BREWOOD
AND COVEN PARISH COUNCIL
WITH BISHOPS WOOD AND COVEN HEATH
MINUTES OF THE MEETING OF THE COUNCIL HELD IN THE COUNCIL OFFICES,
PRESENT:
M. Alden-Court, Cllr
A. Ball, Mrs J. Carr, Cllr I. Clay, Mr D. Evans, Mrs D.M. Holmes, Mrs K.A.
Holmes, Mrs J.C. Jeffries, Mrs L.E. Jones, Mr G. Martin, Mrs A.Y. Millward, Mr
M. Webb, Mr I. Westwood.
IN ATTENDANCE:
Cllr R. Roberts
O.B.E.
APOLOGIES:
Mr F. Barrett
– holiday, Dr R.C.H.
MINUTES:
The minutes of the
meeting of the Council held 13 September and the meeting of the Buildings
Committee held 27 September were approved as being accurate records and duly
signed.
DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST:
Mr I. Westwood
declared a prejudicial interest in matters relating to planning applications
07/00981/VAR and 07/00999/FUL. Cllr I. Clay declared a prejudicial interest in
matters relating to planning application 07/01019/OUT.
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 to be moved herein
would have any adverse impact for the purposes of the Crime and Disorder Act.
206.
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,
207.
POLICE REPORT
The Council received
the written Police Report, circulated to members at the meeting. Mrs D.M.
Holmes reported that she had been called out by residents of The Orchard
because of the problems caused by the temporary traffic lights in The Orchard
and
It was resolved the Clerk raise the matter of temporary no parking with
the Police and Staffordshire County Council. Cllr R. Roberts to follow up the request to
extend the double-yellow lines permanently and report back to Council.
Mrs L.E. Jones
reported that there had been an incident of theft from the Memorial Hall in
Coven but this had not been noted on any of the recent Police reports.
In the light of reports made at the meeting it was resolved the Clerk
raise the matter of cars parking on the pavement at the bottom of
MATTERS ARISING
154** Public
Conveniences,
Matter of report.
288** Coven
Changing Rooms. The fencing behind the old changing rooms in Coven was erected
week commencing 17 September – a thank you letter had subsequently been
received from the residents of Sunset Close. The planning application for the
new changing rooms had been submitted and also forwarded to the Quantity
Surveyor. One more meeting was scheduled to finalise the application to the
Football Foundation before its submission on October 11. A report was given on
the meeting of the Buildings Committee.
It was resolved that the Council
proceed with the Changing Rooms project, seek a Borrowing Sanction from the
ODPM to cover the shortfall in funding of £17,348 plus a contingency and
that Nicol Thomas be retained as Project Managers. It was further resolved that
a meeting be set up with South Staffordshire Council’s Conservation
Officer, David Burton-Pye, and Architect, John Round, to explore the
feasibility of extending the present Council Office building.
333* Jacob’s Ladder. The
contractor had been on site to erect the approved fencing. Clerk’s report
referred.
Matter of report.
67. Employment. Mrs J.C. Jeffries reported
on the meeting of the Staffing Committee that had been held 27 September. A job
description and job specification had been agreed. The recommended wording for
the job advertisement would be circulated to members prior to the next meeting
for amendment/approval on 11 October.
Matter of report.
111. Public Participation – Signage for
Market Place, Brewood. Signs had been erected in Market Place by South
Staffordshire Council.
Matter of report.
135. Brewood Christmas Lights. Letter
received from Mr P. Element confirming the Brewood and District Rotary Club
would assume responsibility for the administration of the Christmas lighting in
Brewood with immediate effect. The existing committee had been accepted as a
sub-committee of Rotary Club’s Community Service Committee thus ensuring
various organisations within the village were still represented. Finally Mr
Element thanked those Members who had attended the recent meeting.
Matter of report.
153. Tree Warden. South Staffordshire
Council sought confirmation as to whether Mr P. Butler was still the
Council’s appointed Tree Warden. Deferred from the previous meeting. Mr
Butler had confirmed that he no longer felt able to be the Council’s
appointed Tree Warden for the Parish.
It was resolved the requirement for a Tree Warden be included in the
forthcoming newsletter.
170 and 171. Litter Bin –
It was resolved the Clerk would discuss the matter with Mr Barker and
report back to the next meeting of the Council.
188. Photograph Representing the Parish.
SPCA sought a picture of our parish which showed a well known landmark or an
attractive view to compile a slide show. Deferred from the last meeting for
Members to identify possible photographs. Mr D. Evans asked Members to consider
using a photograph of Chillington Hall.
It was resolved the matter be deferred to the next meeting of the
Council.
200. Risk Assessments. Members performed the
Annual Review of the Risk Assessments with regard to identifying any new risks
and approving any action deemed appropriate. Members also reviewed the existing
risks and determined whether previous actions were appropriate. A copy of the
current Risk Assessment (September 2006) was circulated to members prior to the
meeting.
It was resolved the Risk Assessments be updated to the following effect:
·
The
Fidelity Guarantee be recorded as “to be increased to £125,000,
subject to the outcome of correspondence with Allianz Cornhill and the
SPCA”.
·
A second
Internal Audit be performed annually by a Member of the Council.
·
Panic
Buttons be reviewed in-line with any proposals to redevelop the Council
Offices.
·
The
reference to 3 monthly inspections be removed, retaining the annual inspection
performed by Zurich and the inspections performed by the Council Handyman Mr D.
Barker and Caretakers (weekly) and the Members with responsibility for Playing
Fields (monthly). Inspection report forms to be made available.
·
It be
noted that the recommendation, received this year to fence off the skateboard
park in Brewood, had been considered, the risk assessed and the risk be deemed
low in that the area was to the side of the main playing field in an open space.
As bikes were often seen on the skateboard park a greater risk was considered
to exist for bikers running in to any fencing.
·
The Bront
– to include that S.S.D.C. had declined to install further dog waste bins
due to lack of resources, nettles along the South Boundary were deemed to
provide a natural deterrent so no action would be taken to install a knee rail,
that the woodland was regularly monitored by the Council Handyman with support
from S.S.D.C. when requested and the risk of kite flying had been assessed and
signage was deemed to be not necessary as no incidents of kite flying had ever
been seen and a sign could serve to raise the idea to the public.
·
Electronic
Data Files – the statement be changed to record that back-ups were run
weekly, on a four week cycle rather than monthly.
204. Non-domestic Rates –
Matter of report.
205.
It was resolved Cllr
R. Roberts would investigate the matter further to determine how it could be
adopted or funding sourced.
CORRESPONDENCE RECEIVED
Letters had been received from:
208.
South
Staffordshire Council with regard to the season of Spring Concerts for 2008 and
the opportunity for local venues to be used to host such concerts. Posters to
be distributed to notice-boards in the parish.
It was resolved that an article regarding the opportunity to host a
concert be included in the forthcoming newsletter.
209.
Staffordshire Parish Councils Association
inviting nominations from the rural sector for the inclusion in the Birthday
Honours 2008 list. Nomination for a Honour would be a tribute to an
individual’s achievement and at the same time would highlight their
contribution to rural service delivery.
Matter of report, no nominations having been received.
210.
South
Staffordshire Council with regard to Staffordshire Advantage concessionary
travel bus passes which were to be replaced by the new All-England bus pass
from April 2008. This would enable persons over 60 and disabled persons to
travel across the country, by bus, for free.
Matter of report.
211.
Government Office for the
Mater of report.
212.
South Staffordshire Council with regard to
the Autumn Concert Series 2007 which would comprise of six concerts including
St Mary and St Chad’s Church on October 25 at 2.00pm – Unit 6
(Percussion and Piano). The Council had asked that all Members be notified of
the concert schedule – copies circulated to Members.
Matter of report.
213.
Staffordshire Playing Fields Association
with regard to their AGM to be held on October 10 at 2.00pm in the Council
Offices, Codsall. Annual Report and Accounts supplied.
Matter of report.
214.
Copy
letter from Mr G. Bailey confirming the next meeting of Brewood Ideas Group on
24 September at 10.00am at the Parish Council Office – postponed from
September 17.
Matter of report.
215.
CORRESPONDENCE CIRCULATED
Agenda and reports
for the meeting of South Staffordshire Council held September 18.
Agenda and reports
for the meeting of South Staffordshire Council’s Regulatory Committee
held September 25.
Staffordshire Parish
Councils’ Association Newsletter – copies tabled for each Member at
the meeting.
Community Council of
Staffordshire – News and Views.
Opportunities
– September Issue.
Village News –
September Issue.
SMP Playgroups Play
and Leisure Provision for Parish Councils.
216.
COUNTY
COUNCIL REPORT
The Council received
the County Council report from Cllr R. Roberts who provided an update on the
County Council Job Evaluation, proposals relating to
217.
CHAIRMAN’S
REPORT
The Council received
the report of the Chair Mrs L.E. Jones who informed members that the Civic
Sunday Service was scheduled for October 14 at 11.00am in
Cllr R. Roberts left
the meeting.
218.
FINANCE REPORT
The Council received
the report from the Chair Mrs L.E. Jones, in the absence of Dr R.C.H. Taylor and
resolved the following matters:
·
The
Financial Summary for the month of September be approved
·
The hotel
expenses for M. Alden-Court at the NALC conference October 5-7, for 2 nights
accommodation, at a total cost of £150 and rail travel at a cost of
£46.45 return be approved. The conference and conference dinner had
already been paid for at a cost of £414.61 as had a £15 deposit on
the hotel booking.
·
A request
from
·
Arrangements
be made to pay the Parish Council BT bill by Direct Debit, at a saving of
£24 per year.
·
Refurbishment/replacement
of the Council Chain of Office – Clerk to investigate the feasibility and
cost of repairing the enamel and clips, adding a second row of twenty tablets,
the possibility of engraving both sides of the tablets and adding something to
the bottom edge of the “badge” to include “Coven”.
Advice to also be sought from Fattorini with regard to the problems raised at
the meeting.
·
A grant
be made to the Campaign for Rural
·
The rent
for the
It was noted that
the Chess Club had relocated to the Cricket Club and would not be using the
Council Offices.
219.
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. Mr
I. Westwood left the meeting while planning applications 07/00981/VAR and
07/00999/FUL were discussed. Cllr I. Clay did not speak or vote on planning
application 07/01019/OUT.
Consultation received
on a notification to carry out work to trees in the conservation area –
Mr R. Jowett of Brook House. Coven Road, Brewood to:
·
Fell Sycamore adjacent to bridge over brook –
due to decline in health
·
Crown lift trees adjacent to brook and touching outbuilding
roof
·
Remove 2 small Sycamore at rear of outbuildings (not
visible from road)
It was resolved the Council recommend approval.
Notice of the Public
Local Inquiry into the appeal lodged by Mr N. Lee against the decision of South
Staffordshire Council to grant (in part) a Certificate of Lawfulness of
Existing Use or Development for residential use of caravans at Horden Mobile
Home Park, Coven Heath. The Inquiry would commence at 10.00am on November 28.
Matter of report.
Notice of the Public Local Inquiry into the appeal by Mr P.
Dunn against the refusal of South Staffordshire Council to grant planning
permissions for a private gypsy caravan site on land at
Matter of report.
Mrs L.E. Jones
queried the conditions that applied to lorries having access to the composting
site in Coven.
It was resolved the Clerk write to
220.
CLERK’S
REPORT
The Council received
the written report of the Clerk, Mrs D.E. Drury and resolved the following:
·
South Staffordshire Council be given access to the
Council Office for the focus group meeting, Clerk to agree dates.
·
No action be taken with regard to the complaint
received in relation to youths using bad language in Market Place, Brewood.
221.
DISTRICT
COUNCIL REPORT
No report was made.
ANY OTHER MATTERS OF REPORT
222.
Sign,
Coven Playing Field. A larger sign stating “No Dogs” be erected
at the small entrance to Coven Playing Field, from Sunset Close.
It was resolved the Clerk order a new sign.
223.
NALC
Conference. M. Alden-Court circulated copies of the agenda for the
forthcoming NALC conference and asked that Members contact her if they had any
particular matters they wished her to follow up.
Matter of report.
There being no
further business the meeting closed at 9.40pm (Standing Orders were not
declared, the meeting not having begun until 7.40pm).
Clerk’s Report for
the Meeting of the Council held 27 September 2007.
Fencing at Coven
Playing Fields
The
fencing has now been erected and has been enthusiastically received by the
residents who have sent a card and telephoned to thank the Council for its
support and input in providing the fencing. We have received the Invoice from Grange
Fencing and I have written to the Housing Association asking for its fifty
percent contribution. Mr Eggington the Revenue Manager has asked that we
invoice the Association for this amount.
Fencing
at
Part
of the boundary hedge is the responsibility of the Doctors’ practise
which led to some confusion as to
the actual areas that were to be fenced.
This has now been resolved and the Doctors’ practise is to meet
the cost of three panels of fencing.
Litter
Bins – Light Ash Close and The Bront
The
emptying of litter bins is not included in the Handyman’s contract of
employment and if the Council wishes him to undertake this duty arrangements
need to be negotiated with him.
Delivery
of Bark Chippings to Bishops Wood Playing Field
Because
of the difficulty with access, the handyman has been authorised to purchase a
hand truck at a cost of £79 to enable him to deliver the sacks of bark
chippings needed at Bishops Wood playing field.
Chain
of Office
The
thistle, the boars head, and the
lion are all taken from the Coven coat of arms, together with the motto Juncta arma decori, the translation of which is, “Arms
united to merit”. The square
cross of St
Rainbow
Alley, Coven
It
has been reported today by one of the residents backing onto the Rainbow Alley
that yesterday two of the concrete bollards were removed at ground level thus
making the pathway more accessible for motorised vehicles. The complainant has expressed concern
that this could make the pathway dangerous to pedestrians, particularly because
of the bends in the path.