Parish Council meeting minutes – 19th November 2024

BRAMLEY PARISH COUNCIL

Minutes of the Meeting of the Council

Date:	Tuesday 19^th November 2024	Time: 7.00pm
Place:	Bramley Room, Bramley Village Hall
Present:	Cllr Tony Durrant (Chair)	Cllr Alan Munday
	Cllr Chris Flooks	Cllr Jan Wright
	Cllr Keith Oborn	Cllr Chris Tomblin
In attendance:	Maxta Thomas (Clerk)	2 members of the public
	Cllr Rhydian Vaughan (County)	Police Sergeant Martyn Evans
Apologies:	Cllr Iain James	Cllr Sue Howell
	Cllr Malcolm Bell

		*Action*
1	Apologies for Absence
	As listed above.
2	Declarations of Interest
	Cllr Durrant declared an interest in planning matters due to his position on the BDBC Development Control Committee. He took no part in any planning decisions. Cllr Wright declared an interest in the Bramley Show grant item (13.1), and took not part in the decision on that item.
3	Minutes of the Last Parish Council Meeting
3.1	The minutes of the meeting held on 15^th October 2024 were proposed Cllr Flooks and seconded by Cllr Wright and unanimously agreed as being a true record of the meetings. The Chairman duly signed the minutes of the meeting.
3.2	Matters arising
	None.
3.3	Outstanding actions
	· VE Day – Cllr Bell has received an email from the Pageant Master. Bramley PC will need to reply that it is marking the event it on the Saturday following the anniversary date. · Grays Meadow Allotment fencing – quotes to be ready for the December meeting. · Silchester Trail grant – this project has stalled. Cllr Durrant recommended that the grant money should be unfrozen and a new grant application will be required if and when the project moves forward. This was unanimously agreed. Clerk to take forward.
4	Open Forum
	None.
5.	County Councillor Report – see appendix A. · Cllr Vaughan thanked Bramley PC for its generous donation to the Poppy Appeal, and to Cllr Bell for attending Remembrance Day service. · Cllr Vaughan requested that the headstone for Lise Meitner’s be cleaned up. Clerk to take forward.	*Clerk*
6.	Borough Councillor Report – see appendix A.
7.	Parish Environment
7.1	Policing update – Police Sergeant Martyn Evans introduced himself to councillors and gave an update on police matters in the Parish. · Staff at Tadley – there are 7 PCs, 4 PCSOS, and 2 Countryside Officers (who are not managed by Sergeant Evans). They have an area to cover that is the same size as the Isle of Wight. The team at Tadley are an experienced team. · Chief Constable Chilton has recognised that community engagement on community policing has been lacking in recent years. · Every neighbourhood has a designated named officer. Basingstoke Rural East, which covers Bramley has PCSO Hannah Clapham and PC Jason Richards. · The job is very challenging at present, due to fewer staff. The beat is Tadley and Bramley. Basingstoke Rural is dealing with a population explosion – new housing estates are now starting to take up a significant proportion of resources. · Sergeant Evant is aware of a lot of under reporting, especially at the Kirby Drive estate. He is unsure whether people are just not reporting or if the crime rate has actually dropped. However, he is aware that Bramley does have an anti-social behaviour problem. There were some catapult issues over the summer which were dealt with. · The Police are aware of traffic issues in the area of the level crossing and Bramley Lane junction. · Traffic and speeding – Sergeant Evans noted that this an issue for all Parish Councils. He has raised Bramley speeding issues with the Roads Policing Inspector based in Whitchurch. He has asked for speed enforcement in the area; however, this is driven by how many accidents there have been in an area. If there have been none, then enforcement action is very unlikely. · Bramley is currently losing out due to a high number of issues in Tadley. · The rural policing team are focusing their response on rural criminality – trespass, assault, etc. · It is Important that communities report any issues – no reports mean focus will be placed elsewhere. Reporting online is the best way to contact them for non-urgent issues, and this is done via the Hampshire Police website – www.hampshire.police.uk. Website reports are constantly monitored and triaged, and then sent to the relevant team. Crimestoppers can be used for anonymous reports; however, anonymous reports don’t always get the necessary attention at Magistrate level. · Car arson has been a problem recently, particularly in Basingstoke. Also minibus theft. There is work going on the background to tackle this, but it is taking some time. · PCSOs and PCs do keep an eye on community Facebook pages.
7.2	Parish Green project update – work on removing the fence and the asbestos fence posts is complete. Work is continuing on the warning signs. Cllr Durrant noted that a working group is required to take this project forward. Cllr Durrant and Wright have come forward, but one more councillor is required. The Parish Green needs a biodiversity and environment study, which is best done in the spring.
7.3	Bramley Green Grasslands project – the grasslands project at Bramley Green is due for a full review by councillors in June 2025. However, on discussion with the Bramley Wilder Group, it is apparent that it may be better to leave this review until later. Cllr Durrant stated that to truly test the project it needs to be a 5 year project. Therefore he proposed having an annual review in September each year, and then a full project review in September 2027. This was seconded by Tomblin and unanimously agreed. Planting of pollinating flowers on the corner of Folly Lane to provide a colourful entry into the village is being investigated.
7.4	Vyne Park – the Vyne Park estate in the south of the Parish should now be reaching the point where they will need Parish Council support. However, there is an issue with engaging with the community there – it is unknown how many people see the noticeboard at Vyne Park, and the Clerk and Chairman have been unable to join the local Facebook group, despite requesting membership on several occasions. Cllr Tomblin suggested that precept received from Vyne Park could be ringfenced for printing and delivery of the Bramley Magazine to the community at Vyne Park. Clerk to investigate costs of around 300 extra issues plus delivery. This will be reviewed at the December meeting. Bramley PC will look at a PC meeting near Vyne Park in new year.	*Clerk*
8	Events
	Nothing to update.
9	Clerk’s report & Administration
9.1	Parish magazine article – Cllr Tomblin will write the article for the February 2025 issue of the Parish magazine – there is no issue in January 2025. Copy is due by 15^th January 2025.	*Cllr Tomblin*
10	Planning
10.1	New planning applications a. 24/02297/LDPO – 36 Moat Close Bramley Certificate of Lawfulness for the proposed use to create an outbuilding to be used as a home gym o No objection unanimously agreed. Clerk to take forward. b. T/00494/24/TPO – 8 Pound Close Bramley T1 Cherry Plum – Fell as in terminal decline. o Defer to tree officer unanimously agreed. Clerk to take forward. c. T/00506/24/TPO – Campbell Road Bramley Pruning works as per schedule o Defer to tree officer unanimously agreed. Clerk to take forward.	*Clerk* *Clerk* *Clerk*
10.2	Planning Appeals a. APP/H1705/W/24/3342479 – Meadow View, Sherfield Road, Bramley Application number 23/02946/FUL – Erection of 2no semi-detached 2no bedroom bungalows and creation of a new access following the demolition of an existing green house o This appeal has been allowed by the Planning Inspector. b. APP/H1705/W/24/3348467 – Land Adjacent To Ridgewell Cufaude Lane Bramley Application number 23/01897/FUL – Erection of 1 no. 3 bed dwelling following demolition of existing outbuildings/stables o No decision has been reached to date on this appeal. c. APP/H1705/W/24/3350575 – Land North Of Sherfield Road And To East Of Strawberry Fields Sherfield Road Bramley Application number 23/03051/FUL – Proposed development of 20 residential dwellings, vehicular access from Sherfield Road, public open space, landscaping, ancillary works and associated infrastructure o Cllr Flooks outlined text for a submission for this Planning Appeal. He noted further objections under Local Plan policy CN6, due to the Clift Surgery and the Chineham Medical Practice being at 181% capacity, and Local Plan policy EM7, due to ongoing issues with sewerage and storm drainage. o Cllr Flooks proposed submitting the further objections as written. Cllr Tomblin seconded, unanimously agreed. Clerk to take forward by the appeal deadline of 21^st November.	*Clerk*
11	Reports
11.1	Allotments and Burial Ground a. Burial Ground – mole issues The Clerk noted that the Burial Ground has had moles in residence for some considerable time. However, a complaint has now been received that they are beginning to disturb headstones at the Ground. The Clerk has located two possible contractors to deal with the moles humanely. However, this will take at least 6 months and may be an ongoing expense. Rough costs are £100-£150 to set up preventative measures, with quarterly visits costing around the same. Up to £600 for the year. Cllr Tomblin proposed that the Clerk investigate exact costs and takes the issue forward. Cllr Oborn seconded, majority decision agreed.	*Clerk*
11.2	Village Hall Trust · Nothing to report.
11.3	Clift Meadow Trust · The firework event was very successful. Total profit from event was £13k. · The outdoor power sockets have now been installed. · Christmas Lights switch on – the tree is arriving on 23^rd November. Lights will go on soon after, and the event will be at 5.30pm at Clift Meadow on 6^th December. The actual switch on will be at 6.30pm. There will be a children’s drawing competition and the winning entries for each age category will be selected that evening. The Trustees would like a councillor to judge the competition, and to do the formal countdown for switch on. There will be a brass band supplying music for carols. Posters to go on PC noticeboards and website.	*Clerk*
11.4	Highways/Footpaths – the Clerk reported that Bramley PC representatives have met recently with Gigaclear to raise concerns over the quality of the roadworks in Bramley in recent months. County and Borough representatives were also present at the meeting. Items covered were faulty or inadequate traffic signals, inconsiderate parking by contractors, problems with reinstatement, and finally a gas leak caused by going through a gas pipe. Gigaclear has stated that the concerns raised are being taken very seriously and are being investigated. They have also confirmed that work in Bramley Parish should be complete by the end of 2024.
11.5	Chairmans Report – nothing to report.

12	Consultation documents requiring consideration
12.1	HCC Barriers to Walking & Cycling survey – deadline for comments is 22^nd December. All Councillors to review the survey and submit comments to the Clerk by the end of November.
12.2	Basingstoke & Deane Borough Council Budget 2025 consultation – deadline for comments is 3^rd January 2025. All Councillors to review the consultation and submit comments to the Clerk by the end of November.
12.3	Government consultation – Enabling remote attendance and proxy voting at local authority meetings – deadline for comments is 19^th December. All Councillors to review the consultation and submit comments to the Clerk by the end of November.
13	Grant Applications
13.1	Bramley Show 2025 – a grant request for £180 for hall hire has been received. Cllrs agreed the grant in principle, but asked that the grant forms be resubmitted nearer to the time of the show.
14	Finance
14.1	Approval of payments (see appendix C) – the Clerk has circulated the list of payments for approval for November. Cllr Wright proposed and Cllr Tomblin seconded that the November 2024 payments be approved. Unanimously agreed. Clerk to process.	*Clerk*
14.2	CIL Income & Expenditure update – see appendix D. A CIL payment of £122k has been received.
14.3	Receipts – these were noted.
15	Date of Next meeting
	The next full Parish Council meeting is scheduled for Tuesday 17^th December 2024.
16	Resolution to exclude press and public from items that may require discussion of possible legal and financial proceedings
	Cllr Tomblin proposed the motion, Cllr Munday seconded, unanimously agreed. The press and public left the meeting.
17	Confidential Items
17.1	Local Government Services pay agreement – the recently published NJC pay agreement for 2024-2025 has been circulated to all councillors. It was proposed by Cllr Wright that the Clerk should be paid in line with the agreement, backdated to April 2024. Seconded by Cllr Oborn and unanimously agreed.
17.2	Allotments complaint – the Chairman outlined recent complaints received from an allotment holder whose lease will not be renewed in 2025. The matter is now with the legal team representing Bramley Parish Council.

	The meeting closed at 9.14pm.

Signed: …………………………………………………………………. Date: ………………………………………

(Chairman)
Appendix A – November Briefing notes

COMMUNITY SPEEDWATCH

SIDs – The SIDs were in operation throughout October (See Table 2).

It has been reported that there is a group of individuals who are using the Top Speed recorded on the SID as a target to beat. The top speed figure will no longer be published in the Bramley Magazine.

Recent Local SpeedWatch Activity – 4 manned Deployment were undertaken during October. A total of 40 vehicles were reported to the Police from the 613 vehicles checked – hit rate 7%. Top speed recorded 47 mph. See Table 3.

Equipment – Nothing to report

Table 1: Camera Data

The following camera data was downloaded on the 1^st November of September 2024. Offenders down due to ongoing roadworks on the Street.

Month/Year	Verified Speeders =>35mph	Max Speed Recorded	Highest number of offences committed by one vehicle	Fastest Hour	Illegal Vehicles
May 2024	2752	58	15	7pm
June 2024	3338	60	17	10am
July 2024	3104	61	18	2pm
August 2024	2616	59	13	5am	73
September 2024	1087	54	7	5am	47
October 2024	1032	55	11	9am	34
Total Verified speeders	1392

The Camera trigger and reporting speed are set at =>35mph.

I have added to Table 1: Camera Data the number of illegal vehicles, no tax, no Mot, or no Tax and Mot.

Camera statistics for September 2024

Note 12^th – 13^thSeptember road works on The Street in the vicinity of camera.

Table 2: Speed Indicator Device (SID) DATA October 2024:

SID Location

Days Deployed

Traffic

Direction

Exceeding

30mph

Exceeding

60mph

Max

Speed

Recorded

V85*

Average speed

Farriers

East

47%

The Street by Churchlands**

West

46%

*V85: 85% of vehicles are driving slower or exactly this speed.

** Traffic works along The Street with traffic lights

ALLOTMENTS/BURIAL GROUND

No written report received.

VILLAGE HALL TRUST

No written report received.

CLIFT MEADOW TRUST

No written report received.

BOROUGH COUNCILLOR REPORT

Sunday 10^th November saw the highest turnout for Remembrance Sunday for many years. It was really organised this year and the microphones used made a difference.
The ice rink is finally being refurbished. The work is well underway and we have been told the contractors are working 12 hour shifts to really get on with the job.
The new Sports Bar in town has opened. The owners have done a superb job and they acknowledged the Council’s role in supporting them.
Twenty-six businesses have now taken advantage of our ‘shop front’ improvement fund, with many making applications for all three kinds of grant – shop front renewal, fit out and seating outside.
As you probably know Festival Place is up for sale. It has attracted a lot of interest which is good news
Investment is not just coming into the town centre but also to the leisure park. The Aquadrome procurement process is about to get underway.
Great Wolf Resort is also progressing
We have several operators now actively developing plans for the leisure park.
Milestones has just launched its new 10 year plan and the Hampshire Cultural Trust has recommitted to the town in a big way.
We should be seeing progress on Basing View as Go Outdoors takes the John Lewis side of the Waitrose building – that will secure them in town.

Cabinet – The last Cabinet meeting saw some important decisions. On Bulky Waste charges we have increased the discount for people on benefits from 50% to 60% and reduced the price of one and two item collections significantly.

To help fund services, an average 10p per week council tax increase is proposed. This is still likely to make Basingstoke and Deane one of the lowest districts in Hampshire, and most of the country, for council tax.

More information on the proposals, and the opportunity to share your views in the consultation that runs until Friday 3 January 2025, is available on the website at our budget consultation 2025 webpage.

Planning matters – Manydown is really getting going now and the infrastructure should be underway after Christmas – first the access roads are going in. We are talking about design codes and the next steps with Urban & Civic.

Evidence arrived on Wednesday last week that the Moto garage proposals at Junction 6 of the M3, by Crabtree, have not properly accounted for the environmental impact they may create. Significantly The Environment Agency has backed us up in challenging the evidence.

The Leader went with the North Hampshire NHS Hospitals Trust to London, presenting our case for a new hospital. There are not enough firms, skilled labour or materials to actually build the hospitals but companies wanted to talk to us about how they could support our plans for the hospital. The NHS team were really happy that we’d supported them.

We now have a – What councils do video – For residents who aren’t sure who to report problems to, this video explains which organisation covers which services. More information can also be found on the council’s website.

Kick-off Christmas in Basingstoke this Festive Friday – Love Basingstoke will be spreading Christmas joy and kick-starting the festive period in style at the Top of the Town on Friday 22^nd November- we will see the Christmas lights turned on. You can find out more on the Love Basingstoke website.

Launch of the New Police and Crime Plan 2024 to 2028 – The Commissioner’s new Police and Crime Plan 2024 to 2028 was formally approved by the Police and Crime Panel on Friday 18 October and launched on Friday 1 November.

Titled More Police, Safer Streets, this plan outlines the Commissioner’s priorities for the next four years, based on feedback from an extensive public consultation, with over 10,300 residents contributing their views to help shape policing in Hampshire and the Isle of Wight.

You can read or download the Police and Crime Plan online. Printed copies are also available on request by emailing opcc@hampshire.police.uk, calling 01962 871595.

Cllr Chris Tomblin

COUNTY COUNCILLOR REPORT

Budget update – Message from the Leader Nick Adams-King

‘This was a deeply disappointing budget for Hampshire County Council, for local growth and for our businesses.

The extra £1.3 billion for local government is like a few grains of sand when distributed across England but the fact the government has said it will be targeted means we cannot rely on it and I fear much will go to the midlands and the north.

Instead, we will have to grapple with added costs due to this budget. The huge increase in employer National Insurance contributions will cost the council millions, and while Government say it is funded, that is part of the extra local government funding so is in effect an extra burden. The effect of the national living wage rising way above inflation will also likely increase our costs substantially. We simply cannot afford this.

The Local Government Association said before the budget that local authorities were facing a £2.3 billion gap in 2025-26 to just stand still. What the Chancellor has done is offer a totally inadequate sum – even if we have received our fair share of it. Then, almost immediately, she has hit us with increased operating costs. Our budget deficit will remain unless we are given the tools to decide how to spend and raise our money. We should not be forced to operate via government diktat and increased budget ring fencing or with second class citizen status while money heads to other areas. Sadly, there was nothing concrete in the Budget to help us here either despite me writing to the Chancellor spelling out the situation and how we could improve it if we were given the powers to innovate through less central control of funding and reform of how councils operate.

The only good news is extra money for schools and children’s social care but they are relatively small sums and, again, we simply cannot rely on it coming to Hampshire, if the government is looking to push funding to other areas.

The extra money for SEND, which is a huge issue for Hampshire, is a drop in the ocean compared to the pressure we face, if shared equally it will turn a deficit next year of £90m into one of £70-75m, so hardly a ‘rescue package’!

I just don’t see how this government is investing for growth in Hampshire. It has announced it will cease funding for the functions previously delivered by Local Enterprise Partnerships and the Business Board Network. A consultation on ending funding for pan-regional partnerships is also now going to happen. None of this will drive good, local economic decision making.

Junction 8 of the M27 is now forever cancelled as an ‘unfunded and unaffordable’ in another blow to our local economy and infrastructure.

Finally, I have to say, I am hugely concerned for our farmers, who have been treated terribly by the budget. As a former small business owner, I am also horrified for those who own their own businesses – they are the backbone of our local economy and must be devastated. I think the national insurance tax raid on working people and businesses will be disastrous, not just here in Hampshire, but across the country.’

Local Government Funding – Empowering local government for the future is the key to tackling financial pressures

Hampshire County Council’s Leader, Councillor Nick Adams-King has warned that Government must fund local government properly or give Hampshire greater freedoms and flexibilities to help the Council tackle its financial pressures in the years ahead – Empowering local government for the future is the key to tackling financial pressures | Hampshire County Council

Ready for winter – With winter here, our Highways teams are geared up to keep you moving through all weather conditions and ready to work 24/7 to deal with emergency incidents including fallen trees, flooded roads, and icy surfaces.

Earlier this year, we accelerated our work to strengthen roads via our two-year additional investment programme that has ploughed an extra £22.5 million into repairs. As a result, we’ve put more resources into fixing road defects including potholes – and carried out almost 181,000 repairs in the 12 months to April this year, and over 80,000 repairs completed during April to September.

How you can get involved – You can help us in our work to make Hampshire’s roads stronger – by reporting any potholes you spot on our Stronger Roads Today webpage or by using the OurHants app.

Cllr Rhydian Vaughan

Appendix B – Planning Summary

Approvals/Refusals*

22/01703/VLA – Land At The Street The Street Bramley

Variation of section 106 agreement attached to 15/02682/OUT to insert mortgagee in possession clause

Granted

No comment

23/02528/VLA – Land To The North Of Sherfield Road Bramley

Variation of section 106 agreement and deed of variation attached to 15/02708/OUT to update the mortgagee exclusion clause (MEC)

Granted

No comment

24/01149/HSE – 82 Kirby Drive Bramley

Installation of air source heat pump to rear of property

Granted

No objection

T/00273/24/TPO – 3 Taylor Drive Bramley

Horse chestnut: reduce height and cut back overhang

Refused

Defer to Tree Officer

24/01871/ROC – Cherry Blossom Manor German Road Bramley

Variation of conditions 1, 4, 9 and 11 of approved Planning 24/00679/FUL (Erection of two storey extension to care home, plus garden pavilion and five additional car parking spaces) to reduce footprint of extension and additional details

Granted

No objection

24/01925/HSE – 6 Browns Close Bramley

Erection of a fence

Granted

No objection

T/00473/24/TPO – 34 Taylor Drive Bramley

Sugar maple: reduce to previous points and cut back from property boundary at Land adjacent to 34 Taylor Drive

Granted

Defer to Tree Officer

Pending Applications*

1.	20/03204/VLA – Land At Minchens Lane Bramley Variation of Section 106 agreement attached to 14/01075/OUT to enable the transfer of the Equipped play area, northern kick about and southern kick about areas to the existing management company instead of the Parish Council	No comment as PC has interest in application
2.	23/02868/RES – Land At Stocks Farm The Street Bramley Reserved matters application submitted pursuant to outline planning APP/H1705/W/22/3302752 for 140 dwellings, Class E Community building, public open space, landscaping, drainage, parking, and associated infrastructure works.	Objection
3.	24/00075/FUL – Land To The East Of Ash Lane And Ash Park Business Centre Ash Lane Little London Construction of a battery Storage Facility with ancillary development	Objection
4.	24/00446/FUL – Cufaude Cufaude Lane Bramley Change of use of land from Residential to Agricultural with erection of tractor shed on site. Change of use of land from Agricultural to Residential.	No objection, comments
5.	24/01165/OUT – Bow Brook Farm Vyne Road Bramley Outline planning application for the construction of 50 dwellings with all matters reserved except for access	Objection
6.	24/01362/RES – Land At Upper Cufaude Farm Cufaude Lane Bramley Reserved Matters planning application for approval of layout, landscaping, scale and appearance for the Phase 2 residential development and Community Building and associated works pursuant to Outline planning permission: 19/00018/OUT	Objection
7.	24/01966/PIP – Locksbridge Farm Cufaude Lane Bramley Permission in Principle for the residential development of 1 no. dwelling (Class C3)	Objection
8.	24/01913/FUL – Withy Place Bramley Road Silchester Installation and operation of a 50MW Battery Energy Storage System (BESS), including access and associated infrastructure.	Objection
9.	24/02041/FUL – Site At Minchens Lane Bramley Installation of access track and associated works.	Objection
10.	24/02019/OUT – Land At Goddards Farm Reading Road Sherfield-on-loddon Outline planning (including access and strategic landscaping for approval) for up to 130 market and affordable homes, a commercial and/or community building, public open space, off-site highway improvements plus access from Reading Road.	Objection
11.	T/00487/24/TCA – Street Record Cycleway Extension Of Lane End Bramley G1. Reduce group of conifers to clear service cables, reduce by approx 4m with a finish height of 10m- NO work to be carried out on width G2. Reduce 2 cypress by approx 6m to clear service cables- Finish height of approx 6-7m- No works on width G3. Reduce group of leylandii by approx 6-7m to clear service cables and low light levels to neighbouring property	Defer to Tree Officer

Appendix C – November Finance Statement

The November 2024 finance statement can be found via this link.

Appendix D – CIL Summary

The November 2024 CIL statment can be found via this link.