PRESENT 6 Parish Councillors

24 parish residents

Nigel Tolley, Chairman, Stourbridge Line User Group (SLUG)

David Priestnall, Trustee, The Norman Dawson Charitable Trust

R D Gurney, Clerk to Churchill and Blakedown Parish Council

The Chairman of the Parish Council, Cllr Bob Whiston, chaired the meeting. He welcomed those present and introduced the two speakers, Nigel Tolley and David Priestnall, and Roger Gurney, who will take minutes of this meeting. The Chairman explained that this is an opportunity to hear the views of residents and report of the meeting will be made to the Parish Council for any action to be taken on matters raised.

These were received from Cllr Mrs Pauline Hayward, Cllr Mrs Iris Scott and Mr Martin Hobson.

Nigel Tolley explained that he is a former resident of Blakedown and is aware of the local issues of the village. SLUG is officially recognised by the Government and, as a pressure group it has succeeded in getting the Chiltern Line service to London to stop at Blakedown and for the Sunday service. The Group meets bi-monthly and has consultations with the railway companies, central Government and most local authorities. One current issue is the need for local services to go into New Street Station, not Snow Hill; the problem is the bottleneck outside New Street.

In answer to a question Mr Tolley said that there had not been any change in the regulations regarding sounding of whistles, but there is now an HSE requirement, the need to warn children playing on the track (now reduced) and over zealous train drivers. As the line is running at near capacity more drivers are sounding their horns when meeting a red signal, rather than getting out of their cab. He explained that when the signalling south of Blakedown is updated there will be no need for a signal box at Blakedown. This should enable an increased service.

Regarding the parking problem the Hodge Hill park and ride proposal has not been discounted, but is not generally supported.

SLUG will hold its annual public meeting on 8^th May in Hagley. It would be beneficial if Kidderminster, Blakedown and Hagley could be covered by CENTRO, not Worcestershire CC. If this was the case there would probably be free travel for over 65s.

The loss of the school service from Hagley should be reintroduced in the September timetable. Chiltern Trains hoped to have an hourly service to London, but it is not a commuter service.

The Chairman thanked Nigel Tolley for his enthusiastic and informative talk and reminded all that further details can be checked on the web site.

David Priestnall explained that Norman Dawson had been a resident of Mill Lane for many years and was involved with the Royal British Legion and the tennis club. As an accountant he helped many organisations with their accounts. He died in October 2003.

The Trust is modelled on the trust set up by the late Mr Young, and is for the benefit of the Parish. The Trust is registered with the Charity Commissioners, there are 4 trustees and a Secretary, who is Alan Neal, 5 Centre Court, Vine Lane, Halesowen. Money is invested and yields some £45,000 annually. The objects are for charitable purposes in the ancient parish as the trustees see fit. Normally the interest is to be used, usually as a pump primer, but it could involve the use of some capital for an appropriate project. Suggested uses are for churches, sports facilities, halls, senior citizens facilities and nature reserves. Already some £80,000 has been earmarked, including church fencing, Scout hut roof, playground equipment, Millennium Green, RBL, school.

The Chairman thanked David Priestnall for the explanation of the Trust, knowing it will be of great benefit to everyone in the Parish.

Copies of the minutes of the 2006 Annual Parish Meeting were circulated at the start of the meeting. That these be approved was proposed by Mr Long, seconded by Mr Hall, and agreed.

An enquiry as to the progress of the improvement to the watercourse between Mill Lane and the viaduct was made. The Clerk reported that the Environment Agency is treating this as a low priority, therefore little action can be expected. There is concern that the Churchill Lane carriageway in this area shows signs that it will eroded and slip towards the watercourse.

The Chairman referred to the newsletter which had been delivered to all residences in the Parish, which contained a resume of the work of the Parish Council during the previous year.

Mr Peers of Mill Close commented on the planning application for housing in the Rectory garden.

The Clerk reported on the information given to him by Martin Hobson. The 2005/6 accounts show £325 was given as grants and there is some £1,957 remaining in the two charity accounts.

Lengthsman/handyman. The Chairman introduced Mark Jones. He explained his role in the two capacities and thanked him for his work during the year.

Mill Lane/Churchill Lane junction. Margaret Mason reported that coaches, buses and large vehicles should not be using this junction, because of the narrowness and no footway.

Churchill Lane. Marilyn Hiscock pointed out that the resurfacing of Churchill Lane had been poorly done and the white line has not been reinstated.

Parish Directory. Mrs Hiscock asked whether the PC could prepare a Parish Directory giving details and contacts of organisations, which would be generally available in the villages.

A.456 and proposed By pass. Patrick Cox sought clarification that the A.456 will be de-trunked and that WCC will be responsible for its maintenance and that the proposed bypass scheme has been dropped.

Golf Balls. Mrs Mason foresees that there will be an increasing problem with stray golf balls from the Golf Club landing on Churchill Lane, thereby being a danger to users of the highway.

Support for Churches and churchyards. Mary Macdiarmid thanked the Parish Council for its continued support for the churches and the maintenance of the churchyards.

The Chairman thanked those who attended and closed the Meeting closed at 8.35 pm.

Dated this day of 2008 ……………………….

Chairman