MINUTES OF A MEETING oF THE HURLEY PARISH COUNCIL HELD AT 7.30 PM ON THURSDAY 10TH JUNE 2010 AT KNOWL HILL VILLAGE HALL, BATH ROAD, KNOWL HILL, BERKS

PRESENT:    Cllr S Harrington (Chairman)
    Cllr H Sparrow
    Cllr J Addiscott
    Cllr Mrs S Baker
    Cllr D Jarvis
    Cllr Mrs K McLaren
    Cllr T Pratt
    Cllr C Westacott
    Mr R Booth - Chiltern Society
    Mrs H Essen - Footpath Warden, East Berks Ramblers Association
    The Clerk - Mrs C Woodley

073/10.  APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE AND DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST 
Apologies were received from Cllr D Burfitt, Cllr G Hill and Borough Cllr Mrs M Hunt.  No declarations of interest were made.

074/10.  A PRESENTATION BY MR RICHARD BOOTH , THE CHILTERN SOCIETY - A PROPOSAL TO EXTEND THE CHILTERN WAY INTO THE BERKSHIRE CHILTERNS 
Cllr Harrington introduced Mr Booth and Mrs Essen to the meeting.  Mr Booth explained that the
Chiltern Way is a 172 mile circular walk around the Chilterns to include a new loop being created to include Berkshire from Penn to west of Henley and with the blessing of the National Trust.  This commenced in February this year and was immediately approved of by the Royal Borough with Wokingham Borough Council giving their support a few months later.  This new loop will be signposted "The Chiltern Way - Berkshire Loop" .  Mr Booth tabled an example of this sign which is planned to be installed en route from early September.  Mr Booth invited members to a walk in the autumn to launch the new loop (date possibly 10th or 17th October, to be confirmed) including a stop at Stubbings Garden Centre where refreshments will be served.
To mark the 10th Anniversary of the Chiltern Way, it is aimed to convert all stiles into gates, some of which will allow disabled access where appropriate.  Concern was raised on possible access through new gates for motorbikes and cycles.
Mr Booth also informed members that there is a new book out to cover the Chiltern Way, available from local bookshops as well as from the Chiltern Society.
Cllr Harrington gave thanks on behalf of the Parish Council, for the presentation. Mr Booth and Mrs Essen left the meeting at 7.55pm.

NO OPEN FORUM

075/10. TO CONFIRM THE MINUTES OF THE ANNUAL MEETING
Cllr J Addiscott proposed that the minutes of the Annual Meeting of the Council held on 13th May 2010 were accepted, seconded by Cllr Harrington.  AGREED.  The Minutes were then signed as a true record.


076/10.  PLANNING
APPLICATIONS CONSIDERED AND DISCUSSED:

Location Planning No. Applicant Proposal PC's Comments
ABBEY LEAT, Mill Lane, Hurley 10/00925 GF Falconer Insertion of two front and two rear dormer windows NO OBJECTIONS
proposed by Cllr S Harrington, seconded by Cllr J Addiscott. AGREED  with 3 abstentions.
BELL COURT, 4, Hurley 10/01021 Mr and Mrs Morris Pitched roof over existing garage. Alterations to driveway NO OBJECTIONS
Proposed by Cllr Addiscott, seconded by Cllr Mrs McLaren. AGREED  unanimously.
GOULDERS COTTAGE, Warren Row Road, Cockpole Green 10/01063
Cert of Lawfulness Mr J Lowe To determine whether a detached garage is lawful Noted.
WICKHURST COTTAGE 3-4, Bath Road, Littlewick Green 10/01078 Mrs Stone To fell a eucalyptus and remove lower branches of a silver birch NO OBJECTIONS subsequent to delegation to Littlewick Green Councillors.
WICKHURST COTTAGE 2, Bath Road, Littlewick Green 10/01196 Lexington Properties To fell a eucalyptus, a yew and a damson, reduce conifer hedge and remove lower branches of a silver birch NO OBJECTIONS
subsequent to delegation to Littlewick Green Councillors.
ST MARY'S HOUSE, High Street, Hurley 10/01136 Mr J Janion Conversion of an existing detached garage into studio/playroom with brickwork chimney Concern over chimney below the roof line affecting the neighbouring property.  RBWM confirmed not a problem. NO OBJECTIONS proposed by Cllr Addiscott, seconded by Cllr Sparrow. AGREED  unanimously.
HONEY LANE, 12, Hurley 10/01089 Ms Shane Head First floor side extension ACCEPTED
Proposed by Cllr D Jarvis, seconded by Cllr Addiscott. AGREED with 1 abstention.
RBWM DECISIONS (no Pending Appeals) - as at Appendix B.



Licensing Application 007001 for Ye Olde Bell, High Street Hurley
Cllr Harrington reported on the meeting held on 2nd June which he attended with Cllr Mrs Maureen Hunt, Andrew Ramsey from the Village Association and no other members of the public were present.  The Applicants reiterated that they wished to regularize the present circumstances in order to allow patrons to order drinks and pay at a bar in the garden.  Cllr Addiscott reported on e mails with Eric Nicol from the Borough on possible requirement of planning permission for the marquee.  Cllr Harrington reiterated the concern over possible light pollution for neighbouring properties. 
The Clerk has now received a letter confirming that a License has been granted with a condition restricting the sale and supply of alcohol to the bar situated on the paved area of the garden.  A plan of this area was referred to but not included and the Clerk was asked to obtain this. Concern had been raised with Eric Nicol over the situation of two container bins on site but the Borough has no objections since their use is in connection with the business and that being in a Conservation Area is not an issue. It was acknowledged that there was no other position available for the bins and suggestions of screening or painting the bins to improve them will be passed on to Mr Nicol.

077/10. BOROUGH COUNCILLOR'S REPORT
Cllr Mrs M Hunt had sent a written report as follows:
"Dewdrop Inn has applied for brown tourist signs which are not possible.  However, the Council have informed me that due to the difficulty in finding the Dewdrop they will be putting up two directional signs.  One is on Burchetts Green Rd with the junction of Honey Lane and the other is Honey Lane at the turn off for the Dewdrop.
Footpath in Star Lane
Grundon have agreed to the footpath and Balfour Beatty will be starting this month, possibly next week.  It is a small job and will only take a day.  I'm awaiting a definite date and will inform residents hopefully tomorrow.
Access from Ashley Woods onto Burchetts Green Rd
The Council have notified me that they are to put in a double height kerb at this point.  However, I have requested that the hazard bollard that was removed by persons unknown to be replaced at the same time as the kerb work.  
Discussions are continuing with the FC for maintenance vehicle access but I am objecting to this as the FC have a substantial access just further down BG Road and there is no access at this dangerous point.  The FC are talking about a prescriptive access but for this the access has to be in continuous use for 20 years - and that hasn't happened."
 
078/10.     CLERK'S REPORT
Choseley Road Play Area
The Parish Council has now issued a Certificate of Practical Completion.  Hurley Parish Council now assumes responsibility and has amended its insurance policy accordingly.  Cllr Addiscott reported a resident's complaint about the location of the boulders near the seat, as a possible trip hazard.
Braywick Nurseries has been approached about future maintenance of the area and a revised quotation has now been received in the sum of £82.86 plus VAT (previous charge £55.24 plus VAT).  Cllr Harrington proposed acceptance of this quotation, seconded by Cllr Mrs Baker. AGREED.
Japanese Knotweed  - The Electricity Board has already treated their substation to rid it of the knotweed and has indicated that they are prepared to treat the additional outbreak of it which is next to the substation, encroaching onto the footpath. The Electricity Board is also attending to the substation fence.
The Litter Bin - the Borough has been approached and has agreed to ensure that a regular collection is carried out.  It was also pointed out that a regular collection is required for the litter bin at the top of Knowl Hill Common.  The Clerk will press the Borough for this.
Hurley Play Area
The Duck Rocker has now been repaired and the invoice is still awaited.  The Clerk has received a phone call from a concerned resident in East Arms Place about a tree overhanging her property.  It was agreed that  this tree is on land belonging to the Village Association and Cllr Addiscott will talk to Mr A Ramsey about it.

Parish Conference on Monday 14th June 2010 at Windsor Guildhall 
The agenda has been published and copies had been circulated.  Cllr Mrs Baker and the Clerk plan to attend.
Appeal - Warreners Stable Block 07/03190
The appeal relating to the demolition order had been won and therefore the Parish Council accepts that the agreement to have a gate has been lost.  The Clerk once again contacted RBWM for a concealed drive sign to be installed at the entrance to the Warreners and has been informed that a site visit was carried out to look at the visibilities of this and a number of accesses.  Phil Jacobs RBWM commented that this is a very rural area and there are many other driveways and entrances in a similar situation, some even worse. The Borough could not therefore single out this particular access for the signage requested, without considering every other such access. Obviously this would not be a practical proposition.  When discussed, members pointed out that the access is used regularly by a Landrover towing a horsebox, increasing the danger. Ithad also been noted that signs had been erected on the Cookham Road and the Bray Road issuing similar warnings.  The Clerk will make these points to the Borough.
Car park at Bainhurst Cottages, Littlewick Green
The Clerk has reiterated the request to RBWM for a date to re-surface this area and awaits a response.
War Memorial - Knowl Hill
Mr Aze has visited and assessed the memorial.  He reported that in his opinion the cracks on the wood are as to be expected on partially treated oak and are unlikely to get very much worse.  He advised that the Parish Council examine the memorial at the end of the summer and in the meantime he will give it another coat of wood preserver. Cllr Mrs Baker will check the state of the memorial in Knowl Hill Church yard.
Priority Change in Honey Lane
The Clerk has contacted Cllr Colin Rayner who is making enquiries about this.

079/10. PRESENTATION TO CLLR GEOFF HILL WITH FREEMAN OF THE OF THE PARISH OF HURLEY
The proposal to hold this occasion on the same evening as the Parish Conference has proven to be inconvenient.  Geoff would like a presentation in Burchetts Green so the school has been approached and the Head Teacher has suggested that Geoff opens a new classroom in the school and is presented with the citation at the same time.  It is hoped that the class room is completed by the end of July.  Cllr Addiscott will liaise with the Head and advise the Parish Council of the date in due course.  The citation was available at the meeting form members to view and for the Chairman to sign.

080/10. DISCUSSION ON ARRANGEMENTS FOR AN OPENING CEREMONY FOR
     THE CHOSELEY ROAD PLAY AREA, KNOWL HILL
     It was AGREED  to ask Borough Cllr Mrs Maureen Hunt to perform the Opening Ceremony with press
      attendance.  Saturday 3rd July was proposed and the Clerk will check on Cllr Mrs Hunt's availability.  She will
           also arrange for the grass to be cut just prior to the Ceremony.

081/10.  DISCUSSION ON PROPOSALS FOR THE USE OF THE NEWLY
      PURCHASED TELEPHONE KIOSKS
      BT has confirmed that the kiosks should be de-commissioned by the end of June.  Equipment is planned to be   
    removed by 23rd June and the Parish Council should be able to take possession of each kiosk a week later.   
           Cllr Harrington commented that each kiosk will need to be painted, the missing glass and the light replaced.   
          He then called for ideas for their respective uses.  Ideas included an information point, garden produce swaps or sold for charity, an art gallery for the primary schools, the introduction of a dressed mannequin, an informal
  bus shelter.  Cllr McLaren suggested involving the press and Cllr Harrington reported that an article asking for ideas had already been placed in the Hurley Burley magazine.  Insurance of both kiosks will need to be established and there was discussion on possible vandalism and it was noted that the kiosk doors were wooden and could have locks fitted in the interim, if necessary.

082/10. DISCUSSION ON ARRANGEMENTS TO BE MADE FOR THE PARISH BOUNDARY WALK IN SEPTEMBER
Date and Time - 10am Sunday 26th September 2010.
To start and finish in the main car park in Hurley. (around 50 people anticipated to attend)
Coffee at The Old Bakery, Burchetts Green (Cllr Harrington's house). Lunch at The Cricketers' Pub in Littlewick Green.  Tea at The Priory Room in Hurley village.
Cllr D Burfitt and Frankie Fry are organizing the route, to include a boat to follow the boundary along the river and publicity by way of posters, the Church magazines and the Hurley Burley magazine. It was also suggested that details could be placed on the Parish website.  Cllr C Westacott is making arrangements for the walk to go across the Shottesbrooke Estate and Knowl Hill Farm.  White sticks will also be carried in order to "beat the bounds".

083/10. FINANCE
    To Receive and Approve Accounts for 2009/2010
   A six page document of the accounts and the Accounting Statement page of the External Audit Report  had
been sent electronically to Councillors in advance of the meeting and paper copies were given out at the meeting. Cllr J Addiscott proposed approval of these accounts with a minor amendment to Page 3 (Income and Expenditure Account) to remove the words "Surplus (Deficit)", seconded by Cllr H Sparrow. AGREED unanimously. The Chairman then signed all documentation to include the Annual Governance statement and the Clerk was authorized to submit the Annual Return to the External Auditor.
   Report from the Internal Auditor on the Accounts for 2009/2010
   The Clerk read out the following issues/points raised by Mr B Dancer, the Parish Council's Internal Auditor:
Recovery of overpayment had been advised on a bill paid twice to the Maidenhead Advertiser in 2008.
Sale of the Hurley Book - book stocks need to be regularised.
Standing orders/Finance Regulations need Annual review and compliance.
No risk assessment carried out during the last financial year.
Bank reconciliations should be carried out periodically.The Clerk has assured the Internal Auditor that all issues will be addressed in the current financial year.
    To authorize Payments as listed in the Financial Report
    Cllr H Sparrow proposed approval of the Finance Report for payment of accounts as at Appendix A,
    seconded by Cllr J Addisoctt.  AGREED  unanimously.  The Chairman duly signed the report and cheques were signed.
 

084/10. CORRESPONDENCE AND COUNCILLORS' FORUM
RBWM - Invitation to attend a seminar on Adding Value to your Woodland on Saturday 12th June 2010. Cllr H S Harrington to attend Concern was raised over the state of oak trees on Parish Council land on the verge of Burchetts Green Road and it was agreed to check the Parish RAP Insurance Policy to see how often trees should be monitored.  Discussion took place on the requirement of a tree felling license from the Forestry Commission, which should not be needed to fell dead, damaged or diseased trees.  The oak trees are not in a Conservation Area but the Clerk will check whether any are covered by a Tree Preservation Order.
RBWM "Census 2011" - the Clerk gave a short report on Councillors' involvement.  A Councillor Handbook is available.
The RBWM Parish Roadshow - invitation to Parish Councils to attend a Parish Road show to introduce and promote new Building Control procedures - 20th July at Datchet Village Hall.  Cllr Mrs Baker and the Clerk to attend.
Cllr H Sparrow
Cllr Harrington reported that this was Cllr Sparrow's last Parish meeting since he is due to retire upon  his move out of the area and wished him farewell on the Parish Council's behalf.
             
Parking in Hurley
Cllr T Pratt reported that the parking signage and bays have now been implemented in Hurley village.

085/10. DATES OF FUTURE MEETINGS
     Monday 14th June 2010 - 7pm The Parish Conference in The Guildhall, Windsor.
     Thursday 8th July 2010 at 7.30pm in Burchetts Green School.


The Meeting closed at 10.00pm.