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:
Ms M. Alden-Court,
Cllr A. Ball, Mr F. Barrett, Mrs J. Carr, Cllr I. Clay, Mrs D. M. Holmes, 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, Mr I. Westwood.
APOLOGIES:
Mr D.
Evans – holiday.
IN ATTENDANCE:
PCSO
Charlotte Edwards.
MINUTES:
The minutes of the meetings of the Council
held on 28 June were confirmed as an accurate record and duly signed subject to
it being noted that Ms M. Alden-Court had raised her concern at the condition
of the footpath from Sunset Close to Light Ash Lane (first raised as item 83,
minutes of 14 June) ,
the flooded home in Coven Heath was a mobile home in the Horden Mobile Home
Park, Mrs A. Y. Millward had attended the Civic Sunday with the Chair and the parked
vehicle reported by Mr D. Evans was in Engleton Lane.
DECLARATIONS
OF INTEREST:
Mrs J.C. Jeffries and Mr I. Westwood
declared a prejudicial interest in planning application 07/00734/FUL. Dr R.C.
H. Taylor declared a prejudicial interest in matters relating to Footpath 1,
Jacobs Ladder. Mrs L.E. Jones, Dr R.C. H. Taylor and Mr I. Westwood declared a
prejudicial interest in matters relating to the
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 to be moved herein would have any
adverse impact for the purposes of the Crime and Disorder Act.
111.
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,
Mrs R. Cook,
Mr J. Cook,
It was
resolved the matter concerning
Mr P. Mullard,
It was resolved the Clerk ensure Highways were aware that both sides of the footpath were in urgent need of attention.
112. POLICE REPORT:
The Council received the written Police Report,
circulated to members at the meeting. PCSO Edwards also reminded members that
the Police Consultative Committee meeting was to be held in the Council Offices
on Thursday 19 July and that Inspector Gains and Sgt Phil Lloyd would be
present.
Dr R.C.H. Taylor reported that vehicles continued to
cause an obstruction at the development next to the toilets in
Mr I. Westwood reported that the developers working
next to The Royal Oak on
Mr G. Martin queried
whether it would be appropriate to extend the double yellow lines in
It was
resolved the matter be referred to Area Highways.
Mrs K.A. Holmes reported
that problems were being caused by a white van parked too close to the island
on
The Chairman thanked PCSO
Edwards and WPC Mitchell for their hard work and commitment – their
support was greatly appreciated. PCSO Edwards then left the meeting.
MATTERS ARISING:
154** Public Conveniences,
Matter of report.
288** Coven Changing Rooms. Clerk’s
report referred. New plans for the conversion of the existing changing rooms
had been made available from the architect, Mr D. Frost and were circulated to
members at the meeting. The Clerk reported on the availability of another
Quality Council Grant of up to £1,800 that the Council could apply for
and recommended a suitable project would be a sun shelter/community seating
area as part of the redevelopment of the existing changing rooms.
It was resolved the plans be approved subject to the following changes and the Clerk now go to tender. Clerk to check whether the toilet should allow access for the disabled although it was not for public use. Items to be changed on the plans:
· The front railings to be straight across, almost to the top to avoid anyone being able to climb over – style as used at Sandy Lane toilets, rounded knob on top
· The two rear windows not to be blocked in
· Seating to be metal
· A no smoking sign will be required.
333* Jacob’s Ladder - Fencing. Clerk’s
report referred. Dr R.C.H. Taylor left the meeting while the matter was
discussed.
It was resolved the recommendations of the Clerk’s report be approved and that the Parish Council would make a contribution to the cost of the fencing inline with South Staffordshire Council and Staffordshire County Council.
425* Disposal of Waste from Canal Boats. Letter received
from Mr D. Armitage, South Staffordshire Council confirming that there were no
official residential moorings within the parish of Brewood and Coven. Mr
Armitage further explained that permanent and restricted moorings, provided by
Matter of report.
55. Finance Report. Letter received
from South Staffordshire Community and Voluntary Action thanking this Council
for their donation towards their core running costs.
Matter of report.
71. Staffing Committee.
Letter received from Mrs S. Groom as requested by the Council, copy enclosed.
This report was taken prior to the Police Report to enable Mrs Jeffries to
attend another appointment. Mrs Jeffries left the meeting after giving the
following report.
Mrs J. Jeffries reported on the meeting
of the Staffing Committee which had been held earlier in the evening. Letters
had been sent to the Clerk, Mrs D.E. Drury and the Assistant Clerk, Mrs V.S.
Turner with regard to their forthcoming 65th Birthdays and a reply
had been received from the Clerk. A lengthy discussion had taken place with
regard to the operation of the office with regard to flexible working by the
Clerk and two Assistant Clerks. Mrs J. Jeffries and Mrs L.E. Jones would review
the wording of the existing contracts, which lacked flexibility, and would
report back to Council in September. In so doing it would be ensured the
Council Offices would be open for the core hours of 9.30 to 12.30 Monday to
Friday. Formal holiday request
forms would be completed by staff and signed by the Clerk in future.
It was resolved the recommendations
of the Staffing Committee be approved.
74. Relocation of
Matter of report.
81. Clerk’s Report – Mr Farrell,
Coven Heath. Email from Mr F. Farrell, Coven Heath acknowledging the
Chairman’s letter and querying again why the grass on the central
reservation could not be cut at the same intervals as “
It was resolved the Clerk reply
referring Mr Farrell to previous correspondence that explained the situation.
87. Parish Guide. Mr F. Barrett made the recommendation that when the
Parish Guide was revised later this year that attention be given to checking
the maps, for example there was no reference to The Rainbow in Coven.
It
was resolved the maps be given further consideration when the Parish Guides was
revised.
It was resolved the Clerk reply
to Mr Bolister explaining that the matter had been taken up with Area Highways
and that Cllr R. Roberts was also following the matter up.
Yellow Line Painting. Letter received from Mr D.
Wright, Area Highways informing the Council that the yellow lines would be
reinstated in Greenacres, Coven “on their next visit” and the
yellow lines in
It was resolved the Clerk follow
up the matter of the double yellow lines in
CORRESPONDENCE RECEIVED:
Letters had been received from:
113. SPCA with regard to the
availability of a grant to the value of £1,800 for Quality Councils
towards revenue projects this financial year. Completed application forms were
required by 31 August with successful applicants being notified of awards on 12
October.
Reference
item 288**, Coven Changing Rooms.
114. Community Council of Staffordshire
inviting competitors and judges to attend the Best Kept Village Competition
2007 Announcement of Results at Weston Village Hall, Green Road, Weston,
Stafford on 30 July at 7.30pm. Replies required by 23 July. Letter also received
thanking the BKV committees for the entries to the childrens’ poster
competition. Although none of the parish posters had won they would be
displayed at the presentation evening on 30 July.
It was resolved the Clerk would
contact the three BKV committees to identify representatives to attend and
notify the Community Council.
115. South Staffordshire Council
Non-domestic rates demand notice. We had been advised that the rates on the
Public Conveniences in
It was resolved a copy of the
information be supplied to
116. South Staffordshire Tourism
Association inviting our representative, Mrs D.M. Holmes, to attend a special
meeting of the Association, to consider any amendments to the Constitution, to
be held at 10.00am on 24 July at Pendrell Hall College. Details had been passed
on to Mrs D.M. Holmes.
Matter of report.
117. Staffordshire County Council with
regard to a Temporary Road Traffic Closure to prohibit any vehicle from
proceeding in that length of Whitehouse Lane, Gunstone, Nr. Codsall from its
junction with Port Lane for a distance of approximately 130 metres in a
westerly direction unless the vehicle was being used in connection with the
works; or unless the vehicle required access from both ends of the road to
premises on the length of road. The preferred alternative route for traffic
would be via Whitehouse Lane, Chillington Lane, Wood Road, Bakers Way,
Wolverhampton Road, Elliots Lane, Watery Lane and vice versa. The order would
come into effect on 23 July with works to be completed by 5 August.
Matter of report.
118. Mr A. Monkton with copy
correspondence to Mr D. Wright, Area Highways with regard to blocked drains in
Matter of report.
119. South Staffordshire Council with regard
to the correspondence sent directly to individual members concerning:
·
Code
of Conduct Training for Parish Councillors – members who wished to attend
had been advised by South Staffordshire Council to reply direct by 13 July. The
letter also requested any Clerks interested in attending a meeting of other
Parish Clerks and the Monitoring Officer, to discuss various issues around the
code of conduct, to write confirming their interest.
·
Application
form to stand on the Standards Committee. Lin Robinson, Monitoring Officer,
also stated that Dr R.C.H. Taylor was willing to continue to serve on the
committee.
Matter of report.
120. West Midlands Regional Assembly
with regard to West Midlands Regional Spatial Strategy – Phase 2
Revision. An informal consultation event would be held on 26 July –
confirmation of any bookings required by 5 July.
Matter of report.
121. CORRESPONDENCE CIRCULATED:
Agenda and reports for the
meeting of South Staffordshire Council’s Health Scrutiny Panel held 5
July.
Agenda and reports for the meeting of South
Staffordshire Council’s Overview and Scrutiny Committee to be held 10
July.
Agenda and reports for the meeting of South
Staffordshire Council’s Executive to be held 10 July.
Agenda and reports for the meeting of South
Staffordshire Council’s Community and Environmental Services Scrutiny
Panel to be held 11 July.
Brewood Civic Society copy correspondence
with regard to planning application 07/00599/FUL, extension at
Sustainable Staffordshire Newsletter Summer
2007; Society of Local Council Clerks National Conference; Countryside Events
July 2007; Opportunities July issue.
122. CHAIRMAN’S REPORT:
The
Council received the report of the Chairman, Mrs L.E. Jones who reported that
she had attended an event organised by South Staffordshire Tourism at
Chillington Hall, with Mrs J. Carr, the previous Sunday and it had proved to be
an extremely enjoyable event. Arrangements
had been made for the Brewood and Coven Parish Council Civic Sunday to be held
at 11.00am on 14 October at
Mr M.
Webb reported that he had attended a tour of the Police Control Room with Mrs
L.E. Jones which had proved to be very interesting.
Mrs
K.A. Holmes left the meeting.
123. FINANCE REPORT:
The Council
received the report of the Head of Finance, Dr R.C.H. Taylor and resolved the
following matters:
·
the accounts for payment as at 12
July be approved
·
Coven
Playing Field Fencing – the Clerk’s report on the site visit held
10 July was circulated to members at the meeting. It was resolved the contract for fencing be approved as per the quote
received from Grange Fencing at a cost of £4,632.70 exclu. VAT. The
existing chain-link fence was to be left in place and the new fencing placed on
the playing field side of the chain-link fencing with climbing plants. The
request to relocate the play equipment could not be considered. Reimbursement towards some of the cost of
the fencing to be sought from
·
New
Councillor Training. Further to the notice given by the SPCA of four training
modules available for Councillors, Mrs J. Carr had indicated that she would
like to attend all four modules subject to availability. For each module the
cost would £20 for the first delegate and £10 for each delegate
thereafter. The first session was scheduled for 25 July - full details
available in the minutes of 28 June. Any other members wishing to attend had
been asked to indicate their interest at the meeting for the matter to be
considered by the Council. It was
resolved that places be approved for Ms M. Alden-Court, Mrs J. Carr, Mr D.
Evans, Mr G. Martin and Mrs A. Y. Millward subject to their availability.
Places to be booked for Mrs J. Carr, Mr G. Martin and Mrs A.Y. Millward for 25
July. Clerk to confirm with Mr Evans whether he would be available to attend.
124. PLANNING REPORT:
The Council received the planning report
from the Head of Planning, Mrs D.M. Holmes and approved the planning
applications as set out in the attached schedule. Mr
I. Westwood left the meeting while planning application 07/00734/FUL was
discussed.
Notice
of appeal by Mr P.M. Gilmartin against the refusal of South Staffordshire
Council to grant planning permission for the siting of a static caravan for
temporary residential use on land to the rear of
It
was resolved the Clerk write to Mr Brown of Oak Road, who previously wrote to
the Council with concerns (item 44), supporting his position and advising he
attend the appeal. Clerk to also write supporting the inappropriate nature of
the development.
Notice
of Public Local Inquiry into the appeals lodged by Taylor Woodrow Developments
Ltd. and BAE Systems in respect of the failure of South Staffordshire Council
to determine the appeals, i) and ii), within the statutory 8 week period
– i) 05/00677/OUT Bus and Rail Based Park and Ride at Cat and Kittens
Lane, Featherstone and ii) 06/00048/OUT mixed use development including 1,000
residential units and supporting local facilities at Cat and Kittens lane. The
Inspector would also consider planning application 07/00244/OUT –
residential development of up to 870 dwellings at Cat and Kittens Lane, with
other facilities, for which South Staffordshire Council had previously refused
to grant planning permission. The Public Inquiry would be held at Featherstone
and Hilton Community Centre,
It was resolved the Clerk write
opposing the proposed developments and in support of the objections raised by
Coven Heath residents and Featherstone and Brinsford Parish Council.
Letter
received from Divers Jonas on behalf of the SI Group (formerly
It was resolved the Clerk reply stating
the Council had no objection to the proposed warehousing but conditions would
need to be put in place with regard to restrictions on traffic volume,
consideration would need to be given to the potential impact on the side-roads
from the site to the A449 and the Council were concerned that 20 to 30 acres of
significant woodland would be affected.
Notice
of the granting of planning permission, on appeal, of application 06/01056/FUL,
38 Engleton Lane, Brewood – conversion and extension of an existing
bungalow to a new bungalow and minor alterations to an existing bungalow
– with conditions, the report was be tabled at the meeting.
Matter of report.
Mrs
D.M. Holmes further reported that a Public Local Inquiry was scheduled for July
25 with regard to the appeal by Mr Lee against the refusal to grant a
Certificate of Lawful Development for a residential dwelling at The Bungalow,
Rock Bank, Brewood Road and that the appeal by Crest Nicholson with regard to
the proposed development of 38 dwellings in Engleton Lane had been dismissed.
Matters of report.
125. PLAYING FIELDS REPORT:
The Council received the reports
of:
Mr I. Westwood – Bishops
Wood Playing Field and
It
was resolved the Clerk would report back to Council once suitable new equipment
had been identified.
Mr M. Webb – Brewood
Playing Field. Mr Webb recommended a feasibility study of including a fenced in
It
was resolved the Clerk contact Katie White / Mark Jenkinson of South
Staffordshire Council requesting they carry out a feasibility study and also
notify the bowling club of the feasibility study.
Mrs J. Carr and Mrs A.Y. Millward
– Coven Playing Field. Weeds on the tennis courts needed treating.
It
was resolved the Clerk arrange with South Staffordshire Council for the weeds
to be sprayed. Clerk to advise Mr D. Barker and County Highways that County
Highways should be strimming the grass on the road-side of the playing field.
Clerk to ask Mr Barker to tighten the wheel on the toddler equipment next to
the changing rooms.
126. CLERKS REPORT:
The
Council received the written report of the Clerk, Mrs D.E. Drury and resolved
the following matters:
·
Clerk
to check the lettering on the new Finger Post in Market Place was not painted
on.
·
The
letter be sent to the Coven Heath allotment tenant terminating his agreement.
·
The
Clerk reply, with regard to The Bront, that it conforms to its original
intention which was to be a Public Open Space for the whole community and that
fencing was considered to be inappropriate. Anyone seeking a safer play-area
should consider using the play equipment on the playing field. Signs be
approved for The Bront requesting dog owners to keep their dogs under control.
·
That
no change be made to the names and address on the members information sheet
other than to change the job title of the Trainee Clerk.
·
The
Clerk circulate copies of the contacts index from the
·
The
dead trees in the hedge, along the playing field in
·
·
The
Clerk contact Banks’ Brewery to maintain the hedge in School Lane and Mr
Steve Dores, of South Staffordshire Council, for advice with regard to the very
old Oak Tree within the hedge that was overhanging and cutting out light but
required preservation.
·
Clerk
to contact the owner of the hedge in
·
A
letter be sent to Mrs C. Robotham of
·
A
letter be sent to Mrs B. Juniper of
·
Agendas
to continue to be structured in the same format as current practice
·
The
Clerk to write to local publicans requesting their support in ensuring
cigarette butts would not be allowed to litter the pavements outside pubs as a
result of the recent smoking ban.
·
No
Smoking signs to be ordered for any bus shelters which were less than 50% open
to the air. Signs also required for
The
Clerk also reported that the 30mph repeater signs had now been replaced on the
ANY OTHER MATTERS OF REPORT:
None
received.
There
being no other business the Chairman declared the meeting closed at 9.15 p.m.
CLERK’S REPORT FOR THE MEETING HELD 12
JULY 2007
Footpath
Following on from the last
meeting I wrote to Noreen Moore, Staffordshire County Council’s Countryside
and Rights of Way Group Leader. She
has telephoned to say that the hedgerow is not the responsibility of the County
Council but, given that it is a health and safety issue she is prepared to make
a contribution out of her budget and asked whether this Council would also
contribute. I have also written to
Barbara Juniper, South Staffordshire Council’s Head of Architecture and
Grounds Maintenance and asked if a contribution could be made out of her
maintenance budget. If all
three Council’s make an equal contribution for the 1230 high Dulok
fencing as per that already erected at Engleton Lane the cost per Council will
be under £850. As a joint
venture this will also mean that no single Council will have accepted the
responsibility for future maintenance, etc.
In Barbara’s absence her deputy is
proposing that the matter be placed on the agenda for the next JOG meeting with
a view to seeking funding from the anti-social behaviour fund. He is optimistic that the bid will be
successful as it ‘ticks all
of the right boxes’.
Despite several letters,
telephone calls, and promises of action there is still a list of outstanding
work at the toilets. The Chair and
I inspected them this morning and I agreed to write a very strong letter of
complaint to the contractor.
However, since our meeting workmen have turned up on site and I have
furnished them with a list of the outstanding work.
Refurbishment of Coven
Changing Rooms:
The draft plans for the
refurbishment are tabled for members’ consideration. If the plans meet with Council’s
approval I would suggest that an application be made under the Quality Council
Scheme for the grant of £1,800 to be put towards the seating area as such
provision would meet the criteria for a community project. On the plans there are two points
I would draw to members’ attention – the shaped grilles at the
front could present a problem as they could encourage children to try and climb
through the gaps. The two small
windows at the rear of the building are shown as being blocked up, however,
these have not been subjected to vandalism and if left in situ would provide
some light into the store-room.
New Changing Rooms
David Frost has taken on
board the points made by the FA Technical Department and has amended the plans
accordingly. However, there are
still a couple of points that he needs clarification on and, in particular,
wishes to seek advise on a heating system.
Despite several telephone calls he has not as yet received an answer.
Audit
Arrangements have been made
with Joyce Pegg to carry out the internal audit during the week commencing 16
July.
Fingerpost in Brewood
The Area Inspector has
confirmed that the new signpost will be ready for installation by the end of
next week.
Silt on the
The Area Inspector has
advised that a digger has been scheduled to clear the sand and silt that has
washed onto the road during the recent torrential rain.
Members’ Information
Sheet
An issue has been raised
with regard to the public display of members’ home addresses and also the
inclusion of holiday arrangements in the minutes and Clerk’s reports.
Coven Heath Allotments
Sometime ago I reported
that a part of the hedgerow at the allotments had been removed to provide an access
to the property to the rear and that subsequently the allotment had been used
as a lorry delivery point for bulky materials. This had caused damage to the water
standpipes and the adjacent allotment resulting in complaints from the
tenants. I wrote a strong
letter of complaint to the tenant advising him that his tenancy would be
reviewed if there was any repeat of the occurrence and also requested that the
hedge be reinstated immediately and the damage made good. The tenant does not reside in
On Tuesday of this week the
Caretaker telephoned to say that a lorry had turned up at the gates and that
the driver had been abusive when told that he could not deliver onto the
allotment site. He said that he had
permission and, whilst the caretaker went to telephone the office to check
this, he made the delivery and had left.
I have consulted with Fred Barrett and written a letter terminating the
tenant’s agreement but as yet this has not been posted. I have taken advice from PC Helen
Mitchell and she has visited the householders in
The Bront
A Coven resident recently
reported that youths are congregating around the picnic table and adventure
trail on The Bront. She suspected
that under-age drinking was taking place as she had picked up smashed bottles
and glasses. She asked if the
Council would consider enclosing the area with a picket fence as many people
exercise their dogs on The Bront and it can be frightening for a small child to
be approached by a dog off the lead, particularly if the dog should be playful
or boisterous. In addition, given
its proximity to the river bank, it would give parents’ of small children
added peace of mind if the area was secured.
Coven Christmas Lights
No-one has come forward to form a
Committee to organise the Christmas lighting for this year.
Road Re-surfacing in
Brewood
I have received a telephone
call from Garry Hough who has responsibility for the road surfacing in this
area. He has confirmed that he will
be inspecting the roads to assess whether the resurfacing carried out is up to
standard.
Trees in the
There are some dead trees
in the boundary that need felling.
Can I have Council’s permission to arrange for this work to be
undertaken?
Retirement of Chris
Robotham, Head Teacher of Brewood Middle School is retiring on the 19th
July. The Council may wish to send
her a letter of appreciation.
Barbara Juniper, South
Staffordshire Council’s Head of Architecture and Ground Maintenance is leaving for
another post at the end of the month.
The Council may wish to send her a letter of appreciation for her work
on behalf of this parish.
Bishops Wood Senior
Citizens’ Luncheon
Jeanette Edwards has for
several years now organised an annual lunch for the senior citizens of Bishops
Wood. There is no charge made for
the meal and any money made on the raffle is put to charitable causes in the
village. With the permission of the
Chair Anne Holmes presented Jeanette with a flower arrangement from the Parish
Council in recognition of her services to the community.
Training Course for Clerks
Last week I attended the
all day annual training course organised by the Parish Councils’
Association. One of the topics
covered was procedure which included preparation of the agenda. In addition to ‘Any Other
Business’ it is now advocated
that ‘Matters Arising’ should not be an agenda item as this
provides an opportunity for matters to be
raised that have not been
included in the agenda and thus members have not been notified of. It became apparent that most
Councils have a Clerk’s report and rely on this to cover the matters
arising. Is the Council happy
to continue with current practice which includes ‘Matters Arising’
and a ‘Clerk’s Report’ and sometimes extending the agenda
should the need arise.
Training Course for
Councillors
The dates for the courses
are: 25 July – Roles and Responsibilities, 5 September – Powers,
Duties and Precept, 18 September – Management and Meetings, and 11 October
– the Council and the Community.
Smoking Ban
Now that the smoking ban
has come into effect it has been noted that cigarette butts are more prolific
on the pavements, particularly outside the public houses. It has been suggested that this should be
raised with the publicans.
Temporary Road Closure,
Market Place, Brewood
A copy of the Road Closure
Order has been received from South Staffordshire Council. The Order is for Sunday 22 July –
11.00am to 2.30pm for the Morris Dancing that is to take place in the Market
Place.
Coven Road, Brewood
At PC Mitchell’s
request I have written to the Divisional Highways Manager drawing attention to
the fact that the 30mph repeater signs on the