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,
Cllr I. Clay, Mr D. Evans, Mrs D.M. Holmes, Mrs J.C. Jeffries, Mr G. Martin, Dr
R.C.H. Taylor, Mr M. Webb, Mr I. Westwood.
APOLOGIES:
Mrs J. Carr – holiday, Mrs K. A. Holmes –
holiday, Mrs L. E. Jones – holiday,
Mrs A. Y. Millward – holiday, the Clerk Mrs
S. Groom – holiday.
IN ATTENDANCE:
Cllr R. Roberts O.B.E.
In the absence of the Chair, the Vice-Chair
Dr R. C. H. Taylor Chaired the meeting.
Dr Taylor welcomed Cllr R. Roberts O.B.E., Mrs Roberts and members of
the public.
MINUTES:
The
minutes of the meeting of the Staffing Committee held 12 March were approved as
being an accurate record and duly signed. The minutes of the Full Council held
13 March 2008 were approved as being an accurate record and duly signed subject
to the following amendments being noted: page 210 - the meetings of the Traffic
Management Committee and the Standing Orders Committee should have read 31
March not May; item 377 Affordable Housing - Mr D. Evans left the Council room
during this item; item 419 delete the word ‘be’ in last sentence.
DECLARATIONS
OF INTEREST:
M. Alden-Court declared a personal and
prejudicial interest in the NALC Conference and Coven Luncheon and Sunday Club
both on the Financial Report.
Mr D. Evans declared a personal and
prejudicial interest in planning application 08/00280/FUL – lived near by.
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.
428.
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
Ian Gillespie, Group Chairman, 2nd Group Scouts expressed concerns
that they had not been officially notified by Staffordshire County Council that
the scouts would be required to vacate their premises by 1st April
2009. This had been reported at the Buildings Committee meeting on 6th
March. Mr Patrick Jones, Group Leader of
2nd Group Scouts also expressed his concerns. They asked for the
Parish Council’s support in making sure that they will not be left without any
premises. Cllr R. Roberts O.B.E.
reported that the money made by selling the site would go towards a new dual
purpose building planned at Brewood Middle School and he would do all he could
to make sure that the scouts were not left without premises.
It was resolved that the Clerk write to
Staffordshire County Council re-affirming this Council’s support for the scouts
and their work and requesting that they be allowed to stay on the site until
suitable premises were found, in view of past written and verbal commitments
that had been made by the County Council.
The Chair, Dr R. C. H. Taylor apologised to Cllr A.
Ball for not welcoming him back after his illness.
M.
Alden-Court reported that the donation given to the Coven Luncheon and Sunday
Club had been requested from the Donation Fund and not from public money.
It was resolved that the Clerk look into the
matter and report back to the Council at the next meeting.
429.
POLICE REPORT
None was received.
MATTERS ARISING:
288** Coven Changing Rooms.
Redevelopment of Coven’s old
changing rooms to a sun shelter/ community seating area – Clerk’s report referred.
Work began week commencing 24 March.
Matter
of report.
New build of changing rooms –
information was still being sought as to the Football Foundation’s expectations
with regard to the paragraph on “security” of the Football Foundation Grant
Terms and Conditions. Clerk’s report referred.
It
was resolved that the Clerk seek the outstanding clarification from the
Football Foundation or, if this is not forthcoming, seek a deferment of the
grant acceptance form being signed and returned. The Clerk to also obtain
feedback from South Staffordshire Council.
347** Buildings – Proposal
for New Development. Meeting of stake holders to be arranged to discuss
the proposals tabled by the Brewood Ideas Group. Mr Peter Plowright, secretary
to Brewood Scouts had called in to the office to express his concern as to any
future base for the Scouts and associated groups to operate from in the light
of the news that the Youth Club had advised the Parish Council that they would
have to vacate the
Matter of report.
72 and 151 Proposals for a
One-way System. Meeting of the Traffic Management Committee
scheduled for 10.30am on 31 March. Awaiting replies from the schools in Brewood
with regard to the travel arrangements of their pupils.
Matter of report.
217. Proposals for a
Matter of report.
234. Review of Standing
Orders. Meeting of the Standing Orders Committee scheduled for 12 noon on 31
March.
It was resolved to ratify the dates of the Standing Orders.
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 the subsequent site visit the
Clerk Marion Kennedy had contacted us to say she was still awaiting a report
from Highways detailing their proposals.
Matter of report.
377. Affordable
Housing,
The Assistant Clerk, Mrs V. Turner reported that Ms Ursula Bennion had agreed to April 24 but Mr John Lancaster was away until April 3. It was resolved to provisionally book the meeting for April 24.
421. Staffing. Mrs D. Poole
had formally accepted the position of Assistant Clerk and would start on April
28 although she was available some afternoons/Friday mornings before this.
It was resolved that the Clerk contact Mrs Poole to arrange some dates prior to April 28.
425. Recognition,
Community Volunteers. Letter received from Mrs M. Wootton (Clerk’s report
13 March) of Coven asking that the Council consider “honouring the volunteers
who work with children in our villages eg. Mothers and Toddlers group, Beavers,
Cubs, Scouts, Rainbows, Brownies and Guides…… to show that we really appreciate
all their efforts.” Deferred from the previous meeting for Members to consider
the matter further.
It was resolved that the idea be
agreed in principle and be deferred to the next meeting for members to
consider.
Mr F.
Barrett reported that after many complaints about the grass cutting along the
A449 at Coven Heath, the encroachment of grass across the footpath by the
layered hedge had been dug out and re-surfaced by the Highways department. It
was now very neat and had never looked better. Matter of report.
CORRESPONDENCE RECEIVED:
Letters, reports, and e-mails had
been received from:
430.
Rotary
Club of Brewood and District with regard to the Christmas Lights 2007. Copy circulated
prior to the meeting.
It
was resolved the matter be deferred to the next meeting of the Council to
enable the Clerk to obtain more information and to request a full set of
accounts appertaining to the event. The
Clerk to also set up a meeting with the Chair, Mrs L.E. Jones and the
Vice-Chairman, Dr R. C. H. Taylor to discuss the matter.
431.
South
Staffordshire Council requesting Parish Councils appoint a Parish Youth
Champion to enable the Parish to “fully participate in initiatives being
developed to improve opportunities at a local level”. Copy circulated prior to
the meeting.
It was resolved that the Chair,
Mrs L.E. Jones and Mr F. Barrett would talk to the School Council at Brewood
Middle School and Mrs J.C. Jeffries would talk to Wolgarston High School.
432.
Staffordshire
County Council enclosing a DVD and CD-ROM with regard to the new Local
Government Pension Scheme. As of April the employer and employee contributions
would change – details of the new contributions would be made available to the
employees affected and the Council at the April meeting.
It
was resolved that the DVD / CD-ROM be made available to Mrs S. Groom, Mr D.
Barker and Mrs V. Turner who would process the pension payments.
433.
Community Council of Staffordshire with regard to
research on the effectiveness of Parish Plans and enclosing a questionnaire.
Completion date 28 March. The Clerk had not had time to complete the
questionnaire prior to taking annual leave – Members were sought who had been
involved with the Parish Plan and who felt they could respond to the
questionnaire.
It was resolved that the
Vice-Chairman, Dr R. C. H. Taylor would complete the questionnaire with the
help of Mr Peter Jackson who was involved with the Parish Plan.
434.
Audit Commission notifying the Council of the
appointment of Jackie Bellard as our External Auditor for the financial years
2007/08 to 2011/12.
Matter of report.
435.
SPCA notice of forthcoming training – April 23
Welcome New Councillor Level 2 Module 1; April 30 Chairmanship Skills Module 1;
15 May Working Smarter – Microsoft Word (3 Sessions to choose from 10-12, 2-4
and 7-9); 20 May Welcome New Councillor Level 2 Module 2; 11 June Chairmanship
Skills Module 2; 24 June Welcome New Councillor Level 2 Module 3; 10 July
Chairmanship Skills Module 3; 31 July Chairmanship Skills Module 2. Unless
stated otherwise all events are from 7pm to 9pm, £20 for the first delegate and
£10 for subsequent delegates registering for the same event.
It was resolved that any Members
wishing to attend any modules would notify the Clerk.
436.
Staffordshire
County Council notice of diversion the length of
Matter
of report.
437.
Staffordshire
Council notice of diversion the length of
Matter
of report.
438.
Samaritans,
Stafford Branch thanking this Council for the donation made towards their
running costs.
Matter
of report.
CORRESPONDENCE CIRCULATED:
Agenda and reports for the meeting of South
Staffordshire Council’s Health and Scrutiny Panel to be held 20 March.
Agenda and reports for the meeting of South
Staffordshire Council’s Community and Environmental Services Scrutiny Panel to
beheld 27 March.
Agenda and reports for the meeting of South
Staffordshire Council’s Regulatory Committee to be held 1 April.
Sustainable Staffordshire – What Can You Do?
Town and Parish Standard – newsletter, the
Standards Board for
Speaking Out –
From Time 2 Time – Archive Service
Newsletter.
Fire Service Safety Partnership – new
legislation training.
Watchdog Alerts – Bogus Water Authority
Callers, Lunar Eclipse Email Warning, Double Glazing Con.
Countryside events, walks on Cannock Chase:
9, 23, 24 and 30 March. Further details available.
Forestry Commission
Opportunities.
439.
COUNTY COUNCIL REPORT:
The Council received the report
of County Councillor Rex Roberts who reported on: the Single Status and Job
Evaluation which would be costing the County Council £113 million excluding
school personnel; the U-turn by the County Council Cabinet with regard to the
number of County Farms to be sold off; the Integrated Asset Development Scheme-
bids had been invited; the Waste to Energy Plant at Four Ashes – no decisions had
been made yet; County Councillors Allowances - £912,622 plus travelling
expenses; Local Members Initiative Fund – he had distributed £50,000 in the
past five years in the Brewood Division. The Chair thanked Cllr Rex Roberts
O.B.E. for all his help in the past.
Mr F. Barrett queried whether the
large tract of land that had been flattened at Four Ashes was the site for the
Waste to Energy Plant as many mature trees had been felled. Cllr R. Roberts replied that the site would
be further along the road. Cllr I. Clay
reported that he would check on the planning application for the site and
report back to the Council.
440.
CHAIRMAN’S REPORT:
None was given.
441.
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 March
be approved.
·
the rental for the grazing land (comprising
of 16 allotments) be increased by 2.5%. Rental was currently charged at
£150 and had not been increased for in excess of 5 years.
·
the expenses for M. Alden-Court to be
incurred in attending the NALC Conference: three nights bed, breakfast and
evening meal at £141 (£47 per night) plus mileage at 40p per mile, 424 miles
return costing £169.60 be approved.
·
a request from Coven
Luncheon and Sunday Club for photocopying up to the value of £20 was withdrawn.
·
the request from the Clerk Mrs S. Groom to
attend a seminar on producing a CiLCA Portfolio, organised by SPCA on Thursday
17 April from 2.00pm to 4.00pm at a cost of £20 be approved. Preparations
for the Annual Parish Meeting the same evening would be made beforehand.
·
a request for a grant
from the Staffordshire Branch of the Campaign to Protect Rural England be
refused as one had been made in October 2007.
·
The payment of the
charges submitted by Mr Frank Humphries, copy circulated prior to the meeting
of 13 March, had been deferred to allow the matter to be investigated further
as Members understood there was to be no charge. It was recommended this matter
be deferred until the next meeting of the Council when the matter would have been
investigated further. It was resolved that the Chair and the Vice-Chair
investigate further and approve payment if necessary.
·
the registration of the Clerk for the CiLCA
course be ratified. The registration fee of
£70 was paid with the agreement of the Chair at the request of the Clerk in the
light of information received at the Practitioners conference she attended at
the end of February.
442.
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. Cllr
A. Ball abstained from voting on planning application 08/00280/FUL.
South Staffordshire Council notice of appeal
by Mr C. Edwards against the refusal of SSC to grant planning consent for a
single garage, minor amendments to planning consent for a dwelling 06/01066/FUL
granted on appeal 15 June 2006, the retention of existing windows and the
omission of a bin collection platform at
It was resolved
that the Clerk write confirming the Parish Council’s previous comments.
443. CLERKS REPORT:
The
Council received the written report of the Clerk and the Assistant Clerk, Mrs
V. Turner.
444. DISTRICT COUNCIL REPORT:
The Council received the report
of the District Councillor Ivor Clay and noted that at the Regulatory Meeting
next Tuesday the planning application for Gable Croft,
ANY OTHER MATTERS OF REPORT:
445. The
Avenue, Chillington Estate. Mr F. Barrett reported that there were many fallen trees and
branches along the
It
was resolved that the Clerk write to the Chillington Estate about this matter
and forward a copy of the letter to the footpaths officer at Staffordshire
County Council.
There being no other business the
meeting closed at 8.55 p.m.
Clerk’s Report for the Meeting of the
Council Held 27 March 2007
Coven Old Changing
Rooms Revised
quote for £11,200 and specification received from Ace Kind for the new design
agreed at the recent site visit. The original quote was for £11,355. On
discussing the quote with Leon Beards he was concerned that this was not a
sufficient reduction in costs and has subsequently negotiated the quote down to
£10,000 (reduced £800 by painting internal store room walls rather than
plastering). Initially South Staffordshire Council said we would have to apply
for planning approval for the new design but on further discussion retracted
this – confirmation from SSC to be supplied in writing. With the agreement of
the Chair and Head of Finance the quote has been accepted and an order placed
with conditions (letter detailing conditions on file). The builders have commenced work this week.
Coven
New Changing Rooms Having
discussed the concerns about the Football Foundations “security” paragraph with
SPCA they have advised we seek advice from a solicitor or legal representatives
at South Staffordshire Council prior to signing the grant acceptance. With the
agreement of John Goodall of South Staffordshire Council I have forwarded the
papers to him in the expectation that Rolf Levesley may have an opportunity to
comment. If the agreement is not going to be signed and returned by 7 April it
will be necessary to obtain written approval from the FF in order to defer
signing the acceptance beyond 7 April. A meeting is scheduled for April 4 with
Leon Beards, Kevin Twigger (Architect) and the Changing Rooms Committee to
discuss roles, responsibilities and the drawings for the tender process.