CHURCHILL AND BLAKEDOWN PARISH COUNCIL 211
Minutes of the Meeting of Churchill and Blakedown Parish Council held on Wednesday, 10th December 2008, in Blakedown C of E Primary School.
PRESENT Cllr R J Whiston (Chairman)
Cllr Mrs S Cartwright
Cllr S D Charman
Cllr P A Dearden
Cllr T A Gardiner
Cllr J W Long
Cllr Mrs V J Swindells
In attendance: Roger Gurney, Clerk to the Parish Council
237/08 CHAIRMAN’S REMARKS
The Chairman welcomed all to the meeting.
238/08 APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE
These were received and accepted from Cllr Mrs Hayward and Cllr Pitt.
239/08 DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST
Cllr Long declared a personal and prejudicial interest (as the freeholder of the Post Office premises) in Item 18, Minute no.254/08.
Cllr Gardiner declared a personal and prejudicial interest in Item 18, Minute no.254/08.
Cllr Mrs Cartwright declared a personal and prejudicial interest in Item 18, Minute no. 254/08.
240/08 COMMUNITY POLICING
PC Sarah Brooks sent her apology and a short report, which was read out by the Clerk. In the last month there has been one case of a parked vehicle being damaged during the night, 2 arrests for drink driving and one for disqualified driving.
ADJOURNMENT FOR PUBLIC COMMENT
(2 members of the public were in attendance. Mr Lorton expressed his concern that the pelican crossing control is not facing the pavement (Clerk to report);4 drain covers in Churchill Lane between Mill Lane and the crossroads are missing (Clerk to report); footpath damage at Sandy Lane (Cllr Dearden to report); the lack of “no road marking” signs in Churchill Lane, Blakedown (Clerk to report).
Concern was expressed about branches likely to fall from the trees in The Avenue, not only into private gardens but also into The Avenue itself (Clerk to discuss with WFDC emphasizing the health and safety issues)).
241/08 REPORTS FROM COUNTY AND DISTRICT COUNCILLORS
Neither County Cllr Clee nor Cllr Williams were in attendance and there were no reports. County Cllr Clee had informed the Clerk that he would attend the January meeting.
212 CHURCHILL AND BLAKEDOWN PARISH COUNCIL Minutes 10.12.08
242/08 CONFIRMATION OF THE MINUTES OF THE MEETING HELD ON
19th NOVEMBER 2008
It was agreed that amendments be made as follows:
Minute 212/08, add to line 9 “Police Performance reports were requested and Chief Inspector Baker volunteered to supply quarterly reports to the Clerk via email.”
Minute 223/08, line 5, delete “bend” and insert “bent”
Subject to these amendments it was proposed by Cllr Gardiner, 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.
243/08 PROGRESS REPORTS FOR INFORMATION
Parish Web site. Gordon Stevens was not in attendance and there was no report. The
Chairman noted that the unpaid for advert on the web site has been pulled and the Clerk reported that he has been given details for an invoice to be sent for an advert. It was agreed that charges for Parish residents be considered at the next meeting.
Lengthsman/Handyman report. Mark Jones was not in attendance and had
informed the Clerk of missing drain covers in Churchill Lane.
(3) Blakedown Signal box listing. This has not progressed.
(4) Management of the Shoppers Car Park. The Clerk read a letter from the Parking Services Manager at WFDC, which followed a meeting with Cllr Mrs Hayward. Members considered that the suggestion to impose parking restrictions failed to address the comments made – large vehicles staying for several nights, maintenance and management. It was proposed by Cllr Gardiner, seconded by Cllr Charman, and agreed that the Parking Services Manager be invited to attend the next meeting, so that all aspects can be discussed.
(5) Street nameplates and signs. This matter remains with the Streetscene Supervisor at WFDC.
(6) Street light no. 15, Lynwood Drive, Blakedown. WCC has not yet taken action to cut back the overhanging trees. The problem has improved with the leaf fall, but the Clerk will pursue.
(7) Introduction of 20 mph speed limit, outside Blakedown School. The Clerk reported that County Cllr Clee will report on this matter at the next meeting.
(8) Community Emergency Plan. Cllr Gardiner reported that a meeting has been arranged to agree this Plan and it will be brought to the next meeting for approval.
244/08 PLANNING APPLICATIONS
(1) It was resolved that the comments on the following applications, as detailed, be sent to Wyre Forest DC.
Application Received
WF/08/0839 (revised and additional plans) Erection of three detached dwellings, access and turning area, rear of 5 Mill Lane (off Mill Close), Blakedown
It was considered that the additional and revised plans were relatively minor matters and
did not relate to the major aspects of the proposal. It was agreed that the previously made
objections be confirmed, including the wish for the Parish Council to speak at the WFDC
Planning Committee.
CHURCHILL AND BLAKEDOWN PARISH COUNCIL Minutes 10.12.08 213
Planning Decisions - for information
WF/08/0784 Demolition of existing property and garage, erection of one detached
dwelling and garage, Duckpen Cottages, 211A & B and 212A & B,
Birmingham Road, Blakedown – WITHDRAWN
WF/08/0871 Erection of new sports pavilion, Blakedown Playing Fields, Birmingham Road, Blakedown - GRANTED
WF/08/0874 Flag pole, Blakedown C of E primary School, Birmingham Road, Blakedown – GRANTED
WF/08/0875 Extension, 46 Wannerton Road, Blakedown – GRANTED
WF/08/0887 Extension, The Forge, Churchill - GRANTED
245/08 REQUEST FOR GRANT AID – ST JAMES THE GREAT, CHURCHILL
A letter from the PCC was circulated with the agenda, asking for financial assistance towards work for the removal of asbestos and improvement to the central heating. It was proposed by Cllr Charman and seconded by Cllr Whiston that a grant of £500 be made. An amended proposal was made by Cllr Gardiner and seconded by Cllr Mrs Swindells that a grant of £600, including the Parish Games prize money of £100, be made. On being put to the vote the amendment was carried.
246/08 DISTRIBUTION OF PARISH GAMES PRIZE
This has been dealt with in the above item.
247/08 FINANCE
(1) The Clerk reported that the current account today stands at £243.81p and the Instant Access account stands at £14,193.77p, giving a total credit balance of £14,437.58p.
(2) It was proposed by Cllr Gardiner, seconded by Cllr Charman, and resolved that the following accounts be approved for payment:
Staples UK Ltd, photocopying, stamps, newsletter (November)
£93.55 + £15.62 VAT (3 invoices) £109.17
Society of Local Council Clerks membership £ 94.00
Blakedown Parish Rooms £ 56.00
Mark Jones handyman £245.00
lengthsman £125.00
Churchill PCC £600.00
£1,229.17
248/08 HIGHWAY MATTERS
Members expressed concern with the state of the road surface on A.451 at Fiveways, Ismere and the Clerk was asked to pass this to WCC. It was noted that no action had been taken at the dingle on A.456; some photographs will be taken and sent to WCC.
The speed of traffic on Belbroughton Road and at Churchill crossroads remains a concern. The Clerk will ask the police to undertake another check, between 7am and 9am. It was suggested that someone from the Camera Safety Partnership (Safer Roads Partnership) be invited to speak at the Annual Parish Meeting in April.
214 CHURCHILL AND BLAKEDOWN PARISH COUNCIL Minutes 10.12.08
249/08 ALLOCATION OF FUNDS TOWARDS ROAD WORKS IN STATION DRIVE
The Clerk reported that Mr Hunter (WCC) has said that the money needed to be found for the necessary works to both sides of Station Drive is £5,050, of which County Cllr Clee has allocated £3,900. This would involve the build up of the footway on the south side, with kerbing with the necessary drop kerbs, and kerbing between Birmingham Road and the existing car park area. After some discussion it was proposed by Cllr Gardiner, seconded by Cllr Mrs Swindells and agreed that the Parish Council contributes the remaining £1,150 to the scheme. (Cllr Long expressed his view that the County Council should pay for the whole of the work, but he felt that it is expedient to progress the scheme at this present time).
250/08 BUDGET AND PRECEPT FOR 2009/2010
A draft budget for the next financial year was circulated with the agenda and the Clerk commented that WFDC does not require the precept until early February 2009. The Clerk advised that several items, eg insurance, street lighting energy, are outside the control of the PC; some other items, eg handyman work, subscriptions, could be reduced, but this would probably not be acceptable. It appears that the increase in last year’s precept has had the effect of increasing the likely end of year balance. The Clerk’s draft showed that for the same level service in 2009/10 an increase of some £2,000 over the 2008/9 figure would be required. With the good progress of the Parish Plan Members felt that there would be a good opportunity for further projects to be undertaken or promoted, as a result of the consultation replies, and that the budget should be increased to reflect this. It was suggested that an additional item of circa £5,000 be included in the budget for “Parish Improvements”; this would result in a budget of just over £25,000.
It was proposed by Cllr Gardiner, seconded by Cllr Dearden and agreed that the Precept be set at £21,740, with the Section 136 grant of £3260, bringing the total to £25,000.
251/08 PARISH PLAN WORKING GROUP
Cllr Dearden reported that the collated information is currently being verified before the Plan document is prepared. The Group has had a helpful meeting with officers of WFDC.
A teenage blog “Backchat” is being set up to obtain comments from younger residents of the Parish.
252/08 BIG TIDY UP
Cllr Gardiner reported that the items discussed at the previous meeting have been agreed and these will be advertised on the web site. Dates for the Big Tidy up need to be confirmed.
253/08 FREEDOM OF INFORMATION
A new Model Publication Scheme has been drawn up by the Government, which will apply to all levels of local authority. It was resolved that this scheme be approved without modification and that, when the details have been completed by the Clerk, it is put on the web site.
254/08 BLAKEDOWN POST OFFICE
Cllr Long explained that the current postmistress will be retiring in January 2009 and the Post Office is planning changes, notably reducing the opening time from 46 hours per week to 23 hours. The Council expressed its full support for the transfer of the personnel
CHURCHILL AND BLAKEDOWN PARISH COUNCIL Minutes 10.12.08 215
at the Post Office (and shop) as this will keep the important facilities viable in the village, but was disappointed to hear about the possible reduction in the opening hours.
255/08 SPEAKER FOR ANNUAL PARISH MEETING
It had been suggested that a speaker from the Camera Safety Partnership be invited. There would be a Parish Plan update and David Priestnall be invited to give an update on the Norman Dawson Trust. The Clerk was asked to make the necessary arrangements.
256/08 FUND RAISING ACTIVITIES
A meeting outside the Parish Council is to be held, and there will be a report back in due course.
257/08 REGISTRATION OF THE VILLAGE GREEN AND THE AVENUE
The Clerk explained that he had received some 8 letters from longstanding residents regarding the use of the Village Green. However, the application has to be made on a specific form and a Statutory Declaration must be signed; other letters can be attached as further evidence. Cllr Dearden agreed to complete the form.
258/08 ITEMS FROM CALC
The Clerk reported that, at the Area Meeting held on 4th December, the state of CALC’s finances were explained; although there has been a loss of grants, subscriptions will increase by 4.5% with any shortfall being drawn from reserves.
259/08 CORRESPONDENCE (for noting)
(1) WFDC – training on breaches of the Code of Conduct (now 26th January 2009)
(2) WFDC – Notice of upcoming consultation of the Wyre Forest LDF (There will be a manned exhibition at the Parish Rooms on Tuesday, 3rd February 2009, 1.00pm-7.00pm to which parish councillors are specifically invited. To include on next agenda).
(3) West Mercia Police Authority, consultation on Tuesday 13th January 2009 (Mr Keys
will attend)
(4) Kinver PC – agendas and minutes
(5) CPRE newsletter
260/08 ITEMS OR PARISH INTEREST/ITEMS FOR NEXT AGENDA
Offer for PC to benefit from needlework/craft equipment – next agenda
The Blakedown Bimble is on Saturday, 20th December
Clerk to ask Mark Jones if he will jet wash the 7 public seats
261/08 DATE OF NEXT MEETING
This is scheduled for Wednesday, 21st January 2009, Blakedown Parish Rooms.
The meeting closed at 10.23 pm.
Dated this 21st day of January 2009 ………………………………............
Chairman
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