Parish Council meeting minutes – 20th July 2021

i.            Sybil Wood – A short prayer was said and a minute’s silence was held in memory of the late Sybil Wood, wife to the former Chairman of the Parish Council, Richard Wood.

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.  The Chairman noted that the September meeting is scheduled to be face to face but will very much depend on the Covid situation at the time.

·         A resident noted that foliage around public footpaths, particularly from  Middle Farm to Church Farm needs cutting back.  The clerk noted that this should be covered by the upcoming path maintenance from the HCC Rights of Way team.  It was also noted that the open space at the top end of St James Park is extremely overgrown.  Cllr Durrant has raised this with enforcement officers.

The Clerk noted that Cllr Vaughan has reported that one class at Bramley School is self-isolating due to Covid 19.

Cllr Tomblin asked what has happened to verge cutting in country lanes.  This has not happened so far this year, and some country lanes are now quite dangerous.  Clerk to pass on to Cllr Vaughan.

Clerk

·         There was a full Council meeting of BDBC in the last week.  It was held at the Haymarket again due to Covid rules.

·         The future of the Haymarket is under review.

·         Finance review – money has been carried forward from last year due to Covid.  BDBC is looking fairly buoyant at present.

·         A motion to tackle fly tipping was voted down.  Current measures will continue.  It was noted that if fly tipping has identifiable rubbish, then the perpetrators can be fined.  Cllr Oborn asked if an increase of fly tipping has been seen since the appointment system for the tip was instituted – Cllr Tomblin stated that there are no figures at present, although they have been requested.

·         Members Advisory Panels – Cllr Tomblin has attended the first of these.  They are cross party working parties.  Housing number allocations per area are being considered.  Possible garden towns being are also being looked at.  A transport assessment is being carried out by BDBC.  Bramley’s lack of infrastructure was brought to the fore by Cllr Tomblin.  Ecological measures are also being considered.  Future for business in Basingstoke – it seems that there is not enough office space in Basingstoke at present.  Logistical warehouse space is also being seen as a key item moving forward.

·         Cllr Tomblin has received a few letters about the proposed battery installation at Minchens Lane highlighting safety concerns about the batteries with regards to overheating and explosions.  Cllr Tomblin has requested that the relevant authorities (Fire Service, etc) be consulted before a decision is made.  Cllr Oborn noted that this should not be the case with modern batteries.  Cllr Shimell asked if the Fire Service was a statutory consultee – Cllr Tomblin stated that this is not always the case, hence his questions about consulting them.  Clerk to raise issue with Cllr Vaughan in his capacity as Chair of the Hampshire and Isle of Wight fire service.

Clerk

Cllr Durrant has suggested wording for the plaque – ‘To those we lost to Covid-19 and all those that cared for them.’  Clerk to collate suggestions from Cllrs Durrant, Tomblin, and Bell, and members to decide via email and Clerk to place order accordingly.

Clerk

Clerk

Cllr Bell has put together a website post to be shared via social media, asking for people to volunteer for a choir to sing the specially written anthem, a piper, and a town crier.  Cllr Bell is also investigating food and music options for the event.  MB prop, SD seconded, unanimously agreed.

Hog roasts supplied by Hampshire Fete Feast Hog & Bun for 400 – 500 people will cost up to £3030 – this includes supply and staff on the day.  The supplier can also provide a bar if necessary, and there is a suggestion of offering a fee soft drink to all attendees.  A £50 deposit will be required to hold the date for the caterer.

CMT have stated that merging it in the with fete probably won’t work very well.

Cllr Durrant proposed paying the £50 hold the caterer fee.  The overall cost of event is likely to be £5000 plus.  Cllr Flooks seconded, unanimously agreed.  It was noted that a firm budget for the event in required, and members also need to understand about contingencies for weather etc.  Cllr Durrant proposed a £5000 cap for event, unanimously agreed.  Clerk to check insurance if event is disrupted.

Cllr Day noted the suggestion for the Royal British Legion to fly the standard – this was generally agreed to be a good idea.

Clerk

Cllr Flooks

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

Cllr Mahaffey has also forwarded sewerage issues on to officers.

Cllr Mahaffey noted that he has been liaising with HCC Hichgways re the transport plans for the solar farm and battery installation, highlighting concerns.  He has also asked that both applications are considered on the same DCC agenda.

i.            New Applications – none.

The maintenance work at the Grays Meadow site is now complete.  Cllr Shimell has let two of the empty plots and is working on the others.

i.            St James Park allotments – the Council’s solicitors have again chased Persimmon’s solicitors about the lease, but has still not received a reply.  They have noted that the deadline for this to be resolved is 11^th August.

Clerk to check police involvement with the Community Speedwatch (CSW) team.  Cllr Mahaffey noted that there is likely to be a co-ordinated CSW campaign across various council areas.

i.            CCTV quote – a quote for extending the CCTV coverage at Clift Meadow has been received.  The quote covers the supply and installation of an ANPR camera at a cost of £1313.50+VAT.  Separately to that, there is a quote for moving the existing camera to cover the buildings, and then installing a new camera to cover the car park, at a cost of £550+VAT.  CMT have indicated that extended coverage of the buildings would be useful.  The ANPR camera would also be useful, although not perhaps as critical.  Clerk to clarify figures on cost of new cameras.  Also clarify with CMT on what they wish to prioritise.

·         Clift Meadow would like to thank The Parish Council for installing the new entrance to The Meadow, by the pub, so quickly.

·         The Chase the sun bicycle event was a big success. One of the organisers of the event Simon messaged to say that the riders were very impressed with the stop over facilities (all covid secure too) and it’s looking good for next year. It worked well diverting the riders away from the crossing and being able to use the doctor’s car park for the support teams made repairs etc a lot easier and safer. As with all new events there were a couple of minor issues that were soon rectified and there are obviously tweaks to be made for next year’s event. Around 800 started the event and about 500 made it to Burnham including a penny farthing just 5 hours after leaving Bramley. Big thank you to all the trustees, volunteers, Simon Ward (fish and chips), WI and ATS (who did a fabulous job with the marshalling).

·         Ticket sales for the music event are selling slowly with 113 sold so far. A bold banner advertising the event is going up this weekend on the grass island by the old barn on Minchens Lane, so should hopefully generate more ticket sales. Neighbours have been advised of the event.

·         Fete preparations are in full swing.

Clerk

No update at present, although work is continuing at the Bramley Lane junction.

Finances – Cllr Durrant gave a brief overview of Council expenditure over the last 3 years.  This will be sent out to all Cllrs.  He noted that the bulk of expenditure in the Parish tended to be in the west ward, principally because that is where all the community facilities are.  However, the expenditure does benefit the whole Bramley community.

Cllr Durrant

The Clerk noted that a grant was previously given to Victim Support in 2019.

Cllr Durrant proposed a £50 grant, Cllr Day seconded, unanimously agreed.  Clerk to take forward.

Clerk

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

Clerk

The receipts for July were noted.  The Clerk noted that the VAT return for Q1 needs to be submitted, and will be for approximately £600

The meeting closed at 8.38pm

• None.

Erection of single storey side extension

• Cllr Flooks proposed, Cllr Capel seconded no objection.   Unanimously agreed.  Clerk to take forward.

Clerk

Erection of single storey rear extension

• Cllr Flooks proposed, Cllr Oborn seconded no comments.   Unanimously agreed.  Clerk to take forward.

Clerk

Erection of conservatory to rear elevation and garden/outbuilding in rear garden

• Cllr Flooks proposed, Cllr Oborn seconded no objection.  Unanimously agreed.  Clerk to take forward.

Clerk

Assorted tree works

• Cllr Capel proposed, Cllr Oborn seconded deferral to the BDBC tree officer.  Unanimously agreed.  Clerk to take forward.

Clerk

None.

These were noted.

The applicant has submitted a lengthy document in response to the comments from statutory consultees and members of the public.  However, it is the view of Bramley Parish Council that this document does little to alter any of the PCs original objections to the proposals.  A further letter has been submitted to BDBC restating the Parish Council’s concerns, and supporting Cllr Simon Mahaffey’s comments on the response document.  Cllr CF proposed ratifying the contents of the PC letter, Cllr KO seconded, unanimously agreed.  Clerk to continue to monitor the application for updates.

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

This application was due to be discussed at the BDBC Development Control Committee meeting on 21^st July but has subsequently been withdrawn from the agenda due to concerns raised by Highways to the transport plan.  The Clerk has already requested a speaking slot for the Parish Council when it is finally considered at DCC.

It appears that Thames Water has costed the installation of a separate pumped main from Bramley No.1 SPS direct to Sherfield-on-Loddon Sewage Treatment Works (STW) and has found it prohibitively expensive.  They are reviewing an alternative option that would involve passing forward more flow downstream of Bramley No.1 SPS and upsizing some of the network.  This solution would need to include increasing the pump rate at Sherfield-on-Loddon STW to ensure it doesn’t cause additional problems in the network, specifically at Willowtree Cottage.

• Lights at Clift Meadow – the original solar powered lighting Persimmon proposed has now become obsolete, so they come up with an alternative.  The lighting would only come on during the hours of darkness, and then only if someone were using the path.  The lifespan of the solar batteries is 5 years+, and replacements are currently £206+VAT.  The Clerk has replied with a number of queries, to which we have received an initial reply and expect a fuller reply in due course.
• Replacement planting – it is anticipated that this will be done in the next planting season, and should be complete by November 2021.
• Highways s.278 issues – Persimmon have confirmed that the work will be carried out as designed now that HCC has agreed it.  There will be a delay since Persimmon are now using a different contractor and there has been some issues with the handover, but the new contractor is expected to shortly make an application for a temporary traffic regulation order to allow the works on Minchens Lane to resume as the narrow nature of the road will require a closure for the duration.  Clerk to query which drawings and design they will be working to.

• Clift Meadow path – Persimmon’s new contractor has been asked to look at raising the path as now requested, to take it out of the surface water during very heavy rainfall.  Persimmon will update the PC further once they have more information.
• Allotments – a water trough is being installed (if not already), and Persimmon have agreed the supply of topsoil if required.  Persimmon have again repeated that perimeter security fencing and lockable gates for the car park are not part of the design for this development.  The lease is still with Persimmon’s solicitors for action, but no reply has been forthcoming to date.

Persimmon has stated that all works/planting/path etc will be done by the end of November 2021 as the back stop.  They have acknowledged that they have failed to achieve targets previously, but this will not continue to be the case.

Clerk

Meeting closed at 7.41pm

Single storey front extension.

No objection

T1 Silver birch: Prune

Defer to tree officer

Part Garage Conversion and new link to existing Kitchen

No objection, comments

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

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

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

T1 Beech: prune

Erection of a single storey front extension and dormer windows

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

Erection of detached garage