CHURCHILL AND BLAKEDOWN PARISH COUNCIL
Minutes of the Meeting of Churchill and Blakedown Parish Council held
on Wednesday, 16th June 2010, in Blakedown Parish Rooms.
PRESENT Cllr R J Whiston (Chairman)
Cllr Mrs S Cartwright
Cllr S D Charman (from Item 6,
minute 106/10)
Cllr Mrs P L Coley
Cllr Mrs P V Hayward
Cllr J W Long
Cllr B A Pitt
Cllr Mrs V J Swindells
In attendance: Tim Gardiner, Chairman of Blakedown
PACT
Nigel Potter, Rural Housing
Enabler
Roger Gurney, Clerk to the Parish Council
101/10 CHAIRMAN’S REMARKS
The Chairman welcomed Members of the Council and the public to the
meeting.
102/10 APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE
These were received and accepted from Cllr Dearden.
103/10 DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST
Cllr Long declared a personal interests in Item 5, minute no. 105/10;
Item 9(5) minute no. 109(5)/10; Item 14, minute no. 114/10; Item15,
minute no. 115/10; and Item 18. minute no. 118/10
104/10 COMMUNITY POLICING
CSO Kate Easthope and PC Jayne Willetts were not able to attend. Cllr
Long reported gave brief details from the recent Police newsletter,
including youths reported on the roof of the sports pavilion; mini
motos being driven across the sports field; eggs thrown at properties;
break in at the sports pavilion; some property break-ins and suspicious
persons around Churchill.
105/10 PACT MEETING, 25th MAY
Tim Gardiner was invited to speak. He commented that parish, district
and county councillors are required to attend meetings of PACT. The
purpose is to signpost priorities of the problems raised at the meeting
and suggested that the PC should have a regular agenda item, so that
actions required to be taken by the PC can be recorded.
106/10 HOUSING NEED SURVEY
Nigel Potter was invited to speak. He reminded the PC that the survey
was distributed in February 2010 and the report had been circulated to
members by the Clerk. There was a 27% return. Compared with the 2001
census data the parish is typical of many others in Worcestershire. 23
respondents stated a likely need for affordable housing and the
information obtained showed that there is a need for shared ownership
and a mix of house types, including flats and bungalows.
86 CHURCHILL AND
BLAKEDOWN PARISH COUNCIL Minutes 16.06.10
That the report be adopted was proposed by Cllr Charman, seconded by
Cllr Mrs Swindells, and agreed. As the PC is content with the
information in the report it is able to be publicized; this will
include WFDC (which Mr Potter agreed to do), on the web site and in the
next newsletter. There would also need to be a discussion with WFDC
prior to involving a housing association. Following any preliminary
discussions with WFDC there will be a need on how the implementation
should proceed; this is to be included on the next agenda.
ADJOURNMENT FOR PUBLIC COMMENT
(One member of the public was in attendance. Mr Lorton mentioned that
none of the various matters raise previously had been attended to).
107/10 REPORTS FROM COUNTY AND DISTRICT COUNCILLORS
County Cllr Clee and District Cllr Williams had sent their apologies
and there were no reports. Cllr Mrs Hayward commented that she had
received concerns about the removal of bus stop near Perryford Lane,
although this may be temporary during the road works.
108/10 CONFIRMATION OF THE MINUTES OF THE MEETING
HELD ON
19th MAY 2010
It was proposed by Cllr Charman, seconded by Cllr Long, and RESOLVED
that the Minutes, being a true and accurate record of the proceedings
of the meeting, be signed by the Chairman.
109/10 PROGRESS REPORTS FOR INFORMATION
(1)Parish Web site. Gordon Stevens was not in attendance and there was
no report.
(2)Lengthsman/Handyman report. Mark Jones had given his apology.
Members
enquired who was responsible for the grass cutting on the bank in Rocky
Lane, near the crossroad; if it the lengthsman’s work then Mark Jones
may need more equipment; otherwise the Highway Authority should be
contacted.
(3) Retention of telephone kiosks. The Clerk has yet to make contact
with the respondent.
(4) Allocation of S.106 monies. This was deferred.
(5) Repair of Parish Council notice boards. Cllr Pitt reported that
work is currently progressing with the notice board at Blakedown; those
at Stakenbridge and Churchill are almost ready for use.
(6) Parish Plan. This has now been printed and distributed to all
properties in the Parish. Thanks were expressed to the Parish Plan
Group for preparing the Parish Plan. It was proposed by Cllr Long,
seconded by Cllr Mrs Swindells, and agreed that the Parish Plan be
adopted by the Parish Council.
(7) Community Emergency Plan. The final version has now been submitted
to WFDC.
(8) Listing of the Signal Box. Cllr Mrs Swindells has obtained
information, which will be collated, prior to passing it to the Clerk
for submission.
(9) Annual Return. This has been submitted to the External Auditor.
(10) Litter picking Grant from WFDC. The Clerk reported that he has now
received
the grant from WFDC for 2009/10, but he has been informed that this
will not be paid in
2010/11.
CHURCHILL AND BLAKEDOWN PARISH COUNCIL Minutes
16.06.10
87
(11) Meeting dates for 2010/2011. This was circulated with the agenda
and will be put on the web site.
110/10 PLANNING APPLICATIONS
It was resolved that the comments on the following applications, as
detailed, be sent to Wyre Forest DC.
(1) Applications received
WF/10/0303 Erection of 3 stables and change of use of
land to the keeping of horses, together with car parking area and
driveway (renewal of Plan no. 06/1233), Field off Stakenbridge Lane,
Churchill
Objection to the proposal for the following reasons.
1. The use of the access for the proposed purpose is considered to be
dangerous because it is located close to the infamous bend under the
railway bridge; it is near the brow of the hill; visibility in both
directions is poor; the use would introduce slow moving vehicles (eg
horse boxes) and horse riders on a narrow, busy road which is used as a
rat run; and where the average speed of vehicles exceeds 40 mph in this
30 mph area. (This figure is from the County Council survey done during
one week in January 2005 and it has not improved since that date).
There are frequent accidents along this stretch of Stakenbridge Lane
and additional slow moving traffic would be likely to be a cause of
further and, possibly, more serious accidents. (It is noted that the
applicant lives adjacent to this site, with his access from the north.
The PC sees no reason why this site cannot be accessed from the north).
2. The construction of stables in three separate locations represents a
scatter of buildings in this otherwise open area of Green Belt. These
stable blocks, the formation of a car park with turning facility,
laying out of a new road between paddocks 1 and 2 to serve paddock 3,
and the inevitable substantial alterations to the verge and boundary
hedge along Stakenbridge Lane will cumulatively alter detrimentally the
character and appearance of this presently unspoilt Green Belt location.
3. There are already amenity and highway problems in Churchill caused
by the number of horse riders, which would be exacerbated if this
scheme is allowed.
WF/10/0324 First floor extension, Hurcott Manor
Cottage, Hurcott
No objection
(2) Planning Decisions - for information
WF/10/0141 Timber framed building for storage of
marquees, etc, Park Hall, Birmingham Road, Blakedown – WITHDRAWN
(3) Proposed housing at Castle Ash, Birmingham Road, Blakedown
The recent application for this development had been withdrawn, but the
Clerk has received an email from the applicant’s agent, Paul McCann,
requesting to speak to the Parish Council regarding a resubmission of
the scheme. It was agreed that he be allowed to give a presentation at
the next meeting, although the PC would not be commenting.
111/10 GYPSY SITE, ROCKY LANE, CHURCHILL
The Clerk will send a copy of all the correspondence on the planning
application and
88 CHURCHILL AND BLAKEDOWN PARISH
COUNCIL Minutes 16.06.10
appeal to Cllr Long, who will be attending on behalf of the Parish
Council, and Cllr Mrs Hayward, prior to the hearing on 13th July.
112/10 REQUESTS FOR GRANTS
(1) Churchill and Blakedown Millennium Green Trust.
Details of the latest accounts for the Trust were circulated with the
agenda. That £264.00 be awarded was proposed by Cllr Charman, seconded
by Cllr Mrs Coley, and agreed.
(2) Churchill and Blakedown Sports and Recreation Committee.
The annual report and the latest accounts were circulated with the
agenda. It was proposed by Cllr Mrs Cartwright, seconded by Cllr Mrs
Swindells, and agreed that £500.00 be awarded.
113/10 FINANCE
(1) The Clerk reported that the current account today
stands at £17,838.81p and the Instant Access account stands at
£12,609.91p, giving a total credit balance of £30,448.72p
(2) The receipts and Payments account for
24.02.10-01.06.10 was received.
(3) It was proposed by Cllr Pitt, seconded by Cllr
Mrs Cartwright, and resolved that the following accounts be approved
for payment:
Staples UK Ltd, photocopying, stationery (May)
£33.55 + £5.88 VAT (2 invoices)
£ 39.43
Blakedown Parish Rooms (March and
May 2010)
£ 30.00
Blakedown PCC
£345.00
Churchill PCC
£345.00
Diane Malley (Internal
Auditor)
£105.00
Vernon Rudge
£160.00
Stargold Limited (for Parish Plan
printing)
£1,685.00
Aon Limited
£1,305.62
Mark Jones
handyman
£280.00
lengthsman
£125.00
Churchill and Blakedown
Millennium Green Trust
£264.00
Churchill and Blakedown Sports
and Recreation Committee £500.00
£5,184.05
114/10 ACTION FOR THE SHOPPERS’ CAR PARK
Cllr Mrs Coley submitted a proposal for the car park, in the light of
further restrictions at Kidderminster station and the effects of
parking in the Station Drive area. The Parish Council felt that the
suggestions as put forward could not be supported, but that they formed
a very useful basis for further discussion with residents and users. It
was agreed that Cllr Mrs Coley arranges a Working Group to discuss the
way forward.
115/10 THE AVENUE, CAR PARK AND VILLAGE GREEN
The Clerk is arranging to discuss how this can be taken over by the
Parish Council and will pass details of the encroachments to the
enforcement officers at WFDC. The application for the registering of
the Village Green will be sent when the Open Spaces Society leaflets
have been assessed. A reply from Prysmian regarding the Christmas
lighting is awaited.
CHURCHILL AND BLAKEDOWN PARISH COUNCIL Minutes
16.06.10
89
The Clerk or Cllr Long was asked to contact the WI to see if its
members would be interested in taking over the planted areas at the car
park.
116/10 NEW SIGNAGE ON A.456
Members expressed concern with the number of signs recently erected
along the A.456, following the road alterations, and also the
unnecessary large size of these signs. Could they be temporary? Cllr
Charman agreed to speak to Maurice Carless at WCC, to invite him to
attend a meeting of the PC.
117/10 HIGHWAY MATTERS
Following the double fatal accident at the Five Ways in May, Cllr Long
had emailed County Cllr Clee with the suggestion of a roundabout being
installed at this junction. This accident and its implications had also
been raised at the PACT meeting. The Clerk will write to WCC with the
concerns (with a copy to County Cllr Clee).
A request for the PC to support a 20 mph speed limit through Blakedown,
together with short term parking on Birmingham Road had been received
by Cllr Long from Mrs Gardiner at the Post Office. These are matters
raised in the Parish Plan and Cllr Long will respond.
118/10 BARRIER AT THE PARISH ROOMS
There is a continuing problem with anti social behaviour and general
nuisance, particularly during late evenings. The Parish Rooms Committee
has received a quotation of some £1,600 for a wooden barrier. Members
agreed with the principle, but felt that a metal barrier would be
preferable; it was decided to wait for the comments of the Police.
119/10 FORMER NURSERY SITE, BELBROUGHTON ROAD
Following some activity on this site the Clerk was asked to find out
from the previous planning agent the latest position regarding
development of the site.
120/10 ITEMS FROM CALC
A presentation on the Bewdley Development Trust was given at the Area
Meeting on 9th June. The Clerk stood down after 9 years as the Area
Clerk.
121/10 CORRESPONDENCE (for noting)
(1) WCC Traffic Order: A.450 Hackman’s Gate 40mph speed limit order
(2) WCC – School Collaboration and Federation Policy
Statement
(3) Policing Matters Group, meeting 8th July 2010
(4) Neighbouring Parish Council agendas, etc
(Kinver, Bewdley and Chaddesley Corbett)
(5) Magazines, including Newsline, “Open Space” and OSS Annual Report
122/10 ITEMS OR PARISH INTEREST/ITEMS FOR NEXT AGENDA
None.
123/10 DATE OF NEXT MEETING
The next Meeting will be on Wednesday, 14th July 2010 in Blakedown C E
Primary School.
The meeting closed at 10.35 pm.
Dated this 14th day of July 2010
……………………………………Chairman