PRESENT Cllr R J Whiston (Chairman)

Cllr Mrs S Cartwright

Cllr S D Charman

Cllr P A Dearden

Cllr Mrs P V Hayward

Cllr J W Long

Cllr Mrs V J Swindells

In attendance: Mark Jones, Parish Lengthsman

R D Gurney, Clerk to the Parish Council

The Chairman welcomed Members to the meeting.

These were received and accepted from Cllr Gardiner and Cllr Pitt.

Cllr Long declared a personal interest in Items 8 and 14.

Cllr Mrs Hayward declared a personal interest in Item 9 (application WF/07/0649)

No officer was in attendance and there was no report.

The Chairman invited Mr Geoff Elwell to speak on these two items.

He reported that the 2007 Parish Games had seen some changes, both in the events and the introduction of children’s mini Olympics (eventually for 6-11 and 12-14 age groups). After some miscalculations Churchill and Blakedown were the winners, for the second successive year, beating Stourport-on-Severn by 3 points (58 to 55). The Chairman commented that the progress of the team had been followed on the web site. Mr Elwell presented the Chairman with the £100 prize cheque, made out to the Parish Council. The decision as to where this will be donated will be put to the Parish Council at the next meeting. The Chairman thanked Mr Elwell for his hard work and congratulated all the teams who took part.

Mr Elwell reported that the Millennium Green made a loss of £42 last year and he asked whether the Parish Council would be able to make a contribution towards the £264 insurance bill for the current year. It was agreed that this be considered at the next meeting.

ADJOURNMENT FOR PUBLIC COMMENT

(One member of the public was in attendance. Comments related to the bridge in Wannerton Road having cracks and the ivy has been pushed into the stream ( Mark Jones will inspect the ivy and deal with, if necessary, and the Clerk will report the

127/07 REPORTS FROM COUNTY AND DISTRICT COUNCILLORS

There was no report from either County Cllr Clee or District Cllr Williams.

It was agreed that amendments be made as follows:

Minute 108/07, line 1: amended to include “….an additional…”

Minute 110/07(2), line 8: amended to include ..”(donation to Friends of Blakedown Playground)”

Minute 116/07, line 6: amended to include “…Cllr Long,..”

Subject to these amendments it was proposed by Cllr Charman, seconded by Cllr Dearden, 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 commented that the web site is regularly updated.

(2) Lengthsman report. Mark Jones was invited to speak. He commented that current problems are overgrown hedges near the two bus stops and no dropped kerb at Perryford Lane; the Clerk will seek to clarify with WCC. There is a problem with a tree root in the footway in Station Drive and the storm drain in the same area. It was suggested that a dog litter bin should be placed at the Birmingham Road entrance to the sports field. Mark Jones continues to report illegal dumping in Waggon Lane and will report bad parking in Station Drive to the police.

(3) Trees in The Avenue, Blakedown. The Clerk has still not received further information.

(4) Land to the rear of 5 Mill Lane, Blakedown. The Clerk has not received a response from the Diocesan Parsonages Board and will chase.

(5) School Bus Route via Mill Lane. WCC report that, as far as they are aware, no school buses should be using Mill Lane but, from September 2007, there will not be any buses picking up children at the station.

(6) Reinstatement of kerbs, Station Drive. No response has been received from WCC.

(7) Blakedown Playground. A letter of acknowledgement has been received from Biffa.

(9) Trees in Blakedown churchyard. Cllr Mrs Hayward reported that her enquiries reveal that the PCC did not require any consent from WFDC.

(10) Police Community Consultative Report. The report from Mr Keys of the meeting held on 11^th July 2007 was noted.

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

(2) The Receipts and Payments account for 05.04.07 - 06.07.07 was received.

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

Staples UK Ltd, photocopying, stationery, stamps - June

R D Gurney salary (June/July) £560.88 expenses (07.03.07 – 30.06.07) £91.30 + £1.38 VAT £ 92.68

Blakedown Parish Room Committee (March/May/June) £ 42.00

V Rudge (June) £160.00

N Power £177.53 + £8.88 VAT £186.41

Wyre Forest DC Election costs £1,574.86

Clement Keys, external auditors £135.00 + £23.63 VAT £158.63

Mark Jones, handyman £400.00

lengthsman £240.00

£3,448.56

(1) Report of the Internal Auditor. This was circulated with the agenda and was noted.

(2) Report of the External Auditor. This was circulated with the agenda and was noted.

Details of the new Code of Conduct were circulated with the agenda and the advice given by CALC was explained by the Clerk. The implications of Section 12(2) were explained by the Chairman. It was agreed that this be included on the next agenda.

The report on various options at the crossroads, promised by Mr Dave Clee (of WCC) at the last meeting for consideration at this meeting, has not been received. Members asked for this to be chased up, with a copy to County Cllr Clee. The Clerk was also asked to include reference to the lack of reply to the suggested use of mirrors.

Cllr Long reported that the Group has not needed to hold a meeting.

Cllr Mrs Swindells reported that she is not yet in a position to present a scheme.

No meeting had been held. As they are able to give advice and grants on Parish Plan it was decided to consider re-joining Community First at the next meeting.

The Clerk reported that he had written to BT about the removal of this kiosk outside the Post Office, but had not received a reply. The Clerk was asked to chase up, pointing out that the wall and pavement need to be tidied up.

Worcestershire MAIL was circulated with the agenda. The Chairman commented that he is still unable to log on to the web site.

(1) WCC – Wyre Forest Schools Review newsletter

(2) WFDC – Parish Forum minutes of meeting, 20^th June 2007

(3) Kinver PC minutes

(4) Bromsgrove DC – Local Development Framework consultation

(5) Clerks and Council Direct magazine

1. The Clerk was asked to report a number of potholes on the west side of Crown Lane and at Stakenbridge Lane.

2. It was agreed, following advice, not to pursue the matter of the asbestos on the roof on the cricket pavilion

3. The missing signpost at Ismere will be reported to WCC by Cllr Dearden.

4. Emergency procedure to be put on the next agenda.

This is scheduled for Wednesday, 15^th August 2007, in Blakedown Parish Room.

The meeting closed at 9.48 pm.

Dated this 15th day of August 2007 ………………………………............

Chairman