Old Buckenham Parish Council

 Minutes of October meeting.

These notes have been written by the blog editor from the draft minutes and so may contain information that is changed later.

Old Buckenham Parish Council met on Thursday 2 October at 7.30pm in Old Buckenham Village Hall. Those present were councillors Naomi Bailey (Chair), Doug Irons (Vice Chair), Stan Burton, Lesley Evison and Steve Gowers. Apologies for non attendance had been received from Megan Elvin (Clerk, David Taylor and Pete Twissell. Also present were several members of the public.

The minutes of the meeting held on Thursday 4 September were approved (5 in favour).The minutes of the extra ordinary meeting held on Friday 19 September were also approved (5 in favour).

Financial matters. The Barclays Community account balance was £38,451.48, the Barclays Charity account balance was £2,990.18 and Lloyds account balance £2,583.83. Payments for approval totalled £1,443.95 and included £691.75 for paper for the village newsletter, £327 wages for the parish clerk, £250 to the village handyman, £51 for room hire for Parish Council meetings and £124.30 to the community car drivers. The proposal to agree to these payments was approved (4 in favour, Doug Irons abstained). Doug Irons and Megan Elvin will be added to the Barclays Bank account and this will be done online completing the mandate forms.

Councillors’ reports. Lesley Evison said some signs on March Field Way were missing, warning of shallow water and fencing post broken. Important for Parish Council to report and get rectified as it could be dangerous for children. Doug Irons said the post office parking was not yet done but will be done by next meeting.

Naomi Bailey reported that the West View site meeting was in progress. She has emailed Highways to ask about making a weight limit on Hargham Road and so stopping HGVs from using useless deliveries. Awaiting response. The cones and barriers are sorted for Remembrance day. She would like to thank Donna Oakley, who is standing down as RFO, for coming to our rescue during difficult times. Her help and knowledge was invaluable to the Parish Council and we will be forever grateful. She has been contacted by New Buckingham Parish Council regarding the roadside nature reserve (RNR) on Cuffer Lane regarding this RNR being extended. Also received an email from NCC about this too.

Alison Hannah has temporarily taken over as co-ordinator for the community car scheme from Adrian Joel. She has drafted a list of useful information and basic regulations for all drivers and this will be reviewed by councillors. Currently not all driver information is up to date. The RFO applies quarterly for the grant from Breckland Council. It has been brought to the Parish Council’s attention that trees have been planted on the Green without permission. Need to work with the Green Working Committee to see if these are self-seeding saplings and decide the best course of action.

Planning applications. (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 application. Burroughs Farm Cottage, Hargham Road, NR17 1NU. Proposed detached garage (PL/2025/1416/HOU).  There were no issues and a proposal to agree was approved (5 in favour).

Green Working Committee update. The Chair of of the committee was present to give the update. An extensive amount of tree work to be completed. Seven dead trees. Five tenders sent out to deal with this and four and responded. Broadland Tree Services: To leave timber: £3,576 (including VAT), to take timber: £2,136 (including VAT) plus stump grinding £360. TG Bird: To leave timber: £3,660 (including VAT), to take timber £3,240 (including VAT). Emerald: £9,840 (including VAT) – does not offer to leave timber. EG Groundcare: £5,754 (including VAT) – does not offer to leave timber. The committee favoured Broadland Tree Services taking the timber away. To be voted on at the next Parish Council meeting.

Green cutting three year plan 2026-2029. Seven tenders sent out and three received back. Clearscape: £7,986 (including VAT). Broadland Tree Services: £7,632 (including VAT). EG GroundCare: £9,120 (including VAT). Plus £1000 contingency if needed for emergencies. The committee favours using Broadland Tree Services.

Rod Alley Pond needs lots of work including extensive reed removal and cutting round edge. It is also overpopulated with fish and will look at it early next year. Lesley Evison thanked new volunteer secretary Ian Coyle and said about volunteer mornings coming up in November. Stan Burton had looked in Prince Harry’s Wood. Lots of saplings need clearing rubbish been dumped by residents of St Andrews Close and March Field Way. This needs removal and won’t be a quick fix. Also ramps have been built on pathway which need removal. The Parish Council is not insured for them and no permission given. Will need a large group of volunteers for a big tidy up. Would it be possible to purchase a chipper? Stan Burton to submit a quotation for next meeting and proper protection gear would need to be purchased. Also mentioned that these ramps must not be mixed up with newt habitats in the woodland.

Ottomer Pond (ongoing). Stan Burton has laid the slab foundation and will construct the sluice next week. Thank you for supply of materials.

Approval of following policies and documents. The Grants Policy, Grant Application Form, Quotation Approval Form and Terms of Reference Template were all approved (5 in favour).

Parking (ongoing).There had been considerable improvement but still some cars parked all day on Abbey Road. Since quotes obtained for parking signs prices have increased by £25 + VAT. Proposal to buy signs was approve (5 in favour)

Old Buckenham Heritage Group. Still only one person interested. Naomi Bailey to share on social media, Doug Irons to advertise on website and editor to advertise in newsletter again.

Allotment update. Three quotes obtained for a skip. Looking at between £235 and £319.70 depending on length of time it is there. Lots of clearing to be done, will need many volunteers to help. Naomi Bailey to post on social media about volunteers. Stuart Barker to dig hole for burning waste wood with permission of landowner.

Drainage on Hargham Road. Work to commence at end of October.

Hargham Road. Comments received on 7.5t lorries restriction. Steve Gowers to look at arranging traffic survey and Naomi Bailey to send email to Highways.

Footpath along the Green. Markings from Highways have appeared.The Parish Council feels it has an obligation to push for resurface to be done properly. Path has lost 100mm to150mm to grass growth

Remembrance Parade. Further barriers have been sourced. Lesley Evison to read the names of the fallen and lay wreath. Parish councillors to meet at 10.15am to sort closures. High viz must be worn. The Clerk to print fifty copies of order of service. The Vicar is not able to attend.Waiting to hear from a volunteer. Service will follow the Royal British Legion order of service.

Prince Harry’s Wood. Discussed earlier in Green Working Committee report.

Christmas Tree Order. Megan Elvin to order as soon as possible. To be the same size as last year. Some new bulbs will be needed as some have blown. All to be ready by Sunday 7 December.

Solar Farm. Doug Irons has drafted a letter that proposed changes to original charter from Pace. He will send it to councillors for approval and, once approved. he will set up a meeting with Pace.

Air Show traffic management. Naomi Bailey has spoken with Matt Wilkins at the Airfield. He was concerned to hear of unsafe parking. Traffic Management plans have been submitted for 2026. He agrees public shouldn’t be parking all over the Green and has suggested to help by sending two SIA qualified security guards to help police parking at his own cost. To be discussed at next Parish Council meeting.

School crossing. Naomi Baily had been approached by concerned parents regarding Abbey Road crossing near the High School and how unsafe it is. She is in correspondence with Paul Beale and Helen Mitchell at the schools to find some solutions. 

RFO recruitment. Two applicants had applied and interviews to take place shortly.

Public participation. Asked about Ottomer Pond and why it is taking so long. The chamber works are scheduled for completion end of October. Would the Hargham Road development mean the 30mph speed limit was extended? Alison Frank has offered to lay wreath for the Women’s Institute at the Remembrance service.

Items for next agenda. These were expected to include Ottomer Pond (ongoing), School crossing, Remembrance Parade, Allotment update, footpath on Green, village Heritage Group, woodchipper purchase and Community Car scheme document approval.

The next Parish Council meeting will be on Thursday 6 November in Old Buckenham Village Hall at 7.30pm.