Parish Council meeting minutes – 18th May 2021

i.            The Chairman welcomed Cllr Shimell and Cllr Day to the Council.  He also congratulated BDBC and HCC ward councillors on their election to the Councils.

ii.            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, currently scheduled for 20^th July 2021.

Cllr Capel noted her interest in the planning application for Taylor Drive and did not take part in the vote for that item.

·         Bramley Brook – a section of the stream will be dredged very soon, and the footpath repair work will be done at the same time.  BDBC will check the collapsed bank whilst they are there.

·         Hybrid meetings – not taking forward at present as not urgent.

·         A resident queried the upcoming cycle race stop.  It appears that their website states the stop is Silchester rather than Bramley.  Cllr Capel confirmed that it is definitely in Bramley, and will liaise with the Clift Meadow Trust to ensure that all media states this.

·         HCC reorganisation – 50 new County Cllrs have been elected.  The HCC AGM is on 27^th May.

·         Donna Jones has been elected as the new Police and Crime Commissioner.  Cllr Vaughan hopes to see action on low level crime.

Cllr Tomblin, Cllr Robinson and Cllr Mahaffey gave a verbal report:

·         Cllr Tomblin noted the three ward councillors for the Bramley ward, and further noted when they will be up for re-election.

·         The make up of BDBC now has a clear Conservative majority.

·         BDBC full council meeting next week to appoint leader and mayor, and also decide committee appointments.  This meeting will be at held at the Haymarket to allow the appropriate social distancing.

·         The Cufaude Lane site was visited last week by BDBC enforcement officers with a police escort to do a site audit.

·         Mark Andrews been employed as a temporary enforcement officer whilst BDBC replace Janine Wright.

Cllr Durrant/ Cllr Bell

Cllr Durrant proposed an in house session in Bramley, online if possible.  Cllr Day seconded, unanimously agreed.  Clerk to liaise with Sherfield Parish Council and HALC.

Clerk

i.            T/00140/21/TPO – 4 St Marks Close Bramley

T1 Silver birch: Prune

·         Cllr Durrant proposed referring to the BDBC tree officer, Cllr Capel seconded, unanimously agreed.  Clerk to take forward.

ii.            21/01002/LDPO – 7 St James Close Bramley

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

·         Cllr Durrant proposed no objection, Cllr Flooks seconded, unanimously agreed.  Clerk to take forward.

iii.            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

·         The land in question is in the process of being purchased from a private company by the applicant.

·         Cllr Flooks proposed no objection, Cllr Durrant seconded, majority approval, and Cllr Bell abstained.  Clerk to take forward.

iv.            T/00178/21/TPO – 7 And 8 Oakmead Bramley

T1 Oak: prune

T2 Oak: prune

·         Cllr Flooks proposed referring to the BDBC tree officer, Cllr Durrant seconded, unanimously agreed.  Clerk to action.

v.            21/01147/FUL – Land At Latchmere Green Ash Lane Latchmere Green Little London

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

·         This property already has permission for conversion of the existing agricultural building.

·         The land is known to flood as it is in a flood zone.

·         The proposed building will change the look of the area completely – it will be become a mini housing estate.

·         However, given the existing permission, no reason to object.  Cllr Flooks proposed making the above comments to the planning officer, Cllr Durrant seconded, unanimously agreed.  Clerk to action.

vi.            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

·         The proposed extension is very bulky and quite close to road.

·         The proposed extension is out of place in the existing street scene, and would be detrimental to the look of the area which dates back to the early 20^th century.

·         Cllr Bell proposed an objection due the above concerns, Cllr Oborn seconded, majority approved.  Cllr Day and Cllr Shimell abstained.  Clerk to take forward.

vii.            21/01241/HSE – 1 Tottenham Close Bramley

Part Garage Conversion and new link to existing Kitchen

·         Cllr Oborn proposed a comment on the parking reduction, otherwise no objection.  Seconded by Cllr Shimell, unanimously agreed.  Clerk to action.

viii.            T/00194/21/TPO – 1 St James Close Bramley

T1 Beech: prune

·         Cllr Oborn proposed referral to the BDBC tree officer, Cllr Durrant seconded,  unanimously agreed.  Clerk to action.

Clerk

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Cllr Tomblin noted 20/01097/OUT for four houses adjacent to The Street has gone to appeal – closing dates for comments is 8^th June.  He further noted that the ongoing issues with Thames Water should be highlighted.  Cllr Tomblin’s report on sewerage should be sent to the Planning Inspector, and also information on what the long term solution is likely to be, and that nothing should be built until this has happened.  Clerk to take forward.

Clerk

No further update at this time.  Still awaiting meeting dates from each of the applicants.  Cllr Mahaffey noted his meeting with Highways recently, and stated that he doesn’t believe it will go to DCC any time soon.

Cllr Durrant noted the burst pipe at Campbell Road on C32 today, which was reportedly issuing foul smelling water.  It is unknown if this has been resolved as yet.

·         Clift Meadow lighting – there is a long lead time for the supply of these, but Persimmon will check to see when delivery will be.  They have confirmed that the lampposts will be green rather than silver.  They are to supply a cost guide for the replacement solar powered batteries.

·         Clift Meadow path – a plan should be submitted within the next week or so.

·         Ditch clearance – Persimmon state that the ditch is not within the development Title and is therefore not their responsibility.  This needs to be checked.  The blockage should also be reported to HCC as the Lead Flood Authority.  Cllr Flooks noted that the original application did state that the developer was going to look after the stream.

·         Tree planting – this should have been done some time ago, and Persimmon are chasing.

·         Allotments – the lease is with the solicitors, and discussions on other matters are ongoing.

·         Attenuation Pond – there is no intention to install a depth gauge.  This should be added to the report to the Lead Flood Authority.

·         White gateway feature at the 30mph sign on Minchens Lane – this is being dealt with in conjunction with HCC.  There is no timeframe at present.

·         Other Highways issues – again, these are being dealt with in conjunction with HCC.  There is no timeframe at present.  Cllr Flooks noted that Highways stated in June 2019 that the right hand turn into Burlington Avenue is not fit for purpose and should be addressed by Persimmon.

·         Management Company contact – the Clerk now has the relevant contact details, although handover is not complete as yet and all queries should still be addressed to Persimmon.

Clerk

Clerk

Cllr Bell/ Cllr Durrant

i.            St James Park allotments – the lease agreement is currently with the solicitors for further action.  The Clerk has circulated the current version of the lease to all Councillors.

Cllr Tomblin to draft letter to BDBC planning team outlining Bramley PC difficulties.

Cllr Day asked if BDBC have any power to prevent further development from Persimmon until this development is resolved.  Cllr Tomblin confirmed that that this is not possible, and may well be unlawful as well.

Cllr Tomblin

·         Ongoing bookings are looking healthy

·         Work on the car park is due to begin the week beginning 19^th July.  This may affect the first face to face Parish Council meeting after lockdown restrictions are lifted in June – Clerk to monitor and change the venue if necessary.

Clerk

·         Issues with anti-social behaviour – large gatherings, noisy, leaving lots of litter, possibility of drug use.  The local PCSO is working with CMT to try to resolve issues.

i.            Playground Surface – the Clerk has received information on the suppliers that BDBC use.  Three quotes will be necessary, of which one has been obtained so far.

The Clerk noted the new CSPO for Bramley, Samantha Lowe.  Samantha will hopefully be attending a future PC meeting, depending on commitments.  Clerk to organise.

Clerk

Live music event – CMT has submitted more detail on the income and expenditure for the event.  Cllr Durrant noted that CMT are now overdue on some deposits for the event, and that a decision on the grant should be made at this meeting.  Cllr Durrant further noted that CMT have confirmed that they will contact local residents.

Cllr Durrant stated that the issue for CMT is that if they don’t get regular events going, then they will always be referring to the PC for any expenditure.  It also may be good for the community to see such an event occurring.  The likely demographic will be families and older.

Cllr Day observed that CMT could consider concessions to raise more revenue.  However, it appears that will not be possible for this event, although it may be for future events.

Cllr Capel stated that if the event is successful then CMT will consider making it an annual event.  If it becomes annual event, it is not envisaged that the PC will need to help fund further events.

Cllr Durrant proposed giving the grant, Cllr Oborn seconded, unanimously agreed.  Clerk to contact CMT and check grant amount.  Also ask CMT to acknowledge where funding came from.

Clerk

The Clerk noted the payments for May.

Cllr Tomblin proposed approving the May payments, seconded by Cllr Bell, unanimously approved.  Clerk to action.

Clerk

The receipts for May were noted.

The meeting closed at 8.54pm

The erection of 1 no. dwelling and associated parking and access

Objection

Erection of 1 no. single storey dwelling to provide accommodation for parents, associated landscaping and access following demolition of stable/home office

Objection

Proposed pergola in rear garden

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