Old Buckenham Parish Council meeting in June

June 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.
All members of the parish council were present apart from Tim Ing who had sent his apologies. There were also eight members of the public. Steve Milner declared an interest in the planning applications for Stonehouse Farm and Crown House.
The meeting was adjourned for the public to comment on various items including parking on the Green, one of the planning applications, the line management responsibility of the Parish Council, having a public recess at Precept meetings, the Standing Orders working party, Chapel Road School and the village war memorial. Notes on these discussions should be posted on the blog tomorrow.
Minutes of Old Buckenham Annual General Meeting. This was held in May and the minutes were signed as a true and accurate record of the meeting. There were no matters arising from the minutes.
Minutes of May Parish Council meeting. These were signed as a true and accurate record of the meeting. There were no matters arising from the minutes.
Chapel Road School. Steve Milner had met with Chris Haye and Steve Askew of Norfolk County Council (NCC) and they were trying to resolve a number of the issues raised by the Parish Council. There is to be a drop-in meeting on Tuesday 17 June at the Primary School and NCC will submit a planning application later in June. The new access road will only be used for the new school. There are two major concerns regarding the new school which will greatly increase traffic levels on B1077 at school times which will increase accident risk levels. The access road will come on to the B1077 where there is a national speed limit in operation and this is considered highly dangerous. Steve Milner suggested a 20mph speed limit should be installed at all main crossing points of the B1077 and this suggestion is being taken back to NCC Highways for consideration. Steve Milner had also suggested further road safety improvements at the crossroads to the village primary school. Also suggested was community use of facilities at new school and the possible part use of the Primary School playing field for access to the new school. Steve Milner said the Parish Council is doing as much as possible on the school through the proper channels.
Roughlands planning application. Adrian Joel said that he had attended, with Tim Ing, the Breckland Planning Committee which had considered this planning application. Breckland had to consider that the site was previously used for pigs and had put 23 conditions on the planning application before giving their consent. All these conditions must be met by the applicants and if any resident has any knowledge that they are not being met then they can report them direct to him. Steve Milner raised the question of residents’ objections that had been written to Breckland and Adrian Joel said that over forty objections had been received by Breckland. Derek Smalley suggested the Parish Council keep a register of any complaints they receive of violations. Adrian Joel agreed to keep the register. Derek Smalley also suggested getting together with Terry Cracknell and writing a letter to try to get vehicular access restricted to the hours between 10am and 2pm.
Allocation of Council funds. The Parish Clerk said there were funds of approximately £4,000 that could be allocated to Council projects. Steve Milner suggested putting money towards new 20mph speed flashing signs and any balance left towards restructuring parking on the Green. Jonathan Kemp said the Recreation Area project also needed funds. The Parish Clerk said there could possibly be an extra £2,000 available from the 2014/15 funds and an item will be put on the September agenda.
Planning applications. Stonehouse Farm, Stacksford. Conversion of former pump room to form self-contained holiday rental. There were no objections from the Parish Council.
Crown House, Stacksford. Demolish existing timber-framed cottage and erect two single storey extensions. There were no objections from the Parish Council.
Almshouses, The Green. Replacement of corrugated asbestos cement roofing and steel windows to ten Almhouses. There were no objections from the Parish Council.
Sunnyside Farm, Church Green. Proposed alterations, conversions of outbuildings to form annexe. There were no objections from the Parish Council.
Planning decisions received from Breckland. Roughlands, Grove Road. Erection of livestock building and associated feed silo (Buildings 1and 2). Alterations to access and provision of passing bay. Permission granted with 23 conditions.
47 Fen Street. Two storey extension to rear including demolition of existing conservatory, infill carport to provide additional garage. Permission granted.
Downmoor Farm. Single storey residential extension. Permission granted.
The Bungalow, Grove Road. Proposed single storey extension to existing dwelling. Permission granted.
District Councillor’s report. The Electoral Commission is introducing a system of Individual Electoral Registration. This means that all electors will have to register as individuals rather than households. Breckland Council will be explaining the new arrangements using bin hangers during July. Breckland Council’s web pages will reflect the changes in the way people register to vote and will have a banner across the front page of their website advertising the changes. Adrian Joel also reported that the World War One Heritage Fund have had 14 applications for grants and an independent panel including the British Legion, armed forces ex-service personnel and the press will be considering the applications. Creative Arts East will be producing a theatre programme linked to WW1 with a hangar at Old Buckenham Airfield being identified as a possible venue. Breckland Council have assessed the public areas in Elizabeth House and, apart from some additional signs, the physical environment meets the criteria to assist those suffering from dementia. Four training sessions for officers and members have been held with great interest and success.
Parish Councillors’ reports. Sarah Dye reported that the people who were going to repair the fence at the play area have gone out of business. John Hicks will do temporary repairs but some fencing will have to be replaced. Derek Smalley reported that he was unable to attend last SNAP meeting but will circulate the minutes from that meeting. He also reported a thank you letter had been received from Buckenham Pre-school playgroup regarding their recent grant. Steve Milner thanked Tim Ing for all his hard work during his period as Parish Council Chairman. Adrian Joel raised the question of employees’ appraisals. The Parish Clerk read from Standing Orders which showed that the Chairman only had access as line manager. John Frost said he had cut the grass around the benches and signs on the Green. Scaffolding will be going up at All Saints Church in July to carry out repair work on the tower. Hopefully the work will be completed by the end of the year. Carol Marshall said that annual inspections would soon be arranged for both the Play and Recreation Areas. Adrian Joel reported that the bottle bank had not been emptied but this was expected to be done by the following day.
Highways. Various potholes were reported around the village along with reflector posts still being needed in Cake Street and a drain blocked in Banham Road. Also a hedge in Fen Street was overhanging the highway. The Parish Clerk is to speak to Highways on these matters.
The Green. The next meeting of the Green Right Proprietors would be the following week and the grass will be cut in the near future. Tom Johnson raised the matter of the pond near the Gamekeeper public house. The Green Right Proprietors are looking at the possibility of allowing grazing on the Green.
The next meeting of Old Buckenham Parish Council will be on Thursday 3 July in the Village Hall starting at 7.30pm.