Pakenham Parish Council : Minutes 16th November 2023

PAKENHAM PARISH COUNCIL
Minutes of the meeting held on Thursday 16th November 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. Seven Members of the public were in attendance. Mrs S Brown (clerk) took the minutes.

1 - Record Councillors' apologies for absence:-
All Councillors in attendance. Apologies received from County Councillor Hopfensperger and District Councillor Speed.

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

3:-
County Councillors Report: Cllr Hopfensperger did not attend, a report was received and circulated which included: New highways services arrive in Suffolk as multi-million-pound partnership goes live; Awards recognise dedication of Suffolk Fire and Rescue Service and Trading Standards; Statement following funding announcement for Ely and Haughley rail junctions; 'Bike Library' pilot launched at Lowestoft school; Developers risk 'treating Suffolk communities with contempt' as the latest round of large-scale energy projects in Suffolk emerge; Trading Standards seize 2,500 illegal vapes in Ipswich; More LINK foster carers are urgently needed in Suffolk; Council urges communities to respond to Sea Link consultation; New fund delivers digital boost for Suffolk; Council seeks your views for next year's budget; More than 200 properties flooded by Storm Babet and Suffolk residents invited to help shape the future of library services.
District Councillors Report: Cllr Speed did not attend and no report had been received.
Public Forum: A resident highlighted the irresponsible car parking on The Street as well as the congestion caused, it was stated this was an accident waiting to happen. This was discussed including the parking of cars on pavements, cars/lorries driving on the pavement, use of double yellow lines. The parish council advised cars parked on pavements were a police matter and residents should photograph the car with the number plate and email to the police. It was advised the clerk had reported the issue of cars parking on the pavements to the police a number of times, this would again be reported asking Suffolk Constabulary to visit the village again. It was also stated the cars parked on The Street did act as a chicane which helped to slow traffic through the village. A resident stated the problem had worsened since The Fox had re-opened with more cars parking on The Street. A complaint in regards loud noise from The Fox was made, this was discussed, the resident was advised to report any excessive noise to the environmental department at West Suffolk Council. The Chair to ask the publican if a notice could be displayed to ask customers to be respectful of residents and be as quiet as possible when leaving the pub. A resident highlighted the noise of a farmers pump which has been operating 24hours a day and asked if either it could be turned off at night or some kind of sound proofing could be used. The Clerk advised a further complaint in regards this had been received and a response received from the Environment planning team was read out. This was briefly discussed, Cllr Bagnell to speak to the farmer if something could be done to help the situation.

4 - To consider the approval of the minutes of the last meetings:-
The minutes of the meeting held on 19th October 2023 were approved to be signed as a true record.

5 - Reports arising from the previous meeting:-
i. Highways: The use of concrete on the re-opened access on Fen Road was reported to SCC to ensure it met current regulations. Use of an access onto Fen Road without planning permission was reported to West Suffolk planning. The Parish Council were asked to inform a different department of SCC Highways to receive permission for the extension works to the path on Church Hill, this had been carried out.
ii. Thermal Imaging Camera: Use by Pakenham parish council had been confirmed from 16 January for two weeks. Cllr Davey confirmed he had completed the booking form agreement.
iii. Clerks Report: No information had been received in regards the inclusion meeting being held by Sizewell C.
The tree works at the lawn cemetery had been delayed and it is hoped works will commence at the end of November. Community Action Suffolk can now offer .gov.uk email addresses and the clerk confirmed this is what is now recommended. To place on next agenda. The Clerk advised when checking the Water Mill defibrillator, the battery needed replacing a new one was ordered and had just been delivered.

6 - To consider warm space availability in village:-
The Clerk advised a poster had been added to the noticeboard of the help which is available towards the cost of heating resident homes if needed. The Water Mill had confirmed it is open every Thursday morning 9.30am – 1pm with refreshments available as well as the Saturday morning café in the village hall, the village hall had not responded to the email sent asking if they were discussing opening up the village hall as a warm space. Suffolk Libraries were also offering warm spaces and refreshments this winter. Council discussed this further Cllr Berry suggested signposting residents to the venues that were open in the village that residents could use. Cllr Sidebotham to ask the village hall booking secretary if there were any times when the village hall was available and advise Cllr Sargent, if availability, to place on the next W.I. committee meeting agenda to see if they may wish to volunteer to run a warm space. The clerk to contact the church warden to ask if they were offering any warm spaces, to add to list and clerk to send to Newsletter and village facebook group.

7 - To consider donation to PVH & PFA:-
Following the email sent to PVH & PFA the Clerk advised no further information had been received from PVH & PFA on whether they would be helping the post office/shop with the increase in electricity costs. Council discussed and agreed to defer the donation to the next meeting. The clerk to write again to the village hall for a response.

8 - To consider meeting dates for 2024:-
The Clerk advised the first two meetings in January and February will have to be held in the Martin Room as the village hall was unavailable due to the village pantomime rehearsals taking place as well as a martial arts group using the hall three evenings a week. Council agreed to keep to the third Thursday in the month all meetings starting at 7.30pm. The Annual parish meeting to begin at 7pm prior to the May Annual parish council meeting. A list of dates were circulated to Councillors.

9 - To consider 'residents only parking' post and sign River Close:-
The Parish Council believed River Close was owned by Havebury Housing and it would be up to Havebury to provide signage. The Chair suggested it may help if a white 'H' on the road at the entrance to River Close would help prevent cars parking and obstructing the entrance, all in agreement for the Clerk to contact Cllr Hopfensperger to see if a white 'H' could be added to the entranceway.

10 - To consider grass and hedge cutting contract:-
It was advised M & TJs would not be undertaking grass cutting going forward however their company TBS Hire would still cut hedging using the same driver and would keep the cost the same as this year. Council discussed and all in agreement to have TBS Hire continue with the hedge cutting for 2024. Four companies were recommended for the grass cutting, it was agreed the clerk would contact them for quotes, to place on the next agenda.

11 - To confirm acceptance of 2023-24 National Salary Award:-
The pay award has finally been agreed for 2023-24 which would increase the clerk's salary by a £1 an hour. Council all in agreement to accept the salary award, the clerk to inform the payroll provider and added to the final quarter salary payment.

12 - Correspondence circulated:-
i. SALC ebulletins, West Suffolk Community News and Suffolk County Council updates – Noted.
ii. West Suffolk Council bus strategy & asking for views on grass cutting and grounds maintenance - Noted
iii. Citizens Advice: A letter of thanks was received for the donation.
iv. Request for Donation from the Water Mill: The clerk read the email to the Council to be added to the next agenda to consider.
v. Residents Emails:
• Blocked drain on Bury Road, Ixworth:
The Clerk had reported to SCC.
• Footpath application: The Clerk responded with an update.
• Kebab van mud/stones on highway: The resident was advised to report with pictures to SCC.
• Surface water abstraction & environmental agency response: The emails for information had been circulated to Councillors and noted.
• Noisy Water pump on Fen Road: a resident had contacted Cllr Hopfensperger. A further complaint on this matter had been received in the public forum.

13 - Planning Applications to comment:-
i. Application DC/23/1766/TCA The Old School, Church Hill
a. 3 Sycamore crown lift to 8m above ground level
b. 3 Ash, 1 Sycamore , 1 Poplar fell.
Council discussed and all in agreement no objection.
ii. Application DC/23/1735/LB 8 The Street
a. removal of non-breathable masonry paint on external walls
b. remove paint on all external doors & windows
c. removal & replacement of flagstone flooring in kitchen.
Council discussed and all in agreement no objection.

14 - Finance Report:-
The third quarter against budget had been circulated to Councillors.
Bank balances the deposit account at 1 May 2023 £16,690.87 the current account had a cleared balance at 31 October 2023 of £8,039.15.
The uncleared balance of the current account included two receipts of £105 burial reservation plot F18 and memorial plot F16 £124 and the payment requests on the agenda. Cllr Sidebotham reviewed and signed the bank statements and invoices.
i. To consider budget for 2024-2025: Budget A and Budget B had been circulated to Councillors. Council discussed, Cllr Davey proposed Budget A for 2024-25 seconded by Cllr Berry all in agreement.
ii. To consider precept for 2024-25: Following agreement of the budget a precept of £11,958 was agreed this equates to an increase of £0.02 or 0.06%
iii. To consider any payments to be made: All in agreement for the payment of invoices:

15 - Councillors' reports and items for future agenda:-
Cllr Davey and Cllr Dorling had attended a meeting at Ixworth in regards the bridge on the A1088 and the proposed diversion that would be implemented when the works commenced. To place on next agenda.

16 - Date of next meeting:-
The date of the next scheduled meeting was confirmed as Thursday, 18th January 2024 at 7.30pm in the Martin Room.

There being no further business the meeting was closed at 9.15pm

(Ref: 464-468)