BARKHAM PARISH COUNCIL

Minutes of meeting of the Barkham Parish Council held on 12^th June 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. R. Newman, Mr. D. Oxbrough, Mr. F. Postlethwaite, Louise Morris (Youth Worker from WBC), three members of the public and the Clerk.

Apologies:

Declarations of Interests

None

07/969 Minutes of meeting held on 8^th May 2007 were approved and signed as a true record.

07/970Co-Option of new Councillor

Mr Goldring did not stand for re election to the Council and now wishes to be co-opted back on to BPC

Proposed: Mr Newman

Seconded: Mr Postlethwaite

Mr Goldring was duly co-opted on to Barkham Parish Council.  Declaration of Acceptance of Office was duly completed.

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

07/971 Report from the Villages Youth Project Worker – Louise Morris on Barkham Youth Clubs.

The Friday night youth club held at the Village Hall is thriving with the summer programme up and running with the focus on healthy eating and outdoor activities, BBQs and other social events.  A large board will be brought to the next meeting for the young people to express their fears, concerns and any issues that are worrying them on it.   Some young people have concerns over exam results and the leaders are encouraging positive self esteem.  The Friday club will continue to run during the summer holidays.

The Mobile Provision continues to visit Elizabeth Park on a Wednesday evening numbers have been very disappointing, the time will be moved back to 7.00 – 9.00 p.m. from next week in order to try and attract more people.  Activities will continue to run during the summer holidays with an advertising campaign to promote the club.  BPC have asked Louise to attend the meeting in September and report back with the summer activities and then BPC must decide the future of this club as the Lottery Funding will then be fully utilised.

07/972 Planning

The planning application of relevance to the Council was:-

F/2007/0891                           333A Barkham Road                                                                             Refused

                                                Proposed raising of roof and conversion of roofspace to

                                                habitable accommodation with front and rear dormers plus

                                                erection of a single storey side extension to dwelling.

Reason:  The proposal would appear out of character with the local area due to its height and the loss of the characteristic gap in the street scene.  The proposal would have an overbearing impact on both of the adjoining properties (333 and 335 Barkham Road) due to its impact on the amount of light available to the side windows of these properties and their conservatories.

Erection of large garden shed, BPC questioned whether this building needed planning permission.

Reply from Senior Planning Officer who visited the property and measured the shed:-

“Although the structure does appear to be large, it is just under the height restriction allowed under “Permitted Development” rights, which is a blanket permission to small scale developments by the Government with certain restrictions (there is no volume restriction).  Therefore the shed does not require planning permission.”

07/973 Village Design Statement for Barkham

The Barkham Village Design Group has produced a Draft Village Design Statement.  WBC has had an advisory role in its production, it is the intention of WBC to formally adopt the VDS as a Supplementary Planning Document (SPD) to enhance policies on design in the Local Plan.  Once adopted the SPD will be a material consideration in determining planning applications in the Barkham area.  The period of consultation runs from 3 May until 14 June.  BPC to formally write to WBC recommending that it is adopted.

07/974 Highways

Mrs J. Tredwell from WBC has reported back regarding the proposed lay bys in School Road .  She has located the report from a meeting in January 2006 where it was suggested that the works be funded by S106 money.  The works report covered:

Provide lay-by parking east of the 20 mph priority give way gateway on School Road .

Install bollards around the edge of Anderson Crescent Green

Footway improvement on School Road

The costs of the works in 2006 were £13,600 but this would need to be recosted and also recheck that the S106 codes referred to in the report are still open.

Letter received from Arborfield PC with proposals for additional parking restrictions in School road / Link Way / Anderson and Emblen Crescent .

The hole in the pavement along School Road - Brian Gilbert the Street Works Manager from WBC has confirmed that the contractors are working on behalf of BT, the problem is with a damaged “triple chamber footway box”.  This is being chased up with BT.

Other matters requiring attention that were raised were:-

All these matters to be referred to WBC by the Clerk.

07/975 To Discuss the Amenities of the Elizabeth Park Recreation Area – Mr King

Mr King has on numerous occasions visited the play ground, where it was noted that the equipment is aimed at children up to 8 years old.  He has spoken to young people where it was expressed that a second goal and a basket ball hoop would be beneficial and possibly a youth shelter.  It was decided to discuss this in September with Louise Morris the Youth Worker from WBC with her report from the summer activities, as the whole purpose of the Mobile Provision visiting Elizabeth Park was to provide activities for the older children.

07/976 The results of the Speed Survey Conducted along the Bearwood Road – Mr Newman

BPC requested that WBC carryout a week long speed survey outside Barkham Post Office so that the facts could be established about vehicle speeds over a sample seven day period.  BPC could then decide what action needed to be taken.  Mr Newman analysed the data and the results were that speeding is not actually a problem with the only time when speeding does occur is in the early morning travelling north (towards Winnersh).  The speed warning sign on the hill near Sandy Lane is having the desired effect by reducing speeds from 45 mph to 39 mph.  The conclusion being that the results are seen as a good outcome in that self policing was working and that the level speeding would not be seen as an issue by the police given their priorities.  Mrs Stubbs thanked Mr Newman for analysing the data for BPC and presenting it in this most interesting graphic format.

07/977 Finance

Barkham Village Hall – grant                                                                              74            £2200.00

BVRA – grant                                                                                                       75            £400.00

WADE Day Centre – grant                                                                                76            £250.00

Keep Mobile – grant                                                                                           77            £250.00

Arborfield Junior School – donation towards the dome – grant                  78            £1000.00

SLCC – conference for Clerk                                                                              79            £47.00 (£40 exc VAT)

A.J. Harland – fee for internal audit                                                                  80            £205.63 (£175 exc VAT)

WBC – Bearwood Road speed survey (agreed half the cost)                      81            £100.00

Page 07/550

WBC – 1 skip at The Junipers for May                                                            82            £124.43 (£105.90 exc VAT)

Standing Order for Clerk’s salary for June                                                                       £501.43

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

for month of June  (Employee & employer contribution)

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.

07/978 To Review the Assets of Barkham Parish Council

Date of acquisition              Description                                           Location                                Value

12.4.95                                    Street Bench                                         Barkham Rd                              500.00

                                                                                                                (opposite The Bull)

                                                Street Bench                                         Langley Common Rd.             500.00

                                                Street Bench                                         School Road                            500.00

                                                                                                                (opposite Woods Lane )

                                                Bus shelter                                            Barkham Road                      6000.00

                                                                                                                (opposite The Bull)

                                                Bus Shelter                                            Barkham Road                       6000.00

                                                                                                                ( Aggisters Lane ) 

                                                Bus Shelter                                            Langley Common Rd            6000.00

3.4.07                                      Bus Shelter                                            Biggs Lane                             £4653

                                                                                                                (opposite the Army Camp)

3.4.07                                      Bus shelter                                            Langley Common Road        £3554

                                                                                                                (opposite Rickman Close)

                                                                                                                Shared ownership with Arborfield PC

8.11.96                                    4 Notice Boards                                    Village Hall

Bearwood Rd.

                                                                                                                Langley Common Rd.

                                                                                                                Barkham Road                       3247.00

Arborfield Parish Council have informed us that the bench seat in Biggs Lane has been there approximately 40 years.  It is possible that the original bus company put it there.  It does not belong to the Garrison. Clerk to contact BALC and ask if we would be liable if someone injured themselves on a bench which was in our Parish but ownership is unknown.  Also to insure the notice board at the Post office which contains the footpath map (this was given to BPC by Dinton Pastures).  Mr Newman has kindly photographed all the assets of BPC with detailed descriptions of their exact location. This to be kept by the Clerk in the Asset Register for future reference.  Mrs Stubbs thanked Mr Newman for undertaking this task for us.  Mr Newman then volunteered to paint the bus shelters a darker green, Mr Shepherd, Dr Loader and Mr King offered to assist.  Mr Postlethwaite offered to contact the Army to see if they had any spare green paint which we could have to paint the bus shelters if not then the paint and materials to be paid for by BPC, this will greatly improve the appearance of the shelters and their help with this is greatly appreciated.

07/979  The New Code of Conduct

The revised Model Code of Conduct came into force on 3 May 2007.  Authorities have until 1 October 2007 to adopt the Code formally.

WBC are holding 2 training courses Monday 16 July at 7.00 or Thursday 19 July at 7.00.  Chairman and Clerk to attend the session on Monday 16 July.  Whilst at the training session to ascertain whether Section 12.2 of the Code of Conduct, does the Parish council need to formally adopt this section regarding prejudicial interests.

07/980  Borough Councillor's Report

Mrs Stubbs reported that the Highways Consultancy Board was to be stream lined and replaced with a body who would take more notice of issues that affect the towns and parishes.

07/981 Correspondence

WBC Agenda for The Annual Meeting of the Council 17.5.07.

WBC Staff Bulletin Issue 10.

WBC Planning Applications Input & Decisions Issued for the period 23.4.07 – 4.5.07.

WBC Agenda for Meeting of the Planning Committee 23.5.07.

WBC Planning Applications Input & Decisions Issued for the period 7.5.07 – 11.5.07.

WBC Agenda for Meeting of the Licensing and Appeals Committee 29.5.07.

Appeal Decision – Meadowside, Park Lane , Finchampstead

Appeal Decision – Feathercot, 1 School Road , Barkham.

Wokingham Biodiversity Forum.

WBC Agenda for Meeting of the Executive 31.5.07.

WBC Agenda for Meeting of the Scrutiny Committee 30.5.07.

WBC Agenda for Special Meeting of the Standards Committee 31.5.07.

WBC Planning Applications Input & Decisions issued for the period 14.5.07 – 18.5.07.

WBC Staff Bulletin Issue 11.

WBC The Town and Parish News May 2007.

WBC Environment Bulletin June 2007.

WBC Planning Applications Input & Decisions Issued for the period 21.5.07 – 25.5.07.

Keep Mobile Newsletter.

WBC Agenda for Special Meeting of the executive 13.6.07.

WBC Agenda for Special Meeting of the Scrutiny Committee 12.6.07.

WBC Agenda for Meeting of the Planning Committee 13.6.07.

Arborfield News Summer Edition.

WBC Staff Bulletin Issue 12.

07/982 Councillors Forum

The skip at The Junipers was full by 11.00 a.m. it was suggested that residents who live in Langley Common Road may like to use the skips which are provided by WBC in the Garrison, Clerk to find out where and when these are and to add these to our publicity.

The village hall is to have a new floor laid in August, the hall will have to close for 3 days in order for the work to be carried out, Clerk to liaise with Mr Barrows over the closure to cause minimum disruption to the users.

Meeting closed at  9.35  p.m. .

Next meeting of full Council will be held on 10^th July at 8 p.m.

Next meeting of Planning Committee will be held on 26^th June 2007 at 7.30 p.m.