Parish Council meeting minutes – 18th February 2025

BRAMLEY PARISH COUNCIL

Minutes of the Meeting of the Council

Date:	Tuesday 18^th February 2025	Time: 7.00pm
Place:	Bramley Room, Bramley Village Hall
Present:	Cllr Tony Durrant (Chair)	Cllr Sue Howell
	Cllr Chris Flooks	Cllr Jan Wright
	Cllr Iain James	Cllr Malcolm Bell
In attendance:	Maxta Thomas (Clerk)	1 member of the public
Apologies:	Cllr Alan Munday	Cllr Chris Tomblin
	Cllr Keith Oborn

		*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.
3	Minutes of the Last Parish Council Meeting
3.1	The minutes of the meeting held on 21^st January 2025 were proposed by Cllr James and seconded by Cllr Howell and unanimously agreed as being a true record of the meeting. The Chairman duly signed the minutes of the meeting.
3.2	Matters arising
	None.
3.3	Outstanding actions
	· None.
4	Open Forum
	· A member of the public highlighted that road signs on Vyne Road are becoming obscured by trees. Clerk to write to Highways. · Barn Café – a member of the public highlighted that the footpath by the Café ends where the new bus stop is. Most pedestrians are using the grass verge to access the café, and this is becoming very worn and rutted. Can the pathway be extended to the café with a dropped curve? Clerk to approach Highways.	*Clerk* *Clerk*
5.	County Councillor Report – see appendix A. · Nothing further to report.
6.	Borough Councillor Report – see appendix A. · Camrose football ground is being sold to Sovereign Housing, including the strip of land owned by BDBC. · The town centre clean up continues. · The Borough Council is working on devolution. · The Local Plan will be delayed by at least a year due to the new NPPF. Land housing supply is at 2.78 years, well short of the required 5 years.

7.	Parish Environment
7.1	Parish Green project update – the Working Group has met to consider a way forward with the Parish Green. The vision is to have the northern end as a wilded area – there are already oak trees and hazel, and non native species will be cleared out. Phase one will be to clear the three areas around the paths. A temporary path will be put in near the fence whilst the work is being done. The pedestrian exit near the gate will be made wider to allow disabled access and pushchairs. Some bark will be put on muddy path to temporarily improve it, and then the paths will be surfaced with hoggin. The top layer of soil will be taken out, and stumps from any trees taken out will be ground down. Well established oaks will be left in place. A quote for work of £7800 plus VAT has been received. Work to be done before nesting season, otherwise it will be delayed. BDBC has no issue with biodiversity issues provided the mature oaks are left in place. Crowns will be lifted where necessary. Work will be widely advertised, with residents in Longbridge Road and The Smithy getting a leaflet drop. Cllr James proposed accepting the above plan, and Cllr Flooks seconded, unanimously agreed. Cllr Wright proposed accepting the expenditure as quoted, Cllr Bell seconded, unanimously agreed. Cllr Durrant and Clerk to take forward.	*Cllr Durrant / Clerk*
7.2	Flagpole at Clift Meadow – a proposal to erect a flagpole at Clift Meadow has been received. It would display the Union Flag most of the time, with special flags at the appropriate, for example a VE Day commemoration flag in May. Planning permission should not be required as the land belongs to Bramley Parish Council. The Clift Meadow Trustees would be required to manage the flagpole and any flags that might be displayed. The cost of a flagpole would be between £200 – £300, plus installation costs. It was unanimously agreed to take this idea forward. Clerk and Cllr Bell to take forward.	*Clerk / Cllr Bell*
7.3	Amendments to the Biodiversity Policy – Cllr Howell asked Councillors to consider whether a specific sentence regarding herbicides should be included in the policy. This has stemmed from a request from an allotment holder. After some discussion, it was suggested that all allotment holders should be sent the biodiversity policy, and that all allotment holders should be strongly recommended to not use herbicides and pesticides. Further, this recommendation should be included in the new regulations. It was proposed that a sentence should be added to the policy stating ‘Across parish owned property Bramley PC will not use harmful herbicides and pesticides.’ Unanimously agreed. A new regulation regarding herbicides is to be added to allotment regulations for 2026. Cllr Howell and Clerk to take forward.	*Cllr Howell / Clerk*
8	Events
9	Clerk’s report & Administration
9.1	Parish magazine article – Cllr Wright will write the article for the April 2025 issue of the Parish magazine. Copy is due by 15^th March 2025.	*Cllr Wright*
9.2	2025 Risk Assessment and Asset Register – these documents have been passed to all councillors for review. After some discussion, Cllr Wright proposed agreeing the 2025 Risk Assessment and Asset Register. This was seconded by Cllr Howell and unanimously agreed. The Chairman and Clerk duly signed the Risk Assessment, and the Clerk will place both documents on the website.
9.3	Review of the Financial Regulations – the Clerk has circulated an edited copy of the model Financial Regulations. After some discussion the Clerk will amend accordingly and circulate to all councillor for approval.	*Clerk*
10	Planning Committee
10.1	Cllr Flooks gave the report from the recent Planning Committee meeting. The planning decisions were approved unanimously by full council. i. 25/00260/VLA – Land At Stocks Farm The Street Bramley Variation of Section 106 agreement attached to 21/03758/OUT to allow an amendment to the occupation trigger associated with the delivery and availability for use of the equipped play space as part of the development o No objections unanimously agreed. However, officers should ensure that the play provision is in place when 75% of the dwellings are complete. Clerk to process. CllrBell asked about Beech Farm Cottages – BDBC are asking for an Urgent Works Notice to compel repairs to the cottages and surrounding area. There has been no further movement on this. Cllr Bell to take forward.	*Clerk* *Cllr Bell*
10.2	Allotments and Burial Ground Work on the Grays Meadow allotments improvements have begun this week. i. Allotment management software – the Clerk and Cllr Howell will be attending a demo of the allotment management module from RBS next week. RBS currently supply Bramley PC’s accounts package, so using their allotments bolt on is a sensible way forward. It was proposed that the accounts software license be increased from a single user to a 5 user license at yearly cost of £294, and that pending a satisfactory demonstration, the allotment administration module be purchased at a one off cost of £772 and a yearly maintenance cost of £265. Cllr James proposed the motion, Cllr Flooks seconded, unanimously agreed. Cllr Howell and the Clerk to report back after the demonstration.	*Cllr Howell / Clerk*
10.3	Village Hall Trust – see appendix A.
10.4	Clift Meadow Trust · Nothing to report.
10.5	Highways/Footpaths – the Rights of Way team are very slow to respond to issues – the Frith path in particular is a problem. Clerk to chase. There are big potholes at the end of Lane End and end of Folly Lane. They have been reported.	*Clerk*
10.6	Chairmans Report Cllr Durrant noted that there will be an introduction of a cutoff date for putting items on the agenda, in particular for grant requests. This will assist in tightening up the agenda and hopefully improving the smooth running of PC meetings.
11	Consultation documents requiring consideration
11.1	CIL Spending Protocol – BDBC are looking at ways to ensure that Neighbourhood CIL reaches areas that are unparished or only have a Parish Meeting. The protocol is designed to meet those requirements. It does not affect how CIL is currently handled for the parished areas, including Bramley. The deadline for comments is 6^th March 2025. Cllr Durrant noted that the final decision on how Neighbourhood CIL is spent in parished areas will remain with the Parish Councils concerned. He has already raised this with BDBC. All councillors to feed comments back to the Clerk, who will respond to BDBC accordingly.	*All*

12	Grant Applications
12.1	Tadley Citizens Advice – an application has been received to cover the operating costs shortfall for Tadley Citizens Advice. They have requested a grant of £500, and have reached out to other parishes and other organisations. Cllr Bell proposed a grant of £750, Cllr James seconded, unanimously agreed. Clerk to take forward.	*Clerk*
12.2	Petite School of Dancing – a grant request of £1000 towards the cost easter eggs and other prizes for the annual Easter Egg Hunt has been received. After some discussion, Cllr Bell proposed a grant of £1000, Cllr Flooks seconded, unanimously agreed. Clerk to take forward.	*Clerk*
13	Finance
13.1	Approval of payments (see appendix C) – the Clerk has circulated the list of payments for approval for February. Cllr Howell proposed and Cllr Bell seconded that the February 2025 payments be approved. Unanimously agreed. Clerk to process.	*Clerk*
13.2	CIL Income & Expenditure update – see appendix D.
13.3	Receipts – these were noted.
14	Date of Next meeting
	The next full Parish Council meeting is scheduled for Tuesday 18^th March 2025.
15	Resolution to exclude press and public from items that may require discussion of possible legal and financial proceedings
	Cllr James proposed the motion, Cllr Durrant seconded, unanimously agreed. The press and public left the meeting.
16	Confidential Items
16.1	Allotments complaint – Cllr Durrant noted that a further letter has been sent to the complainant. No further correspondence has been received to date. Legal fees have are now at the £3000 limit, but have not exceeded this. If any further action is necessary, the Clerk will approach the PC insurers.

	The meeting closed at 9.27pm.

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

(Chairman)
Appendix A – February Briefing notes

Briefing Notes – February 2025

COMMUNITY SPEEDWATCH

Recent Local SpeedWatch Activity – 1 manned Deployment were undertaken during December A total of 14 vehicles were reported to the Police from the 119 vehicles checked – hit rate 12%. Top speed recorded 40mph.

Report made direct to police and email to PC regarding speeding of HGV’s going to and from solar Farm Minchen’s lane.

Equipment – Nothing to report.

Table 1: Camera Data

The following camera data was downloaded on the 1^st of January 2025. Offenders down due to shorter daylight hours, glare on lens and fog on several days.

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
November 2024	749	51	6	11am	20
December 2024	432	53	3	8am	11
January 2025	593	57	5	1pm	21
Total Verified speeders	15,703

The Camera trigger and reporting speed are set at =>35mph. Illegal vehicles = no tax, no Mot, or no Tax and Mot.

Camera statistics for January 2025*

*Please note Camera not working for periods due to low sunlight causing glare on lens, fog & reduced daylight hours.

Table 2: Speed Indicator Device (SID) DATA January 2025:

SID

Location

Days Deployed

Traffic Direction

Exceeding 30mph

No Exceeding 60mph

Max Speed

Recorded

V85*

Average speed

Farriers

West

46%

The Street by Churchlands

East

41%

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

ALLOTMENTS/BURIAL GROUND

No written report received.

VILLAGE HALL TRUST

The defibrillator has been decommissioned as it needs a new battery. This has been ordered by Bramley Parish Council.
The roof survey will be carried out during half term week in February.
The archaeologists have finished in the field behind the hall and nothing has been heard from Redrow.

CLIFT MEADOW TRUST

No written report received.

BOROUGH COUNCILLOR REPORT

No written report received.

COUNTY COUNCILLOR REPORT

Hampshire County Council Fast-Tracked for Devolution Priority Programme – Hampshire County Council has been accepted onto the Government’s fast-track Devolution Priority Programme (DPP) – marking a significant milestone in the journey towards devolution for Hampshire and the wider area.

Earlier this month Hampshire County Council, together with Southampton and Portsmouth City Councils and Isle of Wight Council put in a ‘Hampshire and the Solent’ devolution bid to central Government which seeks to bring power and money from Westminster and provide greater local control over vital areas such as education, transport, and health services for Hampshire residents – giving people more power to shape the things that are important to them and provide robust local accountability.

As part of devolution, a Mayor would be elected in the spring of 2026 to head up a new Combined Authority across the wider region of Hampshire County Council, Isle of Wight Council, Portsmouth City Council and Southampton City Council, in line with the Authorities’ expression of interest submitted to the Deputy Prime Minister last summer. As well as promoting the interests of the wider region to central Government, the Mayor would work together with local council leaders, to make decisions about how to allocate regional funding. Greater collaboration across boundaries would be particularly effective in areas such as transport, skills and employment support, housing and planning, and tackling climate change.

Hampshire County Council Leader, Cllr Nick Adams-King said: “This is exciting news for Hampshire. Devolution represents the biggest change to local government in a generation and to be accepted onto Government’s Devolution Priority Programme as a fast-track to delivering devolution for the area is a fantastic opportunity for Hampshire to self-determine and shape devolution proposals in the best interests of our residents and communities.

“We are one of a select few local authorities nationally to join this fast-track programme, highlighting the substantial devolution opportunities recognised by the Government for our area. This selection also includes our upper-tier partners, Isle of Wight Council, and Southampton and Portsmouth City Councils and with a combined population of over two million residents, 90,000 businesses, and an economy generating around £80 billion annually, Hampshire and the Solent region are pivotal to the UK’s economic landscape.”

Benefits of Devolution – Devolution will transfer greater powers and flexibilities from Westminster to Hampshire and the Solent region, accompanied by additional funding and investment. This shift will enable local authorities to make crucial decisions closer to where residents live and work, driving economic growth, innovation, and productivity.

“This will enable us to deliver the best possible future for our citizens and businesses, enhancing people’s quality of life and leading the way in the UK’s economic recovery over the coming years,” added Cllr Adams-King. “In collaboration with our upper-tier partners, we have already begun to outline the opportunities that devolution presents: sustainable economic growth, reduced inequalities, and maximised net zero ambitions. We are committed to working in partnership across Local Government, businesses, education and the wider landscape of public sector partners to explore devolution’s potential for our area.”

The Government plans to consult with Hampshire residents very soon to gather people’s input and feedback on the prospect of devolution for the area.

Local Government Reorganisation – Additionally, the Secretary of State has confirmed today that Hampshire will be formally invited to submit proposals for local government reorganisation.

The reorganisation aims to replace the current two-tier council system with new unitary (all-purpose) councils, simplifying how councils are organised and run.

Postponement of May’s Election – Due to selection for the Devolution Priority Programme, the Government has also determined that the County Council’s elections, originally scheduled for May this year, should be postponed for 12 months as an essential step to enable the Council to give necessary focus to preparing for devolution and local government reorganisation, and allow for a Mayor to be elected in 2026 so the benefits of devolution to local communities can be delivered as swiftly as possible. Any by-elections, if required during this period, would continue to go ahead as normal. Reorganisation would then be expected to be in place by either April 2027 or April 2028.

Cllr Rhydian Vaughan

Ward Councillor, Calleva Division

Appendix B – Planning Committee Minutes

Date:	11^th February 2025	Time: 8.00pm
Place:	Bramley Room, Bramley Village Hall
Present:	Cllr Chris Flooks (Chair)	Cllr Malcolm Bell
	Cllr Alan Munday	Cllr Chris Tomblin
In attendance:	Maxta Thomas (Clerk)	0 members of the public
Apologies:

			*Action*
1	Apologies for Absence
	As listed above.
2	Declarations of Interest
	None.
3	Minutes of the Last Planning Committee Meeting
3.1	The minutes of the meeting held on 14^th January 2025 were unanimously agreed to be a true record of the meeting and were signed by the Chairman.
3.2	Matters arising
	None.
4	Planning & Development
4.1	New Applications
a.	25/00036/HSE – 20 Moat Close Bramley Demolition of existing single storey side annex and garden shed. Erection of single storey front and side extension. Widening of dropped kerb and partial removal of hedges to north and west property boundary. · No objection unanimously agreed. Clerk to process.
			*Clerk*
b.	T/00044/25/TCA – St James Church Church Road Bramley T1 – Yew – Reduce canopy on S-W side ( over church roof ) by approx. 1 – 1.5 metres. This is to prevent the trees branches damaging the roof of the church. The final height of the tree will remain the same. · Defer to Tree Officer unanimously agreed. Clerk to process.
			*Clerk*
c.	24/02996/HSE – 33 Longbridge Road Bramley – AMENDED Double-Storey Rear Extension and Alterations. · No objection unanimously agreed. Clerk to process.
			*Clerk*
d.	Any other new applications None.
4.2	Approvals/Refusals/Pending (see appendix A) These were noted.
5.	Appeals
a.	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
		· This appeal has been dismissed.
b.		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 · This appeal has been allowed.
c.		APP/H1705/W/24/3355280 – Locksbridge Farm Cufaude Lane Bramley Application number 24/00407/PIP – Permission in Principle for 2 no. dwellings with separate car port, bin/cycle store and landscaped garden · This appeal is still awaiting the Planning Inspector’s decision.
6.		Update on letter re Stocks Farm
		Cllr Bell has written a further letter to Redrow, asking for a response to his previous letter about moving the dwellings within the site boundaries. A reply has been received, and an amended planning application is expected in due course. No reply has been received to the letter to the Lead Flood Authority. HCC Highways are looking into the matters directly impacting them, but nothing further has been received from them. Clay saturated water in the ditch and pond near the Drs surgery has been reported to the Lead Flood Authority, but again no response has been received.
7.		Water Issues
		Cllr Bell has been in communication with Thames Water. The sewerarge system upgrade is still on target for later this year.
8.		Local Plan Update
		The Call for Sites consultation finishes on 17^th February 2025. The regulation18 consultation is expected by the end of 2025 with regulation 19 expected in 2026. The new NPPF has delayed everything by at least a year.
9.		Neighbourhood Plan
		No update at present.
10.		Date of Next Meeting
		The next Planning Committee meeting is scheduled for Tuesday 11^th March 2025, to be held at the Bramley Room at Bramley Village Hall. Meeting closed at 8.43pm.

Approvals/Refusals*

24/02654/HSE – Middle Farm Cottage The Street Bramley

Single storey side extension

Granted

No objection

T/00617/24/TCA – Silvermede Silchester Road Bramley

T1 Magnolia: reduce to 18m in height and shape to balance.

Raise no objection Defer to Tree

Officer

24/02926/ROC – Locksbridge Farm Cufaude Lane Bramley

Variation of Condition 1 of 23/00751/ROC – (Increased Gnd and 1st Floor area and addition of carport.) – Change of materials used on elevations

Granted

No comment

T/00636/24/TCA – The Firs 2 Churchlands Bramley

Hawthorne tree which is encroaching on neighbour property- request to trim the relevant branches by approx 2m and reduce by 4m

Flowering cherry tree in front garden crown reduce by 2m leaving an approx finished height of 6m and spread of 5m.

Raise no objection

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.	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
3.	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
4.	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
5.	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
6.	24/02041/FUL – Site At Minchens Lane Bramley Installation of access track and associated works.	Objection
7.	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
8.	24/02487/LDEU – Park Gate Farm Bramley Corner Bramley Certificate of Lawfulness for the existing use of land as residential and barn/large shed for ancillary domestic purposes in association with Park Gate Cottage.	No objection, comments
9.	24/02502/LBC – Grays House The Street Bramley Various internal alterations to amend internal layout, bring the annexe back into main property and reinstatement of fireplace.	No objection, comments
10.	24/02660/ROC – Bramley Battery Storage Minchens Lane Bramley Variation of Conditions 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13 and 18 of 21/00349/FUL (Installation of a battery storage facility with associated works) – Amendment to site layout and wording of conditions.	Objection
11.	24/02846/FUL – Land At Upper Cufaude Farm Cufaude Lane Bramley Full planning application for Phase 2 at Upper Cufaude Farm delivering 302 residential dwellings, community building, associated infrastructure, landscaping, car parking, and public open space (including a MUGA, LEAP and kickabout area). Access approved under Outline permission: 19/00018/OUT and Phase 1 Reserved Matters permission: 23/02003/RES.	Objection
12.	24/02800/FUL – Minchens Court Minchens Lane Bramley Conversion of 4 no. office units (B1), to 2 no. one-bed dwellings, 2 no. two-bed dwellings. Installation of porch/balcony projections, velux conservation roof lights, high-level windows, formation of garden areas, stores, parking, and landscaping	Objection
13.	T/00615/24/TPO – Street Record North Row Bramley T1760 Tree tag: 2260 North Row 6 Height: 21m English oak Crown spread: 17m Veteran: crown reduce.	Defer to Tree Officer
14.	T/00001/25/TPO – Street Record North Row Bramley T1756 Tree tag: 2263 Species: English oak: crown reduction	Defer to Tree Officer

*Objections/no objections listed are the decision of Bramley Parish Council only, and do not reflect any submissions placed by members of the public or other bodies with Basingstoke & Deane Borough Council.

Appendix C – February Finance Statement

The February 2025 finance statement can be viewed here.

Appendix D – February CIL Summary

The February 2025 CIL Summary can be viewed here.