Parish council in December
These
notes have been 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 on Thursday 2 December in Old Buckenham Village
Hall. Those present were councillors Steve Milner (Chair), Adrian Joel, Naomi
Bailey, Doug Irons, Mike Farrington and Terry Cook. An apology for non
attendance had been received from Andy Nicholls. Also
present were Rachel Noyes (Clerk), County and Breckland councillor Steve Askew as
well as three members of the public. The
minutes of the meeting held in November were approved (6 in favour).
Declarations
of interests. Naomi Bailey is a member of Families Association of Old Buckenham
Primary School and Nursery and Terry Cook is a Governor of Chapel Green School.
Both groups have submitted Precept Grant applications to be considered later in
the meeting.
Financial
matters. The Community account balance now stands at £33,294.30 including an
allotment rent of £40. Payments for approval were a total of £809.99 which
included rent for use of the village hall, handyman fees and payment of £212.85
to the community car drivers. These were aall approved for payment (6 in favour).
Reports
from councillors. Steve Milner said that a Solar Park Community Grant (from
PACE) would work out at £36,000 over a 10 year period (£3,600 a year). Several
good ideas suggested by councillors included a cycle path and a project at the
Windmill. There are plans in the Attleborough SUE to create a cycle route up to
Bunn’s Bank. Could use some of the Grant funds to improve path from Bunn’s Bank
to Old Buckenham which would allow a safe walking/cycle route into Attleborough
from Old Buckenham. The existing footpath could be developed into a bridal way
(which allows both cyclists and walkers). An initial quote to surface the 1.8km
is between £23,000 and £36,000. Work at the Windmill could be the building of a
small heritage centre (with solar panels) to show development of the village
from its use of wind energy through to modern day solar energy. This could be
useful for the schools and bring visitors to the village. The Windmills Trust
would have to be contacted. A further suggestion was the installation of electric
car charging points at central village locations, such as shop or village hall.
Village Hall Committee are positive about the initial suggestion. The council
chairman is to write an initial proposal for PACE.
Councillors
had also visited a presentation of the Attleborough SUE at Attleborough Town
Hall on Tuesday 30 November. The main issues that were raised by Steve Milner
and Adrian Joel were healthcare provision, cycle ways and public transport. It
is confirmed that they are building a health centre as part of the development
on the corner of Bunn’s Bank but with no timescales yet. There will be a cycle
network from the centre of Attleborough to the outskirts of the development.
Public transport from Old Buckenham to Attleborough is very poor and Steve Milner
suggested to developers that they extend from Bunn’s Bank in to Old Buckenham. Steve
has contact details for the Head of Planning and will raise these issues. Land
from Old Buckenham will now be part of attenuation pond for new houses
development.
A joint
Village Hall and Parish Council meeting had taken place. The sum of £1500 owed
to Parish Council is currently being paid over a period of time but the Village
Hall would like to pay it off in one lump sum to make them debt free. The joint
letter with Parish Council distributed in the newsletter was effective as they have
gained two new people on Village Hall committee. The Village Hall Committee
praised the work of the Parents Group who monitor parking at the Village Hall
during school start/finish times. They were also very appreciative for the CCTV
that Parish Council funded earlier in the year which has stopped anti-social
behaviour in the car park at night. Village Hall are also happy with the Parish
Council suggestion for the Recreation Ground fencing, which will hopefully be
completed in the New Year.
The Clerk
had contacted Highways regarding the speed limit on Fen Street. She was informed
that it is an expensive process but there is a Road Safety Community Fund that
will be used in Breckland in 2024 for speed limit reviews. Fen Street has been
added to the list for consideration for this funding. A wayleave payment of
£500 (for the telegraph poles on the Green) has been received from the Green
Working Party. More work was scheduled for Church Lane at the beginning of
December for two days. A Tree Preservation Order has been served on ten oak
trees on Hargham Road around the paddock and current building site.
Concerns
were raised that more people may want newsletters, such as those living just
outside village. This can be solved by increasing number of copies printed or
encouraging residents to pass on copies. Newsletter editor confirmed that they
are now printing more copies (to cope with increase in number of residents) and there should still be enough. Could ask residents asked to pass on their copies, once
they have read them, by leaving at central village locations such as shop’s new
seating area, the pubs, etc.
Naomi Bailey
said connectors had been re-fixed on the climbing net in the play area and have found two more connectors that are loose. Working with the Clerk to make
list of small parts to order. Also concerned that the Handyman still isn’t
strimming around the fencing. The Police have responded about anti social
behaviour in bus shelter and will monitor the situation. A recent delivery to the
Hargham Road building site caused severe delays to morning school traffic and buses.
No unloading should occur on road. There is no footpath yet and no one allowed
to live in the first house until footpath is completed. Steve Milner to talk to
the developer about this.
Terry
Cook reported back that the Village Hall are very positive about growing
relationship with Parish Council. They have the researched
the technicality of trustees. No members of Village Hall committee are covered
by Corporate Public Liability. To overcome this, there needs to be up to three
trustees for the Village Hall. As the Parish Council is covered by Personal and
Public Liability, this could provide the necessary cover to Village Hall
committee members if the Parish Council became a trustee. Village Hall
Committee would like to know if Parish Council would become a management
trustee of the Village Hall? Steve Milner questioned if you can be a custodial
trustee and a management trustee. The Clerk to contact Richard Crawley (Clerk
to the Village Hall) and Graham Dye (Treasurer to the Village Hall) about
Trustee of Village Hall status.
Doug Irons
has continued Neighbourhood Plan research and spoken to NALC for advice. Susan
Heinrich at Breckland has a designated area already. Question over whether any
money has already been spent as could affect future grants/funding available. Adrian
Joel confirmed no money spent on Neighbourhood Plan so far and offered to help
with Neighbourhood Plan research and initial stages.
Mike Farrington
has attended meeting of Almshouses Trust. They are also having questions and
queries about trustees liability and are researching further. Adrian
Joel said the Christmas tree has been delivered. The official tree lights switch
on would be occurring on Sunday 12 December.
Public
participation relating to agenda items. Prince Harry’s Wood was discussed. Many
possible options for the area. It could be a lot of work for the Parish Council
but could also be developed in to a useful area.
New planning
applications. Canem
Cave Cottage, 62A Fen Street. Side and Rear extensions and detached garden room
(3PL/2021/1482/HOU). Have existing outside buildings. Fen Street residents
might be upset about more disruption but no reasons for objection. Proposal to support
approved (6 in favour).
Coal
Storage Yard Road from Stacksford Lane to Hargham Road. Outline permission for
3 no. Dwellings (3PL/2021/1564/O). Comments made on previous application still
stand for this new application: it is outside the village boundary and Grove
Road is too dangerous to add more houses and cars to. Highways have not
commented on this application yet but said on previous application (for 5
houses) that they would support 3 houses here. Land Contamination Officer
stands by comments on previous application, but these are not visible. Lots of
official statements are very vague and don’t give clear concrete answers. Proposal
to object approved (6 in favour).
Planning
decisions by Breckland Council. The following applications have now been
considered and the applications have been approved. 26
Oaklands. Proposed Single Storey Front Extension to create Annexe Accommodation
(3PL/2021/1348/HOU).
The
following applications have now been considered and the applications have been withdrawn.
Old Buckenham Country Park, Doe Lane. Erection of Rural workers dwelling including
sustainable technologies (3PL/2021/1024/F).
Rosedale,
Fen Street. Demolish existing industrial/storage unit and erection of one
two-storey house (3PL/2021/1070/F).
Prince
Harry’s Wood. County Councillor Steve Askew explained he was contacted about
ongoing fly tipping in Prince Harry’s Wood and tried to get it cleared up via
Serco with limited success. Questions were then raised about future plans for the
area. The wood belongs to Breckland Council but they had little knowledge about
the wood and the fact that they owned it. Councillor Askew had spoken to a cabinet
member about their future plans and they are happy to transfer it to the Parish
at no charge. If the Parish Council is not interested in ownership, they will
continue to monitor trees every few years and keep it tidy. A member of Breckland
Council is happy to attend a future Parish Council meeting to help explain
things in more detail. Many factors for consideration in the decision including
maintenance costs and future use of the area. Residents that live near the wood
highlighted that some trees would need cutting back or removing. Previously
there was evidence of great crested newts in the area, so could be used to
support wildlife. Councillor Askew highlighted that if owned by residents then
it may lead to parishioners taking more pride and ownership, which may reduce
fly tipping, although some occurs through drivers passing through. Decisions on
its use for the community can only be made if Parish Council takes it over. Parish
Council expressed interest in speaking to Breckland representative in order to
gather all necessary information. Councillor Askew will coordinate with Parish
Council Clerk and Breckland Council.
Puddledock
Corner. A fatal car accident had occurred at Puddledock Corner a few days
before this parish council meeting. Mike Farrington lives on this corner and
explained that there are frequent accidents, some of which have already
resulted in life-changing injuries. Majority of accidents are cars approaching
from Attleborough, although occasionally some in opposite direction too. A lot
of assumptions are made about the drivers and their speeds but the reality is
that experienced drivers also lose control on this bend. A meeting has been
organised between the residents of Puddledock for Friday 3 December to look at
what could be causing problems and suggestions of possible improvements. They would
then like to organise meeting with Parish Council, NCC Highways and Breckland
Council. Steve Askew explained that the number of documented accidents will
likely to be low as majority of drivers are able to drive off after skidding.
This means that there is no written evidence of high numbers of accidents,
which doesn’t help support the argument for changes. He will contact the local
Highways Engineer about a possible meeting and begin initial discussions. He
will keep the Clerk and Mike Farington informed.
Precept
Grant Applications. Old Buckenham Cricket Club - £852. Detailed breakdown
provided which shows grant is for equipment and staff training. Councillors
felt the club was popular with the children of the village and should be
supported as it continues to grow. Proposal to support approved (6 in favour).
Robert
Cocks Almshouses Trust - £500 to £1000. Grant to be used towards installing new
heating systems in the Almhouses. Councillors understood the expense of such a
project and also its importance. Propose to give £500 initially and another
£500 for next system if needed later in the year. Approved (6 in favour).
Monday
Mardle - £100. Used towards running costs and hiring of premises. Also to
subsidise occasional trips out. Councillors agreed that it is an important
group that helps bring individuals together. Proposal to support approved (6 in
favour).
Old
Buckenham Village Hall - £703. To help fix various maintenance issues raised
during recent health and safety report. Councillors agreed that the Village Hall
was an important part of the village that supported many groups across a range
of ages and wanted to help support its improvement. Proposal to support
approved (6 in favour).
Fawns -
£651. Grant to be used for rent of premises and to subsidise specialist
activity sessions for the children. Councillors felt that with a large number
of young families in the village, the group was important for helping the
children and their parents in socialising and developing skills. Proposal to
support approved (6 in favour).
Friends
of Chapel Green School - £300. Grant to be put towards Fusion Enterprise Scheme
to help students prepare meals for the community which will help develop
pupils’ confidence, independence and skills before leaving school. Proposal to
support approved (5 in favour, 1 abstain).
Families
of Old Buckenham Primary School and Nursery - £5000.Grant
applied for improving outside areas including play equipment, early years
outdoor area and school pond. Councillors felt that the application was for
areas of teaching and learning which should be provided by the school and the
Sapientia Education Trust. While Councillors understood that schools need
support, this would result in ‘double funding’ as teaching and learning at
schools are already funded. Propose to defer decision until next meeting in
order for application to be reassessed This was approved (5 in favour, 1
abstain).
Use of
the Green policy. Steve Milner, Terry Cook and Doug Irons met to draft a policy
for the use of the Green by individuals, businesses, events, etc. Thanks to
John Fernihough (Green Working Party) for providing a lot of technical
background information. Councillors felt the Policy was written in a concise
and clear manner which set a parameter and then required six sets of information
for each request. Terry Cook explained that some details are already set in the
contract of the lease of the Green. Proposal to approve the Policy was agreed
(4 in favour, 2 abstain) subject to the condition that any issues raised are
passed on by the end of the week.
Plaque
location. Commemorative plaque had been received for the community spirit and
resilience shown during the Pandemic. Propose to put the plaque near the
village shop on a temporary basis due to high footfall there before moving to
side of Church Rooms for a permanent setting. The Clerk to consult Church Rooms
for approval. Approved (6 in favour).
Allotments
Working Party. Adrian Joel has stepped down from Allotments Working Party. Steve
Milner offered to take on the role.
Playground
quote. Rachel Noyes, Naomi Bailey and Doug Irons have compiled a list of minor
parts required for small maintenance issues raised during September inspection
by Playdale. Parts and delivery would cost £241.83 (including VAT). Would then
require a day’s work by builder to fix various issues at £170. Also the
roundabout is increasingly difficult to push and requires Playdale to attend
and fix new bearings. Parts, delivery and installation costed at £1,768.74
(including VAT).The VAT will be reclaimed on both quotes at a later date. Proposal
to approve both quotes was approved (6 in favour).
Village
Shop parking sign. This item deferred until next meeting due to time
limitations.
Queen’s
Jubilee village meeting. This item deferred until next meeting due to time
limitations.
Items
for next agenda. These will include Precept payments and the Green Lease renewal/changes.
The
date of next Parish Council meeting is Thursday 6 January 2022. It will start
at 7.30pm in Old Buckenham Village Hall.
