Lambourn Parish Council Meeting Report

Please note that this article is a summary of the meeting taken by the Lambourn.org Editor and is not the formal meeting minutes. Any questions relating to items discussed should be addressed to the Clerk of Lambourn Parish Council: lambournpc@btconnect.com
More information about Lambourn Parish Council, the councillors and how the Council works can be found here.

1 July 2020

The Lambourn Parish Council met by ZOOM to discuss the items which were listed on the published agenda. Mike Billinge-Jones welcomed everyone to the meeting and reminded participants that the deadline for registering for the ZOOM meeting is 12 noon on the day of the meeting.

The minutes of the previous meeting were agreed as accurate with some discussions and clarifications. There were no objections or clarifications to the financial report.

Planning Applications
The following planning applications were discussed and the recommendations will be passed to West Berkshire Council.

Editors note: Planning applications, including plans, are available to view on-line at the West Berkshire Council website. Comments can be made via the website or by email / mail.

20/01333/FUL – Unit 4 Farncombe Farm, Baydon Road, Lambourn – Retrospective change of use from agricultural to Class B2.
No objection from Lambourn Parish Council
20/01280/FUL – Saxon Cottage, Upper Lambourn – Erection of replacement dwelling and garage.
No objection from Lambourn Parish Council
20/00629/COMIND – Land Opp Malt Shovel Lane, Upper Lambourn – Enlargement of approved building & increase in site area (new building) and solar panels to roof.
No objection from Lambourn Parish Council
20/01264/FULMAJ – Fognam Farm, Upper Lambourn – Equine pre-training, rest, rehabilitation and recuperation facility for racehorses, including removal of existing building, erection of new three bedroom managers house, garage store building with office above, 2no. staff accommodation units, conversion of existing building to form 28no. Stables, new horse walker, new lunge pen, all weather turn out and canter track.
Objection from Lambourn Parish Council on basis of encroachment on SSSI within AONB and due to lack of information from the application.
20/01365/HOUSE – Hyde Farm Cottage, Sheepdrove, Lambourn – Erection of new boundary wall and post and panel fence.
No objection from Lambourn Parish Council

Two other planning applications were discussed which were not on the agenda issued 24th June.

RAISING THE PARISH COUNCIL PROFILE
Mark proposed to raise the profile of LPC through participation in social media. The feeling is that the many positive actions of LPC are not effectively communicated to the Parish. Mark suggested a working party be set up to work on this topic which was agreed.

WEST BERKSHIRE SPEEDING CONSULTATION
The council discussed issues relating to speeding. A fundamental issue seems to be that data relating to speeding needs to be collected using the SID device. From past data gathered it appears that most of the speeders seem to be coming from Lambourn. West Berkshire has asked for comments from the LPC relating to different options and measures which could be taken to address speeding.

VILLAGE WARDEN(S) FOR LAMBOURN AND UPPER LAMBOURN
Moz explained the work of the Village Wardens in Eastbury and how their work and engagement relates to the Eastbury emergency plan. A working party was established to determine how village wardens could work for Lambourn based on the successful Eastbury model.

EASTBURY PLAYGROUND EQUIPMENT
Moz asked for an approval to repair playground equipment within the budgets set. This was agreed. A quote for playground equipment was approved.

FINANCE COMMITTEE ADDITIONAL EXPENDITURE
The council discussed how the Memorial Hall can be made into a safe space and working environment with Covid regulations. The finance committee was asked to consider the potential additional spend.

LOCAL NEIGHBOURHOOD DEVELOPMENT PLAN
A short update was presented.

SEWERAGE ISSUES
Thames Water have been cleaning the sewers and will video surveillance to determine where there are defects in the sewers. A working group is in the process of being formed comprising of Thames Water, Lambourn Parish Council, West Berkshire Council.

CO-OPTION POLICY
The council agreed to the draft co-option policy to appoint councillors by co-option rather than by election.

SUSPENSION OF COUNCIL MEETINGS FOR SUMMER BREAK
It was agreed to discuss planning applications and urgent business by Zoom on the 5th August with a 7pm start.