Pakenham Parish Council : Minutes 20th February 2025

PAKENHAM PARISH COUNCIL
Minutes of the meeting held on Thursday, 20th February 2025 at 7.30pm
in the Pavilion

Present: Cllr Davey Chair, Cllr Dorling Vice-Chair, Cllr Bagnell, Cllr Palfrey, Cllr Sargent and Cllr Berry
Fourteen Members of the public were in attendance.
Mrs S Brown (clerk) took the minutes.
Cllr Davey Chair welcomed everyone to the meeting.

1 - Record Councillors' apologies for absence: No apologies received.

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

3 :-
County Councillor's Report: Cllr Hopfensperger did not attend; a report was received after the meeting which included:-
**LGR/Devolution. It has now been announced that Suffolk will be part of the Devolution Priority Programme, which means it is one of six areas that will be fast tracked to form businesses cases to look at what local government reform could look like in Suffolk, this will mean that all district/borough councils and Suffolk county council will be abolished and unitary authority/authorities will be in their place. Also announced there will be a mayoral combined authority which means there will be a directly elected mayor overseeing Norfolk and Suffolk Unitary Authorities, to be clear the services will still be delivered in Suffolk and Norfolk separately.
Along with this announcement the government delayed the SCC elections for 2025 in order for the work to be completed on the business cases and also so that you do not get elections to an authority which may not exist in a year's time. An interim business case on what a unitary will look like in Suffolk according to the criteria that has been set out by the government will need to be submitted to the government by the 21st March, the government will then decide which business case goes forward and a final business case will be with the government in September.
There will be elections in May 2026 for the directly elected mayor and likely that the elections to the unitary authority will follow. A full consultation from March onwards with residents, parish councils and businesses once the direction of travel has been decided by the government.
**Stowlangtoft Bridge. A new concrete slab for the bridge has been poured, which will be added to form both edge beams that will support new fencing across the structure and new drainage and backfill the excavations on either side of the bridge have taken place. New waterproofing to the new bridge deck and lay kerbs and ducting is currently being undertaken. Following this, teams will lay asphalt surfacing across the new bridge and on both approaches, including new road markings. Final stages of the project will see the diversion of utility cables across the new bridge before the site compound is removed to enable the road to reopen. The above is weather dependent but SCC are hopeful that the scheme will be completed in the first week in March, with this being a week later than originally planned to accommodate works being carried out by UK Power Networks.
One.network is now showing the extended road space booking and the advanced warning signs advising of the road closure will also be updated shortly. We apologise for any ongoing inconvenience caused by this unforeseen delay and would also like to thank the local community for their continued patience in the interim. On the following point I am aware of the devastation that the diversion and road closure to the local road network through Pakenham has caused and I have taken this up with highways and the portfolio holder asking that work is carried out to re-instate the damage that has been done.
**Kebab Van. I am aware that there was another fire on the site. I've asked West Suffolk to look into the issues that have been raised with regards to damage, licensing etc and am awaiting a response. Apologies this is taken so long I am being passed to pillar to post with regards to who responsibility it is and currently have the two legal teams working together to provide some answers.
District Councillor's Report: Cllr Speed attended and gave a report which included:-
**A brief overview of devolution and the local government reorganisation that is due to take place as covered above. Cllr Speed answered questions from residents and councillors. Cllr Berry and Cllr Davey asked how devolution would affect the street trading policy. Cllr Speed advised the street trading amendment is due to be discussed at the budget meeting taking place next week and confirmed the street trading policy shouldn't be scrapped with devolution it should go through.
**Dip and Dive planning application. Cllr Speed had spoken in support of this application at the recent planning meeting and in his opinion, this will be approved.
**Kebab Van the enforcement was issued in 2018 Cllr Speed was aware of the recent fire and advised he is still trying to rectify this situation with another meeting set up. The Clerk to forward a recent email from a resident in regards damage to land by cars. The issue was briefly discussed by Council.
Public Forum:-
** A resident asked Cllr Speed why so much building works were taking place in Thurston without the necessary infrastructure being built. Cllr Speed felt there was no joined up thinking between District and County Council and hoped with Unitary this will help.
** A resident asked with the cumulative impact of cars and the recent accidents whether the Great Barton crossroads improvements will go ahead. Cllr Speed was unaware but would pass on the question to Cllr Hopfensperger. The issue was briefly discussed.
** It was asked when the A1088 would be opened the Clerk advised Highways hoped it would be opened the first week of March (weather dependant). The damage to Fen Road and Mill Lane was highlighted, Cllr Speed had spoken to Cllr Hopfensperger about this, it was hoped remedial works will take place. Residents who had complained/reported damage to SCC had all, it appeared, receive the same response from Highways that it doesn't meet the criteria for works to take place.
** A resident asked about signage - Cllr Speed to get the signage re-assessed.
** A resident advised of a homeless person who did not know who to contact, Cllr Speed took the details and would try to get help.

4 - To consider the approval of the minutes of the last meeting:-
The minutes of the meeting held on 16 January 2025 were approved to be signed as a true record.

5 - Reports arising from the previous meeting:-
i. Permissive Footpath: The clerk advised a letter had been received from SCC stating they had started investigations into the formal application for the route shown on an attached plan. Cllr Dorling had spoken with the Definitive Map Officer who had walked the route prior to commencement to prove the paths existed. Cllr Dorling and the Officer agreed a slight map change to path F-D to match the actual route on the ground. It was hoped to hear the result of the investigation this year.
ii. Clerk's Report: A funeral had taken place at the lawn cemetery on 29 January Plot 20. A thank you to Clarkes of Walsham for the donation of gravel for the lawn cemetery had been placed in the village newsletter. The possible development on Brand Road was reported to planning and they will investigate ref: EN/25/0012.
The report of an oily discharge on road from the kebab van Cllr Speed advised he had received confirmation that the Environmental team will look into this issue and report back, he also raised this with Waste Management to see what input they have.

6 - To Consider Update on Micklemere Reserve Meeting:-
Suffolk Wildlife Trust has offered a date of Wednesday 12th March to meet on site at Micklemere (although this will be weather dependant) opposite the Water Mill 10 – 12noon. If the weather looks unfavourable the SWT Officer will get back in touch and rearrange another date. They hope the meeting will provide reassurance to those who are concerned with their management approach on the nature reserve. The Clerk has confirmed to SWL there will be approximately 10 residents and 2 Councillors in attendance at the meeting. A resident reported work was taking place at Micklemere with two site visits and two work parties.

7 - To Consider Maintenance and Boundary:-
i. Allotments: Cllr Davey and Cllr Dorling had a meeting with a representative from PVH &PFA to look at the boundary. Cllr Davey advised of the need for a fence between the pavilion and the parish council land this was discussed and all in agreement to keep the existing gate and get a quote for a fence.
ii. Bowling Green: Cllr Davey advised the hedges surrounding the bowling green could do with a good trim to keep them from getting out of hand. Council discussed and all in agreement to get a quote for the works and include in the annual hedge cutting/flail.

8 - To Consider Benches at Lawn Cemetery:-
A request had been received from a resident to place a bench at the lawn cemetery, Council had previously agreed not to allow benches. This was discussed again Cllr Palfrey proposed to continue with the policy no benches to be placed in the lawn cemetery this was seconded by Cllr Dorling three councillors abstained one councillor voted yes. A majority decision to continue with the policy no benches to be placed in the lawn cemetery.

9 - To Consider Donation Request from St Edmundsbury Newstalk:-
Councillors discussed the request Cllr Davey proposed £50 donation seconded by Cllr Dorling all in agreement.

10 - Correspondence circulated:-
i. Regular information from SALC ebulletins, West Suffolk Council and Suffolk County Council including Devolution
ii. Email from Suffolk Highways in regards bridge reconstruction scheme on A1088: Discussed in item 3
iii. CC'd into email to West Suffolk Council & SCC from the Chair of Ixworth Parish Council in regards fire of kebab van - Noted
iv. Email from residents: Complaint of speeding traffic on Fen Road: Discussed in item 3 Complaint in regards lack of works to repair of Fulmer Bridge: forwarded to Cllr Hopfensperger to chase Highways again. Complaint/s in regards damage to Fen Road & Mill Lane due to increase in traffic because of closure of A1088: Cllr Hopfensperger had been made aware of this issue and it was hoped remedial works will take place, discussed in item 3. Allotment hedge: A resident had kindly advised they have started the gradual work on the section of hedge bordering the allotments. It will be a phased process and dependant on how much can be achieved before the nesting season begins. They hope this should allow some more light to the allotments - Council thanked them for this undertaking.
Destruction of kebab van by fire: Discussed in item 3.
CC'd into email to Cllr Hopfensperger/MSDCllr re traffic at Bunbury Arms and the number of accidents at this site: A response from MSD Cllr Bradbury was read to council. The Clerk to ask Cllr Hopfensperger for an update.
Damage to land by kebab van: Discussed in item 3 and to forward to Cllr Speed.

11 - Planning Applications Decisions:-
i. Application DC/24/1868/HH Misty Meadows – Approved 17.2.25
ii. Application DC/241869/HH Cotswold – Approved 13.2.25
iii. Application DC/24/1308/HH Deraleen – Approved 9.1.25

12 - Finance Report:-
Bank balances: the deposit account had a balance of £10,851.94 at 30.4.24 receipt of £405 received for Plot F20.
The current account had a cleared balance at 19 February of £5825.95 once the invoice as agreed on the agenda had been paid the balance is £5542.95
To consider any payments to be made: Invoice checked and signed all in agreement for the payment of invoices:

13 - Councillors' reports and items for future agenda:-
It was asked if anyone was available to help Cllr Bagnell and Cllr Dorling to spread the gravel at the lawn cemetery. Cllr Davey and Cllr Berry were happy to help. Cllr Palfrey advised he had received a call from a resident in regards accidents on bend at Old Hall Farm Cottages; Cllr Dorling highlighted the Parish Council had asked for 30mph in the past and was not successful. Cllr Bagnell reported 100 articulated lorries on Brand Road in one day.

14 - Date of next meeting:-
The date of the next scheduled meeting was confirmed as Thursday, 27 March 2025 at 7.30pm in the Village Hall.

There being no further business the meeting was closed at 8.35pm

(Ref: 521-525)