Report on August meeting
These notes have been written by the blog editor from the draft minutes and so may contain information that is altered at a later date.
Old Buckenham Parish Council met via Zoom at 7.30pm on Thursday 6 August. Those present were councillors Jonn Hicks (Chair), Steve Milner, Adrian Joel, Mike Farrington, Terry Cook and Andy Nicholls. Also attending were Rachel Noyes (Clerk) and four members of the public. Andy Nicholls had sent his apologies in advance for late arrival.
The minutes of the meeting held in July were approved (5 in favour) and there were no matters arising.
Financial matters. The Community account balance is £30,411.65.
Payments of £932.58 were approved (5 in favour). These payments included £90 for grass cutting, £335 for the village handyman and £67.30 for the community car service.
Public participation relating to agenda items. A member of the public wished to thank the Parish Council for the installation of the new football goals at the Recreation Ground and the on-going work to flatten the ground. It has been greatly appreciated.
New planning applications. Old Buckenham High School, Abbey Road. The construction of an Artificial Grass Pitch (AGP) with fencing and ancillary features at Old Buckenham High School (3PL/2020/0770/F). The Parish Council were all happy for the school to improve the sports facilities for its pupils. However there were some questions asked about whether the community could ever get any use of it in the future and the council will raise with the Trust in the future. The application was supported (5 in favour).
Land at Chalk Lane, Snetterton. The construction of an agricultural feed mill (Use Class B2) with ancillary offices and welfare facilities, creation of a new vehicular access and associated infrastructure including silos; engineering; landscaping; and ground works. This is an Environmental Impact Assessment Development (3PL/2020/0780/F). The Council could not see any reasons for objection to the application. It should not create any extra traffic in Old Buckenham or neighbouring villages as it is very near a junction of the A11. The application was supported (5 in favour).
Orchard House, The Green. Demolition of existing garage and erection of single storey games room (3PL/2020/0814/HOU). No problems or reasons for objection. The application was supported (5 in favour).
Old Buckenham Country Park, Doe Lane. New shower block and a cabin to replace an existing static caravan (3PL/2020/0675/F). The Clerk apologised for missing this application off the published agenda. The Council felt this was a logical application that enhanced a local business. The application was supported (5 in favour).
Planning decisions by Breckland Council. The following four applications have now been considered and the applications have been approved.
Windmill, Mill Road. Brick repairs to walls, oak lintel repairs over openings and repairs to the Mill cap. Ground floor replacement and removal of cement render. Minor timber repairs to intermediate floor structures (3PL/2020/0550/LB).
The New Stables, Grove Road. The New Stables, Grove Road. Further holiday cabin/caretaker accommodation (3PL/2020/0436/F).
17 Hargham Road. 1st floor extension and ground floor infill creating a 1½ storey dwelling with annex accommodation, revised scheme (3PL/2020/0636/HOU).
Scales Farm, road from Stacksford Lane to Hargham Road. Erection of straw barn (3PL/2020/0580/F).
The following two applications have now been considered and the applications have been refused.
Redbourne House, Abbey Road. New detached double garage to front of property. Single storey extension to rear of existing garage (3PL/2020/0493/HOU).
Canem Cave Cottage, 62A Fen Street. Rear extension, permitted development (3PN/2020/0026/PNE).
Communications. Steve Milner has been unable to complete the research and so the subject will be discussed next month.
Planting of new trees around Green. (Andy Nicholls joined the meeting) Mike Farrinton and Adrian Joel were able to meet with the Breckland Tree Officer, along with some members of the Green Working Party. The Tree Officer felt that overall it was a good plan with suitable species in appropriate locations. He added that they should be planted in small groups and that there would be little maintenance for 50 years (although crowns could be raised or trees pollarded if desired). Jonn Hicks highlighted that he had spoken to several tree surgeons who claimed that the oaks would need maintenance after 10 years. Steve Milner commented that the Parish Council should think about the environmental impact for future generations, not just financial costs. Several councillors and members of the public explained that there have been high costs in recent years due to a lack of ongoing maintenance in the past. Overall, the Parish Council were supportive of planting new trees about the Green, especially to replace those that had died/been removed in the past. With concerns about high maintenance costs, it was proposed to approve the Green Working Party request to plant the trees. However the Parish Council will set aside £500 each year in to an emergency tree fund (eg large damage following a bad storm) and that the Green Working Party should set aside part of their budget for the regular ongoing maintenance of the trees too. This was approved (5 in favour, 1 abstain).
Chairman’s report. A meeting with Chapel Green School is booked in for September. Adrian Joel and Rachel Noyes will attend. He is also waiting for electrician to be free for the installing of two defibrillators.
Village Green Working Party. The VGWP were pleased to get very positive feedback from their village survey which overall showed good support for the recent Green management. All feedback and comments are being read and noted for future maintenance.
Road Safety. The SAM speed sign has been operating in Cake Street. Steve Milner expects to download and collect the data in the next week or two.
Play Area. Playdale are due to visit at the start of September to replace some toddler swings and fix bearings on the roundabout.
Recreation Area. New set of goal posts installed and getting lots of use over the summer holidays. Grass will be rolled following any wet weather during summer. It would be great to get some adults together for a little football team. Andy Nicholls and Jonn Hicks are looking in to getting the pitch marked out.
Councillors’ reports. Adrian Joel pointed out that the road leading to the Primary School and Village Hall has lots of pot holes. Need to email Norfolk County Council to confirm who is responsible for that road. The two allotment plots that were put aside for a community project will not be needed as it has been decided not to go ahead with the project.
Terry Cook will be attending a Village Hall meeting to address the Covid rules and regulations with the aim of opening the Hall from Tuesday 1 September.
Mike Farrington reported yet another accident at Puddledock corner. He is looking to arrange meeting with District and County councillor Stephen Askew and local residents to try and find a solution.
Terry Cook and Steve Milner have had several enquires over last few months regarding footpaths in the area. They will need to consult with the County Footpaths Officer over some of them. Please raise any further issues so they can be logged and addressed.
Andy Nicholls said that a resident on Harlingwood Lane is writing to Norfolk County Council to request extending the 30mph zone further up the lane to the last bungalow. They also requested that the Parish Council also write to support this which they agreed to do (6 in favour). Large numbers of dog walkers use Harlingwood Lane and so would be a good idea to install an extra dog poo bin, possibly at the corner by the Stud’s rear gate. Will need to consult with Breckland to arrange collection. Suggestion approved (6 in favour).
There appears to be speeding by some bikes on a Tuesday, following their meeting on the Green by the Ox and Plough. The pub is doing a good job at reminding attendees to drive safely and respectfully as they leave but cannot control them once they leave.
Items for next agenda. These will include Communications.
The next Parish Council meeting will be held on Thursday 3 September at 7.30pm via Zoom (subject to Government Guidelines at the time).