Pakenham Parish Council : Minutes 18th January 2024

PAKENHAM PARISH COUNCIL
Minutes of the meeting held on Thursday 18th January in the Martin Room
Pakenham Village Hall

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

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

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 was given in regards the extension to the footpath on Church Hill – because Highways have to adopt the extension they have to complete a full specification which an officer is currently undertaking, this will also include the need for the road to be closed for the works as soon as it is completed they will advise Cllr Hopfensperger and it will be sent out to the Council to get a new quote for the works from Nunns. This was briefly discussed including the time taken for permission to be recieved, Cllr Hopfensperger advised Highways did not have the funds to complete the works themselves. Council agreed to still carry on and await the specification and take a view once the new quote from Nunns is received.
Cllr Hopfensperger gave a brief update in regards the proposed budget and gave some context to the proposed cuts including moving the record office to The Hold in Ipswich and the proposed funding cuts to the Theatre Royal, Council briefly discussed. Cllr Dorling advised the Apex had not accepted cash, Cllr Speed was not aware of any policy and they may have had a problem on the day.
Cllr Davey asked for an update on the flooding issue on Compiegne Way particularly in relation to the building of the new recycling centre. Cllr Hopfensperger gave a brief background to the drainage in the area and as of today they have managed to clear most of the water and will be able to get to the pumps, remove the dirt left on the road and organise the necessary repairs. Going forward they will need to work towards a sustainable long-term solution to the problem, the ultimate solution is to raise the road.
Cllr Davey asked about potholes and the new highway providers, this was briefly discussed. Cllr Hopfensperger advised The Dragon is to be brought in next week which is supposed to complete a pot-hole in eight minutes.
Cllr Sidebotham asked whether anything could be done about the trucks going through The Street, unfortunately there was nothing that could be done. It was hoped once the repairs on the bridge on the A1088 there would be less traffic. Cllr Hopfensperger to send through the dates of the works once known.
Cllr Dorling asked for an update on the footpath in Grimstone End, Cllr Hopfensperger advised there were still 10 cases in front of Pakenham and she would continue to chase.
ANPR was briefly discussed, it was advised Pakenham was on a rota and should have the devices every few weeks.
District Councillor's Report: Cllr Speed attended and gave a report which included: Cllr Speed confirmed he would check with The Apex in regards the use of cash as discussed above. It was confirmed the security camera had been approved for the Pavilion and Cllr Speed was also looking at the use of 106 monies for the Pavilion and he will liaise with them. The Local Plan is the next big issue for West Suffolk Council with 13,000 houses required in the district, Cllr Speed hoped all Councils will give their views when the consultation is sent out.
Public Forum: It was advised the fence and hedge had been removed from the boundary of Pelambech however the wooden gates remain which have only been in place for approximately 3 years. This was discussed. Council would like it noted the wooden gates have been left in situ and there is no official entrance to this site. Cllr Speed to check this has been formally noted by the planning officer.

4 - To consider the approval of the minutes of the last meetings:-
Cllr Berry highlighted a spelling error on the first page of the minutes which was amended. The minutes of the meeting held on 16th November 2023 were approved to be signed as a true record.

5 - Reports arising from the previous meeting:-
i. Highways: No update received from SCC on the use of concrete on the re-opened access on Fen Road which had been reported to ensure it met current regulations - Cllr Hopfensperger to chase.
ii. Thermal Imaging Camera: It was confirmed the thermal imaging camera had been received. The clerk advised notices had been placed on the village noticeboards advising residents of this and if anyone was interested to contact the Chair or the Clerk. The use of the camera will run from 16 – 29 January.
iii. Clerks Report: No information had been received in regards the inclusion meeting being held by Sizewell C.
All the tree works had been completed as per the tree survey report including at the lawn cemetery. The new battery for the defibrillator at The Water Mill had been replaced and The Circuit had been updated. A lawn cemetery reservation had been made for plot F19 and payment had been received.

6 - To consider grass cutting quotes:-
The clerk had circulated three quotes to Councillors, a further quote had been received and was read out to Council. Council discussed Cllr Dorling proposed acceptance of the quote from Countryside Conservation seconded by Cllr Davey all in agreement. The Clerk to let the companies know of the outcome.

7 - To consider proposed diversion route A1088:-
Cllr Hopfensperger advised the works were scheduled to take three months and the works should not start until the A14 had been completed. This was briefly discussed including the number of HGV's coming through the village.

8 - To consider adoption of risk assessment for thermal imagining camera:-
The Clerk had circulated the risk assessment supplied by SCC. Council discussed and all in agreement to adopt for the period when operating the thermal camera.

9 - To consider Gov.uk email address for Pakenham Parish Council:-
The Clerk advised it is now recommended and good practice for a Council to have a 'Council email' and all Councillors to have a .gov or .org email address for receiving information for Council business. Community Action Suffolk can now offer this service, the costs were discussed Council agreed not to proceed at the current time due to the cost.

10 - To consider Meadow to be used for annual Open Air Play on 29 June 2024:-
Council discussed and all in agreement for permission to be given to hold the open air play on the Lawn Cemetery Meadow.

11 - To consider donations to:-
• PVH & PFA/Post Office: The vice-chair of PVH & PFA updated Council they were considering reducing the rent of the post office by 25/30% the Chair to have a conversation with the post office. Cllr Davey asked if the rent rebate will be backdated to the date of the rise of the electricity costs, this was not known. Council agreed to keep the quarterly grant to £300. To place on next agenda.
• Water Mill: An email had been received and was read to Council this was discussed Cllr Speed advised he had given some locality monies to the Water Mill. Cllr Davey proposed giving a donation of £500 seconded by Cllr Dorling agreed by a majority decision five councillors for and two abstained.

12 - Correspondence circulated:-
i. Regular information from SALC ebulletins, West Suffolk Community News and Suffolk County Council updates – Noted
ii. West Suffolk District Councils Strategic Priorities document for 2024-2028 - Noted
iii. BMSDC Call for sites 2024 – Noted
iv. BMSDC notification BMSDC have formally adopted the Babergh & Mid Suffolk Joint Local Plan Part 1 2018 – 2037 - Noted
v. Residents Emails:
• Overgrown hedge St Marys View: The Clerk had asked Cllr Speed if he could chase this matter as the hedge had overgrown the footpath. The Clerk was pleased to advise the hedge had now been cut.
• Fen Road entrance EN/23/0137: The Parish Council had been cc'd into an email sent to planning, the planning officer has responded directly to the resident.

13 - Planning Applications to comment:-
i. Application DC/23/1936/FUL Stanley Lodge, Fen Road
Continued use of Stanley Lodge as a dwelling.
Council discussed Cllr Davey proposed no objection and to support the application seconded by Cllr Palfrey all in agreement.
ii. Applications decided by West Suffolk Council: DC/231661/HH Pelambech
Refused 4.1.24
DC/23/1766/TCA The Old School tree works – no objection 8.12.23
DC/23/1735/LB 8 The Street – approved 10.1.24

14 - Finance Report:-
The clerk reported the receipt of £405 for the reservation of Plot F19.
Bank balances the deposit account at 1 May 2023 £16,690.87 the current account had a cleared balance at 1 January 2024 of £6347.20 with an uncleared balance of £3,520.80 once the invoices on the agenda have been paid.
Following the November meeting a letter was sent to Santander requesting the transfer of £6000 from the deposit to the current account as of 1st January this has not been carried out. A further letter has been produced Cllr Davey and Cllr Dorling to sign and re-send to Santander. A further letter to be sent to Santander asking for the bank mandate to be sent to Council to allow for this to be updated.
To consider any payments to be made: All in agreement for the payment of invoices:

15 - Councillors' reports and items for future agenda: Nothing to report.

16 - Date of next meeting:-
The date of the next scheduled meeting was confirmed as Thursday, 15th February 2024 at 7.30pm in the Martin Room.

There being no further business the meeting was closed at 9.10pm

(Ref 469 -473)