A busy meeting
These notes have been written by the blog editor from the draft minutes and so may contain information that is amended later.
Old
Buckenham Parish Council met on Thursday 3 August at 7.30pm at Old Buckenham
Village Hall. Those present were Councillors Naomi Bailey (Chair), Ali
McWilliam, Paul Phillips, David Taylor, Lesley Evison, Steve Gowers and Pete
Twissell. Doug Irons had sent apologies for non-attendance. Also attending were
Rachel Noyes (Clerk) and four members of the public
The
minutes of the meeting held on Thursday 6 July 2023 were approved (5 in favour,
2 abstain).
Declarations
of interests. Ali McWilliam will be performing a gig at The Ox and Plough for
payment and Paul Phillips hosts a quiz at The Gamekeeper every month.
Financial
matters. Community account balance now stands at £24,945.10 which includes a payment
received from David Tranmer. Payments
for approval totalled £1,088.13 and included the new dog bin installation and
hire of the room for meetings. Proposal for payment was approved (7 in favour).
Donna
Oakley has handed in her resignation as Registered Finance Officer (RFO) for
the parish council and will now work out her three months notice period. Naomi Bailey
highlighted the great work Donna has done in her time with the Parish Council. The
Clerk to advertise for a new RFO.
Councillors’
reports. The Village Hall committee had been approached by resident who wants
to arrange a village fete on the Green. Pete Twissell explained that the
management of the Green is currently under consultation. However Naomi Bailey
explained that they can complete the ‘Use of Green’ application form, with
Recreation Ground as a back-up should any problems arise. Pete Twissell to
suggest they contact Clerk for Use of Green application form.
Received
complaints about the parking of vehicles all over the village in order to walk
to the Air Show/watch from the Green. Parking was also poor during all recent Two
Wheel Tuesdays when people moved traffic cones out the way in order to park.
Need to look at long term solutions to parking in the village. Ali McWilliam
suggested arranging a meeting about parking in the village with representatives
from all parties, including the Parish Council, schools, local businesses,
Breckland Council, Highways, etc. Clerk to arrange.
No Parish
Council representative currently on Almshouses Trust. Steve Gower offered to be
a link person between the Almshouses Trust and the Parish Council.
Naomi
Bailey had attended recent some Two Wheel Tuesdays and noted there were not
always stewards outside playground. She has contacted the local police about
speeding in neighbouring villages. Their response explained that they are aware
of speeding issues and monitor when possible. They are no longer responsible
for enforcing parking offences. Also tried to arrange a meeting between David
Tranmer and the Village Hall about the possibility of using the Village Hall
car park during Two Wheel Tuesdays. No further progress made.
Ali
McWilliams will be having a meeting with allotment holders this month. Happy to
work around skip availability. Clerk to order delivery of skip.
The
Clerk said the previously suggested bench location around Ottomer Pond is not
available as already a bench there. David Taylor suggested having the new bench
between the pond and playground and the Clerk is to arrange. The new dog bin on
Harlingwood Lane has been installed and publicised. Steve Gower confirmed that
collections have started and that it was well used. Service
Level Agreements (SLA) with Breckland Council being processed for grass cutting
on St Andrews Close and dog bin emptying.
The Met Office update about Weather
Radar Tower said that specifics of the design have been completed by engineers
and ‘Invitation to Tender’ were issued in July with an estimate to award
contract mid-October. Construction is now likely to begin early 2024. Possibility
of some work on site to progress infrastructure works (power and
communications) in the autumn.
Classification
of the Green: Norfolk County Council (NCC) have replied with lots of background
information. It appears the Green is classified as Common Land. However they
are not responsible for enforcing rules, this is done by landowners, Parish
Councils or District Councils. NCC also explained that it would be difficult to
apply to have it changed. Naomi Bailey does not want to discuss the matter further
until all information is collected. Paul Phillips objected to the issue not
being discussed as it is such a large matter for the village. Clerk to contact
Breckland District Council to enquire if they would enforce the rules over
Common Land.
The
Clerk had a phone call from Breckland Planning regarding shop signs. They would
be objecting to permanent signs on the Green as there are no others. Would be
suggesting temporary mobile signs as an alternative. Was also copied in to an
email highlighting that an Operators’ license has been applied for on Fen Street.
Parish Council was not made are of this but was advertised in local newspaper. Action
Log of projects by the Parish Council has been updated. The Harlingwood Lane
dog bin project has been completed.
Planning.
There have been no new applications, amended applications or planning appeals since the last
parish council meeting.
Planning
decisions by Breckland Council. The following application has been considered
and has been approved: Land at 32 Fen Street. Erection of detached house and
garage (3PL/2023/0414/F).
Parish
Council trailer. The Parish Council owns a trailer which stores a lawn mower
and strimmer which was used by volunteers to cut areas of grass around the
village. They are no longer needed as job is completed every month by village
handyman who has his own equipment. Lesley Evison has spoken to the handyman
and researched re-sale value. Have received an offer for the trailer. Pete Twissell
offered to evaluate and assess the state of the equipment. Ali McWilliam to
look at option of using equipment for the allotments.
Burial
site. Naomi Bailey had a meeting with a Parochial Church Council (PCC)
representative to discuss the issue. Estimated three new graves left (to be
confirmed). Main points were that there is a possibility of using an area for
reburial. However these need to be over 75 years old and families of deceased
need to be contacted. Many neighbouring parishes are facing similar issues.
They have been contacted for advice. Would need to look at area of half to one
acre and would need to consider consecration, gravestones rules and record of
all internments. Financially, would need to investigate solicitors’ fees and
environmental report as well as the actual purchase of the land. Lesley Evison
enquired whether there would be any financial help from District/County Council
and the Clerk to research this. Naomi Bailey and Ali McWilliam to continue
researching and compiling a report for the Parish Council on the issue.
Public
participation. The road at Manor Corner road is in a poor state. Clerk has
previously reported to Highways but will chase it up. An enquiry about whether
any of the wildflower seed planted on the Green last year survived.
Unfortunately due to very hot dry weather the seeds did not germinate. A resident
expressed concern about speeding and parking in the village as a whole. Steve Gower
explained that this is something he is keen to improve. Clerk also highlighted
that Fen Street is on a list for speed limit review next year. The SAM sign on
Hargham Road has run out of battery and needs recharging. Naomi Bailey and Steve
Gower to sort this.
A resident
has correspondence regarding the Green being tied to the Lord of the Manor
title, which may help with Classification of the Green enquiries. Another resident
explained that they have tried to help with several matters over the last year
but due to changing circumstances they have not been completed yet. Clerk is
still working on projects and these should be completed soon.
Items
for next agenda. These will include trailer and equipment, burial site update
and progress on new website.
The
next Parish Council meeting will be on Thursday 7 September starting at 7.30pm
at Old Buckenham Village Hall.
