Lambourn Parish Council Meeting Report: June 2021
5 June 2021
This is a summary of some of the highlights of the recent Lambourn Parish Council Meeting which was held on the 2nd June 2021. After a long time of meetings held using Zoom, this was the first meeting where Councillors were physically present in the Memorial Hall with members of the public able to join by Zoom. This is not an official set of minutes and I have augmented some points. Minutes will be issued by the Lambourn Parish Council following the next meeting. The meeting was chaired by the Chair of the Lambourn Parish Council, Moz Bulbeck Reynolds.
The minutes of the 5th May 2021 were approved.
At the beginning of every meeting members of the public have the opportunity to raise points. Alan Bruter made the council aware of the issue of illegal parking in Sheepfair Way at school drop-off and collection times. He explained the cars were parking dangerously and that there had been some near misses. He discussed the matter with the school principal who agrees that action should be taken. He’s also spoken to the police and other authorities regarding how parking rules could be enforce. Alan, and other local residents, would like to see yellow lines introduced along the road to make it clear that waiting and parking is not allowed. Alan has also written to Howard Woollaston who has raised the matter within West Berkshire Council and will reply to Alan. Lambourn Parish Council agreed to support the request for measures being taken to address the issue however pointed out that this is a District Council matter.
The meeting went on to consider a number of planning applications which have been submitted to West Berkshire Council Council. Lambourn Parish Council act as a consultee in these matters and expresses an opinion whilst the ultimate decision rests with the District Council
21/00978/HOUSE – 26 Mill Lane, Lambourn – Removal of conservatory and rear lobby, construction of single storey extension. Action MBJ.
Lambourn Parish Council: No Objection
21/01024/HOUSE – 1 Berkley Cottages, Upper Lambourn Road, Upper Lambourn – Proposed single storey rear extension. Action VR.
Lambourn Parish Council: No Objection
21/00840/FUL – Ermin Street stables, Ermin Street, Lambourn Woodlands – Erection of replacement stables, demolition of existing stable structure which has become no longer fit for purpose. Action BJ.
Updated application will be submitted
21/01133/COMIND – Whitehouse Farm, Upper Lambourn Road, Upper Lambourn – Section 73 – Variation of Condition 2 of planning permission 18/02967/COMIND – Formation of racing stable complex, including change of use of land. Action VR
Lambourn Parish Council: No Objection
21/01097.COMIND – Land at New Barn Farm, Wantage Road, Lambourn – Construction of woodchip surfaced gallop with rails and associated landscaping and mitigation planting (part retrospective). Action MBJ
Lambourn Parish Council: No Objection
21/01181/FUL – Rhonehurst Stables, Unnamed Road from Malt Shovel Lane to Sarcens, Upper Lambourn – Outdoor manege. Action VR
Lambourn Parish Council: No Objection
21/01199/FUL – Rhonehurst Stables, Unnamed Road from Malt Shovel Lane to Saracens, Upper Lambourn – New horse walker and additional stables. Action VR
Lambourn Parish Council: No Objection
21/01188/CLASSR – Baydon Hole Farm, Unnamed Road to Baydon Hole Baydon – An application to determine if prior approval is required for a proposed: Change the use of an agricultural building to class b1/ b8 use. Action SC
Lambourn Parish Council: No Objection
There followed a number of agenda items including:
BURIALS OPEN SPACES AND ALLOTMENTS
Improvements to the middle lane playing field were discussed and it was agreed to form a working committee to further develop the ideas which will improve the visual appearance of the site. The council also discussed areas including 3Post Lane and Fulke Walwyn Way where there is a potential for enhancements and repairs. The Lambourn Environmental Group has been formed under the auspices of the Lambourn Junction Community Interest Company and will be working with a number of organisations including with a number of organisations including West Berkshire Council to plant trees in and around Lambourn.
Good progress is being made with the Local Neighbourhood Development Plan. The next stage is to issue a business survey to local organisations and businesses. The neighbourhood development plan group has applied for funding for the survey and is waiting for feedback. Proposal to transfer the remaining budget of £5500 into the LNDP account was approved.
There will be an audit of heritage assets in the parish and members of the public are encouraged to take part in the recording and documenting of the heritage of our parish. Training will be given by the West Berkshire Heritage Forum.
A potential review of the settlement boundaries for Eastbury and Upper Lambourn is being considered. At present Upper Lambourn does not have a settlement boundary and thus there is no definitive line which separates where development can take place and be considered part of the village envelope.
Moz proposed a new set of structures and responsibilities for committees and working parties. The intention is to streamline processes and cut out duplication by giving committees and working parties the power to make decisions without having to come back to the full council on every occasion. This was welcomed.
The monthly accounts were reviewed and approved by the council.
MONTHLY ACCOUNTS
Salaries (April) £3181.59
Backdated salaries (min wage increase) £210.42
Scofell Landscapes £997.99
Pete’s Logs £799.20
RBS Cemetery software £231.60
HALC £931.24
Viking £209.68
SSE (S/L Power) £452.80
Scofell Landscapes (grave digging) £300.00
Mr Billinge-Jones (zoom subscription) £14.39
Lambourn Surgery – Defib replacement pads £89.09
Auditing Solutions £414.00
Standing Orders:
LGPS (Pension) £1031.25
Castle Water (Hall Water) £32.66
Southern Electric (Hall electric) £94.00
Southern Electric (S/L) £651.62
LNDP: Mr Godfrey (drone footage) £17.50
Cllr Rieunier presented a proposal for the Lambourn Parish Council to apply for a “.gov.uk” internet domain name for the Lambourn Parish Council website as well as email addresses.
First and foremost, obtaining a .gov.uk domain for the council’s website and email accounts demonstrates the council’s official local government status. Members of the public are increasingly cyber security-aware, so a .gov.uk domain can also help to build trust, credibility and visibly demonstrate authenticity. Many people will now reasonably expect a local council to have a .gov.uk domain.
The council considered and approved the updated communications policy. A copy of the policy has been requested by the community website and will be published just as soon as it is received.
There are a number of vacancies on Lambourn Parish Council and Mr Barry introduced himself to the council as a prospective member for co-option. The council considered his application in private and at the time of writing it is not known if Mr Barry has been co-opted as a Lambourn Parish Councillor.
