Latest Old Buckenham Parish Council minutes

 A busy meeting

These notes have been written by the blog editor from the draft minutes and so may contain information that is amended later.

Old Buckenham Parish Council met on Thursday 3 August at 7.30pm at Old Buckenham Village Hall. Those present were Councillors Naomi Bailey (Chair), Ali McWilliam, Paul Phillips, David Taylor, Lesley Evison, Steve Gowers and Pete Twissell. Doug Irons had sent apologies for non-attendance. Also attending were Rachel Noyes (Clerk) and four members of the public

The minutes of the meeting held on Thursday 6 July 2023 were approved (5 in favour, 2 abstain).

Declarations of interests. Ali McWilliam will be performing a gig at The Ox and Plough for payment and Paul Phillips hosts a quiz at The Gamekeeper every month.

Financial matters. Community account balance now stands at £24,945.10 which includes a payment received from David Tranmer. Payments for approval totalled £1,088.13 and included the new dog bin installation and hire of the room for meetings. Proposal for payment was approved (7 in favour).

Donna Oakley has handed in her resignation as Registered Finance Officer (RFO) for the parish council and will now work out her three months notice period. Naomi Bailey highlighted the great work Donna has done in her time with the Parish Council. The Clerk to advertise for a new RFO.

Councillors’ reports. The Village Hall committee had been approached by resident who wants to arrange a village fete on the Green. Pete Twissell explained that the management of the Green is currently under consultation. However Naomi Bailey explained that they can complete the ‘Use of Green’ application form, with Recreation Ground as a back-up should any problems arise. Pete Twissell to suggest they contact Clerk for Use of Green application form.

Received complaints about the parking of vehicles all over the village in order to walk to the Air Show/watch from the Green. Parking was also poor during all recent Two Wheel Tuesdays when people moved traffic cones out the way in order to park. Need to look at long term solutions to parking in the village. Ali McWilliam suggested arranging a meeting about parking in the village with representatives from all parties, including the Parish Council, schools, local businesses, Breckland Council, Highways, etc. Clerk to arrange.

No Parish Council representative currently on Almshouses Trust. Steve Gower offered to be a link person between the Almshouses Trust and the Parish Council.

Naomi Bailey had attended recent some Two Wheel Tuesdays and noted there were not always stewards outside playground. She has contacted the local police about speeding in neighbouring villages. Their response explained that they are aware of speeding issues and monitor when possible. They are no longer responsible for enforcing parking offences. Also tried to arrange a meeting between David Tranmer and the Village Hall about the possibility of using the Village Hall car park during Two Wheel Tuesdays. No further progress made.

Ali McWilliams will be having a meeting with allotment holders this month. Happy to work around skip availability. Clerk to order delivery of skip.

The Clerk said the previously suggested bench location around Ottomer Pond is not available as already a bench there. David Taylor suggested having the new bench between the pond and playground and the Clerk is to arrange. The new dog bin on Harlingwood Lane has been installed and publicised. Steve Gower confirmed that collections have started and that it was well used. Service Level Agreements (SLA) with Breckland Council being processed for grass cutting on St Andrews Close and dog bin emptying. 

The Met Office update about Weather Radar Tower said that specifics of the design have been completed by engineers and ‘Invitation to Tender’ were issued in July with an estimate to award contract mid-October. Construction is now likely to begin early 2024. Possibility of some work on site to progress infrastructure works (power and communications) in the autumn.

Classification of the Green: Norfolk County Council (NCC) have replied with lots of background information. It appears the Green is classified as Common Land. However they are not responsible for enforcing rules, this is done by landowners, Parish Councils or District Councils. NCC also explained that it would be difficult to apply to have it changed. Naomi Bailey does not want to discuss the matter further until all information is collected. Paul Phillips objected to the issue not being discussed as it is such a large matter for the village. Clerk to contact Breckland District Council to enquire if they would enforce the rules over Common Land.

The Clerk had a phone call from Breckland Planning regarding shop signs. They would be objecting to permanent signs on the Green as there are no others. Would be suggesting temporary mobile signs as an alternative. Was also copied in to an email highlighting that an Operators’ license has been applied for on Fen Street. Parish Council was not made are of this but was advertised in local newspaper. Action Log of projects by the Parish Council has been updated. The Harlingwood Lane dog bin project has been completed.

Planning. There have been no new applications, amended applications or planning appeals since the last parish council meeting.

Planning decisions by Breckland Council. The following application has been considered and has been approved: Land at 32 Fen Street. Erection of detached house and garage (3PL/2023/0414/F).

Parish Council trailer. The Parish Council owns a trailer which stores a lawn mower and strimmer which was used by volunteers to cut areas of grass around the village. They are no longer needed as job is completed every month by village handyman who has his own equipment. Lesley Evison has spoken to the handyman and researched re-sale value. Have received an offer for the trailer. Pete Twissell offered to evaluate and assess the state of the equipment. Ali McWilliam to look at option of using equipment for the allotments.

Burial site. Naomi Bailey had a meeting with a Parochial Church Council (PCC) representative to discuss the issue. Estimated three new graves left (to be confirmed). Main points were that there is a possibility of using an area for reburial. However these need to be over 75 years old and families of deceased need to be contacted. Many neighbouring parishes are facing similar issues. They have been contacted for advice. Would need to look at area of half to one acre and would need to consider consecration, gravestones rules and record of all internments. Financially, would need to investigate solicitors’ fees and environmental report as well as the actual purchase of the land. Lesley Evison enquired whether there would be any financial help from District/County Council and the Clerk to research this. Naomi Bailey and Ali McWilliam to continue researching and compiling a report for the Parish Council on the issue.

Public participation. The road at Manor Corner road is in a poor state. Clerk has previously reported to Highways but will chase it up. An enquiry about whether any of the wildflower seed planted on the Green last year survived. Unfortunately due to very hot dry weather the seeds did not germinate. A resident expressed concern about speeding and parking in the village as a whole. Steve Gower explained that this is something he is keen to improve. Clerk also highlighted that Fen Street is on a list for speed limit review next year. The SAM sign on Hargham Road has run out of battery and needs recharging. Naomi Bailey and Steve Gower to sort this.

A resident has correspondence regarding the Green being tied to the Lord of the Manor title, which may help with Classification of the Green enquiries. Another resident explained that they have tried to help with several matters over the last year but due to changing circumstances they have not been completed yet. Clerk is still working on projects and these should be completed soon.

Items for next agenda. These will include trailer and equipment, burial site update and progress on new website.

The next Parish Council meeting will be on Thursday 7 September starting at 7.30pm at Old Buckenham Village Hall.