CHURCHILL AND BLAKEDOWN PARISH COUNCIL

Minutes of the Annual Meeting of Churchill and Blakedown Parish Council held on Wednesday, 19th May 2004, in Blakedown Parish Rooms.

PRESENT Cllr R J Whiston (Chairman)

Cllr A J Cairns

Cllr S J Danks

Cllr P A Dearden

Cllr Mrs P V Hayward

Cllr Dr J M Parker

Cllr B A Pitt

Cllr Mrs I A Scott

Cllr Mrs M Thomas

In attendance: R D Gurney, Clerk to the Parish Council

83/04 ELECTION OF CHAIRMAN

Cllr R J Whiston was proposed by Cllr Pitt and seconded by Cllr Mrs Scott. Cllr Whiston agreed to stand and his election was agreed.

84/04 DECLARATION OF ACCEPTANCE OF OFFICE

Cllr Whiston completed and signed his Declaration of Acceptance of Office.

85/04 APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE

None were received.

86/04 ELECTION OF VICE CHAIRMAN

Cllr Mrs I A Scott was proposed by Cllr Pitt and seconded by Cllr Dearden. Cllr Mrs Scott agreed to stand and her election was agreed.

87/04 DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST

Cllr A J Cairns declared a personal interest in planning application WF/0412/04 (Minute no. 98/04) and in Agenda Item (19), Minute No. 101/04(3).

Cllr Danks declared a personal interest in Agenda Item 19 (c), Minute no. 101/04(3).

88/04 APPOINTMENT OF COMMITTEES (IF ANY) AND REPRESENTATIVES ON OUTSIDE BODIES

Urgent Business Committee. It was decided that this Committee is not necessary, as the Council holds monthly meetings.

Wyre Forest Area Committee of CALC. Cllr Dr J M Parker.

Churchill and Blakedown Sports Centre Committee. Cllr Dearden and Cllr Pitt.

Wyre Forest Police Consultative Committee. It was agreed that Mr Keys continue to attend on behalf of the Parish Council, if he wishes to do so.

89/04 PARISH COUNCIL INSURANCE

It was proposed by Cllr Mrs Scott, seconded by Cllr Dr Parker and agreed that no alteration to the cover was needed, that it should continue with Allianz Cornhill and that the premium of £863.31p be paid.

CHURCHILL AND BLAKEDOWN PARISH COUNCIL Minutes 19.05.04

90/04 TO CONFIRM MEETING DATES FOR 2004/2005

It was agreed that meetings be held on the third Wednesday of each month, except September when it shall be the fourth Wednesday, and that meetings be held in Blakedown Parish Rooms, except for the meetings in August and April, which shall be held in Churchill Village Hall.

91/04 FINANCIAL ARRANGEMENTS

    1. Cheque Signatories. The Clerk pointed out that there are currently four signatories, viz Cllrs Whiston, Dearden, Pitt and Mrs Hayward. It was thought desirable for all members to be signatories and the Clerk was asked to check with both CALC and Lloyds TSB to see what is now required. If it is not too involved then the Clerk was to make the necessary arrangements.
    2. Internal Auditor. It was agreed that Mr David Hale of Kidderminster be asked to continue as the Council's Internal Auditor.

92/04 COMMUNITY POLICING

There was no report as neither PC McGill nor PC Carol Davenport were able to attend.

93/04 REPORT FROM COUNTY COUNCILLOR

County Cllr Clee's Report nos. 26 and 27 were enclosed with the agenda and were noted.

ADJOURNMENT FOR PUBLIC COMMENT

(3 members of the public were in attendance. Discussion related to planning application WF/0297/04 -Blakedown Post Office and Stores and to the progress regarding its continuation in its current form).

94/04 TO CONFIRM THE MINUTES OF THE MEETING HELD ON 17th MARCH 2004

It was proposed by Cllr Mrs Thomas, seconded by Cllr Mrs Scott, and agreed, that the Minutes, being a true and accurate record of the proceedings of the meeting, be signed by the Chairman.

95/04 MATTERS ARISING FROM THE MINUTES AND NOT OTHERWISE INCLUDED ON THE AGENDA
    1. Street light no. 10, Brookside Way, Blakedown. The Clerk reported that the new standard has been erected, but Pirelli are waiting for Aquila to reconnect the supply. The Clerk will follow this up to find out where the hold up is.
    2. Bus Services in Churchill and Blakedown. It is noted that Services 197 and 192 are still operating. The Clerk has not received a response from the County Council and he was asked to follow this up.
    3. Safer routes to school. Whilst no response has been received from the County Council a letter of support has been received from County Cllr Clee.

96/04 TO CONFIRM THE MINUTES OF THE MEETING HELD ON 21st APRIL 2004

It was proposed by Cllr Pitt, seconded by Cllr Dr Parker, and agreed, that the Minutes, being a true and accurate record of the proceedings of the meeting, be signed by the Chairman.

 

 

CHURCHILL AND BLAKEDOWN PARISH COUNCIL Minutes 19.05.04

97/04 MATTERS ARISING FROM THE MINUTES AND NOT OTHERWISE INCLUDED ON THE AGENDA
    1. Application no. WF/0286/04, 58 Belbroughton Road, Blakedown. No reply has been received from Mr Parker, Head of Planning at WFDC, regarding the invitation to attend the June meeting. The Clerk and Cllr Mrs Hayward agreed to follow this up.
    2. Application no. WF/0297/04, 41 Birmingham Road, Blakedown. The Clerk explained that he had been informed by the Planning Officer that the Highways Agency were not objecting to this application and that there was no objection to deliveries being made off Birmingham Road. It also transpired that no deliveries are currently made from the rear. Members felt that the Parish Council was justified in making the original comments, even though it wished the venture to succeed. As the Planning meeting is the following day the Clerk was asked to send an email to the Planning Office, expressing the Parish Council's support for the application.

98/04 PLANNING APPLICATIONS

Applications Received

WF/0412/04 Erection of two storey and single storey extension, 47 Belbroughton Road, Blakedown

No objection

WF/0426/04 Garage extension and porch, 92 Belbroughton Road, Blakedown

No objection

WF/0428/04 Erection of canopy and timber decking (for beer garden)(part retrospective), the Swan Inn, 9 Birmingham Road, Blakedown

No objection

WF/0468/04 Erection of 3 bungalows, garages, parking facilities/access arrangements (demolition of no. 29 Birmingham Road), 29 Birmingham Road, Blakedown

No objection.

PC notes that the number of building projects currently taking place in and near to Swan Close is causing considerable problems to residents. It is noted that the bungalow on Plot 4 is included within this application site and PC ask whether a condition can be included for a close boarded fence to be positioned across the front of Plot 4.

WF/0483/04 and WF/0484/04 (LBC) Single storey kitchen extension, Harborough

Hall, Birmingham Road, Blakedown

No objection to either application

The following decisions have been received and noted:

WF/0033/04 Erection of a three bedroom detached house with vehicular parking

space, land between 7 and 9 Belbroughton Road, Blakedown - REFUSED

WF/0053/04 Two storey side extension, single storey rear extension and canopy over front door, 64 Belbroughton, Blakedown - GRANTED

CHURCHILL AND BLAKEDOWN PARISH COUNCIL Minutes 19.05.04

WF/0081/04 Single storey rear extension, 5 Wheatmill Close, Blakedown- GRANTED

WF/0141/04 Three 4 bedroom dwellings with vehicular access to Roxall Close, demolition of existing dwellings and garage, new boundary wall, 1 Roxall Close, Blakedown - REFUSED

WF/0213/04 Single storey extension and pitched roof, Bees Nest, Stakenbridge Lane, Churchill - GRANTED

WF/0292/04 Conservatory, 10 Forge Lane, Blakedown - GRANTED

WF/0347/04 First floor and ground floor extensions, Mill Cottage, 7 Birmingham Road, Blakedown - GRANTED

99/04 MATTERS ARISING FROM THE ANNUAL PARISH MEETING HELD ON 21st APRIL 2004
    1. Churchill Lane street nameplate. No action to be taken as the address is Churchill.
    2. Conservation Area for Blakedown. Noted
    3. Land opposite Bissell Wood. As this problem has continued since last year with illegal tipping, fires and traffic, especially at weekends, it was agreed that the PC should write to both Environmental Health and Planning officers at WFDC.

100/04 TO APPROVE THE ACCOUNTS FOR YEAR ENDED 31st MARCH 2004

Copies of the accounts for 2003/2004 were circulated with the agenda. The Chairman commented that Bank Interest has increased since the Business account had been opened; that the fax machine should be offered for sale via the web site; and that the Pictorial History books should also be offered for sale on the web site. That the Accounts be approved was proposed by Cllr Mrs Thomas, seconded by Cllr Dearden, and agreed. Copies were duly signed by the Chairman and RFO.

101/04 REQUESTS FOR GRANTS

(1) Winged Fellowship Trust. No action

(2) St James the Great, Churchill in Halfshire. The quinquennial review has meant that some work is required on the stonework of the church tower. Details of the church accounts and three quotes were circulated with the agenda and a subsequent letter was received regarding details of the sale of the Parochial Church School (to be circulated at the next meeting). After some discussion it was proposed by Cllr Mrs Thomas, seconded by Cllr Dearden, and agreed that a grant of £770 (equating to some 20% of the cost) be given. This would be paid when requested by the PCC.

(3) Blakedown C of E First School. This request relates to assistance towards the cost of transport for swimming lessons for children. That £200 be granted was proposed by Cllr Pitt, seconded by Cllr Mrs Thomas, and agreed by 3 votes to nil, with 6 abstentions.

102/04 FINANCE
    1. The Clerk reported that the current account stands at £4,959.87p in credit and the Instant Access account stands at £10,053.30p, giving a total balance of £15,013.17p.
    2. The Receipts and Payments Account for 05.03.04 - 06.05.04, which was circulated with the agenda, was accepted.
    3. It was proposed by Cllr Mrs Thomas, seconded by Cllr Dearden, and agreed that the following accounts be approved for payment:

CHURCHILL AND BLAKEDOWN PARISH COUNCIL Minutes 19.05.04

R D Gurney, salary, April-May 2004 £462.06

Staples UK Ltd, photocopying, newsletter, postage stamps

£69.03 + £10.91 VAT (2 invoices) £ 79.94

CALC training £10.00

subscription 2004/5 £303.50 + £53.11 VAT

additional Mails £8.00 £374.61

Community First subscription 2004/2005 £ 30.00

Allianz Cornhill insurance for 2004/2005 £863.31

Playground Management £69.00 + £12.08 VAT £ 81.08

Churchill Village Hall Management Committee

room hire 17/9, 17/12, 11/2, 21/4 £ 60.00

Vernon Rudge, grass cutting, April 2004 £160.00

Blakedown C of E First School grant £200.00

£2,311.00

103/04 EXTERNAL AUDIT ARRANGEMENTS AND COMPLETION OF THE ANNUAL RETURN
    1. The Clerk reported that the Annual Return has to be submitted to the External Auditor by 28th June 2004 and it is currently being advertised.
    2. Copies of the Annual Return were circulated with the agenda. The Statement of Assurance was completed and signed at the meeting and that this and the Statement of Accounts be approved was proposed by Cllr Mrs Thomas, seconded by Cllr Dearden, and agreed.

104/04 PARISH WEB SITE

Malcolm Hall was invited to give a demonstration of the web site, which is now up and running. A discussion ensued regarding the charges for advertisements and it was agreed that social adverts would be free and a decision on business adverts should be left until the Clerk has discussed the matter with the CALC Secretary. Mr Hall considers that there ought to be a photograph of each parish councillor on the PC page, which would also include the minutes of meetings.

105/04 VILLAGE HANDYMAN

The Clerk reported that there have been three approaches for this post. It was agreed that the Clerk obtains further information from these people and in the meantime it was agreed that consideration be deferred.

106/04 BT CONSULTATION FOR REMOVAL OF PAYPHONES AT ISMERE (A.451) AND BLAKEDOWN VILLAGE

BT explain that the number of calls from payphones has halved in the past three years and revenue has dropped by 41%. Currently 29,000 are profitable, 19,000 are breaking even and 27,000 are unprofitable. This consultation is for the payphones on the A.451, opposite the Wagon and Horses PH at Ismere and at the junction of A.456 and B.4188 in Blakedown village centre be removed. The payphone near the station is classed as a 'social obligation box' and is not affected, neither is the payphone at Churchill village.

It was agreed that objection be made against the loss of both payphones on the grounds that both are needed to provide an emergency service, one serves an isolated rural area on a main road, and one is in the centre of a built-up area at the junction of two main roads.

CHURCHILL AND BLAKEDOWN PARISH COUNCIL Minutes 19.05.04

107/04 REQUESTS FOR SHIELDING OF STREET LIGHTS

The Clerk has received requests for the Parish Council to arrange shielding to the street lights, no. 6 in Wannerton Road and no. 39 in Belbroughton Road: in both cases one request has been made. The Clerk was asked to find out the cost of providing suitable shielding and to obtain the views of other neighbours who may be affected by the screening.

108/04 STREET LIGHTING MAINTENANCE

It was agreed that this item be deferred.

109/04 BLAKEDOWN SPORTS CENTRE

It was agreed that this item be deferred.

110/04 RoSPA REPORT FOR PLAY AREA

A copy of the report was circulated with the agenda and the Clerk was asked to send a copy to the Sports Centre Committee, with a request that action be taken regarding the maintenance matters highlighted on page 64.

111/04 CORRESPONDENCE FROM CALC

The MAIL was enclosed with the agenda and courses for Chairmanship and Health & Safety were noted.

112/04 CORRESPONDENCE

The Clerk reported receipt of the following correspondence for noting:-
    1. WCC - Bus Bulletin
    2. Community First Open Day, 11.06.04 at Hereford
    3. WCC - Review of Education Provision, consultation document
    4. Wyre Forest Community Housing - meeting dates for 2004/5
    5. Community First Newsline, April 2004
    6. WMRA - Speaking Out, Issue 5
    7. WCC - Countryside Access and Recreation Strategy
    8. WCC - Landscapes of Worcestershire
    9. Wyre Forest Matters, A Community Strategy (circulated with agenda)
    10. CPRE AGM, 20.06.04

113/04 ITEMS OF PARISH INTEREST/ITEMS FOR NEXT MEETING

Highway works, A.456 and Mill Lane

Disability Discrimination Act and Blakedown Parish Rooms

114/04 DATE OF NEXT MEETING

This is confirmed as 16th June 2004 in the Blakedown Parish Rooms.

 

Dated this 16th day of June 2004

 

 

…………

Chairman