Pakenham Parish Council : Minutes 17th March 2021

PAKENHAM PARISH COUNCIL
Minutes of a virtual Meeting of the Council
held on Wednesday, 17th March 2021 at 7.30pm

Present: Cllr Painter, Cllr Dorling, Cllr Bagnell, Cllr Palfrey, Cllr Sargent and Cllr Sidebotham
Three 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 Davey.

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

3:-
County Councillor's Report:-
Cllr Hopfensperger was in attendance and provided a report which was circulated to Councillors and included: Automatic number plate recognition to help improve visits to Suffolk recycling centres, SCC complete sale of Chilton Woods land to Taylor Wimpey for future development of a new local community, SCC increases budget to support most vulnerable residents and county's recovery from Covid-19, Highways doubles drainage budget following £27.2m announcement, SCC pushes ahead to new levels of digital connectivity as it launches sensor "gateway" roll-out, 16 new Covid-19 rapid testing centres to open in Suffolk, New hedgerow planted in Great Barton as part of Suffolk 2020 tree planting programme to increase biodiversity and SCC's cabinet confirms its support for Freeport East.
Cllr Hopfensperger gave a brief update on the SCC budget. The Clerk advised nothing had been received from Highways following the recent meeting. Cllr Hopfensperger to ensure the information on the Active Travel Charter and maps etc were sent through. The pot holes and defects on the routes of construction traffic have been reported and will be made good. Highways have spoken to the managers of the construction sites in Thurston expressing the concerns in regards construction traffic routing and damage to the roads. A brief discussion was held on the Bunbury Arms junction the traffic light system and new housing developments. Cllr Bagnell had reported a problem at Brand Road and the works have been ordered.
The use of Thurston Road and Church Hill/creamery road to Thurston was discussed and the Chairman stated the Parish Council would like some ideas from Highways on how to reduce traffic coming through Pakenham. Cllr Hopfensperger was asked to push Highways for solutions. The traffic problems and lack of consideration of connectivity and co-ordination was discussed.
Cllr Sidebotham asked for an update on the H-Bar that had been requested on The Street, Cllr Hopfensperger felt it had been assessed and turned down but would check and advise.
It was highlighted an article covering various highway issues the Parish Council had been trying to resolve had been written by the Chairman for the village Newsletter. Cllr Dorling suggested adding information on how residents can also report problems on the SCC website. The clerk to add this information to the article and all in agreement to send to the Village Newsletter.
Cllr Palfrey advised a resident had reported the problem of speeding vehicles in the Bailey Pool area. The Clerk to print the Speeding information provided by Suffolk Constabulary which had useful numbers and contact details of the community engagement officer for Cllr Palfrey to advise the resident.
Borough Councillor's Report:-
Cllr Brown did not attend and no report had been received.
Public Forum:-
A resident expressed their interest in safer cycling in the area as currently cycling into Bury each day for work and advised the main problem is getting safely from Pakenham into Thurston. The Chair explained the help which had been given by Cllr Hopfensperger over the last few years in trying to slow traffic in the area and trying to make the Upper Town junction safer. It was highlighted how difficult it was getting Highways to help. It was felt cycle paths could help solve traffic problems.
Cllr Dorling highlighted the need for a crossing bridge over the A143 from Pakenham to Ixworth and it was confirmed this was really important to a large number of villagers. This was briefly discussed and Cllr Hopfensperger to chase Highways on the three issues of the A143 crossing, Thurston Road from the Upper Town junction and Church Hill/creamery road to Thurston.

4 - To consider the approval of the minutes of the last meetings:-
The minutes of the meeting held on 17th February 2021 were approved to be signed as a true record.

5 - Reports:-
i. Highways (cycle & pedestrian routes) meeting of 19.2.21: The summary from the meeting had been circulated to Councillors and those that attended the meeting. A resident who had attended the meeting had sent through a summary document on 'Pakenham & surrounding parish's cycle & walking infrastructure routes' this had been circulated to Councillors, it was agreed the Clerk to send to the Highways officer who had attended the meeting. No questions arose from the summary. The Chair advised the two nominated roads for quiet lane status had been turned down as they had not met the criteria for quiet lane status. The resident advised a number of villagers had asked if Fen Road could be nominated for quiet lane status, it was advised this road would unfortunately also not meet the criteria and this was briefly discussed. Making creamery road a no through road was also briefly discussed. Cllr Dorling highlighted the Great Barton by-pass had been proposed some years ago and this may be the only way to sort some of these highway problems.
ii. Sizewell C Fen Land: The Chair advised the update on this matter had been published in the Newsletter, Cllr Dorling advised survey work had been undertaken.
iii. Allotments: The updated tenancy agreements and privacy notices had gone out to plot holders also highlighting item 5a 'the allotment garden shall be kept in a clean, decent & good condition and properly cultivated'. Also a reminder the rent is due on 1st April and if they did not wish to continue with the plot to let the Clerk know as soon as possible. Plot 2 and Plot 6 had given notice and the next people on the waiting list had been offered the plots. The clerk confirmed there were currently 5 on the waiting list and 3 plot holders who would like a further plot. Cllr Dorling advised one of those on the waiting list would be happy to cultivate part of the bowling green area. Council briefly discussed and agreed to place use of former bowling green area as allotments on the next agenda.
A resident highlighted the number of plots which were not kept in good order. The Council briefly discussed and it was suggested a deposit could be asked for when a tenancy is taken on. Council agreed to visit the allotments in a month's time to make a decision on whether to give notice to those plots which were not kept in a clean, decent and good condition, to place on next agenda.
The Clerk advised an email had been received from the holder of plot 12 who asked permission if they could continue to use weed suppressant for paths or they could use grass for their clients that help cultivate the plot to help prevent them tripping and also if Council was happy for them to continue to use plastic net fencing around the edge to show her clients where the plot ends. Council discussed and were happy for the weed suppressant to be used for 3' pathways and to continue with the small fence.
iv. Clerk's Report: The legislation which was brought in last year to allow Councils to hold remote meetings ceases on May 7 2021. The LGA and NALC are asking for it to be continued. However if Council wishes to hold the Annual parish meeting remotely this would have to be held between 1 March – 6 May. Council discussed and agreed to hold the Annual Parish Meeting before the next Parish Council meeting on 21 April starting at 7pm. It was agreed to continue to hold the Annual Parish Council meeting remotely on 19 May and if necessary to ratify decisions if necessary at the following meeting. The full dog bin at Church Green Wood had been reported. Three further planning applications had been received since the agenda had gone out. Council agreed to hold a planning meeting on Wednesday 31 March at 7.30pm.

6 - To confirm working group to look at local cycle & pedestrian routes:-
Council discussed and happy for Cllrs: Painter, Dorling and Davey and resident to continue as the working group looking at local cycle & pedestrian routes. It was agreed to wait for some feed-back from Highways and then set up a meeting.

7 - To consider memorials:-
i. War Memorial: Still awaiting permission from the Church, to place on next agenda
ii. Memorial Bench/s & plaque: The Chair updated Council of the centenary of the W.I. and they were also were looking at a bench to commemorate this. The Village Hall had advised they were happy to have two benches outside the entrance. The Chair of the W.I. had advised they were happy to donate some monies to the Parish Council towards the purchase of a memorial bench. Cllr Painter had seen suitable benches at Clarkes at a cost of £562 + £50 for a plaque this included VAT. There would be a further cost for fixing to the ground. Council discussed and all in agreement for the purchase of two benches one to commemorate the late resident who had done so much for the village (the Chair to confirm with the family suitable wording for the plaque) and one to commemorate the 100 years of the W.I. Council discussed as to whether to treat the benches or leave natural, a decision to be made once they were delivered.
iii. Dedicated area for a memorial wood: Council discussed and it was agreed not to take this further.

8 - To consider Lawn Cemetery headstone survey, signage & confirm work for a fenced area:-
The Clerk advised the last survey had taken place in April 2015, Council discussed and agreed the Clerk to contact Hanchets to carry out a headstone survey. A quote for the works at the Lawn Cemetery of £825 + VAT had been received for the work to level the ground, re-seed and fence all in agreement for the work to take place. To place signage on the next agenda.

9 - To review bi-annual Risk Assessment of Assets & to confirm insurance level of cover:-
It was highlighted there were 5 dog/litter bins in total, the Clerk to add two benches when purchased. The insurance broker Came & Co. had asked for confirmation of the cover needed. Council discussed the level of cover which currently included £5000 for defibrillators and cabinets, £33,398.49 for street furniture and £5,197.96 for outside equipment. Council agreed this was adequate. The Clerk to add the benches to the asset list when purchased and send a copy to Came & co.

10 - Correspondence circulated:-
• SALC ebulletins – noted
• Suffolk Constabulary speeding information – Noted
• Telephone call from resident bin by Church Green Wood may need replacing, to place dog/litter bins on next agenda.
• Telephone call from resident enquiring who owned small triangle of land behind the Dell. Council discussed and it was felt this was owned by Havebury Housing.

11 - Planning Applications to comment:-
DC/21/0369/HH : Hill House, Fen Road
Front porch, 2 storey rear extension & cladding to part of existing side & rear extension.
Council discussed and all in agreement no objection.

Applications determined by Planning Authority: None received

Enforcement Updates: No updates had been received from Planning Authority to place on next agenda.

12 - Finance Report:-
The fourth quarter against budget had been circulated to Councillors.
Bank balances : the deposit account held £10,129.50 at 30 April 2020.
The current account held a cleared balance of £15,894.56 at 1 March 2021
and an uncleared balance of £13,924.62 after invoices below had been paid.
A payment had been received of £102 for reservation of a burial plot F5.
To consider any payments to be made:-

13 - Councillors' reports and items for future agenda: Nothing further to add.

14 - Date of next meeting:-
A planning meeting was confirmed for Wednesday, 31 March 2021 and the date of the next scheduled virtual meeting was confirmed as Wednesday, 21st April 2021 which would follow the Annual Parish Meeting at 7pm on 21 April 2021.

There being no further business the meeting was closed at 9.32pm

(Ref: 347-351)