Pakenham Parish Council : Minutes 15th September 2021

PAKENHAM PARISH COUNCIL
Minutes of a Meeting of the Council
held on Wednesday, 15 September 2021 at 7.30pm
Pakenham Village Hall

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

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

3:-
County Councillor's Report:-
Cllr Hopfensperger attended a report had been received and circulated to Councillors which included: Statement on behalf of all Suffolk councils regarding Afghan refugees; make one simple change today in a bid to tackle climate change; Suffolk plans climate change events ahead of COP26; Suffolk's new Chief Fire Officer appointed; Suffolk targets devolution talks with Government; Suffolk homeowners can cut carbon emissions as successful solar panel buying scheme returns; Suffolk health chiefs alarm as covid cases shoot up ahead of sunny bank holiday weekend; Suffolk Fire and Rescue Service adds four new enhanced appliances to its fleet, fitted with solar panels. Cllr Hopfensperger advised she had chased highways again to have the stumps on verge, Fen Road removed, to note there is an enforcement number on this issue, it was believed the verge is highways land. The white lines on road in this area were discussed, Cllr Hopfensperger to ask highways to write to the resident in regards the status of the verge/white lines on the road. Cllr Hopfensperger advised the application in regards the addition to the definitive map will be heard next month. The grant monies of £714 towards the cost of the memorial benches had been received by the Parish Council, thanks were given to Cllr Hopfensperger. It was asked if Highways could be chased in regards traffic in Upper Town and Thurston Road as there continued to be heavy traffic including construction traffic. A resident had contacted Cllr Hopfensperger in regards the works/bonfire at The Dell, it was advised an enforcement officer had inspected the site with an order for all works on site to stop. The Clerk read to Council an update on The Dell which had been received from Cllr Brown: the application is going through Planning review and outcome will be communicated through the usual process; the applicant's agent has been advised to inform the landowner to stop any works that may affect protected species at the site and the general environmental concerns regarding the burning of waste; the matter has been forwarded to the enforcement team and there will be a site visit to review the land. To advise Cllr Hopfensperger if any works start on the site.
Borough Councillor's Report:-
Cllr Brown attended and advised a mobility needs survey would be sent to the Clerk to circulate to Councillors for their views. Cllr Davey highlighted the issues, Council briefly discussed.
Public Forum:-
No members of the public wished to speak.

4 - To consider the approval of the minutes of the last meetings:-
The minutes of the meeting held on 27th July 2021 were approved to be signed as a true record.

5 - Reports arising from the previous meeting:-
i. Highways: No further updates.
ii. Clerk's Report: A burial and ashes had taken place in plot F2 a further burial of ashes had taken place in plot A17. An existing memorial at plot D6 wish to add a further inscription, Council had no objection. A request for a headstone on plot A17 had been received after the agenda had been circulated for a matt light grey granite stone with a simple inscription and a flower vase. Council in principle were all in agreement for permission to be given, to add to the next agenda for formal confirmation. All paperwork in regards the footpath addition to the definitive map has been sent to Suffolk County Council and an email of acknowledgment had been received. The Definitive Map Officer had advised if the landowner had erected barriers to the land members of the public should not use the path until the matter had been decided. If residents wish to report issues on rights of way, they can do this through the Suffolk County Council website.

6 - To consider war memorial:-
The Clerk advised a Parish Council do not have the power to erect a war memorial they only have the power to maintain, repair and protect war memorials in the Councils area (Local Authorities' Powers) Act 1923, s.1 however an independent group could be created to push this forward. Cllr Bagnell and a group of residents to take this forward. Cllr Bagnell outlined the need for a war memorial for the village and circulated a sketch of the suggested design and highlighted there would be no cost to the village as a number of individuals had offered monies towards the cost of materials and erection. It was asked if the memorial could be placed within the rear corner of the lawn cemetery. Council discussed and all were in agreement for the war memorial to be placed within the lawn cemetery. Cllrs: Dorling, Palfrey and Bagnell to liaise to ensure the memorial is placed in the correct position. Cllr Painter to place an article in the village Newsletter informing residents. The Clerk to inform the Church Wardens. Council discussed the future maintenance of the proposed memorial all in agreement the parish council to maintain the memorial.
The war memorial plaque in the Church was discussed. Council agreed Cllr Painter to continue to try to receive a quote from a specialist firm for the cleaning of the plaque. To place on next agenda.

7 - To consider purchase of Defibrillator at the Pavilion:-
The Clerk advised the Chair of the PVH & PFA had confirmed they were happy to have a defibrillator at the Pavilion. Council discussed and agreed to purchase an iPad SP1 fully automatic defibrillator and two AED armour stainless steel cabinets with no lock (one cabinet to replace the cabinet at the village hall) Cllr Hopfensperger agreed a grant for half the monies, the clerk to send a quote. Cllr Brown agreed a grant for the other half of the monies. The clerk to order.

8 - To review Bi-annual risk assessment:-
The risk assessment had been circulated to Councillors all in agreement no changes were needed.

9 - Correspondence circulated:-
• SALC ebulletins – Noted
• Suffolk Constabulary information – Noted
• West Suffolk Council information – Noted
i. Thurston Parish Council Village Walks – the clerk read out the email received suggesting walks could be combined to make up multiple village circular walks. Council was happy for this to happen Cllr Painter to act as the contact for the Council.
ii. West Suffolk Gambling Act Policy Consultation – Noted
iii. West Suffolk Local Plan September 2021 review of services & facilities – Council discussed and agreed Cllr Painter to complete the form to advise West Suffolk Council the nursery in Pakenham was not accessible easily by foot but only by vehicle. The Clerk to forward to West Suffolk Council.

10 - Planning Applications to comment:-
i. DC/21/1680/HH : Briar House, Fen Road
single storey front extension, conversion of garage to habitable room, first floor side extension & detached cart lodge.
Council discussed and all in agreement no objection. The Clerk to highlight to Planning under parish council comment there was a document discussing a bridal way. To advise planning to please ensure the bridal way is not affected by the development.
ii. Planning updates:
• EN/21/0222 : Little Dene, Grimstone End – Holiday let -planning enforcement no update received.
• DC/20/1145/OUT : land adj Newbury – The application has been received for consultation but was too late for this meeting. Council agreed to hold a planning meeting on Wednesday 22 September at 5/6pm if the village hall is free.
• Planning enforcement Strathcona – no update.

Councillor Bagnell left the meeting.

11 - Finance Report:-
Bank balances : the deposit account held £10,146.18 at 30 April 2021.
The current account held a cleared balance at 31 August 2021 of £25,050.86.
Receipts received for burials plot F2 & A17 £805 and grant of £714 from Suffolk County Council towards the memorial benches.
The uncleared balance held in the current account after the invoices on the agenda and receipts have been included was £22,926.55
The third quarter against budget had been circulated to Councillors.
To consider any payments to be made: All in agreement for the invoice listed to be paid.

12 - Councillors' reports and items for future agenda:-
Cllr Bagnell advised a tree from the playing field was overhanging 20, Manor Garth, the Clerk to advise the Chair of PVH & PFA. The Chair to place a note of thanks to Cllr Hopfensperger and Cllr Brown for their contribution towards the memorial benches in the next Newsletter. A vote of thanks was given to Cllr Bagnell for the clearing of the carpets/debris from the allotments which has saved the Parish considerable monies. Cllr Dorling advised an overgrown hedge near the bypass which he had reported on the SCC website.

13 - Date of next meeting:-
The date of the next scheduled meeting was confirmed as Wednesday, 20 October 2021 an extra ordinary meeting to look at the planning application received after the agenda was circulated on 22 October 2021, if the village hall was available.

There being no further business the meeting was closed at 9pm

(Ref: 371-374)