Latest Old Buckenham minutes

February’s 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.

Old Buckenham Parish Council met on Thursday 3 February at Old Buckenham Village Hall. Those present were Councillors Steve Milner (Chair), Adrian Joel, Naomi Bailey, Doug Irons and Andy Nicholls. Also in attendance were Rachel Noyes (Clerk), Zoe Footer (Breckland Council), County and Breckland councillor Steve Askew along with five members of the public. Apologies for non attendance had been received from Mike Farrington and Terry Cook. The minutes of the meeting held on Thursday 6 January were approved (4 in favour, 1 abstain).

Financial matters. Community account balance now stands at £31,818.42. Money received included allotment rents of £60. Payments of £1,662.81 were approved (5 in favour) which included £237.5 for payments to the community car drivers, £243.82 on parts for the play area, £90 for printing the welcome pack and £450 annual rent for the allotment land.

Prince Harry’s Wood. Steve Askew explained that he had been contacted about excessive fly tipping in Prince Harry’s Wood. After discussions with Breckland Council, Steve Askew inquired about what their future plans were for Prince Harry’s Wood. Breckland Council weren’t aware of their ownership of this land but explained that they would be open to discussions about its future ownership. Zoe Footer from the Property and Estates Team at Breckland Council attended the meeting to discuss the future of the wood and answer any questions from the Parish Council. Zoe Footer explained that Breckland Council owns a large amount of land. Breckland doesn’t know what Parish and Town Councils want from these smaller pockets of land and so some local councils are taking ownership of these areas to use as they feel best for their community. Prince Harry’s Wood sits on Cake Street, opposite the Stud entrance. Zoe Footer explained that if the Parish Council decided to take the area on, Breckland would look to transfer ownership to the Parish Council and it would become an asset. While it is currently a wooded area, the Parish Council would then be free to use it in any way they feel best for the Parish and make any changes as necessary. Generally there would be no restrictions, however the trees would need to be checked for tree preservation orders before any work could commence. There is also a preference for the area to be used as an amenity for the Parish, rather than housing development. Breckland would look to transfer at nil cost and each party would pay their own legal costs. The Parish Council would need to then add the land to their asset register and ensure it was covered by their Public Liability insurance. The land would be listed at its valuation, and not at the nil cost.

Adrian Joel raised concerns about the Parish Council then having to deal with the fly tipping issue and maintenance costs. Zoe Footer explained that while there would not be any maintenance budget from Breckland, some work could be done prior to transfer but after that it would be Parish Council responsibility. There are also several small areas of land owned by Breckland, which primarily lie in and around St Andrews Close. There is the option for the Parish Council to take these on too. This could be done as one transfer, thereby reducing the legal costs involved in separate transfers. If desired, the Parish Council could set up its own contract to organise the regular grass cutting as this is the main maintenance required. Andy Nichols enquired about the possibility of Breckland Council selling to private individuals instead. Zoe Footer explained that if the Parish Council did not want to take these areas of land on, then there is the option of selling to private individuals, however the preference is for amenities for the public benefit. The ownership of the footpath that runs along the outside edge of Prince Harry’s Wood was raised and it is believed it would still be owned by Breckland. Zoe Footer is to research and confirm. If the Parish Council decided to take ownership, the next steps in the process would be for Zoe Footer to complete a valuation of the land, ensure there are no tree preservations or other restrictions, conduct a Ward consultation and make a recommendation to Councillor Hewitt.

The parish councillors were very positive about the idea of owning the land, thereby having more control over its use and ensuring it is not used by developers. The upcoming Village Meeting about the Queen’s Jubilee would be a good opportunity to gauge residents’ opinions and ideas for the use of the land in future. It could also be an opportunity to tie in the transfer with the celebrations for the Jubilee. Adrian Joel suggested that all councillors visit and inspect the areas of land to help get a clear idea of their size, etc. A proposal to accept the offer to transfer the ownership of Prince Harry’s Wood to Old Buckenham Parish Council was approved (5 in favour).

Matters arising from the minutes. Steve Milner said that a new highway code has recently been published and there are lots of bikers, cyclists, horse riders and motorists in our village. He requested that councillors think of ideas on how to promote safety and on these changes for our road users. He had prepared a map of speed limits in the village. Main areas of concern are Fen Street, Puddledock corner, Mill Road/Grove Road junction and Crown Road/Ragmere Road junction. One idea is to formulate a letter to Highways with this information to try and get a large scale assessment of the village speed limits. This may require a lot of persistence to get any changes and would need the logging of all the incidents that occur in the village to help build evidence. Steve Askew explained that a full investigation has taken place into the recent accident at Puddledock. Most incidents are through driver error and result in the driver and vehicle safely leaving the site. Therefore minimal incidents are recorded here. Steve Askew reminded the Parish Council that there are lots of villages in the county that are all wanting changes and improvements, which all cost money and would also require enforcing. Old Buckenham has already seen some highways improvements recently with the crossing and the improvements outside the High School. Steve Askew highlighted that setting up a Community Speed Watch group is a good proactive option. Steve Milner is currently looking for more volunteers to run this group. Fen Street has already been put on a list for consideration in the future, with Steve Askew’s support, as there has been a lot of development and changes to the road since speed limit was set. Steve Milner was disappointed in Highways response to Puddledock residents’ suggestions and felt that all suggestions were dismissed or refused with no positive proactive solutions to improving the situation.

Rachel Noyes, the Parish Clerk, reported that the fly-tipped oil drum by the bus shelter has eventually been collected by Breckland. The cover on the hole on the Green for the Christmas tree had broken and has been repaired. A sign was placed on Recreation Ground bin asking people not to place dog waste in this bin. Parts have been received for Play Area work and the roundabout is due to be fixed by early March. The defibrillator is scheduled to be installed outside the Ox and Plough on Tuesday 22 February, ten Tree Preservation Orders on the Hargham Road oak trees have been confirmed, Wheelie Bin stickers requesting people to drive slowly have been made available, no dog bin is possible by the Recreation Area as the land is not managed by Breckland or NCC and the dog bin by Raggs Lane on Hargham Rd has been removed. This has been reported but still awaiting reply. Attcare are hosting a Healthcare and Wellbeing Trust Forum on Monday 21 February, online at 11am, and Steve Milner and Adrian Joel to attend. Breckland are holding a Landscape and Settlement Character Assessment Stakeholder Workshop on Wednesday 23 February. Fifty copies of the Welcome Pack have been printed to be distributed to new residents in the village.

Questions were previously raised about whether the Parish Council could be both Custodian and Management Trustees of the Village Hall. Research has found that while it is legally possible, it is generally advised to keep the roles separate. Terry Cook had reported that the Raggs Lane footpath issue is progressing and a parishioner, Jenny Devaux, is coordinating this. She is at the stage where she is collating signed evidence forms from individuals in relation to historic use of this path. If any person wishes to sign such a form could they please contact Jenny.

Adrian Joel informed members that John Askew died a few weeks ago. John served on the parish council for some thirty years. Those at the meeting held a short silence in memory of John and passed on their thoughts and condolences to his family. The Manorial Title of “Lord of the Manor” will be up for sale soon. Some questions were raised over the fact the family will “retain but not exercise their interest in the Green”. The Parish Council will consult with Green Rights’ Proprietors for clarification. Steve Milner to coordinate taking over management of the allotments from Adrian Joel. The Parish Council have received questions and complaints about an empty property on Post Office Terrace which has fallen in to disrepair. The Clerk to consult with Breckland Council.The High School had been contacted by Naomi Bailey about a forum of students for consultation. No reply yet but aware that schools are under a lot of pressure at the moment and may be something to look at in the future. Doug Irons had attended a New Councillor Induction Training Course. He found it very useful and it was requested that documents from course be shared with other members of the Parish Council as a useful reminder and update of procedures.

New planning applications. Friedland, Cake Street. Side, rear extension and new roof to form first floor accommodation (3PL/2021/1711/HOU). Adrian Joel explained that there were often drainage issues on Cake Street and highlighted the need for consultation with the Environment Agency (EA) and Lead Local Flood Authority (LLFA). Naomi Bailey raised the issue of traffic management during any works as the site is on the main road through the village for cars, lorries and school traffic. Request for a Traffic Management Plan, including ensuring builders did not cause problems by parking on the road. A proposal to support subject to consultation with the EA and LLFA, and all ditch work and flooding work is approved, was then approved (4 in favour, 1 abstain).

Land at 608360 291240, Cuffer Lane. Retrospective application for the material change of use of land from agriculture land to mixed use of agriculture and leisure or domestic use (3PL/2021/1690/F). Councillors felt the need to be consistent in their opinions in regards to previous applications for the site. The site sits in close proximity to New Buckenham (although is actually in Old Buckenham parish) and therefore New Buckenham would be affected by this application more than Old Buckenham. New Buckenham Parish Council have objected to the application. A proposal to object was approved (5 in favour).

Redbourne House, Abbey Road. Proposed front double garage link conversion of existing attached garage and rear extension (3PL/2022/0071/HOU). No objections to the application and a proposal to support approved (5 in favour).

Hammonds Farm, Stacksford. Conversion and extension to an existing barn to form Annexe (3PL/2022/0058/F). No objections to the application and a proposal to support approved (5 in favour).

Planning decision by Breckland Council. The following application has now been considered and the application has been approved: 1-10 Robert Cock's Alms Houses, Hargham Road. Raising of Ridge Line and Parapet Coping in association with Proposed Re-Roofing and Removal of Modern Chimney Pots (3PL/2021/1650/LB).

The following application has now been appealed: Land adj Beckwood, Stacksford. Erection of Dwelling and Garage (3PL/2020/1464/F). Appeal reference APP/F2605/W/21/3283028.

Green Lease renewal. Councillors felt this document was clear and detailed. It highlighted that all items in the original agreement remain valid and that the title of Lord of the Manor be removed from the “The Parties” involved in the agreement. This is in line with the wishes of the Executors to the late T M Cracknell, Lord of the Manor of Old Buckenham. A proposal to accept was approved (4 in favour, 1 abstain). The Green Lease Renewal will now be passed on to Green Rights’ Proprietors and Lord of the Manor Executors for consultation.

Village Help contact list. The Clerk had been contacted with the idea of a list of helpers for elderly/vulnerable residents to contact for help with any small issues. Contact was made with Terri Hammond who coordinated the village volunteers during the Pandemic as this structure was already in place. Several issues were raised including that volunteers would be required to enter residents’ properties which means CRB checks would be needed, insurance/liability would need to be addressed to ensure safety for everyone involved and clear boundaries would be needed to explain what helpers could/could not do. Clerk has contacted a volunteer group coordinator (via Breckland Council) for advice. The discussions are ongoing and she will report back later.

Village Jubilee meeting. This had been organised for Saturday 12 February in the Village Hall. It will follow same structure as planning for the Golden Jubilee, ie groups to brainstorm ideas before collating altogether. Would also look to get volunteers to organise the individual events over the four days of celebrations. The Clerk to collate information about any planned national events taking place that Old Buckenham could partake in.

Track maintenance. Track leading from the village shop to the phone box requires maintenance. This track is part of the Green and not managed by Highways. Andy Nicholls asked what the maintenance agreement was in place with residents. The clerk to consult with Green Rights Proprietors to consult easement documents. Adrian Joel highlighted that the properties on Post Office Terrace have contributed towards their own track maintenance previously.

Items for next agenda. These will include the Green Rental Agreement and Risk Assessment, sorting out village grant from the Solar Farm and the Neighbourhood Plan.

The next Parish Council meeting will be held on Thursday 3 March starting at 7.30pm in Old Buckenham Village Hall.