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, 14 JUNE 2007

 

PRESENT:

 

Ms 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 - holiday, Mr I. Westwood – holiday.

 

IN ATTENDANCE:

 

Cllr M.R. Hampson.

 

MINUTES:

 

The minutes of the meeting of the Council held on 31 May were confirmed as an accurate record and duly signed.

 

DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST:

 

Mrs A.Y. Millward declared a prejudicial interest in item 73, Sunset Close. Mrs J.C. Jeffries declared a prejudicial interest in planning application 07/00601/FUL. Dr R.C.H. Taylor declared a prejudicial interest in matters relating to Jacobs Ladder and the Brewood Dole Charity. Mrs L.E. Jones declared a prejudicial interest in matters relating to the Brewood Dole Charity.

 

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 issues were raised.

 

72.      POLICE REPORT:

 

The Council received the report of CPSO Charlotte Edwards, a written report was also tabled for each member. The Chairman reported that the Parish Council fully supported CPSO Charlotte Edwards in carrying out her duties in issuing fixed penalty notices and stated that it was totally unacceptable that Charlotte should be subjected to any verbal abuse in doing so.

It was resolved the Clerk schedule a meeting with Mrs L.E. Jones, Dr R.C.H Taylor and representatives of Brewood Middle School, St Mary and St Chad’s First School, The Admiral Rodney and the County Council Safety Representative to seek a possible solution to the road safety problems discussed. It was further resolved a separate meeting be arranged with representatives of the Parish Council and local public houses to discuss the general parking problems in the village.

 

MATTERS ARISING:

 

1.      Revised Model Code of Conduct. A draft amendment (previously circulated to members) appertaining to item 43 of the Council’s Standing Orders was considered.  The Standards Board had prepared a guide for members on the revised Code of Conduct and this was tabled, together with a pocket guide (additional copies were awaited to ensure copies for each member).

It was resolved the amendment be approved and, after the summer, a committee be organised to review and revise the Council’s current Standing Orders with the Clerk. Mrs K.A. Holmes asked it to be noted that when the committee was agreed she wished to be included.

 

8.      Appointment of Persons with Special Responsibility. Deferred from the last meeting.  Further consideration was given to the appointment of a Head of Finance.

It was resolved Dr R.C.H. Taylor would be Head of Finance for the forthcoming year.

 

12.     Brewood Dole Charity. The training seminar had been tentatively arranged for 7.30pm on Thursday 21 June.

Matter of report.

 

38.    Debate on Model Code of Conduct.  Mrs K.A. Holmes with regard to the debate that took place on the adoption of the revised Model Code of Conduct at the meeting held 10 May.

The Chairman reported that on further consideration Mrs K.A. Holmes wished the matter to be closed.

Matter of report.

 

42.    Voluntary Car Scheme.  The Council received the written report (copies tabled for each member at the meeting) of the Car Scheme Co-ordinator, Mrs C. Cumming, which related to the service agreement received from Staffordshire County Council and an end of year report for 2006/2007. The Chairman congratulated Mrs Cumming on an excellent report. 

It was resolved the matter be deferred to the next meeting of the Council to enable members to read the report.

 

55.    Staffing Meeting.   A meeting of the Staffing Committee had been arranged for Thursday 14 June at 6.45 pm. Mrs J.C, Jefferies reported on the meeting.

It was resolved the following recommendations of the Staffing Committee be approved:

·               An offer be made to Mr David Nicholls for the position of Gate Keeper at Coven Playing Field, initially on a three month probation period followed by a six month renewable contract

·               The job title of Mrs S. Groom be changed to Assistant Clerk and her spinal column point be brought in to line with the Councils other Assistant Clerk.

 

62.    BKV Successes.  A letter had been received from the Brewood Civic Society asking that the certificates awarded should be display in some prominent place.

It was resolved the Civic Society be advised of the Council’s proposed action.

 

CORRESPONDENCE RECEIVED:

 

Letters have been received from:

 

73.      Mr H. J. Griffiths of 3 Sunset Close, Coven on behalf of the residents of 1 – 6 Sunset Close.  The letter complained of the nuisance from footballs being kicked into their gardens and also referred to the article in the Wolverhampton Ad News.  Copy enclosed with agenda. Mrs A.Y. Millward left the meeting while the matter was debated. Cllr I. Clay reported that due to planning restrictions South Staffordshire Housing Association could not erect fencing over 2m high to address the problem. Mrs J. Carr reported on the meeting held with the architect, Mr Frost, to discuss fencing off the ‘workshop’ and bricking up the wooden structures – plans were awaited from Mr Frost.

It was resolved that the residents affected by the stray balls would be consulted as to the best solution.

 

74.      David Kidney MP calling for the Council’s support for his stand against the closure of the main post office in Stafford and subsequent relocation to the upper floor at the WH Smith store.  He was concerned that, “for people with mobility problems or in a wheelchair or even parents with children in buggies, there would be difficulties in accessing the upper floor, besides the limited area for people queuing to be served.”

It was resolved the Clerk write in support of the case stated.

 

75.      South Staffordshire Council giving notice of the Appeal by Mr Patrick Dunne relating to land at Brinsford Bridge, Stafford Road, Coven Heath.  The Appeal was to be held on 20th and 21st June and objections had to be registered with the Planning Inspectorate by 15th June. The Clerk had, therefore, written to the Planning Inspectorate reiterating this Council’s objections and a copy was be tabled at the meeting. Mr F. Barrett reported that he had received a letter stating his submission had been received too late. The Clerk confirmed likewise. Cllr I. Clay reported that he would be attending the hearing and would be speaking on the application.

It was resolved the Council’s correspondence on the matter be made available to Cllr Clay and the Clerk write to Mr R. Levesley, South Staffordshire Council raising this Council’s concern over the provision of incorrect dates.

 

76.      CORRESPONDENCE CIRCULATED:

 

Agenda and reports for the meeting of South Staffordshire Council’s Overview and Scrutiny Committee to be held 12th June.

 

Copy letters from the Brewood Civic Society addressed to South Staffordshire Council’s Development Control Officer, and Councillor Rex Roberts.

 

77.       CHAIRMAN’S REPORT:

 

The Council received the report of the Chairman who reported that she had attended the Codsall Civic Sunday with Mrs J. Carr and that the Parish Council’s Best Kept Village Poster prizes were in the process of being presented at the local schools. Finally, Mrs L.E. Jones drew the Council’s attention to the fact the Chain of Office was in serious need of updating and repair and the list of Chairmen in the Council Chamber was also out of date.

It was resolved the necessary enquiries be made and the Clerk report back to Council.

 

78.       FINANCE REPORT:

 

The Council received the Finance Report from the Head of Finance, Dr R.C.H. Taylor and the following matters were resolved:

 

·               the Accounts for payment as at 14 June be approved

·               the quote for additional fencing, from Grange Fencing, behind the goal posts at Engleton Lane Playing Field, at a cost of £1,539 excluding VAT, be approved.

 

Also note item 55.

 

79.      PLANNING REPORT:

 

The Council received the Planning report from the Chairman, in the absence of Mrs D.M. Holmes, and made the planning recommendations as set out in the
attached schedule.

 

Mrs J.C. Jeffries left the meeting while planning application 07/00601/FUL was discussed.

 

The Chairman drew the Council’s attention to the planning application for Coven Methodist Church, discussed at the previous meeting. Although not apparent from the application, it had come to her attention that the proposed development would require the removal of the chicane in Lawn Lane. Cllr I. Clay reported that the planning Officers would be recommending refusal.

It was resolved that it be noted that had this information be made available when the plans were originally considered then the Parish Council would not have recommended approval.

 

Cllr I. Clay drew the Council’s attention to the inaccuracies of the planning application from the co-op.

It was resolved the matter be brought to the attention of the planning officers.

 

80.      PLAYING FIELDS REPORT:

 

Bishops Wood – No report available.

 

Brewood – Mr M. Webb reported that the goal mouths needed re-grading and that he had been investigating the options for additional toddlers play equipment and sources of funding. He would report back to Council when more details had been obtained. Mr Webb to receive a copy of the Inspection Report for the Engleton Lane Playing Field.

 

Coven – Mrs A.Y. Millward reported the climbing frame required the rubber tyre refitting; a panel was lifting on the skateboard park; there was graffiti on the skateboard park; the litterbin by the skateboard park still required replacing; the tennis courts required weed treatment; the play equipment and benches required repainting.

It was resolved the above matters be addressed by the Clerk.

 

81.       CLERKS REPORT:

 

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

 

·               a site meeting be scheduled for 10.00am on 19 June at Jacobs Ladder to discuss the requirement for fencing along the path – Cllr A. Ball, Mr G. Martin, Mr M. Web and the Clerk to attend.

 

The Clerk further reported an email had been received from Mr Farrell of Coven Heath with regard to the grass-cutting problem that was currently being pursued with Amey Mouchel and Area Highways. Mr Farrell stated that none of his emails had been replied to. The Clerk provided details of the emails that had taken place between the Council and Mr Farrell, some of which Mr Farrell had specifically acknowledged.

It was resolved the Clerk write to Mr Farrell raising this Council’s concern at the tone of his email, drawing his attention to the work carried out by Coven Heath Community Association and that the member for Coven Heath, Mr F. Barrett, frequently spoke on behalf of residents on this and other matters.

 

ANY OTHER MATTERS OF REPORT:

 

82.       Access and Egress, The Parade, Coven. Mrs K.A. Holmes reported that concerns had been raised with regard to the speed of traffic entering and leaving The Parade.

It was resolved that the Clerk write to Area Highways to arrange a site visit with interested members – Mrs K.A. Holmes indicated she would not attend (prejudicial interest). The Clerk to also write to the agents, Thomas Skidmore, informing them of the concerns and plans for a site visit.

 

83.       Footpath Sunset Close to Light Ash Lane. Ms M. Alden-Court reported that the footpath from Sunset Close to Light Ash Lane was in a dangerous condition due to pot-holes.

It was resolved the Clerk report the matter to Area Highways.

 

84.      Coat of Arms. Cllr I. Clay reported that Mrs T. Williams had made a Coat of Arms for Coven available to him.

It was resolved the Clerk make further enquiries with regard to the legal position.

 

85.      Gate – Light Ash Lane. Mrs J. Carr reported that the gate at the top of Light Ash Lane, heading towards the A449, had been blocked off with a ‘Private Property’ notice.

It was resolved the Clerk raise the matter with Staffordshire County Council.

 

There being no other business the Chairman declared the meeting closed at 9.05 p.m.

 

Clerk’s Report for the Meeting held 14th June 2007

 

Litter in Light Ash Lane

 

Having received a complaint from Moira about litter being dropped in Light Ash Lane, particularly by persons parked in vehicles, the Clerk had chased the matter up with Environmental Health and asked if a litterbin and signs could be made available.  The request would have to be followed up in writing.

 

Fencing at Brewood Playing Field  -

 

This matter was raised at the last meeting.  One of the five-a-side goalposts was sited fairly close to the boundaries of the properties to the rear of it and it was positioned approximately in line with the boundary between the two properties.  In response to complaints received from the owner of one of the properties, the Council paid for the installation of a rigid mesh ball stop fence.  However, the householder of the adjacent property had now also complained of the nuisance from footballs being kicked into her garden.  Although the boundary of this property had a substantial hedge there were gaps in this and she had alleged that youths were climbing through the gaps to retrieve footballs, which she found not only a nuisance but also worrying.   The cost of providing an additional 15m of like fencing was £1,539.37. 

 

Youth Football Team

 

The organiser of a Football Club called PRD had requested the use of the Coven pitch for junior fixtures on Sunday mornings.  This did not clash with the Coven United’s fixtures and, as the Club’s membership had some local Coven lads, and the application would also impact on the grant application to the Football, the Clerk had given permission on a temporary basis.  The Club would pay £10 per match the same as Coven United.  

 

Lottery Grant

 

Council had received a letter from the Lottery providing a reference number for the application. The application should be determined by August.

 

Grant application to the Football Foundation

 

The Clerk had spoken to Katie White, the Sports Development Officer and she was to chase up progress from her end.  The increased usage of the football pitch as noted above would improve the chances of the application being successful.

 

Footpath from Jacobs Ladder

 

The Clerk hadn’t been able to speak to Paul Dunbar but she had ascertained from his wife that he was interested in quoting for the fencing but currently was very busy.    He would be available for a site meeting early next week.