Parish Council meeting minutes – 21st June 2022

Date:

Tuesday 21^st June 2022

Time:                                    7.00pm

Place:

Bramley Room, Bramley Village Hall

Present:

Cllr Malcolm Bell (Chair)

Cllr Chris Tomblin

Cllr Steve Day

Cllr Keith Oborn

Cllr Chris Flooks

Cllr Liz Capel

In attendance:

Maxta Thomas (Clerk)

0 members of the public

Cllr Nick Robinson (Borough)

Apologies:

Cllr Colin Shimell

Cllr Tony Durrant

Cllr Bruce Ansell

Cllr Rhydian Vaughan (County)

1

Apologies for Absence

As listed above.

2

Declarations of Interest

·         Cllr Tomblin noted his position on the Development Control (DC) Committee and took no part in voting on planning applications.

3

Minutes of the Last Parish Council Meeting

3.1

Cllr Flooks noted that he was absent from the APM on 24^th May, and the minutes were updated accordingly. 

The minutes of the meetings held on 17^th May (Annual Meeting and Full Council) and 24^th May (Annual Parish Meeting) were proposed by Cllr Flooks as being a true and accurate record of the meeting.  This was seconded by Cllr Day and unanimously agreed.  The Chairman duly signed the minutes. 

3.2

Matters arising

·         None.

4

Open Forum

Cllr Bell invited comments and questions from the public. 

·         None.

5

County Councillor Report  – see appendix A. 

It was noted that Cllr Vaughan continues as Chair of the Hampshire & Isle of Wight Fire and Rescue Authority.

6

Borough Councillor Report – See appendix A. 

·         Nothing to report other than the recent Economic, Planning & Housing (EPH) Committee meeting – see planning.

7

Parish Environment

7.1

Update on ‘Jubilee Glade’ – it was confirmed that the land for the Jubilee Glade is definitely not registered.  It is unclear at this stage who owns the land. 

Cllr Tomblin has contacted BDBC for advice on accessibility issues.  If the proposed path is on BDBC owned land it would need planning permission, and it might need it in any case.  Pre-application advice is likely to be free and they will give advice.  The Equalities Act 2010 re disabled access must be followed.  The path should be wide enough to allow wheelchair access with a turning circle for buggies.  If stones/gravel are used for the path surface, they should be no more the 10mm.  Clerk to pass information on to the Sustainability Team. 

7.2

CIL funding – the Clerk noted receipt of £7687 from BDBC – a CIL payment relating to development at Upper Cufaude Farm (19/00464/FUL).  She noted that there are a broad spectrum of infrastructure projects that Parish Councils can spend money on, and that this particular payment must be spent by Bramley PC by June 2027. 

Cllr Bell proposed that the money should be ring-fenced for infrastructure projects, and that it should be placed in the PC savings account for the moment.  Unanimously agreed.  Clerk to action.

BDBC will require a yearly statement on how such funds are spent.

Cllr Bell invited Cllrs to consider possible infrastructure projects in the parish.

Cllr Tomblin to investigate what further CIL funding is earmarked for Bramley, and when the PC might expect payment.

Cllr Tomblin enquired about the Football Club changing rooms project, and whether they will be using their s.106 funding.  Clerk to make enquiries. 

Clerk

Cllr Tomblin

Clerk

7.3

National Grid works for NWR connection – National Grid are upgrading the electricity sub-station at Holly Cross, for connection with Network Rail.  Preparation work has begun, and activity in the field next to Minchens Lane is due to begin in the next few weeks.  There will be increased lorry movements in the village, although most traffic will come in from the west and thereby avoid the level crossing.  A very few heavier vehicles cannot enter the site from this route, and will be coming over the level crossing.  This includes the transformer, which is scheduled for delivery to site on Sunday 21^st August.  There will be some preparation for this, as it will have an escort as a wide vehicle.  Some road signage will be temporarily removed in the period leading up to the delivery.  Residents affected will be informed via a mail drop, and the PC will be putting out details via the website and social media.    

Clerk

8

Clerk’s report & Administration

8.1

Parish magazine article – The next deadline will be 15^th August for the September issue.  Cllr Flooks to write the next article. 

Cllr Flooks

9

Planning

9.1

Planning Applications

a.       22/01324/LDPO – 1 Yew Tree Close Bramley

Certificate of lawfulness for the proposed loft conversion including installation of 1 flat roof dormer to the rear elevation & 2 roof-lights to the front elevation, to form additional habitable space.

o   No objection unanimously agreed.  Clerk to process.

b.      22/01348/HSE – Fairlands Silchester Road Bramley

                Loft conversion

o   No objection unanimously agreed.  Clerk to process.

c.       T/00193/22/TCA – Lime Tree Cottage Vyne Road Bramley

                T1 Oak – Fell to ground level and grind out stump. Tree has a weak                 fork at a significant branch junction. One of a group of trees with                 asymmetrical growth with heavy bias over driveway and power                 lines.

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

d.      T/00195/22/TCA – 42 Kirby Drive Bramley

                T1 (Goat willow): remove goat willow on Council land to just                 above ground level. We believe this tree is on the edge of the CA,                 possibly within its boundaries, possibly just outside.

                Reason for requesting removal: this woodland edge tree has a                 significant phototropic lean over the garden, overshadowing                 plants and fruit trees.

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

e.       22/01377/HSE  – Middle Farm Cottage The Street Bramley

                Part single storey part 2 storey front extension, 2 storey rear and                 side extensions plus rebuilding of existing conservatory and new                 insulation.

o   No objection as the PC concerns re overlooking have been addressed, but comment that submitted plans remain confusing, and that the block plan in particular is difficult to understand which property is which.  Building materials should be in keeping with surrounding area, especially in light of the conservation area.  Some consideration should also be given to how materials are going to be delivered to the site.  Clerk to process.

f.        22/01370/HSE – 19 Apple Dene Bramley

                Proposed rear Lean to extension

o   Objection – slate roof will not be in keeping with the area, and also as stated the Neighbourhood Plan.  Clerk to process.

g.       22/01457/LDPO – 3 Centenary Fields Bramley

                Certificate of Lawfulness for the proposed operation of a single                 storey side extension

o   No objection unanimously agreed.  Clerk to process.

h.      T/00210/22/TCA – Olivers Cottage Bramley Green Tadley

                1 Oak: fell, 6 Lawson cypress: fell.

o   Quality of information provided by the applicant is very poor; it is difficult to establish where the oak tree is. 

o   There is no arboricultural report.

o   The oak tree is not diseased, members could not see any reason to fell it; branch management would be preferable.

o   The oak tree in particular adds to the visual value of Bramley Green.

o   Objection as outlined above.  Clerk to process.

i.        Any other new applications

No new applications.

Stocks Farm – a recent submission from the Clift Surgery has since been retracted by the senior partner.

Applications granted and those refused (see appendix B) were noted.

Clerk

Clerk

Clerk

Clerk

Clerk

Clerk

Clerk

Clerk

9.2

Planning Appeals

a.       21/00349/FUL – Land At OS Ref 464762 159811 Minchens Lane Bramley – Installation of a battery storage facility with associated works – Planning Inspectorate reference APP/H1705/W/21/3289603

The Clerk noted the above planning appeal.  The deadline for any new submissions is 29^th June.  A date has not yet been set for the appeal.  Cllr Bell presented a written a further submission – it was unanimously agreed that this should be submitted.  Clerk to take forward.

Clerk

9.3

Local Plan Update – Cllr Flooks noted the recent EPH Committee meeting at which the rural strategy for the Local Plan Update was discussed.  Cllr Flooks made representations on behalf of Bramley PC.  A number of parishes made representations, and the committee members stated that the documentation they need to make a decision is still incomplete.  The water study in particular is an issue, and a number of other policies need to be revisited.  Another meeting has been requested to speak with the authors of the water study.  Cllr Tomblin is chairing a ‘task and finish’ group to look at various motions, one of which was Simon Mahaffey’s motion on how development impacts the rural villages. 

Cllr Bell noted that the NDP will need updating in the light of the Local Plan Update, and proposed that a working group be but in place, the membership of whom should be made up primarily of Bramley residents and with one or two Bramley PC representatives.  This was unanimously approved.  Cllr Bell to co-ordinate. 

Cllr Bell

9.4

Basingstoke Parishes Coalition – Whitchurch Town Council has proposed the idea of a coalition to move forward with persuading the Borough Council to use a different methodology for calculating housing numbers.  Maria Miller MP is holding a meeting on the Local Plan Update on 23^rd June.

Cllr Bell proposed that Bramley PC should be part of this coalition.  Cllr Flooks seconded, unanimously agreed.  Cllr Bell and the Clerk to take forward.

Cllr Bell/Clerk

10

Reports

10.1

Allotments & Burial Ground – Cllr Shimell has submitted the following report:

Allotments – During the last couple of weeks a number of Improvement Notices have been issued to allotment holders where they have not been keeping their plots up to the expected standard.  Under our rules the Improvement Notice gives them 4 weeks to make improvements to their plot.  If there is no improvement after that time a second notice is issued.  If still no improvement after the 2nd notice, they will be given notice to quit.  Of those given an Improvement Notice all have undertaken to make improvements except one, who has decided to give up his plot by the end of July.

The Clerk noted the following:

Burial Ground – there have been issues recently with the ongoing maintenance at the Burial Ground.  These have now been resolved, and the Clerk is maintaining a watching brief on the situation.  There is also an issue with a build-up of debris in the rubbish area – the PC contractor will be addressing this in two weeks’ time.

10.2

Village Hall Trust – see appendix A.  Solar panels to be installed in July.

10.3

Clift Meadow Trust – Cllr Capel gave a verbal report.

·         Eileen Gulston has now decided to step down as bookings clerk for CMT.  She will stay on as a ‘friend of CMT’ for the moment.  A new bookings clerk will take over in early July. 

·         Playground swing – CMT is putting an insurance claim in for a replacement.

·         Cricket pitch – CMT are looking at making the stakes and rope around the cricket pitch more visible.

a.       Electricity for Clift Meadow storage shed – Cllr Bell noted that there is no power in the storage shed, which can lead to health and safety issues on occasion.  He proposed that the installation of power for lighting and four power sockets should be investigated.  This was unanimously agreed.  Clerk to take forward.

b.       Brocas Hall security shutters – a quote for new shutters at Brocas Hall has been received.  The total quote is for £13,570.  The Clerk noted that a £5000 holding figure is in the budget for this year for this item.  The current shutters do not work well and ongoing maintenance is very expensive due to how they have been installed.  Cllr Bell proposed the expenditure, Cllr Flooks seconded, unanimously agreed.  Clerk to make enquiries about additional quotes.

Clerk

Clerk

10.4

Police & Neighbourhood Watch – no report.

10.5

Highways & Footpaths – see appendix A. 

Clift Meadow footpath – a Persimmon contractor arrived last week to install lights along the new path, and discovered that the overhead power lines are too close.  They are now awaiting advice from SSE.

10.6

Road Safety Project – no report.

10.7

Chairman’s Report – no report. 

11

Consultation documents requiring consideration

11.1

Changing the disposal charges and booking systems for Household Waste Recycling Centres – the closing date is 4^th July 2022. 

Cllrs unanimously agreed the proposed scrapping of charges.

Cllrs unanimously agreed to support a booking system provided that it is determined that it is not encouraging fly tipping.  Clerk to respond accordingly. 

Clerk

11.2

HCC Local Transport Plan – the closing date 26^th June 2022. 

Cllrs to submit comments to clerk who will then submit a PC response.

All

12

Grant Applications

12.1

Victim Support – application for assistance with the purchase of security items for victims.  The request is for a grant of £50.  Cllr Tomblin proposed giving the grant, Cllr Capel seconded, unanimously agreed.  Clerk to take forward.

Clerk

12.2

Bramley Coffee mornings – it was agreed via email that the PC make a donation of £100 to assist the Bramley Coffee mornings in re-establishing post Covid.  Cllr Tomblin proposed ratifying the donation, Cllr Flooks seconded, unanimously agreed.

13.

Finance

13.1

Payments and reconciliation approval – see appendix C

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

Clerk

8.3

Acknowledgement of Receipts – see appendix C

The receipts for June were noted. 

13

Date of Next meeting

The Clerk noted that the scheduling of future PC meetings will need to be looked at given the BDBC commitments of two of its members.  The next Parish Council meeting is scheduled for Tuesday 26^th July at 7.00pm, in the Bramley Room at Bramley Village Hall, with the next Planning Committee meeting on Tuesday 19^th July.

14

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

None.

15

Confidential Items

None.

The meeting closed at 9.06pm

1.        

22/00861/HSE – 7 Tudor Close Bramley

Erection of single storey side and rear extensions

Granted

No objection, comments

2.        

T/00142/22/TPO – 39 Wallis Drive Bramley

T1 Sycamore: prune

No objection

3.        

22/00999/HSE – The Well House Cufaude Lane Bramley

Proposed Single Storey Rear Extension and Garage Conversion

Granted

No objection

4.        

22/01072/HSE – 19 Flora View Chineham Basingstoke

Erection of a two storey rear/side extension

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.        

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

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

5.        

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

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

Objection

6.        

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.

No objection, comments

7.        

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

Build new oak framed garages and greenhouse

No objection

8.        

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

Erection of 4 no. dwellings to include access and layout

Objection

9.        

22/00703/FUL – Bramley Village Hall The Street Bramley

Proposed new externally illuminated sign for Bramley Village Hall on existing verge in front of existing hedge (see also 22/00750/ADV)

No objection, comments

10.    

22/00708/HSE – The Farthings Cufaude Lane Bramley

Erection of a detached double garage following demolition of existing

No objection

11.    

22/00744/FUL – Bramley Garage Sherfield Road Bramley

Demolition of existing garage and bakery buildings, erection of two buildings comprising a Class E commercial unit and 9 residential flats, change of use of land to residential use associated with Spring Fields, change of use of parts of residential curtilage of Spring Fields to form part of new development, associated car parking, servicing and landscaping.

Objection

12.    

T/00129/22/TPO – Chestnut Lodge Officers Row Bramley

London plane: remove crown in order to initiate pollard

No objection

13.    

22/01105/FUL – Lantern Courtyard, The Barn The Street Bramley

Change of use from office space (Class E(g)(i)) to café (Class F2(a)). Installation of double doors to south elevation leading out to new external seating area.

No objection, comments

14.    

22/01244/HSE – The Stables, Sadler Cottage Coopers Lane Bramley

Single storey rear extension

No objection