Pakenham Parish Council : Minutes 23rd November 2016

PAKENHAM PARISH COUNCIL
Minutes of the meeting held on Wednesday, 23rd November 2016 at 7.30pm
Pakenham Village Hall

Present: Cllr Painter, Cllr Dorling, Cllr Bagnell, Cllr Davey, Cllr Palfrey and Cllr Sidebotham
Two Members of the public were in attendance.
Mrs S Brown (clerk) took the minutes.

1 - Record Councillors' apologies for absence:-
Apologies received and accepted from Cllr Brookman.

2 - Declarations of interest: No declarations of interest received.

3 - County Councillor's report:-
Cllr Hopfensperger attended and gave a report which included an update on a speed survey carried out by Highways in Upper Town area. There was a higher than expected percentage (approx. 45%) of people going over the ACPO speed enforcement limit (of 35mph. From these results Highways felt that putting in some dragon's teeth and 30mph roundels will help limit this. Cllr Hopfensperger has agreed to fund this from her highways budget providing the parish council agree the scheme is a good way to progress. All Council members agreed for this to go forward and thanked Cllr Hopfensperger for her help.
Devolution for Suffolk/Norfolk is no longer going forward. All Councils in Suffolk who have voted are in favour of a deal for Suffolk devolution but this must be started afresh. Cllr Hopfensperger gave a brief outline of what was wanted from devolution for Suffolk.
The village hall drains and nearby highways drains had been jetted. This had been organised and paid by Cllr Hopfensperger through her budget. As the highway drains in this area often get blocked with silt/debris Cllr Hopfensperger agreed to putting 'The Street' drains in the village hall area on a regular cleansing schedule for jetting which she will arrange with Highways.
An update on outstanding highway issues was given; the patching of the section on Fen Road the works have been ordered, Cllr Dorling advised the section on Fen Road still requires skirting out as the gulleys were full of silt Cllr Hopfensperger to chase.
The missing 'welcome to Pakenham' sign is on order and the hedge at Upper Town is scheduled for cutting back.
It was also advised Pakenham had been added to the schedule for SCC mobile speed sign. Council agreed this was a good start and would continue to review speeding in the Upper Town area and if necessary consider if gates would be needed to be installed in future.

Borough Councillors report:-
Cllr Brown had sent apologies he would be delayed for the meeting and sent a report to be read out this included: Top soil on land by Ixworth by-pass this has been recorded and inspected by an Officer. They have noted the top-soil, but stated there isn't sufficient amount to be deemed a 'Change of Use'. It will be monitored by an Officer and by Cllr Brown as he passes it most days. If there is any change the matter will be looked into again, the file will be kept open.
Dog fouling an incident has been reported to St Edmundsbury Borough Council with
regards to dog foul by the Watermill. After a fixed penalty notice was issued, this was disputed. The matter has been taken to court and is to be heard on 7th December 2016.
Devolution, the present plan is not proceeding forward as it required Suffolk & Norfolk to approve it. Norfolk have decided not to proceed with obtaining a vote at County Council level due to a number of objections at District Council level. This means it is back to a review stage with the Secretary of State and for Suffolk to look at alternative options. Nothing will happen before the summer of 2017 at the earliest. St Edmundsbury Borough Council and Suffolk generally are still in support of Devolution and shall be proceeding with such discussions.

Public Forum:-
Cllr Hopfensperger was thanked for her help with the Village Hall. The Chair thanked the member of the public for all his time and help with the village hall it was most appreciated. A query was asked about an overgrowing tree the PVH & PFA to look into it.

4 - To consider the approval of the minutes of the last meetings:-
The minutes of the meeting held on 26th October 2016 were approved and signed as a true record.

Borough Councillor Brown joined the meeting.

5 - Matters arising from previous meeting:-
i. Affordable Housing: Email received from Havebury Housing was read to Council which included the possible need for another housing survey this was discussed. Council agreed to place on next agenda to allow Councillors time to consider. Council agreed for Cllr Brown to speak with St Edmundsbury's legal department to ascertain the legal responsibility for the support of the road bearing in mind the adjoining owner is the Parish Council who own The Dell.

ii. Highways: The clerk to contact St Edmundsbury Borough Council to ask if the leaves on the pavement outside Pakenham Lodge could be cleared.

iii. Speeding in village: The clerk read out an email received from PC Ken Rushton SNT's point of contact for Community Speed Watch. Council discussed and agreed in the first instance to use the Suffolk County Council mobile signage. The self-assessment form and guidance to be completed by Cllr Sidebotham and brought to the next meeting for consideration.

6 - Clerks Report:-
Adopt a kiosk BT has advised the consultation will expire on 28th November 2016 and they will proceed when this has expired. The Council have already notified them that they have consented to the adoption. They will register the application and proceed after the consultation has expired.
Suffolk constabulary website crime map no reports of any crimes in Pakenham for September. Cllr Bagnell advised a number of hare coursing incidents had been reported to the police in the area.

7 - Correspondence:-
To distribute Clerks & Councils Direct, Suffolk View, Rural Initiative Grants letter and Suffolk Constabulary letter for information.

8 - To consider continued membership of C.P.R.E.:-
Council discussed and all in agreement to continue membership.

9 - To consider donation for Christmas Tree in village hall:-
A tree had already been donated to the village hall the Council asked for their thanks to be given to the member of the public who had donated it.

10 - To consider tree survey from Urban Forestry:-
Council discussed the report and the covering letter which also included a tree jointly owned by the Parish Council and a resident. The clerk to check the deeds obtained by Cllr Brookman to find ownership of the small triangle of land near the Dell/allotments which also has trees growing on it that need some works. Cllr Dorling to arrange a meeting with Cllr Painter and the residents of the tree jointly owned with the parish council. Council agreed all recommended works marked 1 – 3 (Critical, High, Medium) on the survey is carried out as soon as possible. To receive a separate price for any works marked 4 (Low) to be carried out at a later date as recommended by the report. Cllr Dorling to get three quotes for the works, to place on January's agenda. It was advised the telephone wires on the main road outside the Dell are getting caught up in the branches as the trees grow out towards the road, the clerk to contact BT.

11 - To Review Lawn Cemetery charges:-
Council discussed and agreed the cemetery charges would remain unchanged to review in a year's time.

12 - To consider meeting dates for next year:-
Council agreed meetings to be held on Wednesdays on the following dates: 25 January 2017, 22 February, 22 March, 26 April, 24 May, 28 June, 26 July, 27 September, 25 October and 22 November. The clerk to email Cllr Brown the dates.

13 - Planning:-
Applications:-
DC/16/2434/HH : Woodlands, Fen Road
1no. garage
Council discussed and agreed in principal they had no objection providing consideration is given to visibility both leaving Woodlands and on the main road. It is noted there are no dimensions on the drawing so impossible for the Parish Council to comment but ask that the Borough Council ensure this is safe.

Applications determined by planning authority:-
DC/16/2177/TCA : Bell House, The Street
1no. Walnut fell: Granted 8.11.16

A further planning application had been received after the agenda had gone out, Council agreed to hold an extra meeting on Wednesday, 14th December at 7pm to give a comment on it.

14 - Finance Report and to consider payments to be made:-
The deposit account on 4th April 2016 had a cleared balance of £6715.34.
The current account a cleared balance at 3 October 2016 of £19,261.48,
an uncleared balance after the invoices and payment to CPRE on the agenda have been
paid of £14,659.96.
The third quarter against budget was distributed to Council for information.
To consider budget for 2017-2018 and precept: The draft budget 2017/18 was distributed. Council discussed and agreed to place on the January agenda when it can be updated to include the cost of tree works.
The payment of invoices was agreed:-

Cheques raised:-
1504 Urban Forestry inv: 22035 tree survey 594.00
1505 M & TJ's inv:11917 grass cutting 240.00
1506 Clerks salary and expenses of £58.65 542.09
1507 C.P.R.E. subscription 36.00
1508 HMRC payment 121.00
No further invoices had been received

15 - Councillors' reports and items for future agenda:-
Cllr Palfrey reported on the British Legion remembrance service. Cllr Dorling had lain a wreath on behalf of the Parish Council and Cllr Palfrey had taken the salute. The clerk to ensure donation to the British Legion is on the following October agenda.

16 - Date of next meeting:-
The date of the next meeting was confirmed as Wednesday, 14th December at 7pm followed by the scheduled meeting on Wednesday 25th January 2017 at 7.30pm in the village hall.

There being no further business the meeting was closed at 9.25pm


(Ref: 170 – 173)