Snapshot…of the Parish Council meeting on 11th February 2014. 

 

Planning Applications

One planning application, for a single storey side/rear extension, was tabled for consideration.  Further information about Planning Applications can be found on the Planning Advice section of the West Berkshire Council website.

 

Chieveley Parish Public Meeting

Over 130 members of the public attended a meeting on 1st February held at Chieveley Village Hall and Recreational Centre to discuss the possible housing sites identified in West Berkshire Council’s housing land assessment (the SHLAA).  The format of the meeting included time for members of the public to view the SHLAA plans; receive a short presentation on West Berkshire Council’s Site Allocations and Delivery Development Plan; and participate in an open forum (comments and questions) session.

A copy of the slides used in the presentation can be downloaded via housing presentation.  Slide 2 of the presentation outlines the objectives of the public meeting which were: for the Parish Council to hear local views to guide input to West Berkshire Council; to inform local residents of housing site allocations process now underway; to keep people informed as process continues; and to provide a focal point for evidence about local needs and aspirations.  Information about the community views about possible housing sites for Chieveley is provided in more detail in the Spotlight section below.

 

Bus Service 76

The Parish Council received an update note regarding bus service 76 from West Berkshire Council.  In the note it was stated that the final recommendation for the 76 Service will be considered by the Executive on 13 February and that, whilst the resulting bus service may not be exactly the same as at present, the recommendation will be that the service is retained in one form or another with the aim of reducing costs through improved route efficiencies and partnership working.

Key documentation

The Parish Council reviewed updated versions of the Record Management and Data Security Policy, and the Standing Orders and Financial Regulations.  The documents, subject to a suggested change regarding obtaining quotes for works, were approved and will be made available via the Parish Council pages on www.MyChieveley.co.uk in due course.

Curridge Playground Trust Land

The Parish Council discussed the land which is held in trust for the community. It was noted that should the community wish to improve and enhance the land then public open space developer contribution funding could be considered and/or applications made to a number of possible grant schemes.

Spotlight… on community views about possible housing sites for Chieveley

An initial snapshot of the results from the ‘We need your views about possible housing sites for Chieveley’ Questionnaire was presented to the Parish Council.  It was noted that 125 questionnaires were returned of which 117 were from residents of Chieveley and 8 were from residents of Oare.  Initial results indicate: that of the possible sites included in the Local Plan, around 70 questionnaires responded that Bardown (CHI021) should be included; around 69% of questionnaires responded that the number of houses that should be allocated to the next Local Plan period should be less than the previous 15-20 years; the impact on local traffic, views and Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB), and preserving open spaces are important issues for selecting new housing sites.

Whilst further work is required to finalise the results and to analyse the ‘free text’ comments provided by residents in the questionnaire, and via letters and emails, the Parish Council is keen to provide residents with an early and initial snapshot of their feedback and this can be downloaded via (insert link when available).   Further information, in the form of a report, will be made available in due course.

FAQ…of the month

Question – There is a pothole in the road, who do I report this to?

Answer – Please report the matter to West Berkshire Council using their Report A Problem service.

Next Meeting...

The next meeting of the Parish Council will take place at 7.30pm on 11th March 2014 at the Curridge WI Hall, Curridge, Berkshire, RG18 9DZ.    

Snapshot…of the Parish Council meeting on 11th March 2014. 

Planning Applications

Four planning applications were tabled for consideration:

·       One was for a proposed artificial grass sports pitch and games area for Chieveley Primary School

·       One was for the installation of two dormers to a roof

·       One was for a new road to gain access to a barn and workshop

·       One was for the erection of a purpose built bakery on land north of Orchard Barn.

Further information about Planning Applications can be found on the Planning Advice section of the West Berkshire Council website.

 

Site Allocations and Delivery Development Plan  

The Parish Council received an update from the Site Allocations and Delivery Development Plan Working Group and considered: a draft letter to the West Berkshire Planning Policy Team setting out the Parish Council’s position in response to the consultation; the Parish Council’s comments to the draft record of a consultation event held by West Berkshire Council for Parish Councils; and a draft report of the public meeting and questionnaire survey about possible housing sites for Chieveley.  When finalised, a copy of the report will be made available to residents via the Parish Council's pages on the MyChieveley web site.

The Parish Council also noted that the Working Group would continue to produce evidence of local needs using demographic data and meetings with local services, the school etc. and forward that evidence to West Berkshire Council in due course.

Parish Plan Action Plan

The Parish Council received a request to carry out a preliminary review of the action items detailed in the Chieveley, Oare and Curridge Parish Plan.  A copy of the Plan (a key Community document) can be downloaded here.

Superfast Broadband

The Parish Council received an update on progress with the Superfast Berkshire Programme and noted that a schedule of surveys were underway for the potential location of new fibre cabinets.  Information about the Programme, including plans and anticipated coverage can be found via the News section of the Superfast Berkshire web site.

Curridge Playground Trust Land

The Parish Council considered and approved the nomination of a new Trustee (Mr Hanrahan) to the Charity.   

Spotlight… on speed limit reviews

Councillor Cole outlined to the Parish Council some of the findings from two traffic (speed and volume) surveys undertaken on the High Street, Chieveley, and on Priors Court Road (to the east of the entrance to Priors Court School).  In the case of the High Street, Chieveley, the speed limit review was completed in response to a request from Councillor Cole for the introduction of a 20 mph speed limit along approximately 400 metres of the High Street.  The results of the surveys will be considered by a task group at West Berkshire Council and subject to full public consultation.  In West Berkshire requests for new or amendments to existing speed limits are considered twice yearly and further information can be found on the West Berkshire Council’s web pages for Speed Limits and Consultation.

FAQ…of the month

Question – I have seen a planning notice outside a property.  What does it mean?

Answer – Most local people first become aware there is a planning application being considered by West Berkshire Council when an orange notice is displayed outside the property or site.  The notice will give brief information about the purpose of the application and provides a planning application reference number.  If you wish to view or make a comment to West Berkshire Council about a planning application you can do so via the following link view or comment.  A copy of your correspondence should also be made available to Chieveley Parish Council.

Next Meeting...

The next meeting of the Parish Council will take place at 7.00pm on 8th April 2014 at the Chieveley Village Hall and Recreational Centre, High Street, Chieveley, Berkshire, RG20 8TE.  The meeting will be followed by the Parish Assembly at 8.00pm at which the guest speaker will be Andrew Lord, Planning Advisor, North Wessex Downs Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty.