Parish Council meeting minutes – 17th January 2023

BRAMLEY PARISH COUNCIL

Minutes of the Meeting of the Council

Date:	Tuesday 17^th January 2023	Time: 7.00pm
Place:	Bramley Room, Bramley Village Hall
Present:	Cllr Tony Durrant (Chair)	Cllr Chris Tomblin
	Cllr Steve Day	Cllr Colin Shimell
	Cllr Chris Flooks	Cllr Liz Capel
	Cllr Malcolm Bell	Cllr Bruce Ansell
	Cllr Keith Oborn
In attendance:	Maxta Thomas (Clerk)	7 members of the public
	Cllr Rhydian Vaughan (County)	Cllr Nick Robinson (Borough)
Apologies:	None

		*Action*
1	Apologies for Absence
	As listed above.
2	Declarations of Interest
	· Cllr Tomblin declared an interest in item 10.1, due to his position on the BDBC Development Control Committee. He took no part in votes on planning applications.
3	Minutes of the Last Parish Council Meeting
3.1	The minutes of the meeting held on 20^th December 2022 were unanimously agreed as being a true record of the meeting. The Chairman duly signed the minutes.
3.2	Matters arising
	· AutoSpeedWatch – Community Speedwatch team are making enquiries on how to go about obtaining the necessary licenses. The Clerk is making enquiries about councillor grants for funding. · Electric vehicle charging points – CT still to make enquiries about monitoring usage.
4	Open Forum
	Cllr Durrant invited comments and questions from members of the public. · Cufaude Lane – a resident noted that the road near the railway bridge is in a poor condition, with the edges of the road disintegrating. Cllr Tomblin replied he has met with an HCC representative who is looking at an engineering solution for the flooding issues that are causing this. The HCC Flood Water Management department have established that a pipe is blocked, but that it is also insufficient for what is required. HCC are taking the issue forward. Cllr Tomblin acknowledged that the road is very dangerous at that point. · A resident noted that there is a dead deer on Cufaude Lane at Upper Cufaude Farm, which needs to be removed. Cllr Tomblin to take forward.	*Cllr Tomblin*

5	County Councillor Report – see appendix A. · Cllr Vaughan noted condition the of roads recently, and the adverse weather conditions affecting them in terms of potholes. These will be addressed in due course. · Cllr Vaughan acknowledged that drains are struggling to cope with the heavy rain recently – HCC are looking into the issue. · Cllr Tomblin noted that the gritting team had been out on Cufaude Lane and thanked Cllr Vaughan and HCC for this. · Cllr Vaughan noted his verbal agreement for a grant towards the AutoSpeedWatch project. Clerk and Cllr Day to take forward.	*Clerk/Cllr Day*
6	Borough Councillor Report – Cllr Tomblin, Cllr Robinson and Cllr Durrant gave a verbal report. · Housing numbers – the target for BDBC has been set at 860 per year. Cllr Robinson stated that BDBC has been exceeding for the last few years. Unfortunately, this does not affect the future 5 year land supply. · Housing – there is a low cost home event for residents looking to get on the housing ladder on 25^th January at BDBC offices. · Discounted bus fares – there is a scheme where a maximum of £2 per single trip will be charged until the end of March. Details are on the Stagecoach website. · Christmas Tree recycling – residents can recycle their Christmas Trees for free until 29^th January at various sites around the Borough – details are on the BDBC website. · Solar farm appeal – this was heard in December. Cllr Tomblin attended the site visit with the Planning Inspector. The decision will not be published before 20^th January, and it is more likely to be the end of January. · Stocks Farm appeal – this hearing is ongoing. It is currently unclear when the decision will made. The site visit is due this week. Cllr Tomblin noted that the Inspector is allowing ‘round table discussion’ which allow questions of expert witness by various council representatives. · Economic, Planning & Housing Committee – this committee met early in New Year. A motion was put forward and passed that officers should investigate what the new Planning Policy proposals from the Government will mean for the BDBC Local Plan.
7	Parish Environment
7.1	Bramley Green maintenance update The Clerk has contacted the current contractor about the new schedule, and is awaiting a quote. This should be forthcoming in the next few days. He has confirmed that he has the necessary capability (manpower, equipment) to do what has been requested. The Stratfield Saye Estate and Bramley PC are reviewing the formal arrangements for managing Bramley Green, and Stratfield Saye have approached their solicitors to go forward.
7.2	Air Quality monitor – future usage – Cllr Durrant noted that the AQ monitor has been in place for some time, invited comments on what should be done with it in the future. Cllr Day asked if there is any benefit to moving it to another location where there is queuing in the village. Cllr Tomblin asked if there is any benefit in setting it up near the school. The One Stop shop was also given as a possible location. Cllr Shimell noted that it would be worthwhile placing the monitor back in its original location in 2 or 3 years’ time. Cllr Ansell to investigate other locations and take forward. Clerk to place on the agenda for February. Cllr Day will speak to School Governors about the AQ monitor at their next meeting.	*Cllr Ansell* *Clerk* *Cllr Day*
7.3	Tree work by The Granary – the Clerk has obtained a quote from a specialist tree contractor for the removal of the dead tree near the Granary, and the pruning of trees right by The Granary that are now threatening the roof tiles. The quote is for a total of £440+VAT. Cllr Durrant proposed and Cllr Day seconded that the work be carried out as per the quote. This was unanimously agreed – Clerk to take forward. Replacement of dead tree – Cllr Durrant suggested consulting an expert with a view to finding out what would be the best thing to do – species, location, etc. Clerk to contact Tree Officers at BDBC for opinion. It was noted that the grass cutting in the area is no longer right back to the water course. This should be rectified for future cuts – Clerk to liaise with BDBC.	*Clerk* *Clerk* *Clerk*
8	Clerk’s report & Administration
8.1	Parish magazine article – the next issue will be the March issue, and Cllr Oborn will write the article. The deadline is 15^th February 2023.	*Cllr Oborn*
8.2	Coronation Event – ideas were invited for a possible community Coronation Event in May. It was noted that it has been requested that Parish Councils do not have a beacon lighting event, since it is considered to be too close to last year’s jubilee celebrations. Cllr Shimell suggested a themed ‘street party’. Cllrs to put ideas to Clerk before the February meeting. Clerk to place on the agenda for February.	*All* *Clerk*
9	Finance
9.1	January payments and reconciliation approval – see appendix B The Clerk noted the payments for January. Cllr Shimell proposed approving the January payments, seconded by Cllr Day and unanimously approved. Clerk to action.	*Clerk*
9.2	Acknowledgement of Receipts – see appendix B. The Clerk noted that a VAT return for the third quarter will be submitted this week, for just over £1700.
9.3	2023-24 Budget – see appendix C. The Clerk presented the budget for next year. The budget is a balanced one, whilst providing room to deal with any unexpected eventualities. Cllr Ansell proposed adopting the 2023-24 budget, Cllr Capel seconded, unanimously agreed. Clerk to put on website.	*Clerk*
9.4	2023-24 Precept Cllr Durrant noted that a nil increase for households would increase Bramley PC reserves by about £30k. He observed that the precept could be decreased without having a dramatic effect on reserves. Cllr Tomblin proposed a 4% reduction, giving a total precept request of £94,798 for Bramley. Cllr Oborn seconded. Unanimously agreed. The precept request was signed, and the Clerk will submit to BDBC.	*Clerk*
10	Reports
10.1	Planning – see appendix C for planning summary i. Planning Report – the January Planning Committee meeting was cancelled due to lack of quoracy, so applications will be dealt with at the Extraordinary Planning Meeting on 26^th January. ii. New Applications Planning applications will be handled at the special planning meeting on 26^th January. Cllrs to send outline responses to the Clerk and Cllr Flooks, which will be discussed and ratified at that meeting. A resident noted the Meadow View planning application (22/03376/FUL) . She noted that she felt that the proposed flats are out of proportion and keeping with the area. The flats would effectively be in one not very wide back garden. There would also be 16 parking spaces – this would increase pollution in the area. BDBC turned down an application for building a bigger bungalow around 10 years ago. Access onto Sherfield road would be difficult and dangerous. She appealed to the PC to object to the application. iii. Stocks Farm appeal inquiry – this appeal opened on 10^th January and is ongoing until 24^th January. BDBC ward councillors have all made verbal representations, as have Cllrs Bell and Flooks on behalf of Bramley PC.	*All*
10.2	Allotments & Burial Ground i. St James Park allotments update – the signed lease has been returned to the solicitors. It cannot be completed until the fencing work is done at site, which is due to commence this week. Tenders have been invited for the contract to prepare the site for tenancy, and the timetable reflects the requirement to have the site ready for the 2023 growing season. However, current weather conditions may push timescales back. Cllr Shimell has approached people on the waiting list, offering them first refusal on the new plots when they are ready. ii. Allotment rents 2023 – Cllr Shimell has reviewed the allotment deposit and rent rates, which have not been increased in at least 8 years. He proposed leaving the deposit at £25 per half plot, but increasing the yearly rent from £12 to £18 per half plot. This will bring Bramley rent closer to rents being charged for allotments in other areas in the BDBC catchment. Cllr Durrant seconded the proposal, unanimously agreed. Clerk and Cllr Shimell to take forward.	*Cllr Shimell / Clerk*
10.3	Village Hall Trust – see appendix A.
10.4	Clift Meadow Trust – see appendix A. Cllr Capel gave a verbal update. · The next meeting has been postponed until February.
10.5	Police & Neighbourhood Watch – see appendix A.
10.6	Highways & Footpaths – see appendix A.
10.7	Chairman’s Report Election procedures – Cllr Durrant noted the new procedures for the upcoming local elections, where in person voters will be required to provide photo ID. Details are on the BDBC website, and will be on the Bramley PC website in due course. Flooding – Cllr Durrant noted the issues with flooding after the recent bad weather. Some residents have had acute problems in the last few days with sewage overflow. Cllrs Bell and Durrant have visited residents, and are assisting in trying to contact the relevant authorities, particularly Thames Water. North Row, Centenary fields, Browns Close, Oakmead have all had issues. Cllr Durrant noted that the Parish Council does not have authority to directly deal with these issues. However, Cllrs are working on behalf of residents to try and get the problems resolved, and have been so for some years. He further noted that Thames Water are now looking at possible solutions, and the Stocks Farm application has had major input from Bramley PC and Thames Water regarding the sewerage provision. It has also been reported to the Environmental Agency. A resident noted the history of the North Row flooding, dating back to 15 years ago. She noted that the pub has had to pay this weekend for considerable water removal. The existing sewerage system is clearly not up to the job of dealing with output from existing housing, much of which has been built over the course of the last 15 years. She asked what residents can do to collect evidence that the PC can give to BDBC, HCC, and Thames Water. Cllr Durrant stated that the PC has been collecting evidence over the years, but that if residents have further evidence they should submit it to the Parish Clerk so that this may be included. Cllr Oborn asked if there is anything that the Environment Agency can do. Cllr Durrant stated that what the EA can do is limited – it depends if there is a public health hazard. If there is, then they do have enforcement powers. Thames Water are looking to improve the sewerage supply to Bramley. This work will not happen for at least two years (probably 3 – 5 years), and only address the supply for existing properties. They have stated that there should be no more development in Bramley west of the pumping station until the upgrades are complete. However, Cllr Bell stated that developers are putting mitigation measures in their applications. The Stocks Farm application is a case in point, but Thames Water have not accepted that the mitigation measures are adequate. The ongoing planning appeal for this application is very much a test how this will be seen as a planning objection for the medium term future.
11	Consultation documents requiring consideration
	None.
12	Grant Applications
12.1	Clift Meadow Trustees – CMT have submitted an application for grant funding towards a kick wall for the Meadow, which is planned to be placed to the east of the ball court. The total cost of the project is £8100, and CMT have also applied to Sport England and other groups for funding. Cllrs noted that it may not necessarily stop balls being kicked against the buildings at Clift Meadow. Match funding unanimously agreed in principle, depending on what funding CMT might obtain. Cllrs also requested more information on what will be installed, and advised that CMT should speak to officers from BDBC for advice They should also check if planning permission is required. Clerk to take forward.	*Clerk*
13	Date of Next meeting
	The next full Parish Council meeting is scheduled for Tuesday 21^st February 2023, with Planning Committee the week before on Tuesday 14^th February 2023. An EPM to discuss the Government consultation on new planning policy proposals is scheduled for Thursday 26^th January.
14	Resolution to exclude press and public from items that may require discussion of possible legal and financial proceedings
	Cllr Durrant proposed the motion, Cllr Capel seconded, unanimously agreed. The press and public departed the meeting
15	Confidential Items
	Local Government Services pay agreement 2022-23 – the pay agreement was finalised in November 2022. NALC has advised that staff pay should be backdated to April 2022. Cllr Shimell proposed and Cllr Ansell seconded that the new pay rates should be applied for Bramley PC staff. Unanimously agreed. Clerk to take forward.	*Clerk*

	The meeting closed at 8.56pm

Signed: …………………………………………………………………. Date: ………………………………………

(Chairman)
Appendix A – January Briefing notes

COMMUNITY SPEEDWATCH

Concerning speeds – The Street still remains the highest concern. A recording of 77mph was recorded, East Bound, outside the Village Hall. on 18th December at 03:24.
SIDs – Both SIDs were in use throughout December at various locations throughout the Village. See Table 1. The Village Hall location was used throughout December with the aim to obtain base line information to compare once the Camera has been installed, additionally it is also the location where the highest speeds are recorded.
Recent Local SpeedWatch Activity – 2 Manned Deployments were carried out during December one by Farriers Close and the other by the Village Hall . The Details of 32 vehicles were passed onto the Police. Max speed recorded during the deployments was 43mph.
Equipment – The Speed Gun (obtained via Parish Council Grant) has been purchased and was used during a December Manned Deployment. The loaned Police Gun has been passed onto the Silchester Group.
General – A Hampshire Police SpeedWatch and Bramley SpeedWatch have both published newsletters which have been sent out to members. One Hampshire Speedwatch Group has been subject to an incident where a vehicle was used by a member of the Public to damage the Groups Equipment. The incident is still under Police Investigation.
AutoSpeedWatch – Since the approval to proceed with the AutoSpeedWatch System (last PC meeting) Hampshire Highways have, again, contacted regarding the License requirements for the Camera. I have been informed that it has now been passed onto their local area unit for progressing. Hopefully I will hear soon.

ALLOTMENTS/BURIAL GROUND

No written report received.

VILLAGE HALL TRUST

Village Hall Policies are due to be updated.
Looking at obtaining grant funding from the Foyle Foundation for either the kitchen or the main hall floor refurbishment.
Looking at new plans for a more visible sign to the Village Hall.
Hall hire fees for regular users will be going up in April by 10%. This is higher than previously thought, due to higher than expected fuel costs.

CLIFT MEADOW TRUST

No written report received.

POLICING & NEIGHBOURHOOD WATCH

No written report received

HIGHWAYS/FOOTPATHS

No written report received.

BOROUGH COUNCILLOR REPORT –

No written report received.

COUNTY COUNCILLOR REPORT

Happy New Year – I hope that everyone had an enjoyable Christmas break. With 2022 and all it brought now firmly behind us, let’s hope for a more successful year ahead, my very best wishes for 2023.
Schools news – The deadline for school place applications is 15th January. Hampshire County Council is urging parents of children due to start school in reception year or move to year 3 in a junior school in September 2023 to indicate three school preferences on their application.

Over the last six years, 98 per cent of parents secured a school place for their child at one of their three preferred schools, with between 90 and 93 per cent being offered a place at their first preference school. Online guidance can be found on the Education and Learning pages on the County Council’s website.

In other schools’ news, seven Hampshire schools could undergo major building works as part of a ten-year Government programme to ensure that school buildings are fit for the future. Three primary schools, two secondary schools and two special schools have been included in an announcement last month by the Department for Education (DfE), which has provisionally outlined a fourth round of schools to be prioritised for works under its £1bn School Rebuilding Programme.

Keeping homes warm – As more people feel the impact of rising energy costs and increasingly cold weather, Hampshire County Council is reminding those struggling to heat their homes that help is available. Residents can call the ‘Hitting the cold spots’ phone line for advice and guidance, from temporary heating and first-time central heating to arranging home visits and sourcing boiler repair funding.

To access these services, call the team on 0800 804 8601 (lines are open from 9am to 5pm, Monday to Friday). The phone advice line is open to all Hampshire residents. Some services have eligibility criteria, and the advisors will discuss the best possible solution for each caller. More information can be found online.

Minerals and Waste Plan update consultation – A reminder that the consultation on changes to Hampshire’s Minerals and Waste Plan closes at the end of this month, at 17:00 hours on Tuesday 31 January 2023.

The consultation allows residents to comment on local sites that have been identified for minerals extraction and transportation. Sites for waste processing, recycling and disposal facilities are also indicated in the Plan.

The proposed updated plan and the response form can be found at www.hants.gov.uk/minerals-waste-update. My advice is to study the plan carefully for proposals for your area and respond accordingly.

Tree planting – Trees play an important role in carbon sequestration. As part of the commitment to reach Net Zero by 2050, HCC has produced a Tree Strategy and has committed to facilitate the planting of at least one million trees in Hampshire. The Hampshire Forest Partnership has been set up as the public delivery mechanism for this strategy; its aim is to bring together the public and third sector across Hampshire, as well as residents, businesses, schools and the wider community.

Part of the strategy is to plant mini forests across Hampshire, using a technique developed by a Japanese ecologist, Dr Miyawaki, which encourages faster growth and more successful establishment of the trees, as well as a greater number planted, greater biodiversity and carbon sequestration.

More information can be found at https://www.hants.gov.uk/thingstodo/hampshireforestpartnership . The council is also encouraging parishes and residents to suggest locations for mini forests and other tree planting. If you have any local suggestions, please also email the team at treeplanting@hants.gov.uk

Roads update – Hampshire residents’ satisfaction with how Hampshire County Council maintains the county’s 5,500 miles of highway has improved, following the County Council’s decision to provide additional local funding to try to reduce the impact of the year-on-year reductions in Government funding for local highway maintenance over the past decade.

Hampshire has been rated third out of all 30 English county councils for public satisfaction with highway maintenance and is the highest performing county authority in the South-East region, according to the 2022 National Highways and Transport Survey.

Since the beginning of 2022, Hampshire Highways has repaired around 41,000 carriageway and footway defects, including potholes, and cleared nearly 39,000 gullies and other highway drainage assets to reduce the risk of flooding.

The focus in December was in responding to the cold snap, for example between 1st and 16th December, 26 salting runs were completed, accounting for 5,250 man hours and 5,665 tons of salt being deposited on the county’s Priority One routes. More details of Hamphire Highways’ winter response can be found at hants.gov.uk/transport/roadmaintenance/severeweather

Cllr Rhydian Vaughan

Appendix B – Finance

The January finance statement can be viewed here.

Appendix C – Budget

The Bramley PC 2023-24 budget can be viewed here.

Appendix D – Planning Summary

Approvals/Refusals*

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

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

Refused

Objection

22/02540/HSE – Stocks Farm House The Street Bramley (see also 22/02541/LBC)

Installation of 5 solar panels on the hidden valley south facing tile roof

Granted

No objection, defer to Conservation Officer

T/00450/22/TPO – Street Record North Row Bramley

T1753 Tree Tag: 2624 English Oak: Prune, T1755 Tree tag: 2264 English Oak: Prune, T1760 Tree Tag: 2260 English Oak: Prune

Granted

Defer to tree officer

22/02937/HSE – 9 Longbridge Road Bramley

Proposed single storey side extension

Granted

No objection

T/00499/22/TCA – Middle Farm Cottage The Street Bramley

T8 – Oak. Following major stem failure:

Reduce broader areas of the canopy (to the north and east) by approximately 6m to leave a lateral canopy spread lateral spread which is no more that 5m radius.

Reduce tree height by approximately 6m down to 11m.

Cuts will be graded around the canopy to leave a natural-looking canopy shape

Raise no objection

Defer to tree officer

T/00400/22/TPO – 6 Pound Close Bramley

Willow/ mixed species – prune

Part granted

Defer to tree officer

22/03131/LDPO – 11 Oakmead Bramley

Convert existing loft space into 2no habitable rooms and 1no bathroom, including flat roof dormer to rear and 3no Velux to front

Granted

Objection

Pending Applications*

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.	22/01703/VLA – Land At The Street The Street Bramley Variation of section 106 agreement attached to 15/02682/OUT to insert mortgagee in possession clause	No comment
4.	22/01797/FUL – Land East Of Ash Park Business Centre Ash Lane Little London Installation of a battery storage facility and ancillary development.	Objection
5.	22/02029/HSE – 17 Moat Close Bramley Proposed two storey side extension and single storey rear extension	No objection
6.	22/02956/HSE – Oakdale Silchester Road Bramley Proposed Porch and Two Rear Ground Floor Extensions, New Windows and Doors. Render of Brickwork Walls	No objection
7.	T/00481/22/TPO – Campbell Road/German Road Bramley Chestnuts: pollard every third tree	Defer to tree officer
8.	22/03067/FUL – Land Adjoining Clift Surgery Minchens Lane Bramley Formation of highway access and erection of 2no two-bed; 3no three-bed; and 1no four-bed houses with garaging, carports, landscaping and associated works	Objection
9.	22/03076/LDPO – Land Known As Plot 4 Cufaude Lane Bramley Certificate of Lawfulness for the proposed use of an area of established hardstanding. This is shown on the Block Diagram. An access has been established to Cufuade Road. This is shown on the Block Plan. The works took place in about 2017. The access has been identified as being safe and does not increase flood risk. The hardstanding is not and has not been used residentially, and is semi permeable	Objection
10.	22/03224/ROC – Land At Silchester Road Silchester Road Bramley Variation of condition 1 of 20/00319/FUL to make design changes required for ease of maintenance and build costs associated with affordable units and other design changes	Objection
11.	22/03261/HSE – The Acorns The Street Bramley Front side and rear single storey extension to accommodate an annexe	No objection

*Objections/no objections listed are the decision of Bramley Parish Council only, and do not reflect any submissions placed by members of the public or other bodies with Basingstoke & Deane Borough Council.