Parish
Council minutes for June
These notes were written by the blog editor from the drat minutes so may contain information that is amended at a later date.
Old
Buckenham Parish Council met on Thursday 3 June in Old Buckenham Village Hall.
Those present were councillors Jonn Hicks (Chair), Steve Milner, Adrian Joel, Terry
Cook, Naomi Bailey and Mike Farrington. Also attending were Rachel Noyes
(Clerk), Donna Oakley (RFO) and two members of the public. Apologies for
absence were received from Andy Nicholls and Ben Devlin. Steve Milner was late
in arriving.
The
minutes of the meeting held on Thursday 6 May were approved (4 in favour, 1
abstain). Arising from these minutes Adrian Joel raised the issue that while Working
Parties were updated last month, some councillors were lacking in commitment to
their roles. Terry Cook highlighted that a lack of structure and nominated
chairperson for each Working Party is the major contributor to the problem so
the subject should be discussed in depth next month.
(SM
arrived)
Financial
matters. The Community account balance presently stands at £36,730.69.
Payments
of £4,352.47 were approved (6 in favour) including to Playdale (tractor deposit
of £3,123.33), community car drivers £24.75 and Brent Hibbert (bench plinth)
£396.
Donna
Oakley proposed that a bonus payment of £250 be paid to Rachel Noyes for her
hard work over the last year. This was approved (6 in favour).
Annual
Governance and Accountability Return (AGAR). Donna Oakley provided a
breakdown of the Parish Council finances for the last year. She highlighted
that the Parish Council had spent less than expected and that there was
significant spending on the Green (a full breakdown of Green expenses will be
supplied soon). In February next year, the Parish Council will need to look at
and assess the depreciation of assets. Donna Oakley was thanked for all her
hard work and a proposal to accept the AGAR finances and to send for auditing was
approved (6 in favour).
Public
participation relating to agenda items. A proposed new property (planning application
3PL/2021/0781/F will be accessed via the existing driveway which has the gate
set back slightly to allow for greater visibility for drivers. Property will be
used for the couple as they get older. There was once a previous property on
the land but exact location not known.
Breckland
Councillor Steve Askew has been helping to raise the issue with Breckland Council
concerning litter in Prince Harry’s Wood but little is being done (Breckland
Council own the land on which the woods are located). The Parish Council will
try and help resolve the issue.
To
consider planning applications and to receive Breckland District Council’s
decisions made on any planning applications received before the meeting:
(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 applications. Laurel Tree Centre, The Green. Change of use of
consultation osteopath clinic with 1 bedroom flat to one residential dwelling (3PL/2021/0634/F).
No objections. A proposal to support was approved (6 in favour).
45
Fen Street. The removal of the existing conservatory to the rear of the
dwelling with a new single-storey extension and a new two-storey extension to
the front of the dwelling (3PL/2021/0681/HOU). A proposal to support was approved
(6 in favour).
Oak
Lodge, 2 Fen Street. Proposed Single Storey Rear Extension (3PL/2021/0709/HOU).
There are two windows on the plan which will overlook a neighbouring property.
One is a bathroom and the second is a bedroom. Neighbouring properties should
not be overlooked and lack of privacy is a valid reason for objection. Proposal
to support on the condition that the issues of the windows is resolved was
approved (6 in favour).
Hunters
House Access Roads in and around Old Buckenham Hall. Erection of a 5m x 3.5m
wood cabin within the front garden for use as a small dog grooming business (3PL/2021/0721/F).
The property is accessed via a Right of Access on neighbour’s property. Proposal
to support was approved (5 in favour, 1 abstain).
Coal
Storage Yard. Road from Stacksford Lane to Hargham Road. Outline Planning
Application for 5 no. Dwellings (3PL/2021/0500/O). Breckland Council granted an
extension to the Parish Council to allow time for Highways to submit their
viewpoint. However this has not occurred. All Councillors felt strongly that
this was a dangerous, narrow road with blind junctions either side of the
proposed site. It is also outside the Village Boundary and the housing quota
has already been met. A proposal to object was approved (6 in favour).
Snetterton
Farm, Banham Road. Erection of bungalow and garage including workshop/store (3PL/2021/0781/F).
While the property is located off a narrow road, the property would be accessed
via an existing driveway, which has good visibility. Proposal to support was approved
(6 in favour).
Planning
decisions by Breckland Council. The following applications have now been
considered and the applications have been approved.
The
New Agricultural Barn, Land adjacent to The Roughlands Farm, Grove Road. Variation
of Condition nos 2 and 3 on 3PL/2020/1334/F ( Erection of a single agricultural
building and new vehicular access (3PL/2021/0429/VAR).
Standing
Orders Review. There are no proposed changes. Proposal to accept was approved
(6 in favour)
Phone
box noticeboards. Thanks to Phil Little for installation of new noticeboards in
the phone box by Rod Alley Row. It will be used as an ‘information hub’ about
the Parish Council, the Green and the village in general. Ideas for what could
go on these boards included Parish Council to display agendas/minutes, maps of
local walks for visitors, information about plants/trees that can be found on
the Green and possible activity sheet for children. Also spare copies of
Village Newsletter to be displayed. Naomi Bailey will collate information and
display. The noticeboards will not be used to display advertisements for local
businesses. The Village shop and Newsletter already provide advertising space
and the Parish Council do not wish to take revenue away from them.
Website.
The Parish Council website could do with updating. The present councillors lack
the skills to make it as good as it could be. They will start by looking to see
if there is anybody in the village with the necessary skills and willing to
help by sending out a request via Facebook and Village Newsletter. Could also
look at creating a logo/header for the Parish Council to provide some
consistency across their many platforms of communication.
Chairman’s
report. Jonn Hicks will suggest the date of Friday 13 September for joint Village
Hall and Parish Council meeting. Volunteers will cut the grass around the
benches/signs soon. Thanks are due to Martin from the Ox and Plough for cutting
the playground grass while the chairman is unable to do it. There will be no Parish
Council meeting in August. The clerk is away and will be unable to minute the
meeting.
Green Working Party (GWP). The Green will be cut once wildflowers have gone to seed. In order to try and find a balance between encouraging nature yet usable for the public, an area in the middle of the Green will be left uncut. Footpaths will continue to be cut in this area and around the Green when needed. The GWP will be meeting on Wednesday 16 June. The plinth for Bill Wardman’s memorial bench has been completed near the Almshouses. The clerk is to liaise with Bill’s family about the installation of the bench.
Play
Area. Playdale have been in contact regarding installation of the new tractor.
It will take place during week starting Monday 12 July and should take one day
(exact date to be provided closer to time). The Church Rooms have kindly agreed
to allow use of their toilets and outside tap which will eliminate need for
portaloo to be provided. Container on the original quote will not be needed,
thereby reducing total cost by £422. Phil Little will remove old tractor the
week before. Playground will need to be closed to the public during these
works. Rope and connectors (including some spares) to be ordered for climbing
rope.
Recreation
Area. Recreation ground needs cutting and fence removing. Jonn Hicks to
arrange.
Councillors’
reports. District and County councillor Steve Askew had been in contact via
email. Blocked drains between Scales Farm and Hargham Road have been booked for
clearing. Pot holes on Fen Street (near Fen Road junction) and B1077 (between
Doe Lane and Ragmere Road) have been booked in too. Further points to be raised
with Steve Askew included pot holes on St Andrews Close, pot holes in the
Danbrigg area and traffic speeds in Quiet Lanes.
Terry
Cook said he will attend a meeting on Friday 18 June between Village Hall, NCC Highways,
Steve Askew and Primary School representatives regarding the road leading to the
Primary School and Village Hall. They are hoping to resolve the issue about
payment for repairs to the road.
Naomi
Bailey is starting to get entries for the Scarecrow Trail which will include all
the village including Stacksford. Steve Milner is looking at setting up a
Gorilla Poetry event. This will involve poetry around the village for people to
visit and discuss.
The next Parish Council meeting to be held on Thursday 1 July at 7.30pm in Old Buckenham Village Hall.
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