BARKHAM PARISH COUNCIL

Minutes of meeting of the Barkham Parish Council held on 10^th October 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. R. Newman, Mr. D. Oxbrough, Mr. F. Postlethwaite, Mr. R. Ferguson (Villages Youth Project), five members of the public and the Clerk.

Apologies: Mr. S. Goldring (work commitments)

06/850 Minutes of meeting held on 12^th September 2006 were approved and signed as a true record.

06/851 Barkham Teenage Youth Club Project – Mr Newman to update the Council

Mr Newman was thrilled to announce that BPC had been successful in the application for £6000 from the Lottery Fund.  Richard Ferguson from WDC Villages Youth Project introduced one of the youth workers Louise who would be working on the project.  The street workers have already been out meeting the young people to ascertain their needs.  The plan is to use the mobile youth provision which will be parked at The Junipers on a Wednesday or Thursday evening, to commence in 2 weeks time aimed at young people aged between 13 – 19.  Courses and activities will be promoted such as art, baby sitting courses and the army are very keen for the climbing wall which they have offered for use to now be used.  This must be promoted in the next edition of the BVRA magazine.

06/852 Matters arising

06/820  Reply received from Mrs Halliday, the owner of Sparks Farm regarding the field shelter, she states that it is her intention to move it on a regular basis.

06/819 The pavement outside 69 – 71 Bearwood road has now been repaired by Thames Water.

06/804 The self sown trees along the verge of the Bearwood Road have still not been attended to.  Clerk to contact WDC and remind them that this is potentially dangerous if a driver veered off the road slightly.

06/853 Public Session

None.

06/854 Planning

Mr Newman reported that nothing of significance from the Planning Meeting need to be reported back to the full Council.

Mr. Lettin the Enforcement Officer from WDC reported that he has given Mr Atkinson until 24^th October to remove the rubble from the field at Coppid Hill.

Goods Vehicle License for Mr. D. Cook – Wood Lane .  The applicant has had to re advertise their application as details of the company director were not included the first time, WDC now has until 17^th October to make objections.  Parish Councils are not entitled to object to the Traffic Commissioner unless they own or occupy land in the vicinity of the application site but BPC can write to WDC who will consider our objections in their reply to the Traffic Commissioner.  BPC to write to WDC expressing our concern that Wood Lane is a totally unsuitable location for this site, the road is very narrow with insufficient room for 2 lorries to pass, the exit on to School Road is very dangerous being located at a bend in the road with very poor visibility.  There are stables on the corner and two schools in very close proximity, all these factors make this site to be totally unsuitable.  Also to point out that Mr Cook does not have planning permission to keep 10 vehicles on this site.

06/855  Local Development  Consultation – Mr Newman to discuss

WDC have to build 500 houses per year for the next 20 years, the problem is where do they go?  A very large document has been produced by WDC listing all the potential sites which have been put forward by owners/developers.  The sites within Barkham and the borders are:-

Barkham Sites

1BR101                   13 flats to replace the tyre depot and garage at 58 – 62 Langley Common Road

1BR102                   120 units on a 12 acre site between LC Rd and School Road

1BR103                   30 units on the 2 acre field at the corner of Coppid Hill and Evendons Lane

1BR104                   30 – 50 units rear of 31 & 41 Bearwood Road on 21/2 acre site adjacent to The Coombes

Page 06/500

1BR105                   Residential development of 141/2 acre site at Model farm on Barkham Ride.

1BR106                   30 unit development on the 61/2 acre field next to the Village Hall/Parish Church with a   football pitch (partially on land belonging to the Village Hall).

1BR107                   600 unit development at the entrance to The Coombes between Barkham Manor and Coppid Hill.

1BR109                   20 units on a one acre site between School Road and LC Road at the rear of Suncot.

1BR110                   450 – 650 unit development of the whole of Barkham Square estate. 165 acres.

1BR111                   Private proposal to build one dwelling a 5 Coombes Lane .

Neighbouring Sites

1AR104                  2-3000 units proposal under Arborfield Parish to redevelop the whole of Arborfield Garrison (422 acres) the majority of which lies in the parish of Barkham.

1F/121                    A residential development of 120 – 200 units of 13 acre site at 31/33 Barkham Ride.

1WK119                 Residential Development on 8 acres south of Highlands Ave including the water reservoir.

1WK120                 500 units on a 48 acre site east of Bearwood Road north of highlands Ave.

1WK122                 Developments at rear of 348 to 328 Barkham road on a 61/2 acre site.

1WK125                 32 units on a 5 acre site at Greenfields Farm Edneys Hill.

1WK151                 10 unit development on 2 acres north of The Shires.

1WK157                 33 house development on a 3 acre site at Tricorne Stables, Sandy Lane .

This was discussed at great length by BPC and the decision was to reject all the sites except Arborfield

Garrison, this is a prime site but only if Section 106 funds from the developer can put in the necessary infra

structure to make this a sustainable development. 

Concern raised is lack of local employment and hence this would develop as a dormitory area with limited public transport forcing a car dependent life style.  The lack of local employment will have to be carefully considered when evaluating this site and could rule it out.

It was noted that the VDS group had put in a tremendous amount of work analysing these documents and leafleting all properties in Barkham urging residents to write to WDC expressing concerns over the possible development plans.  Clerk to write a letter of thanks to Mr. French whose work has been greatly valued.

06/856 Coppid Hill Cottages -  a view to having them graded as listed buildings

Mr. King spoke with English Heritage and explained our interest in preserving the cottages describing their prominent location, historical association with the Walter Estate and architectural appearance. He was advised that there may well be a case for listing (Grade II) but this is not guaranteed, even if EH agree with BPC, the Secretary of State for Environment may not.  The process is that BPC must write to EH providing as much information about the Cottages as possible and outlining why we believe they should be considered for listing.  

EH will then arrange for a member of their evaluation team (if they deem our application has merit) to inspect the cottages and decide if they should be proposed to the Secretary of State for Environment for formal listing. There is no charge for this service and once we bring the cottages to the attention of EH, they will be completely responsible for the process.  The only other means of protecting the buildings is to petition WDC to have the general location designated as a "Conservation Area" which is much more complicated and politically contentious.  Should the structures ever come to be in imminent danger of destruction, BPC can request WDC to issue a protection order (lasts six months).  It was decided to write to owners of the cottages to ascertain their views before we proceed further.

06/857 Highways

The drains are blocked along the Barkham Road from The Bull down to the bridge, Clerk to request that they are cleared.

There is a large pot hole at the junction of Langley Common Road and Biggs Lane , where the tarmac which surrounds the drain has broken up, also a similar problem outside no. 42 Langley Common Road.  Clerk to write to WDC requesting they are filled.

There are trees and bushes which are over hanging the pavement opposite nos. 38 – 48 The Lilacs, the main problem is the rear garden of 26 Cherrytree Grove where a tree and a large shrub has grown over the fence and is hanging over the pavement, this is creating a problem for pedestrians, Clerk to write to WDC to request that they are trimmed back.

It would appear that parking in Elizabeth Park is causing a problem, where cars are parked in the road opposite each other the dust bin lorry cannot gain access to the properties.  This could be very serious if an ambulance or fire engine needed to gain access.  Clerk to write to WDC asking their advice as to the best way to alleviate the problem.

Footpath BA7 which runs from Barkham Street to Barkham Road has piles of rubbish dumped in the field along side the path.  Clerk to write to the Enforcement Officer asking him to investigate.

Some time ago (January 2005) a meeting took place between Arborfield, Barkham PC and Mouchell Parkman to try to improve the parking problems in School Road .  A report was produced and submitted to WDC to provide additional parking on School Road near the eastern priority give way.  The parking lay-by would remove vehicles from the road increasing the visibility for vehicles approaching from Barkham.  The report also identified the need to provide additional bollards on the green that is adjacent to Anderson Crescent .  To date BPC have heard no more, Clerk to contact Mouchell Parkman for news of any progress with this scheme.

06/858 Finance

It was agreed that a further £100 would be made available to the Village Design Statement Team for the production of the booklet for public consultation

Neat Ideas – stationery                                                                                       37            £63.41 (£53.97 exc VAT)

HM Revenue & Customs – Tax and National Insurance                              38               £49.95

(August, Sept & October)

Royal British Legion – grant                                                                              39            £100.00

WDC – Veteran Tree Project                                                                              40            £295.00

WDC – charge for skip at The Junipers and lorry at Old Village Hall         41            £259.68 (£221 exc VAT)

For September 06.

Standing Order for Clerk’s salary for October                                                               £485.76

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

for month of October  (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.

The Clerk reported the usage of the refuse vehicle which is parked on a Saturday morning 8.30 – 9.30 at the Old Village Hall and 9.40 – 11.00 at The Junipers. The amenity vehicle collected on average 2 tonnes for May June August and September but 5 tonnes in July. As a comparison the skips take on average 1 tonne per month although, WDC do often clear up any excess after it's been remove The Junipers is definitely more popular. It might be that it is considered safer there and residents are just diverting.  BPC to do nothing for the time being.

06/859  The Parish Boundary of Barkham

Mr. Postlethwaite confirmed that he had taken a map showing the current parish boundaries with the suggested changes marked on the map to Wokingham Town Council.  The next meeting of Wokingham Town Council is 17th October when the suggestions will be presented to them.  The Clerk will then report back to Mr. Postlethwaite with the outcome.

06/860  Unitary Authority Councillor's Report

Mrs Stubbs did not make a report due to the time constraints on the meeting.

06/861  Correspondence

WDC Agenda for Meeting of the Highways Consultative Board 2.10.06.

WDC Planning Applications Input & Decisions Issued or the period 4.9.06 – 8.9.06.

WDC Agenda for Meeting of the Planning Committee 27.9.06.

WDC Agenda for Meeting of the Personnel Board 27.9.06.

WDC Agenda for Meeting of the Scrutiny Committee 26.9.06.

WDC Agenda for Special Meeting of the Executive 28.9.06.

WDC Agenda for Meeting of the Executive 28.9.06.

WDC Agenda for Special Meeting of the Council 28.9.06.

WDC Agenda for Meeting of the Council 28.9.06.

WDC Minutes of Committee Meetings for the period 6.7.06 – 7.9.06.

WDC Staff Bulletin Issue 19.

WDC Planning Applications Input & Decisions Issued for the period 11.9.06 – 15.9.06.

WDC Planning Applications Input & Decisions Issued for the period 18.9.06 – 22.9.06.

WDC Agenda for Meeting of the Standards Committee 11.10.06.

WDC Notes of Campaign Against Waste Meeting held on 25.9.06.

Crimestoppers.

BALC The Communicator Issue 51.

WDC Agenda for Special Meeting of the Scrutiny Committee on 16.10.06

WDC Agenda for the Special Meeting of the Executive on 16.10.06.

Arborfield News November Edition.

WDC Planning Applications Input & Decisions Issued for the period 25.9.06 – 29.9.06.

Meeting closed at  10.15  p.m. .

Next meeting of full Council will be held on 14^th November at 8 p.m.

Next meeting of Planning Committee will be held on 24^th October 2006 at 7.30 p.m.