CURRIDGE RESIDENTS’ ASSOCIATION
www.curridgevillage.co.uk
Curridge Residents’ Association
Meeting Minutes
8pm on Wednesday 13th March 2012
WI Hall, Curridge
Cyril Wood - Chair
• WELCOME
Committee members present: Cyril Wood (Chair), Diana ffrench (Treasurer), Kirsti Murray, Kathy Titcombe, Chris Cholmeley, June Friend, Rob Crispin, Janice Bridger
Members of the Public present: Lucy and James Atherton, Toby Crispin, Don Prater, Chris ?
APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE: Zoe Fannon, Jenni Collins (Secretary), Freda Hendel.
Apologies accepted
• REVIEW OF MINUTES FROM OCT 2012
Minutes were reviewed, agreed and signed off as a true and accurate representation of the committee meeting.
· Any outstanding matters arising from the Minutes (All)
A) Janice Bridger has been SID trained. When considering locations, only those of 50mph speed limit or under qualify. West Berkshire has data on speeds travelled on particular roads, which can be accessed.
B) Regarding Winter Service Plan, there was some concern that in recent bad weather, Curridge Road was not gritted early enough. It is now a Primary Route but still comes below more major routes. Cyril Wood proposed at the recent Parish Council meeting that there be two salt boxes located in Curridge, one at the junction of Crabtree Lane and Curridge Road, and one on the hill by Arlington Grange, and this will now be put before West Berkshire Council for consideration. If approved the Parish Council will purchase the boxes and West Berkshire will fill the boxes with salt but it will be left to residents to spread the salt. C Wood volunteered to spread the salt by Arlington Grange.
· Treasurer’s Report (Diana ffrench)
Current balance of £942.73, following expenditure on bulbs and refreshments at the recent litter pick up.
· Parish Council update – Rob Crispin
A) Grundon Waste Incinerator – This situation now resolved. The decision from the appeal heard by an Inspector at a Public Inquiry regarding the refusal of the planning application to extend the quarry was dismissed. Subsequent to this dismissal Grundon announced it would not pursue the Incinerator at Chieveley . Grundon have made assurances that they are reinstating the land in line with conditions but have given no timescale.
B) Recycling Plant at Copyhold Farm- The Parish Council has objected so now at appeal stage.
C) Application for Skip Recycling Facility at Red Shute Hill- This is in Cold Ash Parish. Cold Ash, Hermitage and Chieveley Parish Councils have objected and West Berkshire Council have refused it. We are now waiting to see if it goes to appeal.
D) The Showground-Section 106 terms now agreed.
E) Stable View Oare- appeal dismissed
F) Denison Barracks- Good news in that four new units moving into Denison so this relieves concerns over development on the site and numbers of children dropping in our local schools.
G) Superfast Broadband- Check recent developments on ‘Latest News’ on Curridge and Chieveley websites as Ian Wooler, Parish Councillor, is updating regularly the progress of the project.
H) Potholes- With the recent wet weather and frost there are many potholes appearing. Please report these online to West Berkshire or call Streetcare and they will be dealt with.
Actions agreed from P.C Report
A) Carbrook corner flooding to be reported at next Parish Council meeting
B) Signage on Curridge Road for ice to be put to Parish Council at next meeting.
· Emergency Planning – Cyril Wood
ALL to provide details of any vulnerable neighbours, if appropriate
· Website – Jenni Collins
This month we are refreshing the website. Please check it if there is something you want to know and any suggestions for content would be appreciated. Old photographs, stories etc. were suggested.
· Curridge Spring Clean
The Autumn Litter pick was a success, and many bags of rubbish were taken to the tip. It was agreed that it would be a good idea to have another clean soon before the foliage grows too high.
C WOOD to fix a date
J COLLINS to post on website.
· VINE COTTAGE
A lady has emailed asking for any information on the history of Vine Cottage, as her mother was evacuated there at the start of World War 2. A relative of hers lived there at the time, he was the local gamekeeper and had the surname ‘Needs’ She remembers it as a red brick and tiled cottage that overlooked a pond. It used to have ferret pens to the side of the house and possibly bay windows at the front. Can anyone help?
· AOB
A) Summer event proposed. D ffrench, K Murray and C Chomeley agreed to be a core committee. K Titcombe agreed to ask Janet Bassell and Peter Maherne if they would play again after the success of last time. Need to set a date, but to avoid other activities it was suggested to avoid 22nd-27th June.
B) Proposal that Christmas Cheer to be revived on the last Sunday morning before Christmas. Mince pies and mulled wine in W I Hall.
C) Residents from two properties advised that they are concerned about the field opposite Carbrook, directly behind their properties, being sold. They want it to remain agricultural. There were several points made:
1. Currently West Berkshire Council are consulting asking for areas as potential for development. That field has been put forward for consideration for development however this does not mean that it will be successful.
2. Curridge School have been looking for a potential Sports field and have been talking to several local landowners. It was a high priority in the Parish Plan to have a Public open space for the village where the school children could play sport.
3. As far as we know there has been no change of ownership of the field.
4. The residents have offered to buy the field but have not had a response
5. It was made clear that the CRA do not object or support planning. The role of the CRA is to make local residents aware of substantive applications so that they are able to object or support personally.
D) In Curridge Park Calor Gas have to replace all their piping. This will involve a lot of disruption as driveways will have to be dug up and interruptions to gas supply will occur. A group of residents have held a meeting to discuss.
E) K Titcombe reported that potholes in Chapel Lane have been filled in due to continuous reporting.
· MEETING CLOSE - 9.30pm
Next meeting date to be confirmed.
C WOOD to organize
J COLLINS to publicise