Parish Council meeting minutes – 15th March 2022

Date:

Tuesday 15^th March 2022

Time:                                    7.00pm

Place:

Online

Present:

Cllr Tony Durrant (Chair)

Cllr Bruce Ansell

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

Cllr Simon Mahaffey (Borough)

Apologies:

Cllr Chris Tomblin

Cllr Nick Robinson (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 meeting held on 15^th February were proposed by Cllr Flooks as being a true and accurate record of the meeting.  This was seconded by Cllr Durrant and unanimously agreed.  

3.2

Matters arising

·         AQ monitor – Cllr Ansell is reinstating the licensing at present, and will be downloading data in due course.

·         Youth Club – information about this should be included on the Parish Council website and in the parish magazine.

4

Open Forum

Cllr Durrant invited comments and questions from the public. 

·         None.

5

County Councillor Report  – see appendix A

6

Borough Councillor Report – See appendix A.  Cllr Mahaffey gave a verbal report.

·          Cllr Mahaffey assured planning committee members that he is paying attention to planning matters, despite not being able to attend recent planning committee meetings. 

·         BDBC leader – Cllr Mahaffey noted the changes at BDBC as per Cllr Robinson’s written report.  Cllr Simon Bound wants to promote Basingstoke as a ‘thriving market town’, in a shift from the previous leaders vision. 

·         Dixon Road planning application – Cllr Mahaffey and other councillors have put in a joint objection to the Dixon Road application in Sherfield on Loddon.

·         Housing numbers – Cllr Mahaffey stated that Cllr Bound is pushing back on housing numbers.  He noted that the process is being driven by the December 2023 deadline – he has asked Cllr Bound to push back on this date as well, as key documents are still missing, and many Councillors and residents have concerns.

·         Saunders Field – this area opposite the Leisure Centre has now been confirmed as a biodiversity improvement zone and will therefore not be built on.

·         Speed limits – BDBC has passed motion to ask for speed limits to be reduced outside schools across the Borough.  The Police & Crime Commissioner has committed resources to addressing speeding as a result of Community Speedwatch data.

·         Fly tipping – a new campaign has launched.  He asked the PC to raise the profile of the issue as a criminal offence, and reporting of it.

7

Parish Environment

7.1

Update on Jubilee event – Cllr Bell and Cllr Day gave an update.

Cllr Day confirmed that the school choir can provide a video recording for the jubilee event.  Cllr Ansell to look at the logistics of broadcasting this at the event with Cllr Bell and CMT.  It was noted that resident living close to Clift Meadow will need to be informed of the outside broadcast nearer the time.

Cllr Bell noted that the bugler has now confirmed.

Cllr Durrant has suggested that a craft event or similar at the school based around the jubilee could be sponsored by the PC ahead of the event.  Cllr Day will take the idea to the School Governors for consideration. 

Cllr Bell noted the lack of Pavilion toilet facilities for the event – a conversation with CMT needs to be had on the subject.  Cllr Durrant noted that the PC should hire the pavilion for the duration of the event – Clerk to take forward.  Cllr Bell to speak to CMT about the issue.

Cllr Bell to organise fuel supply for beacon and tractor to assist in erecting it.  Cllr Mahaffey has a metal detector to assist with finding hole and housing for it. 

Cllr Day

Clerk / Cllr Bel

Cllr Bell

7.2

St James Way waymarking – a request has been received from the Confraternity of St James (CSJ) to add waymarkers for the St James Way pilgrim path in the Bramley Burial Ground.  The proposed locations would be at the entrance and exit to the Burial Ground, and would be in place before Easter 2022.  CSJ have also approached the PCC with a similar request for waymarkers in the Churchyard. 

Cllr Durrant observed that the only part of the path that touches PC land is where the path meets the land the allotments is on.  Cllr Day noted that the PCC has approved the waymarking across the churchyard.  Cllr Durrant proposed agreeing to the waymarkers, unanimously agreed.  Clerk to write to CSJ.

Clerk

8

Clerk’s report & Administration

8.1

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

Cllr Shimell

9

Reports

9.1

Planning Committee report (appendix B) – Cllr Flooks outlined the decisions of the February Planning Committee meeting. 

Whitchurch Town Council communication – the Clerk has distributed an email from Whitchurch Town Council, which outlines concerns with the Local Plan Update process and the proposed housing numbers for the Borough.  Whitchurch TC proposed finding an alternative model to the one that BDBC is using, and asks other Parish/Town Councils if they wish work together with them.  Cllr Mahaffey has asked for clarification from officers on whether a different model could be used.  Clerk to set up meeting with Whitchurch TC to explore options and information. 

Motion to protect character and nature of villages – Cllr Mahaffey is proposing a motion at BDBC that the EPH Committee consider a new policy to protect the character and integral nature of villages.  He noted the constant friction between the north and south of the Borough, and rural and urban.  He observed that it is likely to be a contentious motion, and invited Cllrs to comment on the motion.

Solar Farm – Cllr Mahaffey noted that the Landscape Officer has now withdrawn their objection, which he feels is a major concern.  He also noted that the photos in the application do not give an impression of the area in winter when there is little green cover. 

        i.            22/00631/LDPU – Cap D’or, Ringshall Gardens Bramley

Certificate of Lawfulness to establish whether children’s home falls withing C3 use class and is not development

o   Bramley PC can see no reason to object, but do not really have the necessary qualifications to comment.

o   Clerk to go back to officer to query what application is trying to achieve. 

       ii.            Any new applications – none.

Clerk

Clerk

9.2

Allotments & Burial Ground – The water trough at the allotments site at St James Park has been replaced and plumbed in.  Vegetation is currently quite low.  The Clerk confirmed that there has been no movement on the lease.  Clerk to chase Persimmon further. 

Clerk

9.3

Village Hall Trust – see appendix A. 

9.4

Clift Meadow Trust – Cllr Capel gave a verbal report.

·         The Pavilion has electrical issues, which are proving difficult to isolate.  This has had a knock on effect on bookings. 

·         Sewers are now fixed.

·         Storm Eunice felled one tree, which has been dealt with.

·         There are several big events coming up, with others in the pipeline.

·         CMT are looking to do something in memory of Jennie Foot, a onetime long standing member of CMT who died recently.  Tree planting is most likely, but under discussion.

·         Bramley/Sherfield community magazine carried an article with misinformation on the amount raised at last year’s firework event – there will be a correction published in the next issue. 

·         Cllr Durrant noted the recent issue with Youth Club booking being bounced last week.  CMT have agreed to waive the cost of the Hall, but PC needs to look at other costs that will need to be covered. 

9.5

Police & Neighbourhood Watch – no report.

9.6

Highways & Footpaths – Clerk to chase pruning schedule for footpaths. 

Cllr Flooks noted that the footpath around Bramley Frith wood is in a very bad state of repair – Clerk to report. 

Clerk

Clerk

9.7

Road Safety Project – still no report on audit of the Bramley Lane junction work, or on the police report at the junction, despite Cllr Durrant chasing.  The Clerk has passed details of a recent incident at the traffic island on to the police.  Clerk to put in FoI request for the audit information. 

Clerk

9.8

Chairman’s Report –the Chairman raised the issue of the war in Ukraine, and asked Councillors if they would be willing to support any initiatives to assist local residents with links to Ukraine.  For example, the PC could assist with facilitating events etc.  Cllr Shimell noted that the scale needs to be understood – how many Ukrainian nationals are in the parish?  Cllr Mahaffey noted that BDBC emergency planning is dictated by the Government.  Cllr Day noted that the PCC and wider diocese is providing support to refugees as they arrive in the country.  He also noted that the PC should be mindful of the fact that it is not just Ukrainian nationals who are affected by this issue. 

10

Consultation documents requiring consideration

None.

11

Grant Applications

11.1

Clift Meadow Trust – 2022 Bramley Village Fete – the fete is due to be held on 14^th May.  CMT have requested £3,500 to help fund the event.  Cllr Shimell proposed giving the grant, Cllr Day seconded, unanimously agreed.  Clerk to process.

Clerk

11.2

Bramley HUB website – website hosting fees – the fees are £256.88 for 2022, and were due on 12^th March.  Cllr Shimell proposed ratifying the email decision to give the grant, Cllr Capel seconded, unanimously agreed.  It was noted that there will be ongoing monitoring to see if the website gains traction in the community, and they will be working with the Bramley Community FB page to assist with this.

12.

Finance

12.1

Payments and reconciliation approval – see appendix D

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

Clerk

8.3

Acknowledgement of Receipts – see appendix C

The receipts for March were noted.  The Clerk stated that the final quarter VAT claim for the year would be approximately £1384.

13

Date of Next meeting

The next Parish Council meeting is scheduled for Tuesday 19^th April at 7.00pm, in the Bramley Room at Bramley Village Hall. 

14

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

Cllr Durrant proposed the above resolution, Cllr Shimell seconded, unanimously agreed.  The public and the Clerk left the meeting at this point.

15

Confidential Items

Cllr Durrant proposed that the Clerk’s salary should be increased in line with the NALC pay scales for 2021-22.  This was seconded by Cllr Shimell and unanimously agreed.

Cllr Durrant further noted that the Clerk has not received a salary increase since 2018 because Cllrs were not advised of the pay scale changes.  The NALC salary scales have increased year on year.  He proposed a lump sum payment to the Clerk to cover back payments for previous years, payable in March 2022.  This was also seconded by Cllr Shimell and unanimously agreed.

The meeting closed at 9.09pm

Date:

8^th March 2022

Time:    7.00pm

Place:

Online via Zoom

Present:

Cllr Chris Flooks (Chair)

Cllr Malcolm Bell

Cllr Chris Tomblin

Cllr Liz Capel

In attendance:

Maxta Thomas (Clerk)

0 members of the public

Apologies:

Cllr Keith Oborn

1

Apologies for Absence

As listed above. 

2

Declarations of Interest

Cllr Tomblin noted his position on the BDBC Development Control Committee, and took no part in any planning decisions taken at the meeting.

3

Minutes of the Last Planning Committee Meeting

3.1

The minutes of the meeting held on 8^th February 2022 were unanimously agreed to be a true record of the meeting and were signed by the Chairman.

3.2

Matters arising

• Solar Farm Development Control meeting likely to be 18^th May.

4

Planning & Development

4.1

New Applications

a.

22/00444/PIP – Land North Of Cufaude Cottage Cufaude Lane Bramley

Application for Permission in Principle for the erection of 4 no. dwellings

• The application claims the land is in line with policy SS6a as it falls within curtilage of Cufaude Cottage.  Cllrs felt that this is tenuous as it used to be a field for paddock land and is used currently for exercising dogs.
• This would be an isolated development and would impact the rural area.
• The proposed dwellings would impact grade 2 listed buildings Manor Barn, Cart Shed, and Granary, and also the moat at Cufuade Manor House which is a scheduled monument.
• Environmental impact – the field is a recognised route for migrating toads.
• The proposed development will result in a loss of the strategic gap.
• Sustainability –a car will be needed to access local amenities and transport links
• The development is outside of the Settlement Policy Boundary.
• The proposals are not in line with Local Plan Policy SS6 Housing in the countryside – there is no demonstrable need.
• Objections as above unanimously agreed.  Clerk to process.

Clerk

b.

22/00149/HSE – Bramley Corner House Bramley Corner Bramley (see also 22/00150/LBC)

Demolition of existing brick outbuilding, conversion of existing stable into residential annexe, including two storey rear extension, amendments to fenestration and new conservation rooflights. New annexe outbuilding with store at ground floor and accommodation at first floor. Conversion of existing garage into home gym.

• Gym might need removal of residential status to prevent conversion to dwelling later.  Application does state that the applicant is happy to have such a condition.
• Proposals could lead to effectively a development of 2/3 new homes.
• There was some debate on whether this is overdevelopment of the site.
• Bramley Corner House is grade 2 listed building – new development will affect this.
• The new building will not be visible from the road.
• Cllrs would like to see a new bat survey.
• An annexe should be attached to an existing building, not a completely separate building.
• Comments and concerns as above.  Otherwise, no objection unanimously agreed.  Clerk to process.

Clerk

c.

T/00032/22/TPO – 7 Ringshall Gardens Bramley

Oak T1: prune

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

Clerk

d.

22/00233/FUL – Rotherwick Barn Bullsdown Farm German Road Bramley

Change of use from mixed use sui generis use to a C3 dwelling by removing the B1 use class attached to one room of my property

• No objection unanimously agreed.  Clerk to process.

Clerk

e.

22/00403/RET – 39 Minerva Road Bramley

Erection of Gazebo and raising the height of the garden fence panel to 2.3 metres high (Retrospective)

• No objection unanimously agreed.  Clerk to process.

Clerk

f.

22/00488/LDPO – 19 Flora View Chineham Basingstoke

Certificate of Lawfulness for the proposed erection of a two storey rear/side extension

• No objection unanimously agreed.  Clerk to process.

Clerk

g.

22/00498/FUL – Stocks Farm House The Street Bramley

Build new oak framed garages and greenhouse

• New building would be visible from the Brenda Parker Way.
• New building appears to be very large.
• No objection unanimously agreed.  Materials must be in keeping with grade 2 listed building.  Clerk to process.

Clerk

h.

T/00093/22/TCA – Grays House The Street Bramley

T1 Sycamore – Remove stem leaning towards and over outbuildings.

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

Clerk

i.

22/00407/OUT – Land At Boarsbridge House Bramley Road Little London

Erection of 4 no. dwellings to include access and layout

• The site is on the edge of flood zones 2 and 3.
• Previously objected for one house on basis of policy SS6 – housing in the countryside.  Isolated, not sustainable due to lack of access to amenities and transport links ( would need car).  No contribution to social, economic aspects.
• Sewage arrangements that close to the flood zone would be problematic.
• Objection unanimously agreed.  Clerk to process.

Clerk

j.

Any other New Applications

• T/00112/22/TCA –   Honey Farm  Vyne Road Bramley

T1 (apple tree): Prune/reshape apple tree in rear garden

T2 (apple tree): Fell dead apple tree to just above ground level

T3 (weeping birch): Remove upright limb from weeping birch

T4 (ash): Dismantle/fell ash tree to just above ground level due to proximity to garage

T5 (oak): Fell/dismantle oak to just above ground level due to proximity to garage

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

Clerk

• 22/00631/LDPU – Cap D’or Ringshall Gardens Bramley

Certificate of lawfulness to establish whether children’s home falls within C3 Use Class and is not development

• • Defer to full council on 15^th March.

Clerk

• T/00111/22/TPO – Bullsdown House Officers Row Bramley

T1 & T2 on our map (conifers): Prune.

T3 on our map (conifer): Fell.

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

Clerk

4.2

Approvals/Refusals/Pending (see appendix A)

These were noted.  The Clerk noted one further approval – T00616/21/TPO for 4 North Row for the pruning of an oak tree has been granted.

5.

Planning Appeals

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

Installation of a battery storage facility with associated works

• No further update at present.

6.

Water Issues

CF noted recent communication from Thames Water Rickmansworth stating that Wates development could be staged to allow for sewage upgrade to be installed.  May now be in a position to demand planning conditions.  Engineers are liaising with BDBC as well as Bramley PC.

7.

Minchens Lane s.106 issues

The Clerk has been in communication with Persimmon and the PC solicitors to try and resolve the allotments lease issue.  Despite an exchange of emails, there has been no further visible progress.  The Clerk will continue to chase this and other issues. 

Clerk

8.

Local Plan Update

Cllr Tomblin gave an update.  The Economic, Planning & Housing Committee (EPH) meeting to discuss rural strategy is likely to be in June.  Cllr Tomblin attended last week’s EPH meeting about policies and housing numbers.  The new Leader of the Council Simon Bound is now trying put the case to Government that Basingstoke is a special case for not taking greater housing numbers.  New projections as a result of 2021 census are likely to be available in the summer 2022 – local authorities are currently being told by Government to use 2011 figures.  Another EPH meeting on 10^th March to look at polices which weren’t agreed earlier due to lack of time.  June meeting will be about rural strategy, which will give parish councils a chance to put their case.  Cllr Tomblin encouraged councillors to attend as many EPH meetings as possible.

9.

Neighbourhood Plan Update

No update at present. 

10.

Date of Next Meeting

Tuesday 12^th April, provisionally to be held at the Bramley Room at Bramley Village Hall.

Meeting closed at 8.49pm

1.        

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

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

Granted

No objection

2.        

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

Application withdrawn

Objection

3.        

T/00595/21/TPO – 5 North Row Bramley

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

Granted

Defer to tree officer

4.        

21/03714/HSE – 32 Farriers Close Bramley

Erection of a single storey rear extension

Granted

No objection

5.        

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

T1 – Multi stemmed Cyprus: prune

Granted

Defer to tree officer

6.        

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

Change of use of live/work unit to residential

Granted

No objection

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.        

21/03224/FUL – Cedarwood Silchester Road Bramley

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

Objection

6.        

T/00616/21/TPO – 4 North Row Bramley

1 Oak: prune.

Defer to tree officer

7.        

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

8.        

21/03758/OUT – Land At Stocks Farm The Street

Outline planning permission (with all matters reserved except for access) for the demolition of one dwelling and erection of up to 140 dwellings and a community building of up to 250sqm under Use Class E, together with sports and leisure facilities.

Objection