Minutes of the Meeting of the Council

Date:

Wednesday 15^th March 2017

Time:

7.30pm

Place:

Main Hall, Bramley Village Hall

Present:

Cllr Durrant (Chair)

Cllr Bell (Vice Chair)

Cllr DiMascio

Cllr Ansell

Cllr Flooks

Cllr Marshall

Cllr Capel

In Attendance:

Maxta Thomas (Clerk)

4 members of the public

Cllr Robinson (Borough)

Apologies:

Cllr Tomblin

Cllr Lane

Cllr Keith Chapman (County)

Cllr Rowland (Borough)

PCSO Johnson

1

Apologies for Absence

As listed above.  

2

Declarations of Interest

None.

3

Minutes of the Last Parish Council Meeting

3.1

The minutes of the meeting held on 15^th February 2017 were unanimously agreed to be a true and accurate record.  The minutes were signed by the Chairman.

3.2

Matters arising

17/00449/RET – Land to the rear of 29 and 30 Farriers Close Bramley

• Change of use of open space land to land within residential land (retrospective)
  
  Cllr Durrant noted the decision made at the previous meeting.  After some discussion, he proposed that the previous decision be rescinded – this was seconded by Cllrs DiMascio and Marshall.  
  It was noted that the PC placed objections to the previous application for neighbouring properties, and this was based on the loss of the green buffer zone between the Conservation Area and the properties being removed.  Objections unanimously agreed on the same basis.                 
  Clerk to process. 

• Campbell Road bus shelters – following the Clerk’s report last month about the quote for repairing the bus shelter windows, it was noted that the decision at that time needs to be ratified.  Cllr Durrant stated that he felt strongly that the glass in the windows should be replaced.  After some discussion, it was agreed that the glass would be replaced.  Unanimously agreed. 
  Clerk to process.

Clerk

Clerk

4

Open Forum

Cllr Durrant invited questions from the public.

A resident noted the large white van at parked at the Church and that whilst it had been removed, it has now returned.   Cllr Bell to contact owner about finding an alternative temporary parking spot. 

A resident noted his own objections to the Farriers Close planning application, particularly with reference to the loss of trees, and the land being taken without planning or ownership. 

Cllr Bell

5

Planning & Development

5.1

New Applications

17/00611/HSE - Willow Tree House Cufaude Lane Bramley

Construction of an open fronted 3 bay car port with 2 bay closed garage

Cllr Flooks noted that an oak tree will be felled to allow space for the new building – this needs to be checked with tree officers.  Cllrs noted that the building could be moved slightly to allow the tree to remain.  It was also noted that the application does not maintain the rural aspect of the Parish.  Objections unanimously agreed – Clerk to process.

17/00664/HSE - Nokhroy Longbridge Road Bramley

Erection of front porch and single storey side extension. Erection of detached garage

No objections unanimously agreed.  Clerk to process.

17/00605/HSE - Ringshall The Street Bramley

Erection of two storey side and front extensions, with single storey side and rear extension following demolition of existing conservatories.

17/00606/HSE - Ringshall The Street Bramley

Two storey side and front extensions, with single storey side and two storey rear extension, following demolition of existing conservatories.

It was noted that there are already two approved applications for this property, and that the proposed extension is very large for the site and very close to the fence.  Objections on this basis unanimously agreed.  Cllrs did not see a need for fresh applications.  Clerk to process.

Clerk

Clerk

Clerk

5.2

Approvals/Refusals – these were noted.   See appendix A. 

It was noted that the One Stop shop had gone ahead with the new signs before planning permission was granted.  This has been reported to enforcement officers .

5.3

Minchens Lane & Razors Farm reserved matters – update

• Minchens Lane – the Parish Council have met with both Persimmon and BDBC Planning officers.  Jon Bishop of Persimmon Homes has assured the Parish Council that he is keen to uphold as much of the original agreement as possible.  To that end, he has agreed to remove the blue/grey slate option from the roofing materials, and is looking at introducing hipped rooflines to some of the units.  Examples of the street scene have been supplied and circulated to all councillors.  There are still issues with some hedge removal, and the supply of a designated cycle path for phase 2 – Persimmon have stated that with the current plans there is not room to include a formal cycle path.  Cllr Bell noted that a few units have weather boarding, which the PC had expressed concerns about.  Clerk to find out if weather boarding will fade.  Clerk also to respond to phase 3 application noting that the PC is still unhappy with the lack of cycle path and issues with the hedges.  Hedges need to be replaced where necessary.  Cllr Bell also requested that reference to a ‘mini football area’ be removed and made’ open green space’. 
  
  
• Razors Farm – after some negotiation with BDBC Planning, Cllr Rowland and the Parish Council have come to an agreement with Planning officers on the materials to be used and the height of some of the buildings.  All blue/grey slate has been removed from the application, and the height of some of the units on ‘Main Street’ has been reduced.

Clerk

5.4

Update on Beech Farm development – the Parish Council’s objections to both applications have been submitted.  The Planning Officer has stated that he plans to recommend the application for 15 houses for refusal, although he has not done so as yet.  Cllr Robinson to chase officer for an update.    

6

Parish Environment

6.1

Traffic Issues – no update on speed signs as Cllr Tomblin absent.  Carried over to April meeting.

6.1.1

Community Speedwatch scheme – proposals have been submitted for a Community Speedwatch scheme for Bramley.   A number of volunteers have signed up and received police clearance, and training on the equipment is due to take place next week.  The group is now seeking support from the Parish Council to take it forward, particularly with regard to payment of equipment hire charges.

Chris Price, who is leading the scheme at present, noted that there are particular hotspots in the Parish as follows:

• Entering the 30 mph limit when travelling from the Sherfield direction
• On the Tadley side of the village the 30mph limit extends for a considerable distance until the unrestricted sign
• The straight stretch of Campbell and German road
• Bramley Lane
• Minchens Lane
• Oliver’s Lane
• Folly Lane

Chris noted that unrestricted (60mph) zones as too fast and dangerous areas for CSW. 

Chris stated that CSW is not to find victims, but to try and change driver behaviour.  The success of CSW will be down to committed volunteers – if Parish Council support is given, then more volunteers will be sought.  The scheme will also be publicised through the Parish magazine, social media, and possibly through the school. 

Paul Miles from Silchester Parish council noted positive results in Silchester, with a significant reduction in average speeds around the village in the last couple of years.  He observed that speeds are higher when CSW is not visible.  Silchester CSW has a very strong body of volunteers who deploy twice a month.  He also stated that one of the devices is left in place unmanned for a day or two, and it automatically collects data on date, time and speed.  This yields extremely useful data that can be used to determine best deployment times and places.  Deployments must be in daylight, with volunteers being visible.  Paul stated that it will take at least 12 months to build up a picture of speeding patterns in the parish.

Cllr Bell asked about CSW signs – Paul Miles stated that Hampshire Police don’t do them, although Thames Valley Police do.  Silchester CSW have requested them. 

Approximate costs – loan of equipment will cost £100 for four deployments, and insurance and cost of hi-vis jackets needs to be investigated. 

It was unanimously agreed that Bramley PC will financially support an initial period of 6 months.  Clerk and Chris Price to take forward.

Clerk/ Chris Price

7

Clerk’s report and administration

The Clerk gave a verbal report.

• Cufaude Lane  caravan site – a number of reports have been received of building activity at the traveller site on Cufaude Lane, and a small number of caravans are now on the site.  BDBC Planning Enforcement Officers visited the site on 9^th March 2017 in response to these reports and also a further visit was undertaken on 14^th March 2017, this followed further activity over the weekend of 11^th and 12^th March 2016.   The Traveller Liaison Officer also visited the site on 13^th March 2017 and BDBC have therefore established details regarding the current occupiers of the site. It is apparent that a planning application was submitted via the Planning Portal; however, this is currently invalid.  Investigations are continuing, and a further report is expected by the end of this week.
• Field behind the Village Hall – reports have been received that the site is being considered for development.    Cllrs need to think what the response might be if an application is submitted. 
• Longbridge Road update – the owner still wants to develop it and is still trying to remove the Village Green status.  They need to find an alternative plot of land, and have discussed with owners of land behind Village Hall about purchase. 

7.1

Risk Assessment and Asset Register – the Clerk has distributed the 2017 risk assessment for councillors’ consideration.  It was unanimously agreed to adopt the assessment, and the Chairman and Clerk duly signed it.  This will be placed on the website.

The asset register has also been distributed for review. 

Clerk

7.2

Parish Council IT Strategy – Cllr Ansell has distributed an outline strategy for discussion. 

Early action points – a common postal address for PC which will remain through any change of clerks.  This will be a PO Box address, which can have mail re-directed easily – cost will be £260 for 13 months.  Unanimously agreed.  Clerk and Cllr Ansell to take forward.

Central 030 contact phone number –considered public body umbrella phone number.  This can be supplied at a cost of £25 per month.  Unanimously agreed.   Clerk and Cllr Ansell to take forward.

It was noted that the current IT and web support is doing the job for free – the PC needs to formalise a webmaster role.  Also need to formalise domain and email addresses hosting.  Cllr Ansell to take forward. 

Once the domain and email addresses are formalised, the PC will then have access to government templates for the website.  At this point the webmaster contract will need to go out to tender. 

Cllr Ansell noted that government guidelines recommend that personal email addresses are not used for Parish Council business, and that all councillors should use a PC email address.    

Online storage and backup – office 365 is being considered for this. 

Allocation of android tablets for councillors is being considered. 

An audio visual system for the Bramley Room at the Village Hall is to be considered.

Cllr Ansell to have formal proposals ready for July meeting. 

Cllr Ansell/ Clerk

Cllr Ansell/ Clerk

Cllr Ansell

Cllr Ansell

8

Reports

8.1

Reports from Parish Council representatives

a.

Allotments & Burial Ground Update – see appendix B.

Cllr Bell asked if information can be supplied to Persimmon for allotment provision at Minchens Lane.  Cllr Ansell to take forward.   

Expenditure on new taps agreed.  Cllr Ansell to take forward.

Cllr Ansell

Cllr Ansell

b.

Neighbourhood Development Plan – Cllr Bell gave a verbal report. 

The NP was formally discussed at the BDBC Cabinet meeting on 14^th March, and has been recommended for approval at the full Council meeting on 30^th March.  Once the NP has been approved, it will go out for a final 6 week consultation period.  After this point, if no major objections are received, the Plan will be officially ‘made’, and become an official planning document that sits alongside the BDBC Local Plan.

Date of full council meeting to be checked. 

Clerk

c.

Village Hall Trust – no report.  The Clerk noted that a PC representative is still required.  She suggested that an existing member of the VHT could act as the PC representative.  Clerk to approach VHT. 

Clerk

d.

Clift Meadow Trust – see appendix B.

Noted ongoing issues with vandalism – waiting for broad picture from trustees. 

The Clerk noted that she has received alternative wording for the proposed signs at the Clift Meadow car park.  The signs will say:

• Car Park for the use of Clift Meadow patrons only
• The management cannot accept responsibility for loss or damage of vehicles in this car park

There will also be a disabled sign.  The total cost of the signs is as stated in the November grant application, £823.  Unanimously agreed.

CMT are exploring options for storage at the site, including a brick built shed to replace the one that was vandalised.  They are currently communicating with BDBC to establish whether planning permission will be required.

e.

Education & Schools – see appendix B.

f.

Policing & Neighbourhood Watch – see appendix B. 

g.

Highways & Road Closures – see appendix B.

The following road closures were noted:

• Olivers Lane from Bramley Lane to Folly Lane – 3 weeks – date TBC
• Bramley Road from A340 Aldermaston Road to Silchester road – 2 weeks – date TBC

Both closures are to allow carriageway resurfacing work and repairs.

Ongoing flooding at Olivers Lane was noted – Clerk to report the issue again.

Clerk

h.

Road Safety project – see appendix B. 

8.2

Borough Councillor Report - Cllr Robinson gave a verbal report:

• Budget agreed for 2017/18 at last council meeting.
• Taylor Wimpey –Kirby Drive adoption has stalled.  Cllr Robinson is still chasing.
• C32 road repairs – Cllr Robinson is chasing Highways about the poor state repair of the C32.
• Bramley Village Hall – a LIF application has been submitted for a small extension at the front. 
• Sherfield allotments – raised beds are being built at present.  Cllr Robinson thanked Bramley PC for its support. 
• Sherfield Parish Council casual vacancy – Cllr Robinson noted the casual vacancy at Sherfield Parish Council due to the death of Simon Dodd. 

8.3

County Councillor Report – no report. 

8.4

Chairmans Report – no report. 

9

Consultation Documents requiring consideration

None. 

10

Grant Applications

10.1

Tadley Citizens Advice Bureau – the Clerk noted receipt of the grant application and further noted that the Parish Council granted them £1000 in 2016.  After some discussion, it was unanimously agreed to grant the CAB £1500 for 2017.  Clerk to process.

Clerk

11

Finance

11.1

Payments and Reconciliation Approval – see appendix C.

The clerk outlined the payments and reconciliation for March.  She noted the following:

• Payment is due for the Facebook advertising for the NDP referendum
• Payment is due for domain re-registration of bramleypc.co.uk
• The invoice of £35 for the Data Protection registration has been received.  This does not appear on the reconciliation
• All other payments as expected

It was unanimously agreed to approve the payments for March – Clerk to process.

Clerk

11.2

Acknowledgement of Receipts – see Appendix C.

Receipts were noted.   

12

Date of Next Meeting

The next meeting will be held on 12^th April 2017.

The meeting finished at 9.31pm