Snapshot…of the Parish Council meeting on 8th April 2014. 

 

Planning Applications

Five planning applications were tabled for consideration:

·       One was for the erection of a timber famed and clad single garage

·       One was for the demolition of an existing rear extension and construction of a new single story

extension

·   One was for the demolition, alterations and extensions of existing nursery and pre-school accommodation

·       One was for the outline application for a new dwelling and vehicular access

·       One was for the replacement of a wall with a close boarded fence.

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 formally adopted the Report of Public Meeting and Questionnaire Survey about Possible Housing Sites for Chieveley.  A copy of the Report is available here.  Chieveley Parish Council would like to thank all those who completed and returned the questionnaire, and those who attended and participated in the Public Meeting.

2013/2014 Accounts

The Parish Council reviewed and approved the year end accounts for 2013/2014.

Public Rights of Way

The Parish Council noted that a number of small laminated notifications and maps had been placed on Public Rights of Way in the Parish.  New legislation requires landowners to advertise Public Rights of Way across their land and it was reported that this temporary signage merely confirms the existence of a Public Right of Way, and not that increased/decreased levels of access are planned.

Spotlight… on the Chairman’s Annual Report and the Parish Annual Assembly 2014

The Annual Parish Assembly followed the Parish Council Meeting.  The Annual Assembly commenced with the Chairman’s welcome, introduction, and Annual Report. 

The Annual Report included information about the Parish Council’s role and responsibility as a Statutory Consultee for a number of government agencies and District Council consultations, and in particular the part it is currently playing regarding West Berkshire Council’s Strategic Housing Land Availability Assessment (SHLAA) and Site Allocations and Delivery Plan.  Also included in the Annual Report was an overview of the income and expenditure for the 2013/14 Financial Year and the precept and budget for 2014/15.

A full transcript of the Annual Report and information given from presentations about the Parish Council’s Report and findings from the Public Meeting and Questionnaire Survey about Possible Housing Sites in Chieveley, and about the constraints and opportunities in Chieveley Parish being located in the North Wessex Downs Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (NW AONB), will be published on the MyChieveley web site in due course. 

The date of the next Parish Assembly is Tuesday 14th April 2015.   

FAQ…of the month

Question – Who has the final say on a planning application – the Parish Council or West Berkshire Council?

Answer – The Parish Council does not have the final say on a planning application.  It is only one of the consultees.  West Berkshire Council is the planning authority and it will make the final decision.  In the case of a refusal, appeal can be made to the Planning Inspectorate.  West Berkshire Council’s aim is to ensure that developments in the authority's boundaries are in the right place and of the highest quality.

 

Next Meeting...

The next meeting of the Parish Council will take place at 7.30pm on 13th May 2014 at the Chieveley Village Hall and Recreational Centre, High Street, Chieveley, Berkshire, RG20 8TE. 

Please be advised that the next Residents Meeting will be held at Newbury Showground on Monday 28th April 2014 at 6.30 p.m.

Please find the Agenda attached together with the Minutes of the last meeting held on 25th November 2013.

The next CRA meeting is on Wednesday 23rd April at 8pm at the WI hall.

Whilst this is not the annual open meeting, if any resident has any pressing issues or concerns that they would like to bring to the attention of the committee please email us in advance of the meeting so it can be added to the agenda.

All residents are welcome to attend this meeting to contribute to the discussion around any of the items on the agenda, which will be available on our website the day before the meeting.

2 Pilates morning classes will starting in May at the Curridge WI

WI Curridge Pilates Classes starting in May 2014
6 week class running over 7 weeks.    £45 for the 6 classes.

Tuesday's 9.30am
From 6th May 2014 to 17th June (no class on the 20th May)

Wednesday 10.30am
From 14th May to 25th June (no class on the 28th May)

These classes will run on a continual 6 week basis.

For more information contact Karen at SuccessFits Health & Fitness
Personal Training.   Pilates.   Massage Therapy.
www.successfits.co.uk     Mobile:07887 624204

The Bucklebury and Downlands Neighbourhood Team cover the areas of Bucklebury, Downlands, Cold Ash, Chieveley, Hermitage, Midgham and Woolhampton.

The latest crime statistics can be found by visiting www.police.uk (opens new window).  This website provides you with helpful information about crime and policing in your area. Enter your postcode, town, village or street into the search box, and get instant access to street-level crime maps and data, as well as details of the neighbourhood police team and ‘Have Your Say Events’. The level of crime and anti-social behaviour in the area remains below average compared with the rest of England and Wales. The crime rate in your neighbourhood for the period April 2013 to February 2014 inclusive as opposed to the same period in 2012/13 has reduced by 7%, with burglaries down by 15% and criminal damage down by 22%.

The neighbourhood has three priorities; rural crime, speeding, and anti social use of motor vehicles. If you have any concerns about crime or disorder in the Bucklebury & Downlands neighbourhood please email the address below or call the non emergency number for Thames Valley Police, 101.

At this time of year hare coursing again becomes an issue. If you see vehicles driving off road at any time of the day, or lights in fields at night then please call us. Likewise if you see persons walking on fields in a line with dogs then also call us.  

We have sourced road signs that are being delivered to your parish councilors advising motorists that they are entering a ‘police speed check area’.  Hopefully this will act as a reminder and warning to motorists not to speed.

Anti social use of motor vehicles, primarily 4X4’s and motorbikes using various rights of way causing criminal damage and annoyance is a new priority for the neighbourhood.  Two Section 59 warnings (which enable police to seize vehicles if caught twice in a twelve month period) have been issued in March for driving off road.  If you see vehicles driving off road or using restricted by-ways then please report it to us on 101.

A 55 year old male from Thatcham received a caution for a public order offence following an incident in Midgham on 1st February.  A 21 year old male from Swindon received a caution for possession of cannabis after being stopped by police on 11th February in Cold Ash.

Please make sure you report all crimes and any instances of anti social behaviour to Thames Valley Police so we can deal accordingly. Too often we are receiving calls from your parish councilors of incidents that should be reported to the police and too much time has passed by to be able to deal effectively.

Contact us

If you want any advice or would like to contact the neighbourhood team you can call us on the police non emergency number 101 but if your call is an emergency then dial 999. You can also contact us via email: [email protected] This e-mail address should not be used to contact Thames Valley Police to report crimes or for any urgent matters. If you have information about crime or Anti Social Behaviour in your area but you do not want to speak to the police, please call the Crimestoppers charity on 0800 555111. To view information on your neighbourhood team you can visit the force website at: www.thamesvalley.police.uk

Have you signed up to Thames Valley Alerts?

Thames Valley Alerts is the new system for receiving crime and policing updates for your area.   The state-of-the-art system allows anyone who signs up to choose what updates they receive and how they would like to receive it.    A new option includes receiving information via text and more traditional landline and email messages will still be available.   You can also filter the updates you receive by specifying the priority level of the messages you receive.

To sign up to receive alerts visit www.thamesvalleyalert.co.uk/