More Old Buckenham Parish Council decisions

May Parish Council meeting

These notes were written by the blog editor editor from the draft minutes so may contain information that is amended at a later date.

Old Buckenham Parish Council met on Thursday 5 May at 7.30pm in Old Buckenham Village Hall. Those present were Councillors Steve Milner (Chair), Adrian Joel, Naomi Bailey, Doug Irons and Andy Nicholls. Apologies for non-attendance had been received from Terry Cook. Also attending were Rachel Noyes (Clerk), Donna Oakley (RFO) and Steve Askew (District and County Councillor) as well as nine members of the public.

Election of Chair and Vice Chair. Steve Milner nominated to be Chair (all in favour). Naomi Baily nominated as Vice Chair (all in favour).

Minutes of April meeting were approved (4 in favour, 1 abstain).

Financial matters. The Community account balance is £39,118.86 which includes first precept grant of £10,970.50. A VAT claim has been submitted for £1,615.11. Precept grants already approved totalled £3,106 (£500 held back for Almshouses). Cheque payments approved (5 in favour) totalled £4,863.93 including £814.45 for Jubilee mugs and £30 for Jubilee leaflets.

The Clerk, Donna Oakley (the RFO) and Adrian Joel are going to have another meeting with the bank to try and update bank details and sort various issues. These include changing names on the account and setting up online banking. This has been attempted several times with no success. Propose to have RFO, Clerk and Chairman to be authorised for cheque signatures, although only one signature will be required. Approved (5 in favour). As there is no Parish Council meeting in June, a proposal to pre-approve cheques that require payment in June was also approved (5 in favour). The Annual Governance and Accountability Return (AGAR) had been sent out to Councillors. While there was a slight over spend on the playground, the Parish Council were still within their budget last year. Once approved by the Parish Council, AGAR is sent to internal and external auditors. A proposal to accept the AGAR and a proposal for AGAR to be sent to internal auditor were both approved (5 in favour).

Reports from Councillors. Doug Irons updated on the Neighbourhood Plan. Grants have been approved for another year by Breckland. He has made contact with a couple of residents who have already showed interest and will be meeting with them to try and understand issues/participation, etc, from previous work. Will then start forming a sub-committee if enough interest can be found.

Naomi Bailey, Adrian Joel and Rachel Noyes had attended a meeting at Old Buckenham High School with the Deputy Head and Year 11 students. Meeting was well received and positive. On Friday 27 May the school are planting a tree to mark the Jubilee – this could be included within the seven trees planned for the village in October. Students from all three schools will look at designing the plaques. School Council will make a regular item in their meetings to raise issues in the village and Parish Council, which will then be communicating via Naomi Bailey, for the Parish Council to discuss. Also discussed a possible Open Day at the end of term for the community and a working party to look at painting bus shelter.

Adrian Joel said there was a need to chase up defibrillator to be put in the box at Ox and Plough. Also the recreation ground fencing still needs attention. The Clerk explained that there was some miscommunication which has been sorted now and local tradesman will fix it soon. The Parish Council’s trailer is still at an ex Councillor’s house and needs to be moved. Agreed can be moved to Chairman’s property for storage. Meeting required with Gamekeeper management about Green rent and car park maintenance. There had been vandalism at the allotments and Police need to be notified.

The Clerk thanked Terry Cook for taking the minutes at the previous meeting when she was unable to attend. The Green Working Party had reported that the Recreation area has been cut and the Handyman has started regular maintenance around the Green. He has mown paths where necessary and also the grass by Crown Road for the Street Party. Will mow it again shortly and the Green will be cut ready for Jubilee weekend. Relation of an Almshouse resident has contacted the Parish Council to ask for help with high electric bills and possible renewable energy sources. The Parish Council are unable to help with this directly and the Almshouse Trust can research possible alternative energy options. However, as high cost of living is affecting lots of residents of all ages, the Clerk will put together a collection of advice for all residents for managing these costs/grants/alternatives, etc, to be published online and in the newsletter.

The bill for mowing the Recreation Ground had been given to Andy Nicholls and it was agreed to add this to the list of cheques for approval (5 in favour).

Bin collection issues were discussed by Steve Askew. While collections after the changes were initially on track, there have recently been several issues, eg Stacksford black bins had not been collected for two weeks. He had contacted Serco who explained it is down to staffing issues. Have strongly advised that issues are sorted and collections are caught up straight away. Issues regarding parking and speeding on Sunnyside track (between schools and B1077) have been passed on. He has contacted the local Highway Engineer to arrange meeting at the site. He will keep the Parish Council informed and keep them updated after the meeting. After discussions with Highways about Puddledock corner, the option of a Vehicle Activated Sign (VAS) has been suggested, which could be paid through the Parish Partnership Scheme (PPS). This will be added to next agenda for full discussion by the Parish Council.

Public participation. A parishioner would like Parish Council to take in consideration that as the village has met its housing quota, there will be increasing levels of applications on arable land. In the long term, this could cause problems for food production. Andy Nicholls explained that Breckland are not currently meeting their 5 Year Plan (an allocation of land for 5 years worth of planning). This could possibly result in more rural areas being approved for planning applications.

A resident from Sunnyside track explained that during the start and end of the school day there is excessive amount of parking on the track and people are sometimes travelling at quite excessive speeds while families are walking along it. Due to a lack of parking at schools for their staff, some cars are parked all day. The track is getting in to a poor state, especially during wet weather. Some drivers are also abusive and aggressive when asked to slow down. Steve Milner advised that it would be useful to record incidents of near misses or abuse as this would help support any future actions. Parish Council will discuss fully at next meeting.

New planning applications. 60 Fen Street. Proposed two storey rear extension to form study and bedroom & proposed carport to side (3PL/2022/0427/HOU). Highways have no issue with the application. Proposal to support was approved (5 in favour).

Arenal, New Buckenham Road. Extension to existing building for tractor/log storage and additional hardstanding area. (retrospective) (3PL/2022/0433/F). Supplies wood for local area. Due to other local suppliers stopping, they are having an increase in demand for fire wood. This is a sustainable fuel source. Neighbours have no objection to the application. Parish Council found no problems in the application and happy to support a local business. Proposal to support approved (5 in favour).

Land opposite Arenal, New Buckenham Road. Use of site for storage, cutting and timber log distribution business (certificate of lawfulness - existing use) (3PL/2022/0434/EU). Proposal to support approved (5 in favour).

Land at Rosedale, Fen Street. Erection of 1. No C3 dwellinghouse and part demolition of outbuilding to be used as garage (3PL/2022/0429/F). No issues from Highways or other consultees. Looks in keeping with the village. Proposal to support approved (5 in favour).

Cuffer Lane. Erection of a New Agricultural Building (3PL/2021/1528/F). New location plan, proposed site layout, proposed elevation & floor plans, vulnerable questionnaire survey, design & access statement and preliminary ecological appraisal. Need to be consistent. Proposal that the Parish Council stand by their original objection and comments was approved (5 in favour).

Planning decisions by Breckland Council. The following application has now been considered and the application has been refused. Hammonds Farm, Stacksford. Conversion & extension to an existing barn to form Annexe (3PL/2022/0058/F).

Annual Parish Meeting. Village Hall booked for Saturday 16 July from 10am to 12 noon. Could be an opportunity to raise the Neighbourhood Plan and Churchyard. Clerk and Chairman to compile agenda.

Community Car costs. The Community Car scheme is a vital service for the village to help get vulnerable residents to medical appointments. The passenger pays 50%, Breckland 25% and Parish Council 25% of the 45p per mile cost that can be claimed. With fuel costs on the rise, councillors were concerned about the drivers losing out financially. However, after 45p/mile, they will have to pay tax. Proposal of a temporary increase of 10p per mile for three months was approved (5 in favour).

Insurance company quote. Quote received from BHIB Councils Insurance, who work in partnership with NALC. Total premium of £740.60 (inclusive of 12% insurance premium tax). A three-year Long Term Undertaking would reduce the annual premium to £696.80. This would be £142.48 more a year than previous premium. Documents had been emailed to Councillors to read and raise any questions in advance. Two issues were raised. Were Councillors covered by the policy when working with other community groups, on behalf of the Parish Council? This has been confirmed by BHIB who stated “if the Councillors are carrying out their duties for the Council then the Council policy will extend”. Doug Irons enquired about the cover for a Neighbourhood Plan Working Group, which would contain residents. The Clerk is to enquire. Also the policy requires playgrounds to be inspected every seven days. This has been confirmed by BHIB Insurance. Parish Council currently carry these out monthly and felt that once a week was excessive. Naomi Bailey explained that during the course for playground inspections, she was advised once a month was sufficient. A proposal to accept the BHIB Councils Insurance quote with the request that the playground inspection be amended to once a month was approved (5 in favour).

In line with new Insurance agreement, Terry Cook has been ensuring that the Ox and Plough has the relevant insurance to provide cover for hosting events on the Green. When asked whether the Public Liability extended to events on the Green (rented land) and not just the pub premises, the Landlord assured that “yes, any event on the Green is covered” and had been assured by his Insurer several times on the matter. He will also provide extra documentation for clarity.

Chapel Green Pupil Extension. Consultation has opened for increasing the numbers of pupils at Chapel Green by 50, from 110 to 160. The Parish Council has been contacted as part of the consultation process for feedback. A statement provided in advance from Terry Cook said “I agree that expanding the number of pupils with complex needs at this successful and purpose built provision is educationally sound and would best meet the needs of complex needs pupils within the Authority. I also agree that these places for each pupil will be additionally funded. However, where I am in complete disagreement with the plan is that Norfolk County Council will only provide additional funding for minor building alterations. This is a dereliction of their duty of care to the current and future pupils at Chapel Green School. When this resource was first planned and built it was undertaken in recognition of the special and individual needs of complex needs pupils. As such, specialist resource areas were built to provide the pupils with the facilities that would enable them to be cared for, to develop and grow as active and participative members of society. For these pupils life skills, communication skills and the development of personal skills that will enable each and everyone of them to function fully as members of society is vital. To this end transition skills, confidence building and the acquisition of the skills to function as an equal member of society is crucial. The plan being put forward by Norfolk County Council would mean the loss of specialist resources and skill development areas to be turned into general classrooms. This means the current cohort of pupils at the school will have their opportunities greatly diminished. This is not equal or fair. It will also mean that future pupils will not receive the level of care or provision their predecessors have enjoyed. These young people are some of the most vulnerable in society we must fight to ensure their rights are guaranteed. If Norfolk County Council wants to increase numbers at the school they must provide extra capital funding to ensure the buildings and facilities are fit for purpose and fully meet not only the educational, personal, life-long skill needs and community needs of this most vulnerable group of pupils but also the priorities on which the initial Chapel Green School was built.” Councillors were in strong agreement with Terry Cook’s comments and points. They also highlighted the impact this would have on the roads and parking. With high staff-to-pupil ratio, a lot of extra staff will need to attend and park at the school. The existing car park is already full and there does not seem to be any plans to accommodate the extra cars. The Clerk to provide feedback on the consultation. Several Councillors plan to attend the online consultation meeting with the school.

Solicitor Quote and Prince Harry’s Wood update. Require conveyancy solicitor to deal with transfer of Prince Harry’s Wood (PHW) from Breckland. Requested quotes from three solicitors but only one provided: £1000 + VAT + disbursements. Proposal to approve quote was approved (5 in favour). The Clerk will send solicitor details over to Breckland, along with a list of items that the Parish Council feel are in need of clarification and rectifying before purchase. These include the removal of all litter and request for some trees to be coppiced: the trees which boundary the Marchfield Way properties are causing overhang issues and on the road side, they protrude onto the footpath and are starting to impede vision for motorists.

Jubilee update. An open meeting was held on Saturday 23 April for an update on plans. Most plans are in place or in progress. Decided to add to the Exhibition by displaying the history of Old Buckenham over the 70 years and have had good response to request for photographs/items from community groups and residents. Due to time constraints, standard Platinum Jubilee mugs had to be ordered as the commemorative gift for residents. Order forms have been printed and distributed in Newsletter. The Old Buckenham 2000 Trust have kindly offered to donate £600 towards the cost of the mugs for residents. A schedule of events has also been printed to provide an overall guide for residents. The Royal Scarecrow Trail will be advertised and promoted during May.

Items for next agenda. These will include Puddledock corner and Sunnyside track traffic.

Next Parish Council meeting. This will be held on Thursday 7 July starting at 7.30pm in Old Buckenham Village Hall. Note there is no meeting in June due to Platinum Jubilee Celebrations.