CHURCHILL AND BLAKEDOWN PARISH COUNCIL 193
Minutes of the Meeting of Churchill and Blakedown
Parish Council held on Wednesday, 17th September 2008, in Blakedown Parish Rooms.
PRESENT Cllr R J Whiston (Chairman)
Cllr Mrs S Cartwright
Cllr S D Charman
Cllr P A Dearden
Cllr T A Gardiner
Cllr Mrs P V Hayward
Cllr J W Long
Cllr B A Pitt
Cllr Mrs V J Swindells
In attendance:
Nigel Potter, Rural Housing Enabler
R D Gurney, Clerk to the Parish Council
161/08
CHAIRMAN’S REMARKS
The Chairman welcomed Nigel Potter and Members
of the Council to the meeting. He reported
that he had attended the Area Meeting of
CALC.
162/08
APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE
There were none.
163/08
DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST
Cllr Long declared a personal interest (as
the freeholder of the Post Office premises)
in Item 14, minute no. 174/08).
Cllr Mrs Swindells declared a personal interest
in Item 10, minute no. 170/08).
164/08
COMMUNITY POLICING
PC Sarah Brooks had sent an apology. It was
reported that the PACT box is now in The
Old House At Home.
165/08
SOCIAL AND AFFORDABLE HOUSING
The Chairman introduced Nigel Potter, Rural
Housing Enabler for Worcestershire and informed
him of sites in the parish which are considered
suitable for affordable housing, namely the
former Nursery site and the rear of the Vicarage,
off Mill Close, for which a planning application
is for comment at this meeting. Mr Potter
commented that he works for Community First
(CF), which specializes in rural matters,
parish plans, village halls, etc; it is funded
by 4 district councils, WCC and housing associations.
He reminded the meeting that social housing
issues can be confrontational within communities
and often there can be a lengthy timescale.
The current problem arises because house
prices have risen at a considerably higher
rate than wages; there is difficulty in getting
on to the housing ladder unless subsidized
by parents. The age profile in rural areas
is rising and a need to cater for downsizing,
both in size of property and the provision
of suitable property, eg bungalows.
Before social housing can be developed on
an exception site it is necessary for a housing
need survey to be done. The letter, form
and criteria are arranged by CF and the PC
is asked to arrange delivery to each household
in the Parish. The replies, in pre paid,
envelopes are sent to CF, who analyses the
responses. If a need is shown then suitable
land requires to be found, its purchase sought
from the landowner, and a housing association
found before plans are drawn up. The least
costly land is likely to be in Green Belt,
on the edge of the village, where planning
permission for housing is unlikely to be
given, an Agreement under Section 106 of
the Town and Country Planning Act 1990 will
normally need to be entered into, to ensure
that the housing remains as social housing.
After Members put questions to Mr Potter
the Chairman thanked Mr Potter for his informative
talk. Mr Potter left the meeting.
It was felt that a housing needs survey should be done as soon as possible and it was agreed that the Clerk informs Mr Potter to proceed with the preparation of this survey
194
ADJOURNMENT FOR PUBLIC COMMENT
(One member of the public (Mr Lorton) was
in attendance. He commented that one paling is missing from the seat on the Green; a
stile on the footpath behind the barn conversions
in Churchill is blocked off; and a broken
bridge on the footpath just outside the parish
boundary in Chaddesley Corbett PC has been
reported and taped off).
166/08
REPORTS FROM COUNTY AND DISTRICT COUNCILLORS
Neither County Cllr Clee nor Cllr Williams
were in attendance and there were no reports.
167/08
CONFIRMATION OF THE MINUTES OF THE MEETING
HELD ON
20th AUGUST 2008
Subject to the deletion of the word “height”
from Minute no. 144/08(9), line 2, it was
proposed by Cllr Charman, seconded by Cllr
Mrs Cartwright, and RESOLVED that the Minutes,
being a true and accurate record of the proceedings
of the meeting, be signed by the Chairman.
168/08
PROGRESS REPORTS FOR INFORMATION
(1) Parish Web site. Gordon Stevens was unable to attend and there
was no report. It was agreed that the cost
of advertising on the web site should be
considered at a subsequent meeting.
(2) Lengthsman/Handyman report. Mark Jones was not in attendance, but he
had reported the recent fly tipping in Rocky
Lane and this was removed by WFDC. The bracken
at Churchill Pound has been treated and the
Clerk is to ask Mark Jones to strim this
when it has died back.
(3) Land to the rear of 5 Mill Lane, Blakedown.
It was felt that the response to the request
that this land being used as allotment land
had been given by the submission of the current
planning application for 3 houses.
(4) Blakedown Signal box listing. The Clerk has obtained some photos from the
website, but is currently having difficulty
finding details to support listing.
(5) Local listing in rural areas. The list of listed buildings, etc, was circulated
with the agenda. This was noted and it was
agreed that it be included on the web site.
As there had been a negative response from
WFDC regarding a survey for local listing
in the Parish the Clerk was asked to send
a copy of the letter dated 01.08.08 from
Mr Parker to County Cllr Clee.
(6) Management of the Shoppers Car Park. Cllr Mrs Hayward agreed to follow the non
reply to the Clerk with WFDC.
CHURCHILL AND BLAKEDOWN PARISH COUNCIL Minutes
17.09.08 195
(7) Street nameplates and signs. Cllr Gardiner is still working through the
roads in
Blakedown. Cllr Whiston reported a number
of signs in Churchill which need to be attended
to. It was agreed that signs be requested
for Rocky Lane (both ends); Stakenbridge
Lane (by the crossroads); Stoney Lane (at
Stakenbridge Lane end); and Perriford Lane
(both ends). Before a similar request is
made for Beech Tree Lane the Clerk was asked
to write to the residents living in Beech
Tree Lane and Sugar Loaf Lane.
(8) Litter Picking agreement. The Clerk reported that this has been agreed
and he has received the annual payment of
£150 from WFDC.
(9) Millennium Green grant. The Clerk has received a letter of thanks
from the trustees.
169/08
PLANNING APPLICATIONS
(1) It was resolved that the comments on
the following applications, as detailed,
be sent to Wyre Forest DC.
Applications Received
WF/08/0800
Two storey and single storey extension with
lean-to roof, new single storey roof to rear,
20 Belbroughton Road, Blakedown
No objection
WF/08/0814/TREE
Fell one pine tree at front of property,
11 Wannerton Road, Blakedown
Objection. The PC considers that the removal
of the ivy could improve the health of the
tree, but it would support the view of the
Arboricultual Officer
WF/08/0839 Erection of three detached dwellings, access
and turning area, land at
rear of 5 Mill Lane, Blakedown
Strongly Recommend Refusal. As this land was conveyed on 25th November 1957 to the Church “as a site for
a Parsonage House” the PC considers that
the development of the land as proposed is
in conflict with the covenant. Being specifically for one property therefore restricts what can be done with
the site. Because of this covenant the PC
has identified this land as suitable for
development within the “exceptions” policy,
which would contribute towards the social
and affordable housing need in the village.
Notwithstanding the above the PC considers
that this proposal is for the wrong type
of housing, as there is a need for smaller,
affordable units. Also the proposed dwellings
would lead to overlooking of existing properties
and cause a loss of privacy.
Planning Decisions - for information
WF/08/0625
Extensions, Larchwood, Stakenbridge, Churchill
– GRANTED
WF/07/1201
Glazed link between house and garage, 1 Yarnold
Cottages, Stakenbridge, Churchill – APPEAL
ALLOWED
Appeal notifications
WF/07/1260
Erection of 2 five bedroom houses with vehicular
accesses; demolition of Little Champson,
1 Roxall Close, Blakedown (representations
by 29.09.08)
WF/08/0451
Erection of 2 four bedroom detached houses (demolition
of Little Champson), Little Champson, 1 Roxall
Close, Blakedown (representations by 13.10.08)
196
Cllr Mrs Swindells had prepared a statement
for submission on behalf of the Parish
Council for both appeals and, subject to
some minor amendments, this was agreed.
170/08
GRANT APPLICATION – WRVS
A copy of the letter from WRVS was circulated
with the agenda. It was proposed by Cllr
Mrs Hayward, seconded by Cllr Mrs Swindells,
and agreed that a grant of £100 be made.
171/08
DISTRIBUTION OF PARISH GAMES PRIZE
It was agreed to defer this item to a subsequent
meeting.
172/08
FINANCE
(1)
The Clerk reported that the current account
today stands at £320.62p and the Instant Access account stands at £7,547.10p,
giving a total credit balance of
£7,867.72p.
(2)
The Receipts and Payments Account for 04.07.08-06.08.08
was received.
(3)
It was proposed by Cllr Gardiner, seconded
by Cllr Pitt, and resolved that the following
accounts be approved for payment:
Staples UK Ltd, photocopying, stamps (August)
£19.04 + £2.58 VAT
£ 21.62
R D Gurney salary (August/September)
£589.62
Mark Jones
handyman
£360.00
lengthsman
£205.00
V Rudge (August)
£160.00
WRVS
£100.00
£1,436.24
173/08
HIGHWAY MATTERS
Mr Hunter (WCC) confirms that WCC has passed
over the problems with satnavs to the appropriate
bodies, and commented that it may take at
least 6 months before changes become operative.
In response to the recent letter stating
that there is no budget for work in Station
Drive, the Clerk was asked to email Mr Hunter’s
letter to him, for action.
The Clerk was asked to report blocked drains
at Station Drive/The Avenue and outside no.
65 Belbroughton Road.
174/08 POST OFFICE WORKING GROUP
It was announced that Blakedown Post Office
is not included for closure. The PO at Harvington
is scheduled to be closed, and customers
will be expected to use the PO at Blakedown;
there seems to be an acceptance of this in
Harvington. Cllr Long reminded the Council
that a further review of post offices will
be held in 2011. The Chairman thanked Cllr
Long and other members who had helped in
the campaign and would have continued to
help in the event of proposed closure.
175/08
PARISH PLAN WORKING GROUP
Members are still aggregating the survey
results. A distribution network for deliveries
in the Parish has been set up, able to be
used for other organizations. An electronic
map is required for the village centre (at
first), which would be available for all
organizations, and this was agreed. The Group
is having meetings with various groups in
the Parish and will have a stall at the fete
on 20th September. It was reported that Cllr Mrs
Hayward has agreed to give £50 from her “District Council
fund” to the Parish Plan Group
197
176/08
REGISTRATION OF THE VILLAGE GREEN
It is hoped that further letters will be
received and it was agreed to defer discussion
of this to a later meeting.
177/08
ENCROACHMENT IN TO THE AVENUE
The Clerk reported that the solicitor at
WCC had not offered much encouragement for
The Avenue being successfully registered
as a village green. Members, however, felt
that this should be pursued. Letters giving
details of its use over a number of years
will be required.
178/08
STREET LIGHTING
It was agreed that this Item relating to
possible changes in the street lighting service
be deferred.
179/08 CO-ORDINATION OF FUND RAISING
It was agreed that discussion of this item
be deferred until after the fete on 20th September.
180/08
COMMUNITY EMERGENCY PLAN
Details of a workshop to be held on 29th September were enclosed with the agenda.
Cllr Gardiner agreed to attend.
181/08 THE BIG TIDY UP
The Chairman reported that this has resulted
from Bill Bryson and is to encourage communities
to take part in keeping their area tidy and
free from litter. There is need to register,
giving a date, so that equipment can be sent.
Whilst there is the School Eco Committee
and work done by Mark Jones as handyman and
lengthsman it was agreed that the Chairman
registers, with a date next year. The Chairman
produced a list of emergency telephone numbers
for various types of litter and it was agreed
that this be put on the web site and in the
Parish newsletter.
182/08
ITEMS FROM CALC
The Clerk reported that the CALC AGM will
be held on Thursday, 9th October 2008, at 7.00 pm at County Hall.
The Chairman reported that, following the
recent Ethics and Standards Committee, parish
councils were asked to amend their Standing
Orders, to take account of changes to the
Complaints Procedure. That the Standing Orders
of Churchill and Blakedown Parish Council
be amended to incorporate the following:
“A complaint of an alleged breach of the
Code of Conduct shall be sent to the Head
of Legal Services and the Chairman of the
Ethics and Standards Committee at Wyre Forest
District Council for assessment.”
It was agreed that this addition Standing
Order be accepted and presented for approval
at the next meeting of the Parish Council.
198
183/08
CORRESPONDENCE (for noting)
(1) Community First – AGM, 1st October at Hanley Swan
(2) RBL – Remembrance Service, Sunday 9th November
(3) WCC – Bus Bulletin, August/Sept
(4) Highways Agency A.456 Detrunking Order
(5) WFDC – Revised Local Development Framework,
in effect from 30.08.08
(6) South Staffs DC – Local Development Framework
consultation until 26th September
(7) WCC – Wyre Forest Special Schools Review
update
(8) CPRE, Bromsgrove District group – notice
of AGM
(9) Kinver PC – agendas and minutes
(10) Magazines including Clerks and Councils
Direct, Worcestershire Partnership
184/08
ITEMS OR PARISH INTEREST/ITEMS FOR NEXT AGENDA
(1) Autumn newsletter
185/08 DATE OF NEXT MEETING
This is scheduled for Wednesday, 15th October 2008 in Blakedown Parish Room.
The meeting closed at 10.29 pm.
Dated this 15th day of October 2008
………………………………............
Chairman