting held on 17th August 2022 were approved to be signed as a true record.

5 - Reports arising from the previous meeting:-
i. Highways:-
Kebab Van: Cllr Davey advised there were now two vehicles one of which is untaxed.
Council discussed it was noted the kebab van is not moved at night and is currently in situ all the time.
It was highlighted the Parish Council had brough this situation to the attention of both Suffolk County Council and West Suffolk Council over a number of years.
The Clerk to ask Cllr Hopfensperger for an update for the next meeting and to ascertain if the kebab van has permission to stay there all the time.
Effect of bridge closure on A1088: Cllr Davey gave an update from a meeting he had attended in regards the weak bridge/closure on the A1088. Councillor J Spicer was trying to get an extension/reinstate the traffic lights to allow lorries to still use the bridge. It was hoped to have another meeting in October. Council discussed and it was highlighted it was not just lorries that were affected but also farm vehicles a number of which were now coming through surrounding villages including Pakenham. It was advised although there was a weight limit on the A1088 through Norton there were 106 permits for local contractors. The Council felt the letter from Highways was constructive but it was disappointed at the lack of communication from Highways with both hauliers and local parishes. The Clerk to write to Cllr Hopfensperger to ask if pressure could be used to see if traffic lights could be reinstated and the works could be pushed through as soon as possible. Council agreed for Cllr Davey to represent the Parish at the next meeting when it is arranged.

ii. Clerks Report: Cllr Sidebotham has reported the work on the kiosk on The Street has been completed and an invoice received.
Plot 7 on the allotments will be available from the 1st November, the next person on the waiting list has been contacted.
The Council received an update from The Circuit in regards a product recall for iPAD CU-SP1/CU-SP1 auto defibrillators (software can overstate the battery status as 'full' although the battery energy condition is 'low') the Clerk has checked all the village defibrillators and only one is affected at the Water Mill. This was booked to have the software update on 21 September however due to the bank holiday this was cancelled by the collection firm. It has been re-booked to be collected on the 13th October and should be out of action for only 4 days.

6 - To consider PVH & PFA play area report and donation towards play equipment:-
A representative from PVH & PFA committee attended and gave an update on the new play equipment, the costs, warranties and maintenance. The proposed new equipment would be equally balanced between the age groups of 2 – 12 years. There would be approximately 12 items of play equipment fully maintained at an approximate cost of £80,000. It was advised thought had been given to maintenance including grass cutting. They were hoping to get match funding. The Parish Council advised they had £10,000 already in earmarked reserves to donate towards the costs. The Clerk to send through any grants that maybe available. Cllr Palfrey highlighted all the work the two members of PVH & PFA committee had carried out putting this project together and they were given a vote of thanks by all in attendance. The next project they were hoping to complete will be to re-do the Pavilion.

7 - To consider footpath adaption on Church Hill:-
The Chair gave a brief update from the meeting held with the highways officer as reported at the meeting of 17 August 2022. To place on next agenda when Cllr Hopfensperger would be in attendance.

8 - To review Bi-Annual Risk Assessment:-
The risk assessment had been circulated to Councillors, it was agreed to add 'All Councillors' to the inspection of Benches and Salt Bins, the clerk to be added to the inspection of all defibrillators.

9 - To consider memorial request plot F2:-
Council discussed and all in agreement to grant request for a memorial on plot F2.

10 - Correspondence circulated:-
- SALC weekly ebulletins, Suffolk County Council including bus strategy, West Suffolk Council updates including Community Chest funding 2023-24 which had also been forwarded to PVH & PFA.
- Email received from resident of Green Ixworth re public inquiry and their response.
- Email received from resident in regards applying for Quiet Lanes, the Clerk had responded that the parish council had applied but been unsuccessful. The resident was happy to help in anyway.
- Follow up form received in regards Thermal Imagining – the Parish Council were still interested in undertaking this, the clerk to complete the form and return.

11 - Planning Applications for comment:-
i. Notification of appeal AP/22/0042/ENF Stanley Lodge, Fen Road
Alleged breach use of outbuilding as independent dwelling, vehicular access and garden areas
Council discussed, the appellant was in attendance and was invited to give their view.
The Clerk read out the enforcement notice and the reasons for the appeal. After much discussion Council agreed to send the following comment to The Planning Inspectorate: The Parish Council felt that the Planning Inspectorate should be aware that the appellant, the Parish Council believe has been in ill health for a period of time.
ii. Applications determined by the Planning Authority
DC/22/0837/HH 1 Council Houses Approved
DC/22/0489/FUL Land off Baileypool Road Approved
DC/22/0904/VAR The Dell, The Street Approved
DC/22/1204/FUL Maulkins Hall Farm: Withdrawn

12 - Finance Report:-
Second quarter against budget had been circulated to Councillors no questions received.
The current account held a cleared balance at 31 August 2022 of £19,994.65 with an uncleared balance of £19,266.65.
The deposit account held £16,647.19 at 30 April 2022.
Memorial payment of £124 had been received but not currently banked until agreement of memorial request, item 9.
i. To consider opt out of the SAAA central external auditor appointment arrangements: Council all in agreement to not opt out of the SAAA central external auditor appointment arrangements.
To consider any payments to be made: All in agreement for the payment of invoices:-

13 - Councillors' reports and items for future agenda:-
Cllr Dorling asked for an update on the footpath to be placed on the next agenda.
Cllr Palfrey reported the PVH & PFA had now added a Clothing Bank on the playing field car park. Copies of parts of the West Suffolk Local Plan were circulated to Councillors.

14 - Date of next meeting:-
The date of the next scheduled meeting was confirmed as Wednesday, 19th October at 7.30pm in the Village Hall. Dates for next years meetings were circulated and confirmed.

There being no further business the meeting was closed at 10.05pm

(Ref: 415-418)