Holybrook Parish Council

Holybrook Parish Council Council Meeting Minutes

Date of Meeting: 28th March 2011

Location: Beansheaf Community Centre

Present: Cllrs. Mary Bedwell, Claire Tull, Bernard Gilbert, Carol Hedges, Charlie Croal, Iain Pate, Richard Somner, Karen Albanese, Val Betteridge, Glenn Dennis, Clive Littlewood and Karen Wilkinson- Flood

Also Present: District Cllrs. Brian Bedwell, Manohar Gopal and Peter Argyle

130/10/11 Open Forum for members of the public

131/10/11 Karen Wilkinson-Flood signed the papers for co-option as a councillor.

132/10/11 Councillors’ parish council election forms were returned and checked before submission to West Berkshire Council.

133/10/11 Apologies received from Cllr. Sean Heath.

134/10/11 Declarations of interest relevant to the agenda – none.

135/10/11 Cllr. Tull asked that ‘concern regarding the age range of 5-13 years and children below the age of 8 should not be attending’ to be deleted from section 129/10/11 of the Minutes of the Council meeting of 21st February 2011 as well as section 128/10/11 changed to ‘the £10,000 was applied for by Cllr. Mary Bedwell. This AGREED unanimously and was proposed by Cllr. Tull and seconded by Cllr. Dennis.

136/10/11 Matters arising from the Minutes: none.

Council Minutes 28th March 2011 137/10/11 District Councillor Report – Cllr. Peter Argyle District Councillor Argyle told members that there has been no increase in council tax. Greenfield House day centre will be retained and there will be no cuts to the library service in West Berkshire.

138/10/11 Clerk’s update

The Clerk told members that the skatepark is progressing but no confirmation yet of a completion date.

Cllr. Tull and the Clerk met with the consultants, builders and suppliers on 15th March to discuss the Beansheaf toilet refurbishment. Outstanding matters affecting the project were agreed and work is due to start as planned on 11th April.

The Clerk reported two motorbikes being ridden in Linear Park with the result that the culprits were apprehended later the same day.

In response to a request from Greenham Common Trust the Clerk sent details of possible works to be carried out to the Beansheaf Centre over the next five years on the understanding that some of this might qualify for financial assistance from that body. This may be unlikely in view of the fact that an application for a grant towards the current refurbishment has not been successful.

Details of Freedom of Information data were issued to councillors on 24th February. It is proposed that the Tilehurst Parish model be adopted for publication on the Holybrook website. Members formally AGREED this.

139/10/11 Planning

New applications:

Application no Details of Name of Address Comments application applicant 11/00218/COMIND IKEA Properties Land at the Erection of Class Investments Ltd Berkshire Retail A1 retail store Comments invited Park Pincents with associated as adjacent Parish Lane Tilehurst car parking, landscaping, servicing and access arrangements

Council Minutes 28th March 2011 (Note – the Planning Committee discussed the application immediately in advance of the Council Meeting. Members had been given a copy of the first draft response from Tilehurst Parish).

It was AGREED that the Planning Committee put forward a policy document in line with Tilehurst Parish Council objections. This was proposed by Cllr. Somner and seconded by Cllr. Dennis. A meeting was arranged for the Planning Committee to meet at 7pm in the parish office on Wednesday 6th April.

Application Decisions:

Approval of application no. 10/03089/FUL. Installation of new fire escape door and creation of a pathway at Dunelm Mill.

140/10/11 Underwood Road

Cllrs. Mary Bedwell and Tull gave feedback from their meeting with Bellway Homes on 22nd March. Plans now include three storey blocks of flats, dwellings above garages with two parking spaces per house and one per flat. The number of dwellings has been reduced by 45. Nobody was unduly overlooked and the privacy of the playground and school had been better maintained.

Cllr. Mary Bedwell told members that the Underwood Road Action Group had worked hard and that Bellway have listened. Less density of housing has given more space for green space and parking. The possibility of a community shop will be investigated. Cllr. Mary Bedwell informed members that there will be a planning application in 4/5 weeks’ time and councillors discussed s106 monies from the developers that could be used for amenities such as education and libraries. Cllr. Somner told councillors that the residents’ group has been very pleased with the outcome

141/10/11 Pincents Hill proposed development – Cllr. Mary Bedwell

Cllr. Mary Bedwell told members that the public inquiry had lasted 10 days and she had passed on Holybrook Parish Council’s objections which included traffic impact. The decision will be made by the 4th July regarding whether the proposed development will go ahead or not.

142/10/11 Financial Information

Members RESOLVED to authorise the payment of items listed on Payment Sheet no. 10- 2010/11. This was proposed by Cllr. Littlewood and seconded by Cllr. Albanese. Cllr. Mary Bedwell informed members that the newsletter will be printed by another company in future at a reduced cost. Cllr. Somner informed the Clerk that stamps are cheaper at Costco.

Council Minutes 28th March 2011 The former Business Reserve Account at Santander has been closed and the balance transferred to the Business Account.

Members AGREED the information issued on 3rd March in that the Parish Council elect for a 5-year Long Term Agreement with Zurich. This was proposed by Cllr. Somner and seconded by Cllr. Tull.

Members AGREED the details shown on the Assets Register and Risk Assessment for the financial year 2011/12. This was proposed by Cllr. Tull and seconded by Cllr. Somner.

It was AGREED that the BALC membership subscription for 2012 is not renewed. This was proposed by Cllr. Tull and seconded by Cllr. Dennis. It was felt that the CCB show a lot of interest in Holybrook projects and the Clerk added that advice can be sought from the SLCC.

It was agreed in 2009 that the Parish Council would contribute £25,000 towards the skatepark. It has however not been made sufficiently clear in the Minutes that this was to be met from monies already earmarked some time earlier as follows: play equipment - £15,000 and recreational development - £18,000.

Members AGREED the use of these earmarked funds for the purpose of funding the skatepark so that the correct information is recorded in the Parish accounts. Members further agreed that the full amount in the recreational development reserve was used and the balance of £7,000 to come from the play equipment reserve leaving net of that reserve of £8,000.

Members AGREED to increase the honorarium for Mr. D Prior from £220 per year to £250 in the current financial year for his continued work of opening and closing the gates to the Underwood Road play area. The Clerk will write to Mr. Prior.

Grants – the following have been received:

Applicant Grant/Donation Amount requested Previous grants Berkshire County Towards general Not specified £150 2009/10 Blind Society support for blind/visually handicapped people. Six Society members live in Holybrook Parish Standby Volunteer Towards cost of Not specified None last year – Group providing volunteer application was drivers to take withdrawn after

Council Minutes 28th March 2011 people to doctors’ application form and hospital issued appointments Five Down Toddler New tables, play £150 £150 2009/10 Group equipment and mats

Note: the Grants Budget for 2010/11 is £2,000. Grants to date have been Air Ambulance (£250) and Neighbourhood Wardens’ Christmas tea party for the elderly (£100)

A grant of £180 was AGREED for the Berkshire County Blind Society. Cllr. Mary Bedwell to contact the treasurer regarding reading of the newsletter to local Berkshire County Blind Society members and to see if they wish to advertise in the newsletter.

A grant of £150 was AGREED for the Standby Volunteer Group on completion of the grant application form.

A grant of £150 was AGREED for Five Down Toddler Group. Cllr. Mary Bedwell asked that an article be put in the next newsletter regarding grants.

143/10/11 Festival 2011

Minutes of the meeting on 14th March were given to members. Cllr. Tull reported that only three stalls are now unallocated and it is superb to be in this position at this time of year. Cllr. Somner will be running a CD/DVD/games stall and councillors were asked for donations for luxury hampers. Cllr. Mary Bedwell added that the insurance had been paid and only one gazebo was left.

144/10/11 Parish Plan Refresh/Amenities Project

The Minutes of the Parish Plan Refresh meeting held on 21st March will be distributed to members. The questionnaire is being printed and focus groups will give feedback. Sarah Ward is giving guidance and helping with the Parish Plan Refresh and a stand at the festival was suggested.

Councillors were asked if they wished to attend the CCBs Annual Conference ‘Leadership in Localism’ on 7th July between 10am and 4pm. Cllr. Dennis will attend and possibly Cllrs. Somner, Tull and the Clerk. Cllr. Tull asked that 3 places be booked and to ascertain the cost.

145/10/11 Neighbourhood Action Group

Council Minutes 28th March 2011 The Minutes of the NAG meeting held on 10th March had been given to members and Cllr. Mary Bedwell reported that it had been a good meeting. Cllr. Littlewood told members that only he and his deputy attended the neighbourhood watch meeting at the Beansheaf Centre. Cllr. Mary Bedwell will ask the neighbourhood watch coordinator if they wish to put an article in the next newsletter.

146/10/11 Sharnwood Drive

Clearing the area was discussed by Council at the meeting on 13th December but no resolution made. Caroline Booth and the Neighbourhood Wardens have asked if this matter can be resolved since the area is getting worse. Details of remedial works and costs were again enclosed and members were asked to agree a way forward. West Berkshire Council has confirmed that it has no budget for this work and the Parish Council is being asked to fund the estimated cost of £186.86. This was AGREED subject to consultation.

147/10/11 Implementing the Kennet and Pang Vision

Details from David Appleton, Head of Cultural Services at West Berks was given to members and they were asked for ideas for a response. Projects including a swimming pool and leisure facilities were put forward and Cllr. Tull asked how much money is available between all parishes. The next meeting is in September.

148/10/11 Building Stronger Communities Conference

Cllrs. Tull, Dennis and Littlewood gave feedback from the seminar held on 5th March. Cllr. Tull told members that it had been very informative. Cllr. Dennis attended a workshop on Finance, Business and Communities. Ideas included homeworking, networking and how to set up a shop staffed by volunteers.

Cllr. Littlewood attended the Safer Communities workshop which included police, highways, wardens and community speed watch. Cllr. Littlewood reported that strategies are in place in Holybrook as well as regular NAG meetings.

Ideas were requested for Olympic Giants which involves the local community designing a giant carnival puppet to represent the community for the West Berkshire Cultural Olympics on 23/24 July next year.

149/10/11 Youth Club – Cllr. Albanese

Cllr. Albanese informed councillors that 60 children attend the youth club every fortnight. A new lady volunteer has started as well as a 17 year old girl and there is a lot more interaction with the children. Children will be charged 50p each to attend the youth club after Easter. The older and younger children relate well. The PCSOs will

Council Minutes 28th March 2011 attend until September but if they are unavailable the Specials will help out and the police have offered a grant of £2,000 to the youth club. Children attending the youth club over a long period of time tend to think it’s a cool place to be. Cllr. Mary Bedwell thanked Cllr. Albanese for a job well done.

Cllr. Albanese joined the police with a ‘Door Knock’ in Narromine Drive last Thursday which she found most rewarding with householders giving friendly feedback about the youth club. Most were aware of it and would like to see it running more often. The general opinion is that there needs to be some kind of facility for young people over the age of 13.

Chairman’s Remarks

Cllr. Mary Bedwell commented on how brilliant and informative the monthly neighbourhood warden reports are.

Cllr. Mary Bedwell read out a letter regarding the resignation of David Shallow as a councillor and she asked that he keep in touch and wished him well for the future.

There being no other business, the meeting closed at 9.25pm.

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Chairman Date

Council Minutes 28th March 2011