Pakenham Parish Council : Minutes 22nd February 2012

PAKENHAM PARISH COUNCIL
Minutes of the meeting held 7.30pm 22nd February 2012
Pakenham Village Hall

Present: Cllr H Painter, Cllr D Dorling, Cllr R Griffin, Cllr C Palfrey, Cllr M Bagnall, Borough Councillor C Spicer arrived late. Mrs M Gardiner (clerk) was in attendance.

1-Apologies for absence:-
Cllr M Sargent, Cllr A Kibbel. Cllr Spicer had an earlier meeting to attend.
Apologies were later received from the Police & Cllr R Hopfensperger.

2-Declarations of interest: none.

3-Public Forum:-
One village resident reported how pleasant Fen Road looked now that verges and hedges have been trimmed. It was also reported that the edges of the road were falling away and there were some potholes. These will be reported to Cllr Hopfensperger by Cllr Spicer.
Mill Road - pig arcs have now been delivered to the site. The geese are wandering close to the A143, where the site is unfenced and at least one has been killed. Residents fear they will cause an accident on this road.
The Broadway - Clerk to check the current position with the Planning Dept.

4-County Councillor's Report:-
Cllr Hopfensperger's apologies and report were received after the meeting as follows:-
£265k grant available to support the vulnerable this winter
SCC and its partners have secured £265,000 to support vulnerable people in the county through the remaining winter months. The one-off grant from the government's 'warm homes healthy people' fund will help support initiatives designed to tackle fuel poverty in the county. These include: borough and district councils offering advice to anyone struggling to keep warm this winter; independent energy advisors visiting households struggling to pay their energy bills to offer advice and install measures to save money and energy; installation of FREE extreme-temperature sensors in vulnerable people's homes; a central telephone number people can call for information and support (tel: 08456 037686).
Broadband latest:-
People who live, work and shop in Suffolk are being urged to show their support for the 'Better Broadband for Suffolk' campaign. A new survey has been launched which asks residents and consumers if they're interested in super-fast broadband, what their current internet speeds are and what speeds they'd be interested in getting. It takes five minutes to complete and is an essential part of the campaign's work to prove to ministers and potential suppliers how much super-fast broadband is both wanted and needed. The latest survey comes on the back of the successful business survey, which has so far been completed by 900 local companies and is still attracting supporters.
Summary of the Budget (passed two weeks ago)
Freezing council tax for second consecutive year
Savings focused on reducing management costs, cutting bureaucracy and protecting frontline services
Last week we announced £1m savings on senior managers - on top of £1.8m saved in the previous year
Lowering the bar on senior public sector pay
We're investing more of our limited resources in services that help vulnerable people earlier – so that they remain independent for longer and do not become dependent on more costly support in later life.
Strong financial management has always been a political priority for this administration.
These budget proposals follow months of consultation with the public, partners, councillors, staff and unions.
The feedback we've had from Suffolk people this year has been hugely influential in shaping our approach to tackling the financial challenges we're facing
£12m - improved efficiency and removal of unnecessary processes
£8m - In-depth review of Adult Social Care – more focus on early intervention, personalised budgets and specialist care leading to a more effective support for older people
£1.5m - reduced management costs
£1m - targeting resources in children's social care to reduce demand
£0.7m - Rationalise office accommodation
£0.5m - share of profits from Eastern Facilities Management
£0.2m - work with District and Borough Councils to reduce costs of Suffolk-wide waste services
£0.2m - removal of duplication between adult and children’s social care services
£0.3 - redesign of home-to-school transport (based on previously-take  decisions)
£1.8m - previously identified savings
Total - £26.2million savings in 2012/13

5-Borough Councillor’s Report:-
Shared services - the new Chief Executive is Ian Gallin and there will be new joint Heads of Services.
There will be an increase in the police element of the Council tax. Car parking charges have also been increased.
Mill Lane - no date has yet been set for the court case.
Potholes - Cllr Spicer has reported some village potholes to Cllr Hopfensperger. Councillors told him of other potholes reported to them and he will advise Cllr Hopfensperger of these too.
Streetlights - Cllr Spicer has arranged for street lights in The Dell to be repaired.
Planning - Local Development Framework - Vision 2031.
Publication of preferred options documents will take place at the end of the months. Pakenham remains an infill village, where there is very little land available.

6-Police report: Apologies and report as follows were received after the meeting.
1 Crime reported between 11/01/12 and 22/02/12.
26/01/12 – Theft, other – Area of Pakenham Manor, Upper Town
Overnight-unknown offenders have stolen approximately 300 meters of underground copper cabling from the side of the road with the approximate value of £20,000. This crime has been finalised pending any further enquiries.
Community Tasking Meeting;
The next community-tasking meeting will be held on Wednesday 14th March 2012 at Chevington Village Hall at 7pm. All our welcome to come and discuss current issues and help Police set future priorities.

The Chairman convened the meeting.

7-Approve minutes of meeting held on 11th January 2012:-
These were approved and signed as a true record.

8-Planning applications:-
TCA12/2208 - Wansbeck Cottage.
Fell five conifer trees.
Following a site visit, all Councillors agreed that they have no objection to the application.
Granted.

9-Queen’s Diamond Jubilee celebrations:-
Mrs Kirby was thanked for applying for the grant, although unfortunately the application was unsuccessful.
She reported that at the recent planning meeting four days of activities to celebrate the event were agreed, starting with a dance in the village hall on the Saturday. The theme will be the 40’s onwards. A marquee will be erected outside the hall with a barbecue in the car park.  Tickets at £10 each will be sold house to house in the village.
On Sunday, a street party will be held using the car park and marquee. This will be open to all at a cost of £2. Participants will be asked to provide a plate of food. Squash and cake will be provided. The event will start with a film for the children in the village hall.
It was suggested that each child should be given a celebration mug and the Parish Council was asked for a grant for £170 to cover the purchase. The meeting agreed that the mug should have some reference to Pakenham if possible or a personalised certificate could be issued. It was agreed to look at alternative designs and their cost. Adults living in the village might like to buy mugs for themselves. A flyer giving details and costs will be circulated to all.
On Monday the church is hosting an exhibition showing the history of Pakenham. Residents are being asked for memorabilia and it has been suggested that people with memories of the past might like to steward the exhibition.
The grounds of the water mill will be open on Tuesday for villagers to picnic there and it will be possible to use the footpath along the river to walk to the windmill, which hopefully will also be open.
There will also be a photographic competition.
Mrs Kirby was thanked for all the work she and her committee are putting in to the planning.

10-Parish Plan:-
Local needs housing survey - A meeting has been held with Suffolk Acre and a representative from St Edmundsbury Borough Council. They explained what they can do and the costs involved. The total cost will be £275 to cover 500 households
The report will become part of the St Edmundsbury Local Plan. It will be done to a timetable and will help the village get some low cost housing – either shared equity or for rent. If Suffolk Acre undertakes the survey it will be completely independent with no bias.
The questionnaire will go to every household in the village and hopefully we will get a good response. Councillors asked for how long the results of the survey would be relevant. Low cost housing is a popular idea but some people do not want it next to them.
After the survey and if residents consider there is a need for low cost housing in the village, the next step is to find the land for probably approximately six houses. Sites will be identified that don’t upset anyone – it could even be farm land. A Housing Association will buy the land and apply for planning permission. There will be money available from a 106 agreement in Pakenham. This money will be available for 5 years. It is expected that 50% of the houses will be earmarked for those with links to Pakenham. However, they must be registered on the housing needs register. The Localism Act permits local authorities to give tenancies with a time line - approx 5 years in St Edmundsbury. It is possible that some people currently in council housing might like to move to a smaller property.
The survey can start as soon as we ask, with results being available by the middle of the year.
It was unanimously agreed that we should go forward with the survey. Cllr Griffin to contact Suffolk Acre.
Newsletter - Cllr Griffin apologised for not having time to take this forward. As it is too big a job for one person the Chairman agreed to help. Input from a graphic artist or similar would help with the layout.

11-Baileypool Bridge: is now open to traffic.
Councillors to check that bollards and signage are all in situ.

12-Church Wood and The Dell:-
Church Wood is now open to the public.
Aon insist that they require us to undertake weekly inspections.
A volunteer has been found to undertake this task for expenses of £100 a year. It was unanimously agreed to take this forward.
The clerk to remind Aon about the public liability question.
Cllr Dorling met with the owner of the adjoining land and found the remains of the old boundary. This is covered with undergrowth and needs clearing before fencing can be erected. An estimate of £480 has been received to do this work. Councillors agreed to call a site meeting to discuss work to the boundary, date to be arranged.

13-Finance Report:-
A Finance Report was circulated and payments agreed.
It was agreed to transfer £3000 from the deposit account to the current account.
Grimstone End noticeboard - Cllr Dorling to arrange a meeting on site to discuss quote.
Dog bins - Cllr Spicer will ask St Edmundsbury for two dog bins, one to be sited at Church Wood and one at Home Farm Lane.
Village entrance gates - not viable in the current economic climate.
Surfacing & groundwork at St Mary's Church - It was agreed that this work is not necessary at present.
The cost of grass-cutting on the playing field and that for the rest of the village has been received. This will be discussed when we know how much precept we will receive.
The Clerk suggested that the Parish Council consider on-line banking to check balances and transfer money between accounts. Councillors agreed that they were not happy with on-line banking.
St Mary’s Church was the first church in Suffolk to have coloured floodlights to celebrate the Olympics.  The Parish Council was asked to contribute towards the cost. After due consideration, a unanimous vote agreed that the Council were unable to help with this cost.
Bus shelter graffiti - Quotes have been received for removal of the graffiti. It was agreed to accept the quote of the local firm. Clerk to contact.

14-Clerk's report:-
Havebury advised of an alleged oil theft on The Owell.
Cllr Dorling has booked for a Flood Strategy Seminar taking place at Horringer.
Some residents of Grimstone End are having problems getting house insurance as post codes are used to assess insurance costs.

15-Correspondence:-
SCC : Street lights;  Warmer Homes Fund
St Edmundsbury Borough Council & Forest Heath : Invitation to Vision 2013 launch events;
Watershed for councils & Chief Executives; Joint Development Policies Preferred Options.
SALC : Neighbourhood Planning conference; Neighbourhood Planning training; Traffic Orders;  Predetermination; Courses on offer

16-Councillors' reports:-
Cllr Dorling has agreed a site for the Jubilee Oak tree near the water mill. It will be planted on Saturday 10th March at 12 noon when Cllr Spicer will also plant a Jubilee oak.
Cllr Griffin passed information re Country Landowners Association to the Chairman.
The Chairman told the meeting that Cllr Kibbel has regrettably resigned from the Parish Council.  The Council will need to replace him as a cheque signatory and also as Vice Chairman.

17-Date of next meeting:-
Thursday 22nd March 2012 at 7.30pm in Pakenham Village Hall.