Parish Council in Old Buckenham

 December Parish Council meeting

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 4 December in Old Buckenham Village Hall. Those present were Councillors Naomi Bailey (Chair), Doug Irons (Vice Chair), Stan Burton, Lesley Evison, Steve Gowers, Pete Twissell and temporary clerk Terry Cook. Later in the meeting Darren Butler was co-opted onto the Council. Apologies had been received from Megan Elvin and David Taylor. Also present were 15 members of the public.

Co-option of new councillor. Darren Butler was formally co-opted (6 in favour) and signed the official form.

The meeting minutes. The minutes of the Parish Council meeting held on Thursday 4 December 2025 were approved after the following amendment was made. Steve Gowers requested the addition of the following data recorded to be included. Fen Street Up – 85th Percentile Speed 28mph – Average Speed Overall 21.44 mph. Fen Street Down – 85th Percentile Speed 24.8 mph – Average Speed Overall19.9 mph. This was approved (6 in favour).

Declarations of interests. The Chair commented on the need to check the newly co-opted members interests before the next meeting.

Public participation, questions not relating to the agenda. Two potential Trustees, Darren Butler and Terry Cook, were put forward by the Parish Council for the Eleemosynary Trust.

The question was put “Have Highways been contacted with regard to the pipe under the highway from Ottomer Pond to the drainage ditch being cleared?” The Chair’s response was Yes. However, as yet no reply has been received. Follow up question was “Has the landowner been approached”. Again, the response was Yes. Second follow up question was “What powers were there to enforce clearage?”. Response was that this was down to the landowner. It was stressed that potential purchasers of the Barn for sale on the site are made aware of the drainage issues.

Financial matters. The Barclays Community account currently stands at £28,138.72 with £2,990.18 in the Barclays Charity account and £1152.71 in the Lloyds account. Payments for approval totalled £3,602.37 and included the Clerk’s wages and expenses of £458.34, RFO’s wages of £245.25, £880 for woodchipper purchase and £1,850 for work on the access chamber. Payment was approved (6 in favour 1 abstain).

Councillors’reports. The Chair said that all items from her would be reported within other agenda items. Steve Gowers said that drainage by Rose Cottage was currently being investigated. It is recommended not to just fill potholes but also insert a drainage gully to drain the water away. Works will be close to the original quotation. Stan Burton proposed local cottagers be approached to contribute but Steve Gowers felt it was for the Parish Council to pay. Doug Irons suggested a contribution towards maintenance costs. A proposal to proceed with the works was agreed (7 in favour).

Steve Gowers had attended a Speedwatch Conference and felt it was a positive event and was able to share data with the Police who are also undertaking speed checks. Overall he felt Speedwatch was making a positive difference. There were still issues with visibility of some speed signs and Highways need to address these.

Pete Twissell reported that the Village Hall Committee is transitioning to an Incorporated Body. As part of this process, they need further evidence such as who was the landowner of the site the Village Hall stands on? Suggestions were made as to where this information could be located. Overall, the Parish Council had no objections to Incorporation (7 in favour).

Doug Irons that there are now dual signatories on the Barclays Account. As soon as the new RFO has access to the Lloyds account they will be able to move the Barclays account across to the new Lloyds account. All accounts are now safe and secure.

To consider planning applications.  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 application. Tree House, Fen Road. Demolition of existing garage and erection of single-storey side extension (PL/2025/1627/HOU). Only issue raised was limitation of car parking space. After discussion Councillors were reassured and a proposal to approve was agreed (all in agreement).

Puddledock Corner Farm, Attleborough Road. Application to determine if prior approval is required for a proposed: Change of Use of Buildings on Agricultural Units and former Agricultural Buildings to Dwellinghouses (Class C3), which may include extension of the building and/or building operations reasonably necessary for the conversion The Town and Country Planning (General Permitted Development) (England) Order 2015 (as amended) - Schedule 2, Part 3, Class Q - Conversion of 4 barns into 7 dwellings (PL/2025/1640/PAQ). Not a planning application, just a determination of requirements, and councillors noted as such.

Tree Works application (for information). Church Lane. NR17 1RP. Proposal to pollard and prune various oak and lime trees and to remove three ash trees and one elm tree (PL/2025/1752/TCA). Councillors noted this.

Amended application for reconsideration. Land to the East of Crown Road, Crown Road. Construction of five dwellings (PL/2025/1453/FMIN). It was noted there was only one minor change from the previous application that was rejected by the Parish Council. Considerable discussion took place re the pros and cons of the application. It was pointed out that there was a need to concentrate on the detail and criteria in the application. If a parishioner had strong views one way or the other, they could express their views on the Breckland Planning Public Portal. A proposal was made not to support the application (3 supported the proposal, 1 opposed and 2 abstained).

Approve tender for cutting the Green. Four tender prices for cutting and maintenance 2026 to 2029 ranged from £6,665 to £7,600 (excluding VAT). The Greens Committee in discussion with Norfolk Wildlife have been considering leaving on a rotational basis some areas uncut. This would mean the final price paid will be lower than the tenders. In 2025 the Green Committee has worked well with the current provider and the Green is looking good. Therefore it was proposed to approve Tender 2. Proposal to agree was approved (all in favour).

Tender for tree management. Four tenders had been obtained and the Parish Council proposed the one quoting £1780 (excluding VAT) with the wood taken away. This was agreed with all councillors in favour.

Precept Grant application approval. Village Hall - Councillors wanted further details and provision of three quotations. The Parish Council representative from the Council to liaise with the Village Hall Management Committee and provide required the information.

Cricket Club – proposed to accept Grant Application of £440.

Almshouses – Councillors concluded further information was required and this needed to be presented at the next Council meeting in January.

Fawns - proposed to accept Grant Application of £234.

Old Buckenham Players - Councillors concluded further information was required and this needed to be presented at the next Council meeting in January

New Buckenham Football Club - proposed to accept Grant Application of £115.91.

Old Buckenham Primary School Families Association – proposed to accept Grant Application of £800.

Old Buckenham WI - proposed to accept Grant Application of £500. 

Benches on the Green. There is a need to check who owns the benches currently located outside of the Ox and Plough. Doug Irons to check with previous landlord. Discussion needs to be had with the new landlord, when they have settled in, on possible usage of any benches outside the pub on the Green.

Allotments. An update was provided by Lesley Evison. Before handing back the land to the landowner a contractor will level the land. She was grateful for the support and help from councillors and parishioners to clear and tidy the site with a special mention and thanks to Ronald Plumpton of St Andrews Close. On Wednesday 31 December the Council will surrender rights back to the landowner. A handover meeting will be held with the landowner and the Council will need confirmation that he is happy with the handover condition of the land. The Parish Council need to inform Wave Water to stop water contract. Councillors thanked Lesley Evison for all her hard work in coordinating the clean-up.

Footpaths. The Parish Council have had a report that the footpath that runs from Hargham Road to the village shop is in disrepair and is dangerous. This will need resurfacing. The footpath along Hargham Road is NCC maintained. Once it hits the road that leads up to the shop, this is a Parish Council responsibility. Councillors are aware of the necessity to move forward promptly on the quality of footpaths around the Green. A meeting has been organised with our County/District Councillor next week.

Puddledock Corner traffic management. There is a need to pay for traffic management controls to be hired before the project works can continue. Councillors proposed this is actioned and moved forward as soon as possible. All councillors in favour.

Solar Farm. Doug Irons has written to the Solar Farm and they have confirmed its receipt. This issue will be progressed in the New Year.

Community Car Scheme. Doug Irons has contacted the Community Car Scheme representatives, and they have confirmed that Alison Hannah has taken on the management of the scheme. The representatives are setting up new systems to manage the scheme that will not be bureaucratic, for instance DBS checks and payment systems via the Clerk. Doug Irons proposed the Council initially set aside £125 to enable DBS checks to be undertaken. All councillors were in favour.

Volunteer recruitment and ‘Meet and Greet’ morning. It was recommended that representatives from all the volunteer and community groups in the Village meet to discuss matters of common interest such as recruitment. The meeting will be in the Village Hall and refreshments will be provided. A proposal was made for the Parish Council to fund such an event. All councillors were in favour.

School Crossing (ongoing). Nothing further to report at this point in time.

Repairs to the Green. Repairs need to be made to the Green for wear and tear associated with Two Wheel Tuesday. In the lease agreement a condition was that the Green needs to be put back to its original condition. Email correspondence has taken place with the organisers who have confirmed they will undertake the repairs. If this does not happen the Council will obtain three quotes and will have the repairs done by the preferred contractor and an invoice sent to the Two Wheel Tuesday organiser.

Old Buckenham Heritage Group. Parish Council Chair had contacted the High School to gauge their interest in the project. The Headteacher had expressed interest in the Group and has referred this on to the history teacher at the school. Parish Council are now waiting to hear back from the school.

Fen Street 30mph zone. Steve Askew,our County and District Councillor said that there is no longer a budget for Traffic Regulation Orders so the normal route is for a study to be commissioned to ensure the speed limit request is viable and they have a data led approach. This is funded through either a member’s Local Member Fund (LMF) or the Parish Council or the combination of both. This would not be covered by the Parish Partnership Scheme. The study quoted a sum of £8,500 to deliver the legal order and sign changes and given that the typical time frame for these schemes (9 to 12 months), it could be funded over two years. Steve Askew is happy to allocate £2,250 from his 2025/26 LMF and a further £2,250 from 2026/27 LMF. This would cover 50% of the overall cost and the Parish Council would need to fund the other 50%.In response the Parish Council are in favour but are seeking a firm quotation for the total process and clarification of the range of the study.

Parking at the village shop. The Chair had a meeting with shopkeeper to discuss the parking situation. There are still a number of cars that are parked long term around the shop area. Parking in the drive to the shop and in the lay by on the road is for customers and deliveries only. To help the situation two signs have been provided at the shop (and paid for by the shopkeeper) indicating parking advice. The Clerk will liaise further with the shopkeeper to produce a letter to be sent to people in the area explaining the parking regulations and a copy included in the Village Newsletter and will be accompanied by a map indicating parking areas and regulations.

Public participation. A parishioner asked for clarification relating to the different voting numbers on the Crown Road planning application at this meeting compared with last meeting when there was only a minor change to the planning application. The Chair explained it was due to councillor attendance and that some councillors were not at both meetings.

A parishioner asked for clarification of role of Parish Council in Council Tax budget setting and the role of the Precept. Both were explained by the Chair

A Parishioner sought clarification relating to emails sent to the Clerk. Were these for reading out at the Parish Council meeting under correspondence? The Chair explained that, due to nature of the emails, they were not generally read out unless specifically requested by the sender.

Items for next agenda. These are expected to cover Precept deferments, tracking of agenda items, completion and success, School crossing, Heritage Group, benches on the Green, repairs to the Green, Two Wheel Tuesday, Community Car Scheme, Fen Street traffic/speed, solar farm, Ottomer Pond, speed signs, volunteer recruitment and ‘Meet and Greet’ morning, footpaths and Puddledock Corner update.

The next Parish Council meeting will be on Thursday 8 January 2026 in Old Buckenham Methodist Church starting at 7.30 pm.