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 MARCH 2007
PRESENT:
Mr
F. Barrett, Mrs J. Carr, Cllr Mrs D.M. Holmes, Mrs K.A Holmes, Mrs J.C.
Jeffries, Mrs L.E. Jones, Mr R.M. Jones, Dr R.C.H. Taylor, Mr P.G. Wakeham, Mr
M. Webb.
In the absence of Mr A. Ball the meeting was chaired by Mrs L.E. Jones
APOLOGIES:
Mr A. Ball – work,
Cllr I. Clay – holiday, Mr P.G. Sanders – seminar, Mr I. Westwood – unwell.
MINUTES:
The minutes of the
meeting of the Council held on 22February, having been circulated, were taken
as read and were approved and duly signed by the Chairman.
DECLARATIONS
OF INTEREST:
Dr R.C.H. Taylor
declared a prejudicial interest in matters relating to Jacob’s Ladder.
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.
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.
358.POLICE
REPORT
The
Council received the written Police report, circulated to members at the
meeting. Dr R.C.H. Taylor raised his concern at the youths who were hanging
around Jacob’s Ladder and the litter that was being left behind.
It was resolved the matter be brought to the attention of WPC Mitchell / CPSO Edwards noting that it was acceptable for youths to meet there but only if they did so without causing a nuisance.
MATTERS ARISING:
154* Public Conveniences, Sandy Lane. The Trainee Clerk reported that calls were being
made daily to obtain a date to install the power. Once this had been obtained
arrangements could be made to install the meter. Maythornes were being kept
informed of progress. Letter received from the Land Registry correcting the boundary
wall. They confirmed that they saw no reason for a deed of rectification.
It was resolved the Clerk write to Underhill, Langley and Wright to provide an up date on the current situation with regard to site layout.
342* Crestwood Park Sewers. Letter received from Mrs Claydon enclosing copy
correspondence from Severn Trent Water. Copy circulated prior to the meeting.
It was resolved the Clerk write to Mrs Claydon thanking her for her hard work in reaching a satisfactory conclusion.
207. Local
Development Framework Core Strategy. To
be retained on the agenda awaiting the next, more detailed stage of
consultation.
Matter of report.
256. Notification of Change of Premises License
Holders. Letter received from SPCA stating the matter had been raised at the
meeting of their Executive Committee to find out other Councils’ experiences.
They confirmed that there was general concern that councils were no longer
consulted. The SPCA had contacted NALC to ask whether the matter had been
raised by their Policy Committee and if so what action could be taken.
Matter
of report.
284. Traffic – Horsebrook Lane. Letter received
confirming the matter would be investigated by David Steptoe, Area Traffic
Engineer.
Matter
of report.
318. Planters for Bishops Wood. Letter received
from David Wright, Divisional Highway Manager approving the four locations for
planters in Bishops Wood. The planter approved near the village hall was
actually shown on the map, incorrectly, as being within the village hall
boundary – this was not the intention. An alternative location near the bus
shelter had been suggested.
320. Burial Grounds Provision. The Trainee
Clerk reported that no further details had as yet been obtained with regard to
the status of the Governments Consultation on Burial Grounds but Reverend
Burgess had confirmed that there were 15 to 18 plots available at St John’s
Church, Bishops Wood giving approximately 8 years provision.
Matter of report.
321. Local
Development Framework – Wolverhampton Airport Policy Document
Deferred from the
previous two meetings – replies required by 12 March.
It was resolved members would complete and
submit the response forms individually.
322. Rainwater Gullies, Horsebrook Lane. Letter received
from Staffordshire County Council confirming Brian Wilding would investigate
the matter.
Matter
of report.
331. Old Weston Road, Bishops Wood. Mrs J.C.
Jeffries reported that Old Weston Road was deemed to be “unclassified” as
opposed to “not adopted”. Firsway was the only unadopted road in Bishops Wood.
Matter of report.
333. Jacob’s Ladder – Clerk’s report. Email received
from Staffordshire County Council recommending this council should seek the
advice of South Staffordshire Council with regard to a suitable style of
fencing in lieu of the concerns they raised at the suggestion of installing
Chestnut Paling. A letter had been written to Barbara Juniper seeking advice
and asking that SSDC consider whether they could also make a contribution
towards the costs of any final solution agreed.
333. V2006 Festival – Clerk’s report. Mrs
J.C. Jeffries reported that Mr I. Westwood had met with Mark Blackstock and
another representative of Roseclaim who had confirmed that the Council would
not be allocated a grant for distribution as they preferred applications from
individual organisations. The Trainee Clerk reported that Mr I. Westwood had
requested the Council write to Roseclaim listing the organisations and projects
that had applied for grants but that before doing so we await any replies to
the article due in the April Bugle by Mrs P. Nattrass.
It was resolved the Clerk write to Roseclaim
detailing the organisations and projects requesting grant support once time had
been allowed for any replies to the Bugle article.
348. Model Code of Conduct. Local Democracy
Directorate, Communities and Local Government regarding the revised model code
of conduct for local authority members. As comments were required by 9 March a
summary of the proposed revisions was provided to members at the last meeting –
copy including NALC’s briefing paper circulated to members prior to the meeting.
Dr R.C.H. Taylor reported as a representative of the Standards Board.
It
was resolved the Clerk reply stating the members supported the views expressed
by Mrs Lin Robinson, Head of Governance and Scrutiny Services, South
Staffordshire Council and the Standards Board.
Canal Bridge, Brewood. The Trainee
Clerk confirmed that the Council Handyman had not painted the Canal Bridge near
The Bridge Inn, Brewood but arrangements would be made for him to do so.
Matter of report.
CORRESPONDENCE RECEIVED:
Letters have been received from:
359. South Staffordshire Council Parish / District Liaison Group
Consultation document seeking suggestions for future topics and reasons why
members were sometimes unable to attend. The letter also asked whether a 6.30pm
start time would be preferable to the current 7.00pm. start time.
It was resolved the Clerk reply that a
6.30pm start was too early for anyone working and the fact members gave their
time voluntarily meant it was sometimes difficult to spare time for such
events.
360.Mr T. Oakley, Moors Drive, Coven with regard to several Lime
trees at The Bront which ran along the end of his garden. He reported that
these trees were in the region of “60 feet high and seemed to sway 6 feet or
more in a good wind”, in the past smaller trees had come down in their garden
and he was concerned the trees also blocked light from his garden in summer.
Finally he stated that should a tree fall across his garden causing injury he
would hold the Council responsible.
It
was resolved the Clerk write to Mr S. Dores of South Staffordshire Council
asking that he visit the site and recommend a management plan.
361.Community Council of Staffordshire Calor Village of the Year
Competition 2007 – Staffordshire. Entries to be submitted by 1 June.
It was resolved that should Coven choose to
enter the competition then the Parish Council would support their entry.
362. South Staffordshire Council elections 2007 awareness training
session at Codsall Council Offices, 14 March at 4.30pm. The Trainee Clerk, Sue
Groom had indicated she would like to attend.
It was resolved the Trainee Clerk, Sue Groom
attend the session.
363. South Staffordshire Council Community Toolkit Training,
Promoting an Event in Your Community to be held 21 March. 6.00pm for a 6.30pm
start until 8.30pm at the Council Offices in Codsall.
364. Community Council of
Staffordshire enclosing details of the Village Retail Services Association
(ViRSA) who help to promote and support community owned projects such as
starting a community shop.
365.SPCA with regard to vacancy for the position of Chief
Executive, a full time position, based in Staffordshire.
Matter of report.
CORRESPONDENCE CIRCULATED:
Agenda and reports for the meeting of South Staffordshire
Council to be held 6 March.
Agenda and reports for the meeting of South Staffordshire
Council’s Community and Environmental Services Scrutiny Panel held 28 February.
Agenda and reports for the meeting of South Staffordshire
Council’s Health Scrutiny Panel held 27 February.
Agenda and reports for the meeting of South Staffordshire
Council’s Executive Meeting held 27 February.
Coven Heath
Community Association Newsletter.
Brewood Civic
Society copy correspondence to The Planning Inspectorate with regard to the
appeal for a development of 38 dwellings on land off Engleton Lane, Brewood;
British Waterways – presence of Japanese Knotweed; South Staffordshire Council
with regard to planning application 07/00120/ADV non-illuminated logo 7 Market
Place, Brewood; SSCVA – gable end wall to 1 Stafford Street; Royal Mail –
posting box junction of Coven Road and Tinkers Lane; Staffordshire County
Council - road lighting in Brewood,
lack of consultation; South Staffordshire Council – cast iron railings to the
front of Old Bank Cottage, High Green, Brewood. Brewood Civic Society Minutes
of the meeting held 19 February.
NALC and The
Electoral Commission – Toolkit for parish and town councils.
Sustainable
Staffordshire Development Plan 2007 – 2008.
Buzz – SSCVA
Newsletter Spring 2007, Open Spaces Society Newsletter Spring 2007, Business
Link – February issue.
Brochure –
Gregory’s of Cannock
366.CHAIRMAN’S
REPORT:
The Council
received the report of Mrs L.E. Jones in the absence of Mr A. Ball. Mrs Jones
reported that the commemorative plaque given to Mr A. F. Prendergast had been
returned to the Council, there was no covering letter. Mrs Jones further
reported that she had attended the SPCA seminar on Chairing a Challenging
Meeting, which had proved extremely worthwhile, and had also attended a meeting
with the Chief Constable and Sir Patrick Cormack where each Parish Council
representative had been given an opportunity to ask a question. As a result Mrs
Jones had received assurance that funding was available for the medium and long
term to secure the services of the NBO and CPSO in the villages. The Chief
Constable was also aware of the need for Officers to be available in the
evenings.
367.FINANCE
REPORT:
The Council
received the finance report from Mrs L.E. Jones in the absence of Mr P.G.
Sanders and resolved the following matters:
· the list of accounts for payment as at 8
March be approved
· the attendance of
the Trainee Clerk, Mrs S. Groom, at a combined Health and Safety / Risk
Assessment Seminar at Stafford on 28 March 7pm at a cost of £20 be approved
· a budget of £20 be
set aside for use by Rosalie Jackson, co-ordinator of the Brewood Village Show
this year, to assist in the cost of photocopying. Ms Jackson had reported that
she intended to make the show a bigger event this year, involving community
groups and publicising it wider. She envisaged needing to print 400-600 entry
forms for example.
368.PLANNING
REPORT:
The Council received the report of Cllr Mrs
D. M. Holmes and made the planning recommendations as set out in the attached schedule.
The Council received the written report of Mr P.G. Sanders with
regard to the development at Grange Farm, Coven.
It was resolved that the Parish
Council supported Mr P.G. Sanders in his findings and that the matter be
forwarded for the attention and comment of Sarah Poxon, South Staffordshire
Council. The Council thanked Mr Sanders for the work he had done.
Notice of appeal by Crest Nicholson –
residential development of 38 dwellings on land off Engleton Lane, Brewood.
Representations were required by 21 March. Dr R.C.H. Taylor reported that the
existing Crest Nicholson signs in Engleton Lane were intrusive. Cllr Mrs D.M.
Holmes said she would enquire as to whether they could be removed.
Severn Trent Works, Bishops Wood. Mrs J.C.
Jeffries enquired as to the length of time the works were due to be in place
and why we had not received any notification of such disruptive works. The
Trainee Clerk reported she was still waiting for Severn Trent to reply to the
call she had logged.
It
was resolved the Clerk contact Area Highways enquiring as to why no notice of
the works had been received and to report the problems of mud on the road in
the area of the works.
369. PLAYING
FIELD REPORTS:
Bishops
Wood Playing Field
Mr I. Westwood –
no report available.
Brewood
Playing Field
Mr R.M. Jones
reported that he would be meeting with another supplier with regard to
obtaining a quote for the fencing behind the goal posts and that he had a
catalogue for Brewood members to consider new equipment for the toddler’s
play-area.
It was resolved the Clerk would identify
what funding would be available from the precept and Brewood members would
consider the options available.
370. CLERKS
REPORT:
The Council
received the written report of the Trainee Clerk, Mrs S. Groom and resolved the
following matters:
·
Community Learning Workshop – members
wishing to attend to notify the Clerk
·
Presentation, Mid Staffordshire General
Hospitals – the date of 12 April be confirmed
·
Green Bus Service Timetables – Clerk to
raise the matter with the Vehicle and Operator Services Agency
·
Details of the Trim Trail be included in the
next Newsletter.
Mr M. Webb reported on the meeting with Andy
Weston, County Development Manager, and Eamonn Farrell, Regional Facilities Manager,
that he attended with Mr P.G. Sanders. In summary the plans still failed to
meet Football Foundation requirements and that, based on square footage, such a
development would cost in the region of £180,000 - £300,000. Mr Webb reported
that Katie White had taken the plans to review them in line with requirements.
Mr R.M. Jones reported that Thurston Modular Buildings have previously supplied
to Football Foundation requirements.
It
was resolved Mr R.M. Jones would obtain more details.
Due to the confidential nature of the matter
to be discussed it was resolved that the staffing item be deferred to the end
of the meeting when the press and members of the public would be asked to leave
the meeting.
ANY
OTHER MATTERS OF REPORT:
371.Brewood Village Community
Council. BVCC had
approached Cllr Mrs D.M. Holmes to stand for their committee. Cllr Mrs D.M. Holmes was willing to stand if
this was acceptable to members.
It was resolved that Cllr Mrs D.M. Holmes be
approved to stand for the BVCC committee.
372.Transport – PCSO Charlotte Edwards. Mrs L.E. Jones reported
that PCSO Edwards did not have any means of transport to travel between the
villages she covered and that the standard issue bicycle lights, as used by WPC
Mitchell, were inadequate. The Trainee Clerk confirmed that the required
equipment – bike and required lights - could be purchased for £400.
It was resolved the Council fund a bicycle
to be purchased by Staffordshire Police for use by CPSO Charlotte Edwards when
carrying out duties for the parish at a cost of £400. It was further resolved
the “old Police bike” be included in the next Newsletter for the highest offer.
373.Roads and Lay-byes, Coven Heath. Mr F. Barrett reported
his concerns as to the condition of the roads in Coven Heath, in particular
Ball Lane and Shaw Hall Lane, and the damage to the verges in Shaw Hall Lane by
lorries entering the Nurseries at the lower end of the site where the road
narrows rather than the alternative wider entrance. Mr Barrett also reported
the condition of the lay-bye on the East side of the A449 where lorries were
running over the kerb.
It was resolved the Clerk ask South
Staffordshire Council to arrange for the roads and gullies of Coven Heath to be
swept, contact Staffordshire County Council with regard to the damage to the
grass verges in Shaw Hall Lane and Amey Mouchel requesting higher kerb stones
to address the damage to the verges on the A449.
374.Nurseries, Coven Heath. Mr F. Barrett
raised his concern at the amount of black smoke / fumes that came from the site
of the Nurseries in Coven Heath.
It was resolved the Clerk contact South
Staffordshire Council, Environmental Health and ask they investigate the matter
further.
375.Allotment Hedge, Coven Heath. Mr F. Barrett drew members’ attention to
the need to trim the hedge at the allotments.
It
was resolved the Clerk make arrangements with a local contractor.
Further
to the earlier resolution, the Chairman asked members of the press and public
to leave the meeting in view of the confidential nature of the business to be
transacted.
376.Staffing Matter. The Trainee Clerk reported.
It
was resolved the Clerk would write the requested letter.
There being no
other business the Chairman declared the meeting closed at 9.20pm
Public Conveniences, Sandy
Lane I have obtained the
name and contact number for the engineer who will be responsible for installing
the power supply. Although initially he promised to provide a date for coming
to site, as yet this has not been forthcoming.
Staffing Due to the confidential nature of the
matter to be discussed it will be recommended the matter be taken at the end of
the meeting when members of the press and public will asked to leave the
meeting.
Jacobs Ladder Rev Burgess has reported vandalism to the
wall at Jacob’s Ladder – youths have used a wheel-barrow that was hidden on
site to ram the wall. The matter has been reported to the police.
Coven Changing-rooms – New
Development Mr P.G. Sanders
and Mr M. Webb attended a meeting on 6 March with Andy Weston and the Regional
Manager of the Football Foundation to discuss the grant bid for the proposed
new changing-rooms. Mr M. Webb to report.
Community learning Workshop The Community Council of Staffordshire is
holding a Community Learning Workshop on Thursday May 3 at the Jubilee Hall,
Brewood from 9.30am to 3.00pm. The workshop will include presentations on
funding advice and information on parish plans, Local Strategic Partnerships,
Local Area Agreements and the Rural Access to Services Partnership. The trainee
Clerk would like to attend this event. Recommended
resolution: the Trainee Clerk be allowed
to attend the workshop. Do any other members wish to attend?
Presentation - Mid
Staffordshire General Hospitals
Letter received from Nadine Miles following this Council’s invitation to her to
attend a meeting of the Council with regard to the public consultation on the
plans of the Mid Staffordshire General Hospitals to become an NHS Foundation
Trust. A date of 12 April is
suggested. A copy of the consultation
document is tabled. Recommended
resolution: the Clerk reply accepting the date of 12 April at 7.30pm.
Green Bus Service Timetables Complaints have been received from members
with regard to the state of the Green Bus Timetables in Brewood and Coven. I
have spoken to the company who are unwilling to repair the signs as they “keep
being vandalised”. Recommended
resolution: the Clerk write to Mr Hollis, Bus Company Compliance Manager of the
Vehicle and Operator Services Agency who is investigating the other concerns
this Council has previously raised.
Easter SUSSED South Staffordshire Council have confirmed
that three sessions have been booked, one each for Bishops Wood, Brewood and
Coven. The village halls have been booked for April 4, April 2 and April 11
respectively.
Council Offices – Broadband A lot of time has been spent this week
chasing BT with regard the Broadband installation. Their engineer failed to
turn up on Monday to remove the existing ISDN line. I have now escalated the
matter with in BT.