CHURCHILL AND BLAKEDOWN PARISH COUNCIL 40
Minutes of the Meeting of Churchill and Blakedown
Parish Council held on Wednesday, 23rd September 2009, in Blakedown Parish Rooms.
PRESENT
Cllr R J Whiston (Chairman)
Cllr Mrs S Cartwright
Cllr S D Charman
Cllr Mrs P L Coley (from Minute no. 174/09)
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
Roger Gurney, Clerk to the Parish Council
170/09
CHAIRMAN’S REMARKS
The Chairman welcomed councillors and members
of the public to the meeting.
171/09
APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE
None.
172/09
DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST
Cllr Long declared a personal interest in
Item 8(3), Minute no. 177/09(3).
Cllr Dearden declared a personal interest
in Item 9, planning application no. WCC/09/0041,
Minute no. 178/09.
Cllr Mrs Swindells declared a personal interest
in Item 9, planning application no. WCC/09/0041,
Minute no. 178/09.
173/09 CO-OPTION OF PARISH COUNCILLOR
The Clerk formally reported that one application
had been received for the vacancy, from Mrs
P L Coley. It was resolved unanimously that
Mrs Coley be elected. Mrs Coley signed the
acceptance of office and took her place at
the meeting.
174/09
COMMUNITY POLICING
Apologies were received from PC Sally Sliwinska
and CSO Kate Easthope. There was no report,
but the Clerk referred Members to the September
newsletter of the Local Policing Team. A
list of crime figures and statistics from
Mr Keys, the Parish Council’s representative
on the Police Consultative Committee, were
handed in and these were circulated during
the meeting.
ADJOURNMENT FOR PUBLIC COMMENT
(2 members of the public were in attendance.
Mr Lorton drew attention, first, to the 10 mph speed restriction on A.456
during September/October and, second, to
the recent litter pick which was arranged
by the Community Housing, with support from
WFDC).
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CHURCHILL AND BLAKEDOWN PARISH COUNCIL Minutes
23.09.09
175/09
REPORTS FROM COUNTY AND DISTRICT COUNCILLORS
County Cllr Clee reminded the Council that
a flashing warning sign is available to the
PC for a limited period, on roads other than
A.456. Members agreed that the sign be located
on the Rocky Lane approach to Churchill crossroads
and in Belbroughton Road. He confirmed that
WFDC will support organized litter picks
in the parish.
176/09
CONFIRMATION OF THE MINUTES OF THE MEETING
HELD ON
19th AUGUST 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.
177/09
PROGRESS REPORTS FOR INFORMATION
(1) Parish Web site. An apology was received from Gordon Stevens.
(2) Lengthsman/Handyman report. Mark Jones had apologized for his absence.
The
Clerk reported that there are difficulties
with overhanging branches from trees in the
verge, at street light no. 15, in Lynwood
Drive. Mark Jones could do the work, but
the disposal of the large number of branches
appears to be time-consuming. County Cllr
Clee agreed to take this matter to WCC, as
the trees are in the highway verge, and to
let the Clerk know if WCC will do the work;
if not, Mark Jones could do this as an extra.
The Clerk reported that he had had received
an unhelpful reply regarding the overgrowing
hedge at The Grazings, Churchill. It was
agreed that Mark Jones be asked to cut this
hedge back.
Members asked the Clerk to report problems
with street light nos. 26 and 31 in Mill
Lane: no. 20, Mill Lane/Sculthorpe Road and
34, on the car park, are on all the time.
It was noted that, although Mark Jones is
cutting the grass around the War memorial,
this has been cut roughly by another organization.
Previous enquiries have failed to find out
who has cut it, but County Cllr Clee suggested
that the Clerk contacts Linda Collis at WFDC.
(3) Trees in The Avenue. The Clerk reported that he has not received
any further information.
(4) Barrier at the Parish Rooms. The Clerk reported that this matter has
been discussed at the recent Parish Rooms
Committee. Cllr Long reported that he is
to look for quotations for a barrier at different
locations. It was noted that there should
be three-way funding for the barrier.
(5) Planning enforcement enquiry, 5 Forge
Lane. The Clerk reported that the Enforcement
Officer had informed him that the work on
this three car garage with gym over commenced
in November 2008, one month before the expiry
of the permission, WF/1115/03. There is no
action that can be taken.
(6) Rail safety measures. The Clerk had nothing to report regarding
a talk from London Midland.
178/09
PLANNING APPLICATIONS
It was resolved that the comments on the
following applications, as detailed, be sent
to Wyre Forest DC.
CHURCHILL AND BLAKEDOWN PARISH COUNCIL Minutes
23.09.09 42
(1) Applications Received
WF/09/0590
Two storey side extension, The Coach House,
20 Birmingham Road, Blakedown
No objection
WCC/09/0041
Installation of roof mounted solar photovoltaic
system on flat roof, Blakedown CE Primary
School, Birmingham Road, Blakedown
No objection
WF/09/0638 Two storey extension, Woodlands, Waggon Lane,
Churchill
No objection. This is an improvement on the
earlier proposal.
(2) Planning Decisions - for information
WF/09/0446
Fell one cherry and one douglas fir, crown
lift one douglas fir to 4 m,
3 Wannerton Road, Blakedown– GRANTED
WF/08/1099
Replacement dwelling for 4 flats, Duckpen
Cottages, Birmingham Road, Blakedown – APPEAL
DISMISSED
A copy of this decision was circulated with
the agenda and Members were pleased with
the result, although the Inspector’s reason
for reaching this decision (inappropriate
development in the Green Belt) was different
from the Parish Council’s view (loss of an
important local building).
179/09
UNAUTHORISED USE OF LAND, ROCKY LANE, CHURCHILL
Since the August meeting works took place
on this land comprising a new access (with
fencing and gates); the installation of a
septic tank; the erection of a large timber
framed building; the extension of a water
service pipe; the spreading a layer of hardcore;
the stationing of two caravans (one static
and tourer); and a small garden shed.
The Clerk had discussed this matter with
the Enforcement Officer, who has prepared
a report, which was read out at the meeting.
Unless a planning application is received
WFDC will be recommended to commence enforcement
proceedings after the next Planning Committee
(on 13th October 2009). A copy of the report will
be circulated to Members. It appears that
WFDC have the matter in hand and that local
residents can monitor the activities on the
land.
180/09
FINANCE
(1)
The Clerk reported that the current account
today stands at £5,774.46p and the Instant
Access account stands at £7,605.37p, giving
a total credit balance of £13,379.83p.
(2)
It was proposed by Cllr Mrs Swindells, seconded
by Cllr Charman, and resolved that the following
accounts be approved for payment:
Staples UK Ltd, photocopying, (Aug) £12.06
+ £1.81 VAT (2 invoices)
£ 13.87
R D Gurney, salary, August/September
£623.64
V Rudge grass and verge cutting (August)
£160.00
Mark Jones
handyman
£360.00
lengthsman
£250.00
£1,407.51
43 CHURCHILL AND BLAKEDOWN PARISH COUNCIL Minutes 23.09.09
181/09
HIGHWAY MATTERS
The Clerk reported that he had not received
a reply from David Hunter at WCC regarding
the various highway matters raised at the
previous meeting. Members expressed concern
regarding other problems, eg Station Drive.
County Cllr Clee agreed to convene a
meeting with Mr Hunter before the next meeting,
during an afternoon, to discuss all the outstanding
matters; the Clerk is to email his availability
to Cllr Clee, and when this is arranged it
will be circulated to Members.
No action appears to have been taken by Severn
Trent Water regarding the leak in Churchill
Lane, near the golf course and the Clerk
was asked to follow this up.
182/09
PARISH PLAN WORKING GROUP
An editorial meeting will be held shortly
to finalise the Plan.
183/09 THE AVENUE, CAR PARK AND VILLAGE GREEN
Members reminded the meeting of the problems
in these areas, viz the placing of a skip,
depositing of materials and parking in The
Avenue; the poor state of the car park and
lack of management, including the removal
of the sign; encroachment by some residents
of Lynwood Drive, which should be passed
to the WFDC enforcement officers. This will
be discussed at the meeting with David Hunter
and County Cllr Clee.
184/09
PARISH NOTICE BOARDS
Cllr Pitt is arranging for all three parish
notice boards to be inspected to obtain a
quotation for their repair. County Cllr Clee
commented that Rock PC has obtained a grant
from the Police towards new notice boards,
conditional on the police having access for
their notices. The Clerk will obtain details
form Rock PC.
185/09
RETENTION OF TELEPHONE KIOSKS
A letter and details of this scheme were
circulated with the agenda. It was proposed
by Cllr Mrs Swindells, seconded by Cllr Long,
and agreed that the Parish Council requests
the purchase of the three remaining kiosks
in the Parish – Mill Lane, Churchill and
Ismere – and requests the reinstatement of
the kiosk removed from outside the shop in
Blakedown some three years ago.
186/09
COMMUNITY EMERGENCY PLAN
Copies were handed to some Members at the
last meeting, but it was agreed that a copy
should be emailed to all Members on email,
with paper copies to other Members. The item
was deferred to the next meeting.
187/09
ITEMS FROM CALC
The Clerk reported that the Area Meeting
was held on 2nd September 2009; the next Area Meeting will
be at The Swan in Chaddesley Corbett on 2nd December; CALC AGM will be on 25th November in County Hall; a WCC Parish Conference
will be held in County Hall on 16th November. The Clerk reported that the new
chairman of the CALC Executive is Keith Perkins
of Rock PC and that funding of £25.000 a
year for 5 years has been obtained.
188/09
CORRESPONDENCE (for noting)
(1) WCC Bus Bulletin, September 2009
CHURCHILL AND BLAKEDOWN PARISH COUNCIL Minutes
23.09.09
44
(2) Magazines, including CPRE Fieldwork,
Clerks and Councils Direct, WCC Children
and Young People’s Strategic Partnership
newsletter
(3) WFDC – confirming that Mr Elwell will
co-ordinate the Parish Games in 2010
(4) Millennium Green Trust – Mr Elwell has
emailed, asking for further consideration
of
the application for a grant from the PC.
Agreed this be on the next agenda
189/09
ITEMS OR PARISH INTEREST/ITEMS FOR NEXT AGENDA
(1) Christmas lights/tree/decorations in
the Parish
(2) Millennium Green Trust grant application
(3) Parish Forum
(4) Community Litter Picking
190/09 DATE OF NEXT MEETING
This will be held on Wednesday, 21st October 2009 in Blakedown Parish Rooms.
The meeting closed at 9.46 pm
Dated this 21st day of October 2009
………………………………............
Chairman