CHURCHILL AND BLAKEDOWN PARISH COUNCIL 27
Minutes of the Meeting of Churchill and Blakedown
Parish Council held on Wednesday, 17th June
2009, in Blakedown Parish Rooms.
PRESENT
Cllr P A Dearden (in the Chair)
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:
County Cllr S J Clee
District Cllr S Williams
PC Sally Sliwinska and CSP Kate Easthope
Roger Gurney, Clerk to the Parish Council
107/09
CHAIRMANS REMARKS
Cllr Dearden welcomed councillors to the
meeting.
108/09
APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE
These were received and accepted from Cllr
Whiston.
109/09
DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST
None.
110/09
COMMUNITY POLICING
CSO Kate Easthope and PC Sally Sliwinska
were in attendance. They reported that the
current crime is theft from sheds and garages.
There had been a successful Smart meeting
and it is hoped that Neighbourhood Watch
schemes can be re-established. There is a
need for a further PACT meeting, although
a successful Junior Pact meeting was held
at the school. The Police had helped the
Blakedown Litter Pick and would be attending
the Blakedown Bolt on Friday, 19th June.
There is still a general problem with nuisance
from young drivers during the late evenings
in car parks, particularly at the Parish
Rooms. Members felt that this is a problem
that needs to be sorted and the Clerk was
asked to write to the Parish Rooms Committee
regarding the construction of a barrier;
this would have the support of the police
and Parish Council, including some funding
from each. Cllr Long agreed to raise this
at the next Parish Rooms Committee meeting.
ADJOURNMENT FOR PUBLIC COMMENT
(One member of the public was in attendance.
Mr Lorton commented that (1) the road drains
outside the school in Birmingham Road need
attention; (2) when electricity work was
done in New Wood Lane the transformer was
left on its poles; (3) some 80 feet of Station
Drive has still not been kerbed is this
part of BT land?(County Cllr Clee wishes
to be kept informed); (4) the new steps on the footpath over the railway have been built
so that water will collect, which in winter
will turn to ice- Clerk to inform WCC).
28
CHURCHILL AND BLAKEDOWN PARISH COUNCIL Minutes
17.06.09
111/09
REPORTS FROM COUNTY AND DISTRICT COUNCILLORS
County Cllr Clee commented that he did not
have a report as he had been standing for
re-election at the elections earlier in the
month.
Cllr Williams apologized for not being able
to attend meeting recently, as he has been
busy as Chairman of WFDC.
112/09
CONFIRMATION OF THE MINUTES OF THE MEETING
HELD ON
20th MAY 2009
It was proposed by Cllr Charman, seconded by Cllr
Mrs Swindells, and RESOLVED that the Minutes,
being a true and accurate record of the proceedings
of the meeting, be signed be the Chairman.
113/09
PROGRESS REPORTS FOR INFORMATION
(1) Parish Web site. Gordon Stevens had apologised for his absence
and there was no
report.
(2) Lengthsman/Handyman report. Mark Jones had apologized for his absence.
(3) Registration of the Village Green and
The Avenue. Cllr Dearden continues to work at this and
Cllr Long offered to assist.
(4) Shoppers Car Park. The Clerk reported that he had been told
that there was a delay in advertising the
signage at the public car parks in the District.
Members are awaiting the appraisal officers
at WFDC. County Cllr Clee agree to pursue
this matter.
(5) Planning Complaints. The Clerk reported that the WFDC Enforcement
Officer had not found any breach of planning
regulations on land adjacent to New Wood
Farm, and has not responded on the matter
of the extension to 19 Brookside Way.
(6) WF Police Community Engagement Group
Performance Data. This was circulated with the agenda and
was noted.
(7) Parish Council meeting dates and venues. The list for the 2009/2010 year was circulated
with the agenda and was noted.
(8) Housing Needs Survey. The Clerk and Cllr Mrs Swindells will liaise
before responding to the Rural Housing Enabler,
Nigel Potter.
114/09
PLANNING APPLICATIONS
(1) It was resolved that the comments on
the following applications, as detailed,
be sent to Wyre Forest DC.
(1) Applications Received
WF/09/0349
Additional access, Baytree House, Stakenbridge
Lane, Churchill
No objection in principle; this will allow
vehicles to enter Stakenbridge Lane in a
forward direction, although local Churchill
councillors are concerned with the position
of the new access on the inside of the bend.
WF/09/0361
Kitchen extension, 51 Birmingham Road, Blakedown
No objection
WF/09/0401
Reduce height of copper beech and fell weeping
silver birch, Churchill Old Farm, Churchill
CHURCHILL AND BLAKEDOWN PARISH COUNCIL Minutes
17.06.09 29
No objection; support the views of the Arboricultural
Officer.
(2) Planning Decisions - for information
WF/09/0188 Three bedroom dwelling, 13 The Croft, Blakedown
GRANTED
WF/09/0190
Remove one Douglas Fir, reduce height of
cherry and fir tree,
3 Wannerton Road, Blakedown REFUSED (fir
tree); GRANTED (cherry)
WF/09/0205
Extension and pitched roof over garage, Crumpsbank
House, Stakenbridge Lane, Churchill - GRANTED
WF/09/0212
Front porch, 13 Mill Lane, Blakedown - GRANTED
115/09
FINANCE
(1)
The Clerk reported that the current account
today stands at £9,992.54p and the Instant
Access account stands at £7,604.41p, giving
a total credit balance of £17,596.95p.
(2)
It was proposed by Cllr Mrs Swindells, seconded
by Cllr Mrs Hayward, and resolved that the
following accounts be approved for payment:
Staples UK Ltd, photocopying, stationery
(May) £30.72 + £4.61 VAT
£ 35.33
Alan Rose - Signs and Graphics Limited £255.00 +£38.25 VAT
£293.25
Blakedown PCC churchyard maintenance
£345.00
Churchill PCC churchyard maintenance
£345.00
V Rudge grass and verge cutting (May)
£160.00
Mark Jones
handyman
£320.00
lengthsman
£160.00
Diane Malley (Internal auditor)
£100.00
£1,758.58
116/09
APPROVAL OF THE ACCOUNTS FOR YEAR ENDING
31ST MARCH 2009
Copies of the Accounts were circulated with
the agenda. The Clerk explained the significant
differences from the previous year. It was
agreed that WFDC be asked for the balance
(£400) of the Planning IT money. The approval
of the Accounts was proposed by Cllr Mrs
Cartwright, seconded by Cllr Mrs Hayward
and agreed.
117/09
COMPLETION OF THE ANNUAL RETURN
The Statement of Accounts and the Annual
Governance statement were discussed, completed
and signed by the Chairman and the Clerk/Responsible
Finance Officer. This is due to be sent to
the External Auditor, Clement Keys, by 30th June 2009.
118/09
HIGHWAY MATTERS
A letter from WCC Highways giving updates
on matters raised at the previous meeting
was reported. (1) The pelican crossing is
reported to be working satisfactorily: the
bleepers do not function during the night,
but there is a device for use by visually
impaired during the period. (2) The A.456
is reported to be inspected regularly, so
the problems with the carriageway near Harborough
Hall are being monitored.
(3) Stakenbridge Lane is to be inspected
to check the problems with the resurfacing.
(4) Any necessary remedial work to the footway
in Churchill village will be carried out.
The Clerk was asked to find out how the 20
mph limit outside the school is progressing.
30 CHURCHILL AND BLAKEDOWN PARISH COUNCIL Minutes 17.06.09
119/09
COMMUNITY EMERGENCY PLAN
Cllr Gardiner reported that this is now complete
and that a cheque is due from WFDC.
120/09
PARISH PLAN WORKING GROUP
It was reported that this is now being written
up and its completion is in sight.
Cllr Gardiner reported on the meeting with
the various fundraising groups in the Parish.
Whilst there is a certain amount of agreement
with the organizers, it was disappointing
that the accounts of recent functions were
not available; if the parish council is to
have a co-ordinating role it is important
that accounts are made available. There is
a need to find out what assets are available
within the village, so that duplication can
be avoided. The Clerk was asked to write
to obtain a copy of the fete accounts.
121/09 THE AVENUE, CAR PARK AND VILLAGE GREEN
The Clerk is awaiting a response from CALC.
It was noted that a team of yellow jacketed
men were seen recently inspecting the trees
in The Avenue.
122/09
ITEMS FROM CALC
The Clerk reported that the meeting in Stourport
on 11th June was not well attended, and there was
a useful talk about benefits available to
residents of WFDC, with parish and town councils
asked to spread the word about the current
benefits system and how to claim.
123/09
CORRESPONDENCE (for noting)
(1) Bromsgrove DC Longbridge Action Area
Plan
(2) CPRE notice of AGM, 27.06.09, at Worcester
University
(3) Kinver PC agendas and minutes
(4) A letter of resignation, as from 18th June 2009, from the Parish Council was received
from Cllr Gardiner. Cllr Gardiner explained
that he has been promoted to a position which
may be in conflict with his position as a
parish councillor. The Chairman thanked him
for the work he has done whilst on the Parish
Council and wished him well in his new job.
124/09
ITEMS OR PARISH INTEREST/ITEMS FOR NEXT AGENDA
1. Quotations/details for new notice boards.
2. Future financial support and communication
within the Parish
3. Geoff Elwell will speak about the Millennium
Green and Parish Games.
125/09 DATE OF NEXT MEETING
This will be held on Wednesday, 15th July 2009 in Blakedown Parish Rooms.
The meeting closed at 9.59 pm.
Dated this 15th day of July 2009
............
Chairman