Rooksdown Parish Council is the lowest tier of local government, looking after the people of the Rooksdown community in Basingstoke. Here you can find details of council meetings, finances, community facilities, Facebook groups, allotments, and back copies of the Rooksdown Reporter – the community newsletter.
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As required by law, the Notice of Conclusion of Audit 2023, dated 26 September 2023, for the Parish Council is now available.
All the other budget, financial and audit reports for this and previous years are available in the Financial Reports folder.
There are 2 vacancies for Parish Councillors on Rooksdown Parish Council – see Vacancy Notice
Parish councils are audited every year to make sure the financial management is in order.
There are two audits:
As part of the process, the council must open its books to any resident of the parish who wishes to inspect them. This is explained in the Notice of Public Rights. If you wish to inspect the accounts during this period, please make an appointment with the Chairman of the Parish Council.
The Annual Governance and Accountability Return includes the internal audit report and the financial statements. There is additional supporting information. At the moment the Annual Governance and Accountability Return is in its unaudited – provisional – form. When the external audit is complete it will be accompanied by an audit certificate
Summary of the discussion regarding the Bewley Homes Public Exhibition on the proposed development on land at Weybrook Golf Course – Parish Council meeting 24 October 2022.
| Parish Council meeting – Item 22/208 Consultations – To discuss the recent public exhibition by Bewley Homes on the proposed development on land at Weybrook Park Golf Course and agree Parish Council response. Cllrs Knights and How confirmed they had attended the public exhibition by Bewley Homes on the proposed development at Weybrook Park Golf Course. The consultation team had been welcoming. The detail of the proposal including summaries are contained in the documents in Appendix 3. Site Access Permanent access would be from a roundabout located on the A340 towards Tadley past Gales Garage. Bewley confirmed they were also investigating with BDBC the possibility of providing a ‘right turn’ lane into Elm Lane at the bottom of the hill. No permanent access was planned through Rooksdown lane. One to watch. Construction access. Construction access via the permanent access was questionable. The consultation team spoke of early access during construction being via a road in the golf course site towards the old ‘green keeper’s’ hut. This could mean construction traffic entering the site via Rooksdown Lane up to the Golf Course entrance. One to watch. Cycle Path access via Rooksdown Lane / The Spinney The consultation team discussed the idea of providing walking and cycle path access via Rooksdown Lane/The Spinney. They said that as an offset to this, at a previous site with a similar layout, they provided financial support to ensure that the area had improved biodiversity alongside the walking/cycle access. They mentioned that they were in contact with the maintainer of the Spinney (Lands Trust?) about this issue. Further information required Traffic surveys The consultation team had ongoing traffic surveys especially on the A340 use. They estimated an average of 20 vehicles an hour entering/leaving the site once complete. Questions were raised around peak periods (7 till 9 & 4 till 6) but no estimates were available. The risk of ‘rat running’ through Rooksdown to access the A339 to Newbury was raised. One to watch. Environment The construction team set a good impression that they would be sympathetic to the local setting, retaining tree lines where possible and taking an understanding of the biodiversity of the area. Parking The construction team would meet local and national requirements in relation to parking and where possible raise above. Amenities The construction team were open to ideas about amenities but had no plans currently to add to this via this development. They seemed interested in gaining an insight in the recent community canvassing undertaken in Rooksdown Freehold of the Golf Course The construction team explained that the freehold of the golf course would be going to the golf course, with a pot of money to ensure that the golf course remains, rather than to the members individually. The proposed Parish Council consultation response to Bewley Homes is available at Appendix 4. Action – Clerk to send the consultation response to Bewley Homes (copy below) Action – Cllr Mahoney also took an action to link in the Chair at Sherborne St John to understand how they were responding to the consultation and to invite members of the Parish Council to attend any future meeting with the developers. |
PARISH COUNCIL RESPONSE TO BEWLEY HOMES PROPOSED DEVELOPMENT ON LAND AT WEYBROOK PARK GOLF COURSE
Subject: RE: Weybrook Park – Engagement with Council Officers and Councillor – Rooksdown Parish Council
Good morning,
Thank you for the opportunity to attend your public exhibition on the proposed development at Weybrook Park Golf Course. The Rooksdown Parish Council attendees found the exhibition to be welcoming and informative.
Areas of interest for Rooksdown Parish Council fall into the following categories:
As most of the items listed above are still at an early stage of consideration in your planning, it is difficult to provide more specific feedback, however, the Parish Council is very keen to have an ‘open’ dialogue with you as the developer in relation to these items so that we can achieve positive outcomes for all the residents near the development.
We are of the understanding that you will further engage with the Parish Council and the residents we represent, and we would welcome you attending a formal Parish Council meeting.
Our next meeting is on Monday 28th November 2022 at 7.30pm at Rooksdown Community Centre, Basingstoke RG24 9XA. Can you please confirm you will be able to attend.
Regards,
