Howard Woolaston: Parish Matters February /March 2022
February is the shortest month of the year but even so this newsletter seems to have come round very quickly. Looking back through my diary, it has been a very busy four weeks which may well account for it. Mind you, every month as a ward member is busy in its own way. I’m not complaining – it’s what I signed up for and I’m very glad to be able to help residents in any way I can. As ever, see below for my contact details.
I hope that you all weathered the storms safely. My only problem was a tree down in the middle of Eastbury which meant no recycling collection, so I reverted to the old-fashioned approach of going to the tip. Many others will have had similar problems to contend with but hopefully the worst of winter is behind us. The days are getting longer, and we will soon all benefit from longer evenings with the hour change at the end of the month.
It would be remiss of me not to mention the dreadful situation in Ukraine and to congratulate volunteers for yet again rising to the occasion to raise funds and provide supplies. We held a full WBC Meeting in Newbury on Thursday 3 March, and I am pleased to say that every councillor was wearing a blue and yellow ribbon and that the Ukrainian Flag was flying above the Council Offices to show our support.
Anyway, turning to local issues…
Neighbourhood Development Plan
Yet more meetings have taken place and we are making firm progress under the excellent chairing of Sue Cocker. This important project remains on track to be finalised by the autumn. For more information on Lambourn’s NDP, please click here.
Membury Industrial Estate and the B4000
I had a further meeting with key WBC officers in February. This confirmed all of our suspicions that HGV traffic on the B4000 has increased very significantly over the last two years. I have now arranged another meeting in the council offices (yes, face-to-face!) with the officers, the responsible Executive Director, and representatives of the Woodlanders Protection Group for later this month. The aims of this are two-fold: (i) to ensure that there is no misunderstanding about the concerns that we all share regarding the growth of Membury and the impact on road traffic; and (ii) to stress the high importance of planning enforcement to limit uncontrolled expansion, which frequently occur without proper planning consents or without adherence to planning conditions.
This is going to be a long battle…
Council Tax
West Berkshire Council agreed its 2022-23 budget on 3 March. The increase is 1% and a 3% precept for Adult Social Care which is one of the biggest budgetary concerns both now and for the future as the demographics change not just for Lambourn and West Berkshire but across the whole country. The good news is that the increase looks to be one of the lowest in the country and for those in Bands A-D for Council Tax there is a further £150 reduction.
The Budget also confirmed in the capital budget the £10,000 provision towards the surfacing of Fulke Walwyn Way in Upper Lambourn, which I have been campaigning for with the balance of the costs generously being provided by Jockey Club Estates. This should finally resolve the issues of, according to the season, mud or dust that have affected nearby residents for years.
Planning
As I mentioned last month, the application to allow mobile homes and caravans at Four Acres Fields by the M4 on the way to Baydon was refused. The applicant has now lodged an appeal.
A full list of all live applications in Lambourn as on 26 February can be found on the Lambourn.org website. As usual, there are quite a few of them.
Lambourn Youth
Work on this is ongoing and I have been exploring options on whether there is scope to remodel part of the Lambourn Centre to provide a suitable welcoming destination to cater for what is a clear need.
Eastbury Village Hall
As mentioned last month, this is in a sorry state and past the point of patching up. Chris Capel of 4 LEGS Radio fame and the other trustees took soundings on the possible next steps at the meeting in the Church last month which I attended. It is fair to say that a wide range of views were expressed: these included rebuilding it, demolishing it for housing and using the proceeds for the benefit of the village and exploring further if the Church could be able to be used instead. More to follow on this one.
Water, water…
The return of the River Lambourn proves that the groundwater has risen over the last month or so though 2022’s levels seem set to be lower than average. This, coupled with the remedial work that Thames Water did last year, will in 2022 at least hopefully avoid a repeat of the sewage problems of the last few years. I’m aware that Penny Post contacted Thames Water on 4 March for its assessment of the results of 2021’s repairs and to see what plans it has for further works this year and has been promised a response next week. Repairs can only efficiently happen when the groundwater levels are within a certain range.
Rest assured that I and others are keeping a close eye on what is unfortunately a perennial problem in this area.
On a separate but related matter, Malt Shovel Lane in Upper Lambourn will be closed for emergency water works, probably until 18 March. This is a major inconvenience to the racing industry as it is the main route for a number of trainers to get their horses to the gallops. However, I understand that there is no alternative if this damaged piece of pipe is to be properly repaired.
Traffic in Eastbury
I know that I sound like an old-fashioned record that has got stuck, but WBC is committed to the Eastbury traffic-calming measures for which I have been pushing for nearly two years. I am chasing the Highways team for a firm date. If successful I will be asking for similar roll outs around Lambourn.
Roads and parking
I have now seen the proposed road-repair schedule for Lambourn for this year and next. Parsonage Place and Foxbury are both due for what is called an overlay later this year and Baydon Road from Crowle Road to the B4000 and Part of Ramsbury Road are due for surface dressing in 2023.
We are all conscious of potholes (sometimes, unfortunately, not until just after we’ve hit one). Please do report them so they can be fixed.
I am also continuing the campaign to resolve the parking issues around the school. A new officer is now in post at WBC and I have asked for an early meeting to try and finally resolve this problem.
The indefatigable James Potter, one of the Village Wardens in Eastbury, has applied for a grant from the Thames Valley Police & Crime Commissioner for a speed indicator device (SID) to try to limit speeding in the village. If successful, then other locations might want to apply for one next year.
The Jubilee
As we are all aware, it is Her Majesty’s Platinum Jubilee at the beginning of June. Please keep your eye on any of the valley’s local publications and websites for information on what’s planned and how you can get involved.
Get in touch
As ever, if I can help, please do get in touch on 07836 718100 or Howard.woollaston1@westberks.gov.uk.
