PRESENT Cllr R J Whiston (in the Chair)

Cllr Mrs S Cartwright

Cllr P A Dearden

Cllr T A Gardiner

Cllr Mrs P V Hayward (from Item 9, Minute no. 81/07)

Cllr J W Long

Cllr B A Pitt (until Item 15, Minute no. 87/07)

Cllr Mrs V J Swindells

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

Cllr R J Whiston was proposed by Cllr Pitt and seconded by Cllr Long. There were no other nominations and Cllr Whiston was elected Chairman for the coming year.

Cllr Whiston signed the Acceptance of Office.

These were received and accepted from Cllr Charman and Cllr Mrs Hayward for her late arrival. The Chairman explained the necessity for apologies, which should be made to the Clerk, and which are considered by the Parish Council before being accepted.

Cllr Dearden was proposed by Cllr Long and seconded by Cllr Mrs Swindells. There were no other nominations and Cllr Dearden was elected Vice Chairman for the coming year.

The Chairman reminded Members of the importance of declaring interests in items on the agenda. The Clerk explained “personal interests” and at what stage they become prejudicial. If a personal interest is declared the Member is able to stay in the meeting, contribute to discussions and vote. As the Code of Conduct now stands, when an interest is personal and prejudicial the Member must leave the room for the duration of the discussion on that item, and this must be minuted.

Cllr Long declared a personal interest in Items 14(3), 14(4), 14(7) and planning application no. WF/07/0369 in Item 15.

(1) Urgent Business Committee. Members agreed that, as there are monthly meetings, there would be minimal benefit for this Committee.

(2) Wyre Forest Area Meeting of CALC. There were no volunteers.

(3) Churchill and Blakedown Sports Centre Committee. Cllr Dearden agree to continue.

(4) Wyre Forest Police Consultative Committee. Mr Roy Keys has agreed to continue.

(5) Blakedown Tenants Consultative Committee. Having ascertained that Cllr Mrs Hayward is on this Committee as a WFDC representative, Cllr Mrs Swindells agreed attend.

The Clerk reported that the insurance now included the laptop and projector, given by WFDC for planning application consultation, and the sum insured for the replacement of the bus shelters has been reduced, to reflect the cost of the recently replaced shelter. Street lighting columns are still covered. Members agreed to continue with this cover, as amended, at the cost of £1,081.88p.

A list of the suggested meeting dates based on the third Wednesday of each month was circulated with the agenda. It was agreed that the July and December meetings be moved to the fourth and second Wednesdays respectively. It was also agreed that the Annual Parish Meeting be held in Churchill Village Hall. The Secretary will confirm these venues and dates with the Hall Secretaries and a confirmed list will be circulated at the next meeting.

(1) Cheque signatories. The Clerk reminded Members that the current signatories are Cllr Dearden, Cllr Mrs Hayward, Cllr Pitt and Cllr Whiston. Cllr Gardiner agreed to become a signatory and the Clerk will make the necessary arrangements.

(2) Internal Auditor. It was agreed that Mrs Diane Malley continue to be the Internal Auditor.

No officer was in attendance and there was no report.

ADJOURNMENT FOR PUBLIC COMMENT

(Three members of the public were in attendance. The damage to stile in Sandy Lane (New Wood Lane) was raised - Cllr Dearden commented that he had recently repaired it. It was noted that some street lights do not switch off readily, as birds perch on the photoelectric cells.)

Both County Cllr Clee and District Cllr Williams had given their apologies.

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

It was proposed by Cllr Pitt, seconded by Cllr Dearden, and RESOLVED that the

Minutes, being a true and accurate record of the proceedings of the meeting, be signed by the Chairman.

(1) Parish Web site. Malcolm Hall was not in attendance, but his report was read out by the Clerk. He commented that last month was particularly busy and on 4^th May there was a record page download of 322 pages, 54 new visitors and 20 regulars; this was when the PC election results were published. On average there are now 11 regular returning visitors per day and 25 new unique daily visitors, ie 175 new people per week. Members continued to be impressed by the interest in the website and it was proposed by Cllr Dearden, seconded by Cllr Mrs Swindells, and agreed that Malcolm Hall be asked to continue as the Webmaster, together with a congratulatory note with the Parish Council‘s thanks.

(2) Lengthsman report. Mark Jones was unable to attend. The Clerk reported that he (the Clerk) had been to a meeting with WCC regarding training for lengthsmen; this training is to take place from the end of May to mid June, paid for by WCC, and Mark Jones is booked in. It was agreed that the PC reimburse him for up to one third of his expenses ( Broome PC has agreed a similar sum).

(3) Consultation on possible closure of local Post Offices. A letter from Postwatch was enclosed with the agenda and it was agreed that the Clerk remains the link. Cllr Long reported that the Postmistress is still in limbo about the future and there is still the need for continued and additional support for the post office. It was agreed that the Clerk sends a letter, offering the PC’s help to explore longer term business options and to find out what help can be given by WFDC.

(4) Trees in The Avenue, Blakedown. The Clerk reported that the solicitor at WFDC dealing with this matter has left and it has recently been passed to Wayne Brewer.

(5) Reinstatement of Train Service. No further useful information has been received from Central Trains. However, Nigel Tolley of SLUG, informed the Annual Parish Meeting that this service is to be reinstated in the September timetable.

(6) Land to the rear of 5 Mill Lane, Blakedown. The Clerk reported that the various points raised in his letters to the Diocesan Office are to be considered at the next meeting of the Parsonages Committee, in June. The Clerk reported that he has, today, received the decision notice stating that the planning application (WF/07/0298) has been refused by WFDC.

(7) Parish Council Notice Boards. Mark Jones has not yet been able to do any work on the boards, but the Clerk showed the proposal for the new signs, at £22 each, which were accepted.

(8) Parish Games Update. The Clerk reported that, with 5 events left, Churchill and Blakedown is in third place, just two points behind Bewdley and Stourport.

(9) Parish Forum. The meeting for 17^th April 2007 was cancelled, due to a power cut.

Applications Received.

(1) The Clerk reported that the current account today stands at £296.10p in credit and the Instant Access account stands at £12,778.65p, giving a total balance of £13,074.75p.

(2) The Receipts and Payments Account for 06.03.07 - 05.04.07 was received.

(3) It was proposed by Cllr Gardiner, seconded by Cllr Mrs Hayward, and resolved that the following accounts be approved for payment:

R D Gurney, salary, 01.04.07-31.05.07 £560.88

Staples UK Ltd, photocopying - April £18.83 + £1.36 VAT £ 20.19

Allianz Insurance Plc £1,081.88

Playsafety Ltd £72.00 + £12.60 VAT £ 84.60

Wyre Forest DC (for Parish Games) £35.00 + £6.13 VAT £ 41.13 Worcestershire CALC - subscription £365.25 + £53.52 VAT £418.77

additional MAILS £ 20.00

Mark Jones, handyman £365.00

lengthsman £205.00

Vernon Rudge (April) £ 160.00

£2,957.45

Copies of the Accounts were circulated with the agenda. The Clerk explained the differences with the previous year - mainly the lengthsman’s payments and grants received - and drew attention to the deficit of over £3,000, about £1,000 of which was for street lighting maintenance for the previous year.

It was resolved that the Accounts be approved and they were signed by the Chairman and Clerk/RFO.

The Clerk informed the Council that the Annual Return has to be submitted to the External Auditor by 25^th June 2007, and the timetable for the period of inspection is currently being advertised on the Parish Council notice boards in Blakedown and Churchill. The Annual Return will need to be completed at the next meeting.

A copy of the draft minutes of the Parish Meeting, held on 18^th April 2007, was circulated with the agenda. As the matters discussed are topical it was agreed that the draft minutes be put on the website, although they will not be approved until 2008. The only item of significance was the concern with the speed of the school buses, particularly around the Mill Lane/Churchill Lane junction. The Clerk was asked to draw to the education authority’s attention to this dangerous action.

A copy of this report was circulated with the agenda. Members noted that there were no matters highlighted as “high risk” and it was agreed that a copy be sent to Jim Brown.

A reply from WCC to the letter sent following the February meeting is awaited. Members suggested that a mirror might be used and questioned whether Camera Safety Partnership money could be used for vehicle activated signs. Members also raised the matter of a pedestrian crossing outside school and the Clerk will raise this with County Cllr Clee, now that the A.456 is detrunked. The Clerk will report the 4 potholes in the carriageway of Crown Lane to WCC.

There was no further information as Mrs Scott is not now a member of the Council. The two problems of highlighting the pavement crossover and the treatment of the borders will be on the agenda at the next meeting.

This problem had been raised at the Parish Meeting and the Clerk reported that replies are awaiting from Central Trains, Worcestershire CC, the Police and WFDC. The Clerk is to notify Cllr Clee of the on-going problems in this location.

The MAIL, Training Bursary and Information Bulletin were enclosed with the agenda. The Clerk reported that the next Area Meeting will be on 6^th June 2007, at Rock Village Hall.

comments by 30th June 2007

(2) SBE - Code of Conduct 2007 (to be adopted at a future meeting)

(3) WFDC - Parish Guide 2007

(4) Npower - notice of electricity price increases and climate change levy changes

(5) West Midlands RSS - notice of phase 2 revision spatial options

(6) Documents, etc - The Link (West Mercia),Clerk and Councils Direct,

Worcestershire Partnership newsletter, WMRA magazine, H&W Fire and Rescue

authority best value performance summary

(7) WCC - Temporary road closure, Sugar Loaf Lane, 18^th June for up to 2 weeks

(8) WFDC - Electronic Planning applications consultation, review of procedure, 22^nd May 2007 (Clerk to attend)

(9) Code of Conduct seminar for Members, 9^th May

Annual Return for External Auditor

School Travel Plan

Parking/driving in Belbroughton Road

Parish Plan

Appointment of Parish Footpath Warden

This is scheduled for Wednesday, 20^th June 2007, in Blakedown Parish Room.

The meeting closed at 10.14 pm.

Dated this 20th day of June 2007 ………………………………............

Chairman