CROWTHORNE PARISH COUNCIL
MINUTES OF A MEETING OF CROWTHORNE PARISH COUNCIL (CPC) HELD ON
TUESDAY 1 AUGUST 2017 AT THE PARISH HALL, HEATH HILL ROAD SOUTH, CROWTHORNE AT 7.30PM ______
Present: Cllr R H Wade – in the Chair
Cllr S J Butterworth
Cllr J Finnie
Cllr N R Kilvert
Cllr R M Price
Cllr G Robertson
Cllr S E P Sever
Mrs A Swadling - Clerk
1 member of the public
0 member of the press
Apologies accepted: Cllr J Bolton
Cllr B McKenzie-Boyle
Cllr Mrs T McKenzie-Boyle
Mrs J Robertson - Assistant Clerk
MINUTE 70 DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST AND DISPENSATIONS
None.
MINUTE 71 APPROVAL OF MINUTES OF THE PARISH Council MEETING
The minutes of the Parish Council meeting held on 4 July 2017 as circulated, were taken as read, confirmed and signed by the Chairman as a true record.
MINUTE 72 MATTERS ARISING FROM MEETING HELD ON 4 JULY 2017
1 Min 56.2 – High Street Banners
The High Street banners were successfully fitted on 19 July 2017. The snowflake banners have been returned and presented to the Chairman of the Traders, Ronnie Murray.
2 Min 56.3 – High Street Planters/Seating
A works order has been placed with Ringway and Furnitubes. The anticipated delivery date for the new seating is 14 August 2017. An installation date will be agreed with Ringway once received.
3 Min 57.2 – Staff Appraisals
The Staffing Committee is scheduled to meet on Monday 11 September 2017 to discuss various staffing matters, to include the outcome of the appraisals.
4 Min 64 – CPC Newsletter
The CPC newsletter has been received and is currently being handed out to residents. Following liaison with the Chairman and Vice Chairman, it was decided to take advantage of the numerous free events going on within Crowthorne throughout the summer at which the newsletter could be handed out. The Traders, Edgbarrow School, Crowthorne C of E, Wildmoor Heath School and the Crowthorne Library have all helped with distribution. The newsletter is also displayed in the Parish Office, on the CPC website and noticeboard. It was suggested that an A5 version for inclusion within the Crowthorne Eye should also be considered for the next edition.
5 Min 66 – Outside Bodies
As instructed, correspondence has been sent to Rebecca Parks of Wellington College thanking her for organising the tour of the grounds and buildings. A further visit will be arranged later in the year.
MINUTE 73 CLERK’S REPORT
1 Summer of Fun update
As a reminder, the Summer of Fun event is on Tuesday15 August 2017 from 11am to 3pm. Cllrs available are requested to attend the event and engage with the public/activity providers. The competition and raffles will be conducted with assistance from Cllr Wade and Ronnie Murray, Chairman of the Traders.
2 South Hill Park
Ron McAllister will be retiring from South Hill Park at the end of August 2017 after 17 years. Mr Craig Titley will be taking over as the new Executive Director.
3 Website
The CPC website has been upgraded to make it more operator friendly for mobile phones users.
4 Parish & Town Liaison Group Mtg
The meeting held on the 19 July 2017 was attended by Cllrs Kilvert, Price and the Clerk. The following agenda items were presented:
4.1 Town Centre Regeneration update: Marks & Spencer opened its new store on 27 July 2017. The official opening of the Lexicon will be on 7 September at which point 3,800 parking spaces will be available and 85/90% of the floor space will be let. In 2018, Easthampstead House will close and staff will be relocated to Time Square.
4.2 Assets of Community Value: The Localism Act 2011 gives communities more power to become involved in the way local services are delivered and counter the damage that could be done when services, buildings or land are sold. The introduction of ‘Right to Bid’ was implemented for land/property that is considered to have community value referred to as “Asset of Community Value (ACV). When an owner of a site listed as ACV wants to dispose of it, the community is given the opportunity to develop a bid and raise the capital to buy the land. A nomination for an asset to be listed as ACV can only be made by either a Parish Council, Voluntary or Community Body with a local connection to the site in the authority’s area.
4.3 Land Transfer Update: Steven Chown reported that his department was in the process of answering the various responses and would be responding to each Parish and Town Council shortly. Concerns surrounding a conflict of interest associated with twin hatted Borough Councillors voting on decisions at Parish and Town Council meetings relating to Borough land, was raised. BFC agreed to look into the legal implications of this and provide clarification.
4.4 GIS Update: BFC’s Geographic Information System (GIS) is now operational. The system consists of desktop software with internet based GIS browsing capability and a robust database which allows the integration of GIS information into many of the Council’s key systems and web pages.
There is currently no facility for the Town and Parish Councils to use Bracknell Forest IT systems yet there is a varying demand for the capability to use some sort of GIS.
The outcome of a trial to evaluate whether GIS would be a practical solution for Parish and Town Councils will be brought to the next Parish and Town Council Liaison meeting in December for discussion.
MINUTE 74 FIFTEEN MINUTE QUESTION TIME
Q Mr Cooper asked if the Council was aware that many of the properties being built by McCarthy & Stone would be leasehold and not freehold?
A The Chairman confirmed that there was very little CPC could do regarding this, particularly as the development would consist of flats.
Q Mr Cooper asked if Councillors had noticed the bikes left by the local youth on the pavement outside the Italian restaurant.
A The Chairman advised that if the bikes were causing an obstruction, this would be a matter for the Police and that Mr Cooper should call 101 to report it.
PLANNING MATTERS
MINUTE 75 PLANNING MATTERS ARISING FROM THE MINUTES OF THE MEETING HELD ON 4 JULY 2017
None.
MINUTE 76 TO RECEIVE AND NOTE PLANNING INFORMATION ITEMS
1 Old Wokingham Road - Commencement of S104 sewer works and S278 junction improvement works related to TRL Development (Phase 1)
As emailed to Cllrs on 5.7.17, notification has been received from Neil Matthews, Head of Transport Development that the developer will shortly be commencing improvement works on the drainage to the new TRL development. The works will commence in Old Wokingham Road on 17 July 2017 and will involve temporary traffic signals for approximately 7 weeks. Phase 2 is likely to follow on later this year.
Any queries relating to the management of traffic during these works can be directed to the Traffic Manager, .
2 Street Naming and Numbering: Birch Place Dukes Ride
BFC has advised that a new scheme has been put in place for the above new property, replacing The Waterloo Hotel.
3 Street Naming and Numbering: 1-14 (excluding 13) Crown Corner High Street
BFC has advised that a new scheme has been put in place for the above new property, replacing 1-9 High Street.
4 TPO response – St Brendans Care Home Sandhurst Rd
As agreed at the MDPC meeting on 5 July the following comments were sent to the BFC Tree Officer:
· BFC Tree Officer to check that this is not in contravention of the terms of the original planning decision.
· BFC Tree Officer to ensure that she concurs with the conclusions drawn by the arborealist employed by the developer.
· BFC Tree Officer to check whether these trees are an important part of the screening between St Brendans Care Home and neighbouring properties.
5 Parish and Town Council Planning Liaison Meeting – 6 July 2017
The Assistant Clerk attended the above meeting. An outline of the main points of interest arising from the meeting was distributed to all Councillors.
6 Community Land Trusts (CLTs)
Cllr Butterworth disseminated information relating to Community Land Trusts (CLTs) which is a form of community-led housing. The main points were that a developer would make 10% of their build available for CLP use, the properties would then be sold at one third of the market value with conditions built into the deeds. It was agreed that the MDPC would review the options available with a view to bringing forward a proposal for initial discussion by members, prior to submission to full Council.
Action: Cllr Butterworth/MDPC
7 Information tables circulated:
· Planning applications for Crowthorne pending a decision by BFC. Members requested that the Administration Assistant review all planning applications prior to May 2017 to ensure a decision by BFC had not previously been reached and/or notified.
Action: Administration Assistant
· Tree Preservation Orders (TPO) applications for Crowthorne
· List of other planning applications received by BFC which do not require comment by CPC.
· CIL Liabilities for Crowthorne.
MINUTE 77 PLANNING APPLICATIONS AND ANY APPEALS
Council noted that Cllrs Finnie and Mrs McKenzie-Boyle, who are also Borough Councillors and members of the Planning Committee, may be present when any of the following applications are considered by BFC.
Although giving an opinion at the Parish Council meeting based on the information currently available, Cllrs Finnie and Mrs McKenzie-Boyle will reconsider any applications at the BFC Planning Committee meeting with an open mind, taking into account any additional information presented at this time.
The following planning applications were studied and commented on:
- 17/00627/FUL Recommend: Refusal
Cllr Butterworth requested that a public meeting be held with a planning officer in attendance, to answer some of the questions being posted on facebook regarding the building works.
Action: Cllr Butterworth/Clerk
- 17/00650/FUL Recommend: Refusal
- 17/00658/FUL Recommend: Approval
- 17/00724/FUL Recommend: Approval
- 17/00726/FUL Recommend: Approval
- 17/00729/A Recommend: Approval
- 17/00772/FUL Recommend: Approval
MINUTE 78 TO RECEIVE AND NOTE THE DRAFT MINUTES OF THE MDPC MEETING HELD ON 5 JULY 2017
The draft minutes from the above MDPC meeting were received and noted.
MINUTE 79 TO APPROVE THE REVIEWED TERMS OF REFERENCE FOR THE MDPC
The reviewed Terms of Reference for the MDPC Committee were approved.
MINUTE 80 TO APPROVE THE NAMES PROPOSED FOR THE CRICKET FIELD GROVE DEVELOPMENT
A request has been received from BFC to suggest 3 names with a cricket theme, for the new roads within the new development at Cricket Field Grove. The following names were proposed by the Major Development Planning Committee which is recommending the names of deceased cricket players, plus a noted umpire and commentator be considered.
It was proposed by Cllr Butterworth, seconded by Cllr Price and with one abstention APPROVED to add the following names of deceased cricket players to the Crowthorne Bank of Names: Arlott (commentator), Bird (umpire), Compton, Edrich, Graveney, Hutton, Laker, May, Trueman.
The Clerk will forward three of the above names to BFC, allowing for further suggestions should these be unsuitable.
Action: Clerk
MINUTE 81 TO APPROVE THE NAMES PROPOSED FOR THE BUCKLER PARK DEVELOPMENT
BFC has received a request from Legal and General that names associated with deceased British car designers be considered as road names for the Buckler Park development (former TRL site). Members were advised that the Parish Council has the power to name roads. The developers can propose names but it is down to the Council to use or reject their suggestions.
However, the owners of the roads, as Legal and General will be until BFC formally adopts them, can take a refusal to approve their suggestions to a Magistrates Court. Dependant on the ruling of the Judge, the Parish Council could be responsible for compensation to the owners and all costs.
The names put forward are as follows:
SAYER, NEALE, FEELEY, HICKMAN, BOND, PALMER, TOWNS, OGLE, BACHE, POMEROY, BLATCHLEY, CHAPMAN, KING, SIMMS, PALMER, SHEPPARD, ISSIGONIS.
Members duly debated the names chosen and AGREED that they were too obscure and would be meaningless to local residents, therefore the recommendation was REFUSED.
Action: Clerk
Cllr Butterworth counter proposed that the names of local Crowthorne soldiers who gave their lives in WW1 be considered. There was some concern that this would have no bearing on the history of the TRL site and members remained undecided. After further discussion, it was AGREED that Cllr Butterworth would bring a proposal to the September Council meeting for consideration.
Action: Cllr Butterworth
MINUTE 82 TO APPOINT A CONSULTANT FOR THE NEIGHBOURHOOD PLAN FOR CROWTHORNE PARISH
Specialist skills are required from a Neighbourhood Planning Consultant to assist the Working Group/Council to progress with the technical elements of the Neighbourhood Plan. As a result, three independent contractors were contacted to obtain quotations.
The preferred and most cost-effective quotation was from rCOH Ltd who are supporting both Warfield and Winkfield Parish Councils. Their experience over the last 5 years extends to supporting over 90 neighbourhood plan groups in 36 different local authority areas and, to date, having 26 plans successfully ‘made’.
rCOH will also be able to utilise the NP Service Level Agreement agreed between CPC and BFC.