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, Mr F. Barrett, Mrs J. Carr,
APOLOGIES:
Mrs K.A. Holmes
(personal reasons), Mrs
J.C. Jeffries (holiday), Mr G. Martin (seminar), Mr I. Westwood (holiday).
IN ATTENDANCE:
Cllr
M.R. Hampson, Cllr R. Roberts O.B.E.
MINUTES:
The
minutes of the meeting of the Council held on 10th July were
approved as being accurate records and duly signed.
The
Chairman declared suspension of Standing Orders to allow Members to remove their
jackets.
DECLARATIONS
OF INTEREST:
Dr R.C.H. Taylor declared a personal and
prejudicial interest in item 91 Doctors Surgery, Brewood. Mrs L.E. Jones and
Mrs J. Carr declared a personal and prejudicial interest in item 123 Finance,
relating to Coven Memorial Hall. Mrs A.Y. Millward declared a personal interest
in item 123 Finance, relating to payment for covering the duties of Mr D.
Nicholls. Mr M. Webb declared a personal interest in item 123 Finance relating
to payment for covering the duties of Mr D. Barker and a personal and prejudicial
interest in item 121 Mrs Jones’ letter. Mr
D. Evans declared a personal and prejudicial interest in items
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.
105.
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 Paul Mullard,
Mrs J. Edwards, Bishops
Wood thanked Council for the reinstallation of the picnic bench at Bishops Wood
playing field.
Mr D. Evans thanked
Council on his wife’s behalf for the flowers sent during her recent illness. Mr Evans sought clarification of the planning
procedure referenced in the pervious minutes with regard to the new
Clerk to follow-up
and raise concern at the new pole in
106. POLICE
REPORT
The Council received the
written Police report. Dr R.C.H. Taylor
reported that he had attended the Police Consultative Committee meeting at
Coven Memorial Hall and had raised the Council’s concern at the inadequacy of
the Police report and was advised that there was no reason why it could not be
expanded further.
It was
resolved Members consider what further information would be useful and bring
ideas to the next meeting of the Council.
Dr Taylor also reported that
MATTERS ARISING:
288** Coven Changing Rooms. Clerk’s
report referred. The Project Manager had confirmed that the Tender process
could run in parallel with the Football Foundation’s review of the Tender
documents. A Tender closure date of noon on 15 August had been set.
Notification received that the Full Plans Approval Notice was issued by South
Staffordshire Council on 3 July 2008. Matter
of report.
347** Buildings – Proposal
for New Development. Awaiting details with regard to the ownership of
Church House. Mrs Diane Oliver of St Mary and St
Matter of report.
347** Buildings – Scout Hut and Youth Club Provision. Staffordshire
County Council met 18 July to discuss the proposed sale of the
It was resolved that the Clerk write to Mr Bott of Staffordshire
County Council asking that the Parish Council be included on the working party
to discuss Youth provision. Mr D. Evans to represent the Parish Council subject
to availability. In his absence M. Alden-Court and Mr M. Webb said they would
be willing to attend. Cllr M. Hampson to identify a possible Youth
representative noting that a pupil from St Dominic’s had already attended a
youth services committee at South Staffordshire Council at the instigation of
the Parish Council – details available from the Clerk. The Clerk to also write to
Cllr
72* / 151* Traffic
Management. Letter received from Mr M. Keeling, Area Highways, Staffordshire County
Council, copy enclosed. School pupil transport data received from St Dominic’s
and St Mary’s RC Primary School. Brewood Civic Society with regard to the
minutes of 9 June and wishing to record their support for the double yellow
lines proposed in
It was resolved that the Clerk reply to the Civic Society thanking them for their support and forwarding the information with regard to time scales received from Mr Keeling. It was also resolved that a Traffic Management Committee Meeting be held to discuss these matters further. Date and time to be confirmed after the meeting.
205*/250*
It was resolved Mr Read’s email be deferred to the next meeting of the Council and Mr Martin’s report be circulated with the agenda.
217* Proposals for a
It was resolved that that the Council support the development of a bowling green and ‘club house’ on the playing field in Engleton Lane, subject to planning approval. The Clerk to write to the Bowling Club with a letter of intent that the Council would provide a 28 year lease (for land and building), and to Mr Smillie of Underhill, Langley and Wright to advise that the lease be drafted. Clerk to also write to Mr Monkton to obtain his approval for the building of a small ‘club house’ on the site.
234* Review of Standing
Orders. Some corrections and inconsistencies had been identified and forwarded to
the printer. A final draft had been requested for members to approve prior to
multiple copies being run off. Clerk’s report referred.
Matter of report.
302* Chain of Office. A quote had
been sought from Vaughton’s to engrave the remaining names and dates of
previous Chairs on the old chain, above and below the hallmark, to bring it up
to date to the Millennium.
Matter of report.
307*
Matter of report.
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. Members to approve the Housing Survey questionnaire as drafted by the
Buildings Committee with Mr J. Lancaster and cover letter. Copies were
circulated prior to the meeting. Clerk’s report referred.
It was resolved that Council approve the recommended change to Question 27 and the covering letter. The Clerk to forward details to Mr Lancaster.
386* Barnfield
Sandbeds. Cllr I. Clay reported that he had today received a report on the Sand
Beds from South Staffordshire Council.
It was
resolved a copy be circulated to all members and the matter be raised at a
later date.
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 write to Mr Burton-Pye asking how long scaffolding can be allowed to encroach on another persons land. Copy to be forwarded to Mr Rolf Levesley.
52. Street Lighting. Reply received
from Mr G. Hook, Principal engineer, Staffordshire County Council with regard
to the replacement of street lighting in the Parish. The Council expressed its
concern at the impact the lighting had on local residents. Copy circulated
prior to the meeting.
It was resolved the Clerk write to Mr David Wright, Highways Department regarding the street light replaced at the junction of Bargate Lane/Shop Lane/Horsebrook Lane that was causing light pollution to a local property, acknowledging the policy reported by the County Council and querying what could be done to alleviate the specific problem raised in this instance.
56. Bus Shelter, The Parade, Coven. Site visit held
28th July. Clerks report referred.
It was resolved the Clerk obtain further catalogues and Coven Members meet to agree the size, style and orientation of the shelter.
58. The Bront. Report received
from Mr H. Medlicott, South Staffordshire Council, copy circulated prior to the
meeting. Cllr Clay reported that Mr Medlicott would provide a recommendation
for the information boards referenced in the report. The Clerk reported that
she had received a quote for £300 to remove the split willow and overhanging
laburnum to the rear and left of
It was resolved
Cllr I. Clay meet with Mr Dunbar to discuss other similar work required at the
site and the work on the split willow be deferred until
this meeting had taken place. It was noted that
63. Bench,
It was resolved the Clerk arrange a site visit, Dr R.C.H. Taylor to attend.
74. Green Bus Service. Letters written with regard to proposals to terminate the Green Bus Service at Brewood. Replies awaited. Cllr R. Roberts had spoken to Richard Higgs and Annabel McKinnon who were looking into alternative services and would report in due course. Matter of report.
75. Simpro, Composting Plant, Coven
Heath. The report of the Assistant Clerk, Mrs D. Poole, was circulated prior to
the meeting. Email report from Roger Grainger, Environmental Services Agency
tabled at the meeting. Mr F. Barrett spoke of Coven Heath resident’s
indignation at the responses received by the Assistant Clerk from The
Environment Agency.
It was resolved the Clerk write to the Environment Agency raising the concern of the residents with regard to what they considered to be a poor and inaccurate response.
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,
91. Doctors Surgery, Brewood. To consider
the request from Dr R.C.H. Taylor on behalf of the Doctors Surgery in Brewood
to support, in principal, their preferred option to locate the surgery on land
opposite St Mary’s RC Church, Brewood. Dr Taylor stood amongst the public to
answer questions from. Dr Taylor confirmed that all dealings were being done
with the Archdiocese; that the intention was to buy approximately one acre of
the available land on which to locate a surgery and a car park; and that
planning permission had not been obtained but as this was to be a community
project then there would be potential for development in the green belt. Dr Taylor confirmed that a business plan was
to be drawn up in September and that the planned development was to be a
“one-stop” medical hub for the parish.
Dr Taylor then left the meeting while the matter was discussed.
It was resolved that the Council give full support in principal to the proposal to develop the surgery on land opposite St Mary RC Church, Brewood. The Clerk to write to the Surgery to this effect.
101. Staffing
Committee. Meeting to be scheduled of the Staffing committee to receive the
appraisal of the Clerk, receive the recommendations of the appraisers and
review contracts for the Assistant Clerk and Clerk.
It was resolved the Staffing Committee meet at 6.30pm on 14 August, prior to the Full Council meeting at 7.30pm.
102. Access to Council Offices, Hand Rail. South Staffordshire Council were to advise with regard to the requirements for an appropriate hand-rail at the entrance to the Council Office. Matter of report.
CORRESPONDENCE RECEIVED:
Letters, reports, and e-mails
have been received from:
107. Planning application received for Council to
submit on behalf of Brewood Tennis Club to make permanent the temporary
planning approval to allow the use of the floodlights six nights per week at
the tennis courts on
It
was resolved the Council submit the application, as land owners, in the light
of the Tennis Club’s request and, on this occasion, pay the planning
application fee of £85.
108. Sir Patrick Cormack inviting the
Chair of Council and Clerk to a special meeting he had convened of all Chairmen
of Parish Councils in
It
was resolved the Clerk confirm Dr R.C.H. Taylor would attend if he was
available, Mrs D. M. Holmes to attend otherwise. The Clerk to also attend.
109. South Staffordshire Council
Parish/District Liaison Group Meeting to be held on Monday 15 September, 6.30
to 8.30pm (refreshments from 6.00pm). The agenda would cover The Olive Branch
Project (Social care and Health Joint Initiative for Vulnerable Elderly People)
and a presentation on the Regional Spatial Strategy Phase 2 Consultation.
It
was resolved that Mr G. Martin attend the meeting.
110. Staffordshire Parish Councils’
Association with regard to working in partnership with Staffordshire County
Council to map the public buildings in Staffordshire. Copy circulated prior to
the meeting.
It
was resolved the Clerk reply confirming the Parish Council would like to be
involved.
111. Staffordshire Parish Councils’ Association
Local Transport Consultation to collate details of local transport schemes to
ascertain any opportunities for extending the services.
It
was resolved the Clerk respond as appropriate.
112. South Staffordshire Council with regard to
the provision of flowering bulbs: 3x25kg nets of mixed daffodils, 2,000 winter
flowering crocuses, 2,000 spring flowering crocuses and 1,000 snowdrops. Theses
are again available free of charge. Additional bulbs could be ordered as above
as well as bluebells at £44.80 per 1,000. Confirmation required by 1 August.
It
was resolved that the Clerk place an order for the free bulbs.
113. South Staffordshire Council requesting Members
check their details in the Register of Members’ Interests and update any
details as appropriate including ensuring paragraph (f) contains Members home
address. The register was tabled at the meeting.
It
was resolved that the Clerk follow-up with any Members not present at the
meeting.
114. South Staffordshire Local Strategic
Partnership with regard to the next Locality Member Forum Meetings. The meeting
was no longer restricted to the Chairman and Clerk and an agenda would be
forwarded nearer the time. The Locality 2 meeting, for this Parish, would be
held on November 3 at Coven Memorial Hall with a buffet at 6.00pm to start then
at 6.30pm until 8.00pm.
It
was resolved that Dr R.C.H. Taylor and the Clerk attend.
115. Staffordshire County Council with regard to a
Local Authority Governor Vacancy at St John’s CE First School, Bishops Wood.
Following a piece in the Parish Council newsletter in May Mrs Jo Tatham, a
resident of Bishops Wood, had volunteered to stand and had experience that
would be helpful to the Governing Body.
It
was resolved that the Clerk complete and return the nomination form and also
write to Mrs Tatham thanking her for volunteering to stand.
116. Staffordshire Parish Councils’
Association with regard to four vacancies on the SPCA Executive committee to
serve until 2010. Nominations by 17 October. M. Alden-Court was already on the
Executive Committee until 2009.
No
nominations received.
117. Mr R. Levesley, Chief Executive
South Staffordshire Council, invited two Members to attend a visit to the
incinerator at Stoke on Tuesday 5 August in order that members could be made
more aware of the issues with regard the incinerator.
It
was resolved the Clerk confirm M. Alden-Court and Mr G. Martin would attend on
behalf of the Council. M. Alden-Court indicated that she did not wish to take
up the offer of transport from
118. Brewood Civic Society with regard
to their concerns as to the security of the ‘alleged’ footpath from Hillcrest
to Deansfield Road in the light of Staffordshire County Council’s intention to
sell off the land at Deansfield Road. Council already had a statement from Mr
M. Murphy (for the Director of Law and Governance, Staffordshire County
Council) regarding this matter – no such assurance could be given as this would
pre-judge the issue of the footpath.
It
was resolved that the Clerk write to Cllr Drinkwater of Staffordshire County
Council, highlighting this concern and seeking assurance that the land which
included the area of the footpath would not be included in any sale of land at
the Deansfield Road site. Letter to be copied to Cllr R. Roberts.
119. Staffordshire County Council
Temporary Road Traffic Regulation Order – Whitehouse Lane, Gunstone diversion
of vehicular traffic from its junction with Port Lane/Watery Lane to a point approximately
520 metres westbound. The Order will come into operation on 18 August.
Alternative route via Watery Lane, Elliots Lane, Wolverhampton Road, Bakers
Way, Wood Road, Chillington Lane, Whitehouse Lane and vice versa.
Matter
of report.
120. Brewood Parish Sports Association
enclosing the minutes of their AGM and Accounts breakdown 2007/2008. Matter of report.
121. Letter received from Mrs A. Jones
regarding an informal gathering at the BPSA grounds on 27 July. Cllr Ball and Mrs D.M. Holmes had been
contacted about the matter. Mr M. Webb
reported that permission had been granted for a barbecue to the families of the
Under 11 football team who had been cleaning the dressing rooms and picking up
litter and thereafter completing paperwork for next season. He pointed out that others also used the bins
and that the other allegations were unfounded.
It
was resolved that the Clerk write to the BPSA reminding them of their lease
responsibilities and requesting they investigate the matter further. The Clerk
to reply to Mrs Jones with regard to the action taken.
CORRESPONDENCE CIRCULATED:
Agenda and reports for the
meeting of South Staffordshire Council’s Regulatory Committee held on 15 July.
Agenda and reports for the
meeting of South Staffordshire Council’s Licensing Committee held on 15 July.
Agenda and reports for the
meeting of South Staffordshire Council’s Overview & Scrutiny Committee held
on 22 July.
Minutes and reports for the
meeting of South Staffordshire Council held on 29 July.
Brewood Civic Society copy
correspondence to South Staffordshire Council: planning application
08/00645/ADV, St Mary and St
Local Development Framework for
Village News.
122.
COUNTY COUNCIL REPORT:
The Council received the report of
County Councillor Rex Roberts who reported with regard to the Waste to Energy
facility (supporting reports supplied), Brewood Scouts and Youth Club, PCSOs,
123.
CHAIRMAN’S REPORT:
The
Council received the report of the Chair, Dr R.C.H. Taylor who stated that he
had attended 3 enjoyable days of music festival in Brewood. Dr Taylor made a
recommendation that a plaque be presented to The Reverend Clive Burgess who was
due to leave the parish in August.
It
was resolved the Clerk arrange for a plaque to be inscribed and Reverend
Burgess be invited to attend the next meeting of the Council.
124.
FINANCE REPORT:
The
Council received the Finance Report from the Head of Finance, Mrs L.E. Jones
and resolved the following matters:
·
The Financial Summary for the month of July
be approved.
·
The Budget and Project Lists for Q1 2008/2009,
copy circulated prior to the meeting, be received.
·
The payment to Allianz Cornhill of the
additional premium of £285.49 to provide a Fidelity Guarantee of £134,000 be
approved. This gave a total Fidelity Guarantee premium of £518 of a total
insurance cost of £2,885.26
·
The payment of the invoice from the Internal
Auditor, Mrs J. Pegg, of £518 for 28 hours work be approved. This had increased
from last years charge of £342 for 19 hours work. Clerk to report. Council also
received the Internal Auditor’s report, copy circulated prior to the meeting.
·
The request for payment from Coven Memorial
Hall of their grant of £2,200 for the year 2008/2009 be approved.
·
The renewal of the Clerk’s Membership of the
Society of Local Council Clerks at a cost of £129 be approved.
·
The payment to Mrs Y. M. Millward for
covering the duties of Mr D. Nicholls, gatekeeper to Coven Playing Fields on 1
to 3 August inclusive be approved. Clerk’s report referred.
·
The payment to Mr Mac Webb for covering the
duties of Mr D. Barker at the public conveniences in Sandy Lane, Brewood on 4
to 7 August inclusive be approved. Clerk’s report referred.
Also
note item 107.
A letter had been sent to Maythorne Construction
with regard to the excessive water charges at the public conveniences in
125.
PLANNING REPORT:
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.
126. CLERKS REPORT:
Council
received the written report of the Clerk. All matters had been dealt with
previously.
127. DISTRICT COUNCIL REPORT:
Council received the report of
the District Councillor Cllr I. Clay reported that the South Staffordshire
District Council has the fourth lowest level of Council Tax in the county and
that by 2020 it would have the largest number of residents aged over 85 in the
county.
ANY OTHER MATTERS OF REPORT:
None.
There being no other business the
meeting closed at 9.35p.m.
Clerk’s Report for the Meeting 31 July 2008
MATTERS ARISING
288** Coven Changing Rooms The Tender packs went out on time
to support a Tender Closing date of noon on 15 August. A meeting has been
arranged for 2.00pm at the Council Office to open the tenders received in the
presence of the Coven Changing Rooms committee, the Clerk and the Project
Manager Leon Beards - as approved at the meeting held 10 July.
347** Buildings – Scout Hut and Youth Provision Copy email and Staffordshire
County Council press release received from Peter Plowright – copies tabled for
Members. Cllr R. Roberts and Dr R.C.H. Taylor to report.
205*/250*
217* Bowling Club Site visit held 31 July to mark out proposed
site of
234* Standing Orders A ‘final draft’ has been returned
to us as requested but on checking the copy some corrections have still not
been actioned by Mr Arnold and the page spacing has caused some new errors.
Details to be returned to Mr Arnold for further correction.
307* Canal Bridge (Br 14), Near The Bridge Inn,
Brewood Further
to Mr Keeling’s letter confirming that the footbridge was the responsibility of
Staffordshire County Council I met Mr Gary Burgess of the Bridges Unit,
Staffordshire County Council who was assessing the work required and reported
that the south parapet, abutments and footbridge were their responsibility. He
would report back to his manager regarding the need for maintenance and
ascertain whether they could also possibly address the appearance of the road
side of the north aspect of the bridge whilst on site even though this was the
responsibility of British Waterways. I explained British Waterways preferred
option of removing the paint to reduce future maintenance.
377* Affordable Housing Email received from Mr Lancaster
since the proposed survey was circulated to Members recommending the last
question on the survey (reference cars) be changed to identify the part of the
Parish the applicant ‘lived in or nearest to’ and offering the four villages as
the choice of answers.
56. Bus Shelter, The Parade, Coven Site visit held with Coven
Members, Area Highways and the Assistant Clerk Mrs D. Poole on 28 July. It was
agreed that there was sufficient space to site a shelter. Members to consider
the style, size and orientation of the shelter – fold-down seating, closed side
to the road or the rear wall.
58. The Bront Reference the report received of a split
willow on The Bront to the rear of
URGENT
CORRESPONDENCE
Mrs A. Jones with regard to activities that
occurred at the Brewood Parish Sports Association ground on Sunday 27 July – copy
tabled to Members.
Members’ views.
Staffordshire County Council with regard to
the application for an energy to waste facility at Four Ashes. We are advised
that a report, to recommend a site visit and not, it assures, to determine the
application itself, is to be presented to the Planning Committee on 7 August.
We will be notified again in due course when they are in a position to make a
recommendation on the application to the Planning Committee. As we have
submitted written representations on this matter we have the opportunity to
speak to the County Council’s Planning Committee – one representative of the
Parish Council is allowed to speak for up to 5 minutes. If we wish to nominate
someone to speak on behalf of the Parish Council we need to inform Staffordshire
County Council by 4 August (the letter was received 31 July). Do Member’s wish to appoint a
representative to speak to the Planning Committee?
FINANCE
Additional Cover
Recommended
resolution: The cost of Mrs A. Y Millward covering the gate keeper duties of Mr
D. Nicholls for 3 days in August be approved up to a cost of £30 and the cost
of Mr M. Webb covering the janitorial duties of Mr D. Barker for 4 days in
August be approved up to a cost of £32.
OTHER MATTERS
PLAYING FIELDS –
Bishops Wood I
met with Mr Andy Cousins of South Staffordshire Council on 17 July on site to
discuss the requirements for a path over the boggy ground to the play area. The
specification (details on file, cost £1,100 exclu. VAT) would provide a wood
edged path with a brick dust top enabling the grass cutters to skim over it. Mr
Cousins advised it would be feasible to include a soakaway (est £200-£300) at a
later date if necessary. He would be able to do the work in September/October
and also recommended we erect fencing to the side of the swings area for
safety.
Parish Newsletter I will be putting together the
Parish Newsletter during August. If Members have any information they would
like included could they please let me know before the next meeting (14
August).
Annual Leave I will be on leave and not
contactable for 1 week from 4 August and 18-21 August. The Office will be open
from 9.30 until 12.30 as normal on these days. If on any other occasion I am
not in the office during August I am happy to be contacted on either my home
phone number or mobile number.