The Memorial Hall, Oxford Street, Lambourn, Berkshire. RG17 8XP
Telephone: 01488 72400
Clerk: Mrs Karen Wilson
Assistant Clerk: Mrs Nichola Weck email:
MINUTES OF
A MEETING OF THE FULL COUNCIL
ON WEDNESDAY 5 MARCH 2014 AT 7.30PM
IN THE MEMORIAL HALL, LAMBOURN
Apologies: Cllr Iveson.
Present: Cllr Cocker (Chairman), Cllr E. Spence, Cllr N. Spence, Cllr Billinge-Jones, Cllr Dowdeswell, Cllr Clarke, Cllr Barrenger, Cllr Mooney, Cllr Walwyn, Cllr Fitzpatrick, Cllr Bracey, Cllr Corney, Cllr Holding and Mrs Wilson (Clerk).
6 members of public
DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST
No Declarations of Interest
107 ELECTION OF VCIE-CHAIRMAN AND CONFIRMATION OF ACTING CHAIRMAN AS CHAIRMAN
Cllr Sue cocker was elected as Chairman and Cllr Billinge-Jones was elected as vice chairman.
108 MINUTES OF THE PREVIOUS MEETING AND MATTERS ARISING FROM MINUTES
The Minutes of the meeting of 19 February 2014 were approved and signed.
109 PUBLIC PARTICIPATION
Suspended standing Orders
Mr Dacey has requested a children crossing sign at the bottom of Hungerford Hill (WBC)
He also stated that the road safety in the village is of a very low standard and that speeding up Hungerford Hill is a major issue. He has already approached the Road Safety officer.
7:35 pm additional member of public arrived.
Mr Chilvers requested ‘What are the Parish Council doing regarding the Flooding?’
7:37pm Mr Dacey left.
Cllr Spence provided information and feedback from the Flood Forum.
Mr Chilvers stated that last September Environmental Agency and Highways examined the bridge and stated it should be dragged. The responsibility between Environmental Agency and Highways. The gullies are below the river bed.
Cllr Bracey stated that the dredging is scheduled to be done,
Mr Chilvers suggested that the re-establishment of the Culvert which was in placed in 1965 instead of pumping stations which just create more problems.
Cllr Cocker will visit Mr Chilvers to look at the Ordinance Survey map.
It was agreed to suspend standing orders for the remaining public to speak during the discussion on planning application.
Re-instated Standing Orders.
110 COUNCILLORS REPORTS
Cllr Cocker provided feedback on the developers meeting and they have sent through the Landscape & Visual Appraisal, Flood Risk Assessment and Site Delivery documentation.
There was much discussion on the source of the water in the Windsor house Paddock.
Cllr Cocker read out Dr Cox report from the Health and Safety Course.
Report on CCB “Health and Safety in Community Buildings” – Theale Village Hall – 20th February 2014
Wendy Dacey of CCB led the 2 hour evening meeting which was attended by approx. 20 people from approx. 15 different halls across Berkshire.
She started by highlighting information which is contained within the 3 ACRE documents which will be emailed to me in the near future.
Points noted were:
1. Fire risk assessments need to be done once and then perhaps every 5 years.
2. Normal risk assessments should be done twice a year, one in summer and one in winter. After the practical exercise it was suggested that one should also be done in the dark of the evening.
3. The risk assessments must be taken to the responsible committee and noted in the minutes.
4. A full first aid box must be readily available (to a standard described in the literature to follow).
5. The accident book must also be readily available in a loose leaf format so that any entry is taken out and dealt with.
6. Fixed electrical wiring needs checking every 5 years, portable equipment checked every year.
7. Asbestos risks must be managed as any worker who drills through such material will be affected.
8. RIDDOR incidents must be recorded i.e. any accident which results in any person on the premises injured and subsequently being off work for 3 days.
9. A Health and Safety File should be kept which includes a copy of the risk assessment, RIDDOR forms and a plan of the building which shows such things as pipework, drains and electrical circuits.
10. CoSHH risk assessments should be carried out.
11. A copy of the ACRE Risk assessment record will be in the documentation forwarded
12. The principle of Risk Rating = Frequency + Severity was explained.
We then did a Risk Assessment of Theale Hall itself which, although being in what appeared to be in excellent condition, was found wanting in some areas. A comment was made that for a recent fire assessment made on their hall there was now a requirement for a sign to be placed at each fire exit with the contact number in case of fire.
111 FINANCIAL REPORT
Accounts settled:
Wages (Feb) 2307.33
Southern Electric DD (Hall) 159.00
Accounts to be settled:
Scofell (Burials) 870.00
Biffa 673.73
Lambourn Universal Stores 12.96
Adrian Hutchinson (pc repairs) 37.00
Cllr Cocker suggested dealing with the 2 applications of public Interest:
112 PLANNING APPLICATIONS
14/00385/COMIND – Land to the West of Membury Services Westbound, Membury – Solar farm, comprising the erection of solar arrays of photovoltaic panels, inverter and transformer sheds, fencing, site storage cabin, combined DNO and EPC switchgear housing, internal gravel access road and associated equipment. Action PB.
Suspended Standing Orders
Ms Kate Corvin from Orta Solar presented the application, background details and future plans. They have been working closely with Steve Jones (airport), English Heritage and the surrounding neighbors. They have been in discussion with AONB as well.
Re-instated Standing Orders.
Full Council agreed to Support providing alternate green energy for the future.
5 Members of Public left.
14/00003/COMIND – Woodland to the South of Sheepdrove Farm, Lambourn – Change of Use of Triangle Wood to a Natural Burial Ground. Action SC.
Suspended Standing Orders
Mrs. Greenham raised concerns on the road safety as she feels it is unsuitable for large amounts of traffic. This was discussed at length.
Re-instated Standing Orders
No Objection subject to enforcement of access via Wantage Road.
13/03168/FUL – Lych Gate, St Michael and All Angels Church, Lambourn. Lambourn Parish Council wish to provide a bus shelter in the market place. Within this context a proprietary or bespoke bus shelter would be a visual intrusion. AS a consequence the PCC and Parish Council wished to explore whether an alteration to the lychgate might suffice in providing sheltered accommodation. By repositioning the gates replacing the gate posts and gates in the existing pattern and materials and reusing the existing gate hinges it is possible to fit a small oak seat on each side of the lychgate resting on the existing plinth and without any change to the external dimensions or frame of the existing listed lychgate. Action SC.
Support Enhancement of existing facility which is of benefit to the Community.
14/00274/HOUSE – 21 Northfields, Lambourn – Two storey extension to rear of existing property comprising of a garden room and enlargement of existing bedroom above. Action SM
No Objection.
14/00355/HOUSE – Roselea, Station Road, Lambourn – Garage conversion with bay window addition. Action BD. No Objection.
14/00152/HOUSE – Woodlands ST Mary House, Ermin Street – Garage Annexe building. Action MBJ. No Objection but would like tied to the House.
113 PLANNING CORRESPONDENCE
To note: Weekly lists of planning applications and decisions.
13/03104/HOUSE – Chipping Lodge, Long Hedge, Lambourn. Two storey side extension, single storey rear extension, first floor extension over attached garage and conversion to ‘Granny Flat’, and first floor extension over front porch. Additional Drawings. (Information Only).
13/03148/HOUSE – 5 Newbury Road, Lambourn – application has been withdrawn.
114 ADVERTISMENT OF CASUAL VACANCY
The resignation of Cllr Cox has created a vacancy which has now been advertised for on the noticeboard and on the webpage as instructed by WBC. Cllr Cocker would like to express the Parish Councils thanks to Dr Cox for his 12 years of service. His attention to detail will be missed.
115 FLOODING UPDATE
A request was made for an additional flood warden in view of Dr Cox’s resignation. Cllr Bracey volunteered to attend the Flood Forum meetings.
The Flooding update as follows:
Eastbury - Back street is till flooded and families have been told that they will not be able to move back into their homes for 6 – 12 months. The sewerage in the water is the major issue at present.
Upper Lambourn – roads are collapsing under the pressure
Lambourn – raw sewerage running in the street and people ignoring the road close signs and barriers.
116 MEETING SCHEDULE
Meeting schedule for March to May
5 March Council + Assets
19 March Council + Burials
2 April Council
16 April Council + Finance
7 May Council
14 May Annual Assembly
21 May Council + Assets
June (SHLAA + Bus).
Noted.
117 COMMUNICATION POLICY
Proposal to draught a communications policy. Cllr Cocker to investigate the communication policy to present to Council.
118 MEMORIAL FLOODLIGHT
Request received from Mr. Fleming of the British Legion to pay for the replacement floodlights in the Churchyard, lighting up the War Memorial.
Cost of £133.55.
He would also like to request that the Memorial is cleaned on its 100 year anniversary and has requested a Road Closure for Remembrance Sunday.
It was noted that any work done in the churchyard required a faculty and prior consent.
The Council decided that as no prior consent was given for the expenditure, it would not be willing to pay for the repairs.
The cost of cleaning the Memorial should be investigated and quotes received in before the Council could approve/reject the proposal.
It was suggested that Road Closures are very expensive and as the British Legion are the requesters, they should investigate the costs and have a discussion with the Carnival Committee who obtain a road closure annually for the carnival.
119 CORRESPONDENCE
WBC –Register of Electors 2013 requested.
WBC- Update on Superfast Broadband phase 1 about to start.
WBC – Flooding update
Flooding Bus visits to the flooded areas
NALC – Draft Regulation Openness of Local Government Bodies 2014 (Consultation).
Whats next for Localism?
EWC – News Update
Penny Post – Local news
Rural Payments Agency – SPS2014 application online.
Oxfordshire County Council – Consultation on Draft Oxfordshire Minerals and Waste Local Plan: Core Strategy.
Thames Valley Police – February Update
Biffa – Increase in cost for General waste.
Windsor House Paddock – Landscape & Visual Appraisal, Flood Risk Assessment and Site Delivery documentation.
NHS – Call to Action – Newbury district @ Donnington Valley Hotel, Old Oxford Road, Newbury 20 March 2014 7-9pm.
SLCC – Minutes from December meeting and report on Local Audit and Accountability Bill
WBC – Building Stronger Communities Conference, Saturday 5 April 2014 10am – 3pm at Newbury College, Monks Lane, Newbury RG14 7TD.
North Wessex Downs AONB e-Bulletin March 2014.
John Prendergast letter dated 04 March 2014.
WBC – SHLAA Consultation Event feedback
Emails regarding the new flood relief pipe at Newlands, Upper Lambourn.
Letter to WBC from Mr & Mrs Snook regarding the issues in Lambourn at present.
Clerks & Council Direct March 2014.
WBC- Charity Golf Day at Newbury and Crookham Golf Club on Wednesday 30th April 2014 in aid of Children with Cancer UK.
Mr Proud – letter regarding planning application 14/00003/COMIND.
120 AGENDA ITEMS
Flooding update
Thames Water
Communication Policy
Chairman: Sue Cocker Date: 19 March 2014.