Pakenham Parish Council : Minutes 25th January 2017

PAKENHAM PARISH COUNCIL
Minutes of the meeting held on Wednesday, 25th January 2017 at 7.30pm
Pakenham Village Hall

Present: Cllr Painter, Cllr Dorling, Cllr Bagnell, Cllr Brookman, Cllr Davey, Cllr Palfrey and Cllr Sidebotham
One Member of the public was in attendance.
Mrs S Brown (clerk) took the minutes.

1 - Record Councillors' apologies for absence: All in attendance

2 - Declarations of interest: No declarations of interest received

3 - County Councillor's report:-
Cllr Hopfensperger did not attend; a report had been received which included:-
The County Council budget went to Cabinet, the budget itself had £31.5m worth of savings, which still leaves a budget gap which will mean drawing on £8m of reserves. There is a proposal to have 0% rise in general council tax and an increase from 2% to 3% for the national adult social care precept, this is in line with government's announcement to allow councils to raise the amount of precept for adult social care to 3% in any one year. This will add an annual amount of £11 to the average band D property and raise £8.5m which will go straight to adult social care frontline services. With regards to adding extra dragon's teeth to the upper town scheme, does not perceive this to be a problem and is awaiting confirmation. No further information on devolution.
Council discussed dragon's teeth on all four roads leading to the junction at Upper Town in response to the recent accidents and concern expressed at the lack of visibility because of the large hedges at this junction. Clerk to contact Cllr Hopfensperger expressing the serious concern of the Council about visibility at the Upper Town crossroads and could she obtain a definitive map of who owns the land surrounding this crossroads to allow the Council to approach the landowners. The clerk to contact Highways asking if an Officer can inspect the Upper Town crossroads/junction as Council have safety concerns with the visibility in the area because of the hedges. To also ask SCC to remove the debris which has been left at this junction since the accident. The clerk to ask SCC to replace the reflective discs on the bollard at the junction of Mill Road and the Ixworth bypass as it is now difficult to see the turning at night.
Borough Councillors report:-
Cllr Brown attended and gave a report which included: St Edmundsbury will be beginning a consultation process on infrastructure within Bury St Edmunds and the surrounding area. If anyone has any thoughts on what should be included, please contact Cllr Brown with their views. Council briefly discussed. Civil parking enforcement this is normally down to the police to enforce but it is hoped this will be handed over locally to St Edmundsbury Borough Council to enforce.
Public Forum: It was reported the kebab van now has flashing lights on both sides of the van which are visible from the 'A' road. It was also reported there had been an increase in litter, rats, vandalism and extra traffic including lorries. Borough Cllr Brown to take this forward including contacting the police and environmental health department. To place on next agenda.

4 - To consider the approval of the minutes of the last meetings:-
The minutes of the meeting held on 14th December 2016 were approved and signed as a true record.

5 - Matters arising from previous meeting:-
i. Affordable Housing:-
Email received from Havebury Housing (23.11.16) was read to Council and discussed. Borough Cllr Brown reported he had met the Officer from Strategic Housing who agreed there was no need for a housing survey but Council needed to outline on a map where the proposed affordable housing will be built. Cllr Brookman suggested she contacted Havebury who have a plan with the proposals. Cllr Painter was happy to meet with the Officer if she would like to visit the site. This was discussed including the need for the allotments and access road to be addressed. Cllr Bagnell expressed the concern and frustration that Council were no further with this proposal after so many years. Cllr Bagnell proposed abandoning the scheme, this was seconded by Cllr Sidebotham a vote of hands was taken the proposal was carried by a majority of 5 to 2 voting against. It was therefore resolved to abandon the affordable housing scheme. Cllr Brookman proposed the clerk to formally write to Havebury Housing and St Edmundsbury Borough Council explaining because of the frustration of working with the two bodies the Parish Council was no longer pursuing the affordable housing scheme. This was seconded by Cllr Bagnell all Councillors in agreement.
ii. Speeding in village:-
Cllr Sidebotham reported many residents were concerned at speeding through the village particularly Church Hill, The Street and Upper Town. This was discussed, it was agreed the clerk to contact SNT's point of contact for Community Speedwatch to ask if a speed check could be carried out in the village. The clerk to contact Cllr Hopfensperger to ascertain when the mobile vehicle activated signage will be used in Pakenham.

6 - Clerks Report:-
G Cranmer had reported the fence on the main road going past the Dell had fallen over. Cllr Dorling to inspect and report back at the next meeting, to place The Dell on the next agenda. An envelope with the new password to the Council laptop was passed to the Chairman.
i. Outstanding Highways issues: the loose kerbstone at the entrance of Greenwoods, the works had been completed. Cllr Sidebotham advised the 'children' sign had been knocked down and was propped up against the 30mph signage on the Ixworth road coming into Upper Town, the clerk to report to SCC.

7 - Correspondence:-
To distribute Clerks & Councils Direct and The Local Councillor. Notification of Heritage training for Town and Parish Councils which is free for members on Tuesday 14 March had been received. Cllr Sidebotham to attend. An anonymous email had been received in regards to land being used for commercial use the clerk had forwarded to the planning department.
i. Suffolk Minerals & Waste Local Plan Consultation: Council did not comment.
ii. St Edmundsbury Parish & Town Forum: To take place on 31 January at Barrow Village Hall 6 – 8pm Cllr Sidebotham to attend.
iii. The Great British Spring Clean: Cllr Painter to pass the letter to the W.I.
iv. Buckingham Palace Garden Party Nomination: Cllr Painter was nominated and completed the application form.
v. Letter from Mayor of St Edmundsbury: Council was happy for the Mayor to attend a Parish Council meeting, the clerk to send the date of the Annual Parish Meeting.

8 - To consider quotations for tree works to be undertaken:-
Cllr Dorling had contacted three companies but only two had quoted both quotes very similar at just under £2500 for the tree works at The Dell, Church Green Wood and the Lawn Cemetery. A separate quote had been received for the veteran oak tree for £3,052.80. Council discussed all in agreement for all the tree works to be undertaken. Council discussed when the works were to take place. Cllr Brookman proposed if the tree work needed to be carried out now to be undertaken in the current financial year. The veteran oak works to take place in the financial year 2017-18 and if any tree works remain these to be carried out in the financial year 2018 – 19. All Councillors in agreement.

9 - To confirm acceptance of NJC salary scales for 2017-18:-
Council all in agreement to accept the NJC salary scales for 2017-18

10 - Planning:-
Applications determined by planning authority:-
DC/16/2258/HH : 49 The Owell – single storey rear extension, new front porch, replacement pitched roof over lean-to extension: Granted 1.12.16
DC/16/2561/HH : 31 The Owell – first floor rear extension: Granted 17.1.17
DC/16/2635/HH : Misty Mere, Mill Road – extension to garage: Granted 17.1.17

11 - Finance Report and to consider payments to be made:-
Confirmation had been received from SAAA the audit for years 2017-18 to 2021-22 the fees for limited assurance review will be £200 for Councils with a turnover of less than £25,000. Two burials had taken place since the last meeting £575 banked in December and £200 banked in January.
The deposit account on 4th April 2016 had a cleared balance of £6715.34.
The current account held a cleared balance of £17,236.96 on 2nd January 2017 and an uncleared balance after the invoices on the agenda have been paid of £15,242.96.
The payment of invoices was agreed.
i. To consider budget for 2017-2018 and precept: The draft budget 2017/18 was distributed and agreed. Council discussed and all Councillors in agreement for a precept of £12,046 which would equate to Band D remaining at £35.90 a 0% change from last year. The precept form was dually signed by the Chairman and the Clerk.
ii. To confirm internal audit to be carried out by M. Saunders: Council agreed M.Saunders to carry out 2016-17 internal audit.