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, Mrs J. Carr,
Cllr I. Clay, Mr D. Evans, 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:
Mr F. Barrett – holiday, Mrs D.M. Holmes –
illness, Mrs K.A. Holmes – family commitment.
IN ATTENDANCE:
Cllr M.R. Hampson, Cllr R. Roberts O.B.E.,
WPC H. Mitchell, Sgt Paul Cook.
The Chair welcomed Members to the meeting
and drew their attention to the fact that this was a special meeting, it being
the Clerk’s last meeting after 27 years service as Clerk to the Council and the
Council were also marking 25 years service of Mr David Barker, the Council’s
Handyman. Mr Barker was thanked for all his hard work over the years and the
invaluable contribution he had made to the parishes’ entries in the
MINUTES:
The
minutes of the meeting of the Council held on 24 January were approved as being
an accurate record and duly signed subject to it being noted that the proposed
name for the Engleton Lane development (item 327) should have read “Deakins
Field” and that Roseclaim had also been contacted by Bishops Wood Village Hall
Committee (item 167).
The
minutes of the Special Meeting of the Council held on 17 January were tabled,
approved as being an accurate record and duly signed subject to including the
reference “the Precept for 2008/2009 was £139,381”.
The minutes of the meeting of the Staffing
Committee held on 16 December 2007 (page 155a) were tabled, approved as being
an accurate record and duly signed subject to it being noted that the apologies
of Mr D. Evans had been given at the meeting.
DECLARATIONS
OF INTEREST:
Cllr I. Clay declared a personal and
prejudicial interest and M. Alden-Court declared a personal interest in matters
relating to the Coven Luncheon and Sunday Social Club (item 365). Mr M. Webb
declared a personal and prejudicial interest in matters relating to Brewood
Parish Sports Ltd (item 177). Dr R.C.H. Taylor declared a personal and
prejudicial interest in the proposals for a one-way system in Brewood (item
72/151) and in planning application 08/00042/LBC,
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 be moved herein would have any adverse impact
for the purposes of the Crime and Disorder Act.
343.
POLICE REPORT
Due to the late start of
the meeting, following the Waste to Energy presentation, the Police Report was
taken earlier in the meeting. The Council received the written Police report
and WPC Mitchell introduced Sgt Paul Cook who had replaced Sgt Phil Lloyd. Sgt
Cook confirmed that they were seeking to replace PCSO Edwards although no
decision would be made until the budget for 08/09 had been confirmed.
344.
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,
M. Alden-Court asked
Members to look favourably on her request for a grant towards the overall
set-up costs of the Coven Luncheon and Sunday Social Club.
Mr P. Kelly, Dean Street,
Brewood with regard to the traffic management meeting to be held on 21 February. Mr Kelly queried
whether as it was a meeting of the Full Council whether this would limit the
views that could be heard, in particular those of the public and Members who
would have to declare an interest.
Mr M. Webb reported that
BPS Ltd had spent the last two years negotiating for more land to support a
football pitch and
MATTERS ARISING:
288** Coven Changing Rooms. Letter received
from John Goodall, Office of the Chief Executive, South Staffordshire Council
confirming they were willing to carry over the grant to 2008/2009 and for the
loan to continue subject to the work being completed in the same year. Mr
Goodall requested a letter from the Council outlining the position, the reasons
for the delay and when we hoped to commence and complete the project. Clerk’s
report also referred with regard to the grant application made to the Football
Foundation.
It was resolved the Clerk reply
to Mr Goodall as requested and the increase in the proportion of the grant to
be covered by the Council from £28,342 to £30,000, as requested by the Football
Foundation, be noted.
347** Buildings – Proposal for New Development. Clerk to confirm the availability of
interested parties with a view to scheduling a meeting of the Buildings
Committee and the Youth Club Officer in the first week of March.
It was resolved
256* Notification of
Change of Premises Licence Holders. Awaiting a reply from South Staffordshire
Council. It was previously resolved the Clerk would follow the matter up after
the meeting of 24 January. Email received from NALC confirming they had raised
the matter with Gerry Sutcliffe MP, Minister for Sport, who had responsibility
for such matters and they expected a reply shortly.
It was resolved the Clerk follow-up the matter with South Staffordshire Council as previously approved.
72 and 151. Proposals for a One-way System. Dr R.C.H. Taylor left the meeting while
this matter was discussed. It had previously been resolved this would be a
publicised special meeting of the Full Council.
It was further resolved the meeting would be informal, providing members of the public and the Civic Society with the opportunity to speak. Members would then be able to table resolutions at the meeting of 28 February.
177. Parish Interest in a
It was resolved the Clerk reply to Mr Hodson with regard to the two possible sites that were currently being investigated.
188. Parish Photograph. Mrs J. Carr
circulated a photo montage of the four villages in the Parish.
It was resolved Mrs Carr supply a
digital copy to the Clerk to forward to the S.P.C.A.
234. Review of Standing Orders. The
Clerk would complete the necessary updates prior to leaving.
Matter of report.
283. Waste
to Energy, Four Ashes. Letter
received from Hatherton Parish Council with regard to the proposed development.
This Council was invited to attend and submit questions to their public meeting
to be held on 31 January, 7.30pm at Calf Heath Village Hall. A copy of the
newsletter they had circulated to local residents was circulated to Members
prior to the meeting.
It was resolved Members would attend the
meeting if they wished.
285. Composting Site,
Matter of report.
301. Road Conditions, Lawn Lane. Letter
received from Andrew Haigh, HM Coroner confirming receipt of this Council’s
letter and stating he would notify the Council when the Inquest would take
place should anyone wish to attend.
Matter of report.
302. Bishops Wood Village Hall. Letter received from Bishops Wood Village
Hall Management Committee thanking this Council for the Capital Grant of £1,000
towards the fitting of their new catering kitchen.
Matter of report.
333. Staffordshire Fire and Rescue Service.
Deferred from the previous meeting. 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
Matter of report.
CORRESPONDENCE RECEIVED:
Letters, reports, and e-mails had
been received from:
345. Mrs W. Green with regard to a satellite dish
that had been installed on the gable end of the property on the corner of
Newport Street and Market Place, above 11 Market Place. Concern was raised that
this could be in breach of planning regulations relating to Conservation Areas.
Dr Taylor reported that the dish was smaller than other such dishes and quite
unobtrusive.
It
was resolved the Clerk seek advice from South Staffordshire Council with regard
to the implications of the dish in the conservation area and whether planning
approval would be required.
346. Mrs C. Fulford, Brewood with regard to an area
of land adjacent to no. 9
It
was resolved the Clerk write to the Housing Association asking when they had
scheduled to start the repair works in Coneybere Gardens and requesting they
also clear the area of land adjacent to 9 Coneybere Gardens. Clerk to reply to
Mrs Fulford to this effect.
347. Dr Paul Collins, Conservation,
South Staffordshire Council requesting to use the Parish Council Chamber to
stage a half-day small exhibition relating to Conservation Area Appraisals
carried out by consultants on behalf of S.S.C. The room would be required for
an afternoon followed by a public meeting the same evening, on any Monday to
Thursday during February. The Council has offered this service to S.S.C. previously,
free of charge. Clerk’s report referred.
It
was resolved the Clerk confirm the booking for 18 February.
348. Communities and Local Government
with regard to the Consultation on Orders and Regulations relating to the
conduct of Local Authority Members in
It
was resolved the Chair would read the report and feedback to Council.
349. South Staffordshire Council with regard to the
new standard electronic planning application form and the new information
requirements for the validation of planning applications by local planning
authorities. Copy of the cover letter was circulated to Members prior to the
meeting with the web site address of the relevant validation guidance including
national and local lists. A hard copy was tabled at the meeting. Replies were
required by 15 February.
It
was resolved a copy of the letter be forwarded to Brewood Civic Society to
reply if they wished.
350. South Staffordshire Council with
regard to the increasing number of planning applications submitted
electronically and whether the Parish Council would elect to be consulted
electronically. Further details as to the implications of such an arrangement
were being sought although the contact was not currently available due to
illness.
Matter
of report.
351. Staffordshire County Council with
regard to their Communities First initiative which aspired to afford local
people a shareholding in the development of Community Services in Staffordshire
in part through local watchdogs who serve as eyes and ears of the public in
addressing matters such as aggressive doorstep sales and targeting of
vulnerable consumers. The scheme would, on request, send out alerts of scams
and would give a talk on the work they undertake. The Council could opt to
receive alerts of scams and circulate this every two weeks to notice-boards
when distributing the minutes.
It
was resolved the Clerk request the Council be notified of such alerts for
circulation to Council notice-boards with future agendas.
352. SPCA with regard to their
involvement to raise awareness of the issues of climate change at the
invitation of the Staffordshire Strategic Partnership and Staffordshire County
Council. A series of evening focus groups, which local residents would be
invited to attend, had been scheduled through January and February where views
would be collected as to what climate change meant to individuals and
communities. The Parish Council were invited to organise a local focus group
between 14 January and 22 February. A web site existed with further details if
required.
It
was resolved the Clerk reply explaining that this Council felt unable to
organise a focus group in the time available due to the rather full schedule we
had over the next two months and also advising that more notice would be
helpful in the future.
353. Staffordshire Fire and Rescue seeking
nominations for the FRS Professional of the Year award. Nominations were
required by 31 January.
It
was resolved that any Member wishing to make a nomination would raise the
matter during the meeting. None were received.
354. NALC Annual Conference and Exhibition 20 to 22
May 2008 in
It
was resolved M. Alden-Court be allowed to attend. Having seen the outline
agenda M. Alden-Court thought it likely she would only book for two days of the
three day conference. The Clerk to book the conference and accommodation.
355. Staffordshire County Council with regard to a
vacancy for a Local Education Authority Governor at St Mary and St Chad’s CE
(VC) First School, Brewood. Nominations were required by 6 February.
It
was resolved Mr D. Evans be nominated as LEA Governor.
356. Staffordshire Highways giving notice of works
to be carried out to provide a new footway on
Matter
of report.
357. Community Council of Staffordshire seeking
contributions to the 2008 Diary of Village Festivals and Events. Contributions
were required by 18 February.
Matter
of report.
358. NALC and Aon seeking nominations for the
Council of the Year and Clerk of the Year Awards 2008. Closing date for
applications 4 April. Also received from NALC on behalf of Co-operative Bank
and LCR seeking nominations for Communications Awards 2008 which recognised and
rewarded councils who were truly engaging with their communities. There were
three categories: web site, newsletter and Annual Report of the year.
Matter
of report.
359. South Staffordshire Council with regard to the
availability of the ‘Enjoy Staffordshire’ web site that promoted tourism within
Staffordshire www.enjoystaffordshire.com. Events could be listed on the ‘What’s
On’ page free of charge by submitting the event details for inclusion.
It
was resolved local organisations be informed of the facility in the next Parish
Newsletter.
360. NALC with regard the section 137
cash limit for 2008/2009 which was £5.86 per elector.
Matter
of report.
361. West Midlands Regional Assembly
with regard to the WMRSS Phase Two Revision Draft. Further details were be
tabled at the meeting.
Matter
of report.
362. Brewood and District Inner Wheel
Community Challenge Quiz on Friday 8 February at 7.00pm in the Jubilee Hall,
Brewood. Further details were available from the Clerk.
Matter
of report.
363. CORRESPONDENCE CIRCULATED:
Reports
and Agenda for the meeting of South Staffordshire Council’s Overview and
Scrutiny Committee to be held 15 January.
Reports
and Agenda for the meeting of South Staffordshire Council to be held 22
January.
Carbon Crush Programme –
NALC – news of having signed a
preferred commercial partner deal with Blachere Illumination UK which in turn
provides NALC members 10% discount from Blachere.
Plunkett Foundation – referencing
their new publication Fresh Ideas – Rural Social Enterprise.
Clerks and Councils Direct.
Donna Louise Trust, children’s
hospice service for Staffordshire and
Village News.
364. COUNTY COUNCIL REPORT:
The Council
received the report of County Councillor R. Roberts who reported to Members on
the West Midlands Region Spatial Strategy which provided for 365,000 new houses
across the
365. CHAIRMAN’S REPORT:
The
Council received the report of the Chairman, Mrs L.E. Jones who reported that
the arrangements were progressing for the Clerk’s retirement party on 3
February.
Cllr R.
Roberts and Cllr M.R. Hampson left the meeting.
366. FINANCE REPORT:
The
Council received the report of the Head of Finance, Dr R.C.H. Taylor and
resolved the following matters:
·
the financial summary for the
month of January be approved.
·
A resolution as to the date on
which the Clerk’s Gratuity would be paid be deferred to the end of the meeting
when members of the press and public were excluded from the meeting.
·
Deferred from the previous
meeting – the request from the Coven Lunch and Sunday Social Club for a grant
of £350 to help meet some of their initial set up costs be approved. Letter and
Constitution circulated to Members prior to the meeting.
·
The request from Mrs S. Groom to
attend the Society of Local Council Clerks Conference for Practitioners on 29
February and 1 March at a cost of £120 plus travel expenses, subject to the office
being covered on 29 February, be approved.
·
The renewal of
·
The request from M. Alden-Court
to attend the SPCA Chairmanship Skills Modules 5 and 6 on 6 February and 6
March be approved at a cost of £20 each.
Also note item 354.
367. PLANNING:
The Council received the planning report
from the Chair in the absence of the Head of Planning, Mrs D.M. Holmes, and
considered the planning applications received as set out in the attached schedule. Dr
R.C.H. Taylor left the meeting while application 08/00042/LBC was discussed.
Staffordshire County Council enclosed
a copy of the re-issued decision notice, to correct the planning application
number, for the approved application for change of use from a facility for the
shredding and pulverisation of rubber to a materials recovery facility. The
approval was given with conditions. The report was tabled at the meeting.
Matter
of report.
Communities and Local Government
with regard to the appeals by Taylor Wimpey (previously Woodrow) Developments
Ltd and BAE Systems reference Cat and
Matter
of report.
The
Chairman moved the suspension of Standing Order 44 to allow the completion of
business.
343. CLERKS REPORT:
The Council
received the written report of the Clerk, Mrs D.E. Drury and resolved the
following:
·
the board listing previous Chairs
of the Council be updated in free-hand
·
the Clerk to continue to seek
clarification with regard to personal and prejudicial interests when electing
to speak during public participation
·
reference to the anonymous
donation of a notice-board be included in the next Newsletter
·
dog fouling to be reported in
writing to South Staffordshire Council, Environmental Health.
344. DISTRICT COUNCIL REPORT:
The Council
received the report of the District Councillor I. Clay who reported that he had
made inquiries as to the current status of the outstanding payments and
transfer of land to South Staffordshire Council in lieu of the Engleton Lane
development but had nothing to report as yet. Cllr Clay also attended an
interesting presentation by Staffordshire Police on their performance last year
and he would be visiting the Hanford Incineration site on 29 January which was
similar to that proposed at Four Ashes.
ANY OTHER MATTERS OF REPORT:
None
have been received.
Further
to the resolution carried earlier, the Chairman asked members of the press and
public to leave the meeting in view of the confidential nature of the business
to be transacted.
The Clerk, Mrs D.E. Drury also
left the meeting.
366. Finance Report – Clerk’s Gratuity. The
Chair reported to Members that the Clerk was still owed in the region of 22.5
hours annual leave and some additional hours from the preceding week (the exact
amount to be confirmed).
It was resolved the Clerk be
offered a new contract from 1 February 2008, for three months to 25 April 2008
in order to provide consultancy service for up to the total number of hours due
as at 31 January 2008. This would provide additional support, if required,
while a new Assistant Clerk was advertised for and appointed. The Clerk’s
gratuity would be paid on her leaving the Council on 25 April. Staffing
Committee to draft a new contract for ratification by Council.
The
Clerk returned to the meeting and accepted the offer of a new three month
contract as per the reference above.
There being no further business
the meeting closed at: 9.45pm.
Clerk’s Report
for the meeting held on 24 January 2008
346. Conservation
Area Appraisals
Monday 18
February is the preferred date when SSC would like to use the Council Chamber
as a venue for the half-day small exhibition relating to the above. Do members have any objections. As yet none of the village organisations have
asked for the use of the room on that day.
335. Letter from Dr T. Wynne-Jones on behalf of
Brewood Parish Sports Ltd.
As requested I have found
out the correspondence relating to the above.
The Council received a letter from Brewood Parish Sports Ltd dated 12
April 2006 which was reported to the meeting of the Council held on the 13
April. The letter stated, “As you can
see from the letterhead we are now a Limited Company. We became Brewood Parish Sports Ltd on 7
April 2006.” The letter also states the objectives for the change of name. This
was reported to the meeting of the Council held on the 13 April In view of this does the Council wish me to
alter the first paragraph.
288. Coven Changing Rooms
As already reported, there
was a possibility that the FA would want to tweak the bid as the percentage
they were being asked to fund was slightly higher than the 66% that they would
normally provide. They have requested
that the Council’s input of £28,342 be increased to £30,000. With Chair’s approval I have confirmed
this. The decision will be taken on 6th
February.
Chairman’s Board
Does the Council wish the
board to be updated in free hand or using a stencil as has been done in the
past few years.
Personal and Prejudicial
Interests
An issue has arisen as to
whether a member, having been appointed as the Council’s representative on an
outside body, should declare a personal and prejudicial interest in any matters
appertaining to that body. The Standards
Boards has confirmed that a member has a personal and prejudicial interest in a
matter if any member of the public can
reasonably argue that his/her interest is so significant that it is likely to
prejudice his/her judgement in the issue and this applies equally to appointed
representatives.
Paving alongside Methodist
Hall
There are some problems
with the block paving outside the shops at Coven (Co-op and fish shop). These have been flagged up to South
Staffordshire Council by one of the local members.
David has booked a week’s
holiday for which we shall need to arrange cover. Sue is pursuing this but there will be a cost
involved.
Notice Board
The Council has been
donated a notice-board by an anonymous caller.
Brewood Tennis Club
The Chairman of the Tennis
Club has advised that the Club is exploring the possibility of applying to the
Staffordshire Environmental Fund for a grant towards the refurbishment of the
changing rooms and tennis courts. He has
asked whether the Council would have any objection to this and whether the current
licensing agreement would meet the conditions normally applied to grant
applications. The Tennis Club has a Licence which was executed in 2006. Briefly this holds them to the payment of all
outgoings and to keep and maintain the tennis nets, courts and premises in a
clean, wholesome, and tidy condition.
Members of the public are to have the right to play on the courts
subject to such members having booked previously with the Booking Secretary of
the Tennis Club. The courts are to be
made available for such usage for a minimum of five hours per week. The Club to levy and collect the
charges. I suspect that the existing
licence would be inadequate to support any application for substantial funding
and if the Council is supportive of such an application it may need to be a
joint venture.
Deansfield Site
Following complaints from
residents that water from the car park was draining onto the frontages of their
properties, the matter was reported to County Council and a site visit has been
carried out. Investigations are to go
ahead with regard to the level of the drains and improving the surface but in
the meantime the drains and channels would be cleared of any blockages.
Dog Fouling in
We have received complaints
about repeated fouling in this area. This has been reported verbally to
Environmental Health but needs to be followed up with a letter.
Planning and Energy Bill
As a follow on from its
success in its campaign for the Sustainable Communities Bill, which has now
become law, Local Works (the organisation promoting the Sustainable Communities
Act) is now seeking the support of Local Councils in its bid to have the
Planning and Energy Bill adopted.
Councils are asked to write to their MP’s before the 25th
January in support of the Bill. Papers
have been tabled.