Minutes 16th January 2018

Cllr Bell enquired how many paths in the Parish had been cleared of leaves by the Lengthsman.  Clerk to check.

Clerk

• A resident noted that the hedge near the end of Churchlands is causing a blind spot for vehicles coming out of Churchlands.  Clerk to investigate who hedge belongs to and get it trimmed back.
• A resident asked if bus route 14 is threatened with cuts.  Cllr Vaughan stated that all bus services supplied by the county are under review, including the number 14 service.  He noted that the 14 is underused, despite being a lifeline for those who do use it.  He will fight for it as much as he can.
• A resident asked if the PC will be asking about underlying causes of crime statistics when they meet with police.  Cllr Durrant confirmed this will be the case.

Clerk

5.1

17/03998/HSE – 29 Anvil Way Bramley

Conversion of garage to living accommodation

It was noted that there was very little parking in front of the garage at present.  Therefore, objections agreed due to lack of alternative parking.  Majority decision.  Clerk to process.

T/00509/17/TPO – Middle Farm Cottage The Street Bramley

1 Ash: cut back to suitable growth point a single limb on the NW side of tree

No objections unanimously agreed.   Clerk to process.

17/04267/LBC & 17/04266/FUL – Razors Farm Cufaude Lane Chineham

Demolition of existing barn and erection of 2 no. dwellings (appearance to remain the same as approved applications 16/04520/FUL and 16/04521/LBC)

Objections unanimously agreed on grounds of the farm appearance not being maintained, and the proposed building not being in keeping with the area.  There will also be an increase in number of dwellings in Bramley, which is not required.  Clerk to process.

17/03457/HSE – Driftwood Sherfield Road Bramley

Erection of two bay Oak car port

Councillors expressed concerns about setting a precedent – this is the first application of its kind for the immediate area.  Objections unanimously agreed on basis of proximity to the road and change of street scene.  Clerk to process.

17/04041/ADV – Land At Crockford Lane Crockford Lane Chineham

Display of 14 no. flag poles and hoarding signage

Councillors felt that the hoarding and flags were excessive.   Objections unanimously agreed– on lines of Borough Councillor objections.  Clerk to process.

Clerk

Clerk

Clerk

Clerk

Clerk

5.2

5.3

The recent refusal by BDBC of this planning application was noted.  Cllr Durrant stated that an appeal by the applicants is possible, and proposed that the PC should seek legal advice on how best to defend the Neighbourhood Plan should this be the case.  The initial expenditure on this will be up to £500+VAT.  This was seconded by Cllr Ansell and unanimously agreed.  Clerk and Cllr Durrant to take forward.

The developers and been in touch with the Parish Council since the DC meeting, and have requested a meeting to discuss reserved matters and a way forward for the site.  It was unanimously agreed that this would be useful – Clerk to organise.

Cllr Durrant /Clerk

Clerk

5.4

5.5

The following items were noted:

• The drawings do not show all the footpaths and play areas especially in the south west corner. This makes it difficult to visualise the finished site.
• There are concerns that pavement parking may become a problem in the north east corner of the site as it already does in other parts of the development.   Could tall kerbs be specified to alleviate the problem?
• Some form of access control for the allotments car park will be necessary; otherwise this will be used for resident parking.
• Due to the ongoing problems with unauthorised encampments the green areas should be protected with robust defences.
• The Regent design (plots 166, 167, 171, 185 and 192) will be very intrusive due to the steeply pitched roof and the fact they are on the highest part of the site.  The 2.5 storey design work is out of place in a rural setting.  Is it possible to soften the roofline with barn hipping?
• Need to confirm barn hipping on plots 211 and 212 will be as the various drawings seem to offer conflicting information.  It was also felt that more of the rooflines could usefully be hipped to break up the ridge lines especially where these lines are east/west and visible from Clift Meadow.
• Concern about the street scenes was expressed, particularly where the 2.5 storey houses are.

Cllr Flooks has drafted a letter to Persimmon highlighting these concerns.  The text was fully agreed – Clerk/Cllr Flooks to send to Persimmon, BDBC planning officer, and ward councillors.

Cllr Bell noted that he has enquired about the speed of the build, as there has been a response from Thames Water re the sewerage for the whole parish.  This is likely to have an impact on the build times.

It was noted that there are still issues with the s.106 work for Minchens Lane.  The Clerk is setting up a meeting with BDBC officers to try and resolve those issues.

Cllr Flooks/ Clerk

5.6

17/00206/ADV – Bramley Post Office Sherfield Road Bramley

Display of 1 no. externally illuminated Fascia Sign and 3 no. window graphics

Whilst BDBC have indicated that this application may well be rejected, there does not appear to be any movement on this.  In the meantime, the Clerk has processed a complaint from one of the neighbours, who has stated that the lights are being left on all night.  As they shine directly onto his garden and into his windows, this is causing some issues for him.  This has been reported to enforcement officers, who have stated that they will write to the applicants asking them to ensure that the lights are switched off at a reasonable hour.  This would also have been reported to the planning officer, but the Clerk was informed that he was out of the office until Wednesday this week.  She will continue to chase.

17/004499/RET – 29-30 Farriers Close, Bramley

Whilst the appeal for this application was upheld, BDBC have indicated that it intends to seek repossession of the land in question.  There is no further news on this to date.

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

BDBC finally placed an injunction on the whole site just before Christmas.  BDBC is of the view that the activities occurring on site constitute a breach of this injunction, and is taking legal advice regarding the matter.  However, the residents at the site have applied for a variation of the injunction, which will be heard in Court in early February.  It is unlikely that there will be any enforcement at the site until this case is heard.

Clerk

6.1

• Bramley Green Road, on the corner by the services area.  The single caravan at this moved to HCC land opposite the Village Hall
• Campbell Road, on the grass verge bordering the camp next to the mail entrance to the army camp.  The single remaining caravan appears to be abandoned, and should be removed by BDBC imminently.
• Green space at the end of Ordinance Road, opposite the Village Hall.  There were three caravans at this site over the Christmas period.  Since the court order was obtained by HCC, they have now moved past the concrete pipes and are now on Ordinance Road, owned by the MOD.  The MOD is aware and taking the necessary steps.

Cllr Durrant noted that a working group has been suggested looking at the subject of unlawful encampments in Bramley in general.  This will be investigated.  The group will need clear Terms of Reference.

Cllr Durrant noted recent correspondence with the HCC traveller liaison officers, and noted the disappointment of the PC at their response to the recent issues. This was relayed to Cllr Vaughan, who is investigating the legal side of the issue.

Cllr Bell noted that he has chased for a response from Cllr Simon Bound at BDBC.  He has now responded by saying that he has met with senior BDBC officers with regards to collecting data and possibly applying a parish wide injunction.  He has also received a reply from Ranil Jaywardena MP, who has noted his dissatisfaction with the law on the issue at present, and has suggested that bunds are put around all vulnerable areas.

Cllr Durrant stated that a review of current defences and what might be done in the future is necessary.  This is something the working group could consider.

6.2

The fence has again be damaged.  The Parish Council continues to push to get a more permanent fence.  Cllr Durrant to further explore a planning application from the PC to put in a permanent fence.

Cllr Durrant to investigate the PC adopting the land and maintaining it moving forward.

Residents continue to note concern about the large mound left in the middle of the site (where the slide was).  It is felt that this will be used as a method of climbing the fence.   BDBC continue to maintain that the work is complete, but Bramley PC has requested that this is lowered.  Cllr Durrant is liaising with Colin Rowland at BDBC to discuss and move forwards.  A quote received from BDBC has been received to put in a bund and gate – this will be approximately £3000.  Cllr Durrant proposed the expenditure, which was agreed in principle.

Cllr Durrant

Cllr Durrant

7.1

A full report will be prepared for the March meeting.  Domain registration is awaited – once this is through then the project can move forward.

Cllr Ansell

7.2

After some discussion, it was unanimously agreed that the 2018/19 budget be adopted.

Cllr Ansell proposed that the precept level be set at £80,000, to cover previous and future costs of defending against unlawful encampments.  This was seconded by Cllr Tomblin and carried by majority decision.  Clerk to process.

Cllrs Ansell and Tomblin to draft a statement for the website.

Clerk

Cllr Ansell /Cllr Tomblin

8.1

a.

1. Review of Burial Ground charges – March agenda.

The Plaque has been attached to new bench at the Burial Ground.

2 allotments have been handed back – deposits be refunded and they will be re-allocated.

b.

Cllr Durrant attended the January Trustee meeting.  Extension project – no final conclusion at present.  They are meeting with the LIF manager at BDBC.

Cllr DiMascio to attend the February Trustee meeting.

Cllr DiMascio

c.

• Final camera will be installed this weekend.
• Wifi is now fully operational.

d.

e.

f.

g.

• Cllr Ansell to send out update.  County have come back and said elevated path is unfeasible.

Cllr Ansell

8.2

Planning – The BDBC Authority Monitoring Report (AMR) was released just before Christmas and provides monitoring information and statistical data for the borough of Basingstoke and Deane for the period from 1 April 2016 – 31 March 2017.

The net number of new homes delivered in the period was 555 (with 583 gross completions).  This is an increase from the previous two monitoring years, but continues the trend of relatively low completion rates compared to the Local Plan target of 850 homes per year.

One gypsy and traveller pitch was approved during the monitoring year.  However, the council is unable to demonstrate a five year supply of pitches for gypsies and travellers.

The council can demonstrate a 5.6 years’ housing land supply at 1 April 2017, applying a 20% buffer.

Following the DC meeting I have raised concerns with Matthew Evans and Mel Barrett and the chair and vice chair of the committee in that the officers seemed to have provided on a number of planning applications the reasons and policies that the applicant might appeal against any refusal of the application.  I have also raised a concern that given the time and cost taken on Neighbourhood Plans it seemed not to have been given considerable weight in the Officers determination on one of the applications.

Neighbourhood Development Plans are intended to be produced by local people for their own areas. Unlike national planning policy, or local planning policy, a Neighbourhood Development Plan must be the subject of a referendum by residents of the area covered by the Neighbourhood Development Plan. The Bramley Neighbourhood Development Plan passed the referendum has been “made”, and along with the adopted Local Plan, guides planning decisions in the Parish up to 2029 and therefore should be a material consideration in any Planning application, couple with the fact that in the AMR it states “Three neighbourhood plans were made over the monitoring year, all of which met their local housing requirement.”

Unlawful Encampments – this continues to be a frustrating issue with a number of moving targets for officers to implement court orders.  With various measures being looked at I would hope that this has an update in the near future.  With BDBC unable to provide a 5 year supply on Travellers Pitches relevant applications will be considered against Policy CN5 of the Local Plan which enables pitches to be provided on unallocated sites where there is a proven need, subject to a range of criteria being met. Such applications would continue to be considered against Policy CN5 regardless of the 5 year supply position.  I have had a number of conversations with Planning with regard to the application of the policy on such applications.

Coopers Road Parking – I have been contacted by a resident with regard to parking on a single yellow line and dropped kerb.  The Civil Enforcement Officers can issue penalty charge notices to vehicles parking on the single yellow line illegally. Unfortunately it is not possible for an Officer to patrol the road daily, however residents can contact the Parking Team on 01256 845775 to report a vehicle parking on the yellow lines.

If vehicles are regularly parking close to the access an entrance protection marking may help. An entrance protection marking is a white carriageway marking which can be used to highlight the need to keep an entrance free from parked vehicles. The marking costs £60.48.

8.3

• The ‘cut your engines’ signs have now been installed near the level crossing.  A resident asked if anyone has looked at the impact of a switched off car then not starting up again.  He also highlighted the impact of older engines being re-ignited.  Cllr Durrant noted that studies have been carried out nationally.
• New electric vehicles for Hampshire County Council as it aims to slash fuel costs and save over £200,000 a year

Hampshire County Council has rolled out its first electric vehicles for staff use to help cut fuel and energy costs.

A new electric delivery van and pool car based at Bar End, Winchester, will cost 97% less to ‘fuel’ than equivalent diesel vehicles. The County Council is also reviewing which other vehicles in its 156 small vehicle fleet could be replaced with electric equivalents – which could save £210,000 every year.

The County Council has already saved nearly £30 million in energy costs over the past seven years after cutting its carbon emissions by 38.1% since 2010. The local authority has now set a more ambitious target to cut carbon from 40% to 50% by 2025.

Councillor Mel Kendal, the County Council’s Executive Member for Economic Development, said: “As a publically-funded authority, it’s vital that our proposals make economic and environmental sense. The decreasing cost of electric vehicles makes this an ideal time to start replacing our small diesel vehicles – which could dramatically reduce our fuel costs and potentially save over £200,000 a year. Electric vehicles could also save an estimated 400 tonnes of carbon emissions, helping the environment and delivering cleaner air for Hampshire residents.

• Cllr Vaughan and Cllr Rowland are setting up a meeting with the Police and Crime Commissioner re legal issues with unlawful encampments.
• Armistice celebrations – one of Cllr Vaughan’s parishes have purchased an ‘armistice bench’.  Cllr Vaughan to pass details on to clerk.
• Cllr Vaughan has received a request from the Surgery Management Group – the new car park has not been completed due to various problems.  He is pursuing this.

Cllr Vaughan

8.4

10.1

Clerk

10.1

Clift Meadow has submitted a grant request for £14,160, to be used for the building of a new brick built storage shed, to replace one which was vandalised some months ago.

CMT are investigating whether s.106 funding may be available, and the Clerk is looking at alternative funding streams as well.

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10.3

It was unanimously agreed to continue funding on this basis.  Clerk to process.

Clerk

11.1

The Clerk noted the payments on the reconciliation, with particular reference to the following:

• The bill from Openreach has only recently been received, and needs paying.
• An invoice for training for the Clerk is due.
• A new has been received today from Tadley Self Storage for £55 – this bill was expected, but is not on the reconciliation as it was not received until after the reconciliation was issued.
• All other payments are as expected.

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

Clerk

11.2

Receipts were noted.

The meeting closed at 9.51pm