Minutes of meeting of the Barkham Parish Council held on 11^th October 2005

in Barkham Village Hall at 8.00 p.m.

Present: Mr. R. Newman (in the Chair), Mr F. A. Scott, Mr.J.Shepherd, Mr. S. Goldring, Mr. D. Oxbrough, four members of the public and the Clerk.

Apologies: Mrs P. Stubbs (on holiday), Mr. F. Postlethwaite (on holiday), Mr. C. Clarkson (work commitments), Mr. M. Clark (family commitments)

Presentation of the Sam Hosgood Sporting Endeavour Awards

Sam Hosgood made the presentations to the young people who had been successful in being awarded a grant from the fund.  Each winner was presented with a cheque for £100.

Sarah Bellis aged 16 a gymnast from Pinewood Gymnastics Club and winner of the British Championships.

Louisa Bellis aged 11 also a gymnast from Pinewood Gymnastics Club, she has been selected for the Great Britain National Squad.

Charlie Burrows aged 16 who represents England at tumbling and won a bronze medal at the Junior European Championships in Bulgaria whilst taking his GCSEs.  He is now a member of the Senior World Championship Team which competed in Holland in September. 

Tansyn Pack aged 15 a solo ice dance skater, who was also the winner of the Wokingham District Council Sports Personality of the Year award.  She has already been chosen by the National Ice skating Association to be on the Junior Development Squad.

Hayley Salmon aged 9, also an ice skater who despite a horrendous injury still persevered and has qualified for a place in the British Championships.

We would like to congratulate all these very worthy winners.

05/712 Minutes of meeting held on 13^th September 2005 were approved and signed as a true record.  The Planning Meeting which was due to be held on 27^th September was cancelled due to insufficient planning applications.

05/713  Election of a Vice Chairman

This item has been deferred until the November meeting of the Parish Council.

05/714  Election of a Finance Committee Member

This item has been deferred until the November meeting of the Parish Council.

The committee currently consists of Mrs Stubbs, Mr. Goldring, Mr. Newman and Mr. Clarkson, a core membership of five is required with a quorum of three for each meeting.

05/715 Matters arising

05/696  As Mrs Stubbs is away it was decided to re schedule the presentation from Kate Fuller from WDC regarding the speed limits in Barkham until the meeting in November, Clerk has spoken to Miss Fuller and she is able to attend.

05/706  Reply received from Mr. Wiseman, the Highways Inspector at WDC concerning the condition of Church Lane .  He states that he will investigate the matter and arrange for any remedial action to be taken.

05/706  E mail reply received from Mr. Philips at the Environment Agency stating that he visited the stables on 21^st September and spoke with Mr. Matthews about the manure.  It was agreed that the pile of manure will be kept low which will reduce the amount of internal heat generated and Mr. Matthews will turn it if necessary to keep it cool.  BPC were more concerned with the pollution aspect, as it is feared that  if the pond is polluted it will run into the stream which in turn feeds the lakes in Barkham Manor and requested that Mr. Philips return to the stables. Mr. Philips revisited the pond at Barkham Manor and checked the small pond and the adjacent pond with large carp or koi in.  The small pond had ammonia of 1.12% and oxygen of 85%. The water is clear and there is no sign of pollution. The ammonia reading also indicates no pollution. There will be no problem with

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this water. The adjoining pond, which presumably was not polluted, had ammonia of 0.89% and oxygen of 65% (the water is deeper and there are fish). This was done as a comparison.  The Environment Agency have warned Mr. Matthews that it is an offence under Section 85 of the Water Resources Act 1991to cause or knowingly permit any poisonous, noxious or polluting matter or any solid waste matter to enter any controlled water.  The penalty is a fine of up to £20,000 and/or 3 months in prison.  Should such an event occur the occupiers of Barkham Manor or BPC should inform the Environment Agency immediately as the ponds are controlled waters.  The water used to douse the fires was mains water and it is the intention of Thames Water to charge for this.  It would appear that there is some confusion as to which lake was actually tested.  It is the pond at the stable site which must be tested which is the source of the pollution.  Clerk to contact Mr. Philips at the Environment Agency to clarify the situation.

05/711 Plot 8 at the Coppid Hill development is to be known as The Coach House, there is already a property in Barkham Manor called The Coach House, Clerk to write to WDC pointing this out as it will undoubtedly cause confusion with postal deliveries.

05/711 Mr. Newman reported that he had attended the Campaign Against Waste Meeting which was held at Grundons in Beenham, this is the recycling centre for kerbside refuse.  Currently around just under half of the District’s recycled waste comes from kerbside collections but this is set to grow with the green waste collection scheme, one in four households within WDC still do not participate in recycling.  The paper is sold directly to a paper mill and the tins and plastics are separated by magnetic machinery and then the plastics are hand sorted, only those items bearing a number 1 or 2 can be reused.  The green waste is packed into tubes with a piped supply of oxygen and within 8 – 12 weeks it is reduced to a fine soil like material for use as a soil conditioner.  A more detailed report will appear in the next edition of the BVRA Newsletter.

05/711 With the departure of Mark Beach, the youth leader, applicants were being interviewed for the vacant post.  BPC were invited to meet the applicants over an informal lunch time session.  The Clerk and Mr. Newman attended, there were 3 applicants applying for one senior position and one junior position.  The concern of BPC is that despite a thriving youth club it would appear that once the young people move on to secondary school they are less inclined to attend the youth club.  When the new leader is appointed BPC would like to invite the leader to a meeting to ascertain their requirements to encourage the older children to attend.

05/716 Planning

F/2005/5320                           Bandar, 6 Aggisters Lane                                                                 Refused

                                                Proposed two storey side extension to dwelling and

                                                detached double garage.

Reason:  The proposed side extension by virtue of its design, scale and proximity to the bedroom window of No. 4 Aggisters Lane would be unacceptably overbearing and result in an unacceptable loss of light and amenity.  The proposed side extension by virtue of its size, height, form and positioning would not respect the design of the host dwelling and would not form an incongruous feature.  Due to its siting and size the proposed garge is considered an incongruous feature which is out of character and intrusive to the detriment of the street scene.

F/2005/5285                           7 Langley Common Road                                                              Approved

                                                Proposed two storey side extension to dwelling.

F/2005/4571                           331 Barkham Road                                                                        Approved

                                                Proposed erection of replacement dwelling.  Demolition

                                                of existing dwelling.

F/2005/5604                           21 Bearwood Road                                                                        Approved

                                                Proposed single storey rear extension to dwelling.

F/2005/5222                           Windmill Farm Cottage, Commonfield Lane                               Delegated

                                                Proposed single storey rear extension to dwelling to form    No Comment

                                                conservatory plus first floor side extension.

F/2005/5826                           69 & 71 Bearwood Road                                                                     Delegated

                                                Proposed erection of 3 detached dwellings and BPC To Comment

                                                associated access.  Demolition of existing 2 dwellings.

                                                Also revised plans which show en suite bathroom to bedroom 3

                                                plus first floor window in side elevation facing 67 Bearwood

                                                Road added to dwelling A.

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Mr. Newman declared an interest and did not participate in the discussion.

Clerk to write to WDC expressing concern on the impact that these properties will have on the street scene as they will be positioned closer to the road with a loss of visual screening.  No. 71 which is currently a small bungalow will be replaced by two large houses. No. 69 already has approved planning permission for a detached house but this new proposal will create a more cramped effect.

TP/2005/5743                        Land Adjoining Downshire Lodge, Commonfield Lane                 Proposed

                                                Application for temporary permission for the stationing              Opposed

                                                of two mobile homes.

                                                Adjoining Parish Consultation.

Clerk to write to WDC stating that the documentation states 4 mobile homes, not 2 as specified in the application.  The “mobile” homes are 32 feet by 19 feet which would appear to be of a more permanent nature and therefore the planning application should state that they are permanent homes.

F/2005/5863                           27 & 29 Bearwood Road                                                                     Delegated

                                                Proposed erection of two dwellings with single storey                 Opposed

                                                rear conservatories (Amendment to consent F/2004/3560)

Clerk to write to WDC opposing this application as the addition of the conservatories will add a significant increase in bulk to the properties.  Also, BPC feel that it is not appropriate for an architect to submit alterations to plans so soon after planning permission has been granted.  These designs were drawn up by professional bodies who should show the finished product on the original design.

F/2005/3841                           32 Barkham Ride, Finchampstead                                                      Dismissed

                                                Proposed erection of five houses with the demolition of              At Appeal

                                                the existing dwelling.

                                                Adjoining Parish Consultation

Reason:-  The main issues in this case are the effect on highway safety in Barkham Ride and the living conditions of occupiers of 36 Barkham Ride in terms of noise and disturbance.

F/2005/4452                           28 – 30 Langley Common Road                                                         Approved

                                                Proposed erection of 2 replacement dwellings with access

                                                and parking, demolition of existing 2 dwellings.

Clerk to write to the Enforcement Officer at WDC, there are currently two caravans parked in the field with much work being carried out in the field and very little on the building site.  The planning permission has been granted for the building site, not the field which is for agricultural use.  Request that the Enforcement Officer visit the site, fear from local residents is that the field may become a caravan park.

Land at Coppid Hill “The Barkhams”.

The eight properties are now nearing completion, but the adjoining field still resembles as builders yard with piles of rubble and a road running across it.  Clerk to write to the Enforcement Officer at WDC requesting that he revisit the site and insist that the field is returned to its natural state.

Areas Of Special Character

Letter received from Sonning Parish Council asking for part of the village of Sonning to be designated as an Area of Special Landscape Character, they are asking if any other Parish Council is also seeking ASC designation.  Part of Barkham Street already has this designation and therefore we would not wish to assist Sonning in any way.

Consulatation Questionnaire “Where should our new homes go?”

New Housing in Berkshire under the South East Plan

Leaflets have been distributed to many households requesting input into where development should take place.  Residents are urged to complete these questionnaires, they can also be completed on-line.

05/717 Highways

The drains are blocked along Barkham Road from The Bull down to Barkham Bridge . The litter bin opposite the Bull is very rarely emptied.  The hedges and vegetation from the bridge to Barkham Manor needs to be cut back as brambles are overhanging the footpath making walking with a pram very awkward.  Grass is growing on the pavement outside The Well House on Barkham Street , all these items to be referred to WDC.

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The footpath sign which is located outside the Post Office is out of date, Clerk to contact Dinton Pastures to request that a more up to date map is inserted into the display board.

At a meeting last year to discuss the problems of parking in School Road it was agreed to install some laybys, this has not yet been done, Clerk to write to Miss Fuller at WDC requesting when these are scheduled to be installed.

05/718  To Discuss the Provision of skips/refuse lorry in Barkham

It would appear that the refuse lorry which is parked at The Old Village Hall site on a Saturday morning is not being very well used.  Councillors have been asked to consider alternative locations.  An article to be placed in the next edition of the BVRA Newsletter asking residents for their comments.  This item to be placed on the next agenda for BPC.  It was also noted that the fly tipping at this location had dramatically reduced since the warning posters had been displayed.

05/719 Finance

H. Stebbing – purchase of a replacement notice board                                 967          £586.33 (£499 exc VAT)

J.P. Neuhofer – fee for attending the Regional Conference                          968          £42.44

The Royal British Legion – grant                                                                      969          £100.00

WDC – charge for 1 skip at The Junipers & 1 refuse lorry at OVH             970          £238.53 (£203 exc VAT)

Standing Order for Clerk’s salary for October                                                               £426.23

Standing Order to Royal Bor. Windsor – Pension Fund for Clerk                               £67.77

for month of October  (Employee & employer contribution)

To date 796 books have been sold, an income of £4159.24, thus leaving 204 unsold, and the Council is now in credit to the amount of £193.57.

05/720  Unitary Authority Councillor's Report

Mrs Stubbs is currently on holiday, she has been sitting on the Licensing Committee at WDC who have been overwhelmed with applications before the deadline for renewals expires.

05/721  Village Design Statement For Barkham

The Clerk reported that the Village Hall had been booked for 18^th October at 8.00 p.m. and letters had been sent out to all those people who had expressed an interest.  Jane Ireland from WDC will also be able to attend to answer any questions.  Mr. Newman will chair the meeting while a committee is formed and a new chairman elected.

05/722 Correspondence

Planning Applications Input & Decisions Issued for the period 5.9.05 – 9.9.05.

WDC Agenda for Meeting of the Development Control Committee 21.9.05.

WDC Agenda for Meeting of the Personnel Board.

WDC Agenda for Meeting of the Executive 29.9.05.

WDC Agenda for Meeting of the Council  29.9.05.

WDC Planning Applications Input & Decisions Issued for the period 12.9.05 – 16.9.05.

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WDC Planning Applications Input & Decisions Issued for the period 19.9.05 – 23.9.05.

WDC Staff Bulletin Issue 17.

Arborfield News Autumn Issue.

WDC Agenda for Meeting of the Standards Committee 11.10.05.

WDC Agenda for Meeting of the Development Control Committee 12.10.05.

WDC Planning Applications Input & Decisions Issued for the period 26.9.05 – 30.9.05.

WDC Agenda for Meeting of the Scrutiny Committee 17.10.05.

Meeting closed at  9.40 p.m. .

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

Next meeting of Planning Committee will be held on 25^th October 2005 at 7.30 p.m.