Parish Council meeting minutes – 16th November 2021

Date:

Tuesday 16^th November 2021

Time:                                    7.00pm

Place:

Bramley Room, Bramley Village Hall

Present:

Cllr Tony Durrant (Chair)

Cllr Chris Tomblin (remotely)

Cllr Steve Day

Cllr Malcolm Bell

Cllr Chris Flooks

Cllr Colin Shimell

Cllr Bruce Ansell

Cllr Keith Oborn

In attendance:

Maxta Thomas (Clerk)

3 members of the public

Cllr Nick Robinson (Borough)

Cllr Rhydian Vaughan (County)

Apologies:

Cllr Liz Capel

Cllr Simon Mahaffey (Borough)

1

Apologies for Absence

As listed above.

2

Declarations of Interest

As Cllr Tomblin was attending the meeting via a video link, he took no part in the voting in this meeting.

3

Minutes of the Last Parish Council Meeting

3.1

The minutes of the full Council meeting on held on 19^th October 2021 were proposed by Cllr Ansell, seconded by Cllr Oborn and unanimously agreed to be a true and accurate record and duly signed by the Chairman.

3.2

Matters arising

None.

4

Open Forum

Cllr Durrant invited comments and questions from the public. 

·         A resident raised concerns about the Stocks Farm development proposals.  She was concerned about the number of fields on their plan with no plans on them other than open space. 

5

County Councillor Report  – see appendix A

Cllr Vaughan noted the following further to his written report:

·         HCC has set aside £100k for Jubilee celebrations, and they are looking at a forest planting scheme. 

·         Lengthsman scheme – HCC may withdraw funding for the scheme.  Cllr Vaughan will update as information becomes available.

·         HCC meeting – Economy, Transport and Environment Committee have been talking about speed limits in the county and reviewing them.  20mph limits will be considered, dependent on police support.

6

Borough Councillor Report – Cllrs Tomblin & Robinson gave a verbal report:

·         Garden Waste collections – these restarted on 15^th November.  Serco are unable to take extra garden waste over and above regular collections.  Cllr Durrant asked how many weeks BDBC were going to give back to customers– Cllr Robinson does not know, but hopes that it will be however many weeks that have been missed.

·         Speculative planning applications – Cllrs have asked officers what effect a planning approval for a speculative application will have on the housing numbers and the Local Plan Update.  Jo Brombley has replied – it depends on whether BDBC consider a given site to be a strategic site.  Windfall sites will affect the figure for any given settlement.  Cllr Robinson observed that this does not stop speculative development until the Local Plan is in place. 

·         Cllr discretionary grants – each Cllr has £2000 each to grant for community facilities.  Clerk to let the Clift Meadow Trust and the Village Hall Trust know. 

·         Cllr Ansell asked about climate emergency action plan in light of COP26.  He noted that that it had not been updated in 18 months.  Cllr Tomblin replied that there is a Members Advisory Panel to talk about environmental policy.  A climate toolkit is going on the BDBC website.  A pilot electric vehicle  is scheme being looked at in a controlled trial area in town centre.  Cllr Durrant asked if there was a general reporting stream to the communities – Cllr Tomblin is going to request clarification on this.

·         Budget – budget proposals will include more resources on frontline services but there is likely to be an increase of approx. 5% per annum on the rate for the next 5 years.

Basingstoke and Deane Borough Council would like to invite residents to give views on its budget proposals for 2022 to 2023 following approval on 9 November 2021 by Cabinet to consult on their proposals.  To find out more and have your say via an online survey, email or post, please visit www.basingstoke.gov.uk/budget2021 .  Alternative formats and paper copies are available on request from customer.service@basingstoke.gov.uk or by calling the team on 01256 844 844.  This consultation will run until 2 January 2022 and your views will inform final decision-making at a Council meeting in February 2022.

·         Local Plan Update – Cllr Tomblin continues to work through the many policies that are within the plan to make comments – only 14 more to go before the 29th!

The EPH meeting scheduled for this Thursday 18th Nov. was to discuss the proposals for new homes in rural areas (55 for Bramley until 2039) but has been rescheduled for Monday 13th December. This was due to revised documentation being presented without 5 working days’ notice which is against the Council’s constitution.

7

Parish Environment

7.1

Queen’s Platinum Jubilee – no update at present. 

7.2

Bramley Green Wildflower Meadow – Iain James and Sarah Plested gave an update on the wildflower meadow area at Bramley Green.

It has not gone completely to plan.  The first cut this year was quite late, as was the late cut.  This means that it is likely that only one cut in early September will be required next year.  It was suggested that the cutting schedule for the rest of Bramley Green should be reviewed in the spring to encourage biodiversity.  There has been lots of positive feedback from residents.  Sarah & Iain want to take advice from the Hampshire & Isle of Wight Wildlife Trust (HIWWT) moving forward.  A cut and collect for the whole Green was suggested, which would help with overall biodiversity.  The Parish Map Wildlife Toolkit was noted.  This allows parishes to assess wildlife in the village as a whole.  It was noted that rewilding of areas adjacent to Bramley Green could be a good project to look at. 

Cllr Durrant asked what the consequences would be if the cut of the existing wild meadow area 2 is postponed again because of poor weather; what would the best action be?  The reply was that it would depend on what happens over the coming winter – a May cut would not be a disaster.

Cllr Durrant noted that the PC wants to see how the existing area settles down before considering expansion. However, Sarah noted that the neighbouring area would be the next area to expand into for a wild meadow environment.  PC to speak with Stratfield Saye Estates.  Cllr Durrant stated that expanding further will require a community consultation.  A meeting is to be set up with the Stratfield Saye Estate, the PC, Sarah Plested/Iain James and the PC contractor. 

Clerk

8

Clerk’s report & Administration

8.1

Parish magazine article – there is no issue in January, so the next deadline will not be until 15^th January for the February issue.  Cllr Ansell to write next article.

Cllr Ansell

8.2

Use of tablets for distributing PC documents – the Clerk noted that she has been looking at MS Teams for meeting scheduling and document distribution.  There are some technical issues which need to be dealt with before this can move forward.  Cllr Ansell and Clerk to take forward. 

Cllr Ansell/ Clerk

9

Reports

9.1

Planning Committee Report (see appendix B)

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

         i.            New Applications – none.

       ii.            Update on Wates proposals for Stocks Farm – Cllrs and Ward Cllrs met with Wates last week to allow them to present their proposals in more depth.  The meeting notes and presentation slides from this meeting has been distributed to all Cllrs.  It should be noted that there is no planning application at present beyond the request for EIA screening.  Cllr Robinson noted a caution on any possible covenant on open land – there is a need to be careful as to who holds the covenant.  Clerk to place Wates presentation slides on the website, along with meeting notes.  Cllr Durrant noted that recent applications have been argued by Bramley PC on grounds of Bramley being unsustainable for further development. 

Cllr Bell suggested getting an independent environment impact assessment to assist with Wates application response.  Cllr Flooks noted that one was done for the NDP – if this is still relevant this could be submitted.  It was agreed that this option was worth investigating depending on if BDBC tell them they need to do the assessment or not. 

     iii.            Update on proposals for Mekanix site – an open day for this is being held on 18^th November.  Cllr Flooks and Cllr Bell have met with the owner for an overview of the plans.  There will be 3 storeys for flats above, and the ground floor will be retail space.  The footpath through the site will then be more easily separated, and the owner believes there will be fewer traffic movements than there are at present.  There is no formal planning application at present.  Stated issues with Bramley being unsustainable for development apply in this case as it does with the Wates proposals.

     iv.            Local Plan Update – the scheduled Economic, Planning, & Housing meeting scheduled for 18^th November has now been postponed until 13^th December.  Cllr Bell was scheduled to speak at this meeting on behalf of Bramley PC. 

9.2

Allotments & Burial Ground

St James Park allotments – no further communication from Persimmon or their solicitors on this.  A meeting between Persimmon, BDBC officers, and Bramley PC representatives is scheduled for 30^th November.  Cllr Shimell to attend if possible.

Grays Meadow allotments – the updated regulations have been sent out.  There is currently 100% utilisation at the site. 

9.3

Village Hall Trust – see appendix A.

9.4

Clift Meadow Trust

Cllr Durrant highlighted a serious issue with the drainage pump for Brocas Hall which has failed, and on investigation appears to have been mis- installed – it has been buried too deep, and the electrics that power it are buried in concrete.  This may well be a very expensive issue to address.  Cllr Durrant proposed a motion for a full independent structural survey of the building to check on the potential liability in the future.  Cllr Oborn seconded, unanimously agreed.  Clerk to take forward.  Clerk also to check on expenditure since Brocas Hall was built. 

Cllr Shimell noted that utilisation of the buildings at Clift Meadow needs to be considered, and asked why it was built in the first place, and what the PC might do about it in the medium term.  Cllr Durrant explained that it was built specifically as a Youth Facility, as the Pavilion was not suitable as a venue for a youth club.

Clerk

9.5

Police & Neighbourhood Watch – Cllr Durrant has spoken with the PCSO for Bramley, who apologised that she can’t make meetings due to shift patterns. 

The Police & Crime Commissioner has still not responded to Cllr Durrant’s letter in the summer.

9.6

Highways & Footpaths – Cllr Durrant noted that work has been carried out to try and identify the lines of responsibility for the bridleway between Folly Lane and Mill Lane.  The path is not an adopted footpath, but does form part of the Brenda Parker Way.  This has led to issues with getting the path maintained properly, and also clearing any fly tipping.  With this in mind Cllr Durrant proposed that Bramley PC pursue getting the path formally adopted as part of the footpath network.  This was agreed.  Cllr Durrant and the Clerk to take forward.

Cllr Durrant/ Clerk

9.7

Road Safety Project – Cllr Durrant has continued to monitor the Bramley Lane junction, and continues to liaise with engineers about the junction improvements.  There are still issues with overtaking and blocking of the traffic island.  There is also no sign of HCC monitoring.  Railings have been suggested for part of the path, but there does not appear any appetite to install these.

9.8

Chairman’s Report – Cllr Durrant extended his thanks to Cllr Vaughan and Cllr Day, and all those involved in the Remembrance Day service.  Cllr Day recorded thanks from the Royal British Legion for the Parish Council donation.

10

Consultation documents requiring consideration

None.

11

Grant Applications

11.1

Bramley Village Hall – request for grant to cover the cost of moving the defibrillator.  The Clerk confirmed that Bramley PC facilitated the original installation, and has in the past covered the cost of replacement pads.  The cost of moving the unit will be £275+VAT.  Cllr Bell proposed giving the grant, Cllr Oborn seconded, unanimously agreed.  Clerk to process.

Clerk

13

Finance

13.1

Payments and reconciliation approval – see appendix C

The Clerk noted the payments for November.  Cllr Ansell proposed approving the October payments, seconded by Cllr Day and unanimously approved.  Clerk to action. 

Clerk

13.2

Acknowledgement of Receipts – see appendix C

The receipts for November were noted. 

14

Date of Next meeting

The next Parish Council meeting is scheduled for Tuesday 21^st December, in the Bramley Room at Bramley Village Hall at 7.00pm

15

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

None.

16

Confidential Items

None.

The meeting closed at 8.59pm

Date:

9^th November 2021

Time:                    7.00pm

Place:

Bramley Room, Bramley Village Hall

Present:

Cllr Chris Flooks (Chair)

Cllr Chris Tomblin

Cllr Liz Capel

Cllr Malcolm Bell

In attendance:

Maxta Thomas (Clerk)

1 member 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 the decisions on planning applications.

3

Minutes of the Last Planning Committee Meeting

3.1

The minutes of the meeting held on 12^th October 2021 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.

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

·         Members noted that the roof should be clay tiles rather than slate, in line with the character of surrounding area. 

·         Objection unanimously agreed as above.  Clerk to take forward.

Clerk

b.

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

1 Sycamore: prune.

·         Defer to tree officer view unanimously agreed, but note to officer that drawings are not clear as to which tree is being pruned.  Clerk to take forward.

Clerk

c.

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

1 Sugar Maple: prune

·         Defer to tree officer unanimously agreed.  Clerk to take forward.

Clerk

d.

21/03344/ENSC – Land At Stocks Farm The Street Bramley

Screening opinion for residential development up to 150 dwellings

·         Members unanimously agreed that the screening opinion is required for the following reasons:  

·         The site is a known area for flood risk

·         Foul drainage is a known issue for much of Bramley.

·         Biodiversity

·         There will be more air pollution from extra cars.

Clerk to take forward.

Clerk

e.

T/00563/21/TCA – Peregrine House Sherfield Road Bramley Green

T5 Indian Bean Tree & T11 Service Tree of MWA Arb Report

Works: Remove both to near ground level and treat stumps to inhibit regrowth.

Reason: Clay shrinkage subsidence damage at the property.

·         Defer to tree officer, unanimously agreed.  Members noted that they fully support this application.  Clerk to take forward.

Clerk

i.

Any other New Applications

21/03224/FUL – Cedarwood Silchester Road Bramley

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

·         Members noted that for the previous application for this site, BDBC planning officers and the Development Control Committee noted that they should not connect to the main sewer but install a septic tank instead.  This application states that it will be connecting to the main sewer.

·         Members felt that the new access point is not required. 

·         Cllr Tomblin to check main sewer issue with Gregg Chapman.

·         Objections unanimously agreed as outlined above.  Clerk to take forward.

21/03263/HSE – 14 Farriers Close Bramley

Erection of rear ground floor extension

·         No objection unanimously agreed.  Clerk to take forward.

Cllr Tomblin

Clerk

Clerk

4.2

Approvals/Refusals/Pending (see appendix B)

These were noted.     

5.

Update on Solar Farm application (20/03403/FUL)

No update at present, although this application is scheduled to be considered by the BDBC Development Control Committee in the autumn.

6.

Water Issues

Cllr Bell gave an update.  Raw sewage has been reported in the Bramley Brook, but Thames Water have stated that it is not their problem.  Cllr Bell to forward on to the senior engineer that the PC has been dealing with at Thames Water, and also comments that Wates have made with regards to the Stocks Farm application.  Cllr Bell to see if Bramley PC can attend a meeting between Thames Water and Wates.

James Hern is now the senior engineer on modelling for the Bramley sewage line.  The final solution has not yet been decided upon, but it will not be a new pump and line, which is considered too expensive an option.  James now has the budget to properly complete the model. 

James has requested that Bramley PC is the central hub for communicating any issues, including those at Centenary Fields. 

Cllr Bell

7.

Minchens Lane s.106 issues

·         Work has been carried out on the Clift Meadow path.

·         No sign of the lighting at Clift Meadow.

·         No tree/hedge planting to date.

·         Highways work – some of this has been carried out, although it is unclear how complete this is.  The restrictions on turning into Burlington Way are still inadequate.  Emergency access has not completed yet. 

·         Gateway feature – the promised white gateway has not been installed.  Instead there is a wholly inadequate untreated wooden installation. 

·         No progress on allotments.

Gregg Chapman at BDBC is attempting has set up a face to face meeting between Persimmon, Bramley PC, and himself, which is scheduled for 30^th November. 

8.

Local Plan Update

The next Economic, Planning & Housing Committee meeting at BDBC is scheduled for 18^th November, and the main agenda item is  ‘Developing A Spatial Strategy – Rural Areas’.  Cllr Tomblin clarified that this is to discuss whether the strategy to identify rural areas is correct or not, and noted that the supporting paperwork for the meeting is inaccurate on several points for Bramley.  The recommended number of houses for Bramley is a total of 55.

Cllr Tomblin strongly recommended that a speaker for Bramley PC is required for the EPH meeting.  This is likely to be Cllr Bell.

Cllr Tomblin is still working on Members Advisory Panels.  These are no longer meetings, but being worked on via emails. 

Cllr Bell

9.

Neighbourhood Plan Update

         i.            Annual Monitoring report – the draft NP Monitoring report has been received from BDBC for Bramley PC comment.  Cllr Bell has responded in full.

Cllr Bell

10.

Date of Next Meeting

Tuesday 14^th December 2021, in the Bramley Room at Bramley Village Hall.

Meeting closed at 8.16pm

1.        

21/02426/RES – Land Adjoining The Well House Cufaude Lane Bramley Hampshire

Reserved matters application for appearance, landscaping, layout and scale (pursuant to outline permission 20/01320/OUT for the demolition of existing stables and riding arena and the erection of 4 no. dwellings)

Granted

No objection, comments

2.        

21/02439/HSE – Masters House Silchester Road Bramley

Proposed Garage and Garden Store with home office on first floor

Granted

Objection

3.        

21/02515/HSE – 26 Bramley Green Road Bramley

Erection of single storey rear extension

Granted

No objection

4.        

T/00427/21/TPO – 22 The Smithy Bramley

1 Oak: prune

Granted

Defer to tree officer

5.        

20/03485/VLA – Razors Farm Cufaude Lane Chineham

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

Granted

No objection

6.        

21/02753/LDPO – 5 Taylor Drive Bramley

Certificate of lawful development for the erection of a single storey rear extension following demolition of existing conservatory

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.        

20/03403/FUL – Site At Minchens Lane Bramley

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

4.        

21/00521/FUL – Locksbridge Farm Cufaude Lane Bramley

Erection of 1no. dwelling and associated parking

Objection

5.        

21/01069/FUL – Land To Rear Of 22, 24 And 26 Taylor Drive Bramley

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

No objection

6.        

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

7.        

21/02383/ROC – 103 Coopers Lane Bramley

Variation of condition 1 of planning consent 20/03124/HSE (Two ground floor pitched roofed extensions) to allow removal of garage door and replaced with UPVC window in-line with remainder of house

No objection

8.        

21/02396/HSE – Barefoot House Olivers Lane Bramley (see also 21/02397/LBC)

Two storey side/rear extension to provide games and loft room

Objection

9.        

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

10.    

21/02650/ROC – Upper Cufaude Farm Cufaude Lane Bramley

Variation of Condition 1 of 20/01608/ROC to amend the plan numbers to make elevational and revised internal amendments

No objection

11.    

21/02689/HSE – Cufaude Cufaude Lane Bramley

Erection of two storey rear extension and single storey rear extension with other minor internal alterations and refurbishment works

No objection

12.    

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

13.    

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

14.    

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

1 Sycamore: prune

Defer to tree officer

15.    

T/00519/21/TCA – Western Boundary Of 1 The Barracks Bramley Green

1 Goat willow: crown reduce all round by approx 2m leaving a finished height of approx 10m with a crown spread 6m

Defer to tree officer