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 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 – illness, Mrs K.A. Holmes –
illness, Cllr M. Hampson – prior meeting.
MINUTES:
The
minutes of the meeting of the Council held on 13 December were approved as
being an accurate record and duly signed subject to it being noted that the
Clerk’s report should have referred to Jacob’s Ladder rather than Jacob’s Lane.
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. M. Alden-Court declared a personal interest in matters relating to the
Coven Luncheon and Sunday Social, item 338. Mr D. Evans declared a personal
interest in matters relating to
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.
325.
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 Eddie Clarke,
representing Friends of the Earth in
326.
POLICE REPORT
The Council received the written Police report.
It was resolved the Clerk ask WPC Mitchell to reference Coven Heath and Coven separately on the Police Reports.
MATTERS ARISING:
288** Coven Changing Rooms.
Redevelopment of old Coven Changing Rooms to sun shelter / community seating
area - nothing further to report. New build of changing rooms – email received
from Mr Murray Fishlock seeking more information which Mark Jenkinson of South
Staffordshire Council provided prior to the Christmas break. Clerk’s report
referred. The Clerk further reported that VAT had not been included in the
grant application but would be payable both on the grant element of the bid and
most likely on the whole amount as the new changing rooms represented Business
Use.
It was resolved the Clerk seek
confirmation as to the criteria for reclaiming VAT in these circumstances. It
was further resolved the Clerk contact Ace Kind after 24 January with regard to
a start date for the redevelopment of the old changing rooms.
347** Buildings – Proposal for New Development. Meeting of the Buildings Committee to be scheduled to discuss proposals to redevelop the Council Offices, further to the letter received from David Burton-Pye at the previous meeting. Mr Frank Humphreys to be appointed to draw up a scheme. Council to consider the feasibility of providing some financial support for the Youth Club and Council to meet with representatives of Staffordshire County Council to identify a suitable site for the Youth Club. Clerk’s report referred.
It
was resolved the Clerk confirm the availability of the Buildings Committee,
other interested parties and the Youth Club Officer to attend a meeting during
the day in the first week of March.
256* Notification of
Change of Premises Licence Holders. Awaiting a reply from South Staffordshire
Council.
It was resolved the Clerk follow-up this
matter after the meeting of 24 January if no reply has been received.
72 and 151 Proposals for a
One-way System. Meeting of the Full Council scheduled with Mr
D. Wright and Mr D. Steptoe both of Staffordshire County Council and other
interested parties on 21 February at 7.30pm. The Clerk had sent out invitations
to other interested parties, Clerk’s report referred.
It was resolved this matter be included on the agenda for the meeting of 14 February to agree the agenda for the meeting of 21 February.
167. Bishop’s Wood Playing
Field. Reply received from Roseclaim – Mrs J.C. Jeffries reported that a cheque
for £5,000 (five thousand) had been received from the
It was resolved the Members for Bishop’s Wood would submit an article in the Bugle to the effect of the above. Mrs Jeffries had already sent a letter of thanks to Roseclaim.
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. Mrs J. Carr circulated a montage of four photographs
representing each of the villages on the Parish. Dr Taylor referred Mrs Carr to
some other photos of Brewood used in the Village Design Statement that may
prove to be of use.
Matter of report.
204. Non-domestic Rates –
Matter of report.
217. Proposals for a
It was resolved the Clerk write to Mr
Spencer updating him on the current status.
276. Staffing Committee. The Council received the report of the Chair of the
Staffing Committee, Mrs J.C. Jeffries. The minutes of the meeting of the
Staffing Committee held on 4 January were approved as being an accurate record
and duly signed.
It was resolved that subject to noting the minor changes recommended by Dr Taylor, the advertisement for the post of Assistant Clerk be approved.
283. Waste to Energy, Four Ashes. Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA)
Scoping Study received from Enviros Consulting Ltd with regard to the Four
Ashes Energy from Waste Plant. The presentation by Mr I. Benson had been
rescheduled for 24 January 2008 at 7.00pm. Email received from Mr Eddie Clarke,
offering to arrange a short presentation to the Council from Friends of the
Earth on waste issues in the light of the proposals for an incinerator at Four
Ashes – copy of Mr Clarke’s email circulated to Members prior to the meeting.
Also received from Staffordshire County Council the Scoping Study with regard
to the proposed plant – the report was tabled at the meeting.
It was resolved Mr Clarke be invited to
attend the presentation to be made to Council by Mr I. Benson on 24 January. Mr
Clarke would then be able to address Council during public participation at the
meeting that immediately followed. Consideration would then be given to whether
there was still a requirement for a presentation by Friends of the Earth, in
which case this could be arranged for 28 February.
285. Composting Site,
Matter of report.
291. SPCA, Executive
Committee. Further to this Council’s nomination, M. Alden-Court has been appointed
to the Executive Committee of the SPCA.
Matter of report.
301. Road Conditions,
Lawn Lane. No further action had taken place with regard to drawing attention to
the problems experienced on
It was
resolved M. Alden-Court would organise some means of drawing the publics’
attention to the problem.
307.
Matter of report.
308.
Access to
Matter of report.
323. Brewood Ideas
Group. The presentation to be made to Members by Mr Peter Jackson, representing
the Brewood Ideas Group, had been rescheduled for Thursday 14 February at
7.00pm.
Matter of report.
324. Portable Flashing
Speed Warning Signs. Members had been asked to make recommendations to
the Clerk for where such signs should be located in the Parish.
It was
resolved appropriate locations would be School Lane, Poplars Farm Way, Ivetsey
Bank Road,
CORRESPONDENCE RECEIVED:
Letters, reports and e-mails had
been received from:
327.
South
Staffordshire Council with regard to the requirement to name the new
development in
It was resolved the Clerk reply
recommending “Deakin Fields”.
328.
South
Staffordshire Council with regard to this Coucil’s Council Tax Base for the
financial year 2008/2009 which would be 3012.99. Our precept requirement was
requested as soon as possible and supporting information would be required if
our precept requirement was in excess of £140,000.
Matter of report.
329.
Staffordshire
County Council with regard to Bridleways 0.899, 0.901 and part of 0.909 (Black
Ladies - Villa Farm – Hawkshutt). These routes remained on the definitive map
and Statement of Public Rights of Way as bridleways.
Matter of report.
330. Campaign for Rural England
seeking the guidance of this Council’s three major concerns to enable them to
prioritorise their efforts and any training courses that may be useful to us.
Matter of report, no further
comment.
331. SPCA with regard to a Bus
Passenger Body Consultation from the Department of Transport for the
establishment of a ‘bus body’ to represent the rights and interests of bus
passengers. The consultation examined whether a stand-alone bus body was the
best approach or whether the role should be given to an existing body such as
Passenger Focus (currently for rail passengers). The consultation document was
tabled at the meeting and was available at www.dft.gov.uk/consultation/opne/buspassenger/busconsultation.
It was resolved the Clerk respond
recommending an integrated approach of bus and rail services with a passenger
focus.
332. SPCA December Newsletter – copies of this had
already been circulated. Additional copies had been supplied should any Member
require one. These were tabled at the meeting.
Matter of report.
333. Staffordshire Fire and Rescue Service (SFRS)
with regard to their plans for 2008/2011 as documented within the
‘Staffordshire Safety Plan – Consultation Edition’ and Staffordshire Safety
Plan Area Specific Factsheet – copy supplied but not circulated. The
consultation would end 12 February and SFRS requested that the Council complete
the online questionnaire which referred to the allocation of resources in
It
was resolved Dr R.C.H. Taylor would follow the matter up further and report
back to the next meeting of the Council – 24 January.
334. Mr Glen Singleton, on behalf of
his father who lived at
Matter of report.
335. Dr T. Wynne-Jones on behalf of
Brewood Parish Sports Ltd requesting that the Council consider renewing and
possibly increasing the annual maintenance grant they were allocated in the
Precept meeting for 2008/2009. The letter explained the current grant barely
covered cutting fees for the pitches and that other similar organisations were
heavily subsidised by their Councils. Finally Dr Wynne-Jones suggested it would
be equitable if BPS Ltd were to receive the same level of funding as the
Bowling Club. Clerk’s report referred and a draft reply was circulated to
Members at the meeting. Mr M. Webb queried why the Parish Council now queried
the legality of the change to a Ltd organisation, having he believed approved
it earlier, and further reported they were currently looking to revert the
arrangement. Mr Webb said their surveyors report confirmed the
It
was resolved the Clerk clarify whether the Council had approved the BPSA
becoming a Ltd company. Mr M. Webb would leave the surveyors report with the
Clerk. The letter to Dr T. Wynne-Jones was approved subject to the Ltd Company
approval being determined and the being letter changed in this regard if
necessary – Mr M. Webb voted against this resolution and M. Alden-Court
abstained from voting.
336. Marian Kennedy, Clerk to Lapley, Stretton and
Wheaton Aston Parish Council enclosing copy correspondence sent to David
Wright, Divisional Highway Manager with regard to traffic issues on the A5. The
Parish Council sought the support of Brewood and Coven Parish Council on the
matters raised – double white lines to prohibit overtaking and improvements to
the Horsebrook Lane / School Lane junction, copy circulated to Members prior to
the meeting.
It was resolved that the Clerk
write in support of the recommendations in principal and subject to the length
of the A5 to be affected by double white lines.
CORRESPONDENCE CIRCULATED:
Agenda for the joint meeting of South
Staffordshire Council’s Audit and Overview & Scrutiny Committee to be held
on 10 January.
Agenda and reports for the meeting of South
Staffordshire Council’s Regulatory Committee to be held on 8 January.
Agenda and reports for the meeting of South
Staffordshire Council’s Executive to be held on 8 January.
Agenda and reports for the meeting of South
Staffordshire Council’s Partnership and Strategic Services Scrutiny Panel held
20 December 2007.
Agenda and reports for the meeting of South
Staffordshire Council’s Direct and Support Services Scrutiny Panel held 19
December 2007.
Agenda and reports for the meeting of South
Staffordshire Council’s Regulatory Committee held 18 December 2007.Midlands
Local Government Association.
Agenda and reports for the meeting of South
Staffordshire Council’s Audit Committee held 18 December 2007.
Agenda and reports for the meeting of South
Staffordshire Council’s Community and Environmental Services Scrutiny Panel
held on 17 December 2007.
Speaking Out – News magazine for West
Midlands Regional Assembly and West
Brewood Civic Society minutes of the meeting
held 17 December and copy correspondence with regard to Japanese Knotweed at Barnfield
Sandbeds – Steve Dores; Brewood Conservation Area Appraisal – Dr Paul Collins;
planning applications 07/01279/FUL, 07/01271/FUL and 07/01082/REN – South
Staffordshire Council.
Staffordshire County Council -
Winter Driving 2007/2008.
Artifacts – South Staffordshire Arts
Newsletter; Naturalworld Magazine and Staffordshire Wildlife Trust Newsletter;
Filmscene – mobile cinema.
337.
CHAIRMAN’S REPORT:
The
Council received the report of the Chair, Mrs L.E. Jones who informed Members
that the jewel from the chain of office would be sent for repair after the
Clerk’s retirement party at Bishops Wood Village Hall on 3 February. To
minimise the costs the Members would be doing the catering themselves – a
meeting to discuss this further would take place after the Precept meeting.
Flowers had been sent to the Assistant Clerk, Mrs Valerie Turner on the
occasion of 65th birthday and to Mrs Jeanette Ball who had been
unwell – thank you letters had been received in both instances. Finally Mrs
Jones drew Members attention to the fact Mr David Barker, the Council's
Handyman, would have completed twenty-five years service on 1 February.
It was resolved Mr Barker be
invited to attend a presentation at the next meeting of the Council to receive
an engraved plaque and a gift voucher for £50, in recognition of his length of
service to the Parish Council.
338.
FINANCE REPORT:
The
Council received the Finance Report from the Head of Finance, Dr R.C.H Taylor
and resolved the following matters:
·
the Accounts for payment as at 10 January
2008 be approved.
·
the December salaries as paid to the
Council’s employees in December be received.
·
the resolution passed at the meeting of the
Full Council on 26 July 1990 (copy circulated prior to the meeting), that the
Clerk be paid a Gratuity on retiring from the Council from the funds
accumulated in the Gratuity Account to date, be ratified. The date on which
this would be paid had still to be confirmed. This was also included in the
Clerk’s contract of employment.
·
The Clerk to seek advice if necessary from
the SLCC in the calculation of the Gratuity due.
·
the renewal of the Council’s subscription to
Staffordshire Wildlife Trust at a cost of £36 be approved.
·
the Precept meeting to be held 17 January to
start at 7.00pm.
·
the Clerk to investigate the feasibility of
installing electronic sensors in the gents urinals in
·
the letter from Coven Luncheon and Sunday
Social Club requesting a grant towards their set-up costs be circulated to
Members with the Constitution prior to the next meeting.
339.
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.
Major Blake whose land adjoined
Belvide Reservoir had contacted the Council raising his concern at the planning
application submitted to construct a larger bird hide. Major Blake was
concerned that the plans were inaccurate and the notice of the application had
not been adequately displayed. The Assistant Clerk, Mrs S. Groom had discussed
the matter with the planning officer who had explained to Major Blake that the
accuracy of the plans had been checked and apologised if the notice had not
been displayed satisfactorily but this was a problem in rural areas. The
application had been approved.
It
was resolved the Clerk reply to Major Blake to this effect explaining there was
nothing further the Parish Council could do.
Dr R.C.H. Taylor reported his
concern that work had started on the Crest Nicholson site in
Notice received of the decision
to allow the appeal relating to planning application 06/00783 – development
proposed for a gypsy caravan site,
340.
PLAYING FIELDS REPORT:
The Council received the reports
of:
Mr I. Westwood – Bishop’s Wood
Playing Field and
Mr
I. Westwood and Mrs J.C. Jeffries would be assessing whether any new play
equipment was required. The Clerk would take up the matter of the gate with the
Council Handyman.
Mr M. Webb – Brewood Playing
Field. The mats were in poor condition and Mr M. Webb was continuing to pursue
grants for play equipment.
Mr
M. Webb to measure up the area and identify what was required to improve the
area of mats.
Mrs J. Carr and Mrs A.Y. Millward
– Coven Playing Field. Mrs A. Y. Millward reported that more bark chippings
were required under the aerial runway, the one 5-aside goal post was loose
again and the gate to the basketball area / tennis court was badly damaged.
It
was resolved the Clerk would arrange for the gate to be removed and for action
to be taken with regard to the bark chippings and goal post.
341.
CLERKS REPORT:
The Council
received the written report of the Clerk, Mrs D.E. Drury and approved the
following:
·
The
Clerk to obtain a quote to cut back the shrubs near 2 Darelyn Park, Coven.
·
No action be taken with regard to the skateboard
ramps.
·
The
attendance of the Assistant Clerk, Mrs S. Groom at the Internal Audit training
on 31 January, in the evening, at a cost of £20 be approved.
·
The
Clerk reply to Ms Morris, who brought the matter to the Council’s attention,
updating her of the current position with regard to the Green Bus Service.
·
The
Parish Council to sponsor the
·
A
certificate of achievement and a letter be sent to Tom Haynes, congratulating
him on being selected for the
ANY OTHER MATTERS OF REPORT:
None were raised.
There being no further business
the meeting closed at: 8.55pm.
CLERK’S REPORT
FOR THE MEETING HELD 10 JANUARY 2008.
288. Coven
Changing Rooms
We have received an e-mail from Murray
Fishlock, Facilities Manager for the FA and have also received a call from Lee
Davies also of the FA requesting further information. After consulting with Mark Jenkinson and
Katie White I have responded in letter form to Murray Fishlock and have
forwarded the information requested to Lee Davies. The Board is meeting the
second week in February but the feedback from Lee Davies was very
encouraging.
347. Proposal
for New Development and Youth Club
A meeting of the Buildings Committee needs
to be set up to discuss the proposal but this needs to allow time for the
Architect to draw up a Scheme. The
Council also needs to set a date for a meeting with the Youth Officer and any
other interested parties.
72 & 151. Proposals for a One-way
System
Letters giving notice of the meeting have
been sent out to Inspector D. Gains, Staffordshire Police and Mr C. Bromley,
Area Commander of Staffordshire Fire & Rescue Service. Brewood Civic Society, the Headteachers of -
Brewood Middle School, St Mary & St Chad C. of E. School, St Dominic’s, and
St Mary’s R.C. the Revd Clive Burgess, Dean St residents - Mr P.H. S. Kelley of
Dean Street and Mrs P. A. Powell.
308. Access
to
I have not been able to speak to Mike
Hampson but I understand that he has left a message with Sue to the effect that
he had suggested the same route to SSC but they only have the power to seek
co-operation from the builders.
324. Portable
Flashing Speed Warning Signs
To-date members have only requested that the
signs be located in
355. Brewood
Parish Sports Ltd
After liaising with the Chair I have drafted
a response to the letter which is tabled for members’ comments.
338. Gratuity
I have arranged with Kevan Bleach (signatory
on the account) to meet with him on Saturday morning in order to close the
account and draw a cheque for the balance to be paid into the Council’s
Business Account.
David Barker – 25 Years Service
David has completed twenty-five years
service at the beginning of February. It
is suggested that he presented with a suitably inscribed shield and an
appropriate gift.
The Bront
I have received complaints from the occupant
of Mrs Burgess of No. 2 Darelyn Park that overgrown shrubs on The Bront are
causing a nuisance to her. It is a job
that our Handyman could tackle but it would involve the hiring of a skip and
would be quite time consuming. It may be
more cost effective to employ our local contractor to carry out the work.
May I have Council’s permission to authorise this, subject to the price
being agreed with the Chair and Head of Finance?
Skateboard Ramps
Ramp Mental have offered to supply two ex
demonstration ramps at a reduced price of £2,000 each including the
fitting. These are their standard ramps
which normally retail at £4,000 each plus delivery. Members
views please
SPCA Training Session
Sue would like to attend a training session
on Internal Audit on 31 January. The
charge is £20.
Members views
please.
Green Bus Service
We have received an e-mail from the County
Council confirming that the Green Bus Company has given notice that it intends
to withdraw the Saturday services that currently operate in the
Best Kept Village Competition 2008
The Community Council of Staffordshire has
forwarded entry forms for the 2008 competition which have to be completed and
returned by the 18 February. Does the Council wish to sponsor the
villages wishing to enter?