CHURCHILL AND BLAKEDOWN PARISH COUNCIL 50
Minutes of the Meeting of Churchill and Blakedown
Parish Council held on Wednesday, 18th November 2009, in Blakedown Parish Rooms.
PRESENT
Cllr R J Whiston (Chairman)
Cllr Mrs S Cartwright
Cllr S D Charman
Cllr Mrs P L Coley
Cllr P A Dearden
Cllr Mrs P V Hayward
Cllr J W Long
Cllr B A Pitt
Cllr Mrs V J Swindells
In attendance:
County Cllr Stephen Clee
Gordon Stevens, web site keeper
Roger Gurney, Clerk to the Parish Council
215/09
CHAIRMAN’S REMARKS
The Chairman welcomed councillors and members
of the public to the meeting.
216/09
APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE
None.
217/09
DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST
Cllr Long declared a personal interest in
Item 14, Minute no. 228 /09.
218/09
COMMUNITY POLICING
CSO Kate Easthope had given an apology and
there was no report.
ADJOURNMENT FOR PUBLIC COMMENT
(2 members of the public were in attendance.
Mr Keys said that he has seen Dr Richard
Taylor, MP, regarding the danger of traffic
in Stakenbridge Lane and the lack of recognition
of the problem by the various local authorities.
He said that there should be a weight limit,
to which the Chairman commented that the
PC has been pursuing this unsuccessfully
for several years. Mr Keys noted that the
gypsy site planning application is to be
considered later in the meeting.
Mr Lorton noted that WFDC has waived parking
notices on car parks in Bewdley and hoped
that this would apply in Blakedown).
219/09
REPORTS FROM COUNTY AND DISTRICT COUNCILLORS
County Cllr Clee commented that he had had
a meeting with Dave Hunter (WCC) in Blakedown
on 11th November; unfortunately emails to the Clerk
and others inviting them to attend had not
been received. He reported that they had
visited Station Drive/Lynwood Drive to check
on parking problems, but they did not find
any, which was disputed by Members, as they
continues to be a problem with commuters
and school traffic. Traffic and parking at
The Avenue and the Shoppers’ car park were
noted. A pedestrian crossing will be put
in outside the School, which was welcomed.
They noted that Churchill
51
CHURCHILL AND BLAKEDOWN PARISH COUNCIL Minutes
18.11.09
crossroads had improved, but a further speed
survey will be done. The problem at the railway
bridge in Stakenbridge Lane was noted and
a further attempt to have the route removed
from Satnavs will be made. The request for
a weight restriction was noted. The footway
fronting Churchill Court, as far as Waggon
Lane, will be re-instated.
District Councillor Mrs Hayward reported
that there is a problem with raised stop
taps in Forge drive, Churchill, and requested
that the need for a seat at the Station Drive/Birmingham
Road junction be considered at the next meeting.
220/09
CONFIRMATION OF THE MINUTES OF THE MEETING
HELD ON
21st OCTOBER 2009
It was proposed by Cllr Mrs Coley, 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.
221/09
PROGRESS REPORTS FOR INFORMATION
(1) Parish Web site. Gordon Stevens was invited to speak. He circulated
the latest
figures for hits on the web site, showing
an increase of 11,000 over last year. Recent
hits have been from New Zealand, Middle East,
as well many parts of Europe.
(2) Lengthsman/Handyman report. Mark Jones had given his apology. The Clerk
reported that WFDC will provide additional
litter bins and the Parish Plan Group will
give the Clerk the locations.
(3) Barrier at the Parish Rooms. Cllr Long reported that this matter was
considered at the last Parish Rooms Committee
meeting. There are several options and two
companies are to visit to assess and suggest
solutions.
(4) Street lighting faults. The Clerk confirmed that, having spoken to
our insurer, no further action need be considered
at present.
(5) Rail safety measures. The Clerk has still been unable to make
contact with London Midland.
(6) Retention of telephone kiosks. The Clerk had had no response form WFDC.
(7) Blakedown Fete. A report from the Fete Committee was read
out by the Clerk and was noted.
(8) Housing Need Survey. The Clerk reported that, following discussion
with Nigel Potter and Cllr Mrs Swindells,
the distribution will be carried out at the
end of January, with the survey forms to
be returned by the end of February.
(9) Allocation of S.106 monies. The Clerk has not received a reply from
WFDC. Cllr Clee agreed to follow this matter
up.
(10) Planning training. Cllr Long had attended; he found it useful,
although different from previous years.
222/09
PLANNING APPLICATIONS
It was resolved that the comments on the
following applications, as detailed, be sent
to Wyre Forest DC.
(1) Applications received
WF/09/0744
Stationing of up to 3 residential caravans
and utility building, surfacing of part of
site, installation of septic tank, erection
of fencing and improvements to access, The
Oaks Paddock, Rocky Lane, Churchill
CHURCHILL AND BLAKEDOWN PARISH COUNCIL Minutes
18.11.09 52
Objection to the proposal. This site is within the
confirmed Green Belt where
development should only be allowed in very
special circumstances. The PC does not
consider that there are any such very special
circumstances in this case.
The guidelines for sites for gypsies and
travellers are set out in Circular 1/2006
and this gives such people some special status.
The PC considers that the applicant and other
families already residing on this site do
not meet the guidelines for the following
reasons:
First, the PC has not seen any evidence to
confirm the applicant’s status as gypsies/travellers;
such a fact should be supported by a letter
from the Gypsy Council or similar.
Second, such applicants are strongly recommended
to consult the LPA before buying land on
which they wish to establish a caravan site;
this has not been done.
Third, caravan site are not exempt from being
sustainable. Churchill village has no amenities
such as shop, post office, school, playground
or regular and frequent bus services; it
is necessary for any journey from this site
to be made by private vehicle.
Fourth, this applicant has no connection
with Churchill village or any adjoining village;
the only comment made is that there are family
connections in the West Midlands. Indeed,
Churchill has not had a history of gypsies
residing in the area.
Fifth, building materials are evident on
the site, indicative that a business is being
carried on from the site.
Objection is raised on highway grounds. Rocky Lane is a very busy road,
being a rat run between the A.456 and A.449.
It is already dangerous, being narrow, having
no pavement and the site is close to the
brow of the hill leading up from Churchill
crossroads. In front of the site the road
is unrestricted. The PC considers that the
recommended visibility splays from the site
(90 metres in each direction) cannot be achieved.
Furthermore applications for accesses to
Stakenbridge Lane/Rocky Lane have recently
been refused.
The PC considers that the development would
result in the positioning of a number of
caravans and associated paraphernalia on
an exposed, prominent site within the landscape, adjacent to the Churchill Conservation
Area and a public footpath. The introduction
of these features on the site would not be
appropriate to, nor integrate with the landscape
and would have an adverse effect on its appearance
and character. The provision of planting
sensitive to the area would take time to
develop, particularly during the winter months.
The development would be contrary to Policy
LA.1 of the Wyre Forest Local Plan and Policy
CTC.1 of the Worcestershire County Structure
Plan.
The PC draws attention to misleading comments
in the application. The need for the ownership
of the application site should clarified;
the applicant claims to be the owner, yet
Certificate B is submitted. Also there are
now 4 caravans on site – the application
is for 3 only. Can action be taken for the removal of the
20+ metres ancient hedge from the road frontage
of the site?
It was agreed that Cllr J W Long speaks on
behalf of the Parish Council at the Planning
Committee in connection with the application.
WF/09/0746
Erection of two storey extension, Willow
Bank, Churchill
No objection
53 CHURCHILL AND BLAKEDOWN PARISH COUNCIL Minutes 18.11.09
WF/09/0702(revised)
Erection of building to provide shelter,
storage, fodder and bedding, rearing and
serving pens for rare breeds, access alterations
(retrospective), Jubilee Field, Birmingham
Road, Blakedown
No objection
(2) Planning Decisions - for information
WF/09/0638
Extension, Woodlands, Waggon Lane, Churchill
– GRANTED
223/09
GRANT REQUEST – MILLENNIUM GREEN TRUST
The Clerk reported information received from
Mr Elwell, but it was agreed that this item
be reconsidered in the next financial year.
224/09
GRANT REQUEST – 12th KIDDERMINSTER 9BLAKEDOWN) SCOUT GROUP
Details of this application were circulated
with the agenda. It was proposed by Cllr
Charman, seconded by Cllr Mrs Swindells,
and agreed that a grant of £500 be made.
225/09
FINANCE
(1)
The Clerk reported that the current account
today stands at £12,174.37p and the Instant
Access account stands at £12,606.24p, giving
a total credit balance of £24,780.61p.
(2)
It was proposed by Cllr Charman, seconded
by Cllr Pitt, and resolved that the following
accounts be approved for payment:
Staples UK Ltd, photocopying, stationery,
stamps (Oct) (2 invoices)
£37.20 + £3.97 VAT
£ 41.17
R D Gurney - salary
(October/November)
£623.64
- expenses
£ 47.60
Mark Jones
handyman
£290.00
lengthsman
£125.00
12th Kidderminster (Blakedown) Scout Group
£500.00
£1,627.41
226/09
HIGHWAY MATTERS
The matters raised in previous meetings have
been explained by County Cllr Clee in his
report earlier in this meeting. The Clerk
explained that he had discussed the leak
in Churchill Lane, Blakedown, with STW, who
said that there would have to be a road closure
from WCC before it could be repaired.
The dropped kerb outside the shop causes
problems with surface water entering the
shop. There seems no need for this and the
Clerk will discuss it with Dave Hunter.
227/09
PARISH PLAN WORKING GROUP
A meeting was held on 17th November and it is hoped that the Parish
Plan can be presented to the Parish Meeting
in April.
228/09 THE AVENUE, CAR PARK AND VILLAGE GREEN
The group of councillors, who agreed to meet
and discuss the various problems, has not
yet met and it was agreed that discussion
on this item be deferred to the next meeting.
It was agreed to delay a formal response
to a letter from Mike Parker, WFDC, which
was circulated with the agenda.
CHURCHILL AND BLAKEDOWN PARISH COUNCIL Minutes
18.11.09 54
229/09
PARISH COUNCIL NOTICE BOARDS
It was agreed to defer this item to the next
meeting.
230/09
COMMUNITY EMERGENCY PLAN
It was proposed by Cllr Mrs Swindells, seconded
by Cllr Dearden, and agreed that the Community
Emergency Plan be approved and adopted. Cllr
Mrs Swindells will submit the Plan to WFDC
and the Clerk will write to request the grant.
231/09
GRASS CUTTING AT THE WAR MEMORIAL
Cllr Long reported that he had seen WFDC
Parks department staff cutting the grass
and had spoken to them. It was agreed to
note this and to discuss the matter with
Mark Jones before the next mowing season.
232/09
PROVISION OF CHRISTMAS DECORATIONS
It was felt, ideally, that a Christmas tree
with lights could be sited on the Green.
It was hoped that a tree could be donated,
but the Clerk will enquire the source of
power for the lighting with WCC. It was accepted
that a tree without lights would be a start
and the question of lights, both in Blakedown
and Churchill, can be considered at a subsequent
meeting.
233/09
COMMUNITY LITTER PICK
Cllr Mrs Swindells agreed to discuss this
with WFDC and to report back after Christmas.
234/09
POLICE PREMISES IN BLAKEDOWN
Cllr Long agreed to find out the details
of the required premises, and whether they
are temporary or permanent. If this is a
viable proposal, then the PC would need to
press.
235/09
LEADER FUNDING
Several possible items have been identified
in the Parish Plan. It was agreed to advertise
this funding source on the web site and to
inform the Sports Committee.
236/09 2 FOR 1 TREE RULE
The Press report of the policy adopted by
a parish council in Staffordshire was circulated
with the agenda. After some discussion it
was agreed that this be adopted by the PC
for significant developments and included
in the Parish Plan; this was proposed by
Cllr Whiston, seconded by Cllr Mrs Coley.
It was recalled that there are trees on the
travellers site in Rocky Lane and the Clerk
was asked to request that a TPO be considered
and for them to be included on the national
Register of ancient trees.
237/09
ITEMS FROM CALC
The Clerk reported that the CALC AGM is to
be held on Wednesday, 25th November at County Hall and the Area Meeting
will be at the Swan Inn, Chaddesley Corbett,
on Tuesday, 1st December.
The Clerk reported that, instead of the CALC
MAIL, a weekly email circular is issued to
Clerks. It was agreed that this be forwarded
to all councillors.
55 CHURCHILL AND BLAKEDOWN PARISH COUNCIL Minutes 18.11.09
238/09
CORRESPONDENCE (for noting)
(1) WCC Community Greenspace Project
(2) WCC request for information of needs
for adult learning provision
(3) WF Police Community Engagement Group,
minutes of meeting on 17.09.09
(4) Kinver PC agenda and minutes
(5) Email from Mr Morley regarding dog problems
in Forge Lane and Millennium Green; the Clerk
to make enquiries and to reply appropriately.
239/09
ITEMS OR PARISH INTEREST/ITEMS FOR NEXT AGENDA
(1) Budget and Precept
240/09 DATE OF NEXT MEETING
This will be held on Wednesday, 9th December 2009 in Blakedown CE Primary School.
The meeting closed at 10.39 pm
Dated this 9th day of December 2009