Pakenham Parish Council : Minutes 17th October 2024

PAKENHAM PARISH COUNCIL
Minutes of the meeting held on Thursday, 17th October 2024 at 7.30pm
Pakenham Village Hall

Present: Cllr Davey Chair, Cllr Dorling Vice-Chair, Cllr Palfrey, Cllr Sargent, Cllr Sidebotham (for item 9 onwards) and Cllr Berry. Fifteen 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 Bagnell.

2 - Declarations of interest: None received.

3 :-
County Councillors Report: Cllr Hopfensperger did not attend; no report had been received.
District Councillors Report: Cllr Speed did not attend; no report had been received.
Public Forum: The Chair of Ixworth Parish Council and a colleague attended and updated the council on the kebab van, having caught fire on 15 September and towed away - it has now been replaced with a new vehicle. Ixworth parish council had been battling with District and County in regards the two enforcement notices on the operator and the landowner. They had written and tried to engage many times with Pakenham's District Councillor. A response had been received from the director of planning at West Suffolk Council and was read to the meeting. It was asked if Pakenham parish council could help to push this issue with the District Council. Cllr Davey highlighted Pakenham Council had suggested to the County Councillor that chipping were laid where the original van had parked before a new vehicle could be moved to site. It had also been suggested County Council gift or lease the site to one of the residents with the possibility of installing gates. Pakenham parish council had been discussing and trying to resolve this issue for the last 6/7 years. The Chair of Ixworth advised some residents in the area thought Pakenham had spent £10,000 on this issue. Pakenham parish council strongly stated no monies had been spent on removing the kebab van. A member of the public highlighted the effects of the kebab van on nearby residents including generator noise, rats, general noise and rubbish. This matter was discussed including street trader licencing, the clerk to try and get an update, Council agreed to support Ixworth and to send a letter to the CEO of West Suffolk Council.
The new Royal British Legion poppy appeal volunteer introduced themselves.

4 - To consider the approval of the minutes of the last meeting:-
The minutes of the meeting held on 19th September 2024 were approved to be signed as a true record.

5 - Reports arising from the previous meeting:-
i. Highways: The extension from the footpath to the Church driveway has been completed. Update received from Suffolk Highways in regards delay to bridge reconstruction works on the A1088, this was discussed. A resident on Baileypool road was experiencing increase in traffic and speeding due to the closure of the A1088. They were advised to email the clerk with the details who would forward to the County Councillor to see if 20mph signage could be put in place.
ii. Clerks Report: The blocked gulley highlighted in the last meeting had been reported to highways by Cllr Dorling and the report number was forwarded to Cllr Hopfensperger to escalate.
SALC as payroll agent has confirmed the late filing penalty has been removed.
iii. West Suffolk Street Trading consultation update: The clerk to get an update on the outcome.

6 - To consider donations to:-
i. Royal British Legion: The Clerk advised £25 was donated last year, Council discussed and agreed to donate £55 to allow for the purchase of two poppy wreaths. The RBL volunteer to drop them off at Pakenham post office.
ii. PVH & PFA: The Clerk advised £2000 was donated for last year, Council discussed and agreed to donate £2000.

7 - To review Internal Control Statement & Effectiveness of Audit:-
The internal control statement and effectiveness of audit had been updated and circulated to all Councillors prior to the meeting. Council reviewed the documents, all in order.

8 - Correspondence circulated:-
i. Regular information from SALC ebulletins, West Suffolk Council and Suffolk County Council up – Noted
ii. SALC Suffolk Highways Poll – this was briefly discussed
iii. Suffolk Highways Flooding & Drainage Forum 28 October 1 – 2pm – Noted
iv. Suffolk Highways Winter Maintenance Forum 13 November 1 – 2pm – Noted
v. Parish & Town Forum 8 October – No Councillor had attended
vi. West Suffolk local council tax reduction scheme – Noted
vii. West Suffolk EV charging points (Newmarket & Bury St Edmunds) – Noted
viii. West Suffolk air quality annual status report – Noted
ix. SCC residents encouraged to share views on new transport plan - Noted
x. The Parish Council had been cc'd into two emails from residents:
- Ixworth Council in regards replacement kebab van sent to County Councillors and officers - Noted
- A resident in regards negect of land south of the river Sapiston and where the owner maybe located sent to Cllr Hopfensperger – Noted

9 - Planning Applications for comment:-
i. DC/24/1308/HH Deraleen, Baileypool Road
a: One and a half storey front extension
b: raising of ground level at front of property to create level access
c: single storey side infill
d: single storey rear extension & raising of roof of existing rear projection
e: creation of 1st floor habitable space with Juliet balcony, rear dormer winder & rooflights
f: raise roof of garage to create 1st floor office including external staircase
g: changes to existing fenestration & wall materials.
The resident gave a brief description of the works.
Council discussed and a majority decision no objection (3 councillors no objection, 2 councillors objected 1 abstained).

ii. DC/24/1330/FUL The Pavilion, Paccas Close
Construction of pavilion following demolition of existing building.
A representative from the PVH & PFA gave a brief description of the works.
Council discussed and all in agreement no objection.
It was noted once planning permission is given Cllr Davey & Cllr Dorling to arrange a meeting with PVH & PFA to discuss the siting of the water collection unit.

iii. Notification of Planning appeal by Valedane Ltd at Pelambech, Fen Road.
It was stated the representation made in respect of the planning application before it was determined was sent to the Planning Inspectorate and will be taken into account by the Inspector in determining the appeal. Council discussed and asked for it to be re-iterated there was never an existing entrance, at one point a gap had been created in the hedge this had been notified to the planning department and the resident had been instructed to block the gap. In the event that this appeal is successful, the full extent of the visibility splay must be clearly defined, preferably with a boundary fence and kept clear of any future restrictions to the sight line. The clerk to send to the planning inspectorate.

10 - Finance Report:-
The Council received £9.61 wayleave from UK Power Networks.
Bank balances
the deposit account had a balance of £10,851.94 at 30.4.24
the current account had a statement balance at 30 September of £11,288.51 once invoices on the agenda had been paid as well as donations (if same as last year) the balance is £7,940.85.
To consider any payments to be made: Invoices checked and all in agreement for the payment of invoices:-