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
Mr F. Barrett, Mrs J. Carr, Cllr I. Clay, Mr D. Evans, Mrs
D. M. Holmes, Mrs K.M. Holmes, Mrs J. C. Jeffries, Mr G. Martin, Mrs A. Y.
Millward, Dr R.C.H. Taylor, Mr M. Webb, Mr I. Westwood.
APOLOGIES:
M.
Alden-Court – unavoidable absence, Cllr A. Ball – holiday, Mrs L. E. Jones –
holiday.
PRESENTATION:
The Chair welcomed Reverend Clive Burgess to
the meeting and presented him with an engraved Parish Council plaque in
recognition of his service to the community. Dr Taylor, on behalf of the
Council, wished him and his family well for their future in
MINUTES:
The
Minutes of the meeting of the Council held 31 July were approved as being an
accurate record and duly signed subject to it being noted on page 68 ‘pervious’
should have read ‘previous’, on page 75 the District Council Report should have
referred to ‘in the Country’ not ‘in the County’ and Planning application
08/00798/FUL should read ‘Crateford Lane’. The meeting of the Traffic
Management Committee on 11 August had been cancelled.
DECLARATIONS
OF INTEREST:
Cllr I. Clay declared a prejudicial interest
in item 205*/250* -
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.
128.
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.
Ms J.
Morris, Shop Lane, Brewood with regard to planning application 08/00793/FUL in
Shop Lane and her concern that too many houses were proposed in a space that
was too small which would involve increased traffic onto a road that was
already narrow and had no pavement. It was noted that the Council had already
recommended refusal on this basis.
Mr K.
Jones,
Mr K.
Jones also raised his concern with regard to the application for a Premises
Licence at Cooper’s on The Parade, Coven and queried why such an application
was being made when the business was for sale.
Mrs
K.A. Holmes,
Mrs
K.A. Holmes with regard to the application for a Premises Licence at Coopers,
Coven. Mrs Holmes felt there was no need for a further licensed premises in
Coven and this application meant the shop would be able to stay open later
which may cause a disturbance to the local community.
Mr I.
Westwood with regard to planning application 08/00800/COU. Mr Westwood drew
Members’ attention to the concern that although the application sounded
contentious it was in fact a relocation of an existing small, local car repair
business that had existed for two generations. Mr Westwood recommended that the
application should be approved to avoid losing a local business and asked that
the District Councillors present note his concerns.
MATTERS ARISING:
288** Coven Changing Rooms.
A meeting of Coven Changing Rooms
Committee was scheduled for 2.00pm on 15 August in the Council Office to open
the sealed tenders. The Council had been provided with a full Tender pack as
sent to the agreed contractors although updated drawings had subsequently been
circulated. Matter of report.
347** Buildings – Proposal
for New Development. Details awaited concerning the ownership of Church
House. Reply received from The Venerable Chris Liley confirming he had
forwarded the letter to Mr Colin Hopkins, Diocesan Board of Education, to
follow-up the matter with Mr Steve Rayner, School Building Officer. The Chairman, Dr R. C. H. Taylor reported
that Reverend Burgess was aware of ancient deeds which indicated the land,
previously referred to as ‘having been registered by Staffordshire County
Council’, actually belonged to the Church.
Matter of report.
347** Buildings – Scout Hut and Youth Club Provision. Interested
parties to work towards producing a business plan. Confirmation of a working
party meeting awaited from Mr G. Bott.
Matter of report.
72* / 151* Traffic
Management. Detailed drawings of the recommendation to construct two ‘build-outs’
in
Matter of report.
205*/250*
It was resolved that the Clerk obtain
further information as to the exact boundaries of any privately owned
properties from the Land Registry web site and whether the deeds indicate who was
responsible for maintenance of the unadopted road.
217* Proposals for a
Matter of report.
234* Review of Standing
Orders. Another draft received from
Matter of report.
302* Chain of Office. A quote had
been sought from Vaughton’s to engrave the remaining names and dates of
previous Chairmen on the old chain, above and below the hallmark, to bring it
up to date to the Millennium. This had been chased in view of the delay in
responding.
Matter of report.
307*
324* Portable Flashing
Speed Warning Signs. Clerk to follow up with Mr Keeling in the light of
information obtained from a Town Council who had successfully implemented a
system.
Matter of report.
377* Affordable
Housing. Cover letter and approval of survey forwarded to Mr Lancaster of South
Staffordshire Housing Association with a view to the survey being conducted
during September. Clerk’s report referred.
Matter of report.
386* Barnfield
Sandbeds. Report of South Staffordshire Council circulated prior to the meeting.
Presentation to be made to this Council in due course. Clerk’s report referred.
Matter of report.
408* Croft House, Coven. Letter sent to the owner requesting a reply to our
original letter of 20 May and also to Mr D. Burton-Pye drawing his attention to
the problem affecting a
It was resolved the Clerk contact Mr Burton-Pye to seek a reply to the queries raised with regard to Croft House and to also enquire as to the progress of Grange Farm.
56. Bus Shelter, The Parade, Coven. Coven Members to consider the type and orientation of the bus shelter. Matter of report.
58. The Bront. Cllr I. Clay met
with the Clerk, Mrs S. Groom at The Bront to review the tree works required
including the split willow to the rear and left of
It was resolved the Clerk seek quotes for the tree works discussed.
63. Bench,
Matter of report.
74. Green Bus Service. Letters written
with regard to proposals to terminate the Green Bus Service at Brewood. Replies
awaited. Report also awaited from Staffordshire County Council. The Clerk
reported that a service had now been scheduled to
Matter of report.
85. Adult Accommodation Charges,
Staffordshire County Council. Letter sent querying the charges set by
Staffordshire County Council, reply awaited.
Matter of report.
89. Telegraph Pole,
Matter of report.
101. Staffing Committee. Meeting held at 6.30pm on 14 August to receive the appraisal of the Clerk, Mrs S. Groom and review draft contracts for the Clerk and Assistant Clerk Mrs D. Poole. The Council received the report of Mrs J. Jeffries.
It was resolved the Council receive the recommendations of the report – that the appraisal of Mrs S. Groom be received, the additional responsibilities of Mrs Groom be included on the Clerk’s job description (IT infrastructure and Web Site updates) and the draft contracts be deferred to a future meeting of the Council to enable further work to be undertaken with regard to the sickness/absence policy. It was also resolved that further recommendations with regard to the Clerk’s performance review be deferred to the end of the meeting when the press and public would be asked to leave due to the confidential nature of the matter to be discussed.
102. Access to Council
Offices, Hand Rail. South Staffordshire Council to advise with regard
to the requirements for an appropriate hand-rail at the entrance to the Council
Office.
Matter of report.
106. Improvements to
the
Police Report. Members considered what
additional information would be useful on the Police Report.
It was
resolved the Clerk obtain details of what other police reports provide outside
the
117. Waste 2 Energy Site. Clerk’s report referred. Mr G. Martin reported on the site visit to Stoke on 11 August. Matter of report.
CORRESPONDENCE RECEIVED:
Letters, reports, and e-mails had
been received from:
129. Brewood Civic Society advising
that the Parish Council Offices were “Highly Commended” in the 2008 Hanging
Baskets and Floral Containers Competition.
Matter
of report.
130. Mr P.R. Mullard, Hon. Secretary Brewood Bowling Club, with
regard to the possible removal of goal posts at
131. Staffordshire County Council, Development and Waste Management
Unit seeking the Council’s agreement to receive future correspondence by email.
It
was resolved that the Clerk accept the proposal.
132 Mr Simon Hobbs with regard to ‘Closing the Gaps for
Communities Fund’ which comprised of £100,000 funding commitment from Staffordshire
County Council to enable the delivery of community-led projects to improve the
quality of life for local people within deprived localities. Applications must
be made by Community or Voluntary Sector Groups for projects under £20,000 of
which Capital Expenditure must not exceed £1,500 – maximum request for funding
was £10,000.
It
was resolved the Clerk investigate the feasibility of funding a ring and ride
service.
133. South Staffordshire Sports Association with regard to the results
of the Inter Parish Games. Brewood and Coven Parish finished second to
Wombourne, Perton finished third. A presentation evening to celebrate this
year’s Inter Parish Games would take place on 14 November at Wombourne Civic
Centre – further information regarding tickets would be circulated in due
course.
It
was resolved that the Clerk write to Mr Paul Guest, Parish co-ordinator for the
games, congratulating him and the other contestants on their achievement.
134. Choice Travel with regard to buses exceeding the speed limit. The Depot Manager asked that in future we
advise him of dates and times of perceived speeding incidents to enable them to
trace drivers.
It was resolved that the matter
be included in the newsletter asking for the public to take the number and the
date and time of any bus perceived to be speeding report it to the Clerk.
135. South Staffordshire Council with regard to an application for a
premises licence under the Licensing Act 2003 at Coopers Fine Foods, 4 The
Parade, Coven. Mrs K.A. Holmes left the meeting while the
matter was discussed.
It was resolved that the Clerk
write stating the Council recommended approval of the application but objected
to the length of the proposed opening hours and suggested the licence be
limited to normal shop opening hours (9am to 6pm for example).
136. Brewood and District Community First Responder Group advising that
they were no longer able to attend events to provide First Aid Cover as they
had been advised by West Midland Ambulance Service that they were required to
be prepared for an emergency call-out at any time. Matter of report.
137. Community
Council of Staffordshire regarding the
It was resolved the Clerk would inform the
Community Council of suitable dates and the other requested information after
consulting with Mrs J. Carr. The Clerk to write to all three groups
congratulating them on their achievements.
138.
Matter of report.
CORRESPONDENCE CIRCULATED:
Agenda for Partnership and
Strategic Services Scrutiny Panel Meeting to be held at South Staffordshire
Council on 12 August 2008.
Agenda and reports for Executive
Meeting held at South Staffordshire Council Offices on 5 August 2008.
Agenda for Regulatory Committee
Meeting held on 5 August 2008.
Staffordshire Third Sector
Network E Bulletin – issue 48.
Your Staffordshire – County
Council Newsletter July – September 2008.
West Midlands Training enclosing
leaflets outlining forthcoming training courses.
Post Office Network Change
Programme.
South Staffordshire Council list
of planning applications registered during the week up to 11 July 2008.
South Staffordshire Council list
of planning applications registered during the week up to 18 July 2008.
Development Services Directorate,
Development and Waste Management Unit CD rom.
Communities and Local Government
Planning Matters.
139. CHAIRMAN’S REPORT:
The
Council received the report of the Chairman, Dr R.C.H. Taylor and noted that he
had attended the BKV presentation and accepted the award on behalf of Brewood.
He congratulated all three villages for their excellent performances and hoped
that next year Coven Heath would also take part.
140. FINANCE REPORT:
The
Council received the Finance Report from Mrs J. Carr, in the absence of the
head of Finance, and resolved the following matters:
·
The list of accounts for payment as at 14
August be approved.
·
The August salaries payable to the Council’s
employees (in the absence of a meeting at the end of August) be approved.
·
The request from the Secretary of Sustainable
Staffordshire (now ‘partners’ with the Community Council of Staffordshire) for
a grant towards their running costs be refused. A leaflet explaining their aims
and objectives was also supplied.
·
The cost of the service contract for the
Council Office alarm system at £84 excluding VAT, payable by direct debit, be
approved.
·
The cost of printing and folding the Parish
Newsletter at £207.50 for 3,300 copies from Trapeze be approved and the
delivery costs be approved as follows: Brewood Civic Society - £110; Ms B.
Cumming for Bishops Wood - £30; Coven Members - £110 (held by the Council);
Coven Heath Community Association - £30.
A letter had been sent to Maythorne Construction
with regard to the excessive water charges at the public conveniences in
It was
resolved that in September the Clerk send a letter requesting a reply to the
Council’s previous letter.
141. 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 application 08/00800/COU was discussed.
Notification received from South
Staffordshire Council with regard to an application to fell the Horse Chestnut Tree
in the rear car park of Brewood Library.
It
was resolved the Clerk reply confirming the Council recommended approval of the
application if the tree was dangerous but requesting that every effort be made
to preserve the tree if possible and that Mr S. Dores of South Staffordshire
Council inspect the tree prior to a decision being made.
142. PLAYING FIELDS REPORTS:
The Council received the reports
of:
·
Bishops
Wood Playing Field and
·
Brewood
Playing Field – Mr M. Webb had nothing further to report.
·
Coven
Playing Field - Mrs J. Carr and Mrs A.Y. Millward had nothing further to
report. The Clerk reported that the running box on the aerial runway had broken
and the equipment taken out of service. A new running box would be required and
would probably need to be fitted by the contractor.
143. CLERKS REPORT:
The
Council received the written report of the Clerk, Mrs S. Groom and approved:
·
The
Clerk provide Mr John Roobottom with the requested letter of support
·
The
Clerk write to the occupier of the property adjoining the public conveniences
in
·
The
Council Handyman be authorised to dispose of the cooker in the bulk collection.
The Clerk also reminded those
present that some Members still needed to check the Register of Members’
Financial and Other Interests before the Clerk could confirm any changes to
Staffordshire District Council.
The Chairman moved
the suspension of Standing Order 44 to allow the completion of business.
ANY OTHER MATTERS OF REPORT:
None.
The
Chair asked Members of the press and public to leave the meeting in order that
matters of a confidential nature may be discussed.
101. Staffing Committee. Mrs
J.C. Jeffries further reported on the meeting of the Staffing Committee held 14
August and the agreement to carry out a performance review once Mrs S. Groom
had been in post for six months. Mrs Jeffries provided details of the review
that had been undertaken earlier in the evening.
It
was resolved that Mrs S. Groom receive an increase of two spinal column points
to SCP 31 with effect from six months after the date of appointment to the
position of Clerk (effective August 2008).
There being no
further business the meeting closed at 9.45 p.m.
Clerk’s Report for the Meeting 14 August
2008
MATTERS ARISING
377* Affordable Housing Copies of the Housing Survey and
cover letter have been received. I have proof read these and confirmed that
they are correct. South Staffordshire Housing Association are working to a
schedule whereby the survey is sent out in the first week of September with a
return date of 30 September.
386* Barnfield Sandbeds The report
circulated with the agenda was possibly incomplete – finishing mid-sentence.
New copies have been circulated at the meeting.
56. Bus Shelter, The Parade, Coven Details have been obtained with
regard to further suppliers. Can I suggest Coven Members await the Assistant
Clerk’s return from holiday to pursue the matter further.
58. The Bront I am scheduled to meet with Cllr I. Clay 3pm
14 August to identify the specific trees that require attention – this will
enable me to show other contractors the work required in order to obtain
quotes. This is instead of Cllr I. Clay meeting with just Mr P. Dunbar.
117. Waste2Energy Plant, Four Ashes The site visit to the
incinerator plant at Stoke on 5 August was cancelled at the last minute due to
‘operational problems’. The visit was rescheduled for 11 August. Mr G. Martin
has indicated he wished to speak on this matter.
128. Brewood Bowling Club Mr Mullard has phoned to
withdraw the request to remove one set of goal posts from the playing field at
Engleton Lane – he has subsequently seen the goal posts being used and has no
desire to suggest a facility be removed.
135. BKV Presentation, Coven The letter from the Community
Council did not need to be circulated prior to the meeting. I will liaise with Mrs
Millward, the booking secretary of Coven Memorial Hall and the Community
Council to identify an appropriate date. Recommended
resolution: letters be sent to the three groups congratulating them on their
achievements.
URGENT
CORRESPONDENCE
Electric Blanket Testing – Brewood Library.
Blankets may be dropped off on 11 and 12 September then collected on 17
September. Posters have been put up around the Parish.
FINANCE
Notification has been received of the cost
of the service contract for the Council Office alarm system with Kings Security
– this is paid by monthly Direct Debit, first payment due 1 September – total
cost £84 excluding VAT. Recommended
resolution: the payment be approved.
Parish Newsletter – a draft newsletter has
been tabled to all Members. If this can be approved tonight – subject to minor
corrections - then arrangements can be made for printing and distribution by
early September. Can Members approve the
cost for folding and printing of 3,300 copies of the four page newsletter at a
cost of £207.50, this cost is unchanged from before from Trapeze. Can Members
also approve the payments for delivery to Brewood Civic Society £110, Coven
Members Newsletter Fund held by the Council £110, Miss B. Cumming of Bishops
Wood £30 and Coven Heath Community Association £30 – these charges are as paid
on previous occasions.
OTHER MATTERS
Tennis Courts,
Public Convenience,
There is a bulk collection of rubbish
scheduled for next week – Mr Barker will take this opportunity to dispose of
the logs from the play equipment removed from Brewood Playing Field, we have
been advised these should not be burnt. As
far as I am aware it has been some years since the cooker in the kitchen has
been used would Members approve that this is removed to free up useful storage
space – this can also be included in the bulk collection.