Pakenham Parish Council : Minutes - 27th January 2003

PAKENHAM PARISH COUNCIL
Minutes of the meeting held on ON 27 JANUARY 2003
IN THE PAVILION

Present: Cllr D Dorling, Cllr J Mangnall, Cllr L Couper, Cllr P Smith, Cllr T Cox, Mrs V White, Pc Egan and Mrs J Brookman (Clerk).

APOLOGIES: Apologies were received from Cllr B Chester and Cllr H Painter.

1 - DECLARATION OF INTERESTS:-
There were no declarations of interest at this point.

2 - MINUTES OF PREVIOUS MEETINGS:-
The minutes of the meeting held on 2 December, 2002 were approved and signed as a true record.

The minutes of the meeting held on 9 January, 2003 were approved and signed as a true record.

The Chairman adjourned the formal meeting at 7.45 pm.

3 -COUNTY AND BOROUGH COUNCILLOR’S REPORT:-
Mrs White reported that she had received complaints about faulty lights nos. 21 and 22 and it was agreed the Clerk report a problem with the light sensor outside the church no. 31.

There will be a meeting on 30 January concerning the Postal Ballot for this years elections. Mrs White confirmed that checks and balances would be built in to the system.

Mrs White also confirmed that at a recent County Council meeting she had asked the Police Authority Chairman about the level of funding for the county, as she was aware that incidents reported had resulted in late responses. Mrs White agreed to write to Inspector Mayhew to discuss local concerns.

Mrs White also gave details of the Local Plan and when and where it would be on view.

4 - POLICE REPORT:-
Pc Egan gave an insight into the current staffing situation and that he would be assisting in the Pakenham area for the time being. Recent problems in the area had included reported crimes in The Street and on The Owell with vandalism to vehicle wing mirrors, aerials, wipers and hedges. As a result of this Pc Egan had compiled “Watch News” which had been distributed in the village and also booklets concerning crime prevention and neighbourhood watch. It was also recommended that lawn mowers, chain saws etc be clearly marked with a postcode to deter thefts and that shed alarms were available from Ixworth Police Station.

Mrs White and Pc Egan left the meeting.

The Chairman resumed the meeting at 8.25 pm.

5 - CLERK’S REPORT:-
Suffolk Accident Rescue Services have requested a donation, it was agreed that £50 would be given.

A letter from Walsham-Le-Willows Parish Council enquired whether this parish council would like to be involved with a late night transport link with Bury St Edmunds. Clerk to reply with details of Thurston scheme.

6 - PLANNING APPLICATIONS:-

NEW PLANNING APPLICATIONS:-

SE/02/3985/P Cotswold, Fen Road, Pakenham
Erection of conservatory to annexe.

Cllrs Dorling and Cox declared an interest and withdrew for this application. Cllr Mangnall acted as Chairman.

There were no objections to this application.

Cllrs Dorling resumed as Chairman and Cllr Cox rejoined the meeting.

OUTCOME OF PLANNING APPLICATIONS:-

SE/02/3694/P Fen House, Fen Road, Pakenham.
Erection of single storey side extension incorporating garage. GRANTED.

SE/02/3849/P Crossways Farm, Brand Road, Great Barton. Provision of pre fabricated butchery shop associated with existing pig farm and car park. GRANTED

7 - CCTV CAMERA:-
It was reported that a total of £1,969.81 had been collected. Cllr Smith agreed to investigate prices and co-ordinate the project. Letter to be sent to Max and Jan Bacon to inform them of the collection and that a CCTV system would be purchased and maintained by the Parish Council, so that only a small cost relating to additional video tapes and other minor incidental costs to be met by themselves. It was confirmed that the system will be owned by the council but will be available to use at any location the village post office occupies in future years.

A second letter to be sent to the ladies in the village who had work tirelessly to ensure that this collection was made thanking them.

8 - CONTRACT FOR STREET CLEANER:-
Cllr Mangnall had prepared the contract, clerk to confirm start date and salary details and then contract to be given to Mr Hosken. The clerk confirmed that matters concerning tax and national insurance had been rectified and that public liability insurance cover was in place. Cllr Dorling would verbally confirm to Mr Hosken that the job description did not include duties to sand or salt the roads and paths in bad weather.

9 - FINANCE REPORT AND FINANCIAL STANDING ORDERS:-

Clerk to contact SALC to request guidelines regarding Financial Standing Orders.

10 - BURIAL GUIDELINES REVIEW:-
The current burial guidelines were discussed; it was agreed that the clerk contact local undertakers to check current wording so as to clarify the position regarding new trends.

11 - CORRESPONDENCE:-
A letter from the Borough Council inviting representatives to attend a briefing meeting regarding the all-postal ballot next May for Borough and Parish elections.

Exhibitions have been arranged during the six-week “deposit period” of the Draft Local Plan. Exhibitions are open to all, the consultation period starts on 27 January and we are due to receive a copy as soon as it is printed.

Payment received from the Borough Council for recycling credits for material collected in the sum of £23.62. The location of the bottle bank was also discussed.

12 - OPEN FORUM:-
Fencing around The Dell and the survey report to be placed on the agenda for the next meeting. Cllr Dorling to contact David Thrower regarding public liability insurance cover.

It was reported that the County Council is to visit the site used for tipping on the A134.

Cllr Dorling notified the meeting that he would not be willing to stand as Chairman at the next election, although he was happy to continue as a member of the Parish Council. Cllr Dorling outlined the reasons for this decision in the form that a Chairman is not expected to be in full time employment by the numerous day time telephone calls received. There remains little scope left for getting things done quickly and efficiently. The responsibilities of the Chairman and Clerk are constantly being pushed forward and the realms of paper on Standards for Financial, Ethical and Legally running a Parish Council need constant study and full implementation. Cllr Dorling felt that he just does not have the time to oversee the new responsibilities to his own satisfaction.

13 - DATE OF NEXT MEETING:-
The next meeting will be held on Monday, 3 March, 2003 and the following meeting on Monday, 14 April 2003 at 7.30 pm in The Pavilion.

The meeting closed at 9.40 pm.