Village Telephone Kiosk Update
BT Phone Kiosk to be removed
Following the Parish Council meeting on the 3rd September, a consultation process was initiated in the village. Posters outlining the options available were posted on notice boards and the website and a leaflet drop was made soliciting community opinion by the 10th October. The BT deadline for Parish Council intervention was 1st November.

The Parish Council received only four responses, two in favour of adoption, one in favour of sponsorship and one encouraging it's disposal.

Councillors determined that the lack of use and active support for keeping the payphone did not warrant Parish Council expenditure and thus allowed the deadline to pass. This decision was ratified by full council on the 5th November. The payphone will therefore be removed by BT in due course.
Alan Breadmore
Clerk to East Garston Parish Council

At the Parish Council Meeting on the 3rd September the response from BT reference
East Garston Pay Phone Box was considered.
As you probably know, BT has proposed to remove the Payphone in Humphreys Lane. Following representations by the Parish Council and West Berks Council, this decision was delayed pending investigation of the financial and social implications. Data has now been provided by BT stating that, in the past 12 months the East Garston Payphone had been used for 6 (six) calls. The Parish Council have therefore decided that they feel unable to pressure BT any more given the low level of usage.

However BT is offering Parish Councils two options regarding "rescuing" at-risk Payphone boxes.

1) Sponsor a Kiosk – which would allow Parish Councils to subsidise the maintenance of a kiosk for an annual fee of £500 and thus keep the Payphone.
2) Adopt a Kiosk – which would allow Parish Councils to "buy" the Phone box (without telephony) as a piece of architectural heritage for £1. In addition there would be a cost to the Parish of approx £50-£75 per annum for electricity, maintenance, insurance etc.

The Parish Council’s current position is that option 1 would not be viable since there is clearly no demand. They are considering whether option 2 is desirable and are anxious to know parishioners’ views before making a decision.

You may also be interested to know that the East Garston Parish Community Plan Group are investigating ways in which mobile phone reception in the village may be improved. If you wish your opinions re the Payphone box to be taken into account by the Parish Council, positive or negative then please contact;

Alan Breadmore
Lime Tree Cottage
Back Street
East Garston
Hungerford, RG17 7EY

Clerk to East Garston Parish Council
Tel: 01488 648851
Email: egpc@breadmore.me.uk

No later than Friday 10th October 2008
At the Parish Council Meeting on the 3rd September the response from BT reference
East Garston Pay Phone Box was considered.
In simple terms BT provided the data requested regarding the usage of the Pay Phone. The answer was that in the past 12 month the East Garston Pay Phone had been used for 6 (six) calls. BT also outlined that that they will be offering Parish Councils two options regarding "rescuing" at-risk pay phone boxes.

1) Allowing Parish Councils to "take over" the management of local call boxes for an annual rent, (and of course keeping the revenue). The detail is not yet established but this rent is likely to be of the order of £500.


2) Allowing Parish Councils to "buy" the Phone box (without telephony) as a piece of architectural heritage for a nominal amount - possibly £1. The maintenance would then become the responsibility of the Parish.

The Parish Council's position on this is that at first sight they feel unable to pressure BT any more given the low level of usage and are prepared to go into local consultation regarding either of the above proposals once the full details are available. I will keep you informed.
Alan Breadmore
Clerk to East Garston Parish Council

I have been informed today, 26th of June, that West Berks have exercised their power of local veto under the Communications Act 2003 citing the evidence of the Parish Council. However this is not necessarily a total reprieve, BT have been asked to provide 5 year usage data for the phone box so that the business case can be better understood and WBC will then enter further consultation in the village. However in the short term the box stays. I'll keep you informed.
Alan Breadmore
Clerk to East Garston Parish Council
West Berks have confirmed to me that they have received the representations from the Parish Council and that these will be included in the consultation process. The consultation process will continue for another 3 weeks and input from individuals and organisations is welcome (encouraged). You may know that virtually all of the phone boxes in the valley are under threat so this is becoming a key issue. If you feel strongly, you should make your own representation to the consultation process by writing to WBC. The contact is Lee McQuade, lmcquade@westberks.gov.uk
Alan Breadmore
Clerk to East Garston Parish Council
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