Old Buckenham Parish Council in September

Latest discussions
This report has been prepared by the blog editor from the draft minutes and so may contain information that is changed at a later date.
All the councillors, except Akis Chrisovelides who had sent his apologies, were present and also six members of the public.Sarah Dye and Derek Smalley, along with the parish council itself, declared an interest as shareholders of the Old Buckenham Green Right Proprietors. Steve Milner also declared an interest in the planning application for 45 Fen Street.
The meeting was suspended for a short while to allow the members of public to ask questions. The meeting then resumed.
Minutes of the July Parish Council meeting. These were signed as a true and accurate record of the meeting.
Matters arising from the minutes. Carol Marshall asked for clarification of the Highways Act 1980. The Clerk said that under the act, in section 145, parish councils had no authority to instruct anyone to trim or cut back anything that was overhanging the highway. Only competent bodies like the Highways Agency, Norfolk County Council and Breckland Council had such authority.
Attleborough Development. Tim Ing said that soundings from some residents had said that the advice originally given to Parish Council that they could withdraw land from the south of Bunn’s Bank from the Attleborough Neighbourhood Plan was incorrect. Adrian Joel gave out a map indicating Attleborough’s parish boundary and the land at Bunn’s Bank which was in the parish of Old Buckenham. Adrian Joel raised the question of withdrawing the land at Bunn’s Bank from the Attleborough Plan by having a new vote. Parish Clerk informed the meeting that the previous advice was given in good faith and therefore the vote taken at July meeting would have to stand. It could however be overturned. If six councillors put in writing a motion to overturn such vote, then a new vote could be taken at the October meeting. Adrian Joel said that when residents of Attleborough voted in a referendum on the plan, Old Buckenham residents would have no vote. Paul Boggia said the site was suitable for commercial development. Carol Marshall said she did want the land developed. Jonathan Kemp said if we could not withdraw the Bunn’s Bank land in the future from Attleborough’s plan then we should withdraw it now. Steve Milner said the owner of the land did want to develop the land and he thought Breckland Council did not always listen to local people. He thought the land should be controlled through either Attleborough’s Plan or an Old Buckenham Neighbourhood Plan. Derek Smalley said that he attended a recent meeting of the Attleborough Steering Group and they are not concerned whether the land is included or not. Old Buckenham Parish Council could liaise with Attleborough and have a voice to protect the interests of Old Buckenham residents. He thought we should remain part of the steering group to make sure Old Buckenham’s interests are put forward and Attleborough are not trying to take over Old Buckenham. Tom Johnson proposed that, due to new information, the Chairman does not sign the document to include the land at Bunn’s Bank which is in the parish of Old Buckenham but that Old Buckenham should remain part of the Attleborough Neighbourhood Plan Steering Group. This was seconded by Adrian Joel and voted with 7 for and 3 against.
Old Buckenham Neighbourhood Plan. Tim Ing said this had been discussed previously and the general view was that Old Buckenham did not need a Neighbourhood Plan and only two residents had expressed a desire for one.
Village Hall broadband. Tom Johnson said that there had been no further movement on the matter. The meeting was informed that the Old Buckenham County Councillor was hosting a meeting on broadband in Norfolk at his home and that a representative of the Parish Council would be attending.
Planning applications. Buckenham Priory, Abbey Road. Alteration to study, one garden room and bedroom. There were no objections from the Parish Council, this was agreed unanimously both for listed building status and for planning.
Westward, The Green. Rear extension and conservatory. No objections, this was agreed unanimously.
45 Fen Street. The Parish Clerk to seek an extension so no vote taken.
Planning decisions received from Breckland. Buckenham Priory, Removal of timber boarding at 1st floor level and replace with cream or off-white lime render. Permission granted.
The Finches, Cake Street. Front and rear extension, raise roof to create room in roof and Juliette balcony and new integral garage. Permission granted. Vine Cottage, 64 Fen Street. Installation of ground array of PV solar panels. Permission granted (retrospective).
Tower Lodge, Banham Road. Replacement of roof material on tower building only from cedar shingle to lead. Permission granted.
Willow Farmhouse, The Green. Erection of two-storey four-bedroom house and detached cart lodge for three cars. Permission refused.
Chairman’s report. Tim Ing said that any organisation requesting a grant had to submit the application in writing to the Parish Clerk by Monday 30 September. Concerns had been raised by two residents near to the Ox & Plough who said they could not access their property because of cars parked and blocking their access. The chairman said he was soon moving into rented accommodation in preparation for moving house. As he still retains property in Old Buckenham and will be moving within three miles he is still able to remain as a parish councillor.
District Councillor’s report. Adrian Joel reported that William Nunn had stood down as leader of Breckland Council and replaced by Michael Wassell who was deputy leader. Linda Turner had been elected Deputy Leader. The Boundary Commission has asked for the number of wards in Breckland be reduced from 54 to 50. To achieve this it is proposed that Old Buckenham will join New Buckenham and Banham and the ward will be known as Buckenhams and Banham. The proposal will be forwarded to Boundary Commission later this month for consideration and new boundaries will be confirmed in May or June 2014. Cycle Cinema comes to Old Buckenham on Friday 13 September at 7.30pm and will be showing the Wizard of Oz at the Village Hall.
Parish Councillors’ reports. John Frost said repairs to All Saints church are moving forward and they recently had a limited number of volunteers helping with work at the church. They hope to be able to change the windows next year before winter. Carol Marshall asked if Diggerman could come back to Recreation Area and Tim Ing said he would arrange it when the ground was not so hard. Carol Marshall also said the Almshouse residents have received new rules. They are not happy with some of them so a meeting will be held soon with all the residents. Jonathan Kemp said the football nets would soon be put up at Recreation Area. No new grant money has yet been awarded but they are still trying to find new funding streams. Adrian Joel has drawn up new allotment tenancy agreements and recently had a meeting with the allotment holders. Tim Ing said he had a meeting with landowner of allotment site and there would not be any increase in allotment land rent so no increase in plot rents would be needed. Steve Milner raised the matter of a weekend of entertainment in mid-September which would include events like a Hangar Dance on the Saturday night, a cycle cinema evening on Friday evening and also a picnic on Sunday between the two pubs. Tom Johnson said the circulation folder system is not working as he had just received the July folder. Tim Ing asked councillors for their views on best way to deal with situation. It was agreed that councillors would look at folder on the night of each Parish Council meeting. Sarah Dye said she had posted a comment to Jon Hicks on the good work he is doing. She then raised matter of guarantees on play equipment if not inspected by Playdale each year. She will speak to Kerry Talbot on the matter.
Parish Clerk’s report. The Clerk said that the accounts had been audited and passed as correct by government auditors. He then spoke on the Precept Referendum Bill which was going through the House of Commons at the present time. This bill would restrict parish councils to a 2% increase in the annual precept. If they wanted a larger increase then a referendum would have to be held for which the Parish Council would be liable for the cost. This coupled with new smaller tax base to which the precept was raised could have serious implications for future precepts of all parish councils and could result in shortfall in funding for parish councils.
The Green. Jonathan Kemp commented on how nice the Green looked this summer under the new contractor who was doing a good job.
The next meeting of Old Buckenham Parish Council meeting will be on Thursday 3 October and the Annual Precept meeting will be on Thursday 17 October, both meetings commencing at 7.30pm at the Village Hall.