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inkpen parish council news
Annual
Parish Meeting Agenda for 2022 can be found here.
Annual Parish Meeting, Parish Council Chairman's Report for 2022 can be found here. Minutes of the meeting are here.
Parish Council Report issued by our ward members is available here.
Inkpen Annual Parish Meeting:
The Inkpen Annual Parish Meeting was held on Thursday 28th April 2022 – this is an annual meeting as advertised on the notice boards and website, when Councillors meet residents in the Parish to review the activities over the past year and respond to questions. A copy of the reports on activities of the Parish Council and the Inkpen Memorial Playing Field, for which the Parish Council is both the Corporate and Custodian Trustees, are placed on the Inkpen website for reference following the meeting.
Inkpen Annual Parish Council Meeting:
Inkpen Annual Parish Council Meeting was held on Thursday 19th May 2022. This is an annual meeting as advertised on the notice boards and on this website. At this meeting, which is always held in May, the position of Chairman must be the subject of an election every year, even if the same person ends up being elected. It is helpful to elect a Vice Chairman to chair meetings if the Chairman is absent.
Those elected for 2022/2023 are:
Parish Council Chairman: Dr David Thomas;
Parish Council Vice Chairman: Councillor Claire Jones;
Planning sub-committee Chairman: Councillor Mark Bates;
Planning sub-committee Vice Chairman: Councillor Robert May.
It was noted that people need to be encouraged to get involved with village life as it was disappointing that more residents did not attend the Annual Parish meeting or the Annual Parish Council meeting, especially as there will be Parish elections in 2023. Various ways of communicating were discussed, and the Parish Council will be evaluating all forms of media communication for the legal notices, to include those without internet access.
Anyone interested in standing for election to the Parish Council in 2023 should contact the Parish Clerk.
Planning Applications for consideration were:
22/00973/House: The Glen, Craven Rd. Inkpen – new roof to existing garage with conversion of roof space to home office;
22/00959/060 Kirby House, Inkpen – internal alterations and new roof;
22/01192 Ivy House, Post Office Rd. – ground floor side extension, first floor extension and internal alterations.
All planning details and reports can be found on the WBC website www.westberks.gov.uk
Conservation Area Appraisal:
The Parish Conservation Area appraisal was discussed at the Parish Council meeting to update and identify special areas and those of historic interest of the conservation area is required in conjunction with the Inkpen History Group. This appraisal details what makes an area special and will guide the character and appearance of development in the area and inform the determination of planning applications.
Bedwyn Trains Passenger Group:
The Paddington direct IET off-peak services are permanently being axed from May and replaced by diesel shuttle services to Newbury. It represents a significant downgrading of the train services from Kintbury & Hungerford to possibly as few as two direct London services a day and at other times the very real prospect of being stranded at Newbury for an hour when the evening connection back fails. If you use the local rail service and wish to know more, please contact Steve Smith and be added to the email list: info@bedwyntrains.org.uk
Mobile Library Dates:
The mobile library will call at Inkpen on 7th and 28th June and will be stopping at: Craven Rd from 2.20 to 2.50pm and at Inkpen School at 3.05 to 4pm. The library service is being reviewed so please use the service to show if you wish it to continue.
Land Grabbing in Inkpen:
There have a few cases notified recently to the Parish Council where residents seek to extend their garden curtilage into the Inkpen open countryside/paddock land. Inkpen is located within the AONB and conserving the open landscape and scenic beauty is of paramount importance – any development needs to respect and enhance the character and appearance of the area. All applications for extension of the curtilage requires planning permission and must be referred to West Berkshire Council. Any incidents of encroachment will be notified to West Berkshire Council for investigation and enforcement. Effective planning enforcement is important to maintain public confidence and to ensure that we ‘enhance and conserve’ the open aspect of the Inkpen countryside for the enjoyment of all residents and visitors to the area.
Speeding and changes in the Highway Code:
Speeding continues to be a problem in all rural area as well as Inkpen and WBC will be carrying out some monitoring in the Inkpen area shortly. Please keep your speed down and be alert to the wildlife, dog walkers, children going to school, older residents, ramblers and horses that are also using the road.
Fire Safety
The Royal Berkshire Fire & Rescue Service (rbfrs) has recently updated its website (www.rbfrs.co.uk ) with fire safety content and gives handy hints on what to do in an emergency situation – we all hope it will never happen but if a fire starts in your home, you need to know what to do – it could save your life ! Don’t investigate the fire or try to tackle it; dont look for valuables, jewellery, documents, photographs or whatever; only open the doors you need to; crawl out if there is smoke – smoke is poisonous and can kill and keep low where the air is cleaner. Call 999 and don’t go back in leave it to the professional fire and rescue service.
Thames Valley Police
Thames Valley Police are keen for your help in reporting any areas where you feel unsafe in the District. There is a new pilot service called StreetSafe hosted via the Met Police website where issues can be reported. StreetSafe is a service for anyone to anonymously tell the police about public places where you have felt, or feel unsafe, because of environmental factors e.g. vandalism and/or because of certain behaviours e.g. being followed or verbally abused.
Please make reports via the following link: StreetSafe | Metropolitan Police (see at the end the home page where is says: ‘No – Continue to StreetSafe’) Please note that StreetSafe is not a replacement for reporting crime or incidents this should still be done via 101 or online.
Fly tipping:
Fly tipping has not ceased & is illegal: the trees in Folly Rd. are covered by a Tree Protection Order and are in danger of disease affecting the roots due to decomposing vegetation. Please help to protect the environment by not fly-tipping and disposing of waste responsibly. Fly-tipping is a serious criminal offence. Cases of fly-tipping need to be reported to the local authority.
Responsibilities for Riparian Ditches and flood risk:
Please can landowners make sure the ditch adjacent to your property on the road side is clear to accept the natural flow of water during the winter months. The water must not be diverted or obstructed in any way without the permission. Where the water course is sited between two or more properties, each owner is equally responsible. You may be held liable if your obstruction causes a flood to a neighbouring property.
New Government Planning Policies:
New requirements have been set out by Government in the updated and published NPPF 2021 (National Planning Policy Framework) and in the new National Model Design Code documents, which sets out that new development needs to reflect local character, as well as protecting and enhancing the environment and mitigate climate change. Improvements to biodiversity should also be integrated into design. Development, which is not well designed or fails to reflect local character/design is liable to be refused. Permission should be refused for major development within the AONB other than in exceptional circumstances. An important insertion is the contribution that trees make to the character and quality of the environment. For reference www.gov.uk
Dog Warden:
If anyone has issues with dog fights, dog fouling etc etc. the Public Protection Partnership has arranged for the animal warden to be contacted on 01635 519171 to discuss specific issues or problems that you may have.
Inkpen Parish Council meetings:
Inkpen Parish Council meetings are advertised on the village notice boards and on this official village website in advance of the meeting. The draft minutes of meetings are available on the website for reference. The next Parish Council meeting will be held in the Inkpen pavilion on Tuesday 21st June 2022 starting at 7.30pm depending on Councillors availability. Gloria Keene - Clerk to Inkpen Parish Council. Mobile 07704 718475. Email: parishclerk@inkpenvillage.co.uk
Annual Parish Meeting, Parish Council Chairman's Report for 2022 can be found here. Minutes of the meeting are here.
Parish Council Report issued by our ward members is available here.
Inkpen Annual Parish Meeting:
The Inkpen Annual Parish Meeting was held on Thursday 28th April 2022 – this is an annual meeting as advertised on the notice boards and website, when Councillors meet residents in the Parish to review the activities over the past year and respond to questions. A copy of the reports on activities of the Parish Council and the Inkpen Memorial Playing Field, for which the Parish Council is both the Corporate and Custodian Trustees, are placed on the Inkpen website for reference following the meeting.
Inkpen Annual Parish Council Meeting:
Inkpen Annual Parish Council Meeting was held on Thursday 19th May 2022. This is an annual meeting as advertised on the notice boards and on this website. At this meeting, which is always held in May, the position of Chairman must be the subject of an election every year, even if the same person ends up being elected. It is helpful to elect a Vice Chairman to chair meetings if the Chairman is absent.
Those elected for 2022/2023 are:
Parish Council Chairman: Dr David Thomas;
Parish Council Vice Chairman: Councillor Claire Jones;
Planning sub-committee Chairman: Councillor Mark Bates;
Planning sub-committee Vice Chairman: Councillor Robert May.
It was noted that people need to be encouraged to get involved with village life as it was disappointing that more residents did not attend the Annual Parish meeting or the Annual Parish Council meeting, especially as there will be Parish elections in 2023. Various ways of communicating were discussed, and the Parish Council will be evaluating all forms of media communication for the legal notices, to include those without internet access.
Anyone interested in standing for election to the Parish Council in 2023 should contact the Parish Clerk.
Planning Applications for consideration were:
22/00973/House: The Glen, Craven Rd. Inkpen – new roof to existing garage with conversion of roof space to home office;
22/00959/060 Kirby House, Inkpen – internal alterations and new roof;
22/01192 Ivy House, Post Office Rd. – ground floor side extension, first floor extension and internal alterations.
All planning details and reports can be found on the WBC website www.westberks.gov.uk
Conservation Area Appraisal:
The Parish Conservation Area appraisal was discussed at the Parish Council meeting to update and identify special areas and those of historic interest of the conservation area is required in conjunction with the Inkpen History Group. This appraisal details what makes an area special and will guide the character and appearance of development in the area and inform the determination of planning applications.
Bedwyn Trains Passenger Group:
The Paddington direct IET off-peak services are permanently being axed from May and replaced by diesel shuttle services to Newbury. It represents a significant downgrading of the train services from Kintbury & Hungerford to possibly as few as two direct London services a day and at other times the very real prospect of being stranded at Newbury for an hour when the evening connection back fails. If you use the local rail service and wish to know more, please contact Steve Smith and be added to the email list: info@bedwyntrains.org.uk
Mobile Library Dates:
The mobile library will call at Inkpen on 7th and 28th June and will be stopping at: Craven Rd from 2.20 to 2.50pm and at Inkpen School at 3.05 to 4pm. The library service is being reviewed so please use the service to show if you wish it to continue.
Land Grabbing in Inkpen:
There have a few cases notified recently to the Parish Council where residents seek to extend their garden curtilage into the Inkpen open countryside/paddock land. Inkpen is located within the AONB and conserving the open landscape and scenic beauty is of paramount importance – any development needs to respect and enhance the character and appearance of the area. All applications for extension of the curtilage requires planning permission and must be referred to West Berkshire Council. Any incidents of encroachment will be notified to West Berkshire Council for investigation and enforcement. Effective planning enforcement is important to maintain public confidence and to ensure that we ‘enhance and conserve’ the open aspect of the Inkpen countryside for the enjoyment of all residents and visitors to the area.
Speeding and changes in the Highway Code:
Speeding continues to be a problem in all rural area as well as Inkpen and WBC will be carrying out some monitoring in the Inkpen area shortly. Please keep your speed down and be alert to the wildlife, dog walkers, children going to school, older residents, ramblers and horses that are also using the road.
Fire Safety
The Royal Berkshire Fire & Rescue Service (rbfrs) has recently updated its website (www.rbfrs.co.uk ) with fire safety content and gives handy hints on what to do in an emergency situation – we all hope it will never happen but if a fire starts in your home, you need to know what to do – it could save your life ! Don’t investigate the fire or try to tackle it; dont look for valuables, jewellery, documents, photographs or whatever; only open the doors you need to; crawl out if there is smoke – smoke is poisonous and can kill and keep low where the air is cleaner. Call 999 and don’t go back in leave it to the professional fire and rescue service.
Thames Valley Police
Thames Valley Police are keen for your help in reporting any areas where you feel unsafe in the District. There is a new pilot service called StreetSafe hosted via the Met Police website where issues can be reported. StreetSafe is a service for anyone to anonymously tell the police about public places where you have felt, or feel unsafe, because of environmental factors e.g. vandalism and/or because of certain behaviours e.g. being followed or verbally abused.
Please make reports via the following link: StreetSafe | Metropolitan Police (see at the end the home page where is says: ‘No – Continue to StreetSafe’) Please note that StreetSafe is not a replacement for reporting crime or incidents this should still be done via 101 or online.
Fly tipping:
Fly tipping has not ceased & is illegal: the trees in Folly Rd. are covered by a Tree Protection Order and are in danger of disease affecting the roots due to decomposing vegetation. Please help to protect the environment by not fly-tipping and disposing of waste responsibly. Fly-tipping is a serious criminal offence. Cases of fly-tipping need to be reported to the local authority.
Responsibilities for Riparian Ditches and flood risk:
Please can landowners make sure the ditch adjacent to your property on the road side is clear to accept the natural flow of water during the winter months. The water must not be diverted or obstructed in any way without the permission. Where the water course is sited between two or more properties, each owner is equally responsible. You may be held liable if your obstruction causes a flood to a neighbouring property.
New Government Planning Policies:
New requirements have been set out by Government in the updated and published NPPF 2021 (National Planning Policy Framework) and in the new National Model Design Code documents, which sets out that new development needs to reflect local character, as well as protecting and enhancing the environment and mitigate climate change. Improvements to biodiversity should also be integrated into design. Development, which is not well designed or fails to reflect local character/design is liable to be refused. Permission should be refused for major development within the AONB other than in exceptional circumstances. An important insertion is the contribution that trees make to the character and quality of the environment. For reference www.gov.uk
Dog Warden:
If anyone has issues with dog fights, dog fouling etc etc. the Public Protection Partnership has arranged for the animal warden to be contacted on 01635 519171 to discuss specific issues or problems that you may have.
Inkpen Parish Council meetings:
Inkpen Parish Council meetings are advertised on the village notice boards and on this official village website in advance of the meeting. The draft minutes of meetings are available on the website for reference. The next Parish Council meeting will be held in the Inkpen pavilion on Tuesday 21st June 2022 starting at 7.30pm depending on Councillors availability. Gloria Keene - Clerk to Inkpen Parish Council. Mobile 07704 718475. Email: parishclerk@inkpenvillage.co.uk
The agendas and minutes of past council meetings, financial
information, details of the council Code of Conduct, register of
Interests of councillors, grant application forms
etc. can be found here.
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