CHURCHILL AND BLAKEDOWN PARISH COUNCIL

Minutes of the Meeting of Churchill and Blakedown Parish Council held on Wednesday, 16th June 2004, in Blakedown Parish Rooms.

PRESENT Cllr R J Whiston (Chairman)

Cllr A J Cairns

Cllr P A Dearden

Cllr Mrs P V Hayward

Cllr Dr J M Parker

Cllr B A Pitt

Cllr Mrs I A Scott

In attendance: R D Gurney, Clerk to the Parish Council

115/04 APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE

These were received from Cllr Danks and Cllr Mrs Thomas.

116/04 DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST

None.

117/04 COMMUNITY POLICING

There was no report as neither PC McGill nor PC Carol Davenport were able to attend. The Clerk was asked to enquire about the availability of the police officers to attend meetings.

ADJOURNMENT FOR PUBLIC COMMENT

(2 members of the public were in attendance. Mr Long thanked the PC for its support for the application at the Post Office. The formal arrangement for the handover is imminent and an invitation is issued for the PC members to visit.

Mr Elwell informed the PC that the Churchill and Blakedown had been successful in the Parish Games, coming second. He would be willing to continue his co-ordinating role next year).

118/04 REPORT FROM COUNTY COUNCILLOR

There was no report and County Cllr Clee was unable to attend.

119/04 TO CONFIRM THE MINUTES OF THE MEETING HELD ON 17th MARCH 2004

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

120/04 MATTERS ARISING FROM THE MINUTES AND NOT OTHERWISE INCLUDED ON THE AGENDA
    1. Meeting date and venues for 2004/5. A list had been circulated with the agenda and

      2. it is also displayed on the notice boards.

    2. Internal Auditor. Mr David Hale has agreed to continue and he is currently

      3. undertaking the internal audit.

    3. Street light no. 10, Brookside Way, Blakedown. Pirelli are still waiting for Aquila

      4. to reconnect the supply. The Clerk will continue to follow this up.

      CHURCHILL AND BLAKEDOWN PARISH COUNCIL Minutes 16.06.04
    4. Bus Services in Churchill and Blakedown. In spite of sending reminders the Clerk has still not had a response. The Clerk was asked to obtain the current timetable and fare schedule, so that the information can be displayed on notice boards, in the parish magazine and on the web site. Information regarding the validity of bus passes is also to be requested.
    5. Invitation to Head of Planning. The Clerk reported that Mr Parker had declined the invitation to attend the PC meeting. The Clerk was asked to invite him to a meeting later in the year, when he could explain the matters which were requested, as well as WFDC's attitude towards parish councils.
    6. Planning application WF/0297/04, 41 Birmingham Road. The Clerk reported that he had emailed the Planning Officer with the PC's revised views.
    7. Land opposite Bissell Wood. The Clerk has yet to receive replies from the enforcement officer and the EHO.
    8. BT consultation for the removal of payphones. The Clerk reported that he has sent the PC's objections to the proposed removal of two payphones in the parish. He reported that the consultation period has been extended until 30th July 2004. Members agreed that a further objection letter be sent, now that the payphone facility at the garage has been removed and that the centre of Blakedown village is likely to be designated a Conservation Area.
    9. Cheque signatories. The Clerk reported that he is seeking clarification with Lloyds TSB on the requirements.

121/04 PLANNING APPLICATIONS

(1) Applications Received

WF/0506/04 Erection of single storey extension, 10 The Croft, Blakedown

No objection

WF/0518/04 Replacement shed, The Lodge, 12 New Wood Lane, Blakedown

No objection

WF/0586/04 Entrance porch, Ashfield House, Sugar Loaf Lane, Iverley

No objection

WF/0583/04 Erection of two 4 bedroom detached houses and garages/access/parking arrangements (demolition of existing house), 32 Belbroughton Road, Blakedown

PC notes that, whilst the site is shown in the approved Local Plan as an area appropriate for residential development in the longer term, it remains in the ADR. No reasons or justification for this development to proceed has been submitted to the PC and, therefore, until these are received or a plan for the overall site is available, the PC objects on the grounds that this application is piecemeal and premature.

The detailed concerns expressed in the consultation reply dated 11th February 2004 (Plan no. WF/0051/04) are still relevant and will need to be considered before any permission is granted.

CHURCHILL AND BLAKEDOWN PARISH COUNCIL Minutes 16.06.04

(2) No decision notices have been received since the last meeting.

    1. The Clerk referred to a letter from Turley Associates asking for the PC's views on

a proposed application for residential development on the site of the house on land next to the former garage site in Birmingham Road, Blakedown. Members felt that it was inappropriate for the Council to comment at this stage.

122/04 REQUESTS FOR GRANTS

    1. Churchyard grants. It was proposed by Cllr Mrs Hayward, seconded by Cllr Mrs

      2. Scott, and agreed that £260 be granted for the maintenance of each churchyard.

    2. Millennium Green Trust. Mr Elwell was invited to address the Parish Council on this matter. He circulated an up-to-date balance sheet and explained that the Trust is aware of the need to increase its income, not only from the Scout group, but by arranging events such as car boot sales. Even so there is likely to be a shortfall and he requested that consideration be given to a grant to cover the public liability (£230). Mr Elwell answered questions raised by Members and confirmed that the Millennium Green is an open space for the residents of Blakedown and Churchill. That a grant of £230 be paid was proposed by Cllr Mrs Hayward, seconded by Cllr Cairns, and agreed.
    3. Churchill and Blakedown Sports Centre Committee. A letter from the Chairman

of the Committee and the audited accounts were circulated with the agenda. It was noted that the finances are now more stable. It was reported that the Committee is in discussion with Belbroughton CC for the sharing of some equipment and the sections are being re-absorbed into the main Committee. The PC considered that the constitution needs to show what would happen to the assets if the organisation folded. It was reported that the Pavilion Fund is separate from the general fund. That £700 be paid was proposed by Cllr Dearden, seconded by Cllr Pitt, and agreed.

123/04 FINANCE
    1. The Clerk reported that the current account stands at £3,152.78p in credit and the Instant Access account stands at £10,065.26p, giving a total balance of £13,218.04p.
    2. The Receipts and Payments Account for 06.05.04 - 04.06.04, which was circulated with the agenda, was accepted.
    3. It was proposed by Cllr Dearden, seconded by Cllr Mrs Hayward, and agreed that the following accounts be approved for payment:

Staples UK Ltd, photocopying, postage stamps

£22.41 + £2.89 VAT £ 25.30

Blakedown PCC £260.00

Churchill PCC £260.00

Churchill and Blakedown Millennium Green Trust (S.137) £230.00

Churchill and Blakedown Sports Centre Committee £700.00

£1,475.30

 

 

CHURCHILL AND BLAKEDOWN PARISH COUNCIL Minutes 16.06.04

124/04 PARISH WEB SITE

Malcolm Hall, the Web Keeper, had sent the Clerk details for a Who's Who of the Parish Council; it was agreed that this be circulated with the next agenda for members to make their own decision on whether to give details. It was reported that Broadband will be available in the parish from 8th September 2004.

125/04 EXCLUSION OF THE PRESS AND PUBLIC

It was proposed by Cllr Whiston, seconded by Cllr Dearden, and agreed that the press and public be excluded from the room during the discussion of the following item (Minute no. 126/04), in view of the personal nature of the business.

126/04 VILLAGE HANDYMAN

It was proposed by Cllr Dearden, seconded by Cllr Pitt and agreed that Mr Harvey Smith of Kidderminster be appointed as the Village Handyman, subject to the Clerk obtaining a suitable reference and for the appointment being subject to a 3 month trial period.

127/04 STREET LIGHTING MAINTENANCE

The Clerk read out a letter from Mr Pring, WCC Lighting Engineer, giving details of the scheme which the WCC would operate following a trial period in another part of the County. WCC would undertake a survey of the lights, including electrical safety tests and discuss the time scale for any refurbishment. The PC would pass over the street light budget to WCC and would have to continue with their insurance arrangements. This would be expected to start on 1st April 2005. It was proposed by Cllr Dearden, seconded by Cllr Mrs Hayward, and agreed that participation in this scheme be pursued.

128/04 HIGHWAY WORKS, A. 456 AND MILL LANE

It was agreed that this item be deferred to the next meeting.

129/04 DISCRIMINATION DISABILITY ACT AND BLAKEDOWN PARISH ROOMS

It was agreed that this item be deferred to the next meeting.

130/04 PLAY AREA AT THE SPORTS CENTRE

The Clerk confirmed that he had sent an annotated report to the Sports Centre Committee, but had not received a reply. It was agreed that this item be discussed at the next meeting.

131/04 COMPREHENSIVE PERFORMANCE ASSESSMENT OF DISTRICT COUNCILS

The Clerk reported that this document from WFDC is to be discussed at the next CALC Area Committee meeting, on 23rd June. The Chairman agreed to peruse the report. A questionnaire from the Audit Commission on this topic has also been received and the Clerk was asked to complete it.

132/04 WFDC PILOT SCHEME FOR THE DETERMINATION OF PLANNING APPLICATIONS

The Clerk explained the progress of the pilot scheme undertaken in Stourport-on-Severn. It was felt that little benefit would accrue to the Parish; there would be a cost involved and there was no suitable facility for the planning applications to be available for public inspection in the parish. The Clerk was asked to send an appropriate reply.

CHURCHILL AND BLAKEDOWN PARISH COUNCIL Minutes 16.06.04

133/04 CORRESPONDENCE FROM CALC

The Wyre Forest Area Committee is to be held on 23rd June and no Member was able to accept the invitation to attend the Worcestershire Assembly at the Three Counties Showground on 30th June.

134/04 CORRESPONDENCE

The Clerk reported receipt of the following correspondence for noting:-
    1. Countryside Agency; Countryside and Rights of Way Act 2000 - passed to Chairman
    2. CPRE Countryside Voice/Fieldwork
    3. Community First, Newsline, June 2004
    4. WCC Bus and Information Strategy - passed to Cllr Mrs Scott
    5. WMRA Speaking Out, Issue 6
    6. WFDC Shindig, rural and community touring scheme for village venues - pass to Village Hall committees

135/04 ITEMS OF PARISH INTEREST/ITEMS FOR NEXT MEETING

Warning signs for horses

136/04 DATE OF NEXT MEETING

This is confirmed as 21st July 2004 in the Blakedown Parish Rooms.

 

Dated this 21st day of July 2004

 

 

…………

Chairman