PRESENT Cllr R J Whiston (Chairman)

Cllr A J Cairns

Cllr S J Danks

Cllr Dr J M Parker (from Item 13, Minute no. 227/05)

Cllr Mrs I A Scott

In attendance: PC Andy McGill and PC Belinda Sparks

Mark Jones, Parish Handyman

R D Gurney, Clerk to the Parish Council

These were received and accepted from Cllr Dearden, Cllr Mrs Hayward, Cllr Pitt and Cllr Mrs Thomas.

None.

PC McGill was invited to address the meeting. He reported that there had been two reports of theft from cars on pub car parks in the village, theft of diesel fuel from vehicles is an increasing problem in the area, and Satnav systems are the latest target for thieves.

He commented on two recent accidents at Churchill crossroads and the problem of signage is being followed up as a priority. The Chairman asked whether the speed cameras will be used again, as this has been a on-going problem for the Parish Council.

PC McGill’s attention was drawn to the missing section of fencing at the nursery site.

ADJOURNMENT FOR PUBLIC COMMENT

(No members of the public were in attendance).

County Cllr Clee was not in attendance and there was no report.

It was proposed by Cllr Whiston, seconded by Cllr Mrs Scott, and resolved that the Minutes, being a true and accurate record of the proceedings of the meeting, be signed by the Chairman.

It was agreed that this item be discussed at this time, as Mark Jones was in attendance. The Clerk reported a meeting he had had that afternoon with Andy Broome and Brian Cooper (of the HPU) and Mark Jones. This proved to be a very helpful and useful meeting as the extent of the work which can be undertaken was detailed. The current agreement would run to the end of March 2006 and is reviewed annually thereafter. A

monthly assessment/report is sent to the HPU by the Clerk and payment is then received: this is up to £2,000 per year. Signs, tools and equipment are provided by the HPU. There will be a need to produce a standard letter for Mark Jones which can be delivered to residents whose trees overhang the highway.

In discussion with Mark Jones he agreed that he would be able to work one day per week as the lengthsman and half a day per week as the handyman, the latter being paid solely by the PC. This will be confirmed in writing by the Clerk.

The Clerk was asked to find out the ownership of the bank in front of the school, prior to work being done on the footpath. Mark Jones was asked to clear litter from The Avenue and to undertake some strimming of undergrowth in the “no mans land” area.

(1) Parish Web site. Malcolm Hall was not able to attend and there was no report.

(2) Kinver Waste site scheme. Mr John Farmer was unable to attend, but will be able to speak at the January meeting.

(3) Blakedown Playground. There was no report.

(4) Stream course adj. Churchill Lane. No report has been received from the Environment Agency and this will be chased by the Clerk.

(5) WCC Assistance with Street Lighting. The Clerk reported that he has still not received any response from Pirelli, but he will pursue the matter.

(6) Request for Footway along A.451, Iverley. The Chairman reported that this scheme is not likely to proceed at the current time.

(7) Parish Charter. The Clerk has informed Mrs Edwards at CALC that the Parish Council had not signed up to the Charter, because of concerns felt by Members. It is possible that the Chairman will be contacted on the subject. (It is understood that Chaddesley Corbett PC has also not signed up).

(8) Tree issues, The Avenue, Blakedown. The Clerk has not had a reply from CALC on any legal issues involved.

(9) Churchill crossroads. The Clerk has not had a reply from County Cllr Clee and the Clerk will inform him of the concerns of the police, following two recent accidents. The Clerk to write to WFDC asking why the PC comments on the planning application in Rocky Lane have been ignored.

(10) Planning permission at 21 Birmingham Road, Blakedown. The reply dated 25.11.05 from WFDC was enclosed with the agenda. The Clerk was asked to respond to enquire of the WFDC procedure for S.106 contributions and for details of the contributions for each school.

(11) Network Rail/Street light no. 1, Churchill Lane. The Clerk reported that Network Rail agree that this street light column is not on land within their ownership and the agreement is terminated. The invoices for 2004 and 2005 have been cancelled.

(12) Footpath CB 531, off Birmingham Road. No reply has been received to date.

(13) Meeting with WFDC 23^rd November 2005. There was no report available.

(14) WAAG. The end of year report was enclosed with the agenda and noted.

(1) It was resolved that the comments on the following applications, as detailed, be sent to Wyre Forest DC:

WF/05/1148 Fell 8 trees and prune 14 trees, 1 Mill Lane, Blakedown

No objection.

WF/05/1156 Two storey and single storey extensions, 96 Belbroughton Road, Blakedown

No objection.

WF/05/1160 Formation of drinking terrace with wall/fencing and demountable bollards to car park access and egress, Old House at Home PH, 26 Birmingham Road, Blakedown

No objection

WF/05/1165 Alterations and refurbishment including new internal disabled toilet, ramped accesses to building and parking for disabled persons, Blakedown Parish Room, Belbroughton Road, Blakedown

No objection, but note that the existing herringbone car parking has been deleted.

No objection.

WF/05/1193 Single storey extension, Parrs Farm, Stourbridge Road, Ismere

No objection

(2) That the following Decision Notices be noted:

WF/0939/05 LBC: replacement windows, door and frame, Attlee House, Churchill - GRANTED

WF/0940/05 LBC: refurbishment, making good brick structure, installation of doors and windows, new external opening, Attlee House, Churchill - GRANTED

WF/05/0985 Extensions, Stagg Hill, 17 New Wood Lane, Blakedown - GRANTED

The Clerk reported that he had queried the street lighting account for the year 2004/5, which was received in April 2005 and, in spite of written and verbal reminders, has not received any response. In spite of these a letter has recently been received from a firm of debt collectors. Together with the account for the Summer Quarter for 2005 the total outstanding is stated to be £572.14p. Npower officers have stated that if the claimed amount is paid the queries will continue to be investigated and any adjustment made is the

next account. It was agreed that this account be paid and that a further reminder letter be sent to npower.

(1) The Clerk reported that the current account today stands at £606.24p and the Instant Access account stands at £14,156.20p, giving a total credit balance of £14,762.44p.

(2) It was proposed by Cllr Mrs Scott, seconded by Cllr Danks, and resolved that the following accounts be approved for payment:

Staples UK Ltd, photocopying, stamps - November

£3.80 + £0.04 VAT £ 3.84

Vernon Rudge £ 80.00

Worcestershire CALC, Clerk’s training 30.11.05 £ 20.00

Society of Local Council Clerks - subscription, 2006 £ 84.00

Churchill Village Hall Committee (2 meetings) £ 25.00

Mark Jones (handyman), 4 weeks to 8.12.05 £320.00

Npower, 2004/5 and Summer 2005, £491.97 + £79.17 VAT £572.14

The Clerk reported that he had received an email from Mr Griffiths informing him that the scheme is to be pursued and, after discussion with the WFDC planners and housing associations, a further report will be made to keep the Parish Council informed.

It was agreed that the Clerk asks RoSPA to undertake the annual inspection of the playground an equipment.

The Clerk reminded the Council that WFDC intended to start this service in January 2006, but there had been many expressions of concern with the speed of its introduction and the inability of local councils to accept applications electronically. However, Mr Parker, Head of Planning, is proposing, first, that WFDC purchases a laptop and projector for each parish council, so that all plans can be viewed via a CD and, second, that training is given. The introduction has been delayed until the Spring and, meanwhile, a trial run is proposed with two parish/town councils. The Clerk was content to accept this offer, but it is understood that Bewdley TC and Rock PC have already volunteered.

It was agreed that this item be deferred.

The Clerk reported that it had been his intention to present a draft budget at this meeting, but there were several matters to be resolved, particularly the adoption of the lengthsman scheme (now agreed). WFDC does not require the parish precept until mid February and, therefore, the draft budget will be presented at the next meeting.

The Clerk reported that Mr Parker, Head of Planning, would not be able to attend (as this clashes with WFDC Council meeting), but he suggested that one of his officers would be able to attend. It was agreed that it would be preferable for Mr Parker to attend a meeting of the Parish Council, not the Annual Meeting. The Clerk was asked to speak to Paul Allen, Hurcott Wood Ranger to attend. Mark Jones has also agreed to be in attendance.

The MAIL had been circulated earlier and the Executive Officers report to the Area Meeting was circulated with the agenda; this was noted.

1. Kinver PC agenda papers

2. WCC - notice for tree Warden - put on web site

3. WCC Winter gritting routes - put on web site

4. West Mercia Constabulary - Police force restructuring proposals

5. CPRE Fieldwork magazine

6. WFDC Register of Electors 2006

None

Wednesday, 18^th January 2006 at Blakedown Parish Room.

The meeting closed at 10.05 pm.

Dated this 18th day of January 2006 Chairman