Pakenham Parish Council : Minutes 23rd August 2012

PAKENHAM PARISH COUNCIL
Minutes of the meeting held 7.30pm 23rd August 2012
Pakenham Village Hall

Present: Cllr H Painter, Cllr D Dorling, Cllr C Palfrey, Cllr M Bagnall, Cllr I Brookman; Mrs M Gardiner (clerk) was also in attendance.  Members of the public were in attendance.

1 - Apologies for absence: Cllr R Griffin Cllr M Sargent Borough Councillor C Spicer & County Councillor R Hopfensperger and PCSO J Burke

2 - Declarations of interest: Cllr Dorling expressed an interest in the planning application for Summer Cottage as he lives nearby.

3 - Public Forum:-
Site in Mill Road Court case - the next Court hearing is on 30th August. The Council understands that 5 days have been booked at the Crown Court in October. A neighbour reported that the Environmental Health Dept have visited regarding rats on the site.

4 - County Councillor’s Report: no report is available. 
Clerk to remind Cllr Hopfensperger about the request for help with funding for storage sheds at the Village Hall.
Baileypool bridge has been hit again but not badly damaged. Councillors commented that this is the result of SCC not erecting bollards. Clerk to pass to Cllr Hopfensperger.

5 - Borough Councillor’s Report:-
Cllr Spicer apologised for not being able to attend the meeting but reported as follows:-
The Reynolds case continues in the Courts.
I have attended the Havebury Inspection of their properties in Pakenham. My main comment was the slowness in response to Repairs Reports by Havebury.
As for the Borough, I am concerned about the future of the Apex and feel that the proposed Joint Management with the Theatre Royal should be seriously considered.

6 - Police report: The Police were unable to attend.
However, after the meeting PCSO J Burke reported that, as requested by residents and the Parish Council at the last Parish Council meeting the police have now done four speed checks at random times during the last three weeks...
4 vehicles in the space of four separate 30 minute speed checks were caught doing over the limit. Highest speed was 36 mph, two at 35 mph and one at 34 mph. These people were verbally warned re their speed.
On the grand scale of things and I think you will agree, this is quite good to be honest. As we all said, it may be the case that we are visible as we have to be and people are slowing down when they see us. To tackle this I have asked our Roads Safety unit to put out an SDR device which will measure accurate speeds through the village for a 7 day period. I am waiting for the children to go back to school before this is done. Then I can get back to you with some stats to see how bad the problem is in the village.
The SDR device will not be seen, it is covert and hidden so gives a true reading without flaws of being highly visible.

The Chairman convened the meeting.

7 - Approve minutes of meeting held on 19th July 2012:-
Cllr Brookman suggested two amendments to the minutes, which were agreed and the minutes were annotated accordingly. The minutes were then approved and signed as a true record. 

8 - Planning applications:-
SE/120973/HH – Summer Cottage, Grimstone End
Extensions and alterations to existing property including
(i) two storey side extension
(ii) partial demolition
(iii) single storey rear extension.
Councillors studied the plans and unanimously agreed that they have no objection to the application.

Outcome of planning applications:-
Granted:-
SE/11/1174 – The Broadway
Following a query from a parishioner, the Chairman reported that he understood that there was nothing to stop the site being used for its original business purpose until the consent is enacted.
Refused:-
SE/12/0635/FUL - Newbury, Fen Road

The Fox Public House
The developer has discussed his plans with the Planning Dept at St Edmundsbury but no formal application has yet been made. He has been asked for a progress report, but has not replied to the Parish Council.
Mr Somers was very unhappy about the photo-call and public meeting as he considers that he has discussed his plans with the villagers and informed them of his intentions regarding the pub.
The Chairman told the Parish Council meeting that he considers we must wait for the developer to apply for planning permission. If it becomes clear that he does not intend to do so, we may have to consider other options. Cllr Brookman suggested we leave it until at least the end of September before taking any further action. This was unanimously agreed.
A resident reported that he visited a pub recently where 5 residents made a business plan, invested money and took over the pub, which was due for closure. It is hard work but after 18 months, it has started to show a profit. He also said that the photo-call was not intended to show that the village was against the developer, it was to show how much support there was for the re-opening of the village pub.

9 - Parish Plan:-
Housing Needs Survey – Cllr Griffin reported that Louise Wilby from Suffolk ACRE would like to present the report on the survey. It was agreed to invite her to the Parish Council meeting on 18th October.
Newsletter – Councillors reported on a second meeting with the Churchwardens, Vicar and representatives of the other churches in the benefice. The Parish Council have now received a letter from Rev Valentine confirming that the church will work with the Parish Council to create a magazine which would be free to every household in Pakenham and to current subscribers living in Norton and Tostock, or to those who choose to take it in the future.
The publication will be made up with one section of general Pakenham news, one section of church items for the benefit of each of the three churches in the benefice and the remainder to be advertising that should help cover the cost of the publication.
Mr Carol-Davis is prepared to edit this news magazine. Mrs Weaver will give up as editor at the end of December and the magazine will be prepared in its new format for the January edition.
The copies for Norton and Tostock will go to the churches for distribution and the Pakenham copies will be delivered by parishioners.
The Parish Council will have editorial control but the money from advertising will be held by the Church.
Cllr Brookman suggested that a document clarifying these arrangements should be drawn up and signed by both parties. Councillors agreed unanimously and a small group will meet to write this document, consisting of the Churchwardens, Mr Carol-Davis and 3 Councillors (Cllrs Brookman, Palfrey and Griffin). Meeting to take place in October.
Councillors and Churchwardens agreed that any profit or loss from advertising or publication will be held by the Church. 

10 - The Dell/Church Green Wood:-
Both areas are reported as being overgrown and the entrances uninviting. Stinging nettles are a particular hazard. The pathway into The Dell from the road needs clearing so that children entering or leaving can be seen by passing traffic. Cllrs Dorling and Palfrey agreed to meet on site to clear.
The remainder of the fencing at Church Green Wood will be erected very soon. This will be followed by the tree works. When all is complete SWT have offered to help stage a grand opening.

11 - Finance Report:-
A Finance Report was circulated and agreed. 

12 - Clerk’s report:-
SALC Training on 4th October – all Councillors present aim to attend.
Streetlights – The light at the junction of Fen Road and Maulkins Hall Drive (38) is still not working, neither is the light on Church Hill (45).  Both to be reported to SCC again.
The clerk attended a training on the new General Power of Competence. If she gains the certificate, the Parish Council will need to consider if they wish to adopt the power.

13 - Correspondence:-
SALC  : Pecuniary Interests; Payment methods
Havebury : News; Residents’ Day
CPRE  : Countryside Voice
Age UK Suffolk : Transport to Hospital
Playgrounds

14 - Councillor’s reports:-
The giant hogweed has been sprayed and is dying.
The new noticeboard has been erected at Grimstone End thanks to
Cllr Dorling attended the Code of Conduct training. SCC set up a local Code of Conduct and all Borough, District and Parish councils have adopted the same code.
Cllr Griffin is working on finding the owners of village footpaths so that they can be asked to clear them when necessary. Overgrown footpaths are a particular hazard this year due to this summer’s weather.

15- Date of next meeting:-
Thursday 20th September 2012 in the Village Hall.