BREWOOD AND COVEN PARISH COUNCIL
WITH
BISHOP’S WOOD AND COVEN HEATH
MINUTES OF THE MEETING OF THE COUNCIL HELD IN THE COUNCIL
OFFICES,
PRESENT:
M. Alden-Court, Cllr A. Ball, Mr F. Barrett,
Mrs J. Carr, Cllr I. Clay, Mr D. Evans, Mrs K.A. Holmes, Mrs J.C. Jeffries, Mrs
L.E. Jones, Mr G. Martin, Mrs A.Y. Millward, Dr R.C.H. Taylor, Mr M. Webb.
APOLOGIES:
Mrs D.M. Holmes – prior engagement, Mr I.
Westwood – unwell, Cllr M. Hampson – prior engagement.
MINUTES:
The
minutes of the meeting of the Council held on 29 November were approved as
being an accurate record and duly signed subject to it being noted that Mr
Hodson spoke in Public Participation not Mr Hobbs as recorded and item 165
should have read ‘completed’ not ‘competed’.
DECLARATIONS
OF INTEREST:
Mr D. Evans declared a personal interest in
item 309. Dr R.C.H. Taylor declared a personal and prejudicial interest in the
proposals for a one-way system in Brewood and any matter appertaining to Jacob’s
Ladder.
The Clerk was
requested to seek clarification as to whether the requirement for Members who
had declared an interest and wished to speak on the matter had to do so during
Public Participation, irrespective of whether the interest was personal and /
or prejudicial.
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.
Mr D. Evans spoke on the
matter raised by Mr A. Monkton (item 309) with regard to lorries seeking access
to the development at
Dr R.C.H. Taylor sought
confirmation, with regard to the traffic problems in Brewood and proposals for
a one-way system in Brewood, that interested parties would be notified of the
meeting to be held with Mr D. Steptoe and Mr D. Wright of Staffordshire County
Council and that the meeting would be open to the public as any other meeting.
This was confirmed.
308.
POLICE REPORT
No report available. The
Chair reported that the shared P.C.S.O., in replace of Charlotte Edwards, had
already visited the Parish on several occasions to address matters that had
arisen.
MATTERS ARISING:
288** Coven Changing Rooms.
Redevelopment of old Coven Changing Rooms to sun shelter/ community seating
area. There was nothing further to report.
347** Buildings – Proposal for New Development. A meeting of the Buildings Committee was to be scheduled to discuss proposals to redevelop the Council Offices, further to the letter received from David Burton-Pye at the previous meeting. Mr Frank Humphreys was to be appointed to draw up a scheme. The Clerk’s report referred to the proposed closure of Brewood Youth Club in the next financial year.
It
was resolved that the Council would consider the feasibility of providing some
financial support for the club and would seek a meeting with Staffordshire
County Council to identify a suitable site for the club. The arrangement with
Mr Humphreys to proceed.
It was further resolved that as a Quality Council this Council was
committed to moving towards providing services to the community within the
remit of Quality Parish Councils.
256* Notification of
Change of Premises Licence Holders. The Clerk confirmed that the letter had been
sent to South Staffordshire Council earlier in the day. A reply was now awaited
from South Staffordshire Council.
Matter of report.
40. Flowering Bulbs. Mr F. Barrett
enquired as to whether flowering bulbs had been planted at Coven Heath this
autumn.
It was resolved the Clerk would confirm this and report back to Mr Barrett.
72 and 151 Proposals for a
One-way System. A meeting of the Full Council was to be scheduled with
D. Wright and D. Steptoe both of Staffordshire County Council and other interested
parties. The Clerk confirmed that a meeting was to be arranged for 21 February
2008.
It was resolved that Members would be informed of the representatives invited to attend and that it would be a special meeting of the Council that was open to the public.
167. Bishop’s Wood Playing
Field. Awaiting a reply from Mr M. Blackstock of Roseclaim. The Clerk reported
that Blymhill Parish Council had now received a grant from Roseclaim. Mrs J.C.
Jeffries reported that she had received a letter from a Bishop’s Wood resident
seeking a grant towards the Christmas Lights in Bishop’s Wood from the funds
donated by Roseclaim to the Council and requesting details as to where such
funds were allocated.
It was resolved Mrs J.C. Jeffries would
reply to the Bishop’s Wood resident explaining that all such grants were
allocated to Bishop’s Wood organisations but that as yet the Council had not
received a grant from the V2007 Festival.
188. Parish Photograph. SPCA sought a picture of our parish which showed a well known landmark or
an attractive view to compile a slide show. Deferred originally from the
meeting of 13 September. Mrs J. Carr to follow-up.
Matter of report.
204. Non-domestic Rates –
It was resolved the revised valuation be
approved.
217. Proposals for a
Matter of report.
234. Review of Standing
Orders. Clerk’s report referred.
It was resolved that the updates proposed for the Council’s Standing Orders be deferred until such time as the implications of the Act had been determined.
235. The Tuesday Club. Letter received from Mrs B. Christison on behalf of
The Tuesday Club thanking the Council for their continued support. The grant
would be used towards the Christmas Meal, a Christmas gift for each member and
transport costs.
Matter of report.
276. Staffing Committee. The minutes of the meeting of the Staffing Committee
held 6 December were circulated to Members, approved as an accurate record of
the meeting and duly signed.
Matter of report.
283. Waste to Energy, Four Ashes. Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA)
Scoping Study received from Enviros Consulting Ltd with regard to the Four
Ashes Energy from Waste Plant. The report was tabled at the meeting. Copy of
the cover letter enclosed.
It was
resolved the Clerk recommend a date of 10 January at 7.00pm to Cllr R. Roberts
for Mr Ian Benson to make a presentation to the Council.
285. Composting Site,
Matter of report.
301. Road
It was resolved the Clerk write to the
Coroners Office (Cannock) providing any further information this Council had
with regard to the problems experienced on this stretch of Lawn Lane. Coven
Members would meet to consider any further action that could be taken to draw
wider attention to the problem.
307.
Matter of report.
CORRESPONDENCE RECEIVED:
Letters, reports, and e-mails had
been received from:
309. Mr A. Monkton with regard to
lorries accessing the development in
It was resolved the Clerk write
to the Highways Agency enclosing a copy of Mr Monkton’s letter, requesting they
investigate the feasibility of lorries being directed along the first exit off
the A5 to Brewood – Claygates Road, over the stone bridge to then turn right
and along the road, up to take the left turn into Engleton Lane. The letter to
also draw attention to the fact that the road from the Ivy House was dangerous
and a route across
310. Community Council of
Staffordshire with regard to their Staffordshire Community Shops Competition,
for proposed and existing community run/owned shops, which was launched 16
November. Copy circulated to Members prior to the meeting. Closing date 1
February.
It was resolved Members aware of
any such group who should be nominated would advise the Clerk.
311. Mr P. Element, Brewood Christmas
Lights Committee thanking the Chair and Members for attending the Brewood
Christmas Lights event, thanking the Council for their continued financial
support and hoping the Council would continue to provide such assistance in the
future. Mr Element asked that Members inform him of any suggestions to consider
for next year’s event. Letter received before the letter this Council resolution
on 29 November had been carried out.
Matter of report.
312.
South
Staffordshire Council seeking groups to facilitate a discussion on ‘What
Climate Change means to them’ with the intention of identifying, with
Staffordshire County Council, where knowledge on the matter was lacking.
Discussions would run from 14 January to 22 February with a district wide
session scheduled for 23 January at
313. SPCA with regard to the
Consultation of the Phase Three Draft Project Plan – revision of the West
Midlands Spatial Strategy. A summary leaflet was tabled at the meeting, the
draft project plan was available at www.wmra.gov.uk/rssphase3. Comments
required by 18 January.
Matter of report.
314. SLCC Health and Safety update
from their Regional Advisor with regard to the status of Members and volunteers,
Health and Safety legislation.
Matter of report.
315. David Kidney MP with regard to the advice
surgeries for 2008 he would be holding for the benefit of local residents.
Information posters would be displayed in the Parish.
Matter of report.
316. Rev. Clive Burgess requesting
whether the Parish Council could make the necessary arrangements for promoting the
churches of St Mary and St Chad’s, Brewood and St John’s, Bishop’s Wood with
brown heritage signs from two points on the A5. The letter included some
historical information to support the request. Finally Rev. Burgess stated
that, assuming there was no cost to the Churches, the signs would help to
promote both villages.
It
was resolved that the matter should not be pursued further. Rev. Burgess to be
informed of the Council’s decision.
317. The schedule of meetings for 2008
was circulated to Members prior to the meeting for approval at the meeting.
It was resolved the schedule of
meetings for 2008 be approved.
318. Mr Bob Reeve, Snr Vice-President,
Rotary Club of Brewood and District thanking this Council for their support in
publicising their Bonfire and Fireworks Display on 4 November. The event was
very successful and Mr Reeve felt the publicity through the Council’s
Newsletter was a major contribution to this.
Matter of report.
CORRESPONDENCE CIRCULATED:
Agenda and reports for the meeting of South
Staffordshire Council Executive held 4 December.
Rural Emotional Support Team – newsletter.
Chase Policing Division Neighbourhood Watch
Newsletter
Cross Talk, Village News December Issue, Opportunities.
319.
CHAIRMAN’S REPORT:
The
Council received the report of the Chair, Mrs L.E. Jones who congratulated Dr
R.C.H. Taylor on the birth of his twin grandsons, Mrs J.C. Jeffries on the
birth of her grand-son and the Clerk, Mrs D.E. Drury on the birth of her
grand-daughter, all in the last few days. Mrs Jones reported that the date of
the Clerk’s retirement party had been moved to Sunday 3 February 2008 at 12.30
in Bishop’s Wood Village Hall. The Chair and the Clerk had attended the Parish
Summit at South Staffordshire Council and taken particular interest in the
Government White Paper Creating Strong, Safe and Prosperous Communities which
would provide for more Parish/Town Councils being created and discretionary
powers to act becoming more prevalent. It was also noted that the criteria for
Quality Status were currently under review. Parish Councils were encouraged to
appoint a Young People’s Champion and to retain the requirements of young
people on agendas. Finally Mrs Jones congratulated Mrs A.Y. Millward and her
team for raising over £1,400 for the Coven Christmas Lights which would provide
a healthy starting balance for next year when the new committee took over.
It was resolved the Young
People’s Champion be included on a future agenda and congratulations to Mrs
A.Y. Millward and her team be included in the next Council Newsletter.
320.
FINANCE REPORT:
The
Council received the Finance Report and resolved the following matters:
·
the Financial Summary for the month of
December be approved.
·
the December salaries payable to the
Council’s employees be approved.
·
the
South Staffordshire Council Sussed Children’s Activities for 2008 be approved
as per 2007 – the provision of up to 2 sessions per village for Easter and
Summer, giving a total of 12 sessions at a total cost of up to £1,080 at a
subsidised rate of £90 each. Confirmation was required by
S.S.D.C. before 31 January. Whether the Council chose to charge a small fee for
children attending was at the discretion of the Parish Council – it was
resolved no fee would be charged.
The Annual Return
was received from the Audit Commission on 3 December and the required notices
duly published on 3 December. The External Auditor made reference to the lack
of a formal Risk Assessment by the Council and the Council’s intention to
increase the Fidelity Guarantee. The Return was unqualified.
321.
PLANNING REPORT:
The Council received the Planning Report
from the Head of Planning, Mrs D.M. Holmes and considered the planning
applications received as set out in the attached schedule.
Notice received of the decision
to allow the appeal relating to planning application 06/00783 – development
proposed for a gypsy caravan site,
It
was resolved the Clerk write to the enforcement officer at South Staffordshire
Council requesting that activities on the site be monitored.
322.
PLAYING FIELDS REPORT
The Council received the reports
of:
Mr I. Westwood – Bishop’s Wood
Playing Field and
Mr M. Webb – Brewood Playing
Field. Problems were still being experienced with youths accessing the site at
night. A base around the basketball post was still required.
It
was resolved Mr M. Webb would investigate the matter of the basketball base
further.
Mrs J. Carr and Mrs A.Y. Millward
– Coven Playing Field. Nothing to report.
323.
CLERKS REPORT:
The Council
received the written report of the Clerk, Mrs D.E. Drury and resolved that the
Clerk:
·
contact
St Dominic’s requesting they provide a plan of action in view of the Council’s
concern that any new project should be maintained – it was noted that much of
the proposed work comprised of one-off tidying up exercises with the exception
of the Church Road amenity area.
·
Invite
Mr P. Jackson, representing the Brewood Ideas Group, to make a presentation to
Council at 7.00pm on Thursday 24 January.
·
The
Parish Guide be left until the scheduled publication date of November 2008.
It was further noted and approved that the
Parish Plan needed to be updated.
ANY OTHER MATTERS OF REPORT:
None had been raised.
There being no further business
the meeting closed at: 9.10pm.
CLERK’S REPORT FOR THE MEETING HELD 13
DECEMBER 2007
Standing
Orders
The Local Government and Public Involvement
in Health Act 2007, passed 30 October,
includes some important
amendments to the Local Government Act 2000, including the introduction of a
locally managed framework of compliance with the Code of Conduct and a new
regulatory role for the Standards Board for England. In view of this may I recommend that the publication
of the Standing Orders be deferred until such time as the implications of the
aforementioned Act and amendments have been determined.
St
Dominics – Citizenship
Citizenship is included in the curriculum
and as part of this the school is looking for environmental projects within the
parish to be carried out in March. To
this aim I met with the Head of Music, Julie Stubbs, who is managing the
project and we toured the village. She
has expressed an interest in carrying out work to the Church Road amenity area
and, subject to Council’s approval, would like to set a project for the sixth
form to draw up a scheme for the eight to ten year olds to undertake which
would involve some planting and scraping out the joints in the paved areas This
could include the provision of some new shrubs and she asked whether there
would be any funding available. She was
also interested in the sixth form carrying out some clearance work in Jacobs Ladder
but this would need to be closely monitored for health and safety and to this
aim I have established that South Staffordshire Council’s Grounds Maintenance
Officer would be available to carry out some supervision. There would be in excess of fifty sixth form
girls and I have suggested that some of them could also work on The Bront. Mrs Stubbs was keen for this to be part of
the project and would like to visit the site.
Closure of the Brewood Youth Club
Julie Jones, Youth Worker, has contacted me
to advise that it is proposed to close the Brewood Youth Club in the next
financial year. She has asked if a
meeting can be set up to discuss alternative premises. May I suggest that this may be an opportune
time to meet round the table with County Council to consider the way forward
long term with regard to community building provision.
At the Quality Council presentation that the
Chair and I attended last week it became apparent that Quality Councils are not
maximising the benefits that come with the status, particularly with regard to
the delivery of local services. The
Council may wish to consider whether this Council should use its Quality status
to open up discussion regarding the future use of the Deansfield site and
whether this could be used as the development site for a community building
given the size restrictions on the Council site.
Brewood Ideas Group (BIG)
Peter Jackson made a request that BIG be given an opportunity to make a short
presentation to the Council before the Council meeting that was to be held on
the 31st January. I have
advised him of the change of date and asked whether a 7.00pm start would give
sufficient time for the presentation.
Does the Council for the presentation to be held on the 24th
January?
Lawn Lane
There has been a further accident at
I have again contacted British Waterways and
left a message for the
Firework Displays
Paul Mullard of
Parish Guide
When the contract was signed for the
publication of the Parish Guide it was wrongly assumed that the Guide would be
published this year as the last one was for 2006-2007. It is not due to be published until the end
of next year but this can be brought forward if the Council so wishes.
We do still have a couple of boxes of the
current Guide.
Water Rates for Public Conveniences
Severn Trent Water has billed the Council
for £1,786.44 for the water rates (12 June to 13 November). Both Sue and I have pursued this matter and I
met up with a representative of Severn Trent this week to see whether the meter
reading was accurate, which it proved to be.
The urinals were flushing at a rate of 15 litres per four minutes (940
gallons per day) which would account for a significant increase but he needed
to check the stopcock to rule out any other cause and will arrange to call back
to do this. The stopcock is in the
toilet for the disabled and is covered by a plate which he was not allowed to
remove under company regulations. David
Barker has adjusted the isolating valve to reduce the flow and will check the
meter reading every week and make further adjustments as necessary. Unfortunately it looks as the bill will have
to be paid.
Bridleways 0.899, 0.901 and part of 0.909 –
Kiddemore Green
In 2005 the owners of Villa Farm and
Hawkshutts Farm applied for the deletion of the above public bridleways from
the Definitive Map. Initially the
application was successful and this Council was informed accordingly. However, this Council was not notified of the
County Council’s subsequent appeal against the decision and that the appeal had
been upheld. The bridleways, therefore, remain on the Definitive Map.
Hedge Planting at Jacobs Ladder
Andy Cousins, South Staffordshire Grounds
Maintenance, has provided a price of £100 to plant 68 hawthorn whips to fill in
the gaps in the hedgerow. May I have
Council’s permission to give the go ahead.
Coven Playing Fields fencing
Andy Cousins is to carry out a site visit
and put forward his recommendation and price for planting fast growing creepers
to form a screen.