Held at Hurley Village Hall, Hurley on Thursday 11th February 2010 at 7.30pm.

PRESENT: Cllr Steve Harrington (Chairman), Cllr H. Sparrow (Vice Chairman)
Cllrs: John Addiscott (part time), Sandra Baker, David Burfitt, Geoff Hill (part time), David Jarvis, Tom Pratt and Chris Westacott.

ALSO PRESENT: Cllr Maureen Hunt (RBWM), Mrs Janet Wheeler (Clerk) and six members of the public.

015/10 APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE: Apologies were received from Cllr Kim McLaren.

016/10 DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST: Cllr Addiscott declared a prejudicial interest in Pln Appn 10/00092 and all Councillors declared a personal interest in this application. Cllr Jarvis declared a personal interest in Pln Apn 10/00116. The Chairman adjourned the meeting to allow residents to speak.

OPEN FORUM: Several members of the audience were attending to listen and to hear what would be proposed after the public meeting on the parking problem at Hurley. Mr John Iles then pointed out that the canoists and kayakers often occupied up to 25% of the parking spaces. It was discussed that it may be possible to get some special interest groups such as the river sporting enthusiasts to use the other side of the river to gain access. Tourist traffic on the way to the caravan park was also discussed along with possible one way systems.

017/10  PLANNING APPLICATIONS CONSIDERED AND DISCUSSED:

 


Planning
Ref: Planning
Ref: Current Planning Applications
10/00020

(05/01/10) Amendments to permission 05/01547 (Change of Use of existing building plus extension to form five cottages, conversion of building to garage block and erection of eight terrace cottages) (amended by permission 09/00086 and varied by permission 09/00443) to allow design changes to western courtyard block.
TOP FARM, Honey Lane, Hurley.
Mr Nathan Craker - Shanly Homes

NO OBJECTION - Proposed by Cllr Burfitt, seconded by Cllr Jarvis.
VOTE: IN FAVOUR = UNANIMOUS
10/00116

(26/01/10)
Two storey side and rear extension (amendment to permission 09/00712)
MOONIK, Coronation Road, Littlewick Green.
Mr Roger Mustoe

NO OBJECTION - Proposed by Cllr Addiscott, seconded by Cllr Harrington.
VOTE: IN FAVOUR OF NO OBJECTION = 9 ABSTENTION = 1
10/00092

(27/01/10)
Remove existing bow window and erect new square bay to incorporate porch and roof over.
CHANNERS, High Street, Hurley.
Mr John Addiscott

NO OBJECTION - Proposed by Cllr Harrington, seconded by Cllr Javis.
VOTE: IN FAVOUR = UNANIMOUS
10/00140

(01/02/10)
Two storey side extensions to incorporate granny annex and new detached garage with associated works.
GOULDERS COTTAGE, Warren Row Road, Cockpole Green.
Mr Jeremy Lowe

APPLICATION WITHDRAWN
Planning Ref Spheres of Mutual Interest
10/00134/ FULL Renewal of permission 05/02847 to change of use of ground first and second floor from office (B1) to 4 x 1 bedroom flats and 5 x 2 bedroom flats, the stableblock from office to 2-3 bedroom flats and 4 x 2 bedroom houses and the summer house from office to 1 x 1 bedroom house.
WOOLLEY HALL, Westacott Way, Littlewick Green.
Mr S. Walters - BNP Paribas Real Estate

NO COMMENT

10/00136/ LBC Renewal of LBC 05/02848 to change of use of Woolley Hall, stables and summerhouse from office (B1) to residential use. Demolition of all modern building additions and re-creation of original floor plans, restoration of windows, internal and external doors, chimneys, fire places, reinstate stable yard, gate piers and garden walls.

WOOLLEY HALL, Westacott Way, Littlewick Green.
Mr S. Walters - BNP Paribas Real Estate

NO COMMENT
Planning Ref Late Application - Works to Trees
10/00188

(04/02/10) Consent to fell one Silver Birch, crown reduce a Weeping Willow back to 5 metres in height, fell one Prunus tree and one Lilac tree.
BADBURY COTTAGE, New Road, Hurley.
Mr Edmund Pike
REFER TO TREE OFFICER
Planning Ref Planning Appeal
09/02414/ FULL

Erection of a detached garage.
LADYE PLACE, High Street, Hurley.
Mr and Mrs Parker-Swift

This Appeal is proceeding under the Householder Appeal Service - there is no opportunity for you to submit further comments. We have the right to withdraw any comments which must be done by contacting the Planning Inspectorate by 5 March 2010.

The Clerk was asked to find out more about the Householder Appeal Service for future information.

018/10  BOROUGH COUNCILLOR'S REPORT: Cllr Hunt spoke of the Tree Preservation Orders that have been put on the trees at Woolley Hall in order to protect the area during the future development activity. (Cllr Westacott said that TPO's had been put on his woodland without his permission. The Clerk advised that he should have the Right of Appeal in his paperwork.) Cllr Hunt continued with the Hurley Bus. Mr John Gray had invited the MP Teresa May to a meeting on a Friday evening to discuss the Hurley Bus. He was also inviting the Parish Council. Flyers would be distributed to advertise the meeting. The Clerk suggested that she write to John Gray to state that Hurley Parish Council would not pick up the bill for the room as last time. The request for more speed humps in Burchetts Green had reached a dead end. Extending the 20 mph zone would require street lighting which is difficult in a rural area and without the lighting police cannot enforce this speed limit. The triangle at the top of Honey Lane is privately owned and not possible to carry out any turning improvements without the permission of the landowner.

The Chairman brought the item on Hurley parking forward for the benefit of the audience.

022/10 FEEDBACK FROM PUBLIC MEETING TO DISCUSS HURLEY PARKING ISSUES: It was AGREED that the consensus from the meeting was to opt for a Restricted Parking Zone which would result in a large sign at the top of the High Street and parking for anyone in marked bays only. Although not ideal, there seemed to be less objection to this option. There was concern for residents living in Shepherd's Close as home owners do not have off road parking. Cllr Harrington was surprised that no resident seemed keen on timed tickets in the public car park. Cllr Burfitt said that the consultation must be done properly so that people understand what they are voting for. Cllr Westacott was interested in the suggestion from Steve Rider of employing a traffic warden to patrol the High Street on the days that it is busy.
It was felt by some members of the audience and the Clerk that Neil Walter intended to re-instate the Temporary Traffic Order for this year only whilst he consulted on the Restricted Parking Zone.

Neil Walter has since confirmed this was not the case and that he would be running a pilot of the Restricted Parking Zone before introducing them.

019/10 CLERK'S REPORT:
Hurley Play Area - Dog grid needs to be made more secure to stop dogs continuing to enter. Clerk has some prices for gates and the installation costs. Confirmed that vandalised bin has been removed.
Honey Lane/Prospect Park Traffic Calming - Email from S. Brown - more news to come. Clerk to email Cllr Rayner to remind him of the traffic priority.
Honey Lane - Drainage issues, gravel and hedges - Email from S. Brown to state that new trenches will be cut across the verge section near the Dew Drop. Streetcare will be pressing SE Water to sort out the drainage next time they come. Salt bin to be moved. Cllr Burfitt felt that the drainage problem in Honey Lane should be opposite the second entrance to the Crescent of houses - Clerk to send email to S. Brown to ask whether he has visited Honey Lane as promised in the rain.
Appeal - Warreners Stable Block 07/03190 - No news from Tony Carr in Highways is to look at the possible notice for this entrance. Clerk to chase.
Hurley Bus Service - John Gray trying to set up another meeting. Clerk to send letter re: room hire fees.
Grundons - On agenda.
Car park at Bainhurst Cottages, Littlewick Green -Telephone conversation - it would seem that RBWM are now happy with the billing and will do the work. Clerk asked to email for a date.
Playbuilder Project - Choseley Road Site - Project behind schedule. Delayed due to severe snow and ice and supply problems of main piece of equipment.  Have contacted Richard Sewell of Wicksteed.
Japanese Knotweed, Choseley Road Site and hole in fence of Chalk pit  - RBWM to contact land owner if fly-tipping is hazardous. Knotweed to be monitored to see whether it is still growing.
Parking in Hurley High Street - On agenda.
Adopt a telephone box - Chairman to sign contract and send to BT.
A4 road markings - Site meeting cancelled due to snow! Clerk to contact Phil Jacob to organise another meeting.
Footpath opposite the entrance to Star Works - No news yet
War Memorial - Clerk to chase Tim Aze for a report and send new contact details to Cllr Baker. 

020/10 APPROVAL OF MINUTES: The Minutes of the Council Meeting and the Extra-Ordinary meeting held on 14 January 2010 were circulated and approved with no amendments. On the proposition of Cllr Burfitt, seconded by Cllr Baker, it was AGREED to accept these Minutes. Cllr Jarvis abstained from the vote.

There were a few Matters arising. The property "Weavers Cottage" had gone to Appeal but the Parish Council had received no notification of the appeal. Cllr Burfitt said that the corner of Mill Lane suffered from the RBWM dust bin lorry when it negotiates the bend to empty the bins. Cllr Westacott circulated a letter that he had drafted to RBWM re: helping in the snow. It was AGREED that he would email the content to the Clerk who would send it on the Hurley Parish Council letterhead.


021/10 FINANCE: The Financial Report as at 04/02/2010 was presented to the Council along with Payments, Transfers and Bank Reconciliation Statements. On the proposal of Cllr Burfitt, seconded by Cllr Addiscott, it was AGREED to approve and sign this Financial Report, the cheques and bank transfer. Cllr Jarvis abstained from the vote.

023/10 RESIDENT'S QUESTIONNAIRE FROM GRUNDON:  A questionnaire was sent out to residents in mid December. It stated that the work at the site was due to continue after the finish date of 2016 which left Grundon with two options: to extend the works or to start work at Linden Hill Wood - an equally contentious site. A response was requested as to which option the Residents Group would prefer and the reply deadline was 31 December. The Residents had sent a holding letter whilst seeking more advice. It was the opinion of Cllrs Maureen Hunt and Claire Stretton that the residents should not support any of the options. Cllr Pratt said that it would take six months to infill a site that was not being worked and the EA will not allow a landfill site to be vacated half completed. But in order to complete the Star Lane site, a planning application would be submitted for more lorry movements. It was felt that this was needed in order to get ready for the Linden Hill Woods site. Cllr Jarvis felt that if the extra lorry movements were allowed, this would create a precedent for the future. Cllr Hunt was concerned that the residents' response could not be used by Grundon to get other permissions. The other possible permission sought could be for the Star Lane entrance to have a "giveway" traffic priority on other traffic using the A4. Cllr Hunt felt that this could not be supported for safety reasons. A letter would be drafted to the Liaison Group which Cllr Hunt would take to the next meeting. Cllr Sandra Baker to draft. It was AGREED that the letter should also go to Wokingham Borough Council asking to be consulted on future planning applications concerning Grundon's entrance. Cllr Pratt finished this section by informing the Parish Council that most residents in Star Lane had received a reduction in their rates due to the hydroclaves.

Cllrs G Hill and J Addiscott left the meeting at this point.

024/10 UP-DATE ON FLOODING ISSUES:Cllr Burfitt confirmed that the Flood Warden's meeting due to take place in January had been postponed due to the snow. This meeting was due to take place on Wednesday.
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025/10 UP-DATE ON THE PARISH BOUNDARY WALK: Cllr Burfitt confirmed that a date had been set for the walk on 26 September 2010 - the first Parish Boundary Walk since 2000. The walk would begin at 9.30am and proceed around the boundary, stopping at the Chairman's home for coffee. Lunch would be at The Cricketers in Littlewick Green before the final stretch from Knowl Hill, Remenham Hill and back to Hurley. There would another meeting soon to discuss the publicity for the event. It was thought that the total length of the path was approx. 13 miles. 

026/10 FUTURE MEETING DATES: Hurley Parish Council tried to hold their Council Meeting approx. two weeks before the MDC panel met in order to get their comments to the Town Hall in time. The weeks had slipped due to the Clerk not realising that the December meeting had been brought forward by a week to avoid Christmas. The rest of the year's meeting dates had