BREWOOD AND COVEN PARISH COUNCIL
WITH
BISHOP’S WOOD AND COVEN HEATH
MINUTES
FOR THE MEETING OF THE COUNCIL HELD IN
THE COUNCIL OFFICES, STAFFORD STREET, BREWOOD ON THURSDAY, 31 MAY 2007
PRESENT:
Ms M. Alden-Court, Cllr
A. Ball, Mr F. Barrett, Mrs J. Carr, Cllr I. Clay, Mr D. Evans, Mrs D. M.
Holmes, Mrs L. E. Jones, Mr G. Martin, Mrs A. Y. Millward, Mr M. Webb, Mr I.
Westwood.
APOLOGIES:
Mrs K. A. Holmes –
holiday, Mrs J. Jeffries – holiday, Dr R. C. H. Taylor – holiday, Cllr M.
Hampson, Cllr R. Roberts O.B.E. – holiday.
The Chairman, Mrs
L. E. Jones welcomed new member Mr D. Evans to the meeting.
MINUTES:
The minutes of
the meeting of the Council held on 10 May were confirmed as an accurate record
and duly signed.
DECLARATIONS
OF INTEREST:
Mr I. Westwood
declared a non-pecuniary interest in planning application 07/00515/FUL, Cllr A.
Ball declared an interest in the SSCVA on the Finance Report and Mrs L. A.
Jones and Mr I. Westwood declared a prejudicial interest in no: 37 under
Matters Arising.
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 is not considered
that the resolutions to be moved herein will 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 I. Westwood,
on behalf of local residents, reported on their concerns regarding planning
application 07/00515/FUL.
35. POLICE
REPORT
The
Chairman welcomed WPC Helen Mitchell and members received her police
report. A written report was also
circulated at the meeting. WPC Mitchell
reported that the yellow lines had now been completed in Brewood and fixed
parking penalties were now being issued, she had been informed that the yellow
lines in Coven were now also painted. .
She reported that PCSO Edwards had taken delivery of her bicycle and that the
press were to be informed so that the official handing over could be published
in the local newspapers. She further
reported that the Probation Services would not be able to help with the fencing
at Sandy Lane. Cllr A. Ball reported
that he had received complaints with regard to youths congregating around the
entrance to Sparrows End Lane by the bridge.
WPC Mitchell agreed to look into the matter.
It
was reported by local members that the yellow lines in Greenacres, Coven and
Sandy Lane, Brewood had not been reinstated and the Clerk was asked to take
this up with the County Council.
MATTERS ARISING:
154** Public
Conveniences, Sandy Lane. Clerk’s report
referred. The Clerk reported that due to the ongoing problems the Council had
had with the project she had discussed the matter with the Chairman and several
members and it was felt that it was not appropriate to pursue the application
for the South Staffordshire Design Award.
The Clerk had advised Mr Burton-Pye accordingly.
173* Footpath from Hillcrest to Deansfield Road, Brewood. Letter received from Staffordshire County Council
confirming that our application for the addition of the footpath to the
Definitive Map and Statement of public rights of way had been accepted and had
been added to the list of applications awaiting determination. Letter also
received notifying this Council that the application had been received and
asking whether we wish to make any comments by 4 June.
It was resolved that the Clerk
write requesting details as to the timeframe for determination and
noting that, being the applicant, we have no further comments. Letter to also
be sent to Mr Brian Jones informing him of the current position and thanking
him and his colleagues for their assistance.
256* Notification of Change of Premises Licence Holders. Letter received from M. Morgan, Head of Legal &
Licensing Services, South Staffordshire Council in reply to this Council’s
letter of 3 May. A copy had been
circulated.
It was resolved that the Clerk forward the reply to the SPCA.
368* Grange
Farm, Coven - Footpath. Letter received from S. Poxon, South Staffordshire
Council in reply to this Council’s letter of 13 March and report received from
Mr P.G. Sanders with regard to the meeting held on-site with the developer and
Staffordshire County Council. Copies of the letter had been circulated and the
report was tabled at the meeting. Cllr
I. Clay reported that he had been taken round Grange Farm to see the work in
progress and he complimented the builders for the excellent work being carried
out. He also reported that the
developers were going to open the site, when finished, for the local residents
to view it.
It was resolved that the Clerk write to Mr
Sanders thanking him for his time and effort in pursuing this matter.
380* Proposed Development of 38 Dwellings,
Engleton Lane, Brewood. Copy correspondence from Mrs Claydon, Westgate,
Brewood to Mr Paul Wilcox, Head of Development Control, Staffordshire County
Council raising her concerns at the proposed development and its potential
impact on Crestwood Park.
Matter
of report.
414* South Staffordshire Council’s “Further
Assessment of Air Quality in South Staffordshire” A report had been produced for consultation by
27 May. We were asked to view the report on the Staffordshire web site, which
ran to 60 pages, to support the Council’s efforts to be more sustainable. Web
site: www.sstaffs.gov.uk, “Your Services”, “Environmental Services”, “Pollution
Control”, “Air Quality”. A copy was also available on the PC in the Parish
Council Office and could be made available on disk if necessary. Deferred from
the last two meetings of the Council.
Matter of report. The consultation period
had now closed.
1. Revised Model Code of Conduct. To consider the resolution passed at the last
meeting of the Council, in particular the requirement under paragraph 12(2),
that members’ with a personal and prejudicial interest would only be allowed to
speak during public participation. This would not be a practical approach
during a closed meeting when there is no public participation. It was noted that the wording of Section 43
of the Council’s Standing Orders appertaining
to Public Participation was ambiguous in that it did not confirm the
Council’s policy to include Public Participation sessions in all ordinary
Council meetings. In view of this
Section 12.2 could not be applied.
It was resolved that the Standing Orders
should be revised and the Chairman and the Clerk would liaise on this and bring
forward a report for the next meeting of the Council.
8. Appointment of Persons with Special
Responsibility. Deferred from the AGM.
To appoint Head of Finance and Head of Planning.
It was resolved that Mrs D. M. Holmes be appointed Head of Planning and
that the Head of Finance be deferred to the next meeting.
12. Brewood Dole Charity. To consider
the proposed meeting with Trustees of the Brewood Dole Charity and resolve
whether the meeting be a closed meeting, to the exclusion of press and members
of the public. Letter received from Rolf Levesley, Chief Executive South
Staffordshire Council confirming that the Parish Council’s nominated Trustees
of Brewood Dole Charity were acting correctly in declaring an interest when the
Brinsford Development was an agenda item.
However, the remaining members
of the Parish Council did not need to
declare an interest.
It was resolved that a training seminar be
arranged with the Trustees so that members could learn the functions of the
Dole Charity. The seminar to be
arranged within the next month and the agenda to include: History of the Charity, Powers and rights of the Trustees,
Objectives of the Charity, Distribution,
and The Financial Position.
CORRESPONDENCE RECEIVED:
Letters had been received from:
36.
Father David
Baker with regard to the intention of handing-over the maintenance of the
closed churchyard at St Paul’s to contractors. Before doing so Father David
wished to know whether this Council would like to be considered as a possible
candidate for the upkeep of the grounds.
A reply is requested as soon as possible. The Clerk reported that the letter was ambiguous and that Father
Baker was contacting the Diocese for the correct procedure.
It was resolved that the matter be deferred.
37.
The Planning
Inspectorate with regard to the proposed development at Cat and Kittens Lane,
Featherstone and the bus and rail park and ride. A report from the pre-inquiry meeting held 10 May had been
enclosed, together with notice of the Inquiry to open on 7 August. The report
was tabled at the meeting. The
Chairman, having declared an interest, vacated the Chair to Cllr I. Clay
who reported that a Featherstone Action
Group had been set up to oppose the proposals. Mr F. Barrett reported that the residents of Coven Heath were
pleased that South Staffordshire Council were not in favour of the proposed
development.
It
was resolved that the Clerk write to the Featherstone Group offering this
Council’s support.
38.
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. A copy had been circulated to all
members.
It
was resolved that, in accordance with
Standing Orders, the matter be deferred to enable the Chairman, Mrs L. E. Jones to speak to Mrs K. A. Holmes when she
returns from holiday.
39.
Sarah Poxon,
South Staffordshire Council with regard to Consultation Responses in respect of
Major Planning Applications. Ms Poxon explained that the Department of
Communities and Local Government had set South Staffordshire Council a target
to determine 60% of all major planning applications (definition supplied)
within a 13 week period, from the date of receipt. This Council is requested to
assist in achieving this target by responding to consultation requests within 3
weeks, unless additional time has been requested/agreed, and emailing responses
to dcapps@sstaffs.gov.uk. This Council was also requested to nominate a point
of contact for such planning applications
and to receive requests for pre-application comments where
necessary. The Council also heard the
report of Cllr I. Clay.
It was resolved that the Clerk be the
required point of contact.
40.
South
Staffordshire Council with regard to the provision of free flowering bulbs for
2007 – 2008. The Council will supply 3x25kg nets of mixed daffodils, 2000
winter crocuses, 2000 spring crocuses and 1000 snowdrops. Further bulbs may be
purchased including Bluebells at a cost of £56 per 1000. Confirmation of our
requirements to be confirmed by 15 June.
It was resolved that the Clerk place an
order for the free bulbs.
41.
Community
Council of Staffordshire – Sustainable Development Proposals, giving notice
that they are partners with a voluntary organisation to establish a locally
based website and volunteer network to promote energy saving in the home and
they are endeavouring to secure funding to further develop their Sustainability
Project. Finally they enclosed a questionnaire for completion.
It was resolved that the Clerk complete and
return the questionnaire.
42.
Staffordshire
County Council confirming that a grant of £2,244 is available to the Voluntary
Car Scheme for the forthcoming year. The Council is formalising the arrangement
considerably more this year with the car scheme being classed as a “Service
Provider” and setting more demanding terms and conditions as part of accepting
the grant to the extent of recommending a solicitor be consulted if the car
scheme co-ordinator has “any doubt as to any of the legal obligations which the
Conditions impose”.
It was resolved that the Car Scheme
Co-ordinator, Mrs C. Cumming investigate the matter further and report to the
next meeting of the Council.
43.
South Staffordshire
Community Safety Partnership inviting members to the Annual Meeting to be held
27 June from 12.00 noon and finishing at 2.00pm at the Council Offices,
Codsall.
44.
Mr R. Brown,
Oak Road, Brewood with regard to the static caravan on land to the rear of
76-74-72-70 Oak Road and 42 Four Ashes Road. The Clerk had forwarded the letter
to South Staffordshire Council and requested an update on the current situation
but a response had not been received.
Cllr I. Clay reported that the matter was being dealt with.
It was resolved to defer to the next meeting
of the Council pending a reply from South Staffordshire Council.
45.
South Staffordshire
Council inviting this Council to feature a good news story in the South
Staffordshire Tourism Association – Newsletter.
Matter of report – features required by 11
May.
46.
SPCA forwarding
an email from Staffordshire County Council giving notice of the formal
consultation programme with regard to the Changing Lives proposals, to seek the
views of service users and their families, which will begin on 8 May and will
close 31 July. The booklet to be circulated can be read on
www.staffordshire.gov.uk/health/changinglives/booklet.
Matter of report.
47.
Copy
correspondence from R.M. Welsh, Brewood to Defra with regard to the owner of
land in Engleton Lane containing Ragwort.
Matter of report.
48.
Sir Patrick
Cormack with regard to a letter this Council should have received inviting a
representative to a special presentation on 29 June from 12 noon to 5.00pm at
the Police HQ. The said invitation has not yet been received from the Chief
Constable, the Constituency Secretary will follow the matter up and we should
receive a letter in due course.
Matter of report.
49.
Copy
correspondence from Mr A. Monckton to Mr D. Wright, Area Highways with regard
to the potential problem at Horsebrook Lane where the accumulation of rubbish
in the brook, close to and on the west of Horesebrook Lane Bridge, appears to
block the brook. Mr Monkton is concerned about the risk of flooding as the
brook takes the overflow from Stretton reservoir.
Matter
of report.
50.
South Staffordshire
Council Local Development Framework – Settlement Study which requires the Clerk
to complete a questionnaire about the level of facilities and services
available in our four villages.
Matter of report.
51.
National
Playing Fields Association with regard to their plans to operate under the new
name of Fields in Trust (FIT) and giving notice of the AGM to be held 19 June
at 3.15pm Stoneleigh Park, Warwickshire.
Matter of report.
52.
Email – Lederhosen Lad who is crusading in
the absence of the Phantom for a few weeks. His first campaign is to encourage
villagers to use the benches at the bottom of
Dean Street.
Matter of report.
53.
CORRESPONDENCE CIRCULATED:
Agenda and reports for the meeting of South Staffordshire
Council’s Licensing Committee to be held on 22 May.
Agenda and reports for the meeting of South Staffordshire
Council’s Regulatory Committee to be held on 22 May.
Agenda and reports for the meeting of South
Staffordshire Council’s Annual Meeting held on 15 May.
Staffordshire County Council – Strategic
Plan 2007-2010.
Staffordshire Business and Environment
Network – Sustainable Development, A Common Goal Conference at Rodbaston
College, 9.00 to 16.00 26 June. £20 per delegate.
Saferstaffs – Staffordshire Police Newsletter.
South Staffordshire Council notice of Summer
Concert Series at Baggeridge Country Park.
The Clerk.
Buzz - SSCVA Newsletter Summer 2007. Penk Directory.
54.
COUNTY COUNCIL REPORT:
Cllr Rex Roberts had tendered his apology
for the meeting.
55.
CHAIRMAN’S
REPORT:
The Council
received the report of the Chairman, Mrs L.E. Jones who reported that the
Staffiing Committee Meeting had been postponed and that the Clerk was
re-arranging a meeting before the end of June.
She had reported that the children at St Paul’s First School, Coven had
been making litter posters and that she was writing to Mr D. Armitage at South
Staffordshire Council asking whether they could be placed on the litter bins around the village.
Cllr A. Ball
reported that he had presented the prizes at the Brewood Junior Football Club’s
Presentation on Friday evening and
Sunday afternoon, the venue not being large enough to hold it on one
evening. He thanked Mr M. Webb for his
hard work in running the club for the past 30 years.
56.
FINANCE
REPORT:
The Council
received the finance report from Mrs L. E. Jones and resolved the following
matters:
·
the
Financial Summary for the month of May be approved.
·
the annual
accounts for the year 2006/2007 be approved and that the internal auditor be
Mrs J. Pegg.
·
a donation
of £350 to South Staffordshire Community and Voluntary Action be approved. The
SSCVA thanked this Council for their support last year and provided details of
the £14,000 raised for local organisations from the Local Area Network fund and
details of the support they are providing other organisations in the parish
with their funding applications.
·
the renewal
of the Council Insurance with Allianz be approved at a cost of £2,718.03 which
included Sandy Lane Toilets and an increased Fidelity Guarantee of
£80,000. The insurer’s demand for an
electronic audit trail had been met.
·
the Clerk
obtain quotes for fencing around the existing changing rooms at Coven from
Grange Fencing - Telford, Sablon - Four Ashes and Bedford Fencing - West
Midlands as per the Clerk’s Report.
57.
PLANNING
REPORT:
The Council received the report of Mrs D. M. Holmes and made
the planning recommendations as set out in the attached schedule.
Notice of appeal decision received with
regard to the proposed development of 3 dwelling houses at 36 Engleton Lane,
Brewood – the appeal had been
dismissed.
58.
CLERKS
REPORT:
The Council received the written
report of the Clerk, Mrs D.E. Drury and resolved the following matters:
·
Coven Heath
Allotments – Clerk to write to the tenant of the allotment stating that he must
repair all damage and reinstate the hedge, closing the opening. The work to be completed within 28 days.
·
Dog fouling
at Bishop’s Wood – Clerk to request more dog fouling notices.
·
Fencing
erected behind the goalposts at Brewood Playing Field – Mr M. Webb to inspect
the fencing and report at the next meeting.
·
Boscobel
Grove – Clerk to write to South Staffordshire Housing Association.
·
St John’s
School Offsted Report – Clerk to write letters of congratulation to the
Headteacher and the Board of Governors.
DISTRICT
COUNCIL REPORT:
No report.
ANY
OTHER MATTERS OF REPORT:
59.
Brewood
Village Noticeboard. Mr M. Webb
reported that the recess in the wall on the Lion Public House was an ideal spot
for the noticeboard. Mr D. Evans
reported that there had been some dissent over the ownership of the noticeboard
on the Jubilee Hall.
It
was resolved that the Clerk explore funding for a new noticeboard.
60.
Entrance Feature, Brewood. Members expressed the view that the
entrance feature at the Dean Street entrance to the village was very attractive
and that South Staffordshire Council should be congratulated on its efforts.
It was resolved that the Clerk write to
South Staffordshire Council congratulating them on the seating area and to
notify them of the vehicle parking behind the seat.
61.
BKV
Successes. Mrs A. Holmes had asked that the results of previous
competitions be displayed.
It was resolved that the Clerk locate the
certificates awarded and identify some means of publicly displaying them.
62. Finger Post – The Square, Brewood. Mrs D. M. Holmes reported that Mr Sands was donating the fingerpost and
Mr Pickman would be painting it.
It was resolved that the Clerk notify County
Highways.
63. Commemorative plaques. Mr D. Evans
suggested that trees planted to commemorate events should have suitably
inscribed plaques.
It was resolved that Mr Evans pursue the
matter and that the Clerk also write to the Civic Society relaying this
suggestion to them and asking for the locations of any such trees.
64. Community First Responders. Cllr A. Ball reported that he had attended the Community
First Responders AGM and that over £9,000 had been donated by members of the
public.
There being no
other business the Chairman declared the meeting closed at 8.50 p.m.
CLERK’S REPORT FOR THE MEETING
HELD 31ST MAY 2007
Coven Heath Allotments
I
received complaints from tenants that their allotments had been damaged as a
result of one of the tenants arranging to have his allotment cleared with a
bulldozer. I have spoken and written to
the tenant who resides in Fordhouses and advised that he must address the
complaints and that on no account must he take either a bulldozer of any other
mechanical apparatus onto the allotment gardens without the prior written
agreement of the Council. At the time
he stated that he was sharing the allotment and that it was his colleague who
had used the bulldozer. It has since
been reported, both by other allotment tenants and the Caretaker, that the
bulldozer was used to make access through the allotment hedge into a property
in Meadow Lane which is at the rear of the allotments and that this is now
being used as the rear access to the property.
Earlier this week slabs were delivered to the allotment causing further
damage both to the standpipe and adjacent allotments. The majority of these slabs have now been taken through to the
garden.
In
mitigation it should be noted that when the allotment was taken over by the
current tenant it was badly overgrown and there was an ancient ivy covered shed
which turned out to be made of asbestos.
He has cleared the allotment and taken the proper steps to remove the
shed safely.
Fencing at Sandy Lane
PC
Helen Mitchell is chasing this up with the Probation Services but isn’t hopeful
that there is going to be any offer of help.
Fencing at Coven Playing Field
As
yet the quantity of fencing required has not been established because the line
of the fencing has not been agreed by Council.
However, in order to expedite matters, I have sought quotations from
several companies for a 10 metre run of 2 metre high palisade fencing and
matching gate. This will enable the
Council to choose the most competitive and ask for firm quotations for the
required length when this has been established.
Can
members please scrutinise the attached list and select the companies to be
invited to tender. A site meeting of
interested members needs to be arranged to determine the line of the fencing to
be erected.
Internal Audit of Council’s
Accounts
Is
it the Council’s wish that I arrange for Joyce Pegg to undertake the internal
audit? We may have to ask for the audit
to be deferred for a short while as Joyce is away until mid July.
Dog fouling at Bishops Wood
I
have written a letter of appreciation to SSC’s Environmental Health Department for arranging for the “Common” to
be cleared of dog faeces.
Unfortunately, despite this and the publicity given, there are still
irresponsible people allowing their dogs to foul public places and PCSO
Charlotte Ward is looking to issue some fixed penalty tickets if the culprits
can be caught.
Fencing erected behind the
goalposts at Brewood Playing Field
The
householder of the adjoining property has made the point that she also has a
problem with youths entering her garden to retrieve footballs kicked over her boundary
and the Handyman has reported that this week a further hole has been made in
her hedge. The goalposts are situated
approximately halfway between the two properties and the Council may wish to
consider whether it was unjust in fencing only half of the problem area.
Boscobel Grove
We
have received complaints from residents of Boscobel Grove that the parking
space for residents is inadequate and this is being exacerbated by the parking
of commercial vehicles. Residents have
suggested that marking the parking bays would be helpful but even more
beneficial would be if the parking area could be extended into the grassed
area.
Dole Charity – Brinsford Land
I
have been asked to relay the concerns of some absent members that the Trustees
have taken a decision that could have a major impact on residents of this
parish without any prior consultation with the Parish Council.
South Staffordshire Design
Awards – Public Conveniences
Members
may recall that we were invited by the Conservation Officer to submit an
application for the above award. The
application included the provision of photographs and text mounted on an A1
board. Although I made a start on this,
after discussion with several members, it was felt that, given the ongoing problems we have had with the project, it
was not appropriate to pursue the application
and I have advised Mr Burton-Pye accordingly.
South Staffordshire Local
Development Framework Settlement Study
I
have been asked to complete the study to provide information about the facilities
and services available within each of the villages in the parish which will be
used in the preparation of the Local Development Plan. This has been quite time consuming but is
almost complete.
Kiddemore Green Road –
flooding
Workmen
are now installing drainage pipes along the section of road at Villa Farm. The Council may wish to consider sending a
letter of appreciation to the Divisional Engineer for his input.
Old Coach Road – dead trees
After
receiving a call from one of the residents of Old Coach Road expressing concern
that the dead trees – seven in all – could pose a threat to motorists should
heavy storms occur. I contacted the new
owner of Church Farm and he arranged for the trees to be taken down within a
week. The Council may wish to consider
sending a letter of appreciation to Mr Oakley thanking him for his prompt
action.
St John’s School Offsted
Report
In
view of the School’s outstanding Offsted report the Council may wish to
consider sending a letter congratulating the Headteacher and Board of Governors
on the achievement.