Pakenham Parish Council : Minutes

PAKENHAM PARISH COUNCIL
Minutes of the meeting held on Wednesday, 15th March 2023 at 7.30pm
Pakenham Village Hall

Present: Cllr Bagnell, Cllr Davey, Cllr Palfrey, Cllr Sargent and Cllr Sidebotham.
Four Members of the public were in attendance. Mrs S Brown (clerk) took the minutes.
The Chair and Vice-Chair were not in attendance.

1 - Election of Chairman:-
Cllr Bagnell proposed Cllr Davey seconded by Cllr Sargent all in agreement Cllr Davey signed a Declaration of Acceptance of Office and welcomed everyone to the meeting.

2 - Record Councillors' apologies for absence:-
Apologies received and accepted from Cllr Painter and Cllr Dorling.

3 - Declarations of interest:-
Declarations of interest received from Cllr Bagnell in regards item 13i on the agenda.

4 :-
County Councillor's Report: Cllr Hopfensperger did not attend and no report had been received.
Borough Councillor's Report: Cllr Brown did not attend and no report had been received.
Public Forum: No member of the public wished to speak.

5 - To consider the approval of the minutes of the last meetings:-
The minutes of the meeting held on 22 February 2023 were approved to be signed as a true record.

6 - Reports arising from the previous meeting:-
i. Highways: The Clerk gave an update received in regards work to the bridge on the A1088 with the works still programmed to start in Spring 2024, immediately after the coming Winter period, with pricing/mobilisation undertaken over the coming Autumn/Winter period. Cllr Davey highlighted the meeting held last year which included County Cllr Spicer which had tried to have the bridge works completed sooner but had unfortunately looked like it had been unsuccessful, the Council expressed their disappointment.
Milestone Infrastructure, part of M Group Services, has been awarded Suffolk's new highways services contract, which will begin on 1 October 2023.
ii. Clerks Report: An appointment with West Suffolk Council to take in the nomination papers for 24 March 2023 at 11am had been confirmed if there were anyone who wished for the Clerk to deliver them on their behalf.
Three new tenants to take over the newly vacant allotment plots.
PVH & PFA have had a grant application accepted by Mick George Foundation (Landfill Operator) for £26,500 but won't get a decision until the end of April. This grant would see the project
complete.
It was advised the village Post Office/Shop electricity bill had doubled in recent months, Council discussed to place on next agenda to look at what help/grant could be given to help this valuable village asset.

7 - To consider allotment hedge:-
The Clerk advised no response had been received from the letter sent to the householder. Council discussed Cllr Bagnell felt if any works were carried out by the Parish Council the householder should contribute towards the cost. It was agreed Cllr Dorling and Cllr Bagnell to make a site visit and place on next agenda.

8 - To consider the day when the Parish Council meetings are held:-
The Clerk advised the hall was available on the third Thursday of the month also the 1st and 4th Wednesday of the month. Council discussed and all in agreement to move the meetings to the third Thursday of the month starting from the May meeting.

9 - To consider the bi-annual risk assessment:-
The risk assessment had been circulated to Councillors. Council discussed and all in agreement the risk assessment was adequate and no changes were required.

10 - To consider memorial request for Plot F12:-
The memorial request was circulated, all in agreement to approve request.

11 - To consider new bin for the playing field and play area car park:-
The Clerk read out a request received from a member of the playing field committee for the purchase of a new bin. Council discussed. Cllr Bagnell proposed not to purchase a bin, if the PVH & PFA wished to have a bin monies from the annual grant given by the Parish Council could be used seconded by Cllr Davey all in agreement.

12 - Correspondence circulated:-
Regular SALC ebulletins, Suffolk County Council, West Suffolk Council - Noted

13 - Planning Applications for comment:-
Cllr Bagnell left the meeting.
i. DC/23/0266/FUL : Oak Farm, Pakenham Road.
One agricultural building for use as livestock gathering unit and agricultural storage.
The applicant explained why they wanted the planning application.
Council discussed Cllr Palfrey proposed no objection seconded by Cllr Sidebotham all in agreement no objection.
Cllr Bagnell re-joined the meeting.

14 - Finance Report:-
The fourth quarter against budget had been circulated with the Clerk going through the document.
The current account held a cleared balance at 28 February 2023 of £14,443.61 with no unpresented payments.
The uncleared amount after the invoices below had been paid of £11,466.10.
The deposit account held £16,647.19 at 30 April 2022.
All in agreement for the payment of invoices:-

15 - Councillors' reports and items for future agenda:-
Cllr Palfrey advised a further resident had highlighted the area by Old Hall Farm Cottages was a black spot for accidents, the Clerk advised this had been added to the highways list for Cllr Hopfensperger.
Cllr. Sidebotham advised the village hall now had wi-fi.

16 - Date of next meeting:-
The date of the next scheduled meeting was confirmed as Wednesday, 19th April 2023 at 7.30pm in the Village Hall.

There being no further business the meeting was closed at 8.25pm

(Ref: 437-439)