Pakenham Parish Council : Minutes 9th January 2013

PAKENHAM PARISH COUNCIL
Minutes of the meeting 7.30pm 9th January 2013
Pakenham Village Hall

Present: Cllr H Painter (Chairman); Cllr D Dorling, Cllr C Palfrey, Cllr I Brookman, Cllr R Griffin, Cllr M Bagnall; County Councillor R Hopfensperger & Borough Councillor C Spicer. Mrs M Gardiner (clerk) was in attendance. Members of the public were also present.

1 - Apologies for absence: Cllr M Sargent

2 - Declarations of interest: none.

3 - Public Forum:-
Mrs Clarke thanked everyone who helped with the case against Mr Reynolds. The animals and geese have all gone and she hopes that the huts will be removed soon. Cllr Spicer told her that there was nothing in the enforcement order requiring removal of the huts.
Cllr Hopfensperger reported that the bollards were on order.
Mrs Clarke also thanked Cllr Hopfensperger for arranging for the road to be cleaned. The Chairman asked Cllr Hopfensperger to chase the Highways Dept to check the highway boundary line, so that the highway can be kept clean.
It was reported that the gulleys in the area have also been cleared.
Footpaths – A resident reported a fallen tree across the footpath by the Agri-Centre. Cllr Spicer has advised the land-owner but he can do nothing until the weather improves. EDF have to clear the power lines before the job can be done using heavy equipment. The suggestion of using brick rubble to stabilise the path was denounced as having environmental issues. The woodland has not been managed, which is why trees have fallen. This should improve under new management. The river authority will not clear rivers and streams as they now want to create wetlands.
The land-owner of the path across the cows’ field in Fen Road will be asked if there is any way it can be kept drier.
In answer to a question about headland grass not being cut, it was explained that some schemes only allow grass-cutting every two years.

4 - County Councillor’s report:-
Cllr Hopfensperger agreed to chase the verge edge issue at Mill Road.
Provision of faster broadband - SCC’s website will shortly show the speed of broadband that will be available and when it should become available.
Cllr Palfrey reported that a house near the village hall had been re-rendered and painted, but it gets covered with mud because over the years the road surface has become higher than the path. There is also the possibility of flooding there. Cllr Hopfensperger will ask the Highways Dept to inspect the site. 
Cllr Spicer asked about broken and missing covers of sewage inspection chambers in The Street. Cllr Hopfensperger will follow this up.
The Chairman thanked Cllr Hopfensperger for her help with parish issues.

5 - Borough Councillor’s report:-
Newsletter -  The first issue will be published next month as planned.
Cllr Spicer asked the Chairman to liaise with the Community Council regarding the storage hut to be sited at the village hall. Mr Inglis agreed to do this.
Low cost housing – Cllr Spicer reported that the Borough Council does not own any land in the parish.
Street lighting – The majority of street lights in the parish are owned by the Borough. Those that are owned by SCC are switched off during the night. It would be too expensive for them to take over those belonging to the Borough due to the high cost of automation.
A member of the public who complained of cars parking half on the road and half on the pavement was advised to report these to the police by the Parish Council Chairman.

6 - Police Report: none available.

The Chairman convened the meeting.

7 - Approve minutes of meeting held on 10th December 2012:-
The minutes were approved and signed as a true record.

8 - Update on items from previous meetings:-
The pile of muck in Mill Road has been moved.
The Fox Public House – We still await a planning application. Cllr Spicer agreed to ask if the owner is paying rates on the property.

9 - Planning applications:-
SE/12/1637/HH - 5 Council Houses, Fen Road
(i) Erection of two storey side extension & (ii) construction of new roof over existing porch.
Councillors agreed unanimously that they have no objection to this application.

SE/12/1651/FUL – The Broadway, Pakenham
Erection of dwelling & garage (Plot 2) (revised application of SE/11/1174)
Councillors agreed to the change in this application.

Granted:-
Swiss Cottage
Bell House

10 - Parish Plan:-
Sites for affordable housing –Louise Wilbye from Suffolk Acre is asking for the outcome of our discussions.
Cllr Griffin suggested that we agree a strategy to take this forward instead of trying to decide on a site immediately. It was agreed to have a closed meeting to specifically discuss sites, costs etc. on Thursday 24th January.
Items for Newsletter – suggestions and letters from residents welcome.

11 - Emergency Plan:-
It was agreed not to follow this up at the present time.

12 - The Dell/Church Wood:-
Work on the footpath etc will take place on 30th/31st January. The noticeboard will be amended and the dog loo bin erected prior to the official opening.
A coppice/woodsman living in a nearby property has volunteered to help with the management of the wood.

13 - Standing Orders:-
Cllr Brookman proposed adoption of the revised Standing Orders and it was seconded by Cllr Palfrey and carried unanimously.

14 - Finance:-
The Finance Report was presented and agreed.
Cllr Brookman explained changes in precept arrangements as set out in a letter from St Edmundsbury.
Financial Regulations – Signed by the Chairman.

15 - Clerk’s report:-
Cllr Brookman agreed to attend a liaison meeting at Thurston Community College.
Use of electronic mail: It was agreed that electronic mail could be used to summon councillors to meetings and an official electronic signature for the clerk was also agreed.

16 - Correspondence:-
SALC : Sustainable Communities Act Improving Local Government Transparency Consultation;
The Local Councillor
CPRE : Fieldwork magazine
Suffolk Sport : Fit Villages
Live Well Suffolk
Glasdon brochure

17 - Councillors' reports:-
Cemetery map – for next agenda.

18 - Date of next meeting:-
Wednesday 13th February 2013 at 7.30pm in the Village Hall.