Pakenham Parish Council : Minutes 21st November 2024

PAKENHAM PARISH COUNCIL
Minutes of the meeting held on Thursday, 21st November 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. Five 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: None received.

3 :-
County Councillors Report: Cllr Hopfensperger attended and gave a report which included: the A1088 bridge at Stowlangtoft should re-open in February, the reasons why it was delayed were briefly discussed including the possibility for compensation for businesses affected.
Adherence to the 20mph temporary signage was discussed, Cllr Hopfensperger advised there were extra patrols but would ask for more to be carried out. It was advised the smaller roads were now being badly affected by the extra traffic and would need work once the A1088 is re-opened.
Cllr Davey asked about the feasibility of a temporary weight limit on Fen Road until the bridge is re-opened Cllr Hopfensperger to ask the question.
The kebab van re destruction of land by cars parking which use the van, this matter had been passed onto the legal team and West Suffolk Council are dealing with this by their licensing team.
The matter was discussed including the obstruction of the pavement. Cllr Berry highlighted the lack of action by West Suffolk Council over the years. The Street Trading policy in relation to the kebab van was briefly discussed. A member of the public advised some of the land by the kebab van had tarmac added and asked if the landowner was responsible Cllr Hopfensperger to investigate.
The Dragon Patcher should be seen in the area in the next few months as it is covering the more rural areas. There is also a new machine to deal with the eroded sides of roads. Cllr Dorling asked if Fen Road and Bull Road would see works carried out, Cllr Hopfensperger advised if reported they will be doing these roads.
Cllr Dorling asked for an update on the reported blocked gulley on Mill Road which had been reported a number of times the, clerk re-sent the email which included pictures to Cllr Hopfensperger at the meeting.
Cllr Bagnell asked about the tidying up of signage at Brand Road/Bunbury Arms. Cllr Hopfensperger advised the signage would be included and reviewed once the Bunbury crossroads works were undertaken.
A resident highlighted land not being managed with flooding affecting residents in the area by Stow river. It was advised Cllr Hopfensperger and Cllr Spicer were dealing with this and the enforcement team had visited the area. This area was briefly discussed as the resident is part of a group looking at bio-diversity and state of the river. The illegal entrances were also briefly discussed.
It was asked when works would start on the Thieves Lane bridge Cllr Hopfensperger advised the bridge works were scheduled to be repaired but currently they had not got a date for commencement.
District Councillors Report: Cllr Speed did not attend and no report had been received.
It was noted two members of the public complained that Cllr Speed had not attended a meeting since the meeting held in June.
Public Forum: Two residents had attended the Suffolk Wildlife Trust AGM and gave an update from the meeting including locally the two residents were looking to get more volunteers and setting up a community plan to work towards encouraging more bird life back to Mickle Mere. If the group can prove the village is interested more money and resources could be made available to help achieve this. This was discussed and it was felt a lot could be done, the residents would look to place an article in the village newsletter and on the village Facebook page. Cllr Hopfensperger to send the contact details of Sizewell C to the clerk to pass onto the resident as support and resources could be available to help with this work.

4 - To consider the approval of the minutes of the last meeting:-
The minutes of the meeting held on 17 October 2024 were approved to be signed as a true record.

5 - Reports arising from the previous meeting:-
i. Highways: Updates had been received and circulated in regards A1088 Bridge Farm Bridge, Stowlangtoft and discussed above.
ii. Clerks Report: The draft West Suffolk Council Street Trading Policy document had been circulated to Council.
The letter to The Planning Inspectorate in regards appeal by Valedane Ltd., Pelambech, Fen Road had been sent.
It was confirmed the letter received from the Planning Inspectorate in regards adding the footpath to the definitive map stated SCC had to respond by the 25 September 2024. It was hoped the parish council would soon receive an update. This was briefly discussed including taking questions from residents attending the meeting.

6 - New positive duty for Councils to prevent sexual harassment in the workplace & To Consider adoption of Sexual & General Harassment Policy & Procedure: -
A copy of the policy had been circulated to Councillors. The policy was briefly discussed Cllr Berry proposed adopting the policy seconded by Cllr Sidebotham all in agreement to adopt the proposed policy. .

7 - To Consider Meeting Dates for 2025:-
The Clerk advised the village hall was available for Council meetings to be held on the third Thursday of the month except for January and February due to the pantomime rehearsals however the pavilion was available. The Clerk was unable to attend a meeting on 20 March however the 27 March was available in the village hall. Council discussed and all in agreement to use the Pavilion for the January and February meetings if it was warm enough and to change the March meeting to Thursday 27th. A list of the dates was given to each Councillor and sent for inclusion in the village newsletter.

8 - To Consider donations:-
i. PVH & PFA for Christmas Tree: No request received; Council discussed as a donation had already been given to PVH&PFA no further donation was felt necessary.
ii. Civic Event for Remembrance Service: Council discussed Cllr Berry proposed £30 seconded by Cllr Dorling all in agreement to give a donation of £30 towards the civic event refreshments, a cheque to be raised.

9 - To Confirm acceptance of the 2024-25 National Salary Award:-
Council discussed Cllr Berry proposed acceptance seconded by Cllr Davey all in agreement to accept the 2024-25 National Salary Award backdated to April.

10 - Correspondence circulated:-
i. Regular information from SALC ebulletins, West Suffolk Council and Suffolk County Council up – Noted
ii. SALC Local Councillor Magazine – Noted
iii. SALC Subscription Subsidy 2025/26 - Noted
iv. West Suffolk Council Parish & Town Forum 8 October slides – Noted
v. Emails received:
- Chair of Ixworth Council in regards kebab van sent to County Councillors and officers – Noted
- A resident in regards the destruction of agricultural land by cars using kebab van – The email had been forwarded to the County Councillor and District Councillor. Council briefly discussed.

11 - Planning Applications for comment: No planning applications received.

12 - Finance Report:-
The third quarter against budget had been circulated and reviewed.
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 October of £7965.95 once invoices as agreed had been paid the balance is £6035.95.
i. To consider budget for 2025 – 2026: The draft budget had been circulated to Councillors.
The Clerk went through the budget and discussed no changes were required.
ii. To consider precept for 2025 – 2026: The Clerk went through the precept form. Cllr Bagnell proposed the precept of £12,620 seconded by Cllr Dorling all in agreement. The Chair and Clerk signed the precept form.
To consider any payments to be made: Invoices checked and all in agreement for the payment of invoices:-