Pakenham Parish Council : Minutes 20th June 2024

PAKENHAM PARISH COUNCIL
Minutes of the meeting held on Thursday, 20th June 2024 at 7.30pm
Pakenham Village Hall

Present: Cllr Nick Davey Chair, Cllr Dorling Vice-Chair, Cllr Bagnell, Cllr Palfrey, Cllr Sargent and Cllr Berry. Seven Members of the public were in attendance. Mrs S Brown (clerk) took the minutes.
Cllr Davey Chair welcomed everyone to the meeting.

1 - Record Councillors' apologies for absence:-
Apologies received and accepted from Cllr Sidebotham who was unwell.

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

3:-
County Councillors Report: Cllr Hopfensperger did not attend, no report had been received.
District Councillors Report: Cllr Speed attended - a brief report had been given in regards his attendance at a meeting in Ixworth and out come in regards the kebab van. Cllr Speed advised he had a meeting set up next week with the senior planning officer and felt the best outcome would be to find another site for the kebab van.
Public Forum: A resident stated they were very disappointed and saddened with the situation at The Dell particularly with Plot 2 being approved by the planning authority. It was highlighted the developer was still in breach of planning as the drainage issue has still not been addressed. The pre-build conditions were highlighted and discussed. It was believed some of the conditions can not be met. It was felt enforcement was not really enforced. It was advised the East Anglia Daily Times had picked this up and reported on the issue. It was felt the cart lodge currently being built maybe turned into a third house on the site. Cllr Speed advised the developer would need planning in the normal way and he had been verbally assured by the developer this would be a cart lodge. Drainage issues on the site and the driveway and visibility were discussed. It was stated it was imperative that these issues were addressed before Plot 2 was started. Cllr Dorling stated he could not understand what was going on with this site and felt the planning department needed to resolve this. It was felt there had been a lack of discussion with the neighbour to The Dell who owns the drive this was discussed. It was felt the planning department was not enforcing their own rules. Cllr Speed was asked if Plot 2 could be halted until these issues are resolved. Cllr Speed agreed to arrange a meeting with the senior planning officer to review this case particularly the drainage issue as well as the Ash tree on site which has a TPO. It was advised all these issues had been reported at least 18 months ago. The Chair of the Council confirmed these issues would be left in Cllr Speeds hands.

4 - To consider the approval of the minutes of the last meeting: -
The minutes of the meeting held on 30 May 2024 were approved to be signed as a true record.

5 - Reports arising from the previous meeting:-
i. Highways:-
Update from SCC highways that works to deliver a new footway extension on Church Hill have now been ordered and are due to be completed by 22 August 2024. Works ordered of this nature, whilst have a completion date are always subject to the needs of the reactive service and Highway Maintenance Operational Plan which utilise the same resource.
Update from SCC highways that SCC Rights of Way Team have received the first legal closure document from SCC legal for the Hempyard bridge repairs, the information notice and A143 pedestrian notices will go out at key locations; we will start putting up on site as soon as we can. Update from SCC highways on Access on Fen Road: we have chased the landowner for an update on his application for the access. He is in the process of gaining planning permission for the access from West Suffolk. He intends to install a proper vehicular access here and once planning permission is granted, he will apply to SCC to bring the access up to our specific design standards. ii. Clerks Report:-
Cllr Sidebotham has been booked to attend Session 4 of the planning webinar on 26 June 10 – 11am which covers: conservation, listed buildings, trees, roads and enforcement. If Session 1 of the planning webinar becomes available, to download for Cllr Sidebotham.
Rent has now been received for all allotment plots for the year 2024-25.
Letter received and circulated confirming request to the Planning Inspectorate in regards application to add a footpath from Mill Road to Broadway Lane. The AGAR for 2023-24 has been sent to PKF Littlejohn and all documents added to the Pakenham website.
The Clerk reminded Council she will be on holiday from Friday 21 June to Friday 12 July.

6 - To consider use of Bowling Green for a building to house the Model Railway Club:-
The Clerk read out a letter received from the Chairman of the Bury St Edmunds Model Railway Club and uploaded pictures of the site for Council to view. Council discussed and Cllr Bagnell proposed no objection in principal to a building or some kind being erected on the site subject to drawings and legalities as well as a small rent being paid this was seconded by Cllr Davey all in agreement. The Chair of the Model Railway Club to come back to Council with proposed building. To place on agenda once these plans have been put together.

7 - To consider working group with Ixworth Parish Council:-
The proposed working group was discussed. Cllr Palfrey and Cllr Bagnell felt it was not necessary. Cllrs Dorling, Sargent and Berry felt there were merits of four councillors working co-operatively on one off issues. Following a majority decision Cllr Dorling to follow up, if appropriate with the two Councillors from Ixworth parish council on the enforcement issues.
i. Update on joint meeting 24 May 11.30am: Cllr Dorling felt it had been quite positive and worked well for the two issues of the kebab van and the access enforcement issue but did not see it as a general thing but good for one off issues. The kebab van was briefly discussed. Cllr Bagnell felt the enforcement officers were not doing their job correctly. Cllr Davey stated he had proposed some years ago this road should have been declassified and given to the residents. Cllr Speed confirmed his meeting with the senior planning officer to try and resolve this situation.
ii. Update on bridge A1088 meeting 24 May 1pm: Cllr Dorling advised the bridge works had a proposed start date of 8 July this was dependant on the A14 being opened completely, it was hoped this would happen by the 27 June.

8 - To confirm:-
i. Quote for remedial works to notice board Church Green Wood: The Clerk confirmed quote of £185 for new site map Council discussed all in agreement to accept the quote. Cllr Dorling to liaise and bring to Council the art work/wording at the September meeting to be approved.
ii. Annual application of oil to benches outside village hall: Council discussed all in agreement for this to go ahead.
iii. Defibrillator pad for Pavilion defibrillator: The Clerk advised the pad would be out of date on 6 August 2024 a new one is currently £72.50 + VAT. Council discussed all in agreement for the clerk to purchase a new pad.

9 - Correspondence circulated:-
i. Regular information from SALC ebulletins, West Suffolk Community News and Suffolk County Council updates – Noted.
ii. Email from resident in regards
• The Dell in regards judicial review: The Clerk advised two emails from the resident had been received and were read to Council as well as a response from Cllr Speed. Council discussed and all in agreement they would not fund a judicial review.
• Kebab Van: Further pictures of items on footway received - the Clerk confirmed these had been forwarded to Cllrs Hopfensperger and Speed. A response to the previous email sent to Cllr Speed had been received and read out to Council, see item 3
• Local Studies Centre: The Clerk read out the letter received and advised all archived Pakenham parish council papers had been sent to The Hold in Ipswich. Council discussed and agreed the Clerk to advise the local history recorder all the parish council papers, if appropriate had already been sent to The Hold.
• Verges and Hedges: A letter had been received, read to Council thanking the parish council and village for keeping the verges/hedges cut back to allow for good visibility for drivers. Cllr Palfrey advised a member of the public had cut back verge/hedges a letter of thanks to be sent. Cllr Dorling advised another resident had cut back the verge and hedge back on Mill Road, a letter of thanks to be sent.

10 - Planning Applications to comment:-
i. Application DC/24/0682/HH The Old School, Church Hill
Low-level ground-mounted solar panel array.
Council discussed Cllr Davey proposed no objection seconded by Cllr Berry all in agreement no objection.

ii. Application DC/24/0724/TCA Priory Farmhouse, Bury Road
One silver birch fell.
Council discussed Cllr Berry proposed no objection seconded by Cllr Sargent all in agreement no objection.

iii. Enforcement Updates: Breach which may have an impact on the water course flow to Pakenham Water Mill being investigated.

iv. Applications decided by Planning Authority:-
• Application DC/24/0338/HH 1 Broadway two storey side extension – Approve 6.6.24
• Application DC/240095/FUL Land at The Dell, The Street one dwelling (following demolition of existing bungalow) – Approve 24.5.24
• Application DC/24/0428/FUL Land adj Pelambech, Fen Road one dwelling with garage and vehicular access – Refuse 28.5.24

11 - Finance Report:-
The first quarter against budget had been circulated to Councillors.
A reclaim of VAT totalling £1370.30 for the year 2023-24 had been received from HMRC and the final three allotment rents had been received for year 2024-25.
£105 lawn cemetery reservation received.
Bank balances
the deposit account had a balance of £10,851.94 at 30.4.24
the current account had a cleared balance at 31.5.24 of £16,916.58 with three unpresented cheques and the two payments on the agenda paid the current account will contain £15,472.66
To consider any payments to be made: All in agreement for the payment of invoices:-

12 - Councillors' reports and items for future agenda:-
Cllr Palfrey advised the bus service was problematic with on at least two occasions the bus which took children to school and workers into Bury had not arrived. Cllr Speed to advise Cllr Hopfensperger.

13 - Date of next meeting:-
The date of the next scheduled meeting was confirmed as Thursday, 18 July 2024 at 7.30pm in the Village Hall.

There being no further business the meeting was closed at 8.45pm

(Ref: 495-498)