Pakenham Parish Council : Minutes 15th June 2023

PAKENHAM PARISH COUNCIL
Minutes of the meeting held on Thursday, 15th June 2023 at 7.30pm
Pakenham Village Hall

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

1 - Record Councillors' apologies for absence: No apologies received.

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

3 :-
County Councillors Report: Cllr Hopfensperger did not attend, a report was received which was circulated after the meeting.
District Councillors Report: Cllr Speed attended and gave a report which included: generally, business in Bury town centre is buoyant. Over the next few months further bin collections will commence for example for food waste and glass. This may cause challenges to individuals and Cllr Speed welcomes any input and once he knows more, he will update the Parish Council, this is a national initiative. The Administration is still finding its feet. Cllr Speed is keen to adjust how planning decisions are made and considered, making the system less clumsy with more focus on what parishes comment.
Public Forum: A resident expressed concern in regards activities at land in Fen Road where access has been created, a gate installed and a drive/roadway constructed, it appeared planning permission had not been received. The Clerk to report to the planning enforcement officer. The resident felt the local authority did not have a good track record with enforcement and had concerns that they would not do anything.

4 - To consider the approval of the minutes of the last meetings:-
The minutes of the meeting held on 18th May 2023 were approved to be signed as a true record.

5 - Reports arising from the previous meeting:-
Highways:-
The Clerk gave an update received from SCC Structures Team in regards the A1088 bridge: Following completion of a site investigation, testing, and survey works, the preliminary design of the new bridge has been completed. The detailed design, checking and preparation of drawings, specifications, and other works information is now underway for the reconstruction of the bridge and is expected to be completed by September 2023. This design information will then be provided to the contractor to enable them to price and programme the works, with a view to an order being raised before the end of the year, such that the contractor can mobilise ready for a start of works as early as possible in Spring 2024. A full road closure will be required to enable the bridge to be reconstructed, the duration of the works and the closure required will be developed and confirmed in conjunction with our contractor throughout the design and pricing stages.

To minimise the risks of an extended construction period/road closure due to inclement weather etc, the works would be best undertaken outside of the Winter months. As previously indicated, there is not sufficient time to complete the design, pricing, mobilisation, and construction works before the coming Winter, which is why they are programmed to be started as early as possible in Spring 2024. It is acknowledged that the road closure will result in inconvenience/disruption/additional costs to the public/businesses, and Suffolk County Council will be seeking to minimise the duration of the works both during the design and construction stages. It is also acknowledged that the 7.5T Structural Weight restriction that has had to be placed on the bridge in the interim period is also causing a significant impact on some businesses, however this restriction is required to ensure the safety of the public and safeguard the integrity of the bridge for use by vehicles <7.5T GVW until the bridge can be replaced.
The new bridge will be designed/constructed to accommodate vehicles up to 44T GVW. I do appreciate the inconvenience to those who have contacted but having spoken to SCC officers at length the above timetable is the most realistic one.

Update on report to SCC highways in regards faded white lines at The Owell Ref: 404449:-
We believe that at this time it does not warrant remedial action, however we will continue to monitor the location as part of our routine inspections and if the matters worsens significantly, we will take action.

Clerks Report:-
New councillor training is available if Cllr Berry wishes to attend. The Clerk to send the dates to Cllr Berry and book as dates are suitable.
Democratic services have been informed of the co-option of Cllr Berry.
Receipt of documents from PKF has been confirmed ref: SF0298.
A resident has asked if they can practice putting up and taking down their caravan awning on the old bowling green on Saturday, Council happy to give permission.
M & TJs did not come back to me with a quote for removal of rubbish. I have telephoned and this is something they are unlikely to be able to do. A Councillor may be able to help.
There are still two vacant allotment plots - the website has been updated to show this and the clerk will add a poster to the main noticeboard advertising them.
The clerk has contacted the village newsletter to update them on the new Chair and Councillor.

6 - To consider disabled access via drive to lawn cemetery/church:-
The Clerk read out an email received from the Church Warden in regards disabled access as well as erecting possible signage to direct visitors to the church, to place on next agenda. Cllr Dorling and Cllr Davey to re-visit the driveway with MJ Nunns to see if chamfering in the centre of the hump would be suitable and receive a price. To place on next agenda.

7 - To consider bench in Pakenham woods:-
The Clerk advised of the cost of the previously purchased bench as well as the cost of a recycled bench or hardwood bench from Glasdon. Council discussed Cllr Davey and Cllr Sidebotham were concerned the land did not belong to the Parish Council and would be sited on private land. Cllr Sargent suggested placing a bench in Church Green Woods instead. All Councillors in agreement not to go ahead with purchasing a bench for Pakenham woods however District Councillor Speed was happy to talk with the landowner and contribute towards a bench. The Parish Council were happy for him to go ahead as there would be no costs to the Parish Council.

8 - To consider additional inscription on headstone for memorial plot E15:-
Council discussed and all in agreement to approve the additional inscription.

9 - Correspondence circulated:-
* SALC ebulletins & SALC AGM 19 July 7pm – West Suffolk Council consultation on the extension of existing Public Space Protection Orders – West Suffolk Council Clean Air Day - Suffolk County Council Community Emergency Plan – SCC feedback requested on rural transport in Suffolk 2023 – Noted
* Letter received from Savills in regards Anglian Water Services Ltd and was read to Council: Council discussed and completed the form, the Clerk to return.
* Emails received:
i. Moreton Hall Airfield: Cllr Davey updated Council reporting several people were concerned at the possibility of the airfield turning back to agricultural land with the possibility of planning permission for houses. District Councillor Speed advised the airfield had been offered a new site and permission had been granted change of use to agricultural land. There will be opposition if housing applications are put in. Cllr Speed advised the Local Plan decision group would be meeting next week and he will update the Parish Council at the next meeting. .
ii. Speed Limit Reduction: Email received and response from Cllr Hopfensperger was read to Council.
iii. Consultation on draft Neighbourhood Plan Ixworth & Ixworth Thorpe: The email with links had been circulated to Councillors.
iv. Beyond the Fen: This had been circulated to Councillors, Cllr Berry advised the website did go into further details. The Clerk to send thanks to the resident. Cllr Dorling stated the Parish Council was still waiting for the planning application from Sizewell C, this was briefly discussed.
v. Complaint in regards verges Fen Road & lorry traffic in regards Fen Meadows/Sizewell C: The email was read to Council, Cllr Palfrey advised a volunteer cuts some of the verges in Upper Town. District Councillor Speed to check the frequency of cuts and advise the clerk.
vi. Untaxed vehicle allowed to trade in Pakenham: The email was read to Council who briefly discussed the issues of the kebab van. It was advised the untaxed vehicle was a police matter.

10 - Planning Applications to comment:-
i. Application DC/23/0739/HH : Stanley Lodge, Fen Road
Detached garage.
Council discussed, the applicant gave a brief background on the plot and their plans. Council majority decision to support the application.
District Councillor Speed stated he hoped to resolve the issues the applicant had with the plot and the planning department in a commonsense way. The Parish Council indicated they were also happy to support the applicant and help to resolve the outstanding issues.

11 - Finance Report:-
The first quarter against budget was circulated to Councillors.
Bank balances : the deposit account at 1 May 2023 £16,690.87 the current account had a cleared balance at 31 May 2023 of £12,433.32 once unpresented cheques and the invoices below have been paid the balance is £10,538.25. Cllr Sidebotham reviewed the bank statements.
To consider any payments to be made: All in agreement for the payment of invoices:-