CHURCHILL AND BLAKEDOWN PARISH COUNCIL 31
Minutes of the Meeting of Churchill and Blakedown
Parish Council held on Wednesday, 15th July
2009, in Blakedown Parish Rooms.
PRESENT
Cllr R J Whiston (Chairman)
Cllr Mrs S Cartwright
Cllr P A Dearden
Cllr Mrs P V Hayward
Cllr J W Long
Cllr B A Pitt
In attendance:
Gordon Stevens, Web master
Geoff Elwell, Parish Games organizer and
Millennium Green trustee
Roger Gurney, Clerk to the Parish Council
126/09
CHAIRMANS REMARKS
The Chairman thanked Cllr Dearden for chairing
the previous meeting.
127/09
APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE
These were received and accepted from Cllr
Charman and Cllr Mrs Swindells.
128/09
DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST
Cllr Long declared a personal interest in
Items 8(3), 8(4) and 15.
129/09
COMMUNITY POLICING
CSO Kate Easthope and PC Sally Sliwinska
had sent their apologies and there was no
report. Members reported that the new mower
had been stolen from the lock up at the sports
ground; there was some concern that this
should have been given more publicity.
ADJOURNMENT FOR PUBLIC COMMENT
(Four member of the public were in attendance.
Mr and Mrs Foster wished to hear the PCs
comments on the building work at 19 Brookside
Way. Primrose Coley reported that she had
contacted Paul Allen for the Conservation
Group and he will visit the Parish to meet
the Parish Plan Group. Mr Lorton commented
that (1) some manhole covers have been painted
red probably by Severn Trent: (2) road drains on A.456 through the village
are still blocked: (3) a building has been
erected in the rear garden of a Forge Lane
property probably part of an earlier planning
permission).
130/09
PARISH GAMES AND MILLENNIUM GREEN
Geoff Elwell was invited to speak to the
meeting.
This year there had been several problems
with arranging teams, losing regular
participants and unavoidable clashes with
other events. Hence it was no great surprise
that Churchill and Blakedown Parish came
5th out of the 9 teams. The Chairman thanked
Mr Elwell for his efforts and Mr Elwell confirmed
that he is prepared to take on the task for
next year.
Mr Elwell presented the latest accounts for
the Millennium Green and asked if the Parish
Council would make a grant to cover the insurance
(£264). The Chairman confirmed that this
would be discussed at the next meeting.
32
CHURCHILL AND BLAKEDOWN PARISH COUNCIL Minutes
15.07.09
131/09
REPORTS FROM COUNTY AND DISTRICT COUNCILLORS
County Cllr Clee was not in attendance and
there was no report.
132/09
CONFIRMATION OF THE MINUTES OF THE MEETING
HELD ON
17th JUNE 2009
It was proposed by Cllr Dearden, seconded by Cllr
Long, and RESOLVED that the Minutes, being
a true and accurate record of the proceedings
of the meeting, be signed be the Chairman.
133/09
PROGRESS REPORTS FOR INFORMATION
(1) Parish Web site. Gordon Stevens circulated details of the
page loads over recent
periods, and these show that there has been
a substantial increase (nearly 50%) over
the last 2 years. The Chairman thanked him
for the regular updates.
(2) Lengthsman/Handyman report. Mark Jones had apologized for his absence.
There
were no comments.
(3) Registration of the Village Green and
The Avenue. Cllr Dearden continues to work at this.
(4) Shoppers Car Park. Members noted that a sign has now been erected
by WFDC, but there has still been no response
regarding the matters raised at the meeting
held in February 2009. Members were concerned
that a vehicle belonging to the contractors
working at the new hairdressers obstructs
The Avenue and there has been fly tipping
on the car park. The Clerk was asked to report
both matters to WFDC.
(5) Planning Complaint 19 Brookside Way. The Enforcement Officer has informed the
Clerk that the extension is permitted development
and no further action will be taken.
(6) Housing Needs Survey. The Clerk and Cllr Mrs Swindells will liaise
before responding to the Rural Housing Enabler,
Nigel Potter, who has stated that he intends
to carry out the survey in November.
(7) Community Emergency Plan. It was agreed that Tim Gardiner be invited
to give an update at the next meeting.
(8) Barrier at the Parish Rooms. The Clerk had written to the Parish Rooms
Committee (via Cllr Long) regarding the possible
erection of a barrier, but there has not
been a meeting of the Committee.
134/09
PARISH COUNCIL VACANCY
The Clerk has informed WFDC of the vacancy
and the Notice of Vacancy is currently being
displayed. If no request for an election
is received the Parish Council will be able
to co-opt a councillor at the next suitable
meeting. The Clerk would arrange for such
a notice to be displayed and for application
forms to be available.
135/09
PLANNING APPLICATIONS
It was resolved that the comments on the
following applications, as detailed, be sent
to Wyre Forest DC.
(1) Applications Received
WF/09/0446 Fell one cherry and one Douglas Fir, crown
lift one Douglas Fir to 4m.,
3 Wannerton Road, Blakedown
No objection
CHURCHILL AND BLAKEDOWN PARISH COUNCIL Minutes
15.07.09 33
WF/09/0458
Extension to form 2 bedrooms and bathroom
at first floor level, Park Hall Lodge, Birmingham
Road, Blakedown (listed building consent)
No objection, subject to matching materials.
(2) Planning Decisions - for information
WF/09/0276 Fell 3 trees in rear garden, 17 Wannerton
Road, Blakedown GRANTED
WF/09/0295
Variation of lawful range of goods for retail
sales to include dairy products, change of
use to tea room, creation of toilet area,
Hodge Hill Nurseries, Birmingham Road, Kidderminster
GRANTED
WF/09/0296
Variation of lawful range of goods for retail
sale to include fresh meats and butchery,
Hodge Hill Nurseries, Birmingham Road, Kidderminster
GRANTED
WF/09/0299
Pitched roof over garage area, conversion
of garage to utility and cloakroom, 21 Lynwood
Drive, Blakedown - GRANTED
WF/09/0306
Change of use from 4 flats to one house,
Duckpen Cottages, Birmingham
Road, Blakedown - GRANTED
WF/09/0313 Single storey extension, 44 Belbroughton
Road, Blakedown- GRANTED
WF/09/0349
Additional access, Baytree House, Stakenbridge
Lane, Churchill
136/09
FINANCE
(1)
The Clerk reported that the current account
today stands at £8,968.86p and the Instant
Access account stands at £7,604.73p, giving
a total credit balance of £16,573.59p.
(2)
It was proposed by Cllr Dearden, seconded
by Cllr Pitt, and resolved that the following
accounts be approved for payment:
Staples UK Ltd, photocopying, stationery
(June) £39.86 + £3.43 VAT
£ 43.29
R D Gurney salary (June/July)
£623.24
adjustment for Final Pay settlement (2008/9)
£ 12.60
expenses (March June) £69.22 +£0.61 VAT
£ 69.83
Blakedown Parish Rooms Committee (January-June)
£ 58.00
V Rudge grass and verge cutting (June)
£160.00
Mark Jones
handyman
£320.00
lengthsman
£125.00
N Power, April-June
£191.97 + £9.59 VAT
£201.56
£1,613.52
137/09
HIGHWAY MATTERS
The Clerk reported that Dave Hunter (WCC)
had informed him that no further kerbing
work can be done at Station Drive, as the
land to the west of the farm access is in
private ownership. He will discuss other
parking problems in the area with County
Cllr Clee. Mr Hunter reported that WCC is
undertaking a review of all school locations
in the County, to consider the available
options: this is also to be discussed with
County Cllr Clee.
Members were concerned with the lack of action
by WCC but, meanwhile, it was agreed that
the Rail Safety Officer from Network Rail
be invited to the next meeting to talk about
the problems around the station. Members
also would like clarification that Blakedown
is being considered for a 20 mph speed limit,
and when this might be implemented. WCC is
also to be asked about progress with the
7.5 ton weight limit in
34 CHURCHILL AND BLAKEDOWN PARISH COUNCIL Minutes 15.07.09
Stakenbridge Lane, and the resurfacing of
Stakenbridge Lane.
138/09
PARISH PLAN WORKING GROUP
The draft should be completed in September,
for viewing in October.
139/09
PARISH FUNDRAISING
It was reported that the original fete committee
has resigned, with no information about the
accounts or equipment. If these details are
not available the Clerk was asked to write
to the outgoing chairman. Cllr Dearden agreed
to discuss with the current chairman the
possibility of the Parish Council providing
a bridging loan.
140/09 THE AVENUE, CAR PARK AND VILLAGE GREEN
The Clerk reported from the NALC documents
sent from CALC, which explained the procedures
which should be followed. Because of the
legal intricacies Cllr Mrs Hayward agreed
to speak to Caroline Newland at WFDC in the
first instance.
141/09
PARISH NOTICE BOARDS
The Clerk gave details of the cost of new
notice boards which he had obtained. It was
suggested by the Chairman, and agreed, that,
before any decision to replace is considered,
Members visit the notice boards at Stakenbridge
and Churchill.
142/09
QUALITY PARISH STATUS
The Clerk itemized the new parts which have
to be complied with for applying for QPS.
Members felt that QPS gave minimal benefit
to the Council and it was agreed that no
action be taken at present, but the matter
be raised at the Annual Parish Council Meeting.
143/09
ITEMS FROM CALC
There were none.
144/09
CORRESPONDENCE (for noting)
(1) Kinver PC invitation to attend Rights
of Way Committee, 23rd September 2009 at 7pm. The Chairman wished
to attend
(2) West Midlands Spatial Strategy, Phase
3 revision Options consultation
(3) WFDC consultation on the draft Gambling
Policy of WFDC (by 30th September)
(4) Kinver PC agendas and minutes
(5) Magazines, etc, including Clerks and
Councils Direct
(6) WFDC Strategic Housing Land Availability
Assessment
145/09
ITEMS OR PARISH INTEREST/ITEMS FOR NEXT AGENDA
1. Retention of telephone kiosks.
146/09 DATE OF NEXT MEETING
This will be held on Wednesday, 19th August 2009 in Blakedown Parish Rooms.
The meeting closed at 10.20 pm
Dated this 19th day of August 2009
............
Chairman