Pakenham Parish Council : Minutes 19th March 2026

PAKENHAM PARISH COUNCIL
Minutes of the meeting held on Thursday 19th March
Pakenham Pavilion

Present: Cllr Davey (Chairman), Cllr Bagnall, Cllr Berry, Cllr Dorling, Cllr Palfrey, Cllr Sargent and Cllr Sidebotham
Others in attendance: Claire Usher (Clerk), District Councillor Speed and 9 members of the public

190326/01 Apologies for absence: None.
190326/02 Declarations of Interest (DoI): Councillors noted no declarations of interest were made.
190326/03 Dispensation: Councillors noted no requests had been received and none were requested at the meeting.

Public Forum:-
A member of the public raised concern regarding the works that are scheduled to take place on Pakenham Fen by Sizewell C and the water levels and the impact on the Watermill stream that passes underneath. There was also concern regarding contamination by lorries on and off the site. He asked if these concerns could be addressed by Cllr Speed as he believed he had attended a meeting recently with Sizewell C.

190326/04 District Councillor Report:-
Cllr Speed reported that he would be happy to raise the concerns by the gentleman in the public and asked if he would be willing to put his concerns in writing to him and then he will pass this to Sizewell C. He reported that devolution was still to be decided by the Government. He was investigating the decision made by West Suffolk Council Planning regarding planning permission at Dareleen that had recently been refused under delegated authority especially as the Parish Council had supported approval. He was due to meet with the new Head of Planning.

903216/05 County Councillor Report: Cllr Hopfensperger was not in attendance.

190326/06 Minutes of previous meeting:-
All Councillors resolved to accept the minutes of the Council meeting held on 19th February 2026 as a true reflection of the decisions made and authorised the Chairman to sign the minutes.

190326/07 Planning:-

DC/26/0304/HH – Newe House, Fen Road
Ground mounted solar PV panels with two EV charging locations
Councillors supported this application.

DC/26/0203/HH – Misty Mere, Mill Road
Single Storey Rear Extension
Councillors supported this application.

Cllr Sidebotham declared an interest in the next planning item and left the meeting whilst the application was considered.

DC/26/0384/TCA – Bridge House, The Street
Trees in a Conservation Area – 1 beech – overall reduction by upto 1.5metres, 30 per cent internal reduction targeting crossing limbs and reduce limbs on eastern aspect over hanging neighbouring0298 garage roof by 2.5 metres, 1 walnut - overall reduction by upto 2 metres over neighbours property and remove limb over workshop roof, 1 willow, 1 bay and 2 holly – re pollard to previous points, 1 spruce and 2 lawsons fell
Councillors supported this application.

DC/26/0298/TCA – 1 Church Cottages, Church Hill
Tress in a Conservation Area – 1 Plum – Fell
Councillors supported this application.

Finance:-

190326/08 All Councillors confirmed receipt of the finance report for the period ended 28th February 2026.

190326/09 All Councillors noted that there had been no receipts since the last meeting.

190326/10 All Councillors resolved to approve the following gross payments by internet banking, supported by invoices, had been received prior to the meeting.

190326/15 Outstanding Actions: All Councillors had received the outstanding actions report.

190326/16 Woodland Areas:-
It had come to the attention of the Parish Council that the gentleman who used to check these two areas no longer lived in the village. Councillors agreed that the Council's current grounds maintenance contractor be asked for a cost to carry out 2 visits each year to maintain both sites. Councillors asked the Clerk to see if any legal documents could be obtained regarding The Dell so that Councillors could consider this site for improved recreational purposes.

190326/17 Chairman's Report: There were no items to report.

190326/18 Councillors Reports: There were no items to report.

190326/19 Correspondence:-
The Clerk reported that she had received 2 emails from residents raising concern that Fulmer Bridge had had some further damage, an email from Suffolk Wildlife Trust regarding Mickle Mere which had been circulated to all Councillors and correspondence from a member of the public regarding the Agri site proposed development.

190326/20 Councillors to note any items for inclusion in a future meeting: None.

190326/21 All Councillors noted that the next meeting will be on Thursday 16th April 2026 to be held in the Village Hall.

190326/22 The Chairman closed the meeting at 8.20pm