Bramley Parish Council Minutes 17th October
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Minutes of Bramley Parish Council
held in the Village Hall on 17th October 2011, at 7.30pm.
Parish Councillors present were:
John Ferguson (Chair)
Richard Wood, Claire Penfold, Philip McCorry, Janice Spalding, Allan Douglas, Chris Holland, Hugh Tottenham
Also present were:
The Clerk, Borough Cllr. Rhydian Vaughan, 7 members of the public
1.0 Apologies
Dalton Hopkins, Ranil Jayawardena, Keith Chapman, Mandy Jewell/Geoff Furmor-Dunman
2.0 Minutes of the last meeting
Proposed Cllr. Holland, seconded Cllr. Penfold
3.0 Matters arising
None
4.0 Finance
All ok.
4.i Accounts for Payment
Approved, proposed Cllr. Penfold, seconded Cllr. Douglas
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Reconciled Balance of accounts as of 28/9/2011 |
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Current Account |
£4.10 |
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Business account |
£90,279.04 |
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National Savings Account |
£16,032.81 |
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Total |
£106,315.95 |
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Plus receipts (not yet banked) |
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Allotment rent & deposit |
£64.00 |
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£64.00 |
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Less Cheques Outstanding |
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1441 |
£40.00 |
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1444 |
£814.75 |
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1445 |
£282.00 |
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1446 |
£186.00 |
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1447 |
£150.00 |
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£1,472.75 |
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True balance as at 28th September 2011 |
£104,907.20 |
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Cheques for approval |
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1449 |
J Snow Salary & allowances |
£279.10 |
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1450 |
S Smart - Clerk salary, expenses and reimbursements |
£789.61 |
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1451 |
R Gregory - burial grounds maintenance July & August |
£264.00 |
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1452 |
South East Water (allotments water supply) |
£49.66 |
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1453 |
HMRC - Employers' Tax and National Insurance 2nd Q |
£247.55 |
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£1,629.92 |
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5.0 Planning
See appendix for applications
Cllr. Ferguson expressed his surprise that the application for householder access onto the C32 from Pheabans Field had been approved by BDBC due to the location, which the Parish Council has suggested was referred to Highways for comments about safety.
6.0 Borough Councillor Report:
Cllr. Vaughan requested that people be made aware of the last parish council minutes referencing the LDF, stating that the information was perfectly set out. Cllr. Ferguson thanked the Borough Cllrs. for their work in the best interests of Bramley on this issue. The clerk would add this extract from the minutes onto the website and google group. Clerk
Cllr. Vaughan explained that there had been a planning meeting the previous Thursday. He confirmed that Manydown was not currently recommended by the Planning Inspectors for development due to infrastructure difficulties. The issue is planned to go to the Scrutiny Committee on 1st November, and it was explained that it would be possible to watch the meeting on the webcast.
Report on behalf of the Community Police:
Cllr. Holland as Beat Representative reported that Mandy Jewell has now completed her training and would be able to be out and about with the handheld speed measuring device. He confirmed that the issue of the Travellers on the Green had been a concern for the Police.
It was reported that Geoff Furmor-Dunman was due to retire next April and it was hoped that his replacement would be introduced to the PC at the November meeting.
There was a further lengthy discussion about the Community Speed Watch Scheme, in particular reiterating that the main challenge was securing volunteers. It was stated that an article would be printed in the newsletter in the hope that meaningful offers of volunteer support would be made available which may enable to scheme to proceed. The Parish has been liaising with other Parishes nearby to gauge their interest, and with the suggestion of equipment-sharing. There was a brief discussion about costings, whether the equipment could be shared/leased. The Clerk confirmed that funds had been set aside in the budget for traffic speed monitoring such as the SLRs/SIDs, which could be redirected to the CSW scheme if the Council wished to proceed.
Public Comments:
Cathy Baker was pleased to let the Parish Council know that the gate into the land at Longbridge
Road has been opened so that villagers could use the area as a green. She requested a donation towards the costs of securing the site against travellers, and suggested a post be put in place. She was happy to purchase this and provide a receipt to the Council for reimbursement at an estimated £50. All in favour.
Resident Phyl Davies explained that she had attended the Basingstoke and Deane Passenger Transport Forum meeting in October. She explained that Bramley has been badly affected by cuts, and will lose one of it’s services, meaning that the village is down to one bus per hour. There will no longer be a direct bus linking the village to the hospital. A transport self-help kit has been issued and a copy was given to the Clerk. In some communities a taxi-share scheme enables people to travel at a shared cost. She explained that, at this long meeting, it was stated that there was a 20 year high in the use of bus services in Hampshire, but that the services were being cut by a third.
It was requested that the Clerk minute thanks to County Cllr. Keith Chapman for his support in establishing the Village Green in Longbridge Road. The Parish Council were asked whether they now fully supported the Green, and why the PC failed to reject the request for a time extension on the planning application. Cllr. Ferguson explained that he considered the landowner should be entitled to a bit more time, and that it would not harm the residents to allow him a little more time, as he had been through a lot of effort and money in obtaining planning permission for his privately-owned land. Clerk
It was confirmed that, while this matter was confusing and the Parish Council had made a note about the village green status on the Planning comments sheet which they returned to the Borough Council, it remained a fact that the village green status was not a material consideration to the planning process, and the landowner was, under the planning rules, entitled to pursue a time extension. Cllr. Penfold expressed frustration that the planning process still has to run its course despite the land being declared Village Green status, which goes on to state that it cannot be built on.
7.0 Community Facility study Update
Cllr. Ferguson explained that Mark Penfold, who had been taken on to provide this study, had attended the September meeting of the Parish Plan Committee, and has also asked Cllr. Ferguson for some further content regarding the case for a new community facility. Cllr. Ferguson would produce this and also make it available to the public via the newsletter. JF
8.0 Transport, Highways and Parking
Cllr. Ferguson reported on a good meeting that had taken place recently regarding Highways matters, and we should begin to see some progress towards resolving the outstanding issues. He wished to thank Peter Eade for the work carried out near the Church.
Cllr. Ferguson also reported on a meeting which was held at the roadside in Campbell Road, to discuss various proposals for traffic calming along Campbell Road, and a roundabout at the junction onto the C32. It was explained that the possibility of traffic islands in the centre of the road should slow traffic down. The matter of the roundabout was further discussed including the requirement for the Duke’s estate to allow the PC to use some of his land in order to create the roundabout. It was noted that this would also be costly as services running beneath the road would need to be redirected.
A historical meeting relating to Highways issues was brought up, going back around 2 years ago, as there had been a presentation to the public carried out by Highways, and the PC has been asking for an analysis of the outcome, but has never received a copy. Cllrs. wished to look at how funding could be spread and wished to ensure that concerns at the other end of the village could also be considered. It was also put to the Chairman that the local police may be asked to provide any data regarding accidents at the junction of the C32 and Campbell Road to ensure that this funding was being spent in the most vital location. Otherwise there was no objection to the proposal.
9.0 Environmental Matters
It was confirmed that the Duke’s estate were going to deepen the ditch all around Bramley Green, and that pedestrian access would remain so that villagers could continue to enjoy the green. Vehicular access would be made available for the mowers, but a height barrier was being proposed so that it could not be abused. The estate would begin this process as soon as they could find the manpower for the undertaking.
Allotments: Cllr. Ferguson reported on a meeting which had recently taken place regarding the Borough Council-owned land that we may be able to develop for allotments. He explained that this would be an ongoing topic for some time yet, but as there would be no charge for the land, further meetings would take place to see if this option could be taken forward. There was a further discussion about the requirement for further allotments being driven by the necessity to extend the burial ground, possibly into some of the current allotment plots, and that we would be required to replace them elsewhere. Cllr. Penfold was not sure that the proposed new allotments would address the number of people on the current waiting list, but it was felt that this would be a good proposal to pursue and that if there is further demand in coming years, another site could be considered.
Post Office: There had been rumours circulating about the post offices in both Bramley and Sherfield-on-Loddon. It was confirmed that the building currently housing the post office in Sherfield was up for sale, and there may be a hiccup with the postal services there, but that the village were attempting to re-home the post office and would be looking into possibilities for this. Cllr. Ferguson has written to the area office to express the Council’s concern, and to state that Bramley wishes to maintain a postal service, particularly if there is a question over the neighbouring facility. He has also spoken with the post master at Bramley within the One Stop Shop, and has been told that they are not closing the post office, but it will be moved within the shop towards the front counter. There would be further information available about the services to be offered at this counter shortly.
10.0 Parish Plan Update
Claire Penfold explained that the questionnaire was about to be put into the SNAP software and that hopefully it would just need refining and would be ready for distributing before Christmas.
11.0 Representative Reports
Cllr. Ferguson explained that he had been the PC’s representative on the patient participation group at Clift Surgery for two years, and that Cllr. Wood was happy to take his place. This group meets every quarter. Cllr. Ferguson explained that at the most recent meeting he had expressed concerns over the parking along Minchens Lane outside the surgery. He was in discussion with Highways to see whether a ‘hard shoulder’ could be cut into the verge to allow safer parking, as vehicles currently obstruct vision for drivers coming out of the surgery car park. It was noted that the staff use the surgery car park leaving fewer spaces for patients, but that if there was space available in the Clift Meadow car park there may be an option to park there temporarily and cross the road to the surgery, rather than leave a vehicle in a dangerous position.
Cllr. Tottenham reported on the progress of some routine maintenance at Clift Meadow, including the hedge cutting, some vandalism that had been sorted out, and the millennium garden for which the WI does a fantastic job, but that more volunteers/members would be helpful to assist with this undertaking. He explained that three new benches had been installed, donated in memory of Nick and Dianna Potter.
He reported that the Youth Club was going well, meeting every week.
12.0 Village Diamond Jubilee Celebration:
As the organiser for this event, Cllr. Tottenham also reported on behalf of the Bramley Village Diamond Jubilee Celebration which is a joint event for the Church and Clift Meadow, with proceeds being split equally. The plan was to create a fun day event, with lots of activities for children and grown-ups, with a fun fair and ferret racing for example, and that the committee were in the process of raising funds to pay for the attractions in advance. He explained that the group planned to submit a request to the Parish Council for a donation for this event.
13.0 Correspondence/Consultations
Nothing of particular note
14.0 Items for the next meeting
The budget and precept would be discussed and set at the next Parish Council meeting. If Cllrs. have any thoughts for items/activities which should be included on the budget, they are requested to provide them to the Clerk.
Applications for Grants and Donations would be considered at the next Parish Council meeting. The clerk would circulate copies of the requests in advance of the meeting.
Before the meeting closed, a member of the public raised a concern to the Council about a situation
which had occurred at the level crossing. It had been witnessed that an elderly lady with a walking stick had been caught inside the barriers at the crossing, and was unable to get out before they came fully down. A railway worker was present at the time and ushered the lady into a safer area, and guarded her against the passing of three trains before the barriers were raised again. The date and time of this incident was reported and Cllr. McCorry said he would contact the control centre to find out how this had happened.
There being no other business the meeting closed at 8.45pm.
Chairman ................................................................................................Date.................................
5.0 Planning Applications
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BRAMLEY PARISH COUNCIL |
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Reference |
Planning |
Application |
LOCATION |
recommendation |
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bdb/74959 |
Householder |
Erection of a single storey rear extension following demolition of existing conservatory |
16 Taylor Drive, Bramley, Tadley, RG26 5XP |
not yet decided |
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BASINGSTOKE & DEANE BOROUGH COUNCIL |
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Reference |
Planning |
Application |
LOCATION |
recommendation |
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Householder |
Replacement of rear flat roof dormer windows with first floor rear extension and insertion of roof lights, and changes to rear ground floor windows and doors. Removal of two front dormer windows and replacement with roof lights, and front ground floor porch extension to incorporate relocated front door to side (west) elevation. Replacement of door with window and repositioning of ground floor window to west elevation. New ground floor window and repositioning of ground floor window to east elevation. |
Little Oak Silchester Road Bramley Tadley RG26 5DG |
NOT YET DECIDED |
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Notifications |
Erection of agricultural storage barn |
Land at Cufaude Lane, Cufaude Lane, Bramley |
PERMISSION REQUIRED |
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BDB/74949 |
Notifications |
Diversion of overhead line |
Land at Bramley Lane and Browns Close, grid ref: 465580 159569, Bramley |
RAISE OBJECTION |
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BDB/74902 |
HOUSEHOLDER |
Erection of single storey rear extension |
Meade Barn, The Street, Bramley, Tadley, RG26 5DD |
REASON FOLLOWS: |
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1) The proposed extension would relate poorly to the agricultural character of the converted stable building, breaking the distinct linear building which is characteristic of such buildings. This would harm the significance of both the building itself as an undesignated heritage asset, the group farm setting of the adjacent listed building (Middle Farm House) to which this building was historically ancillary, and the character and appearance of the Bramley Conservation Area, to which the building and group currently make a positive contribution. As such the proposals do not comply with Planning Policy Statement 5: Planning for the Historic Environment, or with Policies E1, E2 and E3 of the Basingstoke and Deane Borough Local Plan 1996-2011, and are contrary to the guidance given by the English Heritage Historic Environment Practice Guide, by the local Supplementary Planning Guidance note entitled, "The Historic Environment: Listed Buildings", by Appendix 13 (Extending your home) of the Design and Sustainability Supplementary Planning Document and the Bramley and Bramley Green Conservation Area Appraisal. |
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BDB/74864 |
HOUSEHOLDER |
Construction of block paved driveway and creation of new vehicular access |
9 Pheabens Field Bramley RG26 5BX |
GRANTED |
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BDB/74857 |
MINOR Dwellings (1-9) |
Extension of Time Limit specified in Condition 1 of BDB/69480 for the erection of 4 no. two bedroom, 2 no. three bedroom and 1 no. four bedroom dwellings with associated landscaping and parking, new access road and pedestrian route |
Land Adjacent To 24, Longbridge Road Bramley |
NOT YET DECIDED |
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BDB/74817 |
HOUSEHOLDER |
Erection of a potting shed |
Meade Barn, The Street, Bramley, Tadley, RG26 5DD |
GRANTED |