CHURCHILL AND BLAKEDOWN PARISH COUNCIL      18

Minutes of the Extraordinary Meeting of Churchill and Blakedown Parish Council held on Wednesday, 15^th April 2009, at 9.10 pm, in Blakedown C of E Primary School.

PRESENT            Cllr R J Whiston (Chairman)

                        Cllr Mrs S Cartwright

                        Cllr S D Charman

                        Cllr T A Gardiner

                        Cllr Mrs P V Hayward

                        Cllr J W Long

                        Cllr B A Pitt

                        Cllr Mrs V J Swindells

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

68/09            CHAIRMAN’S REMARKS

The Chairman welcomed Councillors and members of the public and thanked them for attending the Annual Meeting.

69/09            APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE

            These were received and accepted from Cllr Dearden.

70/09            DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST

            None.  

ADJOURNMENT FOR PUBLIC COMMENT

(Six members of the public were in attendance and Mr Lorton raised the following matters. First, the lights over the large road signs in the A.456 in the village towards Kidderminster seem to have been removed. Second, the light at the pelican crossing (post office side) is still not properly aligned and the buzzer does not work. Third, the stile in Sandy Lane has still not bee repaired (Cllr Dearden to be asked to follow this up). Fourth, the gate to the sports field was closed on Bank Holiday Monday.  Fifth, there is evidence of road subsidence above Bridge Cottage, Churchill and drain covers missing (Cllr Mrs Hayward has already reported this). Sixth, the railing at the bottom of Mill Lane has been damaged and a grit bin is needed by this junction. Seventh, no work seems to be taking place at Little Champson, although scaffolding has been erected

Mr Stevens submitted his latest report of web site contacts.)

71/09            UPDATES ON PREVIOUS PLANNING APPLICATIONS

WF/08/0839 Erection of 3 dwellings, access and turning area, rear of 5 Mill Lane (off Mill Close), Blakedown. Cllr Long reported that he had attended the WFDC Planning Committee meeting and the application had been refused.

72/09            PLANNING APPLICATIONS

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

Applications received

            WF/09/0188    3 bedroom dwelling with access, 13 The Croft, Blakedown

19                         CHURCHILL AND BLAKEDOWN PARISH COUNCIL Minutes 15.04.09

Objection. The Parish Council considers that the site is inadequate in size to accommodate satisfactorily the proposed dwelling. The proposed building will have a cramped appearance and be out of keeping with nearby dwellings, as well have inadequate off street parking provision.

WF/09/0190            Remove one Douglas Fir, reduce height by 50% of cherry tree and second Douglas Fir, 3 Wannerton Road, Blakedown

Agree with Arboricultural Officer; support reduction in height of cherry tree and object to

felling of the fir trees

WF/09/0205            Two storey extension and pitched roof, Crumpsbank House, Stakenbridge Lane, Churchill

No objection

            WF/09/0212    Front porch, 13 Mill Lane, Blakedown

            No objection

73/09            ACCOUNTS FOR PAYMENT

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

Staples UK Ltd, photocopying, stationery, stamps – March

                                                £64.71 + £6.44 VAT                                        £  71.15

                        Freda Griffiths (for Parish Plan)                                                      £  21.44

                        Roger Gurney (for presentation gift)                                          £  47.94

                        J W Long (for presentation gift)      £30.43 + £4.57 VAT                £  35.00

                        Mark Jones            handyman                                                         £320.00

                                                lengthsman                                                      £120.00

                        N Power (Jan-March)                         £189.95 + £9.48 VAT                £199.33

Crumbs (for Parish Plan)                                                    £154.85

Netpack Ltd (for Parish Plan)            £350.00 + £52.50 VAT                £402.50

                                                                                                                      £1,372.21

74/09            DATES FOR SEPTEMBER AND DECEMBER 2009 MEETINGS

It was agreed that the September meeting be held on 23^rd of that month in the Parish Room and that, subject to the availability of the school, the December meeting be brought forward to 9^th December.

75/09            URGENT ITEMS

The Clerk reminded members of the Parish Forum on 21^st April – Cllr Mrs Hayward (and subsequently Cllr Long) agreed to attend.

The Clerk reported that street light column no.1, by the viaduct in Churchill Lane was badly damaged over the weekend. He will inform the insurance company and the contractors.

It was agreed that Local Listing and the setting up of a Parish Conservation Group be included on the next agenda.

                                CHURCHILL AND BLAKEDOWN PARISH COUNCIL Minutes 15.04.09                        20

76/09   DATE OF NEXT MEETING

The Annual Meeting of the Parish Council will be held on Wednesday, 20th May 2009, in Blakedown Parish Room.

The meeting closed at 9.54 pm.

Dated this 20th day of May 2009                             ………………………………............

                                                                                    Chairman