February’s Parish Council minutes
These notes have been written by the blog
editor from the draft minutes and so may contain information that is changed at
a later date.
Old Buckenham Parish Council met on
Thursday 3 February at Old Buckenham Village Hall. Those present were Councillors
Steve Milner (Chair), Adrian Joel, Naomi Bailey, Doug Irons and Andy Nicholls. Also
in attendance were Rachel Noyes (Clerk), Zoe Footer (Breckland Council), County
and Breckland councillor Steve Askew along with five members of the public. Apologies
for non attendance had been received from Mike Farrington and Terry Cook. The minutes of the meeting held on Thursday
6 January were approved (4 in favour, 1 abstain).
Financial matters. Community account
balance now stands at £31,818.42. Money received included allotment rents of
£60. Payments of £1,662.81 were approved (5 in
favour) which included £237.5 for payments to the community car drivers,
£243.82 on parts for the play area, £90 for printing the welcome pack and £450
annual rent for the allotment land.
Prince Harry’s Wood. Steve Askew explained
that he had been contacted about excessive fly tipping in Prince Harry’s Wood.
After discussions with Breckland Council, Steve Askew inquired about what their
future plans were for Prince Harry’s Wood. Breckland Council weren’t aware of
their ownership of this land but explained that they would be open to
discussions about its future ownership. Zoe Footer from the Property and Estates
Team at Breckland Council attended the meeting to discuss the future of the wood
and answer any questions from the Parish Council. Zoe Footer explained that Breckland
Council owns a large amount of land. Breckland doesn’t know what Parish and
Town Councils want from these smaller pockets of land and so some local
councils are taking ownership of these areas to use as they feel best for their
community. Prince Harry’s Wood sits on Cake Street, opposite the Stud entrance.
Zoe Footer explained that if the Parish Council decided to take the area on,
Breckland would look to transfer ownership to the Parish Council and it would
become an asset. While it is currently a wooded area, the Parish Council would
then be free to use it in any way they feel best for the Parish and make any
changes as necessary. Generally there would be no restrictions, however the
trees would need to be checked for tree preservation orders before any work
could commence. There is also a preference for the area to be used as an
amenity for the Parish, rather than housing development. Breckland would look
to transfer at nil cost and each party would pay their own legal costs. The Parish
Council would need to then add the land to their asset register and ensure it
was covered by their Public Liability insurance. The land would be listed at
its valuation, and not at the nil cost.
Adrian Joel raised concerns about the Parish
Council then having to deal with the fly tipping issue and maintenance costs. Zoe
Footer explained that while there would not be any maintenance budget from
Breckland, some work could be done prior to transfer but after that it would be
Parish Council responsibility. There are also several small areas of land owned
by Breckland, which primarily lie in and around St Andrews Close. There is the
option for the Parish Council to take these on too. This could be done as one
transfer, thereby reducing the legal costs involved in separate transfers. If
desired, the Parish Council could set up its own contract to organise the
regular grass cutting as this is the main maintenance required. Andy Nichols enquired about the possibility
of Breckland Council selling to private individuals instead. Zoe Footer
explained that if the Parish Council did not want to take these areas of land
on, then there is the option of selling to private individuals, however the
preference is for amenities for the public benefit. The ownership of the
footpath that runs along the outside edge of Prince Harry’s Wood was raised and
it is believed it would still be owned by Breckland. Zoe Footer is to research
and confirm. If the Parish Council decided to take
ownership, the next steps in the process would be for Zoe Footer to complete a
valuation of the land, ensure there are no tree preservations or other
restrictions, conduct a Ward consultation and make a recommendation to Councillor
Hewitt.
The parish councillors were very positive
about the idea of owning the land, thereby having more control over its use and
ensuring it is not used by developers. The upcoming Village Meeting about the
Queen’s Jubilee would be a good opportunity to gauge residents’ opinions and ideas
for the use of the land in future. It could also be an opportunity to tie in
the transfer with the celebrations for the Jubilee. Adrian Joel suggested that
all councillors visit and inspect the areas of land to help get a clear idea of
their size, etc. A proposal to accept the offer to transfer
the ownership of Prince Harry’s Wood to Old Buckenham Parish Council was
approved (5 in favour).
Matters arising from the minutes. Steve
Milner said that a new highway code has recently been published and there are lots
of bikers, cyclists, horse riders and motorists in our village. He requested
that councillors think of ideas on how to promote safety and on these changes
for our road users. He had prepared a map of speed limits in the village. Main
areas of concern are Fen Street, Puddledock corner, Mill Road/Grove Road
junction and Crown Road/Ragmere Road junction. One idea is to formulate a
letter to Highways with this information to try and get a large scale
assessment of the village speed limits. This may require a lot of persistence
to get any changes and would need the logging of all the incidents that occur
in the village to help build evidence. Steve Askew explained that a full
investigation has taken place into the recent accident at Puddledock. Most
incidents are through driver error and result in the driver and vehicle safely
leaving the site. Therefore minimal incidents are recorded here. Steve Askew
reminded the Parish Council that there are lots of villages in the county that
are all wanting changes and improvements, which all cost money and would also
require enforcing. Old Buckenham has already seen some highways improvements
recently with the crossing and the improvements outside the High School. Steve
Askew highlighted that setting up a Community Speed Watch group is a good
proactive option. Steve Milner is currently looking for more volunteers to run
this group. Fen Street has already been put on a list for consideration in the
future, with Steve Askew’s support, as there has been a lot of development and
changes to the road since speed limit was set. Steve Milner was disappointed in
Highways response to Puddledock residents’ suggestions and felt that all
suggestions were dismissed or refused with no positive proactive solutions to
improving the situation.
Rachel Noyes, the Parish Clerk, reported
that the fly-tipped oil drum by the bus shelter has eventually been collected
by Breckland. The cover on the hole on the Green for the Christmas tree had
broken and has been repaired. A sign was placed on Recreation Ground bin asking
people not to place dog waste in this bin. Parts have been received for Play
Area work and the roundabout is due to be fixed by early March. The defibrillator is scheduled to be
installed outside the Ox and Plough on Tuesday 22 February, ten Tree
Preservation Orders on the Hargham Road oak trees have been confirmed, Wheelie
Bin stickers requesting people to drive slowly have been made available, no dog
bin is possible by the Recreation Area as the land is not managed by Breckland
or NCC and the dog bin by Raggs Lane on Hargham Rd has been removed. This has
been reported but still awaiting reply. Attcare are hosting a Healthcare and
Wellbeing Trust Forum on Monday 21 February, online at 11am, and Steve Milner
and Adrian Joel to attend. Breckland are holding a Landscape and Settlement
Character Assessment Stakeholder Workshop on Wednesday 23 February. Fifty
copies of the Welcome Pack have been printed to be distributed to new residents
in the village.
Questions were previously raised about
whether the Parish Council could be both Custodian and Management Trustees of
the Village Hall. Research has found that while it is legally possible, it is
generally advised to keep the roles separate. Terry Cook had reported that the Raggs Lane
footpath issue is progressing and a parishioner, Jenny Devaux, is coordinating
this. She is at the stage where she is collating signed evidence forms from
individuals in relation to historic use of this path. If any person wishes to
sign such a form could they please contact Jenny.
Adrian Joel informed members that John
Askew died a few weeks ago. John served on the parish council for some thirty years.
Those at the meeting held a short silence in memory of John and passed on their
thoughts and condolences to his family. The Manorial Title of “Lord of the
Manor” will be up for sale soon. Some questions were raised over the fact the
family will “retain but not exercise their interest in the Green”. The Parish
Council will consult with Green Rights’ Proprietors for clarification. Steve
Milner to coordinate taking over management of the allotments from Adrian Joel. The Parish Council have received questions
and complaints about an empty property on Post Office Terrace which has fallen
in to disrepair. The Clerk to consult with Breckland Council.The High School had been contacted by Naomi
Bailey about a forum of students for consultation. No reply yet but aware that
schools are under a lot of pressure at the moment and may be something to look
at in the future. Doug Irons had attended a New Councillor
Induction Training Course. He found it very useful and it was requested that documents
from course be shared with other members of the Parish Council as a useful
reminder and update of procedures.
New planning applications. Friedland, Cake
Street. Side, rear extension and new roof to form first floor accommodation (3PL/2021/1711/HOU). Adrian Joel explained that there were often
drainage issues on Cake Street and highlighted the need for consultation with the
Environment Agency (EA) and Lead Local Flood Authority (LLFA). Naomi Bailey
raised the issue of traffic management during any works as the site is on the
main road through the village for cars, lorries and school traffic. Request for
a Traffic Management Plan, including ensuring builders did not cause problems
by parking on the road. A proposal to support subject to consultation with the EA
and LLFA, and all ditch work and flooding work is approved, was then approved
(4 in favour, 1 abstain).
Land at 608360 291240, Cuffer Lane. Retrospective
application for the material change of use of land from agriculture land to
mixed use of agriculture and leisure or domestic use (3PL/2021/1690/F). Councillors
felt the need to be consistent in their opinions in regards to previous
applications for the site. The site sits in close proximity to New Buckenham (although
is actually in Old Buckenham parish) and therefore New Buckenham would be
affected by this application more than Old Buckenham. New Buckenham Parish Council
have objected to the application. A proposal to object was approved (5 in
favour).
Redbourne House, Abbey Road. Proposed front
double garage link conversion of existing attached garage and rear extension (3PL/2022/0071/HOU).
No objections to the application and a proposal to support approved (5 in
favour).
Hammonds Farm, Stacksford. Conversion and
extension to an existing barn to form Annexe (3PL/2022/0058/F). No objections
to the application and a proposal to support approved (5 in favour).
Planning decision by Breckland Council. The
following application has now been considered and the application has been approved:
1-10 Robert Cock's Alms Houses, Hargham Road. Raising of Ridge Line and Parapet
Coping in association with Proposed Re-Roofing and Removal of Modern Chimney
Pots (3PL/2021/1650/LB).
The following application has now been appealed:
Land adj Beckwood, Stacksford. Erection of Dwelling and Garage (3PL/2020/1464/F).
Appeal reference APP/F2605/W/21/3283028.
Green Lease renewal. Councillors felt this
document was clear and detailed. It highlighted that all items in the original
agreement remain valid and that the title of Lord of the Manor be removed from
the “The Parties” involved in the agreement. This is in line with the wishes of
the Executors to the late T M Cracknell, Lord of the Manor of Old Buckenham. A
proposal to accept was approved (4 in favour, 1 abstain). The Green Lease
Renewal will now be passed on to Green Rights’ Proprietors and Lord of the
Manor Executors for consultation.
Village Help contact list. The Clerk had
been contacted with the idea of a list of helpers for elderly/vulnerable
residents to contact for help with any small issues. Contact was made with Terri
Hammond who coordinated the village volunteers during the Pandemic as this
structure was already in place. Several issues were raised including that volunteers
would be required to enter residents’ properties which means CRB checks would
be needed, insurance/liability would need to be addressed to ensure safety for
everyone involved and clear boundaries would be needed to explain what helpers
could/could not do. Clerk has contacted a volunteer group coordinator (via
Breckland Council) for advice. The discussions are ongoing and she will report
back later.
Village Jubilee meeting. This had been organised
for Saturday 12 February in the Village Hall. It will follow same structure as
planning for the Golden Jubilee, ie groups to brainstorm ideas before collating
altogether. Would also look to get volunteers to organise the individual events
over the four days of celebrations. The Clerk to collate information about any
planned national events taking place that Old Buckenham could partake in.
Track maintenance. Track leading from the
village shop to the phone box requires maintenance. This track is part of the
Green and not managed by Highways. Andy Nicholls asked what the maintenance agreement
was in place with residents. The clerk to consult with Green Rights Proprietors
to consult easement documents. Adrian Joel highlighted that the properties on
Post Office Terrace have contributed towards their own track maintenance
previously.
Items for next agenda. These will include the
Green Rental Agreement and Risk Assessment, sorting out village grant from the Solar
Farm and the Neighbourhood Plan.
The next Parish Council meeting will be
held on Thursday 3 March starting at 7.30pm in Old Buckenham Village Hall.
