CHURCHILL AND BLAKEDOWN PARISH COUNCIL 35
Minutes of the Meeting of Churchill and Blakedown
Parish Council held on Wednesday, 19th August
2009, in Blakedown Parish Rooms.
PRESENT
Cllr R J Whiston (Chairman)
Cllr Mrs S Cartwright
Cllr P A Dearden
Cllr Mrs P V Hayward
Cllr J W Long
Cllr B A Pitt
Cllr Mrs V J Swindells (from Item 8(4), Minute
no. 155/09(4))
In attendance:
Gordon Stevens, Web master
Tim Gardiner, Community Emergency Plan co-ordinator
Roger Gurney, Clerk to the Parish Council
147/09
CHAIRMAN’S REMARKS
The Chairman welcomed councillors and members
of the public to the meeting.
148/09
APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE
These were received and accepted from Cllr
Charman.
149/09
DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST
Cllr Long declared a personal interest in
Item 8(3), Minute no. 155/09(3); Item 8(4),
Minute no. 155/09(4); and Item 17, Minute
no. 163/09.
150/09
COMMUNITY POLICING
An apology was received from PC Sally Sliwinska
and there was no report.
151/09
COMMUNITY EMERGENCY PLAN
This Item was brought forward and Mr Gardiner
was invited to address the meeting. The final
draft of the Emergency Plan had been emailed
to the Clerk and copies were given to Cllr
Mrs Cartwright, Cllr Dearden and the Chairman.
The Parish Council needs to appoint a further
member as a contact. It was agreed that this
be considered formally at the next meeting,
after which the Emergency Plan can be publicized.
152/09
FINANCIAL SUPPORT FOR FETE COMMITTEE
This Item was brought forward and Mr Gardiner
was invited to address the meeting. He reminded
the PC that it was prepared to offer financial
support for a newly-formed Committee, which
has now been achieved. The fete “assets”
are in a poor state and any newly purchased facilities, eg gazebos, would be community
owned. The Fete Committee requested that
the PC gives a grant of £500 (as a pump primer);
makes a contingency loan of £300 available;
and supports the finding of suitable storage
for the equipment. It was confirmed that
profit from the Fete would be apportioned
between village organizations. It was proposed
by Cllr Pitt, seconded by Cllr Mrs Cartwright,
and agreed that a grant of £500 be given
to the Churchill and Blakedown Fete Committee,
with £300 held as loan facility for the remainder
of this financial year.
36
CHURCHILL AND BLAKEDOWN PARISH COUNCIL Minutes
20.08.09
ADJOURNMENT FOR PUBLIC COMMENT
(16 members of the public were in attendance.
Jane Johns reported, first, that street light no.15 in Lynwood Drive
is again hidden in foliage; and, second,
she presented the results of a survey she
had undertaken with residents regarding the
usage of The Avenue; this will be put on
to the web site and be on the agenda for
the next meeting. Tim Gardiner commented
that a large 3 bay garage had been erected
at the rear of a property in Forge Lane,
adjacent to the Parish Rooms; it was agreed
that the Clerk reports this to WFDC. Several
residents of Mill Lane attended to ensure
that the PC would be putting in an objection
letter to the Planning Inspectorate regarding
the appeal against the refusal of planning
permission on land at the rear of 5 Mill
Lane, off Mill Close; this was confirmed
and many comments were made following the
public meeting called by the diocese at the
end of July. John Lorton noted, first, that
one ticket machine has been installed at
the station; second, that a dropped kerb
is needed at the Brookside Way end of the
footpath from Mill Lane; third, when will
WCC undertake road cleaning on A.456?).
153/09
REPORTS FROM COUNTY AND DISTRICT COUNCILLORS
An apology was received from District Cllr
Williams. County Cllr Clee was not in attendance
and there was no report.
154/09
CONFIRMATION OF THE MINUTES OF THE MEETING
HELD ON
15th JULY 2009
It was proposed by Cllr Dearden, seconded by Cllr
Mrs Hayward, and RESOLVED that the Minutes,
being a true and accurate record of the proceedings
of the meeting, be signed be the Chairman.
155/09
PROGRESS REPORTS FOR INFORMATION
(1) Parish Web site. Gordon Stevens circulated details of the
page loads over the past
year and reported that we are currently in
a quieter period.
(2) Lengthsman/Handyman report. Mark Jones had apologized for his absence.
Members commented on the overgrowing hedge
at The Grazings, Churchill, and asked the
Clerk to request the owners (Mr and Mrs Rose)
to cut it back. It was noted that the footway
between the Dingle and bus shelter on the
Kidderminster bound direction is overgrown
and the Clerk was asked to report this to
WCC.
(3) Registration of the Village Green and
The Avenue. Cllr Dearden continues to work at this.
(4) Trees in The Avenue. The Clerk reported that he had received
a copy of emails between the Tree Officer
at WFDC and Mark Peacock. The matter is not
yet resolved, as WFDC will have to make funds
available for the safety work to be done.
(5) Housing Needs Survey. The Clerk has received the information
from Cllr Mrs Swindells and will send it
to the Rural Housing Enabler.
(8) Barrier at the Parish Rooms. The Clerk had written to the Parish Rooms
Committee (via Cllr Long) regarding the possible
erection of a barrier. The next meeting is
scheduled for the coming week.
156/09
PARISH COUNCIL VACANCY
The Clerk reported that an election has not
been requested and, therefore, the Parish
CHURCHILL AND BLAKEDOWN PARISH COUNCIL Minutes
19.08.09 37
Council can co-opt at the next meeting. A
notice of the vacancy is being displayed
on the notice board, the application is available
from the Clerk or off the web site and applications
are requested by Wednesday 9th September 2009. The Chairman explained that,
if there is more than one candidate, voting
arrangements will be the same a previously
used.
157/09
PLANNING APPLICATIONS
It was resolved that the comments on the
following applications, as detailed, be sent
to Wyre Forest DC.
(1) Applications Received
WF/09/0522
Two storey extension, Woodlands, Waggon Lane,
Churchill
No objection to the principle of this extension,
but the PC feels that the rear elevation
would be greatly improved if a pitched roof
could be incorporated: this would reduce
the
mass and impact of the building from this
aspect.
WF/09/0531
Two storey side extension, 28 Sculthorpe
Road, Blakedown
No objection
WF/09/0538
Single storey extension and skylight, 21
Lynwood Drive, Blakedown
No objection
WF/09/0539
Single storey extension and skylight, 19
Lynwood Drive, Blakedown
No objection
WF/09/0554
Single storey rear extension, 4 Sculthorpe
Road, Blakedown
No objection
(2) Planning Decisions - for information
WF/09/0265
Extension, Park Hall Lodge, Birmingham Road,
Blakedown– GRANTED
WF/09/0349
Additional access, Baytree House, Stakenbridge
Lane, Churchill – REFUSED
WF/09/0361
Kitchen extension, 51 Birmingham Road, Blakedown
– GRANTED
WF/09/0458
Extension, Park Hall Lodge, Birmingham Road,
Blakedown– LBC GRANTED
(3) Appeal Notification
WF/08/0839
Erection of 3 detached dwellings, access
and turning area, land to rear of
5 Mill Lane, (off Mill Close), Blakedown
The Clerk reported that representations for
this written appeal are required by 27th August. Members re-affirmed their objections
to this application and the Clerk was asked
38 CHURCHILL AND BLAKEDOWN PARISH COUNCIL Minutes 19.08.09
to incorporate the comments raised during
the public forum and in subsequent emails
(4) Park Hall. Members’ attention was drawn to the enforcement
action taken by WFDC, and upheld on appeal,
regarding the “bungalow” which should have
been demolished. Cllr Mrs Hayward agreed
to obtain the current position from the Enforcement
Officer.
158/09
APPLICATION FOR GRANT – MILLENNIUM GREEN
TRUST
The Income and Expenditure account for the
year ending 31.07.2009 was circulated with
the agenda. Members were referred to Mr Elwell’s
explanation at the July meeting and the request
for a grant towards the insurance of the
Green. Members considered that the Trust’s
accounts did not show that financial support
was needed for this year and it was resolved
that no grant be given. Members emphasized
that the Parish Council is prepared to assist
in the future.
159/09
AUDIT REPORTS
The written reports of the Internal and External
Auditors were circulated with the agenda,
and were noted. The notice of closure is
currently being advertised.
160/09
FINANCE
(1)
The Clerk reported that the current account
today stands at £7,010.34p and the Instant
Access account stands at £7,605.05p, giving
a total credit balance of £14,615.39p.
(2)
It was proposed by Cllr Mrs Hayward, seconded
by Cllr Mrs Cartwright, and resolved that
the following accounts be approved for payment:
Staples UK Ltd, photocopying, stamps (July)
£23.68 + £1.95 VAT
£ 25.63
Clement Keys £135.00 + £20.25 VAT
£155.25
V Rudge grass and verge cutting (July)
£160.00
Mark Jones
handyman
£400.00
lengthsman
£200.00
Churchill and Blakedown Fete Committee
£500.00
£1,440.88
161/09
HIGHWAY MATTERS
The Clerk had passed on a request from a
resident for a prohibition of waiting order
in Wannerton Road, as the resident does have
difficulty in gaining access to his driveway.
Members considered that they could not agree
to this; if the private access is obstructed,
this would be a matter for the Police. The
Clerk reported the reply received from Mr
Hunter (WCC) regarding the 20 mph speed limit
through Blakedown and weight restriction
on Stakenbridge Lane. The Clerk was asked
to follow up both items. The Clerk was also
asked to request a pedestrian ramp for wheelchairs
on Perryford Lane.
The Clerk was also asked to report the water
leak in Churchill Lane, near the golf course.
The Clerk reported that he had not been able
to make contact with a Rail Safety Officer
from Network Rail or London Midland, but
hopes that this can be arranged for the next
meeting.
162/09
PARISH PLAN WORKING GROUP
The draft should be completed shortly.
CHURCHILL AND BLAKEDOWN PARISH COUNCIL Minutes
19.08.09 39
163/09 THE AVENUE, CAR PARK AND VILLAGE GREEN
Cllr Mrs Hayward had not been able to discuss
the various problems and options with
Caroline Newlands at WFDC.
164/09
PARISH NOTICE BOARDS
Cllr Mrs Cartwright gave details of cost
she had obtained for new notice boards. However,
it was felt that the current notice boards
should be repaired, rather than replaced,
and Cllr Pitt agreed to find a carpenter
to undertake the repairs.
165/09
RETENTION OF TELEPHONE KIOSKS
Cllr Long reported that he understood that
parish councils were able to purchase telephone
kiosks from BT; this is a U-turn by BT, in
response to the high level of objections
raised to the latest list for removal of
kiosks. Cllr Long agreed to pursue this and
to report back at the next meeting
166/09
ITEMS FROM CALC
The Clerk reported that the next Area Meeting
is on 2nd September 2009, at the Oaks Community Hall.
Harvington.
167/09
CORRESPONDENCE (for noting)
(1) WCC – Temporary Closure Order, Mill Lane,
Blakedown, 24th August 2009
Temporary 10 mph Speed limit Order, A.456,
5 weeks from 21.09.09
(2) Worcestershire Biological Records Centre
– protecting ancient trees and orchards
(3) SSDC – Local Development Framework sites
(4) CPRE – minutes of local branch meeting,
14.07.09
(5) Kinver PC – agendas and minutes
(6) Magazines, including Newsline, Words
on Worcestershire, Worcestershire Partnership
168/09
ITEMS OR PARISH INTEREST/ITEMS FOR NEXT AGENDA
None.
169/09 DATE OF NEXT MEETING
This will be held on Wednesday, 23rd September 2009 in Blakedown Parish Rooms.
The meeting closed at 10.21 pm
Dated this 23rd day of September 2009
………………………………............
Chairman