HIGHCLERE PARISH COUNCIL

 

Minutes of a meeting held at Highclere Village Hall on Tuesday 8 January 2002

 

Present

Councillor Mrs S Roberts, Chairman

Councillor I Davidson

Councillor J Pearson

Councillor T Farmer

Councillor R East

 

Also Present

Borough Councillor Patrick Hedgeland, and Mr Ron Snipp

 

 

01/02 MINUTES OF THE LAST MEETINGS

The minutes of the Council meeting held 13 November 2001having been circulated were taken as read, agreed by all, and signed by the Chairman, Councillor Mrs Roberts.

Minute 158 of the planning and finance meeting held on 4 December 2001 was amended and the following added to the update on Penwood Village Hall Lease, as it was considered that the extents of Borough Councillor Patrick Hedgeland's efforts were not properly acknowledged.

 

"The Clerk has raised the issue of a policy change with the BDBC Parish funding Scrutiny panel via the Parish Liaison meeting and additionally Councillor Hedgeland has also raised the issue of all village hall rents with BDBC Parish funding scrutiny panel but warned that a change of Council policy will take a long time.  In the short term the grant might be raised to 95%. "

 

02/02 MATTERS ARISING FROM THE ABOVE MINUTES

·      The DEFRA Consultation Paper on Quality Parish and Town Councils as put forward in the Rural White Paper report has not yet been circulated.  The Borough of Basingstoke and Deane will now hold a workshop at the end of January for Parish Councils, to consider the contents and formulate a joint response.  It was agreed to take no action until after this workshop.

·      In response to a Councillor's question on traffic calming progress, HCC has advised that all signposts are to be renewed and are in process of being made.  They will hopefully be instated at the end of the month. 

 

03/02 CORRESPONDENCE

The following correspondence has been received and relevant information copied to Councillors:

1.    HAPTC mail 72-01 Advice on adopting new code of conduct (by 5 May 2002)

2.    DTLR Model Code of Conduct (I copy retained by Clerk, 1 copy to Chairman)

3.    DTLR New Declaration of acceptance of office order and guidance on written undertaking (1 copy retained by Clerk, 1 copy to Chairman)

4.    DTLR extract from Local Gov White paper setting out proposals of reform of financial regime. (1 copy retained by Clerk, 1 copy to Chairman)

5.    NALC/Countryside Agency Guide to National Training Strategy (1 copy retained by Clerk, 1 copy to Chairman)

6.    BDBC Community Safety Draft Strategy (to Chairman) with invite to consultation evening 17 January 6.15   Councillor Ray East will try and attend.

7.        BDBC Youth Project Africa,  (Flyers placed on notice boards)

8.        HAPTC "Meetings" seminar 27 February (book by 11 Jan)

9.        Minutes of Penwood Village Hall meeting 9 November

10.     HAPTC mail 73-01 advice on funding for Queens Golden Jubilee event

11.    HAPTC mail 70-01 to recruit members to Youth Offender Panels

12.    BDBC offer to host web sites

13.    BDBC leaflet "how to get rid of your old fridge freezer"

14.    BDBC Training Courses 2002-2003 Launch conference 26 January 2002

15.  Report of Woolton Hill Junior School

 

04/02 BOROUGH COUNCILLOR'S REPORT

It has been confirmed to Councillor Patrick Hedgeland that a feasibility study is being undertaken into the possibility of traffic lights at the Penwood Crossroads. 

The local plan processes are progressing well and the period for receiving comments on the additional plots is extended by another week.

 

05/02 TO CONSIDER THE FOLLOWING PLANNING APPLICATIONS:

BDB 51994/5 Zell House Farm, Holligton Cross, Highclere

Conversion of redundant farm buildings to garage/workshop and conversion of loose boxes and store to living accommodation ancillary to Zell Farmhouse

OBJECTION unless the following conditions are applied:

There shall be an enforceable legal agreement that the ancillary living accommodation may not be sold separately to the main house.

There shall be an enforceable legal agreement that the garage/workshop shall not be made available in the future for residential purposes and may not be sold separately to the main house.

There shall be an enforceable legal agreement that hedgerows and trees shall be preserved

 

BDB/52003 Land at Wilsdon, Tubbs Lane, Highclere, Newbury

Erection of a bungalow and double garage

OBJECTION unless the following conditions are applied:

If a new access/driveway is opened there shall be an enforceable legal agreement that substantial hedging shall be planted to close off the existing access and all of the hedgerow to the site shall then be preserved.

There shall be an enforceable legal agreement that the property shall not be converted to a 2 storey house, to remain low level, in keeping with adjoining properties.

The roof pitch to garage and bungalow is also considered too steep and should be reduced.

 

BDB/52124 Rooks Nest, Byeways,  Highclere, Newbury

Removal of condition 8 of BDB 42317 r elating to retention of hedgerow for Rooks Nest only

OBJECTION

The reasons for protecting this hedge remain as they were when condition 8 to BDB 42317 was imposed.  Nothing has changed

This hedge is also the settlement policy boundary.  Removal of any part will make it difficult to monitor encroachment beyond the SPB

 

BDB 52142 1 Highclere Street, Highclere

Erection of a single storey extension to form living room and study

NO OBJECTION

PLANNING APPLICATIONS continued

BDB/52091 Windyridge, Hollington Lane, Highclere,

Erection of a two storey extension and conservatory to side of property.  Erection of a double garage at Northern corner of boundary and a temporary accommodation unit to rear of the property

OBJECTION Unless the following conditions are applied:

There shall be an enforceable legal agreement for the retention of trees and hedgerows on the plot and the adjacent paddock.

The hedges and trees shall be protected during the construction of the extension.

The garage shall not be used for residential purposes

All materials shall be matched with the existing

There shall be a limitation placed on the period of use of the temporary accommodation

 

06/02 OTHER PLANNING MATTERS

The following correspondence items have been received and copied to Councillors

1.        BDBC Trees and Development Supplementary Planning Guidance brochure

This will be circulated

2.        BDBC Places to live draft planning and design guidance for new residential development (report with Chairman)

3.        BDBC Consultation papers on affordable housing and brownfield sites in the countryside comments if any by 15 February 2002 (papers with the Chairman)

4.        BDBC Planning and transportation quarterly bulletin

5.        West Berkshire information on Local Plan Modifications

6.        BDBC Information on site viewings and speaking at Development Control meetings

7.        BDBC Local Plan review supplementary register (placed at the Redhouse Pub)

It was agreed to hold a planning meeting on 23 January to consider additional sites submitted

 

The following planning approvals are received:

BDB50995 Land adjoining Briarwood, Andover Road, Highclere

Erection of one new building

 

BDB51654/7 Hollington Cross Farm, Hollington Cross

Erection of conservatory to the rear of the building. Listed building consent

 

07/02  PENWOOD VILLAGE HALL LEASE

 

There was an adjournment to allow Borough Councillor Patrick Hedgeland to address the meeting and provide detail on progress regarding rent subsidy for a new lease for Penwood Village Hall, and as a separate issue, BDBC's policy on village hall rents.  The meeting then continued.

 

There was general discussion about the options, and the progress being made.  It was felt that things were moving in the right direction and it was agreed to continue to take advice from the solicitor who had returned an amended lease to BDBC and was awaiting a response.

 

08/02 REPORTS FROM MEETINGS ATTENDED:

Clerks Parish liaison meeting 28 November

Amongst other items, the meeting considered Quality Parish and Town Councils, and the Parish Funding Scutiny Panel.   The Chief executive also undertook to look into the feasibility of changing the Council's existing Policy on market rent on leases of village halls.

 

08/02 REPORTS FROM MEETINGS ATTENDED continued

Queens Golden Jubilee meetings 27 November and 18 December

The Chairman of the Parish Council chaired the meetings.  A programme of events is being put together including a history exhibition at the church, which will also be decorated with flowers, on 2nd June, and a Parish Picnic with sports, games and music on 3rd June.     

Youth Facilities meeting held 4 December

Stephen Bryers from BDBC is working hard to put a plan together for presentation to the local community.  A further meeting in January is expected.

 

09/02 TO CONSIDER A FUNDING REQUEST FROM CLERE SCHOOL

The request was to fund the school's senior choir on a tour of Barcelona and surrounding area.  This was discussed and it was agreed that the Council will offer to pay the hire of either Penwood or Highclere Village Hall to allow the choir to put on a concert to raise funds. 

 

10/02 COUNCILLOR'S QUESTIONS

The Chairman asked Councillors to suggest a date and venue for the Annual Parish Assembly.

It was agreed to hold this on the 15th April at Penwood Village Hall and discuss an agenda at the February meeting.

The Chairman asked the Clerk to research the condition, which applied to the hedgerow in Tubbs Lane as part of the Woodside planning application.

 

11/02 ACCOUNTS FOR PAYMENT

The following accounts were approved for payment:

Between Meetings:  P Clarke  C Corrall W Bendle J Dawson

At this meeting: Penwood V Hall BDBC Sharpserv C Corrall W Bendle P Clarke

 

 

 

 

AS THERE WAS NO FURTHER BUSINESS THE MEETING WAS ADJOURNED

 

 

The next Full Council Meeting will be held on Tuesday 12 February 2002

 

Planning Meetings will be called when necessary