Held at Hurley Village Hall, Hurley on Thursday, 17th December 2009 at 7.30 pm

PRESENT:  Cllr. Steve Harrington (Chairman),
Cllrs John Addiscott, Sandra Baker, Tom Pratt, David Burfitt, David Jarvis, Kim McLaren, Chris Westacott

ALSO PRESENT:  Cllr. Maureen Hunt (RBWM)

273/09   APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE:   Apologies were received from Cllrs. H. Sparrow, G. Hill and Mrs. Wheeler.

274/09   DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST:    Cllr. Jarvis declared a prejudicial interest in item 280/09 as Treasurer of Littlewick Green Village Association.  Cllr. McLaren declared a personal interest in item 09/02572.

OPEN FORUM    Mrs. Linda Furneaux wished to complain about the sudden change to the bus timetable on the Monday following the last meeting.  The driver did not know about the change and the concessionary bus was not included on the timetable.  Cllr. Hunt commented that she had asked for laminated timetables to be put at bus stops but this had not been done.  She had complained to the Borough but the Officer responsible had been away that week.  The concessionary bus will be added to the timetables which will be available on the bus and at stops in Burchetts Green, Littlewick Green and Knowl Hill.  There will be a separate note on the buses for concessionary users.

Mr. John Gray also complained about the lack of timetables which he had contacted Cllr. Hunt about.  He asked about the size of the concessionary bus which was starting an additional service on Wednesdays.  The consultation on users' preferences organised by Cllr. Hunt had not been successful as the form had not been correctly filled in.  Although Courtney Coaches says the larger bus is unable to go up Honey Lane Mr. Gray was adamant that this was possible and had been happening.  Hurley residents who use the bus were unhappy because drivers were not instructed about concessionary fares using the Advantage card and were unsure whether this could be used or not.  Clarification is needed and a notice placed on the bus detailing concessionary fares, use of Advantage card etc.

Mr. Edwin Hayes attended the meeting in case councillors had any questions about his application for a conservatory.

Mr. Andrew Gayter wished to complain that a boundary wall being built as part of an extension adjacent to his property at Red Stocks, Littlewick Green was not according to plan being 8ft high.  The plans do not include measurements although councillors commented that the original plan has to be to a recognised scale.  He had complained to the enforcement officer with no result.  Cllr. Hunt said that she would ask an officer to visit the property and check. 
Cllr. Jarvis wished to record his appreciation of the Hurley Pantomime.

Mr. Gray wished everyone a Happy Christmas.

275/09     PLANNING APPLICATIONS CONSIDERED AND DISCUSSED:   

Planning
Ref:  Current Planning Applications

09/02415 Two storey side extension.  Single storey rear extension
  18 HONEY LANE, Hurley
(18/11/09) Mr. Simon Cook
  NO OBJECTION - Proposed by Cllr. Addiscott, seconded by Cllr.
  Baker  VOTE:  IN FAVOUR = 7, ABSTENTION = 1

09/02414 Erection of a detached garage LADYE PLACE, High Street, Hurley
(23/11/09) Mr. and Mrs. Parker-Swift
  OBJECTION:  Proposed Cllr. Jarvis, seconded by Cllr. Addiscott.
  VOTE:  IN FAVOUR OF OBJECTION = UNANIMOUS.  The basis
  for rejection are outlined in the Appeal Inspector's decision
  document which still stand.  In addition flood plain policy is contrary
  to new building in the flood plain and no provisions have been made
  for flood water to pass through.  It was agreed that a separate letter
  should be written to the Enforcement Officer regarding the three sets
  of gates which have been erected.

09/02498 Erection of a gazebo structure to the rear of the Malt House.
  YE OLDE BELL HOTEL, High Street, Hurley.
(30/11/09) NO OBJECTION:  Proposed Cllr. Addiscott, seconded Cllr. Baker.
  VOTE:  IN FAVOUR OF SUPPORT = UNANIMOUS

09/02468 Works to Trees in Conservation Area. Consent to section fell 1 x
  Thuja tree and 1 x Acacia.
(24/11/09) THE WALLED GARDEN, High Street, Hurley
  DEFER TO TREE OFFICER:  Proposed Cllr. Harrington, seconded
  Cllr. Baker.
  VOTE:  IN FAVOUR OF SUPPORT = UNANIMOUS

09/02454 Two storey rear extension.
  RIDERS COUNTRY HOUSE HOTEL, Bath Road, Littlewick Green
(04/12/09)       Mrs. Gill Bainbridge
  NO OBJECTION:  Proposed Cllr. Addiscott, seconded Cllr. Jarvis.
  VOTE:  IN FAVOUR = 5, ABSTENTION = 3.  INFORMATIVE -
  If planning permission is granted could parking area in front be
  returned to grass as there are adequate parking spaces behind.
  If S106 money is generated could this be put towards completion of
  A4 roadworks in Littlewick Green, Burchetts Green School and works
  to Gilchrist Hall, Littlewick Green.
  PROPOSED:  Cllr. Jarvis, seconded Cllr. Harrington.
  VOTE:  IN FAVOUR = 6, AGAINST = 1, ABSTENTION = 1

09/02595 Single storey rear conservatory
  GOULDERS FARM COTTAGE, Warren Row Road, Cockpole
  Green.
(08/12/09) Mrs. R. Hayes
  NO OBJECTION:  Proposed Cllr. Burfitt, seconded Cllr. Pratt.
  VOTE:  IN FAVOUR OF SUPPORT = UNANIMOUS

09/02572 Works to Trees in Conservation Area.  Notification to fell two
  Conifers and reduce and re-shape two Silver Birches by 25%.
(04/12/09) THE OLD COTTAGE, Gilchrist Way, Littlewick Green.
  Mrs. McLaren.
  DEFER TO TREE OFFICER:  Proposed Cllr. Addiscott, seconded
  Cllr. Burfitt. 
  VOTE:  IN FAVOUR OF SUPPORT = UNANIMOUS

Planning Spheres of Mutual Interest
Ref.
09/02180/ WOOLLEY HALL, Westacott Way, Littlewick Green
VAR  Cllr. Jarvis said that he had not heard anything more.  Cllr. Hunt
  Commented that the applicant wanted to vary conditions 4, 17 and
20. The proposed variation regarding the trees was a big improvement
  providing more screening.  Residents were concerned about white lines
  in Cherry Garden Lane.  The TPOs should be left to save problems in
  the future.  All other conditions still stand and more old buildings are
  to be retained which was a concern of the Littlewick Green Village
  Association.

(i)APP/TO355LOT FARM, Lutman's Haven, Knowl Hill
A/09/2107477 The appeal had been dismissed as inappropriate development in the
  Green Belt with no special circumstances to justify development.

(ii)  TO PROPOSE PLANNING ITEMS FOR THE STAKEHOLDERS
  MEETING BEING HELD SPECIFICALLY FOR PARISH     COUNCILS
         1. Effects of latest government legislation on status of Borough flood
  plain policy and effects on flood plain
2. Securing S106 money
3. Review policy on neighbour notifications
4. Issues arising from training session on e planning
5. Policy on temporary signs with particular reference to Shire Horse

  Cllr. Harrington suggested including an additional column on the
  decision sheet comparing Hurley Parish Council's decision with that
  of RBWM.

276/09  BOROUGH COUNCILLOR'S REPORT
 
Cllr. Hunt reported that the large bus would start operating the concessionary service on 23rd December and would not be able to go up Honey Lane.  It would leave Frascati Way at 12:40 and she was still waiting to hear whether it would pick people up on its return journey.  Regarding Grundons, they had circulated a questionnaire to local residents asking for opinions on whether to extend the licence by two years or increase lorry movements to finish in the allotted time.  It may be possible to impose additional conditions when the planners condition the application.

277/09  CLERK'S REPORT

The various issues raised by the Clerk were noted.
Cllr. Burfitt will inspect the Hurley play area and maintenance of the Knowl Hill War Memorial is to be included.  It was also decided to take out the 'action by' and just leave the heading for each item. Cllr Hunt left the meeting after this item.

278/09   MINUTES

The minutes were agreed to be a fair and true record of the meeting on 26th November 2009 with no amendments.  The Chairman was authorised to sign them.  Proposed Cllr. Harrington, seconded by Cllr. Baker.

279/09  FINANCE

Cllr. Jarvis proposed that Cllr. Burfitt fax the bank transfer which was seconded by Cllr. Harrington and approved unanimously.  Cllr. Addiscott handed two additional invoices to the Chairman which it was agreed should be left to the next meeting.  It was also agreed that the cheques should be signed but not sent off in case there were insufficient funds in the bank account.  There were some queries on the Financial Report which was agreed in principle subject to their resolution on the Clerk's return.

280/09  TO AGREE A NEW FUND FOR VILLAGE HALL SUPPORT IN THE NEXT BUDGET

Cllr. Jarvis wished to set up a fund to provide support for the village halls in the parish.  He said that in the case of Littlewick Green Village Hall the amount of money raised from lettings only covered a small proportion of the cost of running the hall.  If hire charges were raised to cover costs most organisations would not be able to afford to use the hall.  The Littlewick Green Hall was facing costs of £10,000 needed urgently for a fire alarm and £30,000 in the next few years.  They had received £10,000 from the lottery fund and were unlikely to get another grant.  Cllr. Burfitt commented that we may be swamped with requests from other organisations.  Cllr. Addiscott disagreed with the setting up of a general fund and said that Littlewick should put in a specific request with a case for support.  Adding a specific amount for village halls of £2,000 into the precept was proposed by Cllr. Jarvis but not seconded.  Cllr. Addiscott suggested that the parish council would be prepared to entertain requests on a case by case basis from community based organisations in the parish for financial support provided that they were widely used facilities.  It was decided to deal with the item in a different way by increasing the general contingency fund.

281/09  TO PROPOSE BUDGET FIGURES FOR THE 2010 -2011 FINANCIAL YEAR AND A PRECEPT REQUEST

Cllr. Burfitt proposed that a general contingency fund of £5,000 plus £550 for the bus should be included in the precept.  This proposal was seconded by Cllr. McLaren and AGREED 7 in favour 1 against.  Despite the objection of the Chairman it was agreed that the specific budget for the telephone boxes should be subsumed into the general
contingency fund.  Cllr. Addiscott proposed acceptance of the budget and precept of £30,000 which was seconded by Cllr. Harrington and AGREED 7 in favour 1 abstention.

282/09  TO AGREE ITEMS FOR INCLUSION FOR THE NEXT DALC MEETING OR FOR THE PARISH CONFERENCE

There were no items suggested.

283/09  TO RECEIVE A REPORT FROM CLLR. WESTACOTT OF THE RURAL FORUM AND LOCAL ACCESS FORUM

It was agreed that this item should be deferred to the next meeting.

284/09  LATE CORRESPONDENCE

It was agreed to hold the Annual Dinner in February or March and Cllr. Jarvis requested that it should not be between 14 January and 10 February when he would be away.  Ideas for venues would be discussed at the next meeting.

Cllr. Burfitt gave his apologies for the next meeting and asked for an item on local flooding issues to be included in the agenda for the next meeting so that these could be reported at the Local Flood Forum/Borough Flood Forum which consisted of a Chairman, Vice Chairman, 5 Borough Councillors, the Environment Agency, Thames Water etc.

Regarding the Choseley Road play area, the funder requires only safety grass matting under the G force spinner.  This is not recommended under the roundabouts as the children will cause a groove as they run round which may cause a maintenance problem. The Chairman said that he would check the position with Playbuilder.  The planting issue had been partially resolved.  It was agreed that the play area should remain closed until it is completed as a safety precaution and to give the turf a chance to take.

285/09  DATES OF FUTURE MEETINGS

07 January 2010 DALC Meeting  Town Hall Maidenhead
14 January 2010 Council Meeting  Littlewick Green Village Hall
14 or 15 January E planning training  Desborough Suite 2 pm
20 January 2010 Stakeholders Meeting  Town Hall 7 pm
       (refreshments 18.45)
16 February 2010 Parish Conference  Windsor Guildhall 7 pm

The meeting closed at 10.30 pm.