Women' Institute report
Old Buckenham WI had an interesting talk from George Cooper on Thursday
23 January about the social history of the Broads. He is a volunteer at the
Museum of the Broads and very enthusiastic about the history from when the
Broads were created to the present day. They learnt about the life of boat people
in wherries, the Norfolk Barrow, quanting and smuggling. A very enjoyable
evening.
It takes a village…
This email came in for the February village newsletter during the recent difficulties of getting to Attleborough because
of problems on the B1077. It is from a
group of people living in Fen Street: You may know the saying “it takes a
village to raise a child”? Well, we believe “it takes a village to raise
concerns affecting the village”.
What used to be. Fen Street is a pretty,
single track lane teaming with wildlife. The traffic is sporadically light
making it the perfect circular village route for pedestrians, cyclists, dog
walkers, horse riders and family walks. At the Hargham Road end it is more densely
residential with a 30mph limit whilst at the Puddledock End it is more sparsely
residential with an unrestricted speed limit.
Current chaos. However, with the current chaos of road closures and inappropriate diversions in the village, can you even recognise the above description? We are sure that, by now, you have also suffered the inconvenience and frustration of trying to get from one end of Fen Street to the other either on foot or in your car.
It’s not your fault. The “Road Closed” signage
from Attleborough has been inadequate with no indication that the Hargham Road
is the alternative route. Keir Highways have somehow managed to divert all
forms of traffic off a two-lane B-road onto a single-track unclassified road
with no passing places!
Effect on the village. It is obvious to all of us villagers that Fen Street is the width of one car; it is completely unsuitable for two-way traffic; it is completely unsuitable for HGVs; it has blind bends making it dangerous; it has an inappropriate speed limit enabling new or inconsiderate drivers to travel too fast for the conditions; it is structurally inadequate for any vehicle over 7.5 tonnes. Villagers know that Fen Street can never be deemed an appropriate diversion route.
Keeping the village a village. Many of us believe that we
need to keep the country lanes in the village pedestrian-friendly. That we need
to keep verges for wildlife and pedestrians. That we need to have safe routes
for our families to walk around and keep healthy. That we need to have places
to walk without HGVs and speeding cars. Let’s come together as a village to ask
the authorities to sit up and take note because “it takes a village to raise
concerns affecting the village”.
It only takes two minutes. We would like to keep our
village safe for families.
If you would like to comment that the speed
limit in Fen Street is inappropriate; or that HGVs should take alternative
routes; or that Fen Street needs to be kept as a safe walking route; or that
Fen Street should not be used as a diversion route (or all the above!), then
please spend just two minutes emailing all or any of the
following (it is easiest to write one email and copy it to all
those listed below!) and let's keep our village a village...together.
Norfolk Highways – highways@norfolk.gov.uk
Norfolk Council – luke.denny@norfolk.gov.uk
Breckland Council – planning@breckland.gov.uk
Stephen Askew – Stephen.askew.cllr@norfolk.gov.uk
Parish Council – oldbuckenhampc@live.co.uk
Latest discussions
These notes by the blog editor have been written from the draft minutes and so may contain information that is changed at a later date.
Financial matters. Payments for a total of £2776.47 were approved (6 in favour). These included £250 to Donna Oakley (RFO), £153.82 to Rachel Noyes as reimbursement for dog bin costs, £148.80 to Online Playgrounds, £264 to Biltons Limited and Stan Burton as reimbursement for digger hire. Payments to the community car drivers totalled £119.10.
VAT reclaim received for 2023/24 financial year was £1474.33.
An invoice had recently been received from Breckland that had not been
paid last year. This is for the cutting of grass around St Andrews Close and
emptying of dog bin on Harlingwood Lane. A proposal to pay from the remaining
balance held by Breckland was approved (6 in favour).
Green Budget. This has been kept the same at £2000 on the draft
Precept. Lesley Evison enquired whether we would need more for the maintenance
for Prince Harry’s Wood in addition to the Green. Doug Irons explained that
once Terms of Reference are completed, then full budget can be planned for the
Green. If there is no evidence to need to increase the budget, then we can’t
really change it for now. Will review spending at the end of the year.
Precept. The key points included the suggestion as whether the Training budget suggested to be halved to £500. Councillors felt it should stay at £1000 as new Clerk will need training and several councillors need to update their training. There was a query over what the Footpath allocation is for. Would mean a reduction in Precept by £1,067. Proposals to agree the spending breakdown and the draft Precept were approved (6 in favour).
Councillors’ reports. Lesley Evison hasn’t managed to get to the
allotment or look at feasibility. Some allotment holders are not happy as there
is poor quality land, break-ins and wildlife damaging crops. She will liaise
with Donna Oakley to analyse spending and whether they are economically viable.
Rachel Noyes to investigate original agreement with landowner. There will be a Green
Working Committee meeting on Monday 13 January.
Stan Burton reported that the Christmas tree was down and he will
collect the lights. Hasn’t had a chance to trim hedging from around 40mph sign
but will do so as soon as possible, weather permitting and when safe to do so
on the road.
Steve Gowers had had a meeting with Highways Engineer about speeding on
Cake Street. Very positive and looking at possible solutions. It could be very
expensive to change speed limits. Engineer will come back with some options in the
Spring. Meanwhile he will look at funding and gather opinions from Cake Street
residents opinions. Looking at new locations to place the mobile SAM sign.
Currently have three so this would allow a collection of data to then argue the
need for Speedwatch to be able to use those locations. Would require purchasing
new bracket to attach SAM sign to poles, which would be approximately £50 and
he will collect quotes for purchase. Steve Gowers has got repair kit for hole
by playground. Waiting for dry weather to complete repair. He has consulted
with the company that provided the repair kit for advice about playground
surfaces and they are going to suggest improvements and quotations. There may
also be funding available. Will complete research and keep the Council updated.
Rachel Noyes had received thanks from all the village groups that applied for Precept grants. The dog bin for the Recreation Ground purchased and she will arrange installation this month. Has spoken to the Bank about new account. The mandate that was signed after last meeting and posted has not been received. They believe it has been lost in the post. They will resend us another mandate. She will collect signatures s soon as possible and can take to branch to avoid same issue again. This will be the third copy they have sent out as first copy was never received as also lost in the post. The advertisement for a new Clerk was put up in December. Have completed interviews and looking at possible option of Rachel Noyes staying for a short while as a mentor to help in transition of workload and information.
Doug Irons had been approached by parishioner about the area of land
off Sunnyside Track that has an area of parking for two cars, which some residents
believe they own. However the Parish Council believe it is still part of the
Green. Stan Burton explained that the Government website says that a claim of
ownership for parking cannot be made on town and village Greens. Posts have
currently been placed around it by residents. However they would need to be
removed from around it and placed adjacent to the track.
Thanks to Steve Gowers, Steve Askew and Highways for the installation
of handrails on steps opposite Stud. However the Parish Council were led to
believe that the steps themselves need changing due to differing heights so Steve
Gowers is to contact Highways for clarification.
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. Three Ways, Cake Street. A proposal for single
storey front, side and rear extensions, increase in roof height to create a
first floor and new double garage to the front of the dwelling (PL/2024/0776/HOU).
Cannot identify any areas to object to. A resident raised the issue of whether
a car can turn around and exit the property on a dangerous bend. No objections
from Highways. A proposal to support was approved (6 in favour).
Caldcleugh, Cake Street. Proposed two storey side extension (PL/2024/0781/HOU).
No areas for objection and proposal to support was approved (6 in favour).
Posts on the Green. Residents on the top of Sunnyside Track have paid
for posts to be installed to prevent parking on the Green. Reg’s Way (track
from Abbey Road that is perpendicular to Sunnyside track) has become very busy
with parking and is causing severe erosion of the Green. Resident has collected
quotes for placing posts along both sides of Reg’s Way and bottom of Sunnyside
Track in one order, but would be paid separately. Permission has been received
from Highways and consulted about requirements and specifications. The Parish Council
would pay for those for Reg’s Way, residents for those at bottom of Sunnyside
Track. Resident explained that they would still need to allow a certain amount
of traffic to pass through, otherwise it will push the problem elsewhere. Best
quote is for £1,920.96. Doug Irons highlighted that all posts will need to have
two reflectors per post. The quotes received for posts are 100mm instead of
150mm (size of those already installed). Current posts are also taller than the
ones proposed (due to ground conditions). Current ones can be shortened if
needs be. A proposal to agree the potential purchase, provided the Green
Working Committee approve the installation and location, was approved (6 in favour).
The traffic and parking has been monitored in depth. Teachers parking
out on Abbey Road and the Green has reduced as they have given an area of land.
This is now boggy with wet weather but it will be tarmacked in the summer This still
might not be enough space. Councillors felt that the High School need extra
pressure to provide enough spaces for all the staff. Steve Gowers highlighted
that it is the school that needs to make more effort to manage the
parking/turning of cars.
Documents for approval. (i) OBPC complaints procedure Rev A, (ii) OBPC
Grievance Policy rev A, (iii) OBPC Disciplinary Policy rev A, (iv) OBPC
Antibullying & Harassment-policy-rev A and (v) OBPC Antibullying &
Harassment-Practical Guide notes-rev A. Proposal to approve all above documents
was approved (6 in favour). Doug Irons had also sent out an answer to the
Freedom of Information Request for councillors to read. All Councillors were
happy for the reply to be sent with no changes suggested.
Annual Parish Meeting date. The proposed date was Saturday 7 June starting
at 10:30am.
CPR and defibrillator training. Approximately 30 people have shown
interest so far. The charity that runs the sessions can do a maximum of 20
people per session so would require two separate sessions. Steve Gowers to
organise a date and arrange bookings. Anyone still wanting to express interest
to contact him.
Lease Agreement for the Green. Documents for revised versions of the
Lease Agreements were sent out. No changes suggested by Councillors. A proposal
to agree the revised Lease Agreements for the Green was approved (6 in favour).
Doug Irons to liaise with David Tranmer to complete applications for Two Wheel
Tuesday and benches. Concern was raised about the fact that repairs have not
been made to the Green, despite reminders and attempted help from Pete Twissell.
Invoices for TWT events, benches and additional events in 2024 were sent out at
the end of November and should have been paid within 14 days but have still not
been paid. The Clerk to contact David Tranmer to remind about overdue payments
and repairing of the Green.
Electricity payment for Christmas Tree lights. Cost for electricity measured and calculated at £38.49. Proposal to approve payment was approved (6 in favour) and an additional cheque approved for payment of £38.49. Thanks to Harrow and Ferne for providing the electricity for the tree and helping with the organisation of the switch on.
Pipe for West View Farm. At the last meeting, Doug Irons and Stan Burton
agreed to investigate where the pipe goes from concrete slab outside West View
Farm. Have now got a working endoscope so will complete investigation this
month. Resident explained that an engineer from lead Local Flood Authority has
stated that if there is proof that the pipe goes in to a (now filled in) ditch
outside West View Farm, then it may need to have ditch reinstated.
Public participation. A resident questioned the rules around taking a
picture of a lorry and its driver, as there are frequently lorries on Hargham Road
that exceed weight limit. Clerk to research the rules. Thanks were also give to
Stan Burton for all his work on the Ottomer pond and the overflow pipe.
Items for next agenda. These would include the site of a possible
future graveyard.
The next Parish Council meeting will be on Thursday 6 February at Old
Buckenham Village Hall starting at 7.30pm.
Perhaps it's Spring
The rookery along Cake Street is very noisy at the moment. Rooks are pairing up and thinking about the rebuilding of their nests.
Would you like a job?
The position involves working 20 hours per month. The role is home based with attendance at Parish Council meetings, which are held on the first Thursday of each month. Duties will include, but are not limited to:
Further information about the Village and the Parish Council can be found at our website: www.oldbuckpc.co.uk
The successful candidate should have good IT and organisational skills. Salary will be paid in line with NALC guidelines and according to experience.
To apply, please e-mail your CV to clerk@oldbuckpc.co.uk. There is no closing date for applications.
