Parish Council meeting minutes – 15th June 2021

i.            The Chairman and Clerk noted the temporary scheme of delegation that was adopted at the extraordinary meeting on 5^th May, and that all ‘decisions’ made at this meeting would be made as recommendations to the Clerk and then ratified at the next face to face meeting.

·         Clift Meadow music event – this will be held on 13^th August.

·         None.

·         HCC meetings are being postponed to July due to the delay in Covid restrictions being lifted.

·         The Police & Crime Commissioner is launching a campaign against those who do not wear seat belts.

·         Adult Social Care – £521 million spend for the last year.  There are 155,000 people in Hants aged 75+

·         Basingstoke Fire Station has completed 100,000 vaccinations.

·         Hants and IOW Fire and Rescue Authority – Cllr Vaughan is Chairman of the Authority.

Cllr Tomblin gave a verbal report:

·         BDBC has had its first face to face meeting for the mayoral inauguration.  Cllr Onalee Cubitt is Mayor, with Cllr Paul Miller as deputy.

·         Cllr Tomblin is again on the Development Control Committee (DCC), and also the Manydown Overview Committee.  Cllr Robinson is now the Chair of DCC, with the Vice Chair being Cllr Paul Harvey.  There are many new faces across a number of committees.

·         Gregg Champman has agreed to chase Persimmon re Minchens Lane development.  He is taking issues to Persimmon Head Office.

·         Gregg Chapman is also chasing Highways issues for development with HCC.

·         The Local Plan Water Strategy has been distributed – Bramley flooding and sewerage issues are in the document.

·         Thames Water has responded to sewage smells in Kirby Drive and are investigating.

·         Enforcement officers and the BDBC Gypsy Liaison officer have been making visits to the Cufaude Lane site.

·         Cllr Tomblin noted the Solar Farm new documentation.  The Clerk has distributed to all.  All Cllrs to review and let Clerk have comments by 22^nd June.

All

Clerk/Cllr Bell

CMT are also looking at plans.

Cllr Durrant proposed and Cllr Shimell seconded that the PC should begin planning for a beacon ceremony.  Unanimously agreed.

Cllr Day suggested that the RBL could also be involved.

Cllrs Tomblin, Bell, and Day volunteered to start looking at plans.

Cllr Bell/Clerk to respond to Bruno Peak email.

Also need to look at planting a  commemorative tree later in the year.  Cllr Shimell proposed the motion, Cllr Durrant seconded, unanimously agreed.  The tree should be planted somewhere on Clift Meadow.

Cllr Tomblin/ Cllr Bell/Cllr Day/Clerk

Clerk

Clerk

Clerk

Cllr Flooks

Cllr Flooks gave a brief report on the June Planning Committee meeting.

Sewage issues – Cllr Bell summarised issues at Kirby Drive and the referral to Thames Water.  Cllr Flooks noted that this is a completely different sewage issue from the others already highlighted – sewage from Kirby Drive does not go through the Sherfield sewage treatment works.

        i.            New Applications

21/01585/HSE – Chestnut Lodge Officers Row Bramley

Erection of single storey rear extension

·         To be commented via email and ratified at July planning committee meeting.  Query plans online with planning officer.

       ii.            Local Plan Update – Call for Sites for ‘Green Uses’ and Gypsy and Traveller Pitches

Committee view was as in appendix A.  Cllr Durrant noted planning history of RBL site, and the difficult access to the site was also noted.

The area at end of Ordinance Road could be considered as a wildflower space.

Cllr bell suggested the RBL site as possible swap for village green land at Longbridge Road.  Cllr Durrant noted ongoing issues with Longbridge Road – the landowners are exploring land swaps.

Full Council view in line with committee conclusions unanimously agreed.

Cllr Shimell and the Clerk will be meeting with a contractor onsite tomorrow to discuss maintenance of common areas at the Grays Meadow allotment site.

i.            St James Park allotments – no response from solicitors re the lease.

·         BDBC are keen for the Village Hall Trustees to apply for a restart grant, so an application is being placed.  If the grant is won, then the funds will be ringfenced for improvements to the Hall, particularly the flooring and stage curtains.

·         Work on the car park is set to begin on 19^th July.

·         Cllr Capel noted an invitation from CMT to all Councillors to attend a meeting at Clift Meadow to hear about their plans for the next year.  All Councillors to confirm their availability to the Clerk by the end of this week.

·         Cllr Durrant has met with Chair of CMT to discuss the above proposal.  He reminded all Cllrs that Bramley PC is the landowner of Clift Meadow.  He also noted the history of Brocas Hall, and that it is a considerable financial burden on CMT.  This should be borne in mind for the future.

·         CMT has an issue with grass cutting – used to be Bulpitts before their retirement in March.  Clerk to give possible contractor contacts to CMT.

·         CMT, Cllr Durrant, and the Clerk have looked at the entrance from the pub car park in the light of recent issues with a small pony and cart gaining access.  The path cannot be closed off at this point as it is the only pram and disabled friendly entrance at that end of the Meadow.  A quote has been received for narrowing the entrance enough to block off pony and access, but allow disabled and pram access.  Quote for work is for £675+VAT.  Cllr Tomblin proposed, Cllr Capel seconded that the work should be carried out immediately.  This was unanimously agreed.  Cllr Durrant to meet with contractor on site to take forward.

·         The Clerk is meeting with the CCTV contractors and CMT representatives to discuss future plans for the CCTV.

·         There are issues with children kicking balls against the buildings during clubs – information has been passed to the PCSO.

·         The current cleaner has resigned.  CMT have really struggled to get cleaners for the halls; however a  new person starts next week.

·         Plans for the music event are continuing.  Cllrs local to the Meadow noted that they had not yet received notification of the event.  Cllr Durrant to follow up.

Clerk

Clerk

Cllr Durrant

Cllr Durrant

Community safety team – Cllr Tomblin has discussed with them about patrolling by the Brook.

The Clerk noted the usual annual complaints about footpaths becoming very overgrown.  The more frequently used paths are being addressed by the Lengthsman, and HCC will carry out their usual maintenance in August.

The following report has been received from HCC:

‘We have been working through the process of getting BTs advance diversion works completed and arranging the necessary Network Rail consent for these works, this has been a lengthy process but we are finally at the point where we have a planned start date.  I have attached the pre-construction letter that will be sent to residents next week, which contains the relevant information.  In summary, works are due to commence 14 June 2021 for a period of approximately 10 weeks.  The scheme will be delivered in a phased arrangement, to minimise the impact on traffic in the area and reduce risks relating to working around the railway crossing; I have also attached a copy of the works phasing drawing which provides some more detail.

Much of the initial work will take place off carriageway, so disruption should be low.  When we have to do work in the carriageway, this will need to be under carefully controlled traffic management and for a limited duration, so we intend to do the most disruptive elements within the carriageway over shorter, concentrated periods.  These phases of work will be programmed as the scheme progresses, and will be during periods where traffic flow is lower.  This may require closures on Bramley Lane at times (off-peak) and we may also require a closure on Sherfield Road toward the end of the project for final surfacing work.’

Work has now commenced.

No report.

The Clerk noted the payments for June.  Two extra invoices have come in late this afternoon.  The first is for Tadley Storage for £55 for the storage unit monthly rental, and the second is for £30 to DCK Accounting for the payroll fees.

Cllr Durrant proposed approving the June payments, seconded by Cllr Bell unanimously approved.  Clerk to action.

Clerk

The receipts for June were noted.  Cllr Durrant noted a resident donation, which will be put towards the key workers commemorative bench.

The meeting closed at 8.27pm

Cllr Oborn noted his interest in all of the new planning applications.  As he is a close neighbour, he did not vote on any of the applications.

• The clerk noted work today at Holman Close by engineers investigating the feasibility of installing a 5G masts.  Concerned residents emailed the Parish Council.  The Clerk contacted BDBC, who confirmed that no planning application has been received as yet.  It appears that the work was exploratory at this stage.

Erection of a single storey front extension and dormer windows

• Cllr Bell proposed no objection to this application.  Unanimously agreed.  Clerk to process.

Clerk

Conversion of existing car-port section of existing dwelling into habitable accommodation. Removal of dormer windows and installation of new dormer windows. Alterations to existing rooflight positions

• Cllr Bell proposed no objection to this application.  Unanimously agreed.  Clerk to process.

Clerk

Erection of detached garage

• Cllrs felt that the proposed plans were in the wrong position, and might be better built in a different location.
• It will become one long building, blocking views across fields and trees.
• The proposed building will affect the aspect of the grade 2 listed manor and also be adjacent to the moat.
• The planned building will be overbearing and overshadow neighbouring properties – it will take light away from the garden of The Lodge.
• Cllr Bell proposed objecting to this application.  Unanimously agreed.  Clerk to take forward.

None.

These were noted.

The approval at DCC of 20/01954/FUL for Cedarwood, Silchester Road was noted.  Cllr Flooks noted that the approval was subject to a number of conditions relating to the sewerage network.

No update at this time.  Clerk to chase possible meeting with developer.

Update on Battery Installation application (21/00349/FUL)

No update at this time.   Clerk to chase possible meeting with developer.

Clerk

Clerk

Recent heavy rainfall has not caused any issues – the overflow station did cope well this time.  However, this does not alter the long term plan.

A meeting between Bewley and Thames Water re Centenary Fields is scheduled for 28^th June.

Cllr Tomblin noted that a resident in Kirby Drive has reported a long term issue with sewers in the area.  This complaint has been pass to Development Control, who has contacted Thames Water.  Clerk to forward email trail to committee members.

Clerk

BDBC has carried out maintenance work at Bramley Brook.  This has been undermined by low level vandalism, but appears to be holding up reasonably well.  Cllr Tomblin to update full Council next week.

Cllr Day noted the regular large puddle near the Church.  The Clerk noted that this has repeatedly been reported to Highways, but will report the issue again.

Cllr Tomblin

Clerk

1. Call for Sites for ‘Green’ Uses and Gypsy and Traveller Pitches

Traveller Pitches – The promised traveller pitches at Hounsome Fields and Manydown were noted.  It was also noted that some sites have not been delivered.  Cllr Bell noted that Local Plan policy CN5 has not been met.

Green Uses – Cllr Tomblin stated that BDBC are looking for likely sites for tree planting, wildflower meadows, etc.  It was felt that this call for sites is aimed more at landowners.

Cllrs strongly felt that the strategic gap between Sherfield-on-Loddon and Bramley should remain.

Cllr Day suggested that the old Royal British Legion site could be considered, although there might be substantial costs associated with this.

Cllr Day also noted that the PCC are looking at options for a wildflower section in the old churchyard at St James Church.

Cllr Bell to send list of possible volunteers to Clerk for contact.

Clerk

Meeting closed at 8.22pmpm

Certificate of Lawfulness for the proposed erection of a single storey rear extension

No objection

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

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

Single storey front extension.

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

Variation of Section 106 agreement to modify the mortgagee in possession clause

Installation of a battery storage facility with associated works

Erection of 1no. dwelling and associated parking

Conversion of ground floor from tanning studio (sui-generis) and barber shop (A1) to 1 no. two-bed flat and a E(a) (retail) unit

T1 Silver birch: Prune

Change of use of land to rear of 24 and 26 Taylor Drive and part of 22 Taylor Drive from amenity land to residential including planting of new hedge and erection of new 2m high fence

T1 Oak: prune

T2 Oak: prune

Erection of 1 no. 4 bed dwelling and detached garage following demolition of existing agricultural building

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

Part Garage Conversion and new link to existing Kitchen

T1 Beech: prune