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, 8 FEBRUARY 2007
PRESENT:
Mr
A. Ball, Mr F. Barrett, Cllr I. Clay, Mrs J.C. Jeffries, Mr R.M. Jones, Dr
R.C.H. Taylor, Mr P.G. Sanders, Mr M. Webb, Mr I. Westwood.
APOLOGIES:
Mr J. Carr – prior
engagement, Cllr Mrs D. M. Holmes – prior engagement, Mrs K.A. Holmes – family
commitment, Mrs L.E. Jones – prior engagement, Mrs A.Y. Millward – prior
engagement, Mr P.G. Wakeham – prior engagement.
MINUTES:
The
minutes of the meeting of the Council held on 25 January, having been
circulated, were taken as read and were approved and duly signed by the
Chairman.
DECLARATIONS
OF INTEREST:
Mr
I. Westwood declared a prejudicial interest in the planning applications
06/01396/FUL, 07/00072/FUL and 07/00100/FUL.
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.
Mrs
M. Heath, Stafford Street, Brewood queried as to whether consideration had been
given to redeveloping the Telephone Exchange next to Stafford Street Car Park
when considering the possible redevelopment of the Parish Council Offices. Dr
R.C.H. Taylor replied that this had been investigated at some length but the
building was not redundant and could not be considered as an option.
321.POLICE
REPORT
No
police report.
MATTERS ARISING:
154* Public Conveniences, Sandy Lane. The Trainee Clerk
reported that e-on had advised that they would be providing a revised quote for
laying-on a power-supply to the site which they had hoped to be able to fax
through for inclusion in the meeting. No quote had been received. The Trainee Clerk
further reported that Maythorne had some final top-coats of paint to complete
the work but they were waiting for a power supply. Once they had finished they
suggested an inspection of the site with John Round from South Staffordshire
Council to produce a “snags list”.
It was resolved the quote from e-on be pursued with all haste and the
contractor be notified that the outer doors be painted a dark green, at an
extra cost to the council if necessary.
347* Buildings Committee. Letter received from Sir Patrick Cormack in reply
to this Council’s statement as to the current status of the Council Offices
project. Sir Patrick thanked the Council for keeping him informed and saw no
reason why a sensitive and historically aware architect should not be able to design
something that would be entirely in keeping with such an important conservation
area.
Matter of report.
189. Staffing Committee. Due to the confidential nature of the matters
to be discussed it was resolved this item be taken at the end of the meeting
when members of the press and public would be asked to leave the meeting.
207. Local
Development Framework Core Strategy. To
be retained on the agenda awaiting the next, more detailed stage of
consultation. Letter received from South Staffordshire Council with regard to
the LDF Housing Allocations and Policies Development Plan Document – Background
Paper and Housing Land Availability Assessment. The new planning system
required planning authorities to gather evidence about their areas before
making decisions on plans and policies. In order to gather information about
the potential supply of housing land the Council invited stakeholders and
interested parties to identify potential sites. The Council was also seeking
views on broad locations for housing. Completed Housing Site suggestion forms were
to be submitted by 19 February.
It was resolved that the Clerk submit the
recommendations for potential sites as agreed by this council in the last two
years.
218. Village Green Application. Letter received from
the Open Spaces Society explaining that it may be possible for a further
application to be made under the existing Commons Registration Act 1965 but it was
also noted that changes in the current legislation were due in April which may
prove relevant.
It
was resolved the Clerk forward the details to Coven Heath Community
Association.
256. Notification of Change of Premises License
Holders. Dr R.C.H. Taylor
raised his concern with regard to the fact a parish council is no longer
notified of changes to the holders of a premises license. This failed to give
parish councils the opportunity to feed in valuable local information to the
process.
It was resolved the Clerk write to local
parish councils asking if they were aware of this situation and inviting them
to join this council in trying to change the system. Clerk to also write to the
SPCA raising this Council’s concern.
261. Grant Applications. Letter received
from John Goodall, South Staffordshire Council in reply to this Council’s
suggestion South Staffordshire Council consider the benefits in appointing an
officer responsible for sourcing and applying for grants. Mr Goodall explained
that they did not have budgetary provision to support such a post and considered
it unlikely that it would be self funding although they would keep the
suggestion in mind. The letter also provided guidance on how such support may
be sourced elsewhere.
Matter of report.
305. Governor Vacancy. Staffordshire Council with regard to a
vacancy for an LEA Governor at Brewood CE (VC) Middle School. Nominations were
required by 6 February. Deferred from the previous meeting for members’ views.
No recommendations were received.
318. Planters for Bishops Wood. Photographs
had been received of the proposed planters for Bishops Wood but these appeared
to be too shallow if a base of grit was required for drainage. An alternative
planter, 2’ high by 3’ wide at a cost of £55, had been recommended. It has been
intended to consider a sample planter at the meeting but this had not been
delivered as agreed.
It was resolved the matter be deferred to
the next meeting of the Council to allow time for a sample planter to be made
available. Further consideration to also be given to the original planters
recommended.
320. Burial Grounds Provision. The minutes
of 11 January required this item to be included on the agenda of the first
meeting in February. In the light of the number of apologies received
for the meeting it was resolved at the last meeting of the Council that the
matter be deferred to the next scheduled meeting of the Full Council, 22
February.
Matter of report.
CORRESPONDENCE RECEIVED:
Letters had been received from:
322. Letter received from Mr A. Monckton with regard to three
rainwater gullies that were tarmaced over by contractors in 1991, a fourth had
been reinstated at the time. Mr Monkton reported that there was now a
considerable quantity of spoil north of the open gully and the area flooded in
heavy rain. He asked that this Council raise the matter with the appropriate
Authority.
It was resolved the Clerk refer the matter
to Mr S. Poyser, Head of Engineering Services at South Staffordshire Council.
323.South Staffordshire Council with regard to the Local
Development Framework and the Wolverhampton Airport Policy Document currently which
was under development. Two copies of the Wolverhampton Airport Policy Area
Issues and Options Paper and the supporting Sustainability Appraisal document were
supplied with response forms. This Council was asked to make the information
available to the general public and to make it’s own views known by 12 March.
The supporting documents would be tabled at the meeting. Exhibitions had also
been scheduled, the nearest being at Codsall Council Offices on 6 March 9.00am
to 7.00pm
It was resolved the matter be deferred to
the next meeting of the Council to allow members access to the papers held at
the Parish Council office.
324.Invitation received from the Community Council of Staffordshire
to attend “The Last Post” at The Gatehouse Theatre, Stafford on Thursday 1
March at 9.30am to 1.00pm. This was an event to highlight the proposed changes
to rural Post Office services and feedback received during the event would
support the Community Council’s response to the consultation document. Lunch would
be provided. Up to two places were available.
325.Staffordshire County Council enclosing a copy of their guide
“Safely Around Staffordshire” which was intended to educate all road users so
they could take responsibility for their own safety.
326.Brewood Ideas Group with regard to their meeting with
representatives of South Staffordshire Council to discuss whether there was a
“process” through which BIG could input its ideas, on the preferred future use
of sites in Brewood, into the planning process (via the Paris Council). The
outcome was that there was no such process but they were advised that the
ongoing consultation on the Local Development Framework, at each of its key
stages, would be the best opportunity to influence in the long term.
Matter
of report.
327. Staffordshire Parish Councils’ Association with regard to
further funding that had been secured for Quality Council revenue projects for
the forthcoming financial year. It was anticipated that if all Quality Councils
applied, grants in the region of £1500 would be available.
Matter of report.
328.David Kidney MP with regard to two events that had been
scheduled to “Meet the Rural Advocate” Dr Stuart Burgess of the Commission for
Rural Communities on 23 February. The meeting at Rodbaston College, at 10.30am,
would cover rural regeneration including business activity, housing, social
enterprise, public services and local government – no charge. The meeting at
Shugborough Hall, at 12.40pm, would cover countryside management including:
farming, tourism, inland waterways and transport – cost £6 for lunch. A Climate
Change Forum was also being organised on 8 March at the Hadley Centre in the
Chetwynd Centre in Stafford.
It
was resolved the Clerk would book a place at the Shugborough event for Mr F.
Barrett and Mr P.G. Sanders interest in the Climate Change event would be
confirmed once Mr Sanders confirmed his own availability with the Clerk.
CORRESPONDENCE CIRCULATED:
Agenda and reports for the meeting of South Staffordshire
Council’s Partnership and Strategic Services Scrutiny Panel to be held 7
February.
Staffordshire and Stoke on Trent Archive Service Newsletter,
Winter 2007
Opportunities.
329.CHAIRMAN’S
REPORT:
The Council
received the report of the Chairman, Mr A. Ball who raised his concern at the
instances where traffic had been seen turning right into the Market Place,
Brewood having come down Bargate Street but using the side of the road for
oncoming traffic.
It was resolved the Clerk write to
Staffordshire County Council, Area Highways seeking their suggestions as to how
the matter could be improved but asking they take no action without consulting
the Parish Council.
330.FINANCE
REPORT:
The Council received
the report of the Head of Finance, Mr P.G. Sanders and resolved the following
matters:
· the list of accounts for payment as at 8
February be approved
· the Budget and
Project List sheets for quarter 3 2006/2007 be received (circulated prior to
the meeting)
· the finalised
precept report for 2007/2008 be received (circulated prior to the meeting)
· the membership
renewal of the National Playing Fields Association at a cost of £25 be
approved.
331.PLANNING
REPORT:
The Council received the planning report from
Cllr I. Clay and made the planning recommendations as set out in the attached schedule.
Mr I. Westwood left the meeting while plans
appertaining to Bishop’s Wood were discussed.
Mrs J.C. Jeffries queried the status of Old
Weston Road, Bishops Wood with regard to residents being able to create new
points of access.
It
was resolved Cllr I. Clay would make further enquiries.
332.PLAYING
FIELD REPORTS:
Bishops
Wood Playing Field Mr I. Westwood had
nothing to report.
Brewood
Playing Field Mr R. Jones
reported that he would be seeking another quote for the netting on Brewood
Playing Field. Mr M. Webb reported that he had received requests for additional
play equipment in the young children’s play area and that he would follow the
matter up with Mr Jones.
333.CLERKS
REPORT:
The Council
received the written report of the Clerk / Trainee Clerk and the following
matters were resolved:
·
Members agreed with the Clerks recommendation to the assessor at South
Staffordshire Council
·
The Clerk write to Roseclaim expressing this council’s concern at the
information provided, the fact Bishops Wood was seriously affected by the
concert in 2006 and there was little locally to inform organisations as to how
to apply for grants
·
The Clerk write to South Staffordshire Housing Association with regard to
the problems of parking experienced by residents in Boscobel Grove
·
The Clerk write to Mr Harding to confirm that this council had no
objection to the seat he proposed at St Mary’s R.C. School.
ANY
OTHER MATTERS OF REPORT:
334. Finger Posts. Concern was raised at the
condition of Finger Posts in the parish.
It
was resolved that members’ would identify any finger posts requiring
maintenance and report back to the next meeting of the council.
The Chairman declared the
meeting closed to the public and press in view of the confidential nature of
the business to be considered.
189. Staffing
Committee. Dr R.C.H. Taylor reported on the current position and the
Trainee Clerk reported on professional advice received. A draft letter was circulated which was to
be subject to amendment.
It was resolved that the Clerk take further
professional advice and adjust the letter accordingly. The letter to request acknowledgement of
receipt and acceptance of the offer. The final draft to be approved by the Chair
of the Staffing Committee before issue.
There being no other business the Chairman declared
the meeting closed at 8.40pm.
CLERK’S REPORT FOR THE MEETING HELD 8TH
FEBRUARY, 2007
Stone Planters. Digital photographs have now been received
of the natural stone planters. The
advice received regarding drainage is that a 4” layer of sharp grit placed at
the bottom of the planter will suffice to overcome the lack of drainage
holes. Unfortunately, however, looking
at the photographs of the troughs they are not deep enough to accommodate
drainage grit and the plants. A local
nursery is delivering a sample concrete trough for members to assess whether
these would be suitable. Large natural
stone planters are in the order of £600-£700.
Members views please.
BKV Entries. All three entries and maps have been
prepared and will be hand delivered to the Community Council on the 13th
February. Lorna Jones and Yvonne Millward have prepared the Coven entry; Peter
Wakeham and Mac Webb have prepared Brewood’s; and Robin Comley has prepared the
Bishops Wood map. They have all spent a
considerable amount of time on the entry and they are to be thanked and
congratulated on their endeavours which have resulted in some very impressive
maps which should do this parish proud.
Excellence
Framework for Parks and Open Spaces (Architectural & Landscape Services). The Clerk was asked to attend a meeting with
the assessor at South Staffordshire Council on 1 February. This was an informal
meeting and one of the questions she was asked was whether there was anyway in
which the department could improve their service to the Parish Council. The
Clerk suggested extending their grounds maintenance service, which is charged
back to us, to include safety inspection of play equipment (currently
contracted out by SSC) and maintenance of play equipment. Have members any other suggestions?
Roseclaim V2006 Mark Blackstock of Roseclaim has replied to
this Councils letter, by phone, confirming that all the money from the V2006
concert has been distributed but no organisations had applied from Bishops
Wood. He could not provide a list of the organisations who had received grants.
He stated that Roseclaim would prefer requests from local organisations
themselves rather than a Parish Council but they would appreciate whatever
support we could provide to publicise the grant opportunity. He further stated
that applications can be submitted all year round but by the V-festival date or
31 August of each concert year at the latest.
Jacob’s Ladder. The Reverend Burgess has notified the
council that during a recent Health and Safety Audit of the Church he was
advised that, although not the responsibility of the Church, the pathway
leading to Jacob’s Ladder steps should have a secure boundary on the east side
and the edge of the steps (Jacob’s Ladder) leading down need to be highlighted.
The matter will be included on the agenda of the next full meeting of the
council.
Parking – Boscobel Grove. A resident of Boscobel Grove has raised her
concern at the difficulty residents have in parking in the car park due to
non-residents using the area and ball games. She asks if anything can be done
to improve matters. Member’s views.
St Mary’s R.C. School, Brewood. Mr William Harding has approached the
council for their permission to buy and dedicate a bench in the grounds of St
Mary’s R.C. School in memory of his wife Mary Harding who attended the school
1919 to 1928. Father Standen had given his approval but Mr Harding had been
advised that the Parish Council also had to agree. Mr Harding will be
contacting the Headteacher himself. Member’s
views.