BREWOOD AND COVEN PARISH COUNCIL

WITH BISHOP’S WOOD AND COVEN HEATH

 

MINUTES OF THE MEETING OF THE COUNCIL HELD IN THE COUNCIL OFFICES, STAFFORD STREET, BREWOOD ON THURSDAY, 12th APRIL, 2007

 

PRESENT:

 

Mr F. Barrett, Mrs J. Carr, Cllr I. Clay, Cllr Mrs D.M. Holmes, Mrs K.A. Holmes, Mrs J.C. Jeffries, Mrs A.Y. Millward, Mr P.G. Sanders, Mr P.G. Wakeham, Mr M. Webb, Mr I. Westwood.

 

APOLOGIES:

 

Mr A. Ball – work, Mrs L.E. Jones – holiday, Mr R.M. Jones – work, Dr R.C.H. Taylor – holiday.

 

PRESENT:

 

Mr M. Yeates, Chief Executive Mid Staffordshire District Hospitals NHS Trust.

 

The Clerk called on those present to nominate a representative to Chair the meeting in the absence of Mr A. Ball and Mrs L.E. Jones. Mr P.G. Wakeham chaired the meeting.

 

MINUTES:

 

The minutes of the meeting of the Council held on 29 March were confirmed as an accurate record and duly signed subject to it being noted that record of those present had not been included, that item 388 should refer to artist(s) being booked rather than a “youth event” and item 392 also required a letter to be written to Amey Mouchel and the condition of Coven Island to be reported. Members present at the meeting of 29 March were:  Mr A. Ball, Mr F. Barrett, Mrs J. Carr, Cllr I. Clay, Cllr Mrs D.M. Holmes, Mrs K.A. Holmes, Mrs J.C. Jeffries, Mrs L.E. Jones, Mr R.M. Jones, Mrs A.Y. Millward, Mr P.G. Sanders, Dr R.C.H. Taylor, Mr P.G. Wakeham, Mr M. Webb, Mr I. Westwood.

 

DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST:

 

No declarations of interest were made.

 

CRIME AND DISORDER ACT

 

Section 17 of the Crime and Disorder Act, 1998 places a duty on local authorities to consider the crime and disorder implications when exercising its functions and to do all that it reasonably can to prevent crime and disorder in its area.  Unless otherwise stated it was not considered that the resolutions moved herein would have any adverse impact for the purposes of the Crime and Disorder Act.

 

PUBLIC PARTICIPATION

 

The Chairman moved that the meeting be adjourned for a period of no more than fifteen minutes to allow any elector of the parish or his/her representative to raise or question any issues appertaining to proper parish council business.

 

No matters were raised.

 

Mr P.G. Wakeham welcomed Mr Martin Yeates, Chief Executive Mid Staffordshire District Hospitals NHS Trust. Mr Yeates gave an informative presentation on their plans to apply to become a Foundation Trust and the implications of such action. Finally he answered questions raised by members. Mr P.G. Wakeham thanked Mr Yeates for a most useful and interesting presentation. Mr Yeates then left the meeting.

 

POLICE REPORT

 

The Council received the written Police report.

 

MATTERS ARISING:

 

The Chairman will move that the resolutions as recommended (154*) be moved en bloc unless any member wishes to move an amendment, members’ views are required or reports are to be received (154*, 288*)

 

154*    Public Conveniences, Sandy Lane. The meter had now been installed and it was anticipated that the toilets would be ready for inspection within the next seven days.  John Round, South Staffordshire Council’s Architect had agreed to carry out the inspection.  Clerk’s report referred. The Clerk further reported that she had asked Maythorne to box in the plastic pipe-work to avoid vandalism and that Maythorne had indicated they would have finished on site by April 20.

Matter of report.

 

288*  Coven Changing Rooms. Letter and plans received from David Frost, Associate member of K.R. Twigger and Associates.  Clerk’s report referred.

It was resolved that both sets of plans would be submitted to the Football Foundation for their comment and once feedback had been received then a detailed specification would be sought.

 

334.  Finger Posts.  Letter received from the Divisional Highway Manager confirming that the repair work will be programmed as necessary.

Matter of report

 

CORRESPONDENCE RECEIVED:

 

Letters had been received from:

 

393.  The Audit Commission confirming the appointment of Mr Michael Newbury as auditor to Brewood and Coven parish for the 2006/7 financial year.

Matter of report.

 

394.  St Dominics School confirming that the school car park would be available for the Festival of Walks event taking place on Sunday 17th June.

Matter of report.

 

395.  SSC Head of Architectural Services confirming that the Arboricultural Officer would inspect the trees at The Bront as soon as his work schedule permitted and he would then report on his findings.

Matter of report

 

396. Postwatch Midlands including a copy of the Executive Summary in response to Government’s Consultation on the Post Office Network.  Copy circulated to all members.

Matter of report.

 

397.  Brewood Parish Sports Ltd thanking the Council for its financial help in meeting the cost of the emergency plumbing repairs at the sports ground.

Matter of report.

 

398.  CORRESPONDENCE CIRCULATED:

 

Agenda and reports for the meeting of South Staffordshire Council’s Regulatory Committee held 3rd April.

 

Agenda and reports for the meeting of South Staffordshire Council’s Executive Committee held 3rd April.

 

Bridgnorth District Council’s Statement of Community Involvement.

 

Appeal Decision relating to Cottage Farm, Paradise Lane, Coven, Staffs.  The appeal upheld South Staffordshire Council’s refusal to grant permission for a conservatory.

 

The Planning Inspectorate confirming that the Appeal by Mr J. Lee regarding the site at The Bungalow, Rock Bank, Brewood Road would be heard by way of a public inquiry.

 

Community Council of Staffordshire publication – “Rural News and Views”.

 

Notice of the Annual Conference 2007 of Staffordshire & Stoke on Trent Consortium of Infrastructure Organisations (SCIO).

 

“Take Off” – the newsletter of the County Air Ambulance.

 

Penk Directory of local events and businesses.

 

Business Link information sheet.

 

Pamphlet published by the Information Commissioner’s Office regarding the Freedom of Information Act 2000 and the Environmental Information Regulations 2004.

 

South Staffordshire Review.

 

399. CHAIRMAN’S REPORT:

 

No report.

 

400. FINANCE REPORT:

 

The Council received the report of the Head of Finance, Mr P.G. Sanders and resolved the following matters:

 

·           The accounts due for payment be received

·           Renewal of the Council’s insurance through Allianz Cornhill (£2,617) be approved subject to obtaining a quote for including Sandy Lane toilets, valued at £60,000 – Chair, Head of Finance and Clerk to have final approval. 

·           The annual subscription payable to Staffordshire Parish Councils’ Association (£609) be renewed.

·           The proposed merger of Portman Building Society and Nationwide Building Society be noted. Mr P.G. Sanders drew members’ attention to the criteria that would require members to disclose an interest.

 

401. PLANNING REPORT:

 

The Council received the report of Cllr Mrs D. M. Holmes and made the recommendations as set out in the attached schedule.

 

402. PLAYING FIELD REPORTS:

 

The Clerk reported that play-bark had been ordered for all three play areas and would be delivered in the next two weeks.

 

403. CLERKS REPORT:

 

The Council received the written report of the Clerk, Mrs D.E. Drury and resolved the following:

 

·           Further details to be obtained with regard Quality Status and the requirement for 80% elected members.

·           Quotes for the fencing at Jacobs Ladder to be obtained including a contractor to excavate the required holes.

·           An invitation to the “Phantom”, to open the new toilets in Sandy Lane on April 26, be included in the newsletter.

 

ANY OTHER BUSINESS:

 

404.Mrs J.C. Jeffries drew the Council’s attention to the appeal to be submitted with regard to Jackanory Cottage, Bishops Wood and the proposal to open a children’s home. Mrs J.C. Jeffries made no further comment.

It was resolved that the Council make representation against the proposal as agreed when the application was originally tabled.

 

There being no other business the Chairman declared the meeting closed at 9.20pm.

 

CLERK’S REPORT FOR THE MEETING OF THE COUNCIL HELD 12TH APRIL

 

Trees on the Kiddemore Green Road

I had written to the Area Highways Manager drawing attention to the fallen oak tree in the hedgerow on the Kiddemore Green Road and had asked whether it would be prudent to inspect the others.

 

Fencing in Sandy Lane

On Tuesday Jan Jeffries, PC Helen Mitchell, WPCS Charlotte Edwards and I met with Bill Hartill, Placement Officer for the Unpaid Work Unit of the Staffordshire Probation Services.  This was with a view to him arranging for a team to erect the fencing that Helen was trying to arrange for the Prison Services to provide at cost.   Mr Harthill thought that it would be exceedingly difficult to erect a fence on the same line as the remnants of the old steel fence which was within the hedgerow.  However, we were all of the opinion that the fence could be brought forward to clear the hedge as the pathway would be no narrower than the stone pillars at the graveyard end of the pathway.  Helen thought that we should be looking at a two metre high fence as the youths would get over anything of lesser height.   She is to pursue the cost with the Prison Services.

Mr Harthill was to arrange for the Unpaid Services Supervisor to come and inspect but he did state that the work team would only be available on Sundays and it would take a long time to complete the project which was labour intensive.  It would also be necessary to provide storage for materials.   It was suggested that, in order to complete the work more quickly, we could ask a local contractor to excavate the holes with his mini digger and subject to Council’s permission I would seek a quotation.

 

Annual Parish Reports 

Sue is now back off holiday and has been working on the reports for the meeting.  It would not be necessary for members to assist.  The meeting was scheduled for Thursday, 19th April at 7.30pm.

 

Coven Changing Rooms

Although I left a message for the architect, Dave Frost, to hold fire with the revised drawings, he had already prepared them and they were received in the office the day after the Council meeting.  I have, therefore, sent a copy of these and a copy of the plans for the modular building to both Andy Weston and Katie White for their comments.  Andy was on leave and I had not been able to speak to him.  A meeting was being held at Stafford Technology Park on Thursday, 19th April to go through the application for funding.  Did the Council wish to make a decision as to whether to pursue the traditional build block or the modular building or was it happy to let the Football Foundation decide the issue?

 

Proposed Re-development of the Council Site

I met with PC Maurice Annett last week to work on the application.  There still remained an enormous amount of work to tackle, particularly in chasing up the stakeholders, and setting out a time table.  The Police Business Manager had indicated that he was prepared to commit a sum of £30,000 towards the project.  I was still chasing up the British Legion Head office and still waiting on Rex to come back regarding the County Council’s commitment.   Rolf Levesley had indicated that we could include the District Council as a stakeholder.   

 

Parish Newsletter

I had prepared a draft for comments which was tabled.   I would appreciate Council’s views with regard to the inclusion of a humorous article regarding the situation with the Sandy Lane toilets.

 

Quality Council Status 

The criteria for Quality Status was that a Council should have 80% elected members.  This would no longer apply once the new Council was formed and I would have to seek advice as to the Council’s position.