Churchill & Blakedown
Parish Council Minutes

 
Minutes of the Meeting of Churchill and Blakedown Parish Council held on Wednesday, 14th December 2011, in the Pavilion, Blakedown Sports Centre

PRESENT    Cllr P A Dearden (Chairman)
Cllr Mrs S Cartwright
Cllr Mrs P V Hayward
Cllr J W Long
Cllr B A Pitt
        Cllr R J Shade
        Cllr M Swindells
                                                 
In attendance:    Roger Gurney, Clerk to the Parish Council

240/11    CHAIRMAN’S REMARKS
The Chairman welcomed councillors and members of the public to the meeting and thanked Cllr Mrs Hayward for chairing the previous meeting.

241/11    APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE
These were received and accepted from Cllr Keys. 

242/11    DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST   
Cllr Long declared personal interests in Item 13, Minute no. 253/11 (as right of access over The Avenue) and Item 15, Minute no. 255/11 (adjoining property owner).
Cllr Shade declared personal interests in Item 7, Minute no. 24611 (family connections) and Item 13, Minute no. 253/11 (adjoining property owner).

243/11    PARISH COUNCIL VACANCY
The Clerk reported that there no application for co-option had been received. It was agreed that a further notice for co-option be displayed on the notice board and on the web site. Application forms are available from the Clerk and from the web site. The closing date will be Wednesday, 11th January 2012, and this would enable the Council to appoint at the January meeting.

244/11    COMMUNITY POLICING
An apology was received from PC Andy Wallace, who is the new local policing officer for the rural. He had sent a report to the Clerk, which stated that, since the last report, there have been 7 thefts of gates; 5 burglaries, mainly from stables; 4 cases of anti social behaviour; and 2 reports of criminal damage. He asked for residents to continue to be vigilant and to take appropriate precautions when walking or driving in icy conditions.

ADJOURNMENT FOR PUBLIC COMMENT
(Two members of the public were present. John Lorton reported that palings on the gates at the substation were broken and the fallen tree is still across the bridleway off Sandy Lane – the Chairman will report this to the Countryside department at County Hall.
David Bridgewater reminded the Council that grants are available for the Queen’s Jubilee; it is thought that the School is considering buying mugs for the children. The Clerk was asked to write to the Fete Committee for any plans they may have).
175         CHURCHILL AND BLAKEDOWN PARISH COUNCIL Minutes 14.12.11

245/11    REPORTS FROM COUNTY AND DISTRICT COUNCILLORS
County Cllr Clee had given his apologies and Cllr Williams was not in attendance. There were no reports.

246/11    BLAKEDOWN NURSERIES SITE
Mark Kowalski, Barratt Homes, had hoped to attend to give an update on the discussions he had had with the Planners at WFDC. A meeting has taken place, but several issues still had to be looked into and, therefore, there was little to report at this time, but he hoped to attend in January. Meanwhile the Clerk was asked to write to WFDC regarding the situation of the Parish Plan in relation to this proposed development.

247/11    ACCESS AT HARBOROUGH HALL
It was hoped that Stephen Hawley, WCC, would be able to attend the meeting to give the County Council’s views on the access proposals at Harborough Hall, and which were the subject of a planning refusal earlier this year. Neither Cllr Long nor the Clerk had been able to make contact and it was agreed that he be invited to the January meeting.

248/11    CONFIRMATION OF THE MINUTES OF THE MEETING HELD ON
    16th NOVEMBER 2011
It was proposed by Cllr Pitt, seconded by Cllr Shade, and RESOLVED that the Minutes, being a true and accurate record of the proceedings of the meeting, be signed by the Chairman.

249/11    PROGRESS REPORTS FOR INFORMATION
(1) Parish Web site. Gordon Stevens has sent an apology and there was no report.
(2) Lengthsman/Handyman. Mark Jones had sent an apology and there was no report.
(3) PACT Meeting. There was no report. The next meeting is on 21st February 2012.
(4) Site of Little Champson. The Clerk reported that the Environmental Health Officer at WFDC reported that he had been in touch with the agents for the site owner, but there was still no progress. It was suggested that the PC follow this up.
(5) Parish Plan Review Working Group. A large group had discussed local listing at the last meeting and had the benefit of the WFDC Conservation Officer and a speaker from Feckenham. It was proposed by Cllr Mrs Cartwright, seconded by Cllr Long, and agreed, that the Parish Council pays the expenses of the Group from the Parish Plan budget. It was proposed by Cllr Mrs Hayward, seconded by Cllr Shade, and agreed that £25.00 be paid to St John the Baptist Feckenham, to cover the expenses of the speaker.
(6) Christmas tree in Blakedown. The work installing the electrical connection has been done and the tree has kindly been donated by Neville Cope of Bissell Farm. Unfortunately there seems to be a problem with the connection and the Chairman will attend to this.
(7) Holly hedge, Birmingham Road. The Clerk has not yet sent letters to the three properties concerned, but, in confirmation that no work has been undertaken, he will now send letters.

250/11     PLANNING APPLICATIONS
    (1) Applications received
WF/11/0662    Change of use from retail sales of restricted category goods to retail sales of bird and pet foods, Hodge Hill Nurseries, Birmingham Road, Kidderminster
No objection

WF/11/664    Variation of Condition 5 of Planning Permission WF/0193/01 (Restricting floodlighting) to now read "Floodlighting of the manege hereby approved shall be limited to three lights, fitted with cowls or hoods, fixed at height of 4.3m to the south elevation of the adjacent stable building (identified as Stable 1on plan 3149/200) and shall not be operated during night-time hours 21:00 to 06:30" (Retrospective), New House Farm, Belbroughton Road, Blakedown

Objection to the proposal. The lighting is too invasive and unnecessarily intrudes into the adjoining residential properties. The columns are considered to be too high and the type of lighting currently used is not the most appropriate.

(2) Planning decision
WF/11/0585     Rear extension and front dormer, Moonrakers, Stakenbridge Lane, Churchill – GRANTED

    (3) Proposed development at Top Hagley.
    The Clerk read out a letter from Lord Cobham regarding the proposed development at
Top Hagley, and offering a meeting with his agents. It was agreed to take up this offer, invite them to a meeting of the PC, and to obtain details of the planning application from Bromsgrove DC.

251/11    REQUESTS FOR GRANTS
St James the Great Churchill with Blakedown PCC. A letter was received requesting a grant for bunting to be used, first, at a Jubilee dinner on 3rd February 2012. Thereafter, the bunting would be available for use by other organizations in the Parish. It was proposed by Cllr Swindells, seconded by Cllr Mrs Hayward, and agreed that a grant of £60 be paid.

252/11    FINANCE
(1)    The Clerk reported that the current account today stands at £10,176.06p and the Instant Access account stands at £30,624.27p, giving a total credit balance of £40,800.33p.
(2)    The Receipts and Payments account for 06.10.11 – 04.11.11 was received.
(3)    It was proposed by Cllr Shade, seconded by Cllr Swindells, and resolved that the following accounts be approved for payment:
Staples (UK) Ltd        £40.98 + £3.17 VAT            £  44.15
        HMRC (third quarter)                            £189.00
    Blakedown PCC                            £  60.00
        St John the Baptist, Feckenham                         £  25.00
                                              £318.15

253/11    PURCHASE OF THE AVENUE
An email from Douglas Godwin, who spoke at the previous meeting was enclosed with the agenda; this confirmed that points made by Mr Godwin at the meeting. Cllr Shade agreed to continue with his research into the ownership of The Avenue and to report back in due course. It was agreed that the Parish Council makes further enquiries of the land which has encroached on to The Avenue and Cllr Long agreed to undertake this. Members again expressed concern with the continued use of The Avenue by vehicles.

254/11    VILLAGE GREEN
The Clerk was asked to progress the form from WFDC for completion regarding the business case for the acquisition of the Green.

255/11    BLAKEDOWN CAR PARK
Cllr Shade reported on a meeting that he had attended at WFDC regarding the process for the District Council to transfer of some of their assets and services to parish and town councils. Whilst most of the assets are within the “urban” areas the Clerk was asked to obtain from Mr Parker at WFDC the necessary procedure for the acquisition of the car park.

256/11    PURCHASE OF SPEED WARNING SIGNS
Details of the speed warning signs used by Rock PC were enclosed with the agenda. It was proposed by Cllr Shade, seconded by Cllr Long, and agreed that two speed warning signs be purchased. It was further suggested that one sign should read “SLOW DOWN” and one to read “YOUR SPEED”. Members were reminded that five locations were agreed with WCC. The Clerk will send off the Order, inform Dave Hunter at WCC, who will then make arrangements for Mark Jones to be given the appropriate training. The Clerk will keep Mark Jones informed.

257/11    OTHER HIGHWAY MATTERS
Warning signs at Blakedown School. The Chairman reported that he and the Head Teacher had discussed the details and location of the two approach signs with Dave Hunter. These signs, which also show a 20 mph warning, should be erected shortly.
Gritting. It was reported that new grit bins have been installed at Waggon Lane and under the viaduct in Churchill Lane. The Clerk was asked to remind WCC that Mill Lane and Sculthorpe Road are bus routes and should be gritted by them.

258/11    BLAKEDOWN SIGNAL BOX
The Clerk read out a letter which has been sent by Network Rail to local residents, informing them of the timescale for the work on automating the level crossing, which is scheduled to be done by next Spring. The Chairman offered to enquire, through Freedom of Information, the accident statistics at unmanned level crossings. The Clerk was asked to enquire of Network Rail whether the signal box is available for purchase.

259/11    CHURCHILL WAR MEMORIAL
Whilst it was thought that the war memorial could be cleaned, it was felt that advice should be sought as to the most appropriate method, or perhaps it should be left; it was agreed that this matter be deferred until the Spring. It was agreed that the Parish Council should provide a wreath annually for Remembrance Day.

260/11    LENGTHSMAN AND HANDYMAN WORK
There was no information and this item was deferred.

261/11    ITEMS FROM CALC
Cllr Shade reported that the main speaker at the Area Meeting spoke about Neighbourhood planning and the likely procedures that will have to be put in place; there may be some funding from WFDC. Gordon Stevens had circulated members about the Village SOS scheme and it was agreed that this may be of some help to the Parish Council. The Clerk was asked to find out from WFDC what options there are for an application, such as for the development of the Nurseries site, being fast tracked.

262/11    CORRESPONDENCE (for noting)
(1) WFDC – Register of Electors for 2012/13 - for circulation at the next meeting
    (2) Availability of grant aid for -    Diamond Jubilee Fund from WFDC
Crime reduction from West Mercia Police (2011/12) – Clerk to enquire about the possibility of a grant towards a CCTV camera and external lighting at the Sports Centre
    (3) WFDC – Consultation on the Review of Polling stations (by 15th January 2012)
(4) Neighbouring Parish Council agendas, etc – Kinver, Bewdley, Chaddesley Corbett
(5) Magazines, including Countryside Voice, Open Space
    (6) WFDC exercise for Emergency Plan – no-one able to attend

263/11    ITEMS OR PARISH INTEREST/ITEMS FOR NEXT AGENDA
1. The Clerk reminded the Council that the budget and precept will have to be considered in January, and, possibly, the Worcestershire Agreement
2. Members welcomed the use of the Pavilion for this meeting and agreed that it should be used for the Annual Meeting in April and as the venue for Parish Council meetings from January 2012. 

264/11    DATE OF NEXT MEETING
The next Meeting of the Parish Council will be held on Wednesday, 18th January 2012, probably in the Pavilion at the Sports Centre, Birmingham Road, Blakedown.

The meeting closed at 10.28 pm.



Dated this 18th day of January 2012        ……………………………………Chairman