PARISH OF CHURCHILL AND BLAKEDOWN

Minutes of the Annual Parish Meeting held on Wednesday, 13th April 2011 in Blakedown C of E Primary School

PRESENT     9 Parish Councillors
        21 parish residents
        CSO Kate Easthope
        Mark Jones, parish lengthsman and handyman
        R D Gurney, Clerk to Churchill and Blakedown Parish Council, but acting as
Clerk to the Parish Meeting

WELCOME
The Chairman of the Parish Council, Cllr Peter Dearden, chaired the meeting. He welcomed those present and explained that this is an opportunity to hear the views of residents and report of the meeting will be made to the Parish Council for any action to be taken on matters raised.

APOLOGIES
None were received.

PRESENTATIONS AND REPORTS
Blakedown Bolt. Lesley Brown explained that the Bolt is run by a Committee of 5 and this is the 5th year. Now that the new sports pavilion is fully funded the Bolters are independent. The PC was thanked for the grant of £750 to enable this year’s race to be funded from the start. With donations and profit from the evening’s event there is usually a profit of about £3,000, which will be available to distribute to sporting activities in the Parish: this will be launched officially in the summer. The Course is confirmed as a 10K course and already there is almost a full entry for this June. It is pleasing that there are many local helpers, as marshalls and running stalls on the night, and attendance by the police (confirmed by CSO Kate Easthope). 
Pavilion. Mark Swindells explained that, after 10 years in the planning, the builders have been on site for about a month. The delay has been due to the need for bat boxes to be erected. Completion is due by the beginning of August. The building is eco-friendly with a ground source heat pump making a saving on the fuel bill. The pavilion comprises changing rooms, disabled shower facility, WCs and a meeting room which will have a licence. The temporary accommodation is adequate and this is an opportunity for local football and cricket teams to set up to take advantage of the new facilities.
Defibrillator network. Cllr Vicky Swindells explained that Noel Orbell from the Ambulance service was unable to attend and explain how this can set up. She outlined that there needs to be a series of volunteers to act as the first responders providing patient care, prior to the ambulance service arriving. Volunteers need only be on call for a few hours each month. It was agreed that a meeting be set up in the near future, with details on the Parish website and publicized through the delivery network. There would also need to link it to the Community Emergency Plan.
The Avenue. Cllr Jim Long explained that the PC is trying to sort out the various problems associated with The Avenue. The present owner is not known, but it was owned in the 19th century and may now belong to the Crown. The area is covered by a Tree Preservation Order and Wyre Forest DC agreed to undertake essential work on the trees; this has been delayed, but is expected to be done shortly. Other current issues include litter, fly tipping, security of properties, car parking, rights of access, surfacing, provision of gates and encroachment. It was suggested that a public meeting be arranged to discuss this range of issues relating specifically to The Avenue, so that options can be discussed.
Policing. CSO Kate Easthope reported that there were fewer house burglaries in the Parish over the last year, and the main thefts have been metal road signs and drain covers, heating oil and horse tack. On the good side she helps with tag rugby at Blakedown School, who have reached the Worcestershire finals; the monthly walking bus for the school; PACT meetings and Junior PACT at the school.
The Chairman thanked Kate for her regular attendance at Parish Council meetings and for the information given at these meetings.
Emily Lyttelton and United Charities Trust. Jim Long reminded the Meeting that these trusts were set up in the 19th C to provide medical aid to needy residents. This has changed with the NHS and funds are low, so the scope of the work is limited, eg providing transport for hospital visiting. A coffee morning was held at Hagley Hall in March and some £1,567 was raised. Raising the profile may be done by having a stall at the Village Fete.

MINUTES OF THE ANNUAL MEETING HELD ON 21st APRIL 2010
Copies of the minutes of the 2010 Annual Parish Meeting were circulated at the start of the meeting. That these be approved was proposed by Simon Charman, seconded by Bob Whiston, and agreed.
Referring to matters raised in the Open Forum, the need for grit bins in Mill Lane remains as strong as ever and it was noted that there had been objections from some residents to the proposed provision of the seat suggested by the Tenants Committee.

REPORT OF THE CHAIRMAN OF THE PARISH COUNCIL
The Chairman referred to the news sheet which had been delivered to all residences in the Parish via the distribution network. This contained a resume of the work of the Parish Council during the previous year and is available on the web site. The Chairman expressed thanks to Bob Whiston, who was the PC Chairman for 8 years and is standing down; to all Parish Councillors for their work; and the Distribution team for its continued support. He reminded the meeting of the on-going issues – the car park, The Avenue, listing of the signal box, and building developments.

OPEN FORUM
Little Champson. Roger Shade referred to the untidy and dangerous site, following the demolition of Little Champson. It was confirmed that the PC Clerk had written to the developer drawing his attention to the dangers at the site, including the inadequate fencing.
Blakedown Nurseries site. It was reported that a meeting had been held between the prospective developers and nearby residents, who had raised several issues. There is concern at the type of housing to be built, and it was reported that the recently completed Housing need survey will have to be followed. A further meeting is to be held.
Proposed development at Top Hagley. It was confirmed that the PC had written to Bromsgrove DC to object to the scheme, on the grounds of the impact on Blakedown and its residents: this was following the invitation to the Chairman of Hagley PC to speak at the last PC meeting. 
Parish lengthsman. Mark Jones reminded the Meeting that fly tipping needs to be reported to Wyre Forest DC.

The Chairman thanked those who attended and the Meeting closed at 9.40 pm.




Dated this    day of              2012        ……………………….Chairman