CHIEVELEY PARISH COUNCIL Minutes of the Meeting of Chieveley Parish Council held at Chieveley Village Hall & Recreational Centre, High Street, Chieveley, Berkshire RG20 8TE on Tuesday 12 July 2016 at 7.30pm Present Cllr R Crispin (Chairman) Cllr D Cowan Cllr H Cole Cllr M McGuire Cllr M Belcher (Vice Chairman) Cllr M Taylor Cllr C Wood In Attendance Mrs T Snook (Clerk), 3 members of the Public 1.07.16 Apologies and Acceptance of Absence Apologies were received from Cllr Ffrench. Unanimously accepted. 2.07.16 To remind Councillors of the need to record the existence and nature of any Personal, Disclosable Pecuniary or other interest in items of the agenda, in accordance with the Parish Council s Code of Conduct and to receive any requests for dispensations. Dispensations already approved for the Parish Council term and confirmed at the meeting. A Dispensations Guidance handout including the listed of existing dispensations was available for the public present. HSA DPD/Local Plan for Cllr Crispin, Cllr Cowan, Cllr Belcher, Cllr Cole and Cllr Wood. Council Tax/Precept for Cllr Crispin, Cllr Cowan, Cllr Belcher, Cllr Cole, Cllr Wood, Cllr Taylor, Cllr French. Curridge Playground Charity Land for Cllr Crispin, Cllr Wood, Cllr Ffrench, Cllr Belcher, Cllr Taylor, Cllr Cowan and Cllr Cole. A statement made by Cllr Cole. I wish to make it clear that any views expressed in relation to planning applications under consideration at this meeting are based upon the information available to the Parish Council. Further, I am not prejudging the way I may vote when the matter is considered by West Berkshire Council. At that time I shall assess all the evidence available and weigh the considerations material to that decision. 3.07.16 Minutes of the Parish Council meeting held on 14 June 2016 to be agreed and signed as a correct record and signed by the Chairman The minutes of the Parish Council meeting held on 14 June 2016 were unanimously agreed as a correct record and the Parish Council resolved that the Chairman of the Parish Council could sign them. 1
4.07.16 Co Option To co opt Mark McGuire as Chieveley Ward Councillor It was proposed by Cllr Crispin, Seconded by Cllr Belcher, that the Parish Council co opt Mark McGuire as Chieveley Ward Councillor. Unanimously agreed. The Declaration of Acceptance of Office was signed. The clerk confirmed that Cllr McGuire had completed the Registrar of Interests form, Dispensation documentation and Risk Assessment form prior to the meeting. The Parish Council invited Cllr McGuire to join the meeting. 5.07.16 Public Participation and Neighbourhood Policing Public Open Forum Mr Hayward, Chairman of Winterbourne Parish Meeting reported that a reapplication for Land north of Winterbourne Farm (16/01603/FULMAJ) had been submitted to West Berkshire Council. The new application had unanimous support at a recent well attended Winterbourne Parish Meeting. The application is for replacement of ugly, misused redundant barns next to the bund by a single swelling in keeping with its location and will provide a small parking area for village events as well as improving the northern approach to the village. Invited Chieveley Parish Council s support for the application. The Mr Flood, Fowler Architects & Planning Ltd, introduced himself to the Parish Council and confirmed he was representing the agents who have submitted the planning application for Rosedale (16/01717/HOUSE). He outlined the proposal and confirmed that discussions had taken place with the Conservation Officer at West Berkshire Council and no objections had been raised for the proposal. Mr Flood invited questions. The Parish Council asked why the ridge height of the extension seemed higher than the existing roof. It was confirmed that the additional height did not take away from the host dwelling and in the locality other properties had different ridge heights. 6.07.16 Planning Schedule and Planning Matters for discussion and action (Appendix I) 16/01582/HOUSE Wellsley, Oxford Road, Chieveley Two storey extension, first floor side extension, single storey rear extension and associated minor alterations. The Parish Council confirmed no objection to the proposal although commented that it was a large extension. Cllr Cole expressed concern about the impact on the setting in the AONB at the meeting as it was a large extension but not objection at this time. 16/01603/FULMAJ Land north of Winterbourne Farm, Winterbourne Replacement of redundant barns with a single dwelling redevelopment of an existing barn to provide garaging, associated landscaping, provision of community parking area and additional wider landscaping and biodiversity enhancements to an AONB The Parish Council reconfirmed its support for the proposal as an adjoining Parish Council consultee. Cllr Cole confirmed she was unable to support the application on planning policy consideration grounds. 2
The Parish Council confirmed there were no objections or comments on the remaining planning applications listed on the planning schedule. The Parish Council approved the planning schedule. 7.07.16 Curridge Wastelands Charity Nominations. To receive information regarding the Curridge Wastelands Charity nominations as agree action. Cllr Crispin reported that a letter had been received from the present secretary of the Curridge Wastelands Charity regarding Trustee nominations. Cllr Crispin left the room and Cllr Belcher chaired the agenda item. Cllr Belcher read out the letter from the Curridge Wasteland s Charity Secretary. Two trustees who were nominated by Chieveley Parish Council in 2012 are coming to the end of their present term, Mr Crispin and Mrs Main. Both are willing to continue for a further term. It was proposed by Cllr Wood, Seconded by Cllr Taylor that Mr Crispin and Mrs Main be put forward as the Parish Council Trustee nominations for the Curridge Wastelands Charity. Unanimously agreed. Clerk to write to the Trustee s Secretary to confirm nominations. Action: Clerk Cllr Crispin was invited back into the room. 8.07.16 The Emerging Minerals & Waste Planning Policy for West Berkshire Council. Potential sites for waste management and mineral extraction and the West Berkshire Council consultation. To agree action. The consultation has commenced with a deadline set for 5 August 2016. A discussion took place. Two sites have been identified in Chieveley Parish and one just across the Parish boundary. Chieveley Services 22.1 hectare site 60 Acre Field 25 hectare site Old Street near Bradley Court Long Lane, Cold Ash 16.4 hectare site near Fishers Crossing Firstly, the Old Kiln Quarry site and the old compound should be fully restored and West Berkshire Council should be pressed to ensure the final restoration is completed including the removal of the services compound. There is no demonstrable need for additional sites in the area and in the AONB. The Raymond Brown site is still active. Chieveley should not be a continual sand extraction site. The sand quality is the area is now poor quality and West Berkshire Council has a suitable 7 year supply identified. The impact on the local road infrastructure including Priors and B4009 with additional sand extraction sites in the locality would be harmful. A comment was made that the operators should look at sites where rail links are available instead of roads. The Parish Council strongly resists having additional sand extraction sites in the Parish and adjoining Parish which will necessitate additional truck and other vehicle movements along local roads to gain access. Similar concerns exist about sand extraction sites in the Parish as raised for the Old Kiln Quarry and Copyhold Farm. 3
It was proposed by Cllr Belcher and Seconded by Cllr Cowan that the Parish Council object to the proposed sites in the Parish. The Parish Council agreed to also comment on the site identified near Fishers Crossing as an adjoining Parish site. Unanimously agreed. 9.07.16 Marsh Pond. To report drainage works carried out by West Berkshire Council in Marsh Lane, adjacent to Marsh Pond. To approve Land Registry Fee form Marsh Pond. West Berkshire Council PROW team have improved the surface of the byway and also carried out drainage works down the side of the byway. This involved the existing drain being cleared out and a channel run into Marsh Pond. Unfortunately the contractor reversed his truck onto Marsh Pond and also moved the environmental stack of logs to the side by the fence but did not restack the logs when they left. The clerk has been in touch with West Berkshire Council and had a meeting with a member of the PROW team to ask that the contractor puts the log stack back and to make good the area of damage. West Berkshire Council are likely to have to come back to do further drainage works in the lane. The clerk has asked to be kept informed. It was proposed by Cllr Wood, Seconded by Cllr Cole that the Land Registry administration fee of 30 be paid. Unanimously agreed. 10.07.16 Grant Policy Review. To consider changes proposed and adopt the new Grant Policy. A draft grant policy had been circulated prior to the meeting for consideration. An amendment to the standard criteria is proposed to include Curridge Playground as an organisation that will be given specific consideration in future years. A discussion took place. Important that the land continues to be maintained to a standard where it can be used by as many members of the public and local school now the initial clearing and project works have been undertaken using S106 grant funding. A question was raised by Cllr Wood whether the Trustees would be looking at some self funding opportunities to contribute to the ongoing maintenance of the playground. The Parish Council has to be fair and equitable on how the grant funding is shared and in a time of local government funding austerity groups and organisations should demonstrate a willingness to contribute to costs when applying for grants. The clerk reminded the Parish Council that Chieveley Recreational Centre and the Parish Council have a formula which allows adjustments to any grant funding based on rental income received from hiring the Chieveley Recreational Centre grounds. The Parish Council was reminded that the Parish Council owns the Curridge Playground Land but the Curridge Playground Trustees manage the land. This necessitated special consideration for grant applications received from the Curridge Playground Trustees. 4
It was proposed by Cllr Crispin that the Curridge Playground be added for specific consideration by the Parish Council to the Small Grants Award Criteria and Guidelines for Grant Aid. Seconded Cllr Cowan. Vote: 6 in favour 1 against. 11.07.16 Curridge Playground Grant 2016/2017. To note the quotation approved by the Curridge Playground Trustees and agree to release grant funding ringfenced for 2016 The Parish Council were reminded that a sum of 1,650 was ringfenced in the grant budget for 2016/2017 for the Curridge Playground for general maintenance work subject to quotations being provided for Parish Council approval. The Trustees have sought a quotation from the West Berkshire Council approved contractor C&D facilities to provide regular maintenance over the summer period to carry out grass cutting, over marking lines and goal mouth renovations including seeding and top dressing and spraying. 980 excluding VAT. It was proposed by Cllr Cole, Seconded Cllr Belcher that 980 of the grant fund ringfenced for the Curridge Playground be released. Vote 6 in favour, 1 against. The Trustees anticipate establishing an annual maintenance contract for the Playground commencing next spring. 12.07.16 Clerk and Assistant Clerk s Report (including correspondence) PROWS overgrown and reported to West Berkshire Council Winterbourne footpath 19/1 with a request to add it to a regular annual maintenance cut along with FP38 as each year this is required. Footpath 11/2 Bardown to Gidley Lane. One section in particular has overgrown hedges reported. Footpath 1 behind Sowbury Park near School Road end has overgrown vegetation/nettles Fallen tree bough along Gidley Lane north of CHIEV 10/1. Noticeboard for the Bunk Greenbarnes confirmed that the noticeboard approved by the Parish Council at the last meeting will require two posts, cannot be supported well enough with one. New noticeboard has been ordered. The contractor will erect the noticeboard end August early Sept. Doctors Lane Byway 26 Concern about the condition of the byway surface was raised earlier this year and the highway drainage where the byway terminates at Old Street. It was reported to West Berkshire Council in March and contact with Mr Reynolds, Highways Department, West Berkshire Council has been made for an update. Been advised that West Berkshire Council does not anticipate being in a position to carry out investigation and a plan for works until the middle of August at the earliest. 5
The majority of the approved surfacing works associated with this year's Highway Improvement Programme will have been completed by then and hopefully some resources will be available for this matter to be addressed. The Highways team will be working with the PROW team. Chieveley Conservation Area The clerk is chasing West Berkshire Council for the historical information required. 13.07.16 Report of the Responsible Financial Officer, Cheque Signing and other financial matters The clerk tabled year to date financial statement 2016/2017 with budget figures and a Receipts and Payments summary for Parish Council consideration and information. The Receipt and Payments record book was presented at the meeting for inspection. The bank reconciliation up to 30 June 2016 was tabled for the Chairman to sign. It was proposed by Cllr Cole and Seconded by Cllr Belcher and the Parish Council resolved to pay the accounts for July 2016. Payments Cheque Payee Description Amount No 1218 CCB Membership 30.00 1219 Chieveley Recreational Centre Hall hire charges July 35.75 1220 G Snook Bus shelter cleaning July 40.00 1221 N Pierce Clerks salary 186.73 1222 T Snook Clerks salary 574.79 Expenses & Allowance 1223 Berkshire Pension Fund Pension Contributions 214.06 1224 Land Registry Administration Fee 30.00 1,111.33 NB PAYE Employee, Employers and NI contributions are accrued and paid quarterly Receipts BACS Royal Bank of Scotland Treasuers Account Interest 5.31 BACS Royal Bank of Scotland High Business Account interest 0.99 BACS T Snook BT Services 15.00 BACS A Craig Oare Pond Licence Fee 303.60 Total Receipts 324.90 Financial Position as at 12 July 2016 Balance carried forward 31/03/16 (incl S106 contributions) 59,610.25 Receipts for year to date including April/Sept precept received 16,338.53 Less payments for year to date 21,324.97 Total 54,623.81 6
13.07.1 Other financial matters The clerk confirmed that PAYE, Pension and other financial commitments paid in August will be reported at the next available meeting. 14.07.16 District Councillor s Report Housing Site allocation DPD Examination Cllr Cole reported that she attended the opening statements for the Housing Site Allocation DPD examination. She also attended the public inquiry examination review with the Inspector today where Chieveley settlement boundary matters were considered. Reporting Problems Cllr Cole urged Councillors and if the opportunity arises to encourage members of the public to use the Report a Problem on West Berkshire Council s website. Can be used to report overgrown vegetation and other problems. The Clerk confirmed there is a link on the village website and information about the how to Report a Problem included in the June latest news. Curridge W I The Curridge W I have written to the Chief Executive reminding West Berkshire Council to maintain the car park adjacent to the Curridge W I Hall. 15.07.16 Councillors Reports (Information Only) Vine Cottage, Curridge Concerns about groundworks, tree felling etc were raised at the last meeting. Works have halted on site and fence posts have been reinstated. An agent is preparing to submit a planning application to regularise any breaches. The Forestry Commission have confirmed the landowner can fell a certain number of trees in a quarter period. The Forestry Commission will be sending a copy of the full policy for our records. Tipping by Junction of Byway 32/34 Cllr Wood reported that Mr Willis has put down builders rubble to create a turning area in this location. Environmental Health could not help as on private land despite concerns about the materials used. The PROW team have inspected the byways and there has been some ingress onto the byway with the rubble. Mr Willis has confirmed he will remove the encroaching material and items. Cllr Cole confirmed that she has told Environmental Heath that their response was not particularly helpful. HSA DPD Local Plan Examination Cllr Cowan reported that he had attended a hearing with the Planning Inspector on 12 July 2016 to represent the Parish Council and the objections to the settlement boundary changes proposed south of Chieveley village. Cllr Crispin was also in attendance and Cllr Cole as District Councillor. It appears that West Berkshire Council accept that there are potential inconsistencies in the way the criterion was applied to Green Lane. 7
On reflection they do not feel that the proposed change to include Green Lane meets the criteria and would not be a justified change. Whilst Green Lane is functionally part of Chieveley its character in the south related more to the open countryside than the main settlement. The Council proposes to revert to the original settlement boundary at Green Lane. This information was passed to the Inspector by West Berkshire Council It was reported that ProVision Planning & Design, the landowner s agent for the Land South of School Road, put a case to the Planning Inspector to extend the settlement boundary to include the site. Chieveley Parish Council spoke to confirm its objections to the land being included as an identified site on landscaping grounds and impact on the AONB. Cllr Cole congratulated Cllr Cowan for presenting the Parish Council s case very well at the hearing. This was unanimously agreed and the Parish Council thanked Cllr Cowan also. Caravans and cars parking near the Chieveley Services Cllr Crispin reported that a number of caravans and cars were parking near the Chieveley Services site. Cllr Crispin reported that caravans, trucks and other paraphernalia were visible from the Old Oxford Road behind Snelsmore Barns. 16.07.16 Any other items which the Chairman decides are urgent (Information Only) None 17.07.16 Date of the next meeting Tuesday 13 September 2016 at Curridge W I Hall, Curridge, Berkshire RG18 9DZ at 7.30pm. Provisional meeting date 9 August 2016 at Curridge W I Hall, Curridge, Berkshire RG28 9DZ at 7.30pm There being no further business the meeting closed at 8.47pm. Signed and dated by the Chairman 13 September 2016 8
Appendix I Planning Applications, Appeals and Enforcement Notices for consideration at the Parish Council meeting on 12 July 2016 Planning applications can be viewed by the public on West Berkshire Council's website www.westberks.gov.uk under planning applications on line Planning applications for consideration at meeting Reference Type Location Description Preliminary Observations 16/01717 HOUSE Rosedale, Church Lane, Demolition of existing conservatory, erection of part single No objection Chieveley storey and part two storey extension 16/01582 HOUSE Wellsley, Oxford Road, Two storey extension, first floor side extension, single No obj/comment large Chieveley storey rear extension and associated minor alterations extension Chieveley Parish Council Consultee Decisions Reference Type Location Description Observations 16/01544 HOUSE Ashwood House, Downend Single storey extension to rear for garden room, garage No objection and front porch 16/01603 FULMAJ Land north of Winterbourne Replacement of redundant barns with a single dwelling Support Farm, Winterbourne redevelopment of an existing barn to provide garaging, associated landscaping, provision of a community parking area and additional wider landscaping and biodiversity enhancements to an AONB (adjoining parish consultation) 16/01199 FUL Roots Garden Centre, Priors Section 73: variation of condition 2 - approved plan of No objection, Hermitage planning permission reference 12/02871/FUL (Erection of barn in association with garden centre) The application seems to vary the approved plans to reflect the barn as built. 16/01714 COMIND Roots Garden Centre, Priors Section 73A - Variation of conditions (2) plans approved, 3 No objection, Hermitage materials samples, 4 parking and turning and 5 landscape scheme of planning permission 13/02847/COMIND 16/01574 FUL Oakland Cottages, Marsh Section 74 - removal of condition 14 CODESH of planning No objection Lane, Curridge reference 12/02772/FUL (demolition of existing cottages and erection of single family dwelling) West Berkshire Council Planning Application Decisions and Planning Inspectorate Appeal Decisions Reference Type Location Description Decision 16/00117 COMIND Priors Court Farm, Priors Retrospective - construction of use class B8 warehouse, to Approval include mezzanine storage, car and lorry parking, landscaping and other ancillary works 16/01345 HOUSE Norton Cottage, Long Lane, Two storey extension to the rear to create a new open plan Approval Hermitage ground floor family room, kitchen area and re-arrangements of bedrooms and a new en suite and addition of front entrance porch and demolition of water closet 16/00744 FULD Land Adjacent to The Firs, Development of 4 live/work units Refusal Curridge Road, Curridge 11/01089 FUL Priors Court Farm, Priors Erection of warehouse premises together with integral Approval ancillary offices and staff parking For Information Reference Type Location Description 16/01303 AGRIC Roots Garden Centre Priors Re distribution of top soil excavated from adjoining garden Not required centre 16/00503 OUTD Land opposite Cypress Outline application for development of 2 dwellings. Matters Written Lodge, Chapel Lane, to be considered: access and layout. Appeal Representations by 5 Curridge APP/W0340/W/16/3150842 July 2016 16/01077 FUL Land south of Rose Cottage, Agricultural Building Withdrawn Beedon Common 16/00117 COMIND Priors Court Farm, Priors Retrospective - construction of use class B8 warehouse, to include mezzanine storage, car and lorry parking, landscaping and other ancillary works Site meeting 23 June Western Area Planning Committee 29 June 2016 11/01089 FUL Priors Court Farm, Priors Erection of warehouse premises together with integral ancillary offices and staff parking Site meeting 23 June Western Area Planning Committee 29 June 2016 16/00644 HOUSE Marymead, High Street, Installation of a wood pellet boiler flue to the side of the Amended Chieveley property and the erection of the wood pellet store in the plans/drawings front garden of the property 9