September 2006
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BARKHAM PARISH COUNCIL

 

Minutes of meeting of the Barkham Parish Council held on 12th September 2006

in Barkham Village Hall at 8.00 p.m.

 

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

Mr. R. Newman, three members of the public and the Clerk.

 

Apologies:  Mr. F. Postlethwaite (a prior engagement), Mr. D. Oxbrough (on holiday) and 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 17 a gymnast from Pinewood Gymnastics Club and a member of the Senior Women’s Team at the World Championships in Eindhoven and the European Championships in Metz where the team won a gold medal.

 

Louisa Bellis aged 12 also a gymnast from Pinewood Gymnastics Club, she has represented great Britain in the U-12 Age Group at the World Championships in Eindhoven and she became the British Champion in the Bulgarian Open Championship.

 

Charlie Burrows aged 17 who represents England at tumbling and won the Senior British Championships in March, this was only his second year as a Senior.  He has competed in many other championships achieving very high results.

 

Tansyn Pack aged 16 a solo ice dance skater, who has competed in the British Solo Ice Dance Championship despite suffering with severe Glandular Fever and taking her GCSE’s at school.

 

Liam Abrahams aged 15 is a trampolining champion from the Edgebarrow Trampoline Club.  He has represented Great Britain at international events on many occasions.  He is due to compete in the british National Trampoline Finals where he and his partner hope to retain their National Champions title from last year.

 

We would like to congratulate all these very worthy winners.

 

06/833 Minutes of meeting held on 11th July 2006 were approved and signed as a true record.

 

06/834  Co- Option of new councillor

Proposed:  Mr. Newman

Seconded: Mrs Stubbs

Mr. Patrick King was duly elected on to the Council.  The Declaration of Acceptance of Office was duly completed.

 

06/835 Matters arising

06/819 The pavement outside 69 – 71 Bearwood Road was dug up by Thames Water and not repaired properly, WDC have passed our concerns to NRSWA officer who will investigate our concerns.  This matter has still not been attended to, Clerk to contact WDC and request that this is repaired urgently.

06/804 The self sown trees along the verge of the Bearwood Road still have not been cut down, Clerk to remind WDC that this area needs attention.

06/820  The field shelter which has been erected in the field adjacent to Sparks Farm does not need planning permission as it is a mobile shelter built on skis, however its location in the top corner of the field is rather an eyesore for the neighbouring properties.  Clerk to write to the owner of Sparks Farm asking if it would be possible to move it to a less visible position in the field.

 

06/836 Public Session

A local resident reported that WDC had recently trimmed the verges and the hedges around the area of Barkham Bridge which had greatly improved the sight lines in this area.

 

Planning

 

F/2005/6378                           14 The Lilacs                                                                            Appeal Lodged

                                         Proposed additional fencing to side of dwelling       With Planning Inspectorate

                                                                                                                                                        No comment

                                                                                                                                                                

 

F/2005/6223                           Barkham Post Office, 50 Bearwood Road                           Appeal Lodged

                                       Proposed erection of 8 flats plus one A1 Retail Unit.   With Planning Inspectorate

                                                Demolition of existing dwelling and shop.                                       

Clerk to write to the Inspector highlighting our concerns over the inadequate parking provision for the flats and the retail unit.  Also the height and bulk of the proposed development.

 

VAR/2005/6482                     Meadowside, Park Lane , Finchampstead                            Appeal Lodged

                              Proposed variation to condition 2 of consent 99/70806/F    With Planning Inspectorate

                                                To allow an additional mobile home on site.                                  No comment

                                                                                                                                                                

 

F/2006/8143                           6 Ash Way                                                                                            Approved

                                                Proposed conversion of part of garage to study with

                                                new window in side elevation.

 

F/2006/8142                           Plot 7 Coppid Hill, Barkham Road                                                      Approved

                                                proposed erection of a single storey rear extension to

                                                dwelling to form conservatory plus extension to garage

                                                roof  to rear.

 

 

06/838 Coppid Hill Cottages – a view to having them graded as listed buildings

The Village Design Statement group have suggested that BPC try and get Coppid Hill Cottages at the junction of Bearwood Road and Barkham Road listed.  The cottages were built in 1846 and are part of the character of Barkham.  The fear is that they will be pulled down when the current occupiers pass away so that a developer could better develop the whole site.  BPC agreed that this would be a good move.  Listed buildings are granted by English Heritage, Mr. King will find out as much as possible to see if these cottages qualify for listing.  Mrs Stubbs will mention this to the owners as a matter of courtesy.

 

06/839 Highways

The buddleia bush at the corner of Barkham Road and Barkham Street , out side The Bull is completely overhanging the pavement making it extremely difficult for pedestrians to pass by.  Clerk to write to the landlord of The Bull to request that it is pruned back.

It was noted that the rhododendrons along the Bearwood Road have been trimmed back and also along the bridleways, Clerk to check with WDC Countryside Services that they have carried out the work.

A new gate has been installed behind Barkham Manor on the bridleway and also a gateway suitable for a disabled person.  The police are still visiting The Coombes on a regular basis trying to deter the motorbikes, it was generally felt that the situation in The Coombes had greatly improved.

Mrs Stubbs reported that she had attended a Highways meeting at WDC regarding the priority at Barkham Bridge .  The main reason for the priority to be in favour of traffic travelling towards Arborfield from Wokingham was to slow the traffic down.  There are no records of the minor accidents, only major accidents with fatalities which is only 3 accidents in five years.  WDC have requested a note of all the minor accidents, local resident Mrs Wicks maybe able to help as she has kept a note of this.

 

06/840 Finance

WDC – 1 skip at the Junipers & 1 refuse lorry for July                 26  £259.68 (£221 exc VAT)

PC World – purchase of  Security subscription                                             27  £49.98 (£42.54 exc VAT)

WDC – 1 skip at the Junipers & 1 refuse lorry for August                            28  £259.68 (£221 exc VAT)

Barkham Village Hall – rent May – August                                                     29  £63.00

Sarah Bellis – Sporting Endeavour Fund                                                         30  £100.00

Louisa Bellis – Sporting Endeavour Fund                                                       31  £100.00

Page 06/494

 

Charlie Burrows – Sporting Endeavour Fund                                                 32  £100.00

Tamsyn Pack – Sporting Endeavour Fund                                                      33  £100.00

Liam Abrahams – Sporting Endeavour Fund                                                  34  £100.00

Hacker Young Accountants – fee for annual audit                                        35  £141.00 (£120 exc VAT)

J. P. Neuhofer – 50% of Homecall bills for phone & internet                        36  £164.03 (£143.46 exc VAT)

November 05 - June 06

 

Standing Order for Clerk’s salary for August                                                       £485.76

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

for month of August  (Employee & employer contribution)

 

Standing Order for Clerk’s salary for September                                                   £485.76

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

for month of September (Employee & employer contribution)    

 

The Clerk confirmed that the accounts for the year ended 31.3.06 had been duly returned signed off by Hacker Young the auditors.  The Notice of Conclusion of Audit and Right to Inspect the Annual Return has been duly displayed for 14 days.

 

Clerk to contact Mr Baveystock at WDC to ascertain the usage of the refuse lorry now it is in two locations (8.00 – 9.30 in Barkham Street and 9.40 – 11.00 at The Junipers), the future of this facility must be reviewed when considering finance for the next year.

 

To date 810 books have been sold, an income of £4247.24, thus leaving 190 unsold, and the Council is now in credit to the amount of £281.57.

 

06/841  Barkham Teenage Youth Club Project – Mr Newman to update

Mr. Newman reported that he still had not heard from the Lottery Commission regarding the grant which BPC need to fund the running of the new youth provision.  Mr. Newman has had meetings with Richard Ferguson from WDC with the idea of possibly providing the mobile youth provision at Elizabeth Park where it would appear that there has been some minor disturbances, this would leave the village hall for the sole use of the younger children who currently attend the youth club.  Street workers will be employed by WDC to speak to the young people to ascertain their requirements.  The idea of possibly providing a youth shelter was suggested, this has proved very successful in Finchampstead Village where the young people raised the funds themselves to provide the shelter.

 

The goal post in Elizabeth Park is now starting to need some maintenance, Clerk to contact WDC to request that it is painted.  BPC still have £176 from the original grant which was retained for future maintenance.

 

06/842 The Parish Boundary of Barkham – Mr Scott to update

Mr Scott reported the findings of Mr. Postlethwaite’s  research over the summer.  Mr Postlethwaite has had discussions with Dianne King (Councillor for Evendons Ward) and Wokingham Town Council who have no objection to the roads which are currently in Wokingham being relocated to Barkham, this would affect Highlands Ave , the housing along Bearwood Road up to Highlands Ave , both sides of Sandy Lane , Limmer Close and The Shires.  It would seem logical to make the natural boundary at the junction of Barkham Road / Sandy Lane .  BPC were in agreement with this suggestion.  Mr Postlethwaite to finalise the details with Wokingham Town Council and ascertain what the next steps should be.

 

06/843  Unitary Authority Councillor's Report

Mrs Stubbs had nothing to report due to the summer break.

 

06/844 Correspondence

BVH – letter of thanks for grant.
WADE – letter of thanks for grant.
Wokingham Volunteer Centre – letter of thanks for grant.
SPISE – invitation to a seminar “Playing the Planning Game” on 23.9.06.  Mrs Stubbs and Dr Loader to attend.

 

Page 06/495

 

Thames Valley Police – invitation to a briefing on collaboration opportunities with Thames Valley Police in support of Neighbourhood Policing / Police Community Support Officers at 6.45 p.m. on 4.10.06.  No one wished to attend.
WDCVA – invitation to networking event covering the Children and Young People’s Plan to be held on 15/9/06 at Dinton Pastures at 12.00.  No one wished to attend.
Wokingham Volunteer Centre – invitation to AGM on 14.9.06 12.15 – 2.30 at Woosehill Community Centre.  No one was able to attend.
Relate – invitation to AGM on 18.9.06 at Town Hall, Reading at 7.00 p.m. No one was able to attend.
South East England Regional Assembly – Partial review of South East Plan – provision for Gypsy and Traveller Caravan Sites.  Mrs Stubbs volunteered to study the document.
WDC District Parish Conference to be held 19.10.06.  Two questions are to be submitted:-
Given the proposals to put in considerable new development in the southern part of the District has the Council considered the need for an additional secondary school to meet the educational requirements of a growing population.
 In view of the impending development in the southern parishes what plans are in place for the infra structure to be in adequate, such as a secondary school, additional road traffic, medical facilities.  Also what discussions are being held with the public utility companies for additional requirements of water, sewage and electricity which are all currently running at a maximum level. With this in mind does the Council consider that with all new build homes it should be compulsory for developers to install renewable energy sources.
WDC Gambling Statement of Principles Consultation.  Mr Newman volunteered to review the document.

 

Distribution

WDC Agenda for Meeting of the Standards Committee 20.7.06.

WDC Staff Bulletin Issue 14.

WDC Planning Applications Input & Decisions Issued for the period 3.7.06 – 7.7.06.

The Berkshire Communicator.

WDC News Release – Have your Say of the future of the Wokingham District.

WDC Staff Bulletin Issue 15.

WDC Corporate News Issue 3.

Arborfield News.

WDC Agenda for Special Meeting of the Executive 10.8.06.

WDC Agenda for Meeting of the Special Council Executive Committee 10.8.06.

WDC Agenda  for Meeting of the Planning Committee 16.8.06.

WDC Agenda for Meeting of the Council 27.7.06.

WDC Minutes of Committee Meetings for the period 12.6.06 – 5.7.06.

WDC Planning Applications Input & Decisions Issued for the period 10.7.06 – 14.7.06.

WDC Planning Applications Input & Decisions Issued for the period 17.7.06 – 28.7.06.

WDC Planning Applications Input & Decisions Issued for the period 31.7.06 – 4.8.06.

SPISE News 47.

WDC Staff Bulletin Issue 14.

WDC Planning Commitments For Housing March 2006.

Litter and the Law.

WDC Governor Vacancies.

WDC Planning Applications Input & Decisions Issued for the period 7.8.06 – 11.8.06.

Relate Report and Accounts year ended 31.3.06.

WDC Agenda for Meeting of the Highways Consultative Board 4.9.06

WDC Planning Applications Input & Decisions Issued for the period 14.8.06 – 18.8.06.

WDC Staff Bulletin Issue 17.

WDC Agenda for Special Meeting of the Executive 7.9.06.

WDC Agenda for Meeting of the Planning Committee 6.9.06.

WDC Planning Applications Input & Decisions Issued for the period 21.8.06 – 25.8.06.

NALC Journal September 2006.

Rural Services Review.

WDC Agenda for Meeting of the Licensing and Appeals Committee 19.9.06.

WDC Planning Applications Input & Decisions Issued for the period 28.8.06 – 1.9.06.

WDC Staff Bulletin Issue 18.

 

 

Meeting closed at  10.00  p.m. .

 

Next meeting of full Council will be held on 10th October at 8 p.m.

Next meeting of Planning Committee will be held on 26th September 2006 at 7.30 p.m.