FINCHAMPSTEAD PARISH COUNCIL MINUTES OF A MEETING OF FINCHAMPSTEAD PARISH COUNCIL HELD AT 7.30PM ON THURSDAY 10 SEPTEMBER 2015 AT THE FBC CENTRE, GORSE RIDE NORTH, FINCHAMPSTEAD PRESENT: Cllr Markham, Vice Chair. Cllrs Bowers, Bromley, Chapman, Mrs Driver, Mrs Jennings-Frisby, Marshallsay, Rampton, Veitch. Mrs Dagnall, Clerk. 334/2015 APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE Apologies were received from Cllrs Chapman, Cundy, May, Pearce, Pittock and Weeks. 335/2015 DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST No declarations were received. PUBLIC PARTICIPATION SESSION No members of the public were present. 336/2015 WASTE REDUCTION PRESENTATION The Council received an informative presentation from the Wokingham Borough Council (WBC) Waste Reduction Officer. 337/2015 MINUTES OF THE PREVIOUS MEETING The minutes of the meeting held on 16 July 2015 were signed as a true and correct record. 338/2015 CHAIRMANS REPORT 290/2015 No Cold Calling Zones (NCCZ) As previously reported, eight roads in the Parish are now designated as NCCZ, with two further roads at the consultation stage. The Scheme has been promoted through the Council s newsletter but no other residents have expressed interest to date. 290/2015 Finchampstead Village Fete A summary of comments and feedback from residents was circulated, and the map with pins marking likes and dislikes was displayed. This information could provide a useful starting point for more detailed consultation in future. Councillor Vacancies Following the resignation of Cllr Ms Blackwood, there are now two vacancies on the Council. Applications for co-option will be considered at the Council meeting on 21 October 2015. It was agreed that a card would be sent to Ms Blackwood thanking her for her work since joining the Council in June 2010. 339/2015 COMMITTEE REPORTS PLANNING COMMITTEE Cllr Veitch reported on recent meetings. Meeting held on 12 August 2015. Minutes have been circulated. 109
Applications Ten applications were considered. Objections were lodged against applications for development at: Pine Platt, Heath Ride. Biggs Land, Arborfield (part of the Strategic Development Location) 304 Nine Mile Ride Silverstock Manor, Sandhurst Road. Decisions Decisions were in line with WBC decisions with the exception of the following: 1 Hogwood Meadows, Park Lane FPC objected WBC approved Appeals New appeals at Honeysuckle Lodge, Commonfield Lane 48A McCarthy Way The appeal at Oaklands, Park Lane was dismissed. Meeting held on 9 September 2015. Minutes will be circulated in due course. Applications 11 applications were considered. Objections were lodged against the following: Jovike, Lower Wokingham Road Decisions Decisions were in line with WBC decisions with the exception of the following: Spring Croft, Dell Road FPC objected WBC approved Appeals New appeals at 145 Nashgrove Lane The Lodge, North Court, The Ridges Other matters The application at Pine Platt, Heath Ride will be considered by WBC on 16 September 2015. Cllr Marshallsay will represent the Council at the meeting. It was noted that the Wokingham United Charities application for 116 houses within Wokingham Without Parish will also be considered at this meeting. FINANCE AND GENERAL PURPOSES COMMITTEE Cllr Woof reported on the Council s financial position and current matters. STATEMENT OF ACCOUNTS Unity Trust Bank 14,743.08 CCLA Public Sector Deposit Fund 80,315.32 SCHEDULE OF PAYMENTS FOR SEPTEMBER 2015 A copy of the schedule of cheques and other payments totaling 4481.10 (gross) was circulated to all Councillors for consideration. All payments were approved by the Council and it was agreed that Cllrs Bromley and Woof would authorise the electronic payments. 110
Risk Management and Asset Inspection The Risk Management Policy and Register is up to date, but will be refined and restructured in due course. It was noted that the introduction of the Community Infrastructure Levy (CIL) brings additional opportunities and responsibilities for the Council, but also some risks. Asset inspections were completed in May and June 2015. No significant risks were identified, but a number of items require repair or refurbishment work. Certain works have been completed or are in hand, others will be discussed further at the forthcoming Amenities Committee meeting. Community Infrastructure Levy CIL) Cllr Woof advised that WBC has started the process of consultation with Local Councils through various sessions and briefings. The Council s CIL Working Group had its first meeting on 17 August 2015. Notes of the meeting and draft Terms of Reference will be circulated to all Cllrs. The Council agreed that the CIL Working Group should provide the interface with WBC over CIL related matters, and if necessary negotiate on behalf of the Council. It was also agreed that any decisions relating to CIL matters will be referred to Main Council for approval. The Working Group had discussed the possibly production of a Neighbourhood Development Plan (NDP) and had agreed that it would not recommend that the Council produced a Plan. The Council agreed that a NDP should not be produced at this stage. Cllr Woof and the Clerk met WBC Officers on 9 September 2015. The next stage will involve WBC providing more detail on projects on the CIL Regulation 123 Infrastructure Project List, including sources of funding, and the Council will review its Infrastructure Project and where possible estimate costs for the projects. A comparison will then be made to identify overlaps, funding deficits and to enable a prioritisation process to start. Cllr Woof confirmed that while it is important to work with WBC, at the same time the intention is to retain some control over the funds by influencing how they are spent. Discussions with WBC over this have been positive. Cllr Veitch confirmed that at this stage the Planning Committee does not feel it necessary to have a representative on the Working Group. Grant applications and donations will be discussed at the next Committee meeting on 1 October 2015. Note this is a change of date from that on the current schedule. AMENITIES COMMITTEE Cllr Mrs Driver advised that the next Committee meeting is on 23 September 2015. California Crossroads Tidy Up Cllrs Bromley and Mrs Driver outlined plans for the project including the work party session to take place on Sunday 27 September 2015 from 9.30am. A number of local businesses have offered volunteers and also financial or in kind contributions. A grant application has been submitted to the Mid Counties Co-operative. Activities on the day will include weeding, pruning, litter picking and painting. Contractors have been appointed to undertake tree and hedge pruning, some of this work will be completed this weekend. WBC is replacing some litter bins free of charge, and will be collecting the rubbish and green waste. 111
A risk assessment has been drafted. After the work party session, the Clerk will contact WBC regarding the sections of damaged post and rail fencing. RIGHTS OF WAY COMMITTEE Cllr Woof reported on the meeting held on 2 September 2015 and current matters. A representative of the Wokingham Bridleways Group attended the meeting. Various concerns were raised, particularly over the need for riders to use A roads and busy B roads. Options for improving the network were discussed, and the Council s proposal to redesignate FP20 as a bridleway was noted. The Cemex planning applications at Manor Farm and Fleet Hill Farm have still not been determined, but it is understood that there are no major outstanding issues. The WBC drainage improvement works in White Horse Lane appear to have been successful. Following these works, WBC has committed to improve the surface of BP11, but has not confirmed the timescale for the works. A new strimmer will be purchased shortly for the Footpath Warden, utilising the funds set aside as ear marked reserves. The WBC Greenways Project will be available for consultation as soon as WBC has consulted with the landowners involved. Efforts to clarify the naming of Wick Hill Lane / Wick Hill will continue. ROADS & ROAD SAFETY COMMITTEE Cllr Bromley reported on current matters. The next meeting of the Committee is on 13 October 2015. Avery car park project - WBC has still not provided plans and costings for improvements to the car park. A meeting will be arranged to establish why there has been such a delay. Speed Indicator Sessions have resumed with the new unit, although the Police have not been available to take part. Church Lane will be closed between White Horse Lane and Finchampstead Road from 29 September 2015 to 2 October 2015 to allow sewage connection work to take place. Gateway project it is likely that no more gateways will be implemented due to space limitations on the remaining sites. A lamp column at Longwater Road / Longwater Lane has been damaged and requires replacement at a cost of 1900.00, including a LED light unit. The Council approved expenditure of up to 1900.00 for this work. The Clerk will be contacting the Councils Insurers regarding a potential claim. 340/2015 REPORTS FROM COUNCIL REPRESENTATIVES ON OUTSIDE BODIES Finch NAG No meeting has taken place. Gorse Ride Community Forum Cllr Bowers reported that the meeting held on 27 July 2015 had focused on discussion about the potential redevelopment of the Estate. Gorse Ride Project Group A Stakeholder meeting was held on 30 July 2015, and the first meeting of the Project Group took place on 27 August 2015. Cllrs Bowers, Bromley and Rampton attended. Initial findings of the separate consultations with tenants, home owners and others were reported. There has been a high response of around 60%, and non responders will be contacted. The consultation ends on 21 September 2015. 112
There may be some issues around funding and therefore timescales due to recent changes in Government Legislation impacting on rental income for WBC. Borough Parish Working Group The next meeting of the Group is on 12 October 2015. Cllr Cundy is not available to attend and a second representative is needed to replace former Cllr Ms Blackwood. It was agreed that the Clerk would represent the Council at this meeting. 341/2015 ARBORFIELD STRATEGIC DEVELOPMENT LOCATION (SDL) The Steering Group meets on 15 September 2015. Cllrs Bromley and Veitch will attend. The first meeting of the Community Liaison Group is still to be confirmed but is likely to be before the Steering Group meeting on 15 September 2015. If Cllrs May or Pearce are unable to attend Cllr Bromley will represent the Council. The first AGLC reserved matters application will be considered by WBC on 16 September 2015. The Council has submitted objections to the application. The Marino Family Trust (MFT) revised submission will be considered by the WBC Planning Committee at an Extraordinary meeting on 30 September 2015. The Council s FAS Team has submitted comments on behalf of the Council. The next Arborfield Community Forum will be held on 23 September 2015. The next California Crossroads Working Group meeting will be held on 7 October 2015. Cllrs Bromley and May will be attending. 342/2015 CORRESPONDENCE Invitation to CCB AGM Thursday 22 October 2015 at Beech Hill Memorial Hall from 5.30pm Invitation to Sue Ryder Wokingham Day Hospice for afternoon tea on Saturday 7 November 2015 from 12noon 2pm Items circulated by email over previous two months: NALC newsletters and bulletins BALC newsletter WBC news releases TVP alerts WBC traffic management notices CCB Action for All Bulletins TVERC Summer Newsletter Dr Phillip Lee MP July Newsletter WBC Library News and Events Clifton Ingram bulletin affordable housing exemptions Broadmoor Hospital Redevelopment Public Information Sessions Local Government News 343/2015 FORUM Cllr Bromley advised that there will be a Quiz night at the California Hall on Saturday 24 October 2015. A Parish Council Team (of 6) will be welcome. 344/2015 DATE OF THE NEXT MEETING OF THE PARISH COUNCIL The next meeting will take place on Wednesday 21 October 2015 at 7.30pm at the FBC Centre. The meeting closed at 9.50pm. 113
These minutes are subject to confirmation at the next meeting of the Council. 114