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:
M. Alden-Court, Cllr A. Ball, Mr F. Barrett,
Mrs J. Carr, Cllr I. Clay, Mr D. Evans, Mrs D.M. Holmes, Mrs K.A. Holmes, Mrs
L.E. Jones, Mr G. Martin, Mrs A.Y. Millward, Mr M. Webb, Mr I. Westwood.
APOLOGIES:
Mrs J.C.
Jeffries – Governors meeting, Dr R.C.H. Taylor – holiday.
MINUTES:
The minutes of the meeting of the Council
held on 25 October were approved as being accurate records and duly signed
subject to it being noted that Mr I. Westwood declared a personal interest in
planning application 07/01104/FUL and that in item 256, Remembrance Day, Mrs
D.M. Holmes was to attend St Mary’s RC Church, Brewood.
The minutes of the meeting of the Buildings
Committee held on 25 October were approved as being accurate records and duly
signed subject to it being noted that Mr M. Webb was present at the meeting.
DECLARATIONS
OF INTEREST:
Mr D.
Evans declared a personal interest in items 72 and 151, the proposed one-way
system in Brewood and Mr F. Barrett declared a personal and prejudicial
interest in item 259, flooding on the Poors Land.
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.
Mr P. Sanders, Churchfield Close, Coven with regard
to the Notice of Planning Applications that had been published by South
Staffordshire Council and included a reference to the relocation of the Public
Right of Way alongside Grange Farm, Coven. Mr Sanders was concerned that such
matters could only be dealt with by Staffordshire County Council and had
written to them drawing their attention to the matter.
Mrs Vjestica, Coven Road, Brewood with regard to the
speed of vehicles travelling in and out of the village particularly on Coven
Road and up towards Dean Street. Mrs Vjestica had brought the matter to the
attention of WPC Mitchell and PCSO Edwards and some months ago WPC Mitchell had
applied for the damaged 30 mph signs to be replaced in the area. Finally Mrs
Vjestica asked that the Parish Council consider some means by which the matter
can receive more attention.
It was resolved the Clerk write to Inspector Gains with regard to the complaints received explaining the danger to pedestrians and the problems caused by cars parked on footpaths. Letter to also note the recommendations made during the meeting – speeding campaigns to take place during peal hours, consider installation of flashing 30 mph warning signs, use of the police speed-trap van – and to include concerns with regard to the speed of traffic through Coven and Kiddemore Green. Letter to also be sent to County Highways seeking advice. Clerk to investigate the feasibility of the Parish Council purchasing a portable flashing speed-warning sign.
258.
POLICE REPORT
The Council received the written Police report, circulated at the
meeting.
It was resolved an article be included in
the next issue of the newsletter reminding residents of the importance of
garaging their cars and the Clerk raise the recommendation, to review CCTV
footage from the camera in Market Place periodically, with WPC Mitchell.
MATTERS ARISING:
288** Coven Changing Rooms.
Tenders had been received with regard to the project to redevelop the old Coven
Changing Rooms. This matter was deferred to the Finance report.
Matter
of report.
347** Buildings – Proposal for New Development. The Council receive the report of the Chair of the Buildings Committee, Cllr I. Clay further to the meeting held 29 October.
256* Notification of
Change of Premises Licence Holders. Email received from the Staffordshire Parish
Councils’ Association enclosing the reply from NALC. Copy circulated to members
prior to the meeting of 25 October. Deferred from the previous meeting.
It was resolved the matter be deferred to the next meeting of the Council to receive Dr R.C.H. Taylor’s proposal.
72
and 151 Proposals for a One-way System. David Evans had e-mailed a report on traffic problems which he
had requested Members to consider prior to the meeting with the Highway
Engineers. It arrived too late for
inclusion in the agenda of the previous meeting but was tabled to enable
Members to study his proposals prior to this meeting. Copy enclosed. Letter
received from Brewood Civic Society asking to be included in any meeting with
Staffordshire County Council on this matter
It was resolved the Clerk write to Mr D. Steptoe and Mr D. Wright to attend a special meeting of the Council to discuss the matter further and that other interested parties also be invited to attend including Brewood Civic Society.
It was resolved the
Clerk forward any details received by the Council regarding the action to be
taken regarding poor quality road repairs in Brewood.
153. Tree Warden. Further to the
decision of Mr P. Butler to stand-down as the Tree Warden for the Parish, the
Council sought a new representative to liaise with South Staffordshire Council
in the October Newsletter. Mr D. Griffithes of
It was resolved the Clerk contact Mr Griffithes thanking him for coming forward and accepting his offer to stand as Tree Warden. Mr S. Dores of South Staffordshire Council to also be notified.
167. Bishop’s Wood Playing
Field. Mr M. Blackstock, representing Roseclaim, had contacted the Clerk to
confirm that any correspondence would have been forwarded to the head-office and
apologised for the lack of resources which meant requests had not been
acknowledged. On 29 October Mr Blackstock confirmed that any grants that were
available had been allocated and applicants would be notified of the outcome
within the next two weeks.
It was resolved the Council await a reply from Roseclaim, following the matter up with Mr Blackstock if no reply has been received by 12 November.
177. Parish Interest in a
It was resolved the Clerk reply explaining that the inclusion of an article, but not the specific content, to gauge the level of interest was approved at the meeting of 13 September. That due to the limited space available and the need to include other articles the suggested article was edited to include the key information and thus the past history excluded and that the Newsletter was subsequently approved by Council prior to publication.
188. Parish Photograph. SPCA sought a
picture of our parish which showed a well known landmark or an attractive view
to compile a slide show. Deferred originally from the meeting of 13 September.
Photographs of St Mary and St
It was resolved four photographs be identified, one for each village, and supplied to Mrs J. Carr to arrange for a montage to be created representing the parish.
197. NALC Conference. The Council
received the written report of M. Alden-Court. Copy enclosed prior to the
meeting
Matter of report.
200. Risk Assessments. Further to the
resolution of 27 September the Risk Assessments had been updated with some
minor points also included to reflect the criteria set to satisfy Allianz
Cornhill with regard to some Financial Procedures. These were tabled for each
Member at the meeting, for approval at the following meeting.
Matter of report.
205/250.
It was resolved the report be
approved as an accurate record of the meeting and the matter be retained on
future agendas.
207/250. The Orchard. Site visit took place on 6 November with Cllr R. Roberts, Mr D. Wright of Staffordshire County Council and Members. Mrs D. M. Holmes reported that residents present at the meeting had requested the double-yellow lines be extended a car length into The Orchard. Mr D. Wright to pursue the matter further, including an ‘elderly persons’ sign if not already present.
It was resolved the matter be retained on
future agendas awaiting a response from Mr Wright.
217. Proposals for a
Matter of report.
226. Mr I. Gough, Brewood Playing
Fields. The Chair and Clerk to visit the site.
It was resolved the Clerk write
to Mr Gough notifying him of the site visit.
234. Review of Standing
Orders. The committee had met to consider the recommendations for updating the
Council’s Standing Orders. Clerk’s report referred. The Chair thanked Mrs J.
Carr and Mr G. Martin for their assistance. Two quotes for printing the
Standing Orders were considered.
It was resolved the cheaper of the quotes
be approved at a cost of £290 by Kevin Arnold. It was further resolved that the
recommendation for the Council to consider appointing the previous Chair to
Chair a meeting, in the absence of the Chair and the Vice Chair, be included as
an agenda item for the next meeting.
256. Remembrance Day. The
Royal British Legion, Brewood and District Branch, confirmed the arrangements
for the Remembrance Day Parade and Service at St Mary’s and St Chad’s Church on
Sunday 11 November. The parade assembled on the car park in
Matter of report.
257. Rescission of Previous
Resolution. Mrs K.A. Holmes raised her concern with regard to an instance
where a resolution had been passed but not followed-up, item 218 of 27
September. The Chair referred to the resolution of item 218 which was to “investigate the feasibility and cost …..”
which had been done and subsequently reported to Council, item 252 of 25
October. The Chair then referred to item 235 of 11 October, which also included
a resolution to pursue an alternative recommendation, along with the original
recommendation of item 218. Again the outcome was reported to Council in item
252. Finally, the Chair reminded Members that the minutes had been previously
approved. Mrs K.A. Holmes reminded Members of the rules to be followed if a
resolution was to be rescinded.
Matter of report.
M. Alden-Court left the
meeting.
CORRESPONDENCE RECEIVED:
Letters, reports, and e-mails had
been received from:
259.
Mr F. Barrett with regard to the problems of
flooding outside the stable on the
It was resolved the Council
approve Mr Barrett’s request to lay a concrete pad in front of the stable
doors, at his own cost.
260.
Matter of report.
261.
SSCVA with regard to the Community Action Network
meeting, for everyone who worked in the community, held on 15 November at the
Trinity Methodist Church, Histons Hill, Codsall 10.00am to 1:15pm. A charge of
£2.50 was made towards lunch. Topics included: The Forest of Mercia, Millennium
Volunteers and the District Youth Council.
It was resolved that Members
wishing to attend to notify the Clerk at the meeting. No such requests were
received.
262.
Mr R. Haynes, Bishops Wood in reply to the article
in the Newsletter for a local Authority Governor at St John’s CE First School,
Bishops Wood. The Council had yet to receive notice of the vacancy from
Governor Services, this was being chased. The letter was tabled at the meeting.
It was resolved the Council
approve Mr Haynes as this Councils nomination as Local Authority Governor and
write to Mr Haynes thanking him for his interest and support.
263.
Brewood Civic
Society with regard to the problem that cigarette stubs, being deposited
outside public houses in Brewood, continued to cause. The Society asked for
this Council’s support in using its best endeavours to encourage the public
houses and others to put appropriate measures in hand to fully address the
issue.
It was resolved the Clerk write
to Brewood Civic Society advising them that the Council had already acted on
this matter.
264.
West Midlands Regional Assembly – Phase Three Draft
Project Plan Launch Event held on 27 November 9.30am to 1.00pm at the
Burlington Hotel in the centre of
It was resolved that Members
wishing to attend to notify the Clerk during the meeting. No such requests were
received.
265. South Staffordshire Council with regard to their What’s On
e-calendar that listed events within the district. It was available for the
general public to view to find out what was on in
It
was resolved the Clerk notify the local village hall committees of this
facility and an article be included in the next issue of this Council’s
Newsletter.
266.
Matter of report.
267.
Staffordshire
County Council Pension Fund Consultation on Funding Strategy – papers included
an explanation of the various funding options including the main consultation
questions and a model for each option projected over 18 years. Comments were
required by 6 November.
Matter of report.
268.
Ann Peters, Chair of Brewood and District Community
First Responder Group thanking the Chair for the kind invitation to the Civic Service
which they had found to be a thoroughly enjoyable event and an excellent
opportunity to discover more about the many services happening in our Parish.
Matter of report.
269.
South Staffordshire Council – temporary road closure
25 November with regard to Brewood Christmas Lights event.
Matter of report.
270.
Bridgnorth District Council Local Development
Framework – Core Strategy Issues and Options Report. Comments required by 30
November.
Matter of report.
CORRESPONDENCE CIRCULATED:
Agenda and reports for the meeting of South
Staffordshire Council’s Partnership and Strategic Services Scrutiny Panel to be
held 7 November.
Agenda and reports for the meeting of South
Staffordshire Council’s Regulatory Committee to be held 6 November.
Agenda and reports for the meeting of South
Staffordshire Council’s Audit Committee to be held 6 November.
Agenda and reports for the Special Meeting
of South Staffordshire Council to be held 6 November.
Coven Heath Community Association Newsletter
October Issue.
Brewood Civic Society Minutes of the meeting
22 October. Copy correspondence to South Staffordshire Council - illegal
development alongside the
SPCA – notification of vacancy for a Parish
Clerk for Lapley, Stretton and Wheaton Aston Parish Council.
Sustainable Staffordshire Newsletter Autumn
Issue.
Staffordshire County Council notice of
Countryside Events for November.
Campaign for Rural
Cross Talk
Village News November Issue.
Perfect Pots, Amberol Ltd.
Opportunities.
Children with Leukaemia Raffle Tickets.
271.
CHAIRMAN’S REPORT:
The
Council received the report of the Chair, Mrs L.E. Jones who confirmed Coven
Christmas Lights would be switched on 2 December and thanked Cllr I. Clay and
his wife Pam for attending the Bilbrook Civic Sunday. Nine enquiries for
further details had been received for the vacancy of Clerk to the Council and
that an agenda item for the next meeting of the Council was to be included to
appoint an interview panel and to schedule a meeting of the Staffing Committee.
Following
the loss of contact details in the job advertisement in the Parish Newsletter,
the Assistant Clerk, Mrs S. Groom, had looked into the matter further with the
assistance of the printers. The Councils contact at the printers had
subsequently apologised and an alternative means for sending newsletters to the
printers had been agreed to avoid any such loss of text in the future (Portable
Document Format).
272.
FINANCE REPORT:
The
Council received the Finance Report from the Chair, in the absence of the Head
of Finance, and resolved the following matters:
·
the Accounts for payment as at 8
November be approved.
·
the tenders for the redevelopment of the old
Changing Rooms in Coven were opened at the meeting and received. Tenders
to be forwarded to Leon Beards at Nicol Thomas for his recommendation for
Council to consider.
·
SPCA
training session on Bidding and Funding has been arranged for 7.00pm – 9.00pm
on Thursday 22 November at Rooms 9/10 Peel Buildings. Course fees were £20 for 1st
delegate with subsequent delegates charged at £10. The Chair - Mrs L.E.
Jones, the Clerk - Mrs D.E. Drury, and the Assistant Clerk - Mrs S. Groom, to
attend at a total course registration cost of £40.
·
the
annual salary increment as set by the NJC of 2.475% for all employees, to be
backdated to 1 April 2007 be approved. In the precept the Council budgeted for an increase of up to 3.5%.
Note item 234 – printing of Standing Orders.
The Clerk’s report referred:
·
Vic
Thwaite be appointed to inspect the two trees in Bishops Wood and Coven Heath
at a cost of £15 each and to supply electrical inspection certificates. Clerk
to determine feasibility, with
·
The
expenses of Mr F. Barrett be approved to the value of £75
following his attendance at the National Seminar on Common Land and Town and
Village Greens.
·
The
quote for cutting the hedge alongside the allotments in
·
A supporting letter and
copy of accounts to be tabled at the next meeting of the Council in support of
the request, from Bishops Wood Village Hall Management Committee, for a Capital
Grant of £1,000 towards the refurbishment of their kitchen and development of a
catering kitchen.
The quote from Mr V. Thwaite of Secure Electrics for £3,250 to install
and remove Coven Christmas Lights was approved by the Chair, Mrs L.E. Jones,
under emergency powers as approved at the last meeting of the Council, and
following discussion with M. Alden-Court. Mr Thwaite had confirmed that he was
able to meet the Health and Safety Standards as forwarded by Staffordshire
County Council.
273.
PLANNING REPORT:
The Council received the Planning Report
from the Head of Planning, Mrs D.M. Holmes, and considered the planning
applications received as set out in the attached schedule.
274.
PLAYING FIELDS REPORT
The Council received the reports
of:
Mr I. Westwood – Bishops Wood
Playing Field and
It was resolved the Clerk
investigate the feasibility of cutting back the hedge and query the suitability
of the footpath the Staffordshire Country Council.
Mr M. Webb – Brewood Playing
Field – reported some returfing work would be required in the spring and the
PCSO Edwards had contacted Mr Gough with regard to the problems ha had
reported. The Clerk confirmed that a key was available for PCSO Edwards.
Mrs J. Carr and Mrs A.Y. Millward
– Coven Playing Field – reported that a number of concerns had now been
addressed although arrangements needed to be made for foliage to grow over the
new fencing.
It was resolved the Clerk arrange
for suitable planting.
275.
CLERKS REPORT:
The Council
received the written report of the Clerk, Mrs D.E. Drury and resolved the
following:
·
Road-safety concerns raised by
Mrs Edmunds be copied to Staffordshire County Council and Mrs Edmunds informed
of the action taken.
·
BKV Trophy – Mrs L.E. Jones to
confirm whether Mr A. Vaughan will undertake the required work, including the
removal of the nameplates and any necessary stripping down.
·
A list of current organisations
be included in the new Parish Guide
·
The Clerk to arrange for the work
of
All other matters raised had been
addressed during the meeting.
ANY OTHER MATTERS OF REPORT:
276.
Staffing
Committee. M. Alden-Court had indicated that she wished to
speak on this matter. Defer to the next meeting of the Council.
277.
Attendance and Arrangements for
the NALC Conference 2008.
M. Alden-Court had indicated that she wished to speak on this matter. Defer to the next meeting of the Council.
278.
Flooding Cross Green. Mrs L.E. Jones had received a
request from Mr Danby that the Parish Council write to Staffordshire County
Council with regard to flooding that occurred outside number 3 Cross-green.
Rainwater regularly lay across the road and sometimes halfway up his drive.
It was resolved the Clerk write to County
Highways.
279.
Parish
Guide. Mr F.
Barrett reported some areas for improvement on the existing map in the Parish
Guide – include the Rainbow in Coven and improve overall clarity.
It was resolved the Clerk arrange for the
maps to be updated and improved.
280.
Anonymous
Donation. Mrs
D.M. Holmes requested clarification as to whether the
It was resolved the Clerk check the original
letter received.
There being no further business the meeting
closed at 9.17pm.
CLERKS REPORT FOR THE MEETING OF THE COUNCIL
HELD 8 OCTOBER 2007
Standing Orders
The appointed sub-committee has met and
revised the Standing Orders. Once a
draft has been printed it will be circulated to members for approval. We have received two quotes for the printing
of fifty copies – one in the sum of £882.50 and the other in the sum of
£290. The latter is substantially
cheaper because the print company holds the copy of the original on disc.
Is it Council’s
wish that the cheaper quotation be accepted?
Audit
We
are still awaiting the external audit report and have been advised that there
is a considerable back log of work but the audit should be signed off before
the 30 November, by which date we have to give public notice of the completion
of the audit. A requirement of the
audit is that the Council should now have a Statement of Internal Control –
including its system of internal audit.
We are currently working on this and the terms of reference for the
internal audit. These will be placed
before Council for approval at the next meeting.
Rose Claim Bid
Both Sue and I have chased this up with Mark
Blackstock and he has promised that he will be in touch before the 12 November
to advise whether the bid for funding has been successful.
Moles at Playing
Fields
There is a considerable problem with moles
on the playing fields, particularly at Coven where the damage to the football
pitch is creating a health and safety hazard.
We did employ a mole catcher two years ago but the traps he put down
were tampered with and some were removed. He was reluctant to put down poison
on the playing field and, therefore, the matter was not pursued further. South Staffordshire Council’s Grounds
Maintenance has arranged for the Pest Control Officer to eradicate the moles by
gassing them and two treatments have already been carried out to-date. I
understand that the charge for this is covered in our Grounds Maintenance
Agreement. However instructions have not been issued for Bishops Wood to be
included in the contract and I have asked Grounds Maintenance to look into
this.
Christmas
Lighting
To be covered by the Council’s public
liability insurance the Council must be in control of the lighting on the
Christmas trees at Bishops Wood and Coven Heath. Also the Council may require a licence for
any Christmas lighting installations within the curtilage of the highway which
could include the two afore-mentioned trees.
In order to dispense with this requirement at Bishops Wood may I suggest
that the pine tree at the junction of
Is it Council’s
wish that we follow this course of action and also arrange for Vic Thwaite to
carry out any necessary safety inspections?
There is also an amount of £59.92 for
lights for the
Coven Heath Christmas tree outstanding.
Is it Council’s wish that this be paid?
Members Expenses
The Council agreed to fund Fred Barratt’s
attendance at the National Seminar on Common Land and Town and Village Greens
that took place in September.
Is it Council’s
wish that his expenses of £75 (VAT exempt) be paid?
Hedge Cutting at
Coven Heath allotments
The hedge at Coven Heath allotments is in
dire need of cutting and Council has approved this expenditure in
principle. Despite seeking quotations
from several contractors I have only received one written quotation in the sum
of £435 plus VAT.
Is it Council’s
wish that this quotation be accepted?
Road Safety at
Coven
We have received an e-mail from a Mrs Joy
Edmunds which arrived too late to be included in the agenda. Her e-mail raises concerns about road safety
issues in Coven with regard to the children crossing the road after being
dropped off by the school bus. She is
requesting an additional crossing warden.
This issue has been raised in the past when the request was refused.
Is it Council’s
wish that the e-mail be copied to County Council?
BKV Trophy
The
Community Council of Staffordshire has advised that the Express and Star will
pay for the post to be repainted. They
have asked whether there is a local contractor who could undertake this
work?
Members suggestions please
Parish Guide
I urgently need photographs for inclusion in
the Guide, particularly a photograph(s) suitable for the front page. In the past we have circulated a list of
contacts for parish organisations with
the Guide and this has been well received.
I would like to suggest that this year this information is updated and
included in the content of the Guide.
The cost of the Guide in its present format is covered by advertising
and to increase the content may or may not involve a charge. However, this should not be any more than the
cost of printing in house which was also time consuming as it had to be
folded.
Is it Council’s
wish that the information is included in the content of the Guide?
Crossing Lady at
Brewood
A Brewood resident has requested that
Florence Lockley’s long service as the crossing lady at Brewood should be
recognised.
Do members agree
that she should be presented with a shield in line with the recognition
afforded to Heather Hall, the crossing Lady at Coven?
Bishops Wood
Village Hall
We have received notice that the Hall
Management Committee will be sending in an application for a Capital Grant of
£1,000 towards the new kitchen and setting out room they are working on. There
is currently a balance of £1,794.31 in the account.
Is it Council’s
wish that this amount is paid?