Draft Minutes

·         Audit – RBS Alpha account package is in hand.  Action required on obtaining a PC credit card.  The Clerk noted that the external auditor will be carrying out an Intermediate audit for last year due to the increase in turnover.

·         Clift Meadow Playground – the cradle swing has not yet been delivered.  Clerk to chase.

Clerk

·         None.

Cllr Vaughan made the following points in addition to his written report:

·         Covid figures are rising.

·         Full County Council meeting on 24^th September.

·         Remembrance Sunday is not far away – the campaign officially begins on 22^nd October, and finishes around 22^nd November.  This should be borne in mind when displaying the Silent Soldiers for this year.

Cllr Tomblin gave a verbal report:

·         Changes at Borough – the Chief Executive Mel Barrett has now departed.  The Director of Borough Development, Ian Boll, is the interim Chief Executive.

·         A Recover Framework has been put together to get the Basingstoke economy back on track.  This will be going to Cabinet for approval.

·         Cllr Tomblin is campaigning to get more carbon neutral planning developments in the BDBC area.  This has received unanimous support from Council, but there is much work to do.  The  Economic, Planning and Housing Committee are setting up a working party.

·         Cllr Tomblin noted the Government white paper Planning for the Future, which is out for consultation.  Changes in this are likely to affect the Bramley NDP – Cllr Tomblin will report when he knows more.

·         Chineham shopping centre plans have gained planning permission.

·         CSPO team are having to deal with an increase in rowdy and unruly behaviour.

Cllr Bell noted that Bulpitts might have problems cutting due to height of grass.

No decision taken at present – need to check with Bulpitts about cutting the longer grass.

Clerk

·         The community should follow on from Borough and County councils and declare a Climate Emergency, which would give a framework for action.

·         There should be work to reduce carbon emissions, and to build resilience, particularly through planting of trees.

·         Carbon emissions – what can councillors do on a personal level?

A number of suggestions were made:

·         Electric car chargers in Clift Meadow car park.

·         Can the PC ask solar panel developer to contribute solar panels to school, Village Hall, etc.  Cllr Oborn noted that it would be worth checking where such buildings/organisations get their electricity supply from – some suppliers are from renewable sources.  Clerk to take forward.

·         Cllr Capel to take up solar panels for Clift Meadow with Trustees.

·         Cllr Tomblin asked if climate issues should be included in updated NDP.  It was agreed that it should be included in very general terms.  Concern was expressed about current plans from Borough Council that appear to have no climate consideration.

·         Cllr Oborn asked if PC would be prepared to get involved in climate advice service – pointing people in the right direction for environmental advice, possibly an open day.  Cllrs Oborn and James to look at proposals to present to PC at a later date.

·         Cllr Tomblin suggested inviting Lucy Martin from BDBC to a future meeting or to a possible open day – she is the BDBC Climate Emergency officer.

·         Cllr Durrant stated that he felt that BDBC and HCC should be giving guidance to Parish Councils on the issue.  He also noted that data from air quality monitoring, and various traffic reports is being submitted to BDBC but appears to be ignored.

·         Cllr Vaughan noted the information in his written briefing note this month – it was agreed that this should go on the website.

·         The issue is to be on the agenda for October.

Clerk

Cllr Capel

Cllr Oborn/ Cllr James

Clerk

Clerk

Clerk

Cllr Durrant noted that the two bus shelters near the Campbell Road roundabout also need some maintenance and general tidying up.  A quote has been obtained for £450+VAT to carry out the necessary maintenance and repaint the shelters.  This was unanimously agreed.  Clerk to take forward.

Cllr Durrant noted previous suggestions for a bench by the bus stop at the end of Coopers Lane.  Clerk to find out if there are any definite proposals.

Clerk

Clerk

She requested a volunteer to write the article for the November edition.  The deadline will be 15^th October.  Clerk to put together new rota.  Cllr Durrant will be writing the November article.

Clerk

The Microsoft Surface tablets have now been purchased and set up, and are being rolled out to all councillors this week.  There are some final things to do to get the Clerk properly set up, which should happen on Friday of this week.

The new website is ready to go, and has been referenced in the October edition of the Parish Magazine.  The new website will be widely advertised via social media in the next few weeks, and a redirect has been set up on the old website.  The old website will still remain as an archive only.

It was unanimously agreed to renew the PC insurance as per the recommendation of the PC insurance broker.  The policy will continue to be with AXA.  Clerk to take forward.

Clerk

Cllr Flooks briefly summarised the September Planning Committee meeting.

The appeal for the Pond Road application was dismissed.  BDBC green infrastructure strategy was the reason for the dismissal.

Cllr Durrant and Cllr Tomblin noted that they met today with BDBC officers and the developer of St James Park to discuss the ongoing s.106 issues.

·         Road signs on Minchens – the current signs are only part of the final installation.  Gates and posts etc to be added in next couple of months.

·         The PC are not taking responsibility for the playground.  This will be passed to the management company who will be engaged to look after the communal areas of the development.

·         Looked at brook/ditch – environmental assessment to be looked at by BDBC.

·         Balancing pond – BDBC have confirmed that there should not be a fence there, but no resolution was reached as to whether it should be removed.  It was also not clear as to who is should be checking the pond to see if it is working properly.

·         Bollard lights – discussed replacing the existing damaged lights with two standard street lights part way down the path and at the intersection with the pub and road.  This was received favourably by BDBC and the developer.  The developer will look at them being solar powered, and put forward proposals.

·         Path flooding – the developer is looking to put in minor drainage and possibly raising the path above water level.

·         Allotments – Cllr Tomblin is very disappointed that the allotments are not to BDBC standards.  They have supplied to standards in s.106, however.  This was all BDBC requested.

All issues to be addressed in a two month timeline.

i.            Community Speedwatch update – see appendix A.  Cllr Durrant has asked the team if SIDs keep a log of volumes of traffic, and if so, if PC can have the information.

a.       Village Gates scheme – the Clerk has circulated a discussion document on behalf of the Speedwatch team.

Cllr Durrant noted that the PC cannot fund the whole project without putting precept up.  It was suggested that the CSW team look for funding with support of the PC.

Cllr Bell noted the consultation questionnaire – should this go ahead?  It was unanimously agreed that it should, after alterations to make it suitable for Bramley residents.  CSW team to organise.  Cllr Vaughan suggested putting the survey in the parish magazine – this was agreed.  Clerk to take forward.

ii.            Parking Working group update – no action over the lockdown period.  New legislation is likely to have a big impact on Bramley.

Clerk

Allotments – the waiting list is currently running at 35.  Work has been carried out on the new allotment site at St James Park, and the Clerk and Cllr James are looking at the draft lease agreement between the developer and the PC for the land.

Burial Ground – requests for interments has been very quiet so far this year.

Cllr Capel gave a verbal update.

·         The new storage shed is now almost complete.

·         Noted pop up café, which did not last for very long.

·         Noted issues with zoom meetings, and that Trustees are moving forward with physical meetings.  Cllr Capel may have issues with this.

·         Cllr Capel to raise robustness of entrance ramp to storage shed.

·         Cllr Munday noted that it was agreed that we would look at planting by storage shed.  Clerk/Cllr Capel to talk to Clift Meadow.

Cllr Capel

Cllr Capel/ Clerk

A potentially serious incident on Clift Meadow was noted, which was reported to Cllr Ansell.  The Clerk has passed details along to the local PCSO.

The Clerk noted that she has received a report that the Cinder Track (from the Bakery to Lane End) is very overgrown, to the point that social distancing is impossible for parents on the school run.  This has been reported to the Rights of Way team.

Cllr Tomblin has written to BDBC officers re issues with fly tipping on the Cinder Track.

Work is expected to begin on the Bramley Lane junction some time over the autumn.  The work should have been done over the summer, but has been delayed by the lockdown.  A firm start date is awaited.

Funding for hall rental unanimously agreed.  Cllr Oborn and the Clerk to take forward.

Cllr Oborn/ Clerk

The grant was unanimously agreed.  Clerk to process.

Clerk

Cllr Bell proposed a grant of £1500, Cllr Oborn seconded .  Unanimously agreed.  Clerk to take forward.

Clerk

The Clerk noted the payments on the reconciliation.

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

Clerk to process.

Clerk

Receipts were noted.

The meeting closed at 9.13pm

EIA Screening Request for a proposed solar farm and battery storage facility.

Cllr Flooks noted that this application is to establish whether an Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) is required, and is not a full planning application at this stage.  Given the importance of this application, he moved that the Planning Committee terms of reference be suspended and that all Parish Councillors present take part in the discussion and vote on this item.  This was unanimously agreed.

Cllr Flooks invited comments from members of the public.  The following comments were made:

·         There have been 40 odd submissions saying we need the EIA

·         There will be massive traffic impact from lorries and 80 vans a day

·         The footpaths will be decimated

·         The villa will be permanently covered

·         There things are never temporary

Members noted the recent webinar from Enso.

Council and Committee members made the follow observations on the need for an EIA:

·         53% good agricultural land will be replaced with solar panels, but government policy is to use brown field and less good agricultural land.

·         There are known archaeological finds under field one – there may be more.

·         Local fauna would be affected.

·         Bramley Frith would be affected.

·         Footpath views would be severely impacted, with the loss of the current open views.  This would severely affect the amenity value of footpaths in both parishes.

·         Part of the land proposed for the solar farm gets very wet in winter months.

·         Policy states that sites over 0.5 hectares should be subject to EIA – this site is 81 hectares.

·         There is confusion in the application of locations of fields and which parishes they are in.

·         BDBC own maps suggest that woodland is SSSI.  However, this may be incorrect, although it is a SINC and also mostly ancient woodland.

·         Cllrs noted Cllr Mahaffey’s response, and stated that the Bramley PC response should echo this.

It was unanimously agreed that the site should have a full EIA carried out. Cllr Flooks to formulate response and distribute to Councillors for approval.  Clerk to submit when approved.

Cllr Flooks/ Clerk

Erection of 1 no. single storey dwelling to provide accommodation for parents, associated landscaping and access following demolition of stable/home office.

Cllr Flooks invited comments from members of the public – there were none.

Members made the following observations:

·         The site is outside the Settlement Policy Boundary.

·         Against policy SS6 of the Local Plan as the site is isolated.

·         The 2009 appeal result was noted– many of the reasons for the appeal being dismissed at that time are still relevant now.

·         Despite being a change in land use to equestrian purposes, the land has never been used for horses.

·         Tree cover has been inaccurately depicted in plans.

·         Whilst the site is outside the Conservation Area, it does border it.  The proposed plans will have a detrimental impact on views into and from the Conservation Area.

·         The proposed building seems big for a one storey house.

Objections as outlined above unanimously agreed.  Clerk to draft response and distribute to members for comment prior to submission.

Clerk

None.

These were noted.

This appeal was heard last week, and the decision was released today.  The appeal has been allowed and planning permission for the formation of the new access has been granted.  Further information is available on the BDBC planning portal.

The refusal for this application has been appealed.  A date has not yet been set for the appeal.

The refusal for this application has been appealed.  Whilst a date for the appeal hearing has not yet been set, the deadline for submitting additional comments to the Inspector is 14^th September.  Councillors felt that the initial objections from Bramley PC were thorough and that no further comments need to be submitted at this time.  However, Cllr Bell will review this and distribute any response for agreement before submission.

Cllr Bell

The Clerk also noted that work is being done on the new allotments.  Cllr Flooks noted concern about the fencing.  This and other concerns can be addressed at the on-site meeting.

Cllr Tomblin

The Clerk noted the various briefings she has forwarded to members from BDBC.  BDBC confirmed that Bramley has had a total of 335 planning permissions for dwellings granted in the current Local Plan period, and has therefore met the ‘at least’ 200 requirement specified for the Parish.

The current land supply position is that BDBC can currently demonstrate 4.86 years of deliverable housing sites. This falls short of the five-year supply required by national planning guidance, meaning that policies relating to housing delivery in the borough’s adopted Local Plan and Neighbourhood Plans (with the exception of Kingsclere) are currently considered to be out of date.  BDBC cannot currently predict what the position will be moving forward due to the current pandemic restrictions, although Manydown will be taken into account in future calculations.

The Clerk noted that BDBC officers have requested a meeting with Bramley PC to discuss the Local Plan Update and the Issues and Options Consultation.  Clerk to contact BDBC to arrange.

Clerk

Cllr Flooks/ Cllr Bell

·         Changes to the current planning system (deadline for responses 1^st October 2020)

·         Planning for the future (deadline for responses 29^th October 2020)

·         Transparency and Competition – a call for evidence of data on land control (deadline for responses 30^th October 2020)

Issues were noted with the NDP being ignored to mitigate land supply issues.  Frustration was expressed that the planning framework is being changed yet again.

It was unanimously  agreed that BPC would not comment at this time.

Meeting closed at 8.03pm

Resurfacing of existing car park serving Bramley Village Hall, including the improvement of drainage and rainwater management on the site

No objection

4 Spruce cut back overhang to neightbouring property (Belmeads) to stem.

7 Spruce: fell.

No objection

Erection of single storey extension to side and rear following demolition of existing conservatory. Conversion of garage to habitable accommodation (Amendment to approval 19/01332/HSE)

No objection, comments

Mature Cherry Tree approx 8m high and 6m wide to be reduced by approx 30%. To improve overall appearance, remove dead and decaying branches and improve fruit yield.

No objection

Certificate of Lawfulness for the proposed erection of a single storey rear extension following removal of existing conservatory

No objection

Ash: remove lowest dead branch and 1 limb overhanging Silvermede.

Spruce: remove five lowest branches overhanging Silvermede.

No objection

Conversion of ground floor from tanning salon (sui generis) and retail (A1) to 2 no. one bedroom flats and retail (A1)

The erection of 1 no. dwelling and associated parking and access

Outline planning application for the erection of 4 dwellings including access

Outline planning application with access to be included, for the demolition of existing stables and riding arena and the erection of 4 no. dwellings

Variation of Conditions 1, 6, 8, 9, 10, 15, 17, 20 and 21 of 19/00464/FUL to amend drawing numbers to allow for improved siting and alterations to the detailed design of the dwellings. Including amended wording of conditions 6, 8, 10, 15, 20 and 21 to allow the removal of conditions 9 and 17.