BARKHAM PARISH COUNCIL

Minutes of meeting of the Barkham Parish Council held on 8^th March 2005

in Barkham Village Hall at 8.00 p.m.

Present: Mrs P. Stubbs (in the Chair), Mr. M. Clark, Mr.J.Shepherd,  Mr. R. Newman, Mr. D. Oxbrough,

Mr. F. Postlethwaite, two members of the public and the Clerk.

Apologies: Mr F. A. Scott (family commitments), Mr. I. Couper (on holiday) and Mr. S. Goldring (work commitments)

05/628 Minutes of meeting held on 8^th February 2005 were approved and signed as a true record.  The Planning meeting which was due to be held on 22^nd February did not take place due to insufficient planning applications.

05/629 Matters arising

 05/627  A site meeting took place at Rainbow Rides at the land rear of Barkham Manor, Hayes Lane Track on 20.2.05 to view the ménage with lighting for use by disabled children (F/2004/3378).  BPC had opposed this application which is located in an Area of Special Landscape Importance.  The overall feeling of the Parish Council was that it was a very worthy cause which clearly benefited the children but not in this location.  The riding school was visible from the bridle path and the lorry and container which seem to be permanently parked there do not add to the beauty of the area, likewise the stables and the hard standing area.  The pond had a very cloudy appearance indicating that it had become polluted with the run off from the waste from the stables. The applicant has stated that the lighting would probably be taken down as it had not proved to be necessary.  The Parish Council are against any development in the Coombes which should be maintained as an area of natural beauty.

05/626  Mrs Stubbs reported that she had attended the Sports Personality Ceremony with Mr. Postlethwaite, Tamsyn Pack was presented with the award as the winner in the Junior girls category.  This had been a very enjoyable and informative evening.

05/626  Mr. Shepherd and Mr. Postlethwaite had viewed and collected the Public Rights of Way sign from Dinton Pastures, the map was slightly out of date as it does not show the new bridle path behind Barkham Manor.  The sign will be erected at the Post Office by Mr. Robins.

05/630 To Discuss a Village Design Statement For Barkham

It was agreed that a Village Design Statement would be very beneficial for a rural parish such as Barkham as it would carry a lot of weight with future planning applications, BPC cannot stop development but it could be on our terms such as the design of roof lines, enclosed gardens, height of fences, spacing between houses etc.  The production of such a document would take about two years and entail a tremendous amount of work.  It was suggested that the idea could be launched at the Parish Assembly on 12^th April and invite Mr. & Mrs. French, Dr. and Mrs. Firth and Mr. Noble to see if one of them would be willing to form a separate group to take this project to the next stage.  Clerk to write to the above people inviting them to attend the Parish Assembly.

05/631 Planning

F/2002/8068                           Land to the rear of Barkham Manor, Barkham Road

Condition 1 of Planning consent states:

“The use of the site and the stables hereby permitted shall be for domestic recreational purposes and no trade or business shall be carried out there from”.  Letter received from Mr. Lettin the Planning Enforcement Officer at WDC, he states that having sought legal advice it is considered that there is no evidence that this condition is currently being breached. It would appear that names were given to Mrs Peries of interested parties, Clerk to write to Mr. Lettin expressing concern that this unfortunate incident had occurred.

F/2004/3670                           Good Hope, Doles Lane, Wokingham                                          Approved

                                                Application for the demolition of existing dwelling and

                                                outbuildings and erection of one detached dwelling with

                                                garage.

F/2004/3421                           45 Bearwood Road                                                                    Approved

                                                Proposed erection of a detached double garage.

Page 05/406

F/2004/3580                           29 Bearwood Road                                                                        Approved

                                                Proposed installation of velux window in garage roof.

LB/2004/3614                        Bull Inn, Barkham                                                                         Approve Listed

                                                Proposed kitchen extension to listed building and                   Building Consent

                                                internal alterations.

F/2004/3613                           Bull Inn, Barkham                                                                        Approved

                                                Proposed single storey extension to pub kitchen, internal

                                                alterations, patio screening and umbrella.

F/2004/3666                           311 Barkham Road                                                                      Approved

                                                Proposed single storey side and front extension to dwelling

                                                plus extension to roof to form first floor loft conversion.

                                                Renewal of consent F/2000/1455.

F/2005/4005                           41A Sandy Lane                                                                                Proposed

                                                Proposed pitched roofs to existing flat roofed dormers.                No Comment

                                                Adjoining Parish Consultation.

F/2005/4010                           17 Thorn Close                                                                                      Delegated

                                                Proposed single storey front extension to dwelling                    Opposed

                                                and conversion of existing garage to family room.

Clerk to write to WDC opposing this application on the grounds that the affect of block paving the front garden which is to be used for car parking will adversely affect the visual landscaping of the road.

O/2004/2461                          25 Bearwood Road                                                                       Proposed

                                                Outline application for the proposed erection of one                     Opposed

                                                detached dwelling.

Clerk to write to WDC opposing this application, BPC are opposed to further development of the back land of Bearwood Road which backs on to The Coombes which is an area designated as an Area of Special Landscape Importance.  Also the present access road which presently caters for four dwellings will be adequate for further dwellings.

F/2004/3642                           Land Rear Of 143 – 153 Barkham Road                                      Proposed

                                                Proposed erection of 12 dwellings with associated                      No Comment

        vehicular access.

Revised Plans show minor access road and parking changes.               

F/2004/2930                           32 Barkham Ride, Finchampstead                                                     Refused

                                                Proposed erection of 4 detached dwellings.  Demolition of       

                                                existing dwelling.

Reason:-  The proposed dwellings by virtue of their siting, design, height, bulk and massing would be detrimental to the living conditions to occupiers of neighbouring properties.  The proposed development does not comply with the Local Highway Authority’s standards in respect of road design.  The proposed realignment of Barkham Ride is unacceptable and this would adversely affect road safety and flow of traffic. The proposed development would generate additional vehicle movements into and out of a busy local distributor road at a point where visibility is restricted.             

Application For A Goods Vehicle Licence 

Cripps Transport       Directors:  Elizabeth Cripps and Anthony Francis Cripps

Operating Centre:     Woodlands Farm, Wood Lane, Barkham.

Authorisation:          1 vehicle and 0 trailers

Clerk to write to Highways at WDC expressing concern, stating that Wood Lane is a very narrow sub standard lane the construction of which is unsuitable for heavy vehicles, the exit on to School Road is on a bend and potentially very dangerous with two schools in close proximity.

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05/632 Highways

It was reported that many drains had been cleared by WDC in  the area around The Bull.

05/633 Local Environmental Quality

Letter received from DEFRA (Department for Environment Food and Rural Affaires) advising us that the Clean Neighbourhoods and Environment Bill was introduced on 7 December.  This Bill includes specific recognition of the important role of parish councils.  The Bill will play a key role in Government’s plan to create cleaner, safer, greener communities.  It deals with many of the problems affecting the quality of our local environment, which form a continuum with anti social behaviour, vandalism disorder and levels of crime.  The Bill increases the parish council powers, so that the most local level of our democratic structures can play a part in making things better, the Bill contains new powers for parish councils to issue fixed penalty notices for litter, dog control, graffiti and fly posting.  It also stream lines the legislation regarding dogs, so that local authorities and parish councils can manage this locally.  Not all parish councils will want to use these extra powers.  The contents of this document were discussed, it was decided to take no further action as the only way to police this would be to employ a warden which BPC are unwilling to do.

The waste refuse lorry will be at the site of the old village hall on Saturday 12^th March, it was agreed to have the lorry in April and then make a decision as to how BPC wish to proceed in the future as the three month trial will then have finished.

05/634 Finance

British Telecom                                                                                        917                £43.18 (£36.75 exc VAT)

Neat Ideas Ltd. – stationery                                                                    918                £93.91 (£79.92 exc VAT)

J.P. Neuhofer – expenses & postage                                                    919                £108.04

BALC – annual subscription                                                                     920                £314.16

WDC – 1 skip at The Junipers for February                                           921                £70.00

Standing Order for Clerk’s salary for March                                                                              £407.31

Standing Order to Royal Bor. Windsor – Pension Fund for Clerk                                        £56.49

for month of March  (Employee & employer contribution)

The new pay scale from NALC for the Clerk comes into force as of 1^st April 2005, it was agreed in the Precept to award the Clerk SCP 18 based on experience and performance in the role. The Clerk had completed and passed a course entitled “Working With Your Council”, this was a modular type course covering different topics of Council related work. The Council agreed to two new standing orders, one for the Clerk’s salary £426.23 (this includes £28 travel allowance and use of home as an office) and a new standing order to the pension provider of £59.30.

To date 794 books have been sold, an income of £4136.24, thus leaving 206 unsold, and the Council is now in credit to the amount of £170.57 .

05/635  Unitary Authority Councillor's Report

Mrs Stubbs reported that WDC had been able to keep the increase to the Council Tax for 2005/06 relatively low due to a grant from Central Government which had not been forthcoming in past years.  WDC were still seeking to make more savings in staffing by amalgamating jobs where ever possible.  The planning department is still need of greater efficiency and control but were having problems retaining staff.  The S.E. Plan has not been signed up to by WDC as the increased housing figures have not been agreed to.

05/636 Correspondence

The lack of police visibility

The lack of action when the police are contacted when reporting a crime

Page 05/408

Fly Tipping

Burglary

Speeding

BPC would most like to see a commitment to more visible policing especially policemen of foot.  Also to point out that BPC are grouped in the wrong group with Woosehill and Emmbrook when it woud be more appropriate to be grouped with Finchampstead and Arborfield.  Mr. Newman would be interested to sit on the Local Policing Board when available. 

The Volunteer  Issue 45.

WDC Planning Applications Input & Decisions Issued for the period 31.1.05 – 4.2.05.

SPISE SE Plan Workshop CD.

WDC Vacancies for LEA Governors.

WDC Agenda for Meeting of the Scrutiny Committee 22.2.05.

WDC Staff bulletin Issue 3.

WDC Agenda for Meeting of the Development Control Committee 23.2.05.

WDC Planning Applications Input & Decisions Issued for the period 7.2.05 – 11.2.05.

Office of the Deputy Prime Minister – Vibrant Local Leadership.

Office of the Deputy Prime Minister – Citizen Engagement and Public Services: Why Neighbourhoods Matter.

WDC Agenda for Meeting of the Council on 24.2.05

WDC Agenda for Meeting of the Executive on 24.2.05 & Appendix B.

WDC Annual Budget Report 2005/2006.

BALC The Communicator Issue 43.

BALC Constitution Approved 1997.

BALC Gypsy and Traveller Sites.

WDC Planning Applications Input & Decisions Issued for the period 14.2.05 – 18.2.05.

WDALC Agenda for meeting on 10.3.05, plus the minutes of the meeting held on 18.11.04.

Local Council Review March 2005.

Thames Valley Police – Guiding Principles for Sharing The Costs Of Police Community Support Officers.

WDC Agenda for Meeting of the Highways Consultative Board 7.3.05.

WDC Agenda for Meeting of the District Council / Parish Council Conference 16.3.05.

WDC Staff Bulletin Issue 4.

WDC Member Training.

WDC Planning Applications Input & Decisions Issued for the period 21.2.05 – 25.2.05.

Meeting closed at 9.35 p.m. .

Next meeting of full Council will be held on 12^th April at 7.30 p.m. followed by the Barkham Parish Annual Assembly at 8.00 p.m.

Next meeting of Planning Committee will be held on 22^nd March 2005 at 7.30 p.m.