May 2006
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BARKHAM PARISH COUNCIL

 

Minutes of meeting of the Barkham Parish Council held on 9th May 2006

in Barkham Village Hall at 8.00 p.m.

 

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

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

 

Apologies:

 

06/797 Election Of Chairman

Proposed: Mr. Newman

Seconded: Mr. Clark

Mrs Stubbs was duly elected as Chairman. Unanimously.

 

06/798 Election Of Vice-Chairman

Proposed: Mr. Scott

Seconded: Mr. Goldring

Mr. R. Newman was duly elected as Vice-Chairman. Unanimously. 

 

06/799 Appointment Of Representatives

All appointments by unanimous vote

Barkham Village Hall Management Committee - Mr. Clark and Mr. Oxbrough

District Parish Liaison Conference – Dr. Loader and Mrs Stubbs

BALC – Dr. Loader and Mrs Stubbs

WDALC – Dr. Loader and Mrs Stubbs

Parish Planning Control -   Mr. S. Goldring, Mr. F. Postlethwaite, Mr. F.A. Scott and Mr. R. Newman

Finance Committee - Mr. S. Goldring, Mr. R. Newman, Mrs. P. Stubbs, Mr. J. Shepherd

Parish Footpaths - Mr. J. Shepherd and Mr. D. Oxbrough

Trustees for Barkham Charity Trust - Mr. Clark, Mrs Stubbs. Dr. Firth and Mr. C. Barrows.

Neighbourhood Action Group – Mr. Newman

Area Youth Committee – Mr. Newman

 

06/800 Minutes of meeting held on 11th April 2006 were approved and signed as a true record.

 

06/801 Matters arising

06/789  The meeting to discuss the parish boundaries will be held on Wednesday 21st June at 1.00 p.m. at the village hall.  The parishes of Winnersh, Finchampstead, Swallowfield, Arborfield, Shinfield and Wokingham Town Council have all been invited to attend.

06/787  Reply received from Mr. Barnwell at WDC regarding the poor repairs to School Road, he states that Thames Water have been asked to carry out the necessary remedial works to the areas in School Road / Langley Common Road.  Also at the junction of Wood Lane temporary repairs to the pot holes have been made but more substantial work is programmed to take place in the near future.  On the 15 May Thames Water Utilities will be starting major works in Linkway and School Road and delays can be expected.

05/734  Mr. Newman reported that two sections of the Village Design Statement were being re written then it would be available for public consultation.  The village hall has been booked for Saturday 8th July for the public to come and see what a VDS actually means.  It was agreed to pay for the hall hire of £168 out of the £500 which was agreed in the Precept.  The event to be advertised in the Residents Newsletter and the Wokingham Times also a leaflet drop will take place throughout Barkham.  There will be many photographs and maps to view, the purpose of the event is for people to see the recommendations and to make comments.  Mr. Newman reported that he had been unable to sign the document on behalf of the Parish Council for access to the maps from Ordnance Survey, only the VDS group can have access to maps from WDC and publish them as part of the VDS document, under the licence WDC has with Ordnance Survey.

06/791  Mr. Newman thanked everybody for their help in delivering the surveys with regard to the affordable housing in Barkham.  The boxes where the replies could be hand delivered will be collected by Mr. Newman and Mr. Postlethwaite.

Page 06/478

 

05/741  Mr. Newman reported that he will be resubmitting the application for the lottery funding for the running of the youth club for the older age group of young people, he just has to check the current salaries of the youth workers at WDC.  Questionnaires will be handed out at the local schools.

 

06/802 Public Session

It was noted that the Environment Agency had been inspecting the water in Barkham Brook and had been taking samples at various different points along its course.

 

06/803 Planning

F/2006/7439                           Maple Cottage, School Road                                                              Delegated

                                                Proposed single storey rear extension to dwelling                         No Comment

                                                to form conservatory.

 

F/2006/7528                           Bandar 6 Aggisters Lane                                                                    Delegated

                                                Proposed two storey side extension to dwelling.

Clerk to write to WDC expressing concern over the impact the proposed alterations will have on the neighbouring property number 4 Aggisters Lane .

 

F/2006/7104                           16 Silver Birches                                                                                   Approved

                                                Proposed conversion of garage to habitable accommodation.

 

F/2004/2751                           Greenfields Farm, Edneys Hill                                                            Notice Of

                                                Proposed erection of 22 dwellings and 10 flats with                      Informal Hearing

                                                associated parking and roads.  Demolition of existing                  

              dwelling.                                                                                               

An Inspector appointed by the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister will hold an Informal Hearing into this Appeal at WDC on 23/5/06, BPC may attend the hearing and at the discretion of the Inspector take part in the discussion.  Clerk to inform WDC that a member of BPC will attend the hearing.

 

ST27                                       Application For New Street Trading Consent                 No Comment

                                                Dave’s Whippy Ice Cream Van

                                                Throughout Whole of Wokingham District 12.00 – 20.30 Monday -  Sunday

 

 

F/2005/4452                           28 – 30 Langley Common Road

Mr. Lettin the Enforcement Officer at WDC reported that the clay had now been removed from around the two oak trees at the front of the property, the owners had been instructed to fence off the trees to protect them further.  Clerk to write to WDC querying the property on the left, it would appear that it has been built further to the left than the footprint would indicate and is therefore encroaching on the access.

 

Coppid Hill  -  The Clerk reported that Mr. Lettin the Enforcement Officer at WDC had been contacted as the field has not been cleared of builders rubble by 4th May.  Mr Atkinson, the owner of the field had assured Mr. Lettin that it would be cleared by 12th May, if this is not complied with then a letter of planning contravention will be issued, this gives Mr. Atkinson 21 days to respond, then if this still brings no results then Legal Services can step in.

 

AG/2006/6830                       Barkham Manor Farm

Proposed erection of 4 buildings for agricultural use associated with an organic turkey farm.

This application was granted permission under “agricultural permitted development”, the bridle path has been widened, hedges ripped out and vast amounts of hardcore laid  in order to provide a hard standing for the parking of lorries.  BPC fail to understand how this application was granted as “permitted development” in an Area of Special Landscape Importance.  Clerk to write to Legal Services at WDC to seek an explanation.

 

The Clerk reported that she had attended a training session where WDC had requested an up to date “wish list” from all the parishes, it is easier to obtain money from developers if the planners have a list of local needs.

The schemes that BPC would like addressed by developers under the obligations of the terms of Section 106 of the Town and Country Planning Act 1990 are:-

Page 06/479

 

To continue the footpath from Barkham to Finchampstead in order to connect the two parishes along Barkham Street to Barkham Ride.  Also to extend the path from Barkham Street to Church Lane , in order that people using the Village Hall or going to the Church are not forced to walk in the road.
A continuous footpath along Bearwood Road , the path currently terminates at St Catherine’s Lodge, thus leaving a busy section of road with no footpath.
To resolve the traffic problems at Barkham Bridge , with continued development at Arborfield the increase in traffic at the bridge has been exacerbated.  The bridge is very narrow and two cars cannot pass at the same time, there is also a double bend at this point at the bottom of the hill.  The combination of these factors has caused several accidents.

 

06/804 Highways

A number of issues have been reported:-
There is a pot hole at the junction of Coombes Lane and Bearwood Road .
The drains from Sandy Lane going down the hill towards the Post Office along the Bearwood Road are blocked and require clearing before any further rain.
The roundabout at the brow of the hill requires painting white again.
The leylandii trees which screen the houses at the junction of Bearwood Road and Barkham Road are over hanging the pavement making it difficult for people to pass with a pushchair, Clerk to write to WDC requesting they contact the owners asking them to trim back the trees.
It was noted that the area along the Bearwood Road which was cleared of rhododendrons now has a profusion of small trees growing out of the ditch and on the embankment, BPC fear that any resident who may be unfortunate enough to swerve off the road will hit these trees causing themselves severe injuries.  Clerk to write to WDC requesting that they write to the landowner asking if these trees can be cleared before they grow any larger.
The stile at the end of footpath no. BA15/AN14 opposite Biggs Lane has barbed wire at the edges and the first step of the stile is so high as to make it very difficult for a lot of people to climb.  Clerk to write to WDC (Countryside Services) requesting that it is lowered and the barbed wire removed.
The horse step behind Barkham Manor at the proposed turkey farm has still not been reinstated, Clerk to request that WDC (Countryside Services) obtain written confirmation from the owners that this work will be carried out.

 

Parish Cleanup

Mr Shepherd reported that BPC had another very successful cleanup with 31 people tuning out to help.  The general feeling was that the paths were not quite as dirty as in previous years.  54 sacks of rubbish were collected.  Mr Shepherd has submitted an article for the BVRA Newsletter.  Mrs Stubbs thanked Mr. Shepherd for organising the event which is well supported by local residents who take a pride in their village.

 

Public Rights Of Way Improvement Plan Meeting

This meeting was attended by Mr. Newman and Mr Oxbrough who reported that WDC have been tasked to provide an improvement plan for all the footpaths within WD this includes the pavements as well as the countryside paths, the problem being that there is a lack of funds and hence only the most essential repairs will be carried out unless extra funding can be obtained.  Finchampstead PC employ a footpath warden who will carry out any basic maintenance, the PC purchase the stiles and gates and pay WDC to install them, funds are precepted for to cover the costs, this would appear to be a very successful scheme. 

 

The Coombes

Mrs Stubbs reported that she walks in The Coombes daily and it is with great dismay that it is deteriorating very quickly.  The tenant of the land is Mr French who is responsible for maintaining the fences.  Mrs Stubbs suggested that if WDC could take over the tenancy of The Coombes and BPC and Arborfield could act as guardians.  BPC to approach Arborfield PC to ascertain their thoughts.  Mr. French could continue to farm the fields and BPC and Arborfield PC could manage the woodland for a peppercorn rent, thus relieving Mr. French of his duties.  Then in the future maybe Section 106 could be obtained from developers to provide recreational areas.

 

Page 06/480

 

06/805 Finance

Barkham Village Hall – rent January – April                                                    991          £84.00

WDC – 1 skip at The Junipers & 1 lorry at Old Village Hall for April          992          £259.68 (£221 exc VAT)

 

Standing Order for Clerk’s salary for May                                                                       £496.76

Standing Order to Royal Bor. Windsor – Pension Fund for Clerk                               £89.76

for month of May  (Employee & employer contribution)

 

To date 809 books have been sold, an income of £4235.74, thus leaving 191 unsold, and the Council is now in credit to the amount of £270.07.

 

Copies of the accounts for the year ended 31.3.06 have been circulated to all councillors, two copies of the accounts have been signed by the Chairman and the Clerk as the Responsible Financial Officer.

 

It was decided to move the bank account from Barclays Bank to the Co-Op Bank who will allow all the councillors to be signatories on the account (any two to sign cheques).  The necessary transfer of account forms has been signed and the Clerk will instigate the transfer.

 

06/806  Unitary Authority Councillor's Report

In view of the recent elections Mrs Stubbs did not make a report.

 

06/807 Correspondence

Finchampstead Parish Council – letter received asking BPC to support the renewal of the 144 bus route later this summer.  Clerk to support Finchampstead PC but also to point out that our own residents in Langley Common Road have no bus service at all.
WDC Southern Parishes Area Youth Committee – this committee will resume in June 2006, the Area Youth Committee representative from BPC is Mr. Newman, his details have been forwarded to WDC.
ODPM – Local Authority Byelaws in England : A Discussion Paper.  It was decided that BALC would be the best body to review this document.

 

Distribution

WDC Staff Bulletin Issue 7.

WDC Agenda for Meeting of the Council Executive Committee 26.4.06.

WDC Planning Applications Input & Decisions Issued for the period 3.4.06 – 7.4.06.

WDC Agenda for Special Meeting of the executive 26.4.06.

WDC Agenda for Meeting of the Development Control Committee 26.4.06.

WDC Planning Applications Input & Decisions Issued for the period 10.4.06 – 14.4.06.

WDC Street Naming & Numbering – Conversion of barn to a residential property at Handpost Farm, School Road .

WDC Staff Bulletin Issue 8.

WDC Planning Applications Input & Decisions Issued for the period 17.4.06 – 21.4.06.

Local Council Review May 2006.

WDC Local Area Agreement for Wokingham District “Continuing Success”.

SPISE News 46.

 

Meeting closed at  9.31 p.m. .

 

Next meeting of full Council will be held on 13th June at 8 p.m.  The Planning Committee will commence at 7.30 p.m.

Next meeting of Planning Committee will be held on 23rd May 2006 at 7.30 p.m.