July 2007
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BARKHAM PARISH COUNCIL

 

Minutes of meeting of the Barkham Parish Council held on 10th July 2007

in Barkham Village Hall at 8.00 p.m.

 

Present: Mrs P. Stubbs (in the Chair), Mr F. A. Scott, Mr.J.Shepherd, Dr. R. Loader, Mr. P. King,

Mr. S. Goldring, Mr. R. Newman, Mr. F. Postlethwaite, three members of the public and the Clerk.

 

Apologies: Mr. D. Oxbrough (on holiday)

 

Declarations of Interests

Mr Newman declared an interest in the planning application F/2007/1684.

 

Minutes of meeting held on 12th June 2007 were approved and signed as a true record.

 

Meeting adjourned in order that any members of the public can address the Council on any matters or concerns relating to Barkham

 

Report  From Villages Youth Project Worker

Louise Morris was unable to attend the meeting but her report was read by the Clerk.  The Friday night youth club at the village hall is very successful and well attended.  The mobile provision that visits Elizabeth Park on a Wednesday evening is very disappointing with a lack of interested children, this has not been helped by the fact that the times the provision visits, have been very erratic, with the lighter evenings it should be there from 7.00 – 9.00 but with staffing problems it has been on site from 5.00 – 7.00 which the children were unaware of.  Mr Postlethwaite has been visiting the area and speaking to the youngsters who appear to be unaware of the provision.  Clearly there are problems here which need addressing, suggestions put forward were a questionnaire delivered to all the houses in Elizabeth Park advertising the youth club and asking what the children want.  This was done through the schools at the start of the project and the children were given leaflets at the bus stops, this was some months ago and may have been forgotten about.  Another suggestion was the possibility of a youth shelter.  Mr Newman and Mr Postlethwaite to discuss the situation and if leaflets are required then all councillors who live nearby to help distribute them.

 

Mr Newman reported that he had attended a meeting of the Southern Parishes Youth Forum where it was reported that there is a need to target disadvantaged children with the aid of professional paid resources this would be a means of preventing them getting into trouble in later years.  He also mentioned that an idea had been submitted to use school buildings as youth centres with the possibility of closing the 7 youth centres throughout WBC.  Mrs Stubbs to see if she can find out anymore information on this subject.

 

Planning

WBC are intending to hold a briefing for Town and Parish Councillors regarding the next stages in the Local Development Framework on 24th July at Barkham Village Hall.  The briefing will be to inform the Parishes about future documents which will be consulted on and the grounds i.e. the tests of soundness, on which comments can be made.  The briefing will discuss the processes to be undertaken rather than the content of the documents.  The briefing will also explain the recent Executive decision on the release of the reserve housing sites identified in policies WH4 and WH5 of the current Wokingham District Local Plan.  Up to four members of the Council are invited to attend.   It was decided that Mrs Stubbs, Mr Newman, Mr Scott and BPC will invite Mr French who contributed much to the initial stages of the LDF.

 

The Planning Committee also reported back to the full Council on:-

 

F/2007/1553                           St Leonards, Barkham Road                                                                Proposed

                                                Proposed erection of two storey side and rear extensions to       Opposed

                                                dwelling plus single storey front & rear extensions.

Clerk to write to WBC opposing this application on the grounds that the proposed extension will be 120% in area larger than the host dwelling.  It will have a significant impact on the street scene and will have unbalancing impact on the pair of semi detached properties.

 

 

 

Page 07/556

 

F/2006/7665                           51 Sandy Lane                                                                                      Granted At   Appeal

                                                Proposed erection of a single storey detached annexe                                 

                                                to the dwelling.

The Decision Notice has been placed in the Distribution File.

 

It was agreed that Mr Goldring should rejoin the Planning Committee as having only three members was too few and the meetings were in danger of being inquorate.  Agreed by all.

 

Highways

Reply received from WBC regarding various issues brought to their attention:-
The hedge at Barkham bridge on the Arborfield side requires cutting back to improve the sight line at the bridge.  The farmer has been asked by WBC to cut the hedge.
The speed warning sign at Barkham Bridge has become obscured by overhanging branches.  WBC to trim the branches to improve the view of the sign.
The two 40 mph signs along Bearwood Road and the bend warning sign are all obscured by trees when travelling north towards Winnersh.  WBC to cut the overhanging vegetation to improve the view of the signs.
The Barkham Road from Barkham Bridge up to School Road has sinkage holes in it from where burst water mains have been poorly repaired by the Water Board.  WBC state that Thames Water have this section of road on their schedule of repairs, although a timescale cannot be confirmed.  Meanwhile the road will be temporarily repaired to make it safe.
Some residents in Elizabeth Park are leaving caravans parked in the road which is causing an obstruction as the roads are very narrow.  WBC state that if any vehicle (including a caravan) is causing an obstruction residents should contact the Police on 0845 8505 505.
The hole in the pavement in School Road has now been repaired and filled in by BT.

 

Reply received from Horticultural and Amenities Officer at WBC regarding a letter which was sent regarding the dog mess in Elizabeth Park and the lack of play equipment for older children.  The issue of people not clearing up after their dogs is dealt with by the animal warden Mandy Dorman, if this is still problem then BPC to contact her and request that she visit the area and take necessary action.

The play area was provided in its current situation when the site was handed over as part of 106 transfer of Public Open Space.  The size of the play area may have been subject to planning at the time of the development.  At present time there are not sufficient funds available to upgrade/increase the play area if allowed to do so.  If 106 monies become available then this site will be kept in mind for future upgrades.

 

Areas of Concern within Barkham

 

The 30 mph speed limit sign at Barkham Bridge by Bridge Cottages when travelling from Arborfield to Wokingham has become obscured by over hanging bushes.
At Coppid Hill the bend warning sign has also become obscured.
The roundabout on the brow of the hill requires painting white.
A repair to Bearwood Road just past the leylandii  trees, travelling towards Winnersh requires attention as it has sunk into a hole in the road which could prove hazardous to cyclists.
 Recent power cuts to residents in Elizabeth Park have occurred because residents have planted ornamental trees less than 1.3m from the edge of the boundary in their front gardens.  The roots of these trees are interfering with the supply of services to the properties.  This only applies to those properties that do not have a pavement but are in closes.  Clerk to write and article for the BVRA magazine reminding people that it clearly states in the deeds of their properties not to plant trees closer than 1.3m from the boundary edge.

 

Mr Newman reported that he had attended another meeting of the Highways Board where a pilot scheme of variable speed limits was being introduced.  This works on the basis that for one hour at the start of the school day and at the end of the day a flashing warning light will reduce the speed limit to 20 mph, this limit is enforceable by the police and there after it will revert to the normal speed limit.  This scheme is currently being tested at four schools through out WBC, one of which is Bearwood Infant School .

 

 

The Sam Hosgood Sporting Endeavour Fund

Louisa Bellis – tumbling aged 13

Tamsyn Pack – ice skating aged 17

Liam Abrahams – trampolining aged 16

Ross Abrahams – trampolining aged 13

Katie Abrahams – trampolining aged 10

 

All applicants to receive a cheque for £100.  Clerk to notify them.  The presentations will take place at the start of the meeting on 11th September, Clerk to invite Sam Hosgood to present the cheques and a reporter from Wokingham Times.

 

Finance

WBC Villages Youth Project – grant                                                                83                            £3956.20

Relate – grant                                                                                                       84                            £250.00

Barkham Pre School – grant                                                                               85                            £300.00

Citizens Advise Bureau – grant                                                                         86                            £300.00

Inland Revenue – Tax and N.I.                                                                          87                            £47.97

WBC – second instalment of the Veteran Tree Project                                 88                            £295.00.

 

Standing Order for Clerk’s salary for July                                                                                        £501.43

Standing Order to Royal Bor. Windsor – Pension Fund for Clerk                                               £102.64

for month of July  (Employee & employer contribution)

 

The bench in Biggs Lane does not belong to BPC or the Garrison, it may have been put there by the bus company many years ago.  If BPC choose to insure it for a value of £500 the premium would be £6.66 p.a.  Having sought advice from BALC they confirm that as the bench does not belong to BPC there would be no liability.  A vote was taken and the decision was not to insure the bench in case BPC were then taking on the future maintenance of it.

 

To date 825 books have been sold, an income of £4324.24, thus leaving 175 unsold, and the Council is now in credit to the amount of £358.57.

 

Borough Councillor's Report

Mrs Stubbs commented on the next meeting of the Local Development Framework (24th July at Barkham Village Hall) where the Inspector will decide which areas submitted are to be considered for future development.  It was noted that Barkham residents sent in more valid letters to WBC than any other parish.

 

Correspondence

WADE Day Centre – letter of thanks for the grant.
Wokingham Job Support Centre – invitation to AGM to be held on 19th July at 8.00 p.m. at The Cornerstone.  No one wished to attend.
BALC – Councillor Training.  A course aimed at new councillors Saturday 29th September at Reading University .  Dr Loader and Mr King to attend.
Arborfield Junior School – invitation to the opening of the newly refurbished swimming pool.  Mr Newman and the Clerk to attend.

 

Distribution

WBC Planning Applications Input & Decisions Issued for the period 4.6.07 – 8.6.07.

WBC Planning Applications Input & Decisions Issued for the period 11.6.07 – 15.6.07.

WBC Staff Bulletin Issue 13.

WBC Minutes of Committee Meetings for the period 12.2.07 – 19.6.07.

WBC Agenda for Meeting of the Council 28.6.07.

WBC Agenda for Meeting of the Executive on 28.6.07.

The Town and Parish News June 2007.

Minutes of Southern Parishes Area Youth Committee Meeting held on 13.6.07.

Wokingham Biodiversity Forum held on 27.3.07.

WBC Planning Applications Input & Decisions Issued for the period 18.6.07 – 22.6.07.

WBC Environment Bulletin July 2007.

Page 07/558

 

WBC Agenda for Meeting of the Planning Committee on 4.7.07.

WBC Agenda for meeting of the Scrutiny Committee on 10.7.07.

WBC Agenda for Meeting of the Licensing and Appeals Committee on 10.7.07.

LCR Magazine July 2007.

WBC Planning Applications Input & Decisions Issued for the period 25.6.07 – 29.6.07.

WBC Staff Bulletin Issue 14.

Appeal Decision for 51 Sandy Lane .

 

Councillors Forum

It was agreed that Mr. Goldring having been co-opted back onto the Council on 12.6.07 should resume his duties on the Finance Committee as well as the Planning Committee.

Mr Postlethwaite had made enquires at the Garrison if any green paint could be spared for BPC to repaint the bus shelters, unfortunately they had no paint available and therefore Mr Newman will purchase the paint and be reimbursed by BPC.  Work to commence as soon as the weather permits.

It would appear that no progress is being made by Wokingham Town Council with regard to moving the parish boundary to incorporate the ward of Sandy Bottom into the Parish of Barkham.  Clerk to write to the Boundary Commission asking exactly what has to be done in order to achieve this before the next election, stressing that this is the wish of the residents in the area.  Copy of letter to be sent to Mr Abnett at Wokingham Town Council.

 

 

Meeting closed at 9.40 p.m.

 

Next meeting of full Council will be held on 11th September at 8 p.m.

Next meeting of Planning Committee will be held on 14th August 2007 at 7.30 p.m.