The meeting was scheduled for Bramley Village Hall, but due to a power outage was transferred to Sherfield Village Hall at the last minute.  The meeting commenced at 8.00pm.

1

Apologies for Absence

As listed above.

2

Declarations of Interest

Cllr Bell declared an interest in item 9.d and took no part in the discussion on this item.

3

Minutes of the Last Parish Council Meeting

3.1

The minutes of the meeting held on 19^th November 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.

• Green space at Coopers Lane – BDBC are looking at a trip wire fence to prevent horse use – Cllr Robinson to chase.

Cllr Robinson

4

Open Forum

Cllr Durrant invited comments and questions from the public. 

• None.

5

County Councillor Report – see appendix B

6

Borough Councillor Report – see appendix B. 

Cllr Robinson gave a verbal report:

• 9 members of the Labour group have resigned to become independents, and have formed a new independent group.  The Chairman of the group is Cllr Ian Tilbury (who was originally independent), and Cllr Paul Harvey is his deputy.
• Rough sleepers – there were 15 identified in 2017, which was reduced to 8 last year, and down to 5 this year.
• SHELAAA – identified sites for Bramley are:
  • Bramley Lane behind the school down to the Campbell Road roundabout
  • land behind VH, and
  • RBL site, and
  • Tudor Farm. 

Identified sites for Sherfield are:

• Land at Goddards Farm
• Sherfield Hill Farm,
• Field behind the Church on A33
• land at Breach Lane (directly opposite the roundabout). 

Nothing further likely to happen in this financial year.  There will be a 12 month consultation period before these go into the Local Plan. 

Cllrs suggested that an open meeting should be planned for Bramley residents in mid to late January.  Clerk to look at dates.

• The Constituency Conservation Charter from Ranil Jayawardena MP was noted.  Cllrs observed that it does not specifically mention Bramley and appears to be Hart centric.  However, it does support the use of brownfield sites for development, and specifically states that Mr Jayawardena does not support the use of greenfield sites in the next Local Plan.  Details of the charter should be circulated to residents via the website and social media.

Clerk 

Clerk

7

Parish Environment

7.1

Parking working group update – no update at present.  Cllr Ansell has call booked with a consultant later this week. 

The issue of parking around the shop is to be raised again with HCC and BDBC.  

Cllr Ansell

Clerk

7.2

Street lighting – Cllr Durrant noted a recent email from a resident in Longbridge Road, asking for street lighting in the village to be considered.

Cllr Durrant noted that there is a strong lobby in the village against it, but equally, there are good reasons to consider for street lighting.  However, it does not really fall within the PC remit.  The question is to be raised with BDBC and HCC. 

Clerk

7.3

Clift Meadow path & footbridge – no update at this time.  Cllr Robinson to chase BDBC planning.

Cllr Robinson

7.4

Clift Meadow playground upgrade – four different proposals have been circulated, and a public consultation exercise has been carried out.  There was a public consultation at the Clift Meadow coffee morning, and also via the website and social media.  The consultation generated a lot of interest, with residents overwhelmingly preferring the proposal from Handmade Places.

With this in mind, Cllr Durrant proposed accepting the quote from Handmade Places for £44,000, subject to the dragonfly and butterfly features being changed to benches/picnic tables.  This was unanimously agreed.  Cllr Ansell and Clerk to take forward.

Cllr Ansell/ Clerk

7.5

Use of Clift Meadow as a temporary depot for railway station – representatives from Carter Jonas were again unfortunately unable to attend the meeting. 

A request to use Clift Meadow as a storage depot for equipment for the upcoming platform extension work at the railway station has been received.  This will be from 23^rd February – 3^rd May 2020.  Two areas have been identified, both measuring 40m x 20m:

• The south east corner, by the pub
• The south west corner, by the tennis courts

The compound would consist of a 20ft site office, 20ft office canteen, a toilet block, 10ft store and an area for storing materials. Guard fencing would be installed for the duration, and CCTV would be considered if necessary.  Network Rail would require this space for a period of three months

A licence agreement would be put into place, which would include the re-instatement of land once the work was finished.  Carter Jonas have offered to pay £150 per week for the use of the land, which would equate to £1500 for the whole period.  This figure is negotiable.

The following points were raised/discussed:

• The SE site cuts across a main pedestrian access, and would also impede on a drop off point for children catching the school bus in the mornings. 
• The SW site is also not suitable, as the ground is not in any way level. 
• Cllrs felt that the compensation offered was not realistic.
• Clift Meadow is a recreation facility for the whole community, and the compound would have a significant impact on this.
• Even with the re-instatement, it is likely that the Meadow would take a long time to properly recover.

Cllr Bell proposed that Clift Meadow should not be used as a compound by Network Rail.  Cllr Munday seconded, and the resolution was passed by majority agreement. 

Clerk to take forward.

Clerk

8

Clerk’s report & Administration

8.1

Parish magazine article – the author for the next article for the Parish Magazine will be Cllr Durrant.  The deadline is 15^th January. 

Cllr Durrant

8.2

IT Project update – Cllr Ansell gave an update.  Cllr Ansell is chasing the supplier, and the Clerk will also follow this up. 

Cllr Ansell/ Clerk

8.3

2020/21 draft budget – the Clerk presented the draft budget.  She noted that this is still a work in process, since she has only just received notice of the proposed council tax base figures.  However, those figures would indicate a precept of £93,325 would not result in an increase per household.

Clerk to finalise budget and precept, and present for adoption at the January meeting.

Clerk

8.4

PC Policy Review – the Clerk has reviewed and circulated draft versions of the following policies:

• Code of Conduct
• Standing Orders
• Financial Regulations
• Social Media Policy
• Health & Safety Policy
• Equality & Diversity Policy
• Scheme of Publication
• Freedom of Information Policy
• Recording/Filming/Photography Policy

She noted that all policies are in line with current legislation and best practice, and that any major changes to the Standing Orders and Financial Regulations are mostly statutory requirements.  The Code of Conduct has been brought into line with the BDBC Code, which was updated in 2018.

Cllr Durrant noted the new recording/filming/photography policy – this has been put in place as a result of a photo of a council meeting emerging online with a derogatory comment below it.  Cllr Nick Robinson confirmed that the photo was taken by Cllr Tristan Robinson of BDBC, and also stated that he was unhappy with Cllr Tristan Robinson’s actions.  Cllr Durrant proposed excluding Cllr Robinson from attending Bramley PC meetings for the next 6 months – Clerk to check if this is lawful.  If so, the proposal was agreed by a majority vote.  Clerk to request copies of any photos or recordings, and to ask what Cllr Robinson intends to do with them. 

Cllr Durrant proposed formally adopting all policies.  Cllr Bell seconded, unanimously agreed.  Clerk to finalise and place on website.

Clerk

Clerk

9

Planning

a.

New applications

        i.            19/03160/FUL - York Cottage Silchester Road Bramley

Erection of a single storey dwelling

The following points were made:

• The arboriculture survey does not identify which trees are likely to be felled, or how trees are likely to be protected.  There is also no assessment on how the proposed development will impact on trees in the medium to long term.
• There are 2 dwellings already on site – is another necessary?
• No local need for another dwelling, as per Local Plan policy SS6. 
• The proposed dwelling is within a Conservation Area.
• The design is acceptable, and not viewable from the road. 

Objections were unanimously agreed, as outlined above.  Clerk to process.

       ii.            19/03226/ROC - Land At Latchmere Green Latchmere Green Little London

Removal of condition 2 of planning consent BDB/32775 which restricted the barn to agricultural use only

Cllrs noted that the land is a flood prone area.  The area is not suitable for a dwelling, therefore Cllrs cannot see any reason for lifting the condition.

Objection unanimously agreed.  Clerk to process.

     iii.            T/00536/19/TPO - Campbell Court Bramley

Prune 13 trees

Cllrs noted that it is unclear who owns the land that the trees are on. 

The chestnuts are not affecting any residential properties, and do not appear to have a big impact on Campbell Court.

The trees are not diseased – Cllrs cannot see any reason for pruning. 

Objections unanimously agreed as above.  Clerk to process.

Clerk

Clerk

Clerk

b.

Any other new applications

None.

c.

Proposed development at Tudor Farm site

No update at this time – there is currently no validated planning application to comment on.

d.

Approvals/refusals – see appendix A

Approvals and refusals were noted. 

Cllr Bell noted an interest in this item and took no part in the discussion.

Cllr Durrant asked that BDBC look at land behind Taylors Drive, and Wallis Drive with reference to the application for 6/7 Pond Road.  These seem to set a precedent.   

e.

Planning Appeals

19/01467/FUL – Land West of Cufaude Lane Bramley

This application for the formation of an access track and associated works, was refused by BDBC in August 2019.  It is related to 17/00942/FUL, for which the multiple appeals were dismissed.  Final comments are due by 24^th December 2019.  

There are no further PC comments at this time.

10

Reports

10.1

Reports from Parish Council representatives

a.

Neighbourhood Plan working group – no update as present. 

b.

Environment

         i.            Community Speedwatch update – see report at appendix B.

       ii.            Air quality monitoring update – Cllr Ansell and the Clerk are investigating the possibility of a service contract for the AQ mesh pod. 

Cllr Ansell/ Clerk

c.

Allotments and Burial Ground (see appendix B)

• This year’s rent is starting to come in.  2 people have rescinded their allotment, one has been offered, and the other will be offered this week.
• New allotments at Minchens Lane should be added to budget – Clerk to take forward. 
• Memorial Wall – Clerk to check frequency of burials over last few years.

Clerk

Clerk

d.

Village Hall Trust (see appendix B)  

e.

Clift Meadow Trust – Cllr Capel gave a verbal update:

• There has been no meeting this month.
• The Coffee Mornings are going well – thanks to Wendy Scott and her team for all the hard work they have put in to make these mornings such a success.

The weekly coffee mornings started on 11^th September this year and have proven to be very popular.  They ask for donations each week for the tea and coffee and on average take about £35-£40 a week, which goes towards future mornings and improving the Pavilion.  The event is run by volunteers on a rota basis and they have a monthly visit from the Bramley Green Larder, and a book swap every week.  It has been well attended over the past few weeks and has become a focal point for all ages to meet and make new friends.

Cherry Blossom Manor, whose residents regularly attend the mornings, also help provide refreshments along with cake donations and treats from other attendees.  Gradually Wendy and her fellow volunteers (along with CMT) are making the Pavilion more appealing by having it decorated and putting up curtains.  Their dream is to get a new kitchen in the Pavilion which would enable them and CMT to cater for a wider array of functions and larger groups of people.

Thank you to all those that attended, to Wendy and her fabulous team of volunteers, and to CMT for allowing them to use the Pavilion.

• There has been a recent accident near the Pavilion, resulting in one user sustaining a broken ankle. This should be on the agenda for January.

Clerk

f.

Police & Neighbourhood Watch – see appendix B. 

g.

Highways/Footpaths – see appendix B

The Clerk noted that the tasks requested by the Speedwatch team are being carried out this week.  She has reported to Highways the blocked drainage on the Bramley main road, as well as requested hedge trimming at Cufaude Lane.

h.

Road Safety Project – Cllr Ansell gave a verbal report.

• The trial of the traffic island was carried out at the end of November – this proved to be successful.  Some minor changes have been made to the plans.

i.

Chairman’s report – Cllr Durrant gave a verbal report.

• Special education needs – Wendy Scott has asked if the PC would be willing to facilitate some awareness sessions.  Clerk to check if possible and check finances. 

Clerk

11

Consultation documents requiring consideration

a.

BDBC Council Plan 2020-2024 and Budget 2020-2021

Comments to Clerk via email who will respond.

All

b.

BDBC Housing and Homelessness Strategy 2020-2024

Comments to Clerk via email who will respond.

All

c.

Police Powers to tackle unauthorised encampments

Delay to January meeting. 

Clerk

12

Grant Applications

12.1

Bramley PCC – replacement window at Cross House

Since the previous grant application, the window works originally applied for has been completed.  However, the big window at the front of the building now needs extensive maintenance work, with the frame needing to be replaced.  Due to the size of the window, contractors have informed the PCC that a UPVC replacement cannot be considered. 

Two quotes have been received – one for a softwood frame replacement at £6,425+VAT, and one for a hardwood frame replacement at £7,425+VAT.

The following points were made/discussed:

• Cllrs felt that the PCC should approach Church funding streams in the first instance.  In particular, project grants and funding is available from the diocese of Winchester.
• It was noted that PC grant policy is not to grant for maintenance, but for capital projects. 
• It is not clear if the PCC is looking for a grant for the whole cost or only part.
• A fresh grant application is required.

Clerk to liaise with PCC.

Clerk

13

Finance

13.1

Payments and reconciliation approval - see appendix C

The Clerk noted the payments on the reconciliation. 

It was unanimously agreed to approve the payments on the reconciliation.

Clerk to process.

Clerk

13.2

Acknowledgement of Receipts – see appendix C

Receipts were noted.  The Clerk noted that the forthcoming VAT claim for this quarter would be in the region of £2,300.

14

Date of Next meeting

The next Parish Council meeting will be held on Tuesday 21^st January 2020.

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 9.32pm