Pakenham Parish Council : Minutes 19th October 2023

PAKENHAM PARISH COUNCIL
Minutes of the meeting held on Thursday 19th October 2023 at 7.30pm
Pakenham Village Hall

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

1 - Record Councillors' apologies for absence:-
All Councillors in attendance. Apologies received from Cllr Speed, district councillor.

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

3 :-
County Councillors Report: Cllr Hopfensperger was in attendance, a report had been received and circulated which included:-
Exciting new chapter comes with allergy danger for young people;
Ambling African women break down barriers to accessing Suffolk countryside;
New and independent fire control centre gives the best deal for Suffolk;
Public views sought over improvements to A140;
Awards for care workers who saved centenarian from international scam;
Inflation, SEND school transport and care costs contribute to council's predicted overspend;
Councils unite against National Grid pylon proposals;
Fraudster farmer who went on the run sentenced to five years;
Powerful fostering film 'Any Of Us' launched;
Views sought on Suffolk walking, wheeling and cycling routes.
Cllr Hopfensperger advised a meeting had been arranged at Ixworth Fire Station on 31st October at 9.30am to discuss the plan of action with regards Stowlangtoft bridge, given the impact this bridge closure has on Pakenham two representatives from Pakenham parish council have been asked to join the meeting. Council discussed and Cllr Davey, Cllr Dorling and Cllr Sidebotham to attend.
Adaption of pavement, Church Hill Cllr Hopfensperger had passed the details of the quote onto the Highways officer who would contact the Clerk to discuss the process. Initial thoughts on the plan there were no problems with the plan/quote and Highways will contact Nunns directly. Once the work is completed highways will sign it off to allow them to adopt. Cllr Hopfensperger agreed to give some monies towards the works. Cllr Palfrey advised part of the pavement/footway was unsuitable for wheelchair users, Cllr Davey to take a picture and send to the clerk to report and cc in Cllr Hopfensperger.
Cllr Hopfensperger to chase Sizewell C as no information had been received in regards the liaison meeting.
To also chase and get an update on the footpath at Grimstone End. The clerk to send the email received from the enforcement officer to Cllr Hopfensperger to allow the reporting to highways of the use of concrete and hardstanding next to the highway.
District Councillors Report: Cllr Speed was unable to attend and had sent his apologies.
Public Forum: It was asked if the parish council could offer a weekly warm space with lunch in the village hall. Council discussed, the parish council welcomes this idea but don't know what the demand would be. Cllr Hopfensperger to send the clerk information on support available for the cost of living crisis. The clerk to contact the Water Mill to see if they are intending to provide a warm space and lunch again this winter, the parish council may wish to support them. The clerk to contact PVH & PFA to ask if they were thinking of offering this service in the village hall this winter.

4 - To consider the approval of the minutes of the last meetings:-
The minutes of the meeting held on 21st September 2023 were approved to be signed as a true record.

5. Reports arising from the previous meeting:-
i. Sizewell C Inclusion Meeting: No information had been received from Sizewell C in regards of this meeting. Cllr Hopfensperger advised she would chase again.
ii. Access Fen road: The Enforcement officer had advised they had received evidence of a gate and gate posts with tracks leading up to it, also speaking to the previous land owner who stated due to the ditches and dykes running throughout the land that historically there were accesses along Fen Road to allow access. In relation to the concrete and hardstanding they advised you may wish to speak to SCC highways to ascertain whether the materials used are acceptable. To send to Cllr Hopfensperger and she would make highways aware.
iii. Clerks Report: The new play area official opening is on Saturday 21 October at 2pm. The SCC Thermal Imagining Camera is available to use in Pakenham for 2 weeks from 16 – 30 January 2024. To be picked up from Barnham parish council and passed onto Great Barton parish council. Cllr Davey was happy to carry this out, the clerk to forward the relevant information.

6 - To consider adaption of pavement on Church Hill: Dealt with in item 3 above.

7 - To consider possible memorial tree site:-
Cllr Dorling highlighted the parish council are often asked if memorial trees can be planted in the lawn cemetery, unfortunately there was no longer the space available for this. Council discussed possible other sites which could be used Cllr Bagnell advised there would be a cost to maintain any future trees planted. Cllr Berry suggested waiting until the Fen Meadows were under way to see if an area could be used, all in agreement to leave until more was known about the future of the Fen Meadow site.

8 - To consider D-Day 80 6 June 2024 Beacon & Commemoration:-
The Clerk advised the cost of a beacon was over £500 plus the cost of the purchase of a propane gas bottle. The D-Day 80 website has a Peace Lamp available to buy to help commemorate the event at a cost of £55. Council discussed Cllr Bagnell suggested making a donation to charity for example 'Help for Hero's' to commemorate the event rather than spending monies on a beacon or lamp. All in agreement to make a donation nearer the time.

9 - To consider donations to:-
i. Royal British Legion: Council discussed and agreed to donate £25
ii. PVH & PFA annual donation: To defer to next meeting.
iii. Citizens Advice: Council discussed and agreed to donate £50

10 - To review internal control statement:-
The internal control report and statement had been circulated and the effectiveness of audit was reviewed by Councillors all in agreement for the next review to take place in October 2024.

11 - Correspondence circulated:-
i. SALC ebulletins, West Suffolk Community News and Suffolk County Council updates – Noted
ii. New Policing Model online session on 7 November – Noted
iii. West Suffolk Council consultation on the existing and proposed polling districts and polling places, deadline 10 November - Noted
iv. SALC Conference 29 November 2023: Council discussed Cllr Berry may wish to attend to let the clerk know.
v. Hanchetts Additional Inscription: Council discussed and all in agreement to approve the additional inscription. Hanchetts had advised another headstone inscription had been posted to the clerk for approval, all in agreement to give delegated authority to the clerk to make the decision once received.
vi. Green Ixworth's Comment on Application DC/23/1154 Shepherds Grove - Noted
vii. Residents Emails:-
• Allotments sighting of rabbit: The Clerk advised an inspection had taken place and there were no signs of rabbit or rabbit dropping within the allotments. To monitor.
• Footpath overgrowth: The Clerk advised Cllr Berry was aware of this path running from Great Barton into Pakenham and had reported the issue to the Rights of Way department.

12 - Planning Applications to comment:-
i. Application DC/23/1547/TCA The Fox Inn.
a. one Poplar fell
b. One Alder crown raise by 1.5m
c. One Willow re-pollard to previous points up to 3m above ground level.
Council discussed and all in agreement no objection.
ii. Application DC/23/1661/HH Pelambech, Fen Road.
a. detached garage with first floor studio
b. new vehicular access.
Council discussed Cllr Dorling proposed to object as the new vehicular access would have an adverse impact on highway safety being too close to the junction. Seconded by Cllr Palfrey all in agreement.

13 - Finance Report:-
Bank balances the deposit account at 1 May 2023 £16,690.87
the current account had a cleared balance at 30 September 2023 of £8,892.85 which included receipt of £15 allotment rent.
The uncleared balance of the current account also includes two unpresented cheques of £263.31 and wayleave of £9.61 from UK Power Networks to give £8639.15.
Cllr Sidebotham reviewed and signed the bank statements and invoices.
To consider any payments to be made: All in agreement for the payment of invoices:

14 - Councillors' reports and items for future agenda:-
Cllr Palfrey advised the grass at the top of the village had been cut by a volunteer, the clerk to send a thank you letter. Cllr Sidebotham to check what size of sign and fixings were needed at River Close.

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

There being no further business the meeting was closed at 8.45pm

(Ref: 460-463)