Bramley Parish Council – November ’09 – Jane Payne

The November meeting had a very busy agenda filled with financial matters, environmental updates and reports from Councillors on various topics. The debate on SLRs and continued funding through 2010 eventually reached a compromise agreement as there was no conclusive proof that the signs reduce speeding traffic.  Around Basingstoke some Parishes have cancelled their SLR agreements while others, like Sherborne St John, have increased their commitment and upgraded to SIDs; SLRs remind motorists of the speed limit, SIDs display the actual speed. Bramley and Sherfield share signs and both councils need to agree whether there should be fewer signs during 2010 or the same number of signs as in 2009 but only for six months. Traffic continues to be a major issue for both villages and research into viable effective traffic calming measures is badly needed.

The Silchester Trail information board has now been installed on the corner of Bramley Lane. This is a way-marked path which begins and ends at Bramley station and reaches the Roman Wall at its most northern point. The complete circuit takes between 2.5-3hrs, although there are a number of possible shortcuts, and leaflets should be available in the near future. Many thanks to all those who gave their time to this project. The refresh of the Bramley Walks booklet is progressing well and draft versions of the walks will be made available prior to publication.

As the planning application for the Little Apples has not been submitted to B&DBC there was very little to report from either Friends of Farriers or the pre-school. The planning application should be made by early December.

Since this meeting the Parish Plan Steering Group has met and elected its officers. Jeremy Fellows, Craig Morley, Claire Penfold (Secretary) and Cathy Baker (Treasurer) will now take the process forward with Cllr Chris Tomblin providing the link into the Parish Council. The larger Steering Group will continue to meet and if you’d like to volunteer please turn up at the next meeting – 7.30pm, Wednesday December 9^th at Cross House

Full meeting minutes are available on notice boards, at the Post Office and on the village website (www.bramleyhampshire-pc.gov.uk). The next Parish Council meeting is on Monday 21st December, 7.30pm at the Village Hall.