BARKHAM PARISH COUNCIL

Minutes of meeting of the Barkham Parish Council held on 14^th November 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. P. King

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

Apologies:

06/864 Minutes of meeting held on 10^th October 2006 were approved and signed as a true record.

06/865 Matters arising

06/857  The Clerk reported that she had contacted Mouchell Parkman regarding the additional parking spaces which were to be provided at the eastern priority give way.  Mr Gradon from MP stated that he hoped to get it on an agenda in January 2007 to go before the Highways Board.

06/857  Mr. Lettin the Enforcement Officer at WDC reported that he had investigated footpath no. BA7, the field is owned by Mr. Beatty, and his plan is to create a track using the hardcore to the new hay barn which he plans to erect in the near future, Mr. Lettin advised him that he will need planning permission “prior determination” for the track.

06/857 Reply received from WDC regarding the various Highway issues:-

06/828  Mr Newman was thrilled to distribute the first Draft edition of the Barkham Village Design Statement.  Each councillor has been given a copy and the other 90 copies will be delivered to local developers, estate agents, the utility companies and other interested parties.  Comments requested by December.  Mrs Stubbs thanked the team for their hard work in producing the document in such a short space of time.

06/866  The Teenage Youth Club – Louise Morris Youth Leader to report

Louise reported firstly that the Friday night Youth Club was thriving with new young people having joined the group.  The last few sessions had focused on relationships and building up ones self esteem.  They had sessions focusing on cooking and basic skills and food hygiene.  The Mobile Provision had been brought to the hall to show the young people what was available.  The girls have planned a sleepover at the village hall on 22 December.  The new youth club aimed at the older children 13+ has now been running for 2 weeks at The Junipers with the mobile provision, so far 6 young people have attended but the plan is to encourage them to tell their friends.  Louise has been giving out fliers at the bus stops in the mornings.  At present the time is 5.00 – 7.00 p.m. but this is very flexible as this is a completely new project and can be adjusted as we learn what is required.  She asked BPC for £275 to equip the van with additional equipment such as kwik cricket, soft balls, parachute etc. this was agreed.  The equipment can be used by other groups on the understanding that as and when items wear out they are replaced and paid for by someone else.

06/867 Public Session

Several members of the public raised concern over the activities in Wood Lane, the actual entrance onto School Road has been narrowed with the use of large curb stones by the owners of the stables, thus only allowing one lorry to access at a time, but the remainder of the track has been widened and the hedgerows removed allowing the lorries to race down the road.  Mrs Stubbs reported that she had already asked Richard Lettin the Enforcement Officer at WDC to revisit the site.   It would seem that these alterations have been made in preparation for this “waste transfer station”, Mr Cook still needs to obtain a licence to operate and planning permission to store the 10 lorries.

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06/868 Planning

Mr. Newman reported back to the full Council three applications:-

F/2006/9084                           1Feathercot, School Road                                                                   Proposed

                                                Proposed conversion of barn to granny annexe.                            Opposed

Clerk to write to WDC opposing this application, on the grounds that this will be backland development.  But should this application be granted then BPC recommend that a condition is added to restrict the occupancy to family members only and the property must not be commercially let out.

F/2006/7665                           51 Sandy Lane                                                                                 Appeal Lodged with Planning Inspectorate

                                                Proposed erection of a single storey wooden detached                               

                                                annexe to dwelling.                                                                             

                                                Adjoining Parish Consultation.

Clerk to write to the Inspector opposing this development, the building would create a loss of privacy to the neighbouring three gardens as it would be located very close to the boundary.  It would also create a loss of light to the property facing north of 51 Sandy Lane .  It will have an over bearing effect and be out of character with the surrounding area.  Also, the construction is of wood and there is no access for the fire services to the rear of property.

F/2006/7772                           Land At Junction of Park Lane & Hogwood Lane                          Refused

                                                Proposed erection of temporary changing facilities

                                                including canteen, dining area, gym, physio area and

                                                relaxation room, new press room facility, relocation of

                                                existing groundsmans store and inclusion of  new groundsmans workshop.

                                                Alterations to car park.

Reason:  The proposal does not secure appropriate mitigation of the service, amenity and infrastructure needs which would result from the development.

06/869  Coppid Hill Cottages – a view to having them graded as listed buildings

The Clerk reported that she had spoken to Mr. Robins who lives at 1 Coppid Hill Cottages, he is an elderly gentleman aged 90 who has lived in the cottages all his life, he was in agreement to try to protect the cottages for the future.   The Clerk has also spoken to English Heritage who have advised BPC that in order to proceed we must submit photographs of the exterior and if possible the interior.  Also a brief history of the cottages, a map showing their location, details of the current owners and any architectural information.  Clerk to ascertain if it is the wish of the other residents that BPC try to get the cottages graded as Grade II listed buildings.  If this is the case then Clerk to take photographs where permitted and to ask Mrs Firth to compile a history of the cottages to send to English Heritage.

06/870 Highways

Mr Newman reported that he had had blocked drains, Thames Water had informed him that the waste pipes were only 6 inches wide, the point being made here is that the infra structure is already at breaking point with out any further development, and this matter must be considered of vital importance before agreeing to additional housing.

A pile of old wheels have been dumped half way along Coombes Lane , Clerk to request they are cleared.

The two pot holes previously reported in Langley Common Road have been very poorly repaired, it is hoped that these are only temporary repairs as numerous areas have been identified throughout Barkham with white boxes painted around them.  Clerk to check with WDC.

06/871 Protection of trees along School Road

A letter of concern had been received from Dr. Firth regarding the oak trees on the potential development site 1BR 102 in School Road .  Along this part of School Road there is a sparse unkempt hedgerow of hawthorn, field maple, spindle berry, wild rose, honeysuckle and ivy which contains 15 – 20 sizable oak trees, most are in poor condition due to overcrowding.  One is dead and most have branches which are a potential danger to vehicles and pedestrians.  The highest branches meet those of the trees on the other side of the road which are in a similar state.  They badly need thinning out and pruning with removal of dead wood for safety reasons.  A number of good specimen trees could be salvaged by this process.  The effect of an over-arching avenue can only be preserved if they are given proper care.  Clerk to write to Sarah Duckworth, Tree Preservation Officer at WDC to seek advice.

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06/872 Finance

Mr Baveystock at WDC reported that the last vehicle at Old Village Hall/The Junipers had no visitors at all.  This turned out to be because WDC sent the vehicle on the wrong Saturday i.e. 7^th October instead of 14^th October BPC will not be charged for this error.

Dr. R. Loader – fee for attending a SPISE seminar                                       42            £17.00

Neat Ideas – 2 ink cartridges                                                                             43            £39.93 (£33.98 exc VAT)

WDC – 1 skip at The Junipers for October                                                      44            £102.23 (£87.00 exc VAT)

WDC -  Youth Club cost of part time staffing cost x 2                                     45            £2000.00

WDC – cost of equipment for mobile provision at Barkham                         46            £275.15

Village Design Statement – printing of draft document                                  48            £70.20

Standing Order for Clerk’s salary for November                                                             £485.76

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

for month of November  (Employee & employer contribution)

To date 815 books have been sold, an income of £4272.24, thus leaving 185 unsold, and the Council is now in credit to the amount of £306.57.

06/873  Unitary Authority Councillor's Report

Mrs Stubbs reported that she had been on holiday for two weeks, but on the occasions she had been present at WDC the meetings were dominated by this plan to try to get Borough status for Wokingham?

06/874 Correspondence

e.    Wokingham District Veteran Tree Project – volunteer needed from Barkham to sit on the steering        group.  Clerk to contact Mrs Firth to see if she would be willing to assist.

WDC Staff Bulletin Issue 20.

WDC Agenda for Meeting of the Planning Committee 18.10.06

WDC Agenda for Meeting of the District Council / Parish Council Conference 19.10.06

WDC Planning Applications Input & Decisions Issued for the period 2.10.06 – 6.10.06.

WDC Corporate News Issue 4.

WDC Agenda for Meeting of the executive on 26.10.06.

WDC Staff Bulletin Issue 21.

WDC Planning Applications Input & Decisions Issued for the period 9.10.06 – 13.10.06.

WDC Waterford Times issue 5.

Wokingham Town Veteran Tree Project Steering Group Meeting held on 14.9.06.

WDC Planning Applications Input & Decisions Issued for the period 16.10.06 – 20.10.06.

WDC Agenda for Meeting of the highways Consultative Board on 6.11.06.

WDC Agenda for Meeting of the Planning Committee 8.11.06.

WDC Agenda for Special Meeting of the Executive 9.11.06.

WDC Environmental Bulletin November 2006.

WDC Planning Applications Input & Decisions Issued for the period 23.10.06 – 27.10.06.

WDC planning Applications Input & Decisions issued for the period 30.10.06 – 3.11.06.

WDC Agenda for Meeting of the Personnel Board 15.11.06.

WDC Agenda for Meeting of the Licensing and Appeals Committee 21.11.06.

Meeting closed at 9.22  p.m. .

Next meeting of full Council will be held on 12^th December at 8 p.m.

Next meeting of Planning Committee will be held on 28^th November 2006 at 7.30 p.m.