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, Mr F. Barrett, 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, Dr R.C.H. Taylor, Mr M. Webb,
Mr I. Westwood.
APOLOGIES:
Cllr A. Ball – unwell, Cllr M.R. Hampson –
prior meeting.
IN ATTENDANCE:
Cllr R. Roberts O.B.E.
MINUTES:
The
minutes of the meeting of the Council held on 14 February were approved as
being an accurate record and duly signed subject to it being noted that Mrs
A.Y. Millward was also a member of the Coven Changing Rooms Committee. It was
also noted that Ms Florence Lockley would in future be referred to as Mrs
Florence Lockley.
The
minutes of the special meeting of the Council held on 21 February were approved
as being an accurate record and duly signed.
DECLARATIONS
OF INTEREST:
Dr R.C.H. Taylor declared a personal and
prejudicial interest in the proposals for a one-way system in Brewood (item
72/151). Mr D. Evans declared a personal and prejudicial interest in item 377
(Affordable Housing,
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.
397.
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 S. Larkins,
It was
resolved Mr Larkins be supplied with the phone number for the Police and that
the Clerk notify WPC Mitchell and
Mrs J. Evans,
The Chair, Mrs L. E. Jones
explained that the Parish Council could not comment on several of the questions
but that the list of people interested in affordable housing, as collated by
the Parish Council, had simply been an information gathering exercise and that
the Council only found out at the last scheduled Council meeting that the
affordable housing on the site was all taken by South Staffordshire Housing
Association for rent.
It was
resolved the Clerk would write to
Mr C. Grace, Calf Heath
raised his concerns that Staffordshire County Council intended to take in
rubbish from outside the Authority to support the incinerator proposed at Four
Ashes and that the information relating to emissions and the impact of traffic
to/from the site was inadequate.
Mr E. Clarke,
Wolverhampton Friends of the Earth raised his concern that there had not been
adequate consultation on the Waste2Energy proposals and that he intended to
organise some Public Meetings in the near future.
Mr F. Barrett, Parish Councillor
reminded Members that Coven Heath was already potentially going to be affected
by two large projects that would have major traffic issues but that there did
not seem to be anyone with an overall view of the impact of all of these
separate projects.
Mr D. Evans, Parish
Councillor raised his concern that in the planning application there had been
no reference to Social Housing and that a number of properties had still not
been released by the developer. Mr Evans questioned whether any of these would
also be taken up by South Staffordshire Housing Association – full report held
on file.
Dr R.C.H. Taylor, Parish
Councillor asked that Members remember that Brewood was a village when
considering any traffic management or Brewood Ideas Group proposals.
398.
POLICE REPORT
The Council received the
written Police report, circulated to Members at the meeting. Mr I. Westwood reported
that there were crimes known to have occurred in Bishops Wood that had not been
included on the Police report and that the Neighbourhood Watch representatives
in Bishops Wood did not receive information from the Police.
It was resolved the Clerk raise this concern with WPC Mitchell.
Mr M. Webb reported that there had been a significant amount of vandalism
at the Cricket Club and a sneak in burglary at Deansfield House.
It was resolved the Clerk write to Inspector D. Gains expressing the Councils’ concern at the lack of policing in the evenings and that our P.C.S.O, that had left, be replaced.
MATTERS ARISING:
288** Coven Changing Rooms. Redevelopment
of Coven’s old changing rooms to a sun shelter/ community seating area – Clerk’s
report referred. New build of changing rooms – the Clerk would contact Leon
Beards on his return from holiday.
It
was resolved letters of appreciation be sent to Mark Jenkinson and Katie White
for their assistance in obtaining the Football Foundation grant. It was further
resolved that a site visit be arranged with Adrian Holt of Ace Kind, Coven
Members and the Clerk.
347** Buildings – Proposal
for New Development. Meeting of the Buildings Committee scheduled for
10.00am on 6 March to discuss the proposals raised by Brewood Ideas Group and
to meet with Julie Jones, Staffordshire County Council Youth Worker with regard
to the need to identify a site for the Youth Club.
Matter of report.
72 and 151 Proposals for a
One-way System. Dr R.C.H. Taylor left the meeting while this matter was discussed. Letter received
from Dr R.C.H. Taylor with an addendum from Mrs R. Taylor – copy circulated
prior to the meting, this had been read out at the special meeting held 21
February. Letter also received from Mrs Mann, read out at the meeting with
regard to proposals for speed humps at specific locations.
It was resolved a Traffic Management Committee be formed to investigate the points raised at the meeting of 21 February and by the Brewood Ideas Group, to consult with relevant agencies and report back to Council. Committee: Cllr A. Ball, Mr D. Evans, Mrs D.M. Holmes, Mr G. Martin and Mr M. Webb. Clerk to inform Mrs Mann that her letter would be considered by the Traffic Management Committee.
167. Bishop’s Wood Playing
Field. Article published in the Bishops Wood Bugle by Mrs J.C. Jeffries
requesting applications from local organisations for funding from the £5,000
Roseclaim grant. Local Members to review applications.
Matter of report.
217. Proposals for a
It was resolved the Clerk arrange a site visit with Mr Morley, Mrs L.E. Jones, Mrs J. Carr and Mr M. Webb to also attend if available. It was also resolved that the photocopying and postage costs of Mr C. Spencer be paid by the Council in contacting the parties interested in a bowls club.
234. Review of Standing
Orders. Mrs L.E. Jones reported that the latest changes had been recorded for
inclusion in the Standing Orders prior to the Clerk leaving.
It was resolved the Standing Orders Committee meet to confirm the final draft of changes, list to then be copied to Members and required changes to be sent to Kevin Arnold for printing a draft for approval.
275. Brewood, School
Crossing Lady. Members were asked to agree a date to invite Mrs Florence Lockley to
receive a Parish Council scroll in recognition for her service as school
crossing lady. A scroll had also been produced to present to Tom Hayes.
It was resolved Mrs Lockley and Tom Hayes be invited to the next meeting of the Council on 13 March.
276. Staffing Committee. Members
were asked to arrange a meeting of the Staffing Committee to short-list the
candidates for the position of Assistant Clerk and schedule a date for
interviews. A copy of all applications were copied to Members of the Staffing
Committee at the meeting
It was resolved the Staffing Committee
would meet at 7.00pm on 4 March.
283. Waste to Energy, Four Ashes. A presentation had been made by Mr Keith
Kondakor, Friends of the Earth prior to the meeting of Full Council.
Matter of report.
324. Portable Flashing
Speed Warning Signs. Details of portable solar-powered Vehicle Activated
Signs to be sought for consideration as an alternative to the signs costing
£5,000 each.
Matter of report.
336. A5, Traffic Issues. Further to the traffic issues raised by Lapley,
Stretton and Wheaton Aston Parish Council and supported by this Council we were
informed, at short notice, of a site meeting with Highways on 20 February. Cllr
Matter of report.
345. Satellite Dish –
Conservation Area. Letter received from South Staffordshire Council reporting that the
satellite dish had been removed.
It was resolved the Clerk follow the matter up to obtain details of the regulations covering satellite dishes in the Conservation Area.
348. Code of Conduct. Communities and
Local Government with regard to the Consultation on Orders and Regulations
relating to the conduct of Local Authority Members in
Matter of report.
Matter of
report.
374. Conservation Area
Appraisal. Dr Collins, South Staffordshire Council reported that the event held in
the Parish Council Chamber on 18 February had been very busy and a great deal
of interest shown. He confirmed that although the period of consultation was
short this was a consultation on the consultants report. A consultation on the
Management Plan would follow at a later date. Handouts from the event were to
be delivered to the Council office.
It was resolved Dr R.C.H. Taylor would make a copy of the Civic Society response available to the Clerk, to be tabled at the next meeting of the Council for comment.
377. Affordable
Housing,
It was resolved the Clerk write to South Staffordshire Council and South Staffordshire Housing Association to pursue the possibility of reversing the decision from providing only rental properties to meeting the needs of those wishing to purchase under a suitable arrangement. It was further resolved the Clerk write to Ursula Bennion, Group Director of Business Development for South Staffordshire Housing Association and invite her to a future meeting of the Parish Council.
380. Community Paths
Initiative 2008/2009. The path referred to by Mr Evans at the previous
meeting is not on the definitive map and will probably not qualify for this
initiative. The Clerk would discuss the matter further with Staffordshire
County Council.
Matter of report.
381. Staffordshire County Council, ‘Local List’. ‘Local list’ of
validation requirements and supplementary guidance document to come into effect
from April 2008 and which would apply to waste applications and county
developments. This Council’s comments were sought before 4 March. Details
available at www.staffordshire.gov.uk/planning and the ‘Applications’ channel.
Deferred from the previous meeting.
It
was resolved the report be received.
It was resolved the Clerk contact Mr Wright with regard to the sign.
386. Barnfield
Sandbeds. Mr Rolf Levesley, Chief Executive, South Staffordshire Council had confirmed
that both the money and land had been transferred.
It was resolved the Clerk write to Mr Levesley seeking details with regard to the plans South Staffordshire Council have for the sandbeds and the monies received as part of the arrangements.
CORRESPONDENCE RECEIVED:
Letters, reports, and e-mails had
been received from:
399. Brewood Fire Station Safety Event Day, run in
partnership with the Community First Responders, held on 15 March from 12 noon
to 3.00pm.
Matter
of report.
400.
Staffordshire
County Council, Local Government Pension Scheme – Pension Fund Valuation 2007.
The employer’s minimum contribution rate is forecast to be 12.7% 31 March 2009,
13.8% 31 March 2010 and 15% 31 March 2011.
Matter
of report.
401.
South
Staffordshire Council with regard the Easter Sussed sessions for the Parish.
Provisional dates had been provided for two sessions each in Bishops Wood,
Brewood and Coven. There would comprise of one sports session in Coven (for
children aged 5 to 8) with the remainder being art sessions (for children 5 to
12).
It
was resolved the Clerk contact the booking secretaries of the village halls to
confirm the arrangements and that there would be no hire charge again this
year.
402.
Brewood Civic Society with regard to the
presentation by Brewood Ideas Group. The committee members confirmed their full
support for this initiative in identifying the problems facing the Parish in
general, and Brewood in particular, and putting forward ideas for solving them.
Matter
of report.
403.
South
Staffordshire Tourism Association with regard to a day trip around some of the
visitor attractions in the southern end of the District on 27 March 9.30am to
4.45pm – the tour will include the Bratch Pumping Station, Holy Austin Rock
Houses – Kinver, Halfpenny Green Vineyard, Ashwood Nurseries and Wightwick
Manor. Cost £12 excluding lunch.
It
was resolved any Members wishing to attend would obtain details from the Clerk.
404.
Staffordshire County Council with regard to the
requirements for the installation of seasonal attachments to street lighting equipment
– hanging baskets, banners, flags etc.
It was resolved the Clerk forward
copies of the letter to the BKV village representatives.
CORRESPONDENCE CIRCULATED:
Agenda and reports for the meeting of South
Staffordshire Council to be held on 26 February.
Agenda and reports for the meeting of South
Staffordshire Council’s Regulatory Committee held 19 February.
Coven Heath Community Association
Newsletter.
Brewood Civic Society copy correspondence to
British Waterways with regard to rubbish; South Staffordshire Council –
08/00042/LBC 8 Dean Street, 08/00046/FUL 25 Dean Street, ABB limited upgrading
street lighting in Brewood Conservation Area, 08/00118/FUL two storey extension
at 13 Deansfield Road; Midcounties Co-operative – 2 Market Place, Brewood; British
Waterways – tree felling between Brewood Bridge and School Bridge.
SSCVA BUZZ Spring Newsletter
Community Council of Staffordshire
Newsletter.
Trading Standards Watchdog Alerts – Bogus
Calls About Age Concern, February – Scam Awareness Month, Fake Unsafe Leather
Sofas.
The Local Channel – web site development
405.
COUNTY COUNCIL REPORT:
The Council received the report
of County Councillor Rex Roberts who reported on the 2008/09 budget
requirement, a site visit to Brewood Road/ Coven Road to consider the
installation of a 30 M.P.H. flashing sign – criteria not met, present sign to
be backed by yellow and road markings to be enhanced - and a meeting with
regard to the PFI application for the Four Ashes Waste2Energy project.
The
Chairman moved the suspension of Standing Order 44 to allow the completion of
business.
406.
CHAIRMAN’S REPORT:
The
Council received the report of the Chair, Mrs L.E. Jones who welcomed the Vice
Chair, Dr R.C.H. Taylor back to the Council and read out the thank you letter
from Dr Taylor.
407.
FINANCE REPORT:
The
Council received the Finance Report from the Head of Finance, Dr R.C.H Taylor and
resolved the following matters:
·
the Financial Summary for the month of
February be approved
·
the purchase of a new strimmer, including attachments
for hedge trimming, at a cost of £415 excluding VAT – parts no longer available
for the old strimmer – be deferred while the Clerk ascertain whether this was a
reasonable price
·
the request from Mr Peter Element, Chairman
of the Brewood Music Festival, be approved. Mr Element had requested that the Parish Council “release the funds
agreed by the Council last year. This £1,000 will be used entirely to provide
the Sunday afternoon entertainment in the village centre, which will be
available to the public without charge.” The Clerk reported that no audited
accounts had been received. It was further resolved that the Clerk write to
Mr Element to explain that audited accounts will be required in the future,
query the excessive cost of advertising on a web site in 2007 and that
consideration should be given to fundraising on the day.
408.
PLANNING REPORT:
The Council received the Planning Report
from the Head of Planning, Mrs D.M. Holmes and consider the planning
applications received as set out in the attached schedule.
Grant of planning permission,
application 08/00020/FUL single garage and minor amendment to an approved
dwelling at
Mrs D.M. Holmes further reported
that Mr & Mrs Gibbins of Coven had raised their concern at the scaffolding
around Croft House, Coven. This scaffolding had been erected for 18 months and
they queried whether safety checks were taking place.
It
was resolved the Clerk write to South Staffordshire Council to confirm what was
happening at the site.
409. CLERKS REPORT:
The
Council received the written report of the Clerk, Mrs S. Groom and resolved the
following matters:
·
The
Clerk liaise with Mr M. Webb with regard to proposals to treat and stain the timber
play equipment and fencing at
·
The
Clerk write to Mr J. Roobottom confirming the Council agree to their intentions
in principal but that further details would be required with regard to their
plans to refurbish the changing rooms and the cost
·
Lilliput
Day Nursery be provided with a key to the side gate to allow access to the
Nursery across the playing field for parents and children. To be done on a
three month trial.
·
The
Clerk be approved to purchase the latest edition of Local Council
Administration and renew the Norton Anti-Virus Software using her credit card.
410. DISTRICT COUNCIL REPORT:
The Council received the report of
District Councillor Ivor Clay who reported on a seminar he attended by the
Director of Municipal Waste Services on the proposed waste2energy incinerator
at Four Ashes, the site visit at Stretton organised by Lapley, Stretton and
Wheaton Aston Parish Council and finally he had taken part in a walk-about
around South Staffordshire Housing Association properties in Coven.
ANY OTHER MATTERS OF REPORT:
None had been raised.
There being no further business
the meeting closed at: 9.50pm.
Clerk’s Report for the meeting of the
Council held 28 February 2008
Affordable Housing
Since the agenda was circulated further
letters have been received (copies tabled to each Member) supporting the
concerns previously raised. A fourth has also been received from Maureen
Billingham (arrived yesterday), this is tabled but not circulated.
Playing Fields.
Filler for between the safety tiles at the
playfields has been ordered at a cost of £90 but the area will need weeding
before the Council Handyman can apply it. We have also been advised that the
timber play equipment at
Brewood Tennis Club
John Roobottom, Chair of Brewood Tennis Club
has reported that the Tennis Club would like to make a grant application to the
Lottery Fund to resurface the tennis courts at
I have contacted a representative of the
Crown Green Bowling Association, John Morley based at Gailey, who supports the
development of new Greens and will be able to put me in contact with someone
who would advise us on the feasibility and cost of developing a Green at
Engleton Lane Playing Fields. With
Members’ approval I will pursue this route and arrange a site visit. Would
Members confirm whether they would be available / wish to attend?
Having been approached by Mr John Roobottom,
Mr Charles Spencer has indicated his desire to write to everyone who expressed
an interest in a local
Refurbishment of
the Old Coven Changing Rooms
Adrian Holt has been to the site with his
colleague and has raised some concerns at being able to provide a solution that
won’t still cause some disturbance to local residents if youths mis-use the
site. He confirms that he has allowed a 2 week slot in March do carry out
whatever works are agreed. Can Coven
Members agree a convenient date early next week to meet
Access Coven
Playing Field. A complaint has been received from Mr Thomas
of Coven that the side gate to Coven playing fields is not open at around
8.00am when he would like to use the playing field as a route to access the
Nursery thus avoiding the road-way. The Nursery confirm that other customers
are walking to drop the children off who would also benefit from being able to
use the side-gate. Mr Nicholls our gate-keeper currently opens the gate around
9.00am although our agreement with him simply requests “by 10.00am”, he says he
would not be able to open the gates any earlier. The Nursery have offered to
open the side-gate. I understand this
matter has been raised before, Members’ views?
Credit Card
Purchases
Clerks are advised to seek approval from the
Council before making credit card purchases:
·
I
will be attending the SLCC Practitioners Conference on Friday and Saturday of
this week and with Members’ approval I
would like to purchase an up to date copy of Local Council Administration by
Charles Arnold-Baker on my credit card. We currently have the fifth
edition, the seventh is currently available. Cost £50 to SLCC Members, saving
£15 – subject to edition 8 not being imminent.
·
Norton
Anti-Virus Software – this is due for renewal on the Clerk’s PC and possibly
the Assistant Clerk’s PC. Again with
Members’ approval I would like to purchase the new licences on-line from the
supplier (this is the only way Symantec, the supplier, will operate) using my
credit card, the cost will be in the region of £40 each.