Pakenham Parish Council : Minutes 17th June 2010

PAKENHAM PARISH COUNCIL
Minutes of the meeting held 17th June 2010, 7.30pm in The Martin Room

Present: Cllr H Painter, Cllr M Sargent, Cllr A Kibbel, Cllr D Dorling, Cllr M Bryant, Cllr R Griffin, Borough Councillor C Spicer and Mrs M Gardiner (clerk).

1 - Apologies for absence: Cllr N Farthing.

2 - Declarations of interest: Cllr Bryant expressed an interest in the proposed extension of the Ixworth Conservation Area and took no part in the discussion.

3 - Public Forum:-
Members of the public present, particularly the resident of the one dwelling in the area, asked the reasoning behind the fact that some of Pakenham Parish may be included within the Ixworth Conservation area. The Chairman has spoken to the Conservation Officer and explained that the boundary has been moved to include the site of a Roman Fort. English Heritage are interested in the site. The proposal has yet to go before St Edmundsbury Borough committees.
Councillor Spicer has attended a meeting on this matter and reported that there will be no conflict with farming in the area. Clerk to write to request that the one dwelling be removed from the designated area.

The Chairman convened the meeting.

4 - Approve minutes of meeting held on 27th May 2010:-
Councillors agreed that these should be signed as a true record.

5 - Clerk's report:-
Community Governance Review - not available.
Flood questionnaire - not available.
Open Weekend in Suffolk - we have been allocated a grant. However as the event has to take place on 23rd-25th July this year, it is not possible to organise it in time. Clerk to inform sponsors.
Village of the Year - Pakenham is to be visited on Wednesday 30th June 2.15-3.00pm. Councillors and residents to meet judges.
The Police have circulated a note of proposed new times of opening of Police Stations. To be confirmed later this year. Clerk to contact to request longer opening times for Ixworth Police Station.
Corn Exchange - Councillor Spicer asked for the Councillors' views on the future use of the Corn Exchange - as a pub or a children's play centre. A play centre was the preferred option of the majority of Councillors.

6 - Planning applications:-

SE/10/0632 - The Broadway
(i) Conversion and extension of existing commercial building to dwelling and
(ii) erection of 2 no. dwellings and associated car ports (re-submission)
Councillors are unanimously in favour of three dwellings on this site.
We understand there is to be a commuted sum in excess of £50,000 payable on this site which Councillors feel is unnecessary and unusual and suggest that this money is influencing the planning application.
If this payment is to be made, Councillors feel that it should be for social housing in Pakenham, the need for which will be known when a housing needs survey is undertaken later this year, or for other social use to enhance the village of Pakenham and that it should not be used outside the village.

SE/10/0652 - Greenwoods Farm.
Erection of (i) single storey side extension (ii) porch (following demolition of existing extension).
After careful consideration, Councillors unanimously agreed that they have no objection to this proposal.

Pensilva - The Enforcement Officer is investigating and may require a fresh planning application.

Land at Mill Lane - enforcement notice. Parish Council and residents continue to chase the Borough Council on this matter.

7 - Finance Report:-
A Finance Report was circulated. This was carefully studied and all payments agreed.
The Auditor's report was read out and adoption of the accounts was proposed by Cllr Sargent and seconded by Cllr Dorling.
The Annual Governance Statement was discussed and agreed and all Audit documents were signed by the Chairman and Clerk and they will now be submitted to the external Auditor.

8 - Church Green Wood:-
The Borough Council has offered this area to the Parish Council for a fee of £1150. We are required to maintain the existing trees and the Council wish to see the Parish Council's tree management plan. Clerk to accept this offer, enclosing the quote for a tree hazard risk assessment.

9 - Memorial application:-
A request for an additional inscription on an existing memorial was agreed.

10 - Correspondence for circulation:-
SCC : Bury Library Project; Anti-social behaviour & confidence; Speed Management Guidelines.
Suffolk Acre : AGM Invitation.
Suffolk Foundation : Anniversary.
Age Concern : Press Release.

11 - Councillors' reports - none

12 - Dates of next meetings:-
Thursdays 15th July and 2nd September in the Martin Room.