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 (from Item 5, Minute no. 171/07)

Cllr J W Long

Cllr B A Pitt

Cllr Mrs V J Swindells

In attendance: County Cllr S J M Clee

PC Kevin Fincher and PC Gemma Green

Mark Jones, Parish Lengthsman

R D Gurney, Clerk to the Parish Council

The Chairman welcomed the police officers, County Cllr Clee and Members of the Parish Council to the meeting. He reported that he had attended the CALC Area Meeting at Churchill on 5^th September.

None.

Cllr Long declared a personal interest in Items 7(3) (Minute no. 151/07(3)) and 13 (Minute no. 159/07).

Cllr Mrs Swindells declared a personal interest in Item 8, Minute no. 174/07, relating to Plan no. WF/07/0912.

Cllr Charman declared a personal interest in Item 8, Minute no. 174/07, relating to Plan no. WF/07/0920.

The Chairman invited PC Kevin Fincher and PC Gemma Green to speak. PC Fincher commented that he is now the Beat Manager for this area and he has visited the Parish regularly, especially during evenings and particularly around the Sports pavilion and Station Drive. Being aware of recent complaints he intends to remove any miscreants. He is aware of the parking problems in Station Drive, but feels that he needs to discuss this with both WCC and WFDC before action is taken to book illegally parked vehicles.

Speeding in Belbroughton Road is again an issue and PC Fincher will arrange for more speed checks to be carried out at the times requested and to report to the next meeting. The Chairman asked if speed checks could also be carried out at Churchill crossroads.

Members thanked PC Fincher for his offers.

ADJOURNMENT FOR PUBLIC COMMENT

(Three members of the public were in attendance. Mr Roy Keys, the Parish Council’s PCCG representative, expressed his concern at the lack of action with the speeding problem in Stakenbridge Lane, an issue which the PCCG has failed to address. PC Fincher replied by stating that the use of speed cameras is a WCC function, but he will speak to the Accident Studies Team at County Hall).

171/07 REPORTS FROM COUNTY AND DISTRICT COUNCILLORS

County Cllr Clee was invited to speak and he raised three items. First, the summer floods have cost WCC some £5-6 million and this has to be set against WCC needing to cut some £25 million from its budget. He emphasised that all complaints regarding highways need to be made through the Hub. Second, he confirmed that there is some money set aside for projects such as improvements to Churchill crossroads and this is being pursued. He will discuss this with David Hunter, who now looks after the Wyre Forest area. Third, County Cllr Clee has a sum of money he is able to draw on for parish works within his Ward - about £1,000 per parish council and suggestions would be welcomed.

Subject to the additional words “if possible” after the word “flooding” in line 2 of Minutes no. 162/07 it was proposed by Cllr Gardiner, seconded by Cllr Charman, and RESOLVED that the Minutes, being a true and accurate record of the proceedings of the meeting, be signed by the Chairman.

(1) Parish Web site. Malcolm Hall was not in attendance, but the Chairman has noted that the web site is regularly updated.

(2) Lengthsman report. Mark Jones was invited to speak. He commented that there has been an increase in the amount of litter needing to be collected, particularly on the Sports Field and along Rocky Lane and the “Churchill “ sign in Rocky lane has been removed. One resident is again depositing sweepings in the footpath off Birmingham Road. Members felt that, with the narrowness of Rocky Lane, the Clerk should obtain additional cones from WCC for Mark Jones. The Clerk would write to WFDC regarding the missing sign and to the resident.

The Clerk reported that the Litter Picking agreement for 2007/8 has been signed.

(3) Trees in The Avenue, Blakedown. The Clerk has still not received the information about this TPO and Cllr Mrs Hayward agreed to make enquiries.

(4) Land to the rear of 5 Mill Lane, Blakedown. The Clerk read out a letter from the Diocesan Surveyor, Stuart Wild. He confirms that he has been in correspondence with the Church Commissioners and that there is no requirement to notify any secular groups of the church’s intentions for the land. He also confirms that previous comments that the land in is the hands of the Church Commissioners and that any money that results from the sale of a property, such as this, can only be spent on clergy salaries, improvements and purchases of diocesan houses in the diocese, or the repair of redundant churches.

Members ask whether the documents can be viewed as requested, or a photocopy be made available.

(5) Reinstatement of kerbs, Station Drive. The Clerk reported a further letter he had received from David Hunter, District Liaison Officer, WCC, in which he states that he is

unable to provide an estimate for these works. (a copy of the letter was given to County Cllr Clee).

(1) It was resolved that the comments on the following applications, as detailed, be sent to Wyre Forest DC.

Objection to the proposal for the following reasons.

1. It will create an undesirable increase in traffic along the already heavily trafficked Stakenbridge Lane.

2. The accesses are located dangerously close to the blind bends at the railway bridge.

3. Surfacing of the car park will create additional run-off, which could add to the flooding problems downstream of the pool.

4. Cars would have to park across the public footpath, thereby obstructing the right of way.

5. No lavatory facilities are provided for the fishermen.

It was agreed to defer this item to a subsequent meeting and, meanwhile, Cllr Mrs Swindells will make enquiries of sports groups in the parish.

(1) The Clerk reported that the current account today stands at £1,025.82p and the Instant Access account stands at £3,484.47p, giving a total credit balance of £4,510.29p. The Chairman commented that the balance is low.

(2) The Receipts and Payments Account for 06.07.07 - 06.09.07 was received.

(3) It was proposed by Cllr Dearden, seconded by Cllr Gardiner, and resolved that the following accounts be approved for payment:

Staples UK Ltd, photocopying, stationery - August

£27.97 + £4.18 VAT (2 invoices) £ 32.15

Mark Jones, handyman £405.00

lengthsman £210.00

£1,558.03

This was discussed earlier with County Cllr Clee and still there has been no report from Mr Dave Clee of the Accident Studies Team at WCC.

The Clerk reported that the fault to street light no 35 in Belbroughton Road had been reported, but it has been discovered that there was no power supply. E-on is investigating.

Following the discussion at the previous meeting the Chairman detailed the areas where the Parish Council is currently unable to comply. The Clerk agreed to speak to the Clerk at Chaddesley Corbett PC to ascertain what measures they did to comply. And the Clerk and Chairman will discuss how this should then proceed.

Cllr Long reported that the Group has not needed to hold a meeting. It appears that decisions on Post Office closures in the West Midlands area is likely to be known during 2008 and it will probably be necessary for the Working Group to discuss the aftermath, should it be necessary.

Following the discussion at the last meeting the Chairman considered that the emphasis mast be for demarcation of the crossover with the footway and this was agreed. Cllr Mrs Swindells agreed to obtain some costings for discussion at a subsequent meeting.

A second meeting had been held, attended by 10 representatives of groups in the parish, following a letter which has been sent to many groups. It was accepted that there is no need for all to be active members, but to be a conduit for passing on information. Freda Griffiths is the Chairman and the next target is for a meeting to be set up with WFDC.

The Clerk reported that he has now arranged to be connected to BT Broadband; this also includes a fixed rate for UK land line telephone calls at any time. The Clerk gave details of overall cost and informed Members that Charlton PC has agreed to reimburse the Clerk £11.00 per month, to cover both Broadband and telephone calls. It was proposed by Cllr Whiston, seconded by Cllr Dearden, and agreed that the Clerk be similarly reimbursed £11.00 per month.

The Chairman reported that he had attended the Wyre Forest Area Meeting at Churchill on 5^th September, where there was a talk about social housing and general concern and complaint about the Code of Conduct meeting held by WFDC after the local elections. The CALC AGM will be held on 4^th October 2007, in County Hall.

(2) WCC – Bus timetable changes from 2^nd September 2007

(4) GOWM – West Midlands Regional Spatial Strategy, timetable for proposed changes

(5) Magazines, including Clerks and Councils Direct, CPRE Fieldwork

(6) Community First AGM, 16.10.07 at Bishops Frome (Clerk may attend)

(7) Wyre Forest Special Education Needs consultation by 19^th October

(8) The Planning Process for Parish Councils (Cllr Long had obtained additional copies, which were distributed to Members)

1. To review and/or amend Standing Orders.

This is scheduled for Wednesday, 17^th October 2007, in Churchill Village Hall.

The meeting closed at 10.25 pm.

Dated this 17th day of October 2007 ………………………………............

Chairman