Parish Council meeting minutes – 15th February 2022

Date:

Tuesday 15^th February 2022

Time:                                    7.00pm

Place:

Bramley Room, Bramley Village Hall

Present:

Cllr Tony Durrant (Chair)

Cllr Chris Tomblin

Cllr Steve Day

Cllr Malcolm Bell

Cllr Chris Flooks

Cllr Colin Shimell

Cllr Keith Oborn

Cllr Liz Capel

In attendance:

Maxta Thomas (Clerk)

0 members of the public

Ed Ives-Wara – RMD Adventure Learning

Apologies:

Cllr Bruce Ansell

Cllr Nick Robinson (Borough)

Cllr Simon Mahaffey (Borough)

Cllr Rhydian Vaughan (County)

1

Apologies for Absence

As listed above.

2

Declarations of Interest

·          None

3

Minutes of the Last Parish Council Meeting

3.1

The minutes of the meetings held on 18^th January, 20^th January, and 7^th February 2022 were proposed by Cllr Bell as being a true and accurate record of the meeting.  This was seconded by Cllr Shimell and unanimously agreed.

3.2

Matters arising

·         Granary and Brocas Hall surveys – Cllrs Durrant, Tomblin, and the Clerk met with a surveyor at the end of January to discuss the possibility of carrying full surveys on both buildings.  He advised that for Brocas Hall, the structure of the building is very much what he would expect from the original plans, and that a full survey was probably not necessary.  The Granary is likely to need some work done on it in the medium term, to address some rotting timbers.  However, he also suggested that the PC should consider some digital imaging work, which could then be published on the PC website as an archive of the building. 

·         Pavilion tiles – Clerk liaising with CMT.

·         Verge maintenance – Cllr Tomblin has spoken verbally to Cllr Vaughan.  No action as yet.

·         Bramley Lane junction – response due from HCC this week.

·         AQ monitor – Cllr Shimell asked if an adjustment of figures was still worth doing.  Cllr Durrant stated that some work has been done, but awaiting information from Cllr Ansell.

Cllr Ansell

4

Open Forum

Cllr Durrant invited comments and questions from the public. 

·         None.

5

County Councillor Report  – see appendix A

6

Borough Councillor Report – Cllr Tomblin gave a verbal report:

·         The resignation of Cllr Ken Rhatigan as Leader of BDBC was noted.  The new leader will be elected on 28^th February.

·         The recent death of Ken Trainor, former Mayor and BDBC councillor, was noted

·         There is an online interactive consultation on 18^th February and 16^th February about the future of Basingstoke Leisure Park and Aquadrome.  This can be accessed via the Leisure Park website.

·         Local Plan – EPH Committee and officers awaiting completed reports.  Members are currently commenting on draft policies, which will be reviewed at an EPH meeting in June.  Consultation on the draft plan likely to be in the autumn. 

·         BDBC Budget – this is due to be approved on 28^th February.  Thre will be a 3.8% increase to Council Tax.  A pause on budget cuts to voluntary organisations has been proposed. 

·         Call response times – the standard for answering in 30 seconds has become 300 seconds.  This will be addressed by BDBC councillors. 

·         A motion has been put forward to get more powers to officers for timely adoption of infrastructure – street lights, etc. 

·         Cllr Bell asked where BDBC were with pushing back on housing numbers.  Cllrs Rhatigan and Bound are awaiting the statement from Minister of State on housing before making first moves.  Evidence is being prepared in the meantime. 

7

Parish Environment

7.1

Update on Jubilee event – Cllr Bell gave an update.

The school are unable to provide a choir on the day of the event, as it falls within half term and many families will be away at that time.  Looking at a possible recording of the choir in lieu of them actually being there.  Cllr Day has brought this up with school. 

Piper – the original piper has cancelled, but a replacement has been found and has confirmed that he will attend.

Bugler – still looking for a bugler.  There are a number of possibilities to follow up. 

Tree planting – there is a suggestion to plant 7 trees somewhere in Parish, and there is an HCC scheme to facilitate this.  The question is where they would be planted, as the PC owns little land.  Bramley PC would need to check with BDBC and HCC to see if they would allow on their land.  Also Stratfield Saye Estate for Bramley Green – Clerk to approach SSE. 

Clerk

7.2

Review of Bramley Youth Club activities – Ed Ives-Wara of RMD Adventure Learning gave a brief presentation on the activities of Bramley Youth Club in the last year – see appendix B.

·         Weekly sessions from 21^st May 2021 were run.  Numbers were very low because parents were nervous of letting children mix with those from other ‘bubbles’. 

·         There were staffing issues due to Covid.

·         The Youth Club gained momentum from around October 2021, when numbers started to improve.  However, the new variant of Covid impacted on this.  Numbers in the new year are already looking much better, with 12-16 attendees per session. 

·         Organisers will need to learn how to deal with the possible impact of Covid moving forward. 

·         Technically, new contract will need to be renewed in April ready for May. 

·         The new Special Educational Needs (SEN) session has not been continued into the new year.  The funds for this will be channelled into new equipment – the Parish Council is happy with this. 

·         Ed briefly covered the activities carried out and various topics covered by the Youth Club in the last year. 

·         CMT are happy with Youth Club cleaning regime.

·         Costs for new contract roughly where they were for last year, although hall hire has increased. 

Cllr Durrant noted the disappointing numbers and whether questioned whether information about the Youth Club was reaching enough people. 

Cllr Oborn ask what age range the club covers.  Ed replied that they cover year 3 to year 9 (8-14 years), in one session for everyone.  Pre-covid the Youth Club was getting from 20-30 young people per week.  Cllr Oborn asked why such a small percentage of village children were attending.  Ed stated that they are looking to extend their reach into local schools and other clubs, and becoming much more part of the community.  It seems that the Youth Club is not as visible as it would like. 

If numbers can be got back up, then sessions can be split again between older and younger children.

Cllr Bell suggested reaching out to local scouts and girl guiding groups. 

Ed is looking to see whether Friday night is the best night for the Youth Club – it was not their first pick but there was a double booking at Brocas Hall.  Organisers would prefer a day earlier in the week.

Cllr Bell suggested promoting the Youth Club via the parish magazine.

Cllr Day noted that older children use social media a lot, but not Facebook.  It tends to be Instagram and Snapchat.  Ed noted that they have struggled with promotion – this needs to be a focus moving forward. 

Cllr Durrant asked if the PC want to continue supporting the Youth Club – Cllrs unanimously agreed that they did.

Cllr Durrant suggested splitting payment of the grant into two payments six months apart.  Ed agreed that this would be acceptable.  Cllr Durrant proposed that this should happen, with PC support on advertising.  Cllr Oborn seconded, unanimously agreed.

Clerk

7.3

Bench refurbishments – Cllr Durrant has not been able to inspect the bench at the Granary.  The Burial Ground benches are in good repair, as are the Clift Meadow benches.  The football club bench could do with some work, and Cllr Flooks confirmed that the Granary bench could do also do with work.  Clerk to contact contractor about carrying out work. 

Clerk

8

Clerk’s report & Administration

8.1

Parish magazine article – The next deadline will be 15^th March for the April issue.  Cllr Oborn to write the next article. 

Cllr Oborn

8.2

Review of Asset Register and PC Risk Assessment – the Clerk has distributed drafts of these two documents for review by Councillors.

Cllr Tomblin proposed and Cllr Shimell seconded approving both documents for the coming year.  This was unanimously agreed.  Clerk to place both documents on the PC website.

Clerk

9

Reports

9.1

Planning Committee report (appendix C) – Cllr Flooks outlined the decisions of the February Planning Committee meeting.  Of particular note was the decision made on 7^th February to object to the Stocks Farm planning application.  The objection has now been written and submitted to BDBC.

Cllr Bell asked why the Parish Council and ward councillor were not informed of recent appeal dates.  Cllr Tomblin confirmed that in one instance it was an oversight by the officer.  Cllr Tomblin to explore how to ensure that the PC is informed of future appeals.

         i.            Any new applications – none.

9.2

Allotments & Burial Ground – Cllr Shimell confirmed that all rents for 2022 have now been paid.  One holder has rescinded their allotment, and this has already been let out to a new tenant.

Cllr Durrant noted that the first tranche of CIL money from the Upper Cufaude Farm development is due to be paid to the PC at the end of April 2022.  He suggested that this could be ringfenced for the St James Park allotments.

9.3

Village Hall Trust – see appendix A. 

9.4

Clift Meadow Trust – Cllr Capel gave a verbal report.

·         AGM was at beginning of February.  Simon Gill is back as Chair, along with 8 Trustees, 2 Associate Trustees, and Cllr Capel as the PC representative.  A new Trustee likely to take over as Secretary.

·         The new cleaner is proving to be very successful.

·         Shutters – measuring up happening in late February.

·         The Cricket Club are looking to extend their affiliation to CMT to 2030.

·         The Bramley Fete is schedule for 14^th May. 

9.5

Police & Neighbourhood Watch – no report.

9.6

Highways & Footpaths – work on Green Lane is apparently underway.  This is being monitored and will be chased is necessary.

Cinder Track lights – the Clerk has been liaising with Taylor Wimpey to get these repaired or replaced.  The new lanterns are currently on a back order, and Taylor Wimpey are expecting delivery in April 2022.

Clerk

9.7

Road Safety Project – Cllr Durrant has again written to the project engineer highlighting the ongoing issues.  Awaiting response by the end of this week.  Clerk to write to HCC re completion because of funding.

Clerk

9.8

Chairman’s Report – no report.

10

Consultation documents requiring consideration

None.

11

Grant Applications

None.

12.

Finance

12.1

Payments and reconciliation approval – see appendix D

The Clerk noted the payments for February.  Cllr Shimell proposed approving the February payments, seconded by Cllr Day and unanimously approved.  Clerk to action. 

Clerk

8.3

Acknowledgement of Receipts – see appendix C

The receipts for February were noted.  Clerk noted the interest rate on the NS&I account, and Cllrs recommended looking around for another account.  Clerk to take forward.

Clerk

13

Date of Next meeting

The next Parish Council meeting is scheduled for Tuesday 15^th March at 7.00pm, venue online. 

Cllr Durrant asked the Council if they were prepared to meet physically in March, and if a change of venue to a bigger hall would alter their opinion.  It was agreed to review the situation for the April meetings. 

14

Resolution to exclude press and public from items that may require discussion of possible legal and financial proceedings 

None.

15

Confidential Items

None.

The meeting closed at 8.43pm

Activities Delivered:

Topics Discussed:

Laser Gun Session

Arts n Crafts

Football

Basketball

Scavenger Hunts

Badminton

Painting

Junk Modelling

Clay Modelling

Cake Decorating

Lego Therapy

Knife Crime

Transgender and Sexuality

Communications

Education

Life Skills

Local Community

Mental Health & Wellbeing

Date:

8^th February 2022

Time:    7.00pm

Place:

Online via Zoom

Present:

Cllr Chris Flooks (Chair)

Cllr Keith Oborn

Cllr Liz Capel

In attendance:

Maxta Thomas (Clerk)

0 members of the public

Apologies:

Cllr Malcolm Bell

Cllr Chris Tomblin

1

Apologies for Absence

As listed above. 

2

Declarations of Interest

None.

3

Minutes of the Last Planning Committee Meeting

3.1

The minutes of the meeting held on 11^th January 2022 were unanimously agreed to be a true record of the meeting and were signed by the Chairman.

3.2

Matters arising

• None.

4

Planning & Development

4.1

New Applications

a.

T/00652/21/TPO – Middle Farm The Street Bramley

T1 – Multi stemmed Cyprus: prune

• Defer to tree officer unanimously agreed.  Clerk to process.

Clerk

b.

21/03848/FUL – Sherborne House Bullsdown Farm German Road Bramley

Change of use of live/work unit to residential

• No objection unanimously agreed.  Clerk to process.

Clerk

c.

Any other New Applications

None.

4.2

Approvals/Refusals/Pending (see appendix A)

These were noted.         

5.

Planning Appeals

21/00349/FUL – Land At OS Ref 464762 159811 Minchens Lane Bramley

Installation of a battery storage facility with associated works

• The BDBC refusal of this application has been appealed.  There are no details as yet on either the BDBC planning portal or the Planning Inspectorate portal.  The Clerk will update members as soon as further details are forthcoming.

Clerk

6.

Update on Stocks Farm proposals

Full Council met on 7^th February to consider planning application 21/03758/OUT for 140 new dwellings at Stocks Farm.  The meeting was well attended by residents, with some 70 people attending.  Bramley Parish Council voted unanimously to object to the application, and the Clerk and Chairman are in the process of pulling together the letter of objection now.  This will be circulated to all members prior to submitting to BDBC.

Clerk

7.

Water Issues

Thames Water has admitted that Bramley does not have enough sewage capacity to allow new proposed development in the recent Wates application.  Cllr Oborn suggested that any new planning approvals for Bramley could constitute a breach of public health regulations. 

8.

Minchens Lane s.106 issues

No update at present.  The Clerk is chasing.  Cllr Oborn suggested writing to Persimmon Chief Exec. 

Clerk

9.

Local Plan Update

No update at present.

10.

Neighbourhood Plan Update

No update at present. 

11.

Date of Next Meeting

Tuesday 8^th March, provisionally to be held online.

Meeting closed at 7.25pm

1.        

21/00521/FUL – Locksbridge Farm Cufaude Lane Bramley

Erection of 1no. dwelling and associated parking

Granted

Objection

2.        

T/00436/21/TPO – 22 Wallis Drive Bramley

1 Sycamore: prune

Refused

Defer to tree officer

3.        

21/02791/HSE – Haldene Bramley Lane Bramley

Erection of two storey rear extension, single storey rear extension with conversion of garage to living accommodation, demolition of single storey extension and erection of a front porch. Alterations to external facade of house and replacement windows and doors

Granted

Objection

4.        

T/00520/21/TPO – 10 Wallis Drive Bramley

1 Sugar Maple: prune

Granted

Defer to tree officer

5.        

T/00556/21/TPO – 53 Coopers Lane Bramley

T1 – Mature Oak: prune.  T2 – Mature Oak: prune.

Granted

Objection

6.        

21/03384/HSE – 17 St James Close Bramley

Erection of single storey front extension and conversion of garage to living accommodation

Granted

No objection

7.        

21/03379/ROC – Land Adjoining The Well House Cufaude Lane Bramley

Variation of condition 1 of 21/02426/RES to amend plan numbers to allow for alterations to external materials and window casements.

Granted

No objection

8.        

21/03604/HSE – Orchard House 5 Tudor Close Bramley

Erection of single storey rear extension following demolition of existing conservatory and extension to existing patio

Granted

No objection

9.        

T/00508/21/TPO – 24 Wallis Drive Bramley

1 Sycamore: prune.

Granted

Defer to tree officer

10.    

21/03628/HSE – 6 Churchlands Bramley

Erection of a replacement front porch (part retrospective)

Granted

No objection

11.    

21/03654/FUL – Stocks Farm House The Street Bramley

Replacement of derelict three bay corrugated iron clad barn with wood clad, tile roofed, three bay barn

Application withdrawn

No objection, comments

1.        

T/00583/20/TPO – Middle Farm The Street Bramley

T1, T2, T3 – Western Red Cedars: prune.

Defer to tree officer

2.        

20/03204/VLA – Land At Minchens Lane Bramley

Variation of Section 106 agreement attached to 14/01075/OUT to enable the transfer of the Equipped play area, northern kick about and southern kick about areas to the existing management company instead of the Parish Council

No comment as PC has interest in application

3.        

21/01219/HSE – Clover Cottage Silchester Road Bramley

Conversion of loft to habitable space, including extension of existing hipped roof and addition of roof lights to the front and rear elevations

Objection

4.        

21/02588/TDC – Land Adjoining Clift Surgery Minchens Lane Bramley

Technical Details Consent for the erection of 6 no. residential units with associated access, parking, and landscaping, pursuant to Permission in Principle Approval Reference 19/01470/PIP for 4-6 no. residential units

Objection

5.        

21/02744/HSE – Rose Cottage Sherfield Road Bramley Green

Erection of single storey front and two storey rear extension following removal of existing conservatory

No objection

6.        

21/02765/HSE – Middle Farm Cottage The Street Bramley

Erection of single storey side extension, two storey front extension following demolition of single storey front extension, upgrading of external insulation, new fence and gate to front driveway plus changes to fenestration

Objection

7.        

21/03224/FUL – Cedarwood Silchester Road Bramley

Erection of 2 bed dwelling following demolition of stables/home office and associated landscaping and access

Objection

8.        

T/00595/21/TPO – 5 North Row Bramley

T1754 Mature English Oak: prune. T1756 English Oak: prune.

Defer to tree officer

9.        

T/00616/21/TPO – 4 North Row Bramley

1 Oak: prune.

Defer to tree officer

10.    

20/03403/FUL – Site At Minchens Lane Bramley – AMENDED APPLICATION

Installation of renewable led energy generating station, comprising ground-mounted photovoltaic solar arrays, battery-based electricity storage containers together with substation, inverter/ transformer stations, site accesses, internal access tracks, security measures, access gates, other ancillary infrastructure, landscaping biodiversity enhancements including a Forest School, associated car parking and Nature Area

Objection

11.    

21/03714/HSE – 32 Farriers Close Bramley

Erection of a single storey rear extension

No objection