1

Apologies for Absence

As listed above.

3

Declarations of Interest

None.

3

Minutes of the Last Parish Council Meeting

3.1

The minutes of the meeting held on 17^th September were unanimously agreed to be a true and accurate record, were signed by the Chairman. 

3.2

Matters arising

        i.            Outstanding minutes actions/task list

The list was reviewed.

• Clerk to obtain a list of Lengthsman tasks completed this year. 

Clerk

4

Open Forum

Cllr Durrant invited comments and questions from the public. 

• A resident expressed concerned about the development proposals at Tudor Farm, and asked what view of the Parish Council was. 
• A resident noted that the land opposite the Bramley Inn has been occupied by ponies and carts at times in the last 4 out of 5 weekends.  The ponies were not properly restrained.  At these times, the owners are using the Coopers Lane junction for turning, and causing traffic chaos.  Horse droppings are being left on the pavement, and beer glasses are being left on the green space. 

Cllr Durrant gave some of the history, and explained that the land is owned by either HCC or BDBC, who would be responsible for putting in preventative measures.  HCC was contacted some time ago about the issue, but they never responded.  Clerk to contact HCC and BDBC, and also police.  Cllrs Tomblin and Robinson will also take issue further with appropriate parties.

Clerk

5

County Councillor Report

See appendix B.

6

Borough Councillor Report

Cllr Durrant formally congratulated Cllr Tomblin on his election to the Borough Council in the by-election on 10th October.  Cllr Tomblin confirmed that he will remain as a Parish Councillor for the foreseeable future.  Cllr Durrant also thanked Cllr Robinson for his ongoing work on Bramley PCs behalf. 

Cllr Robinson gave a verbal report:

• He offered his congratulations to Cllr Tomblin on his election to the Borough Council. 
• Manydown – still waiting for traffic reports from HCC Highways, planning application has been pushed back until 2020. 
• QPS House application – it looks like the officers recommendation will be for refusal.  This has changed in the last week.  If refusal recommendation stands, then the application will not be called in to the DC Committee.
• Goddards Farm appeal – the appeal decision to dismiss the appeal was noted.  Cllr Robinson further noted that there is some useful information that Bramley PC could uses in the future.
• The street cleaning system has now changed, and is now much more targeted, with a rapid response facility.  
• DC Committee – membership of the Committee is set to change slightly to reflect the change in the political balance of BDBC.
• Ice rink – a survey is to be carried of three sites see if the land will take new temporary structure.
• NE Hampshire Road Safety Council – Cllr Robinson has been co-opted.
• Houses – BDBC should have built 300 affordable houses last year.  They actually built 416.  There was a target of 800 houses per year in total for last year; 1200 have been built.  It is hoped that this will improve the 5 year land supply issue by Christmas 2019, and remove the 20% buffer as well.
• Cllr Robinson thanked Bramley Parish Cllrs who attended an informal Q&A on planning.  He felt it was a useful engagement session with the community.

Cllr Tomblin noted the following: 

• Cllr Tomblin is likely to be on the DC and Manydown committees.
• He has put in a question to the Portfolio Holder about the SHELAA and how the sites will be consulted with BDBC Councillors, Parish Councils, and the community, and has also asked how decisions are determined when sites are in the Local Plan. 
• He noted that HCC Highways have reported that the A33 roundabouts at Chineham will reach capacity by 2023 – this is faster than was estimated.  Cllr Tomblin has asked what BDBC is doing about it.

Cllr Bell asked who has ultimate responsibility for getting the Manydown proposals moving forward, and why are there constant delays.  Cllr Robinson responded that there were a number of reasons for this, and a number of Councillors involved.  There is no one place to place blame. 

7

Parish Environment

7.1

Parking working group update – the group is awaiting Cllr Ansell contacting a consultant on the issue.  Ad hoc parking surveys still being carried out.  Cllr Durrant noted that this issue is one of the unsustainable elements in Bramley at the moment.

7.2

Clift Meadow path & footbridge – Cllr Durrant has chased the issue with BDBC, but no reply has been received to date. 

Cllr Tomblin and Cllr Robinson are to meet with BDBC planning officers to discuss this and other issues. 

Cllr Flooks has spoken with the assistant site manager in the last week, who said that they had only just been informed about the lights, and was not aware of other issues.  Cllr Robinson noted that lights that were installed should have been approved by council and were not. 

Cllr Durrant again noted that closing the footbridge until the issues are dealt with is one way of dealing with the problem.  The playground has also not been dealt with. 

Cllr Durrant proposed that PC stance should be that the PC does not take any responsibility for path, playground, etc until issues are dealt with – this was agreed by majority.  Cllr Bell noted that a better route would be to take legal action against officers and the developer; however, this might be an expensive route.  Cllr Bell also suggested consulting with Minchens residents – it was agreed that this would be a good route should it come to closing the footbridge. 

The issue will be on the November agenda. 

Clerk to obtain estimates on closing footbridge with fence, and legal fees. 

Clerk

7.3

Wildflower Meadow for Bramley Green – a resident has suggested that Bramley Green could be turned into a wildflower meadow to enhance and encourage biodiversity and sustainable practices in the area.  The Clerk has contacted the Stratfield Saye Estate, who have advised that the footpath across the Green would need to be considered, and the fact that it is widely used by dog walkers.  However, they would have no objection if part of the Green were to be used as a meadow.

Cllr James has investigated, and Bramley Green would be a good site for this initiative.  There will be some cost for the seed to start with, but ongoing it should be self-sustaining.  Cllr James to bring proposals forward.

Cllr James

7.4

Vyne Park PC noticeboards update – the Clerk confirmed that planning permission would be required for any new noticeboards, and the relevant planning fees will be applicable.  The cost for a 2 bay 6xA4 board similar to that elsewhere in the parish is approximately £1450 + VAT – this is from the same firm that supplied the other noticeboards in 2010.

Accurate locations to be decided.  Cllr Durrant noted that one noticeboard may be all that is required if siting is correct. 

Clerk

8

Clerk’s report & Administration

The Clerk reported that she is drawing up a Social Media Policy for the PC, to be tied in closely with the Code of Conduct.  This will be ready for review at the November meeting, together with the other policies review.

Clerk

8.1

Parish magazine article – Cllr Capel is due to write the next article.  The deadline is 15^th November. 

Planning application notifications to go on social media and website. 

Cllr Durrant proposed that application lists should also go on noticeboards.  It was also suggested trying distribution through the Neighbourhood watch team. 

Cllr Capel

Clerk

Clerk

8.2

IT Project update – the Clerk gave an update.  The website is just about ready, and the SSL certificate in now in place.  Confirmation on the email addresses is awaited, as is training for the Clerk and others.  Cllr Ansell is chasing the supplier.

Cllr Ansell

8.3

Proposals for 2020/21 budget – the Clerk is drawing up next year’s budget and invited proposals from Councillors for inclusion.  The draft budget will be ready for the November meeting.

Clerk

9

Reports

9.1

Reports from Parish Council representatives

a.

Planning Committee report (see appendix A).  The report was noted by Councillors. 

         i.            New applications – there have been two new applications since the committee meeting on 9^th November:

• 19/02684/HSE – Laurel Lea Cottage, Bramley Green, Bramley

Erection of a greenhouse

No objection unanimously agreed – Clerk to process.

• T/00449/19/TCA – Silvermede, Silchester Road, Bramley

T1 Magnolia:  cut back from wires by 1m and remove branches over footpath back to boundary line

No objection unanimously agreed.  Clerk to process.

       ii.            Goddards Farm appeal Decision – the applicants appeal was dismissed, and the BDBC refusal upheld.  Representative of Bramley PC have subsequently met with BDBC to discuss the ramifications of this appeal decision, and how it might affect Bramley.  Of particular note was the weight given to the impact on heritage aspects of the refusal, such as proximity and effect on a Conservation Area.  The decision notice may be used in the future as a template for planning responses on other site, bearing in mind that each site is different.  Cllr Durrant noted that Bramley PC expects planning officers to be as robust in their defence of future sites as they were for Goddards Farm.  He also noted that ‘sustainability’ is the critical concept moving forward.

     iii.            Proposed development at Tudor Farm site – the Planning Committee report (see appendix A) for this was noted.  Bramley PC has engaged with the agents on whether the site is sustainable, and whether a need for further housing in Bramley can be demonstrated.  A satisfactory reply has not been received.

The notice of the public consultation implies that the PC supports the proposals, which is not the case.  Cllr Bell to draft a response to this statement, which should be distributed to residents in the immediate area, and place on the website and social media.  A letter to the developers about misrepresentation should also be drafted. 

     iv.            Biodiversity Mitigation Plan for Minchens Lane development – this has been distributed to all Councillors, amid concerns that the ditch between the development and Clift Meadow has become blocked.  Cllr Flooks is working his way through the document and will distribute a summary in due course. 

Clerk

Clerk

Cllr Bell 

Cllr Flooks

b.

Neighbourhood Plan working group – no update as present. 

c.

Environment

         i.            Air quality monitoring report – the mesh pod is now with the contractors, who are investigating the issue.  The Clerk has chased for progress, and expects an update very soon.

       ii.            Infrastructure report update – the report is now almost complete, and in draft form.  Delivery is expected in the next few weeks.

The traffic survey is complete, and the results have been distributed to all councillors, and to the consultants putting together the infrastructure report.  Cllr Tomblin has started looking at traffic survey data.  Clerk to find out if consultants will analyse data.  Need to clarify time slots. 

Clerk

Clerk

d.

Allotments and Burial Ground (see appendix B)

• Cllr James has rewritten the allotment rules – Clerk to proof read.  The principle changes are for one allotment per household, and holders must live within 1 mile of the Parish border. 
• Allotment rents – Cllr James proposed leaving the rents as they are.  This was unanimously agreed. 
• There are currently 16 people on the waiting list. 
• Cllr James stated that it may be possible to compulsorily rent farmland for allotment space – Cllr James to investigate further. 
• Three plot holders have been written to, asking them to maintain their plots properly.
• Ditch – this looks clear at the moment, but needs reviewing at the end of the autumn. 

Clerk

Cllr James

Cllr James

e.

Village Hall Trust (see appendix B)  

f.

Clift Meadow Trust – Cllr Durrant noted the successful LIF application for refurbishment of the Clift Meadow playground.  Cllr Ansell has obtained up to date quotes and has submitted these to BDBC.  Cllr Ansell will be presenting the project to CMT on 16^th October.

Cllr Capel gave a brief verbal report:

• Wine Tasting, Mistletoe Fair, and Fireworks events coming up.
• CMT are compiling a wish list of ideas for the two halls. 
• The new caretaker is Sam Wallace.
• Defibrillator – 11^th November there will be a presentation at CMT for handover. 
• Storage facility – planning permission has been given, the project is moving ahead. 

g.

Police & Neighbourhood Watch – see appendix B. 

h.

Highways/Footpaths – see appendix B

Clerk to contact Highways to ask them to remove any signage once work is complete.    

Cllr Flooks asked that Highways are requested to clear storm drains in the village.  Clerk to action.

Pinch points need repair.  Clerk to contact Highways.

Clerk

Clerk

Clerk

i.

Road Safety Project – a trial of the proposed layout is to be carried out soon, specifically to check the impact of the traffic island on neighbouring households.  This will be done at a time of low traffic flow, possibly early on a Sunday morning.

i.

Chairman’s report – a response has been received from BDBC about the listed status of the Bramley Inn.  The officer has agreed that the pub is very important to the street scene.  Cllr Durrant stated that the Heritage and Licensing authorities need to be contacted, and that there is still a case to be made for formally listing the building.  Cllr Durrant and Clerk to take forward.

Cllr Durrant/ Clerk

10

Consultation documents requiring consideration

The Clerk noted the recent Local Government Finance Settlement consultation.  The only thing of note in the document for Parish Councils is the proposal that there will be no referendum principles for Parish Councils for the 2020/21 pay settlement.  It is expected that Parish Councils will be asked to be circumspect in their precept requests for next year.

11

Grant Applications

11.1

Bramley PCC – Cross House windows – Bramley PCC have requested £4458 + VAT for the cost of repair and improvement of the windows at Cross House. 

Cllrs noted that there is little detail in the application as to what needs doing, and requested more detail.  Clerk to email details to all councillors when this comes in.

Clerk

12

Finance

12.1

Payments and reconciliation approval - see appendix C

The Clerk noted the payments on the reconciliation.  She also noted a claim for printer cartridges in September, for £337, which has already been paid. 

• It was unanimously agreed to approve the payments on the reconciliation and above.

Clerk to process.

Clerk

13.2

Acknowledgement of Receipts – see appendix C

Receipts were noted. 

14

Date of Next meeting

The next Parish Council meeting will be held on Tuesday 19^th November 2019.

15

Resolution to exclude press and public from items that may require discussion of possible legal and financial proceedings 

None.

16

Confidential Items

None.

The meeting closed at 9.56pm

1

Apologies for Absence

As listed above. 

2

Declarations of Interest

None.

3

Minutes of the Last Planning Committee Meeting

3.1

The minutes of the Planning Committee meeting held on 12^th September 2019 were unanimously agreed and signed off by the Chairman. 

3.2

Matters arising

• Letter to BDBC re PIP decision – Cllr Bell to take forward.
• Traffic survey – Cllr Bell asked if extra sensors were requested.  The Clerk confirmed that they have not been as yet, although this may be an option later on.  The data from the survey just finished is due by the end of the week.

4

Planning & Development

4.1

New Applications

a.

19/02524/HSE - Long Barn 1 Razors Farm Doric Avenue Chineham

Erection of a Gazebo on the patio of existing house

Cllrs noted that the address should be Bramley rather than Chineham.

No objection, but subject to heritage opinion and officers recommendation.

Clerk to process.

Clerk

c.

Any other new applications

• T/00437/19/TCA - Clover Cottage Silchester Road Bramley

                Cherry tree: reduce by 1.5m, shape and remove deadwood.

                Hawthorn tree: reduce away from cable and shape.

• No objections, subject to tree officer view.  Clerk to process.

Clerk

4.2

Approvals/Refusals/Pending (see appendix A) – these were noted. 

The application for -QPS House (19/01710/FUL) is to be considered at the DC Committee meeting scheduled for 24^th October.  It was decided that Cllr Flooks should speak on behalf of the Parish Council at this meeting.  Clerk to let BDBC know.

Cllr Flooks/ Clerk

5.

Planning Appeals

5.1

17/00942/FUL – Land adjacent to The Oaks Cufaude Lane Bramley

The second part of this appeal was heard in early September.  A decision is expected in due course.

5.2

18/03486/OUT - Land At Goddards Farm Goddards Lane Sherfield-on-Loddon

The appeal for this application was held on 14^th August 2019.  The decision dismissing the appeal was delivered on 20^th September 2019. The planning inspector agreed with BDBCs arguments that development at the site would cause significant harm to the heritage assets nearby, including the Conservation Area. 

Cllrs agreed that this decision holds significant ramifications for Bramley Parish and any new applications that might come in for sites that are adjacent to the two Conservation Areas in the Parish.  Bramley PC representatives met with BDBC officers and Councillors and Sherfield Parish Council representatives to discuss this at some length.  Notes from this meeting have been distributed to all committee members and will be distributed to all councillors ahead of next week’s full council meeting.

Clerk

5.3

19/00483/HSE – 6 Churchlands Bramley

The original application was refused in May 2019, and the decision has been appealed by the application.  Any submissions to the Planning Inspectorate have been requested by 8^th October 2019.

6.

Proposed development at Tudor Farm site

Bramley PC representatives met in August with a representative from Armstrong Rigg, who are the land agents acting on behalf of the land owners and Manor Oak Homes.  The early proposals for the site are for up 20 two and three bedroom bungalows – 12 of these would be for the market, and 8 would be social and affordable housing.  Armstrong Rigg was keen to obtain the Parish Council’s support for the proposals.  They wish to meet a Local Plan, Neighbourhood Plan and NPPF need for elderly accommodation, and believe that these proposals would meet that need.

Bramley PC brought up a number of concerns, as outlined below:

• Can Manor Oak demonstrate a need for such housing in Bramley specifically, particularly at this site?
• Are the proposals sustainable?  There will be more traffic, and with the recent cuts to the bus service, occupants will need their own transport. 
• The site is adjacent to a Conservation Area, and any development will have a significant impact on this.
• The cumulative effect of repeated small developments was noted – the infrastructure in Bramley is already straining, and this will add to that strain.

Residents also noted concerns with the possible access to the site. 

There is no planning application to comment on at present, and until there is the PC cannot make any decisions on whether the application should be supported.  However, there are already significant concerns which need to be considered. 

A public exhibition by Manor Oak Homes is scheduled for 30^th October at the Village Hall, from 4pm – 7pm.  Details are on the Parish Council website and social media.

7.

Planning permission issues for commercial signage - update

The Clerk has submitted an enquiry to Development Control at BDBC.  No formal answer beyond an acknowledgement has been forthcoming to date.  Clerk to chase.

Clerk

8.

Ratification of letter to BDBC re Goddards Farm appeal (see appendix B)

Further to the appeal decision for Goddards Farm, Councillors agreed via email that a letter should be sent to interested parties at BDBC requesting that BDBC take note of this decision when considering future applications for Bramley.

Cllr Flooks proposed that this decision be ratified – unanimously agreed.

9.

Water Issues

9.1

Update on sewerage issues – Cllr Bell has received replies from Thames Water stating that they are continuing with an assessment, which has had to be extended due to the dry summer.  Results from this are expected in early November.  Responses from Matthew Evans at BDBC have been forwarded on to Thames Water along with the PCs  original enquiry. 

9.2

Update on surface water issues – Croudace need planning permission for drainage pipe.  No further update.  Clerk to notify BDBC planning officers of current situation.

 Clerk

10.

Minchens Lane s.106 issues

Cllr Durrant has brought up a number of issues with BDBC planning officers, but has received no reply to date.

Biodiversity Mitigation Plan for Minchens Lane development – Cllr Flooks has distributed this to all councillors.  This details a number of mitigation measures with regards to drainage, very few of which appear to have been completed.  Cllr Flooks to go through the biodiversity document in more detail to establish what has been completed (or not). 

Cllr Flooks

11.

Date of Next Meeting

The date of the next Planning Committee meeting will be on 13^th November 2019
Meeting closed at 8.54pm