Notes on March council meeting
These notes were written by the blog editor from
the draft minutes so may contain information that is amended at a later date.
Old Buckenham Parish Council met via Zoom on
Thursday 4 March at 7:30pm. Those present were councillors Jonn Hicks (Chair),
Steve Milner, Adrian Joel, Terry Cook, Andy Nicholls, Naomi Bailey and Ben
Devlin. Also present were Rachel Noyes (Clerk), County and
District councillor Steve Askew as well as four members of the public. Mike Farrington again sent his apologies as he was
unable to get a good computer signal to the Zoom site.
The minutes of the previous meeting held on Thursday
4 February were approved (7 in favour). There were no corrections or matters
arising.
Financial matters. The Community account balance currently
stood at £32,448.81.
Payments totalling £1,319.75 were approved (7 in
favour). The Brownies had enquired about receiving their approved Precept Grant
early due to difficulty in paying insurance despite being unable to open to the
public. It was agreed to pay the £750 now as a loan, which would then be repaid
from the Grant in April.
The Grant application form is to be updated for
future applications to clearly explain that Grants will be paid out in April,
once money is received from Breckland Council, as there have been several
queries recently.
Public Participation relating to agenda items. A
member of the public requested that the Parish Council log an objection to the
appeal (3PL/2020/0578/O Appeal). While you can only object with new
information, the member of the public highlighted there was potentially new
information that hadn’t been released. They also showed concern that the appeal
stated that the Old Buckenham housing target of 17 was a minimum target and so
should not be used as a reason to reject it.
A member of the public highlighted that the posts
around Manor Pond had been hit by a car and needed replacing. The clerk to
inform Highways.
Parish Partnership Scheme. In December the parish
council quickly applied for funds from the Parish Partnership Scheme (PPS) to
contribute towards traffic safety measures for Abbey Road. While a decision has
not yet been made on the application, councillor Steve Askew met with Highways
to discuss potential ideas that would make it safer for pedestrians needing to
cross in front of the High School in order to reach the Primary School.
Firstly, two “wig wags” (speed flashing signs) could be placed on the road with
one located before the bend for traffic coming in to the village along Abbey
Road and the other on the approach to the schools from the traffic lights.
Secondly, it was thought that a suggested crossing point should be installed as
it could prevent people crossing near the corner and be easier for drivers to
predict where people were likely to cross. Because of the number of
roads/turnings at this location, it was difficult to find an obvious crossing
point but it was suggested that pedestrians could cross on to the turning
island before crossing the road. This would not be a set crossing but a
suggested route through the use of dropped kerbs and a rough path on the edge
of the island. This would also prevent people crossing in front of the High
School gates. In total, this would cost approx. £10,000 and if the PPS
application is successful, the parish council would only be expected to pay
half. Steve Askew would also look at supporting the scheme with a donation from
his Personal Budget. A proposal to support the suggestions made and start the
planning process was approved (7 in favour). The parish council wished to thank
Steve Askew for his help in instigating the process, meeting with Highways and
helping to make our village safer. The clerk is to liaise with councillor
Askew.
Additionally, there has been regular contact with
Highways regarding work. Several dangerous potholes have been filled and a ditch
on Fen Street cleared. The condition of Hargham Rodd in general will also be
raised.
Planning. To consider planning applications and to
receive Breckland District Council’s decisions made on any planning
applications received before the meeting:
(All planning applications are available for
viewing on the Breckland District Council planning portal –
www.breckland.gov.uk/article/2933/Search-Planning-Applications). Parish
Councillors have been asked by the chairman to view the new applications in
advance of the meeting.
New planning applications. Land off Banham Road. Erection
of a single agricultural building and new vehicular access. Access amended and sited
further south (3PL/2020/1334/F). This had been rejected previously and there
was a need for consistency. A proposal to object was approved (7 in favour).
Development Site, Hargham Road. Erection of four
dwellings and garages- technical details consent following application
3PL/2020/0117/PIP (3PL/2021/0210/TDC). (Ben Devlin
was required to abstain from discussion due to conflict of interest)
The PIP application was approved by Breckland despite
Parish Council objection. All councillors agreed that the footpath connecting
new properties to the village is vital for safety and the construction process
needs to be well managed to avoid problems. Proposal to approve application was
ageed (6 in favour, 1 abstain) on the condition that the footpath is built and
signed off before first occupancy and that a Construction Management Plan,
which includes wheel washers and no parking on road, is in place.
Land off Attleborough Road, NR17 1QB. Ground-mounted
solar photovoltaic (PV) farm along with continued agricultural use, ancillary
infrastructure and security fencing, landscaping provision, ecological
enhancements and associated works (3PL/2021/0236/F). Councillors felt it was a
detailed and considerate application but would emphasise the importance of
construction and maintenance traffic going through Attleborough to the A11 and
not through Old Buckenham. Proposal to support was approved (7 in favour).
22 Oaklands. Proposed garage extension to rear to
provide workshop area (3PL/2021/0271/HOU). Councillors could see no
problems to the application. Proposal to support was approved (7 in favour).
The Gamekeeper Public House, The Green. Replacement
of structurally damaged roof timbers (including removal, storage and reuse of
roof tiles) and associated repair works where necessary (3PL/2021/0272/LB). Councillors understood the need for the work in
order to preserve the building for any future use. Proposal to support was approved
(7 in favour).
Roughlands Farm, Grove Road. Prior Approval for
Change of use of Agricultural Building to a Dwelling (permitted development). The Town and Country Planning (General Permitted
Development) (England) Order 2015 (as amended) Schedule 2, Part 3, Class Q (3PN/2021/0013/UC).
Councillors have previously objected to several applications on this site but
they have been withdrawn before decisions. A proposal to object was approved (7
in favour).
Appeal against Breckland Council decision. An appeal has
been made to the Secretary of State against the decision of Breckland Council
to refuse planning permission on the application for five residential dwellings
on land west of Attleborough Road (3PL/2020/0578/O Appeal). The Parish
Council’s original comments against the application have been forwarded on to
the Inspector. While a resident had questioned if there was new information
about the application, the Parish Council felt that there was nothing they
could add to their original comment, based on the information that was
available to them.
The Chairman Jonn Hicks explained his frustration
that residents will get very vocal about planning applications which directly
affect them or if they are highlighted on social media. There have been a lot
of opinions about this particular application but very little interest in other
applications in the village which have the potential to have a far greater
impact on our community. Jonn encouraged everyone to stay up to date on local planning
applications (either through the Breckland Planning website or through Parish
Council meetings) and also to state their opinions to Breckland Council
directly. The more voices the better.
Track repair (village shop to phone box). Residents
had been in contact to highlight the large, permanent puddles that were on the
track during winter. It is a track which receives a large footfall as it leads
to the crossing/schools from the shop. As the water is unable to drain away,
there is a lot of muddy standing water during winter months. It also creates
problems for residents living beside the track, as they have a large volume of
mud outside their front doors. It was highlighted by several councillors that
the majority of damage is done by the cars of the residents that live there. If
it was just a footpath, then there would not be the same level of stones pushed
off. Jonn Hicks questioned if it was fair to ask all villagers to pay for
repairing a track which is being damaged by a few residents accessing their
homes. A proposal to investigate cost-effective solutions and ask residents
that live off the track to make a donation towards its repair was approved (7
in favour).
Clerk’s report. A dog bin application for
Harlingwood Lane has been rejected. Thanks are due to Phil Little for fixing a
new backing to the village noticeboard. He will also make noticeboards for the
phone box but is struggling to get hold of decent hardwood at the moment. The
village hall committee were happy with proposed new camera system and Terry Cook
is liaising to arrange installation. Speaking to Playdale to arrange new swings
and an inspection of the play area. They have only just started opening up
again. Our MP George Freeman has written to Breckland Council against the proposed
Weather Radar.
A memorial bench for Bill Wardman will be placed
outside the Almshouses (exact position to be decided). Family have sent
proposed design. Some councillors would have preferred that it was made of
recycled materials instead of oak but the family have offered to take
responsibility of maintenance. The Parish Council will pay for the concrete
base, family will pay for installation. A proposal to agree design and general
location was approved (7 in favour).
Village Green Working Party. The Working Party had
emailed some questions for discussion/approval. Will the Ox and Plough and the Gamekeeper
be charged rent this year? The Ox and Plough was not charged last year due to
pandemic and so will be charged this year. Price has not changed for a long
time, therefore will go up to £550 this year and will rise each year in line
with inflation. The council doesn’t know who owns the Gamekeeper or what their
plans are yet so will hold off charging until owners have been contacted.
Will the Parish Council approve £1000 charge for
cutting the Green again this year? Councillors were under the impression that
there were to be three cuts throughout the year but there has only been two in
recent years. The Clerk to request detailed quote for full discussion next
month. Public Liability Certificate is also needed for anyone who works on the
Green.
Road Safety. Bluetooth now working and Steve Milner
has managed to download data from last couple of days from the equipment in Cake
Street. He was pleased to see majority were at 30mph but speeds up to 51mph
were recorded. A new battery needed for mobile SAM sign on Crown Road.
Councillors’ reports. Adrian Joel asked what would the
price of hedging for the Recreation Area be? Jonn Hicks explained that he will
be calculating required amounts this month. Will we be able to hold Annual Village Meeting in
the Village Hall in May? Jonn Hicks explained that restrictions will not be
lifted by then to allow public meetings so it will have to be postponed. The AGM
date will also have to be considered. Andy Nicholls sad he had someone who can help cut
the grass in the Recreation ground. Jonn Hicks explained he has a volunteer who
is willing to do this and Ben Devlin offered his ride-on-lawnmower that can be
used.
Items for next agenda. These would include the
cutting of the Green and recruitment of a potential new councillor
The next Parish Council meeting will be held, via
Zoom, on Thursday 1 April starting at 7.30pm.
