CHURCHILL AND BLAKEDOWN PARISH COUNCIL 199
Minutes of the Meeting of Churchill and Blakedown Parish Council held on Wednesday, 15th October 2008, in Blakedown Parish Rooms.
PRESENT Cllr R J Whiston (Chairman)
Cllr S D Charman
Cllr P A Dearden
Cllr T A Gardiner
Cllr J W Long
Cllr Mrs V J Swindells
In attendance: County Cllr Stephen Clee (during Item 5, minute no. 192/08)
R D Gurney, Clerk to the Parish Council
186/08 CHAIRMAN’S REMARKS
The Chairman welcomed local residents and Members of the Council to the meeting.
187/08 APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE
These were received and accepted from Cllr Mrs Cartwright, Cllr Mrs Hayward and Cllr Pitt.
188/08 DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST
Cllr Dearden declared a personal interest in Item 8, planning application nos. WF/08/0871 and WF/08/0874, minute no. 194/08.
Cllr Gardiner declared a personal interest in Item 8, planning application nos. WF/08/0871 and WF/08/0874, minute no. 194/08.
Cllr Mrs Swindells declared a personal and prejudicial interest in Item 8, planning application no. WF/08/0871, minute no. 194/08.
189/08 COMMUNITY POLICING
PC Sarah Brooks had sent an apology for non attendance and the Clerk read her report, which stated that there have been house burglaries in Churchill and Belbroughton Road. She urged that the “Light up Campaign” is followed during the darker evenings. There was also a break in at the cabin in front of the School.
There continue to be parking problems around the station and there will be enforcing offences where possible; as there are no parking restrictions in the area, enforcement will be difficult.
Mark Jones, the Parish Lengthsman and Handyman, reported that needles have been left in Waggon Lane (reported to WFDC); anti social behaviour is occurring in Crown Lane and damage has occurred to the pavilion. The Clerk will pass this information on to PC Brooks.
ADJOURNMENT FOR PUBLIC COMMENT
(14 members of the public were in attendance, all expressing their concern with Planning application no. WF/08/0839, for the development of the land at the rear of 5 Mill Lane, with access off Mill Close. Several residents of Mill Close and Wannerton Road spoke. Their concerns related primarily to highway safety in Mill Close and legal aspects, but also loss of privacy, loss of trees and the non compliance with the covenant on the land.
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PC members expressed their support for the residents and will speak at the WFDC meeting. One resident, Mr Pitt, will also speak. The PC will be taking legal advice from CALC regarding the covenant and it was agreed that the Press be contacted for publicity).
190/08 CONFIRMATION OF THE MINUTES OF THE MEETING HELD ON
17th SEPTEMBER 2008
It was agreed that amendments be made as follows:
Minute 168/08(7), line 5, delete “Perryford” and insert “Perriford”
Minute 168/08(7), lines 5/6, delete “ and Sugar Loaf Lane”
Minute 168/08(7), line 6, delete “these lanes” and insert “Beech Tree Lane and Sugar Loaf Lane.”
Subject to these amendments it was proposed by Cllr Mrs Swindells, seconded by Cllr Charman, and RESOLVED that the Minutes, being a true and accurate record of the proceedings of the meeting, be signed by the Chairman.
191/08 PROGRESS REPORTS FOR INFORMATION (1)
(1) Parish Web site. Gordon Stevens had emailed his apology and the Clerk reported on progress with the updating of the web site.
(2) Lengthsman/Handyman report. Mark Jones had reported problems in Waggon Lane, Crown Lane and at the pavilion earlier in the meeting. He had attended to some overhanging bushes in Lynwood Drive and the Clerk will check on the obscuring of the street light. The Clerk reported that a training day for lengthsmen is arranged for 11th November.
192/08 REPORTS FROM COUNTY AND DISTRICT COUNCILLORS
County Cllr Clee arrived at this point and was invited to speak. First, he confirmed that WFDC has £9 million of reserves in an Icelandic bank, and this was deposited there on advice from the Treasury. Second, he confirmed that WCC is fully aware of the problems in Station Drive and he will commit his “allowance” this year towards the kerbing. He hopes that C&B PC will be able to allocate some of its S.136 money towards the scheme. There is still a legal problem to be resolved, in that the boundary of the highway needs to be confirmed.
Cllr Williams was not in attendance and there was no report.
193/08 PROGRESS REPORTS FOR INFORMATION (2)
(3) Affordable Housing Survey. The Clerk reported that he had spoken to Nigel Potter and the survey in the Parish is now in the system. Mr Potter expects that the need to distribute forms will not have to be done until early Spring 2009.
(4) Blakedown Signal box listing. This has not progressed.
(5) Local listing in rural areas. The Clerk confirmed that the list has been emailed to Gordon Stevens for inclusion on the web site.
(6) Management of the Shoppers Car Park. The Clerk had been informed that a letter had been sent to him, but this has not been received. This will be pursued.
(7) Street nameplates and signs. No further information is available.
(8) Registration of Village Green and The Avenue. The Clerk is awaiting letters for local residents giving details of the use of these areas.
(9) WRVS grant. The Clerk has received a letter of thanks.
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194/08 PLANNING APPLICATIONS
(1) It was resolved that the comments on the following applications, as detailed, be sent to Wyre Forest DC.
Applications Received
WF/08/0871 Erection of new sports pavilion with social space for players/spectators, demolition of existing timber pavilion, garage and tennis club buildings, Blakedown Playing Field, Birmingham Road, Blakedown
No objection. The PC fully supports this scheme: it will be on the site of the existing
pavilion and will consolidate facilities currently in other buildings on the site. It will
incorporate disabled access, provide modern changing facilities which can be used by
children at Blakedown School, which adjoins the site, and it will be a social asset to the
village.
WF/08/0874 Flag pole for Green flag award flag, Blakedown C of E Primary School,
Birmingham Road, Blakedown
No objection
WF/08/0075 Erection of ground floor side extension, 46 Wannerton Road, Blakedown
No objection.
WF/08/0887 Two storey extension, The Forge, Churchill
No objection in principle. However, the PC feels that a more sympathetically designed extension would be more appropriate in this historically sensitive location adjacent to Churchill Forge.
(2) Planning Decisions - for information
WF/08/0618 Building for shelter and rearing of rare breed cattle, Jubilee Field, off Birmingham Road, Blakedown – GRANTED
WF/08/0641 Timber decking and smoking shelter (retrospective), The Swan,
9 Birmingham Road, Blakedown – GRANTED
WF/08/0698 Removal of agricultural occupancy condition, Sunset Nursery, Waggon Lane, Churchill – REFUSED
WF/08/0747 Extensions, 7 New Wood Lane, Blakedown – GRANTED
WF/08/0771 Change of use for sports cars in tack room and vice versa, New House Farm, Belbroughton Road, Blakedown – GRANTED
(3) Little Champson, 1 Roxall Close, Blakedown. The Clerk reported that the statement
for both planning appeals, prepared by Cllr Mrs Swindells, had been submitted to the
Planning Inspectorate. The Council was pleased to note that the statement from WFDC
was fully supporting the refusal reasons.
195/08 COMMUNITY EMERGENCY PLAN
Cllr Gardiner gave a presentation of this Plan, following his attendance at a meeting with WFDC. This Plan is non statutory and is a supplement to the blue light services. It relies on local knowledge and would prove invaluable during times of flooding, loss of power,
202 CHURCHILL AND BLAKEDOWN PARISH COUNCIL Minutes 15.10.08
or a rail accident. It is based on a pilot study in Gloucestershire. The Parish Council would need to set up a Community Response Team comprising 6 members, including a CRT Co-ordinator, and a Plan would be published which would include all emergency contact numbers. It is necessary for the PC to sign up to the scheme and to be eligible for the £600 grant. Members agreed to meet informally to discuss details.
196/08 APPLICATION FOR GRANT FOR COMMUNITY EMERGENCY PLAN
It was proposed by Cllr Gardiner, seconded by Cllr Dearden, and agreed that the Parish Council claims the £600 grant from WFDC.
197/08 DISTRIBUTION OF PARISH GAMES PRIZE
It was agreed to defer this item to a subsequent meeting.
198/08 FINANCE
(1) The Clerk reported that the current account today stands at £149.88p and the Instant Access account stands at £15,565.84p, giving a total credit balance of £15,715.84p.
(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, stationery (September)
£25.73 + £3.55 VAT £ 29.28
SPE Architecture Ltd £353.33
Mark Jones handyman £320.00
lengthsman £160.00
N power £193.66 + £9.68 VAT £203.34
V Rudge (September) £160.00
£1,225.95
199/08 AUDIT REPORTS, 2007/2008
The written reports of the Internal and External Auditors were circulated with the agenda, and were noted. The notice of the closure of the audit is currently being advertised. The Chairman reminded the Council that it would shortly have to consider next year’s budget.
200/08 STANDING ORDERS
The additional Standing Order, no. 75(g), was circulated with the agenda. It was proposed by Cllr Long, seconded by Cllr Gardiner, and agreed that the additional Standing Order be adopted. The Clerk will circulate the complete, updated Standing Orders at the next meeting.
201/08 HIGHWAY MATTERS
Station Drive had been discussed fully with County Cllr Clee. It was noted that work has started at Churchill cross roads, although how effective this will prove to be remains to be seen. Further complaints have been received about the overhanging holly hedge in Birmingham Road and the Clerk was asked to write to the residents of Roxall Close who are responsible for this hedge.
202/08 PARISH PLAN WORKING GROUP
There is a network of volunteers to carry out the delivery of the next newsletter. There
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have been several responses already and those which relate to Parish Council matters have been forwarded to the Clerk. It was suggested, and agreed, that the Clerk includes these emails as an agenda item for subsequent meetings. The Clerk reported that he had attended a conference on 19th September 2008 by the Rural Development Programme for England. There may be grant opportunities for parish plans.
203/08 AUTUMN NEWSLETTER
This will be ready within a week as all items have been received, including an item about the Big Tidy Up. Cllr Gardiner had registered and some kit has been received.
204/08 CHANGES TO STREET LIGHTING ARRANGEMENTS
The Clerk reported that the scheme, suggested by WCC in 2007, has now been resurrected: this would involve WCC taking over the responsibility for the maintenance and energy of the lights, with the PC handing over the budgeted money annually and retaining ownership. Members agreed not to follow this option.
205/08 FUND RAISING ACTIVITIES
It was agreed that discussion of this item be deferred.
206/08 ALCOHOL AND SUBSTANCE MISUSE REVIEW PANEL
A letter from WFDC was circulated with the agenda. Comments about the problems found in the Parish and the locations were noted and the Clerk was asked to send the response to WFDC.
207/08 ITEMS FROM CALC
The Clerk had attended and he reported that some sources of funding have been lost, although this is not expected to affect the subscriptions for 2009, which will rise by inflation. He reported that a bill now going through Parliament will include the opportunity for P&TCs to appoint councilors.
208/08 CORRESPONDENCE (for noting)
(1) WCC – Notice of closure, Mill Lane/Station Drive, 28th-30th October, 23.00-0600hrs
(2) RBL – Remembrance Service, Sunday 9th November at Hagley
(3) WFDC – Parish Forum, 21st October, 6 pm in Duke House
(4) Lesley Brown and Felix Pepler – requests for C&BPC to allocate allotments
(5) WCC – Waste Core Strategy, Issues & Options Report, comments by 19.12.08
(6) DCLG – “The making and enforcement of byelaws booklet” WCC
(7) Kinver PC – agendas and minutes
(8) WFDC – Code of Conduct training, 30th October in Duke House, Kidderminster
209/08 ITEMS OR PARISH INTEREST/ITEMS FOR NEXT AGENDA
Allocation of funds for Station Drive work;
Speed cameras
Provision of allotments
Emily Lyttelton Trust
Big Tidy up
Mill Close application update
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Speaker for Annual Meeting
Attendance to speak by Inspector Crowley
210/08 DATE OF NEXT MEETING
This is scheduled for Wednesday, 19th November 2008 in Blakedown Parish Room.
The meeting closed at 10.40 pm.
Dated this 19th day of November 2008 ………………………………............
Chairman
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