Minutes 19th March 2019

3.1

3.2

• Googlegroup management – the survey is in hand.
• Welcome packs – to go to all new developments in Bramley.  The Parish Council text is ready.  The Village Hall Trustees have requested some space, and CMT will be asked as well.  A four page leaflet is planned.  The PCC will be asked if they wish to have their pre-printed information included as an insert.  Target date of end of May for distribution.  Cllr Vaughan suggested consulting parish magazine for possible delivery.  Cllr Munday suggested packs for the development sales offices, this was agreed.

Cllr Tomblin/ Clerk

None.

• Noted presentation of RBL standard at August ceremony at Ypres – one among 200 standards.  Certificate to go in Bramley Room.
• HCC have been advised that there will be an £80 million cut in government funding for 2020/21 on top of this year’s £140 million cut.
• Cllr Vaughan is meeting with Chief Inspector Matt Reeves in a couple of weeks’ time – he has requested information from the Parish Council on any issues it may have.
• Brexit – HCC is putting in place contingencies for freight traffic – a section of the A31 is planned to be used for a stacking process if necessary.
• The HCC transport strategy has been published.  There is an emphasis on public transport over cars.  There will be a meeting re the number 14 bus service on Monday 25^th March at Liddell Hall in Sherfield on Loddon.
• Cllr Vaughan noted HCC’s statutory responsibilities – the aged and children.  He observed that 2000 people turn 85 per year in Hampshire.

• Firstly thank you for the support with the Transport Meeting – this is to highlight the plight of the Number 14 bus and how it is at odds with the Horizon 2050 vision of the Council at this point in time and to ensure we provide residents with the opportunity to make their views known as HCC seem to think there is very little requirement for regular public transport.
• The Budget was passed at full council in February with and still with BDBC being the lowest Band D Council Tax of any Shire District in the country.
• With the housing supply at 5.2 years but plenty of planning permissions being passed – rightly or wrongly – there needs be a strategy put in place to get the building underway – or else there will be a flood gate opened.  Permitted development is set to be the next issue for some of the areas with none of the generated housing counting towards the supply numbers.  The Minchens Court application and with the old Shire’s offices in Chineham Business Park under permitted development for 260 dwellings!  This will have an impact on the traffic.

Cllr Robinson gave a verbal report:

• Holly Close – the Clerk noted that the work has not yet been completed here.  Cllr Robinson is chasing.
• Council Tax – BDBC council tax is not just the lowest in the country, but BDBC has the highest spend per head in the UK.
• Sherfield – the Dixon Road hearing was held on 26^th February.  The outcome is awaited.
• Cufaude Lane – BDBC has confirmed that hard standing at the site has been removed as per the court order.
• S.106 and CIL issues are still being discussed.
• Yew Tree Close – no major issues at present.   Cllr Durrant noted the increase in litter, and an increase in anti-social behaviour in the wider area.
• Help to Housing – BDBC has a large amount of unspent off-site affordable housing money (this is a problem nationally).  Rules of spending are difficult, which is why it hasn’t been spent.  There is a proposal to offer up to £35k interest free loans to families trying to get on housing ladder.  This initiative will not build houses – it would just supply funds for those who can almost get on the housing ladder, but not quite.  The initiative is just at the proposal stage at present.
• CIL money – Cllr Bell asked when it should be paid.  Cllr Robinson stated that it should be at the start of building the development.
• Cllr Bell asked if figures were available on how many families in the social and affordable housing in Bramley actually have a family connection to Bramley.  Cllr Bell noted the points system for housing – local connection is a big weighting factor.

7.1

The Clerk has also looked into the insurance liabilities for the playground.  The PC insurers have informed the PC that as it has not accepted responsibility for the playground, then the liabilities must rest with the current owners – either BDBC or the developer.  BDBC has been informed of this.

Clerk

7.2

The Chairman of the Club, Geoff Harris, explained that the current membership of 35 is two thirds made up of residents in the village, and with new facilities, there are ambitions to expand the club to include junior teams made up of members from Bramley Parish.  Currently, the organisation is small and non-profit making.

Councillors asked the following questions:

• How would any application benefit the community?  Geoff noted money from BDBC a few years ago which enable them to improve the pitch.  Need facilities for improved changing, have meetings, etc.  Little Apples use facility in summer holidays free of charge.  A few junior teams from out of the parish use the pitch on occasion as well.  They have been approached by Bramley residents, (particularly from the new developments) who are keen to join the club.  They are currently oversubscribed – this would be alleviated with improved facilities.
• How long would building take and how it might impact pitch usage during the build?  An area at the side can be used for storage and building contractors –building should be easily kept off the pitch.  However, should this become an issue, there are facilities in Basingstoke that can be used, but these are expensive.
• Would the pitch stand up to increased wear and tear – Geoff confirmed that it should.
• Car parking.  It was confirmed that this is a challenge, and needs to be addressed.  The football club have used the Village Hall car park in the past for car boot sales.  There is an area near the pitch that could be converted into a car park if necessary.

It was suggested that the PC might be supportive of any statements that support the Bramley community.  This may assist in releasing funds.  He suggested a project or a business plan would be useful, particularly if an application is made to BDBC.  The PC cannot fund the whole project; however, it can give support if it sees merit in the project, and a need in the community.  A possible liaison with the school outside of school hours and holiday periods would be worth investigating.  Geoff confirmed that there is a development plan in place, which he will share with the Parish Council.

It was noted that this project would be good for LIF funding.

It was noted that there would be an increase in traffic and parking.

Cllrs observed that there are already have four community facilities in the village– is there any way the Football Club could use these facilities?  These are avenues that could be explored.

Clerk to send useful contacts to the Football Club.

Clerk

8.1

The intention is to provide councillors with a proposal overview and funding breakdown for a decision to proceed, target for this is Week ending 31st March.

Cllr Ansell/ Clerk

8.2

Cllr Tomblin

8.3

9.1

a.

• Cufaude Lane planning & injunction appeal – this is due to be heard on 2^nd April for four days.  The Clerk strongly recommended PC attendance for each day.  Clerk/Cllr Flooks to organise rota of attendees.  Clerk to place notice of the appeal on the website.  Clerk to pull together all objections and statements.
• Neighbourhood Plan working group – Cllr Bell noted that the NDP should be reviewed very soon by the Parish Council, in line with the reviews beginning to take place at BDBC of the Local Plan.  A request for volunteers has already been placed in the Parish Magazine.
• Upper Cufaude Farm change on objections was noted.

There are no new applications to be considered at this time.

Cllr Flooks/ Clerk

b.

• All deposits have been paid, bar one.
• Awaiting quote for allotment fencing.
• 10 people on waiting list.

c.

• The committee is in process of obtaining a 12 month extension to the HCC grant for the new extension, required because of delays in starting work.

It appears that HCC requires that at least 50% of all available funds must have been spent before the HCC grant can be claimed. This should be fine, but could mean some strain in the finances later in the project.

• “Action Hampshire” has a programme whereby public facilities can be used rent-free for a few (three?) initial sessions for new/innovative activities, and then the user can get help with grant applications to support their activity costs ongoing. Hall Trust is looking at joining this.
• The Trustees have asked that information about the Village Hall be included in with the PC welcome pack for the new development residents.  It has also been suggested that Clift Meadow may wish to do the same.

d.

• Issues with car park lights – awaiting being fixed.
• Salt bin has been ordered.
• Some ASB issues still – people climbing on top of buildings.  Also fresh tyre marks on the meadow recently.  Clerk is still chasing bollards and barriers with developer.
• Is anyone taking over Phyl Davies Gazette column?  Clerk to talk to PCC.  Item for Parish Magazine.

i.            Security camera proposals – Cllr Ansell has obtained a quote for extra CCTV cameras at Clift Meadow.  There would be three extra cameras, covering the area at the front of the Pavilion and Brocas Hall.  The feeds from these cameras will link into the existing system.  The quote is for £1823.

It was unanimously agreed to accept the quote.  Cllr Ansell and Clerk to take forward.

It was noted that cameras should not point inside the building.

Clerk

Cllr Ansell/ Clerk

e.

Police are investigating an incident where a business premises reported receiving unwarranted phone calls from a company who had laid tarmac in their car park.

PCSO Page is visiting the Cherry Blossom Manor Care Home this month. The topic is how to prevent being a victim of fraud. If you have an event that you would like a PCSO to help out with, please email Basingstoke.Rural.Police@hampshire.pnn.police.uk

There have been several reports of anti-social behaviour at the new building site at Minchens Lane. PCSO Page is working with the housing association to address the issues. If you have any problems then please contact us or Crimestoppers on 0800 555111.

BA has been in touch with Sgt Cullis about Bramley incidents.  We have asked to collate the incidents to report back.  EC confirmed that CMT has been asked to do the same.  Clerk to work with CW to collate historical info over last two years.

f.

• The small lay-by by the level crossing has been marked as a 2 parking bay zone. It seems to have stopped repeat offenders for parking on pavement or squeezing in.
• Air Pollution – Cllrs Ansell and James met with the BDBC team, overall a good meeting, but they were very defensive, looking to discredit the AQ Mesh results. They have put their own very basic monitoring device at the same location. These tubes only monitor NO2, and there is a lot of debate about diffusion types and accuracy. BDBC do not have any reference sites in their area and use a bias factor assigned from Greenwich!

However they have now contacted us and have raised a number of questions around the AQ-Mesh device and have suggested collaborative working. Cllrs Ansell and James will progress.

• Cllr Bell noted that an overhanging tree needs addressing on the path on the main road between Bramley Green and Campbell Road.
• Cllr James has attended a HCC Highways Workshop.  He noted the  roadworks.org website, which gives live details of road works in the area.  The Dragon mobile road patcher has proved successful, and a second Dragon has been ordered.  Recycling – HCC is not exporting plastic recycling any more, but being burned instead.  Other options are being explored.

Cllr Ansell/ Cllr James

g.

• Path improvement – we have hit a hard stop. Network Rail will not enable any sensible option to improve access to Platform 2. The owner (Mekanix) does not want to lose parking spaces he currently has. Currently in the ‘too hard’ tray, a rethink is required.
• Junction improvement – we are moving to a G2 internal review for the county. They have requested information on how the Parish Council have engaged the community for feedback of the junction improvements.

The subject has been raised in the next Parish Council briefing for the Parish Magazine April issue and the Clerk will be loading the article to the website for feedback via both options.

There is not yet any confirmation as to the proposed date for the Gate 2 review.

For info a G2 review is described as the following;

• ‘The purpose of Gateway 2 is to present the Preliminary design/results of feasibility study, secure funding for the delivery of the scheme, gain approval to commence detailed design and entry into the Capital Programme, or its sub programmes (if not entered already). This is not a design brief to procure a consultant.’

h.

11.1

Cllr Durrant proposed giving the grant, Cllr Capel seconded, unanimously agreed.  Clerk to take forward.

Clerk

12.1

The Clerk noted the payments on the reconciliation.

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

Clerk

12.2

Receipts were noted.  The Clerk stated that the quarter VAT claim will be approximately £780

The meeting closed at 9.45pm