Pakenham Parish Council : Minutes 19th September 2024

PAKENHAM PARISH COUNCIL
Minutes of the meeting held on Thursday, 19th September 2024 at 7.30pm
Pakenham Village Hall

Present: Cllr Davey Chair, Cllr Dorling Vice-Chair, Cllr Bagnell, Cllr Palfrey, Cllr Sargent, Cllr Sidebotham and Cllr Berry.Thirteen 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: All in attendance.

2 - Declarations of interest: Declaration of interest received from Cllr Bagnell in respect of item 11i.

3 :-
County Councillors Report: Cllr Hopfensperger attended and gave a report which included: The extension from footpath to driveway of the church to start next week, this was confirmed by the Clerk with the road closed on Monday 23 to Wednesday 25 September.
The devolution deal for Suffolk has now been withdrawn from by the Government, a brief update on this was given.
Extra 20mph signage had been erected to help with speeding in the village caused by the diversion. It was advised some signage had been removed Cllr Hopfensperger to report to Highways. Reports of other areas of speeding highlighted by residents including Thurston Road past Pakenham windmill, Bury Road, Fen Road and The Street were all reported. Cllr Hopfensperger to advise Highways.
An update was given on the kebab van with work ongoing chasing enforcement which was being spearheaded by Cllr Speed. The recent fire at the kebab van was also discussed with concern that another van would replace it. It was advised the enforcement is against the trader and not the van. It was highlighted that the area where the van had been parked had cooking oil caked on the road and required an environmental health officer to make a site visit as well as the need for a professional clean of the area due to the fire damage, Cllr Hopfensperger to organise - she also advised the Chief fire officer had been asked to supply a report on the fire. The Chair suggested asset transfer of 'the road' to the nearest landowner could be looked at - this was briefly discussed, Cllr Hopfensperger to investigate de-regulating the road and whether this would be a viable option. The issue of hardcore being dumped on the ancient monument site and Historic England being contacted to update Cllr Speed.
Cllr Palfrey stated the bus service through Pakenham was almost non-existence and asked for an update. Cllr Hopfensperger advised she was working with Great Barton and other local villages on this issue with a bus task force being set up by local councils and suggested Pakenham parish council could join. Any Councillor interested in joining the task force to let the Clerk know and Cllr Hopfensperger would be advised.
Cllr Dorling advised when using the highways reporting tool you simply receive an email reply that it does not require work. He highlighted for example in Grimstone End the gulley opposite the bird hide was full of mud when it rains it floods and forces pedestrians onto the road this had been reported at least twice, Cllr Hopfensperger advised when reporting anything to send the report number to the Clerk who would send onto Cllr Hopfensperger who would escalate.
Cllr Bagnell advised of an accident at the Bunbury Arms and asked if it could be ensured hedges/greenery in the area could be kept cut back. It was asked if there was an update on Thieves Lane bridge, Cllr Hopfensperger to chase.
District Councillors Report: Cllr Speed sent his apologies as he was unable to attend.
Public Forum: A resident advised when the water connection was recently installed by Anglian Water the rubbish had been left on the bank. Cllr Bagnell stated this was usually collected separately by a grab lorry.
Residents highlighted an ongoing issue with parking on The Street. It was confirmed The Street is a public highway and as far as the parish council is aware no parking space on The Street is allocated to a private house. It was advised the resident had received verbal abuse when parking their own car or van on The Street as they had no drive to park on, they had been given permission to park on Friday, Saturday and Sunday in the village hall car park by PVH & PFA if no events were taking place. The Chair advised if they receive any verbal abuse to contact him and he would speak to the resident involved. It was suggested the Chair place a notice in the Newsletter on the matter.
A representative from PVH & PFA advised they had applied for planning permission for the new pavilion and it would take about two months. The new pavilion will be eco friendly and will be approximately 70% bigger than the old one. It was hoped to have underground water collection and this could be pumped to the allotments, Cllr Bagnell asked for clarification on where the underground tank would be sited - this was briefly discussed and the parish council would be informed before any proposed works if on parish council land. A drawing of the new pavilion was circulated to those at the meeting. There was currently car park space for 30 cars but there will be the possibility to expand this if required. It was hoped to get more sports back to the playing field and to use the pavilion year-round.
Cllr Dorling highlighted it would be sensible to mark out the boundary between the playing field land and parish council with a fence and new gate. It was noted some allotment tenants had been leaving the current gate open and PFA had put up a notice reminding holders to keep the gate closed. A resident asked if the model railway could also use the pavilion - it was advised there would not be enough room however PFA and the Chair of the Model Railway had been in discussion. Residents were looking forward to the new pavilion and the representative was thanked for his work.

4 - To consider the approval of the minutes of the last meeting:-
The minutes of the meeting held on 14 August 2024 were approved to be signed as a true record.

5 - Reports arising from the previous meeting:-
i. Highways including speeding traffic due to diversion: Extra 20mph signage had been erected to help with speeding traffic due to the diversion further problems with speeding were covered in item 3. The extension to the footpath should be completed by the end of September. Highways had advised Church Hill will be closed on the 23,24 and 25 September to complete the works.
Update on the kebab van discussed above in item 3
ii. Clerks Report: Two allotment holders have given up their plots both have new tenants that were on the waiting list. However, one of the new allotment holders on Plot 7 have let me know there are 4 tyres and some roof tiles on the plot which they have moved to the back of the plot.
The Microsoft yearly subscription was due 15 September 2024 for £59.99 this includes all documents/emails being saved to the Cloud.
The updated notice board at Church Green Wood has been completed and re-installed, thanks to Cllr Dorling for organising.

6 - Update from PVH & PFA on the new pavilion at the Playing Field:-
This was discussed in item 3 above.

7 - To consider extension to fencing & gate at the Playing Field:-
Council discussed erecting concrete posts at either end with a fence to formalise the boundary with post and rail and large gate as it was felt this would be the cheapest option, Council all in agreement and agreed to set up a working group of Cllr Davey and Cllr Dorling to work with a representative of PVH & PFA.

8 - To consider model railway hut at bowling green site:-
The Chair had received a letter from the Chair of the model railway group to advise they would come back to the council at a future date. Council briefly discussed if a temporary hut was erected would change of use be needed.

9 - To review Bi-Annual Risk Assessment:-
The risk assessment had been circulated to all Councillors. Council briefly discussed and it was agreed no update was required.

10 - Correspondence circulated:-
i. Regular information from SALC ebulletins, West Suffolk Community News and Suffolk County Council updates – Noted
ii. West Suffolk Council consultation on Bury St Edmunds Leisure Centre - Noted
iii. West Suffolk Council Civic Service Sunday 20 October – Noted
iv. SCC bus strategy route 73 & Walsham le Willows Bus needs strategy – Noted
v. SCC draft Homelessness and rough sleeping strategy – Noted
vi. Citizens Advice AGM 16 October – Noted
vii. Planning Inspectorate update – They are awaiting a response from SCC
viii. HMRC late filing penalty notice – SALC as our payroll agents are dealing with this as they missed filing the real time information required for quarterly payroll customers
ix. Emails from residents: Re: Dangerous dog incident on Fen Road police informed by resident – Noted Closure of The Street night of 17 September & highways response – Noted
Speeding Traffic on Thurston Road past Pakenham windmill – This was discussed in item 3.
St Mary's View overgrown hedge covering pavement – this had been forwarded to Cllr Speed to push for the works. Ixworth kebab van fire debris left in road – This was discussed in item 3

11 - Planning Applications for comment:-
Cllr Bagnell left the meeting.
i. DC/24/1071/HH Misty Meadows, Fen Road
Single storey side extension, carport & store.
Council discussed and all in agreement no objection.
Cllr Bagnell re-joined the meeting.

ii. DC/24/1190/TPO The Cottage, The Street
1 Hornbeam, 1 Holly, 1 Yew, 1 Lime lateral reductions, 1 Horse Chestnut remove lower lateral, 3 Sycamores crown lift.
Cllr Dorling had supplied photographs of the trees to be discussed, these were viewed. Council discussed and all in agreement no objection in principle with the comments but would advise the vista of these trees in the village is important and the parish council would not like anything to spoil this and would ask for the most sympathetic of trim.

12 - Finance Report including second quarter against budget:-
The second quarter against budget had been circulated to all Councillors the clerk gave a brief update.
Bank balances
the deposit account had a balance of £10,851.94 at 30.4.24
the current account had a statement balance at 31 August of £13,844.72 once invoices on the agenda had been paid as well as the SCC invoice the balance is £11,087.21.
Councillor Sidebotham checked the bank statement and signed.
To consider any payments to be made: Invoices checked and all in agreement for the payment of invoices:-