BREWOOD AND COVEN PARISH COUNCIL

WITH BISHOP’S WOOD AND COVEN HEATH

 

MINUTES OF THE MEETING OF THE COUNCIL HELD IN THE COUNCIL OFFICES, STAFFORD STREET, BREWOOD ON THURSDAY, 27 NOVEMBER 2008

 

PRESENT:

 

Mr F. Barrett, Mrs J. Carr, Cllr I. Clay, Mr D. Evans, Mrs D.M. Holmes, Mrs L.E. Jones, Mr G. Martin, Mrs A.Y. Millward, Dr R.C.H. Taylor, Mr M. Webb, Mr I. Westwood.

 

APOLOGIES:

 

Apologies were received from M. Alden-Court (illness), Cllr A. Ball (family commitment), Mrs K.A. Holmes (family commitment), Mrs J.C. Jeffries (illness)

 

IN ATTENDANCE:

 

Cllr R. Roberts

 

MINUTES:

 

The minutes of the meeting of the Council held 13 November and the meeting of the Traffic Management Committee held on 17 November were approved as being accurate records and duly signed.

 

DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST:

 

Cllr I. Clay declared that he would leave the meeting during planning matters. Mr D. Evans declared a personal interest in matters relating to St Mary and St Chad’s First School. Dr R.C.H. Taylor declared a personal and prejudicial interest in matters relating to traffic management with regard to Sandy Lane and Dean Street.

 

CRIME AND DISORDER ACT

 

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.

 

251.            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.

 

There were no matters arising from members of the public.

 

 

 

 

252.            POLICE REPORT

 

The Council received the written Police report.  PCSO Price had also requested that the Parish Council put a notice in the Parish Newsletter to remind residents not to leave valuables on show in their vehicles and to make sure their vehicles were secure.  He reported that a few sheds had been broken into on the Coven Road and that most of the property had been recovered and that he was keeping an eye on Coven Sun Shelter and store following incidents of graffiti. Mrs L.E. Jones reported that a resident of Lawn Lane, Coven had requested that a speed check be undertaken in Lawn Lane between from the chicane (down from the junction with Brewood Road) to the bridge.

It was resolved the Clerk follow up the request for a speed check with the police.

 

MATTERS ARISING:

 

288**    Coven Changing Rooms.

The next project review was scheduled for 1.30 pm on 17 December in the Council Office. Project manager L. Beards, contractor Simon Edwards and the Coven Changing Rooms Committee to attend. A reply had been received from HMRC with regard to the Council’s VAT query. A problem had arisen with regard to the proposal to install a septic tank. Clerk’s report referred.

It was resolved the Clerk inform the Project Manager and Contractor that the bricks had been approved by the Coven Changing Rooms Committee.

 

347**    Buildings – Proposal for New Development. Awaiting details concerning the ownership of Church House.  An email had been received from St Mary and St Chad’s First School which reported that Staffordshire County Council had registered an interest with the Land Registry for the land at the far end of the playground. Cllr R. Roberts agreed to investigate whether this was the case and the implications of such action. Mr D. Evans reported that the Parochial Church Council were also following the matter up further.  Matter of report.

 

347**       Buildings – Scout Hut and Youth Club Provision.

Mr G. Bott, Staffordshire County Council to produce a feasibility study of the various options considered. Letter received from Mr G. Bott enclosing minutes of the Steering Group meeting held 23 October, a separate copy was sent to Mr M. Webb. 

Matter of report.

 

72* / 151* Traffic Management.  The Council received the report of the Chair of the Traffic Management Committee, Mrs D. M. Holmes.

It was resolved that:

·    The Clerk write to St Dominic’s seeking their support in asking parents who drove their children to/from school to turn right at the bottom of Dean Street to come up Sandy Lane and visa versa. The Clerk to also suggest they may like to consider, as had other schools, working with their children to influence parents in their driving habits - an approach the Police had actively supported elsewhere.

·    A request be submitted to Area Highways for a raised kerb outside the Spar Shop in Stafford Street and the erection of bollard(s) on the pavement edge also outside the Spar to discourage drivers parking on the footway.

·    A further meeting of the Traffic Management Committee to be scheduled in January to discuss outstanding matters.

 

205*/250*    Coneybere Gardens. Awaiting action from South Staffordshire Housing Association to repair the road at Coneybere Gardens as agreed October 2007 – Councils reply to Mr G. Read sent 24 September 2008. The matter was discussed as part of the County Council report later in the meeting - Cllr Roberts reported that he had again spoken to Mr D. Wright who confirmed the Housing Association were still seeking contributions from individual homeowners as well as the Parish Council towards the cost of repairs and that County Highways would only take over the road once it had been brought up to County standards.  Mr G. Martin reported that home owners had not received letters requesting contributions towards the costs and queried the amount that individuals should pay given that some residents were on limited incomes and residents did not receive a reduction in Council Tax.

It was resolved that the Clerk write to the Housing Association requesting they confirm when the required repair work would be undertaken. The letter to also be copied to Cllr I. Clay who would also take up the matter. To be given further consideration at the Precept Meeting on 18 December.

 

217*      Proposals for a Bowling Green in the Parish. Letter received from P. Mullard formally requesting the Council confirm the £10,000 precepted for the bowling club would be available to the club when required (possibly in the next financial year).  Clerk to reply to the queries raised by Underhill Langley and Wright with regard to the proposed lease.

It was resolved the Clerk reply to confirm that £10,000, as precepted, would be made available to the club on request and if necessary this would be carried forward to the next financial year.

 

285*      Composting Site, Lawn Lane, Coven. Letter received from D. Armitage, head of Environmental Health (General), South Staffordshire Council confirming that the site was regulated by the Environment Agency and that following recent changes in legislation South Staffordshire Council could no longer apply its statutory nuisance powers, including those in respect of odour problems, to sites permitted for waste processes. They would continue to maintain an interest if there were problems affecting local residents but the primary responsibility to investigate and take action lay with the Environment Agency. Residents were advised to report unacceptable odours from the Simpro site to the Environment Agency’s Incident Number 0800 807060.

It was resolved that details of the report raised at the meeting of 30 October be forwarded to Roger Grainger at the Environment Agency.

 

324*      Portable Flashing Speed Warning Signs. Clerk to write to Staffordshire County Council with the recommendations approved 30 October.

Matter of report.

 

377*      Affordable Housing. Awaiting a reply from Ms U. Bennion to this Council’s query as to a definitive definition of ‘Local Connection’ in the light of Ms Rowley’s email. The Housing Needs Survey had been circulated to Members prior to the meeting. Members received the report of Mr Lancaster at a meeting held at 6.30pm in the Council Office on 27 November. Tony Price of South Staffordshire Housing Association also attended. Members were asked to consider the report and the information provided by Mr Lancaster.

It was resolved that the report be received and accepted by Council, that the report be referred to the Buildings Committee to consider and report back to Council. The report to be copied to South Staffordshire Council and Brewood Civic Society.

 

408* Croft House, Coven. Awaiting reply from South Staffordshire Enforcement Officer regarding their decision not to act on this property. Cllr Hampson to continue to pursue this matter.

Matter of report.

 

58.        The Bront. Clerk to seek quotes for the required tree works and path; support of Coven residents to be sought to form a community support group for the Bront; suitable grant opportunities and support from other organisations to be sought for implementing the Woodland Management Plan including display boards. Meeting scheduled with Mr Howard Medlicott to discuss the opportunities for The Friends of The Bront on 28 November at 10.00am in the Council Office. Coven Members had been notified. Matter of report.

 

61.        BT Review of Red Phone Boxes. Awaiting a reply from BT following their Red Phone Box consultation. Matter of report.

 

63.        Bench, Deansfield Road. Updated license received from South Staffordshire Housing Association. Quote for the purchase and installation of a new bench to be obtained.

Matter of report.

 

74.     Reduction of Green Bus Service. Letters sent to Mr D. Kidney MP, Sir P. Cormack MP, the Department of Rural Affairs and the Department of Transport stating that the responses received to date had been unsatisfactory and the Environment Agency appraising them of the matter. Letters also sent to Blymhill and Weston Under Lizard Parish Council and Lapley, Stretton and Wheaton Aston Parish Council seeking their support to make a joint effort to resolve the matter. Letter received from A. Hunt, Group Manager (Co-ordination and Contracts) Staffordshire County Council, in reply to the letter D. Kidney MP had forwarded to him, copy circulated to Members prior to the meeting. Sir Patrick Cormack had replied acknowledging receipt of the letter.  Cllr R. Roberts reported that Staffordshire County Council were still looking into the matter but that the main problems were a reduction in the level of Government grant and lack of usage of the bus service.

It was resolved that the Clerk write again to David Kidney MP and Sir Patrick Cormack explaining that this Council had been led to understand that the Government grants for rural transport had been cut contrary to information previously supplied and copied to them from the Department of Transport. Cllr Roberts indicated that he would pursue the matter further.

 

101.      Staffing Committee. Clerk to carry out the recommendations approved at the meeting held 30 October.

Matter of report.

 

102.      Access to Council Offices, Hand Rail. Letter sent to S. Clifton, South Staffordshire Council and copied to Dr P. Collins, Conservation Assistant confirming the Clerk’s conversation with regard to Dr Collins’ approval for a black powder-coated hand rail.

Matter of report.

 

190.      Street Light, Junction of Bargate Lane and Shop Lane. A copy of the correspondence held on this matter had been forwarded to Sir Patrick Cormack MP and copied to Cllr Roberts.

Matter of report.

 

207.      Footpaths, Coven. Letter sent to Area Highways requesting site visit with Coven Members to review the condition of footpaths (pavements) in the village. Meeting scheduled for Friday 5 December at 10.00am.  Coven Members to meet at The Parade, Coven. The Assistant Clerk, Mrs D. Poole would also attend.

Matter of report.

 

213.      Licensing Fees. Copies of correspondence received forwarded to the Community Council of Staffordshire, Sir Patrick Cormack MP, Mr D. Kidney MP, the Department of Culture, Media and Sport and Defra with covering letters seeking their support to reduce the license fees for the sale of alcohol and entertainment payable by village halls. Matter of report.

 

CORRESPONDENCE RECEIVED:

 

Letters, reports, and e-mails had been received from:

 

253.      Mr H. Jones, Landscape Planning Manager, South Staffordshire Council with regard to the measures they were taking, with Capita Symonds, to undertake a survey of all of their trees in order to locate their positions and condition to provide a robust and defendable tree inspection and management regime. He advised that the Parish Council should consider undertaking a similar exercise for trees on its own land at an approximate cost of £2.75 per tree. Clerk’s report referred. Mr M. Webb reported that a large Oak tree at the north end of the BPSA ground should be looked at.

It was resolved that Members advise the Clerk of any substantial trees that may need assessing and the Clerk ask S. Dores of South Staffordshire Council to report on the condition of the tree at the BPSA ground.

 

254.      John Perry, Chairman, BKV Working Group, Community Council of Staffordshire seeking any comments or suggestions from this Council for next year’s competition. Comments required for a meeting to be held early in December. Dr R.C.H. Taylor indicated that he had already written privately to Mr Perry on this matter.

Matter of report.

 

255.       South Staffordshire Council, notice of Temporary Road Closure for Coven Christmas Light: Brewood Road, Coven on 23 November, 2.00pm to 7.00pm.

Matter of report.

 

256.       South Staffordshire Council, notice of Temporary Road Closures for Brewood Christmas Lights: Market Place from Newport Street / Church Road to Bargate Street / Sandy Lane; Church Road from School Road to Market Place / Newport Street; Newport Street from School Road to Church Road / Market Place on 30 November, 10.00am to 7.00pm.

Matter of report.

 

257.      Brewood Civic Society with regard to the report that part of the playground and the corner of the building at St Mary and St Chad’s First School had been registered with Land Registry by Staffordshire County Council. They wished to be advised as to whether this affected the proposals presented by the Brewood Ideas Group.

It was resolved the Clerk reply stating Cllr R. Roberts had agreed to investigate the matter further and report back to Council.

 

258.       Staffordshire County Council with regard to a vacancy for a Local Authority Governor at St John’s CE First School, Bishops Wood. Nominations required by 1 December.

No nominations or recommendations had been received.

 

259.       Area Highways Temporary Road Traffic Order giving notice that vehicles would be prohibited from proceeding the length of Chambley Green, Coven from its junction with West Beeches for a distance of approximately 133 metres in a southerly direction to just before The Rainbow Public House on 12 December from 8.00am to 5.00pm.

Matter of report.

 

260.       NALC media release and briefing papers with regard to the support of Communities and Local Government for a National Programme and associated funding for the development of the role of town and parish councils in community empowerment

Matter of report.

 

CORRESPONDENCE CIRCULATED:

 

Agenda and reports for the meeting of South Staffordshire Council’s Executive held on 18 November 2008.

 

Agenda and reports for the meeting of South Staffordshire Council’s Regulatory Committee  held on 25 November 2008.

 

Brewood Civic Society minutes of the meeting held 17 November and copy correspondence to: S. Dores, South Staffordshire Council – AL/60/2008/CA Sycamore, The Mansions, 2 School, Road, Brewood; S. Frith – application 08/01009/FUL single-storey rear extension and new shop front and 8/01010/FUL & 08/01011/LBC Dean House 11A Dean Street; S. Kumar – 08/01073/FUL Summerhouse The Mansions, 2 School Road, Brewood; S. Poxon – concern at the delay in receiving replies from officers.

 

Coven Heath Community Association Newsletter.

 

West Midlands Planning Aid Service – Blueprint Newsletter; Your Guide to Local Health Services in South Staffordshire 2008/09; Invitation to book a presentation on local crime and community sentences.                                                   

 

261.      COUNTY COUNCIL REPORT:

 

The Council received the report of County Councillor Rex Roberts who advised Members that the County Council Planning Committee had given approval to the application for a waste to energy plant to be built at The Dell, Enterprise Drive, Four Ashes; that County had been informed by the Audit Commission that services to the people of Staffordshire had achieved the 4th best level of Local Government improvement out of 388 Councils in England; a contractor had now been chosen to build 10 new community fire stations for the Stoke and Staffordshire Fire and Rescue Service; following the Haringey child abuse case information had been requested and provided relating to Staffordshire.

 

262.      CHAIRMAN’S REPORT:

 

The Council received the report of the Chair, Dr R.C.H. Taylor who reported that he had written to Ryan Price to apologise for arriving so late to the Coven Christmas Lights switch on. 

 

263.       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 November be approved

·          The payment towards the phone expenses of Members and the Clerk at £20 each to a total £320 be approved

·          Members considered the recommendations of the meeting of the Chair Dr R.C.H. Taylor and the Head of Finance Mrs L.E. Jones with representatives of Brewood Christmas Lights Committee (copy circulated prior to the meeting) and resolved the following (Clerk’s report referred):

-       that the cost saved on terminating the rental on the garage in Sunset Close, Coven (£326/yr), where the Coven lights had been stored to date, be made available to Brewood Christmas Lights to the sum of £1,200 (over up to 2 years) towards the replacement of the existing Tungsten bulbs with LED. 

-       that Council determine, when setting the precept in December 2008, whether this was all to be made available in 2009/2010 or over 2 years.

-       that the Brewood Christmas Lights grant be increased to £2,250/yr with immediate effect for this and following years, to be in-line with the Coven Christmas Lights grant.

-       that should the Brewood Christmas Lights reserves fall to an unacceptable level on a future occasion then the committee should bring the matter to the attention of the Council raising their concerns prior to the Council’s precept meeting in December. Clerk to ensure details of all expenditure reported to date was made available to the committee prior to the precept meeting.

·          The quote for printing the Parish Newsletter by Trapeze at a cost of £225 including delivery and excluding VAT for 3,200 copies be approved.

·          The payments for delivering the Parish Newsletter be approved and an increased payment for delivering the Parish Guides also be approved (20% was added to the standard newsletter delivery costs) giving payments to Coven Newsletter Delivery Fund £132, Brewood Civic Society £132, B. Cumming of Bishops Wood £36 and Coven Heath Community Association £36, totalling £336.

·          The Annual Return as completed by the External Auditor (14 November) was received. The Annual Return was returned without any qualifications although attention was drawn to the inadequacy of the risk assessments and Council was advised to seek the advice of the Auditor. Work had already been undertaken over the last few weeks to improve the risk assessments carried out by Council and the supporting evidence – this would be brought to the attention of the Internal Auditor

·          The recommendations to vire funds from contingency to existing budget headings were approved. Report circulated prior to meeting. These recommendations had been reviewed by the Head(s) of Finance Mrs L.E. Jones and Mrs J. Carr.

·          The reports (listed below) supporting the Council’s Risk Assessments had been reviewed by the Heads of Finance Mrs J. Carr and Mrs L.E. Jones at the meeting held 12 November. The reports had then been circulated to Members prior to the meeting for further consideration in support of the Council’s risk assessments and subsequently approved at the meeting :

-       Report summarising the Risk Assessment papers attached

-       Risk Assessment – Procedures and Supporting Documents

-       Business Risk Assessment 2008

-       Risk Assessments Report 2008 Draft for Review

-       Internal Audit: Meeting the Standards and Characteristics of Effectiveness

-       Internal Audit Control Checklist

-       The Christmas Lights Risk Assessment proforma and Committee Record of Conformance proforma (both currently being undertaken)

            The Internal Audit Plan, Terms of Reference, Schedule of Internal Controls for Internal Audit were reviewed and approved at the meeting held 24 April and would be reviewed again prior to the Internal Auditor being appointed in 2009.

·          It was resolved that unspent grants for the Village Halls, Christmas Lights, BPSA and Coven Newsletter Delivery fund be carried forward to the next financial year.

 

264.      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.

 

Dr R.C.H. Taylor asked for it to be minuted that he had previously declared a personal and prejudicial interest in all planning matters relating to Dean Street and Sandy Lane at the meeting held 30 October but this had not been minuted at the time.

 

265.      CLERKS REPORT:

 

The Council received the written report of the Clerk and approved the schedule of meetings for 2009, copy circulated prior to the meeting. The following matters were resolved:

 

·          Mr M. Webb and the Clerk to meet with representatives of the Tennis Club to discuss the two quotes and the development plan previously supplied to Mr Webb

·          No further action required at this stage with regard the copy correspondence received from Coven Lights Committee

·          Salaries would no longer be reported in detail to Full Council meetings, information with regard to specific payments would be available from the Clerk outside the meeting

·          The request for a community notice-board on the rear of the Jubilee Hall to be deferred to the next meeting of the Council

·          The Clerk to write to Area Highways requesting a street light between Rushall House in School Road, Brewood and the junction with Newport Street

·          A set of playing field keys to be made available to PC Smith and PCSO Price.

 

266.       DISTRICT COUNCIL REPORT:

 

The Council received the report of the District Councillor I Clay who reported that he had presented a report on ethical procurement to the Executive Committee and that the findings had been accepted by them. He further reported that he had attended a seminar regarding new permitted developmental changes including travelling sites for Gipsies.  He advised Members that the only possible location for any new Council run sites would be in the Green Belt. Cllr Clay also provided details of Permitted Development Changes 2008 to be copied to all Members.

 

ANY OTHER MATTERS OF REPORT:  

267.      Enforcement, 42 Four Ashes Road, Brewood. Cllr A. Ball had indicated he wished to speak on this matter. The matter was deferred to the next meeting due to Cllr Ball’s absence.

All Members were reminded to bring an item for the buffet to be held after the precept meeting on the 18th December.

 

There being no further business the meeting closed at 9.00pm.

 

Clerk’s Report for the Meeting of the Council Held 27 November 2008

 

288*      Coven Changing Rooms It has come to light that the requirement to quote for the installation of a septic tank was not included in the plans submitted and approved by South Staffordshire Council.  The Project Manager is currently on holiday but I have queried with the architect as to how this arose. The advice from Building Control supports the concern already raised that the ground may not be suitable for a septic tank, this seems to be endorsed by the footings flooding as they were dug out in the first week. I am in contact with Peter Griffin of Nicol Thomas who is project managing the project in the interim and have instructed that, in the light of the letter and phone call from Building Control, no work towards the installation of a septic tank can now be undertaken. Chris Davies of Twigger Associates has emailed that he is investigating the feasibility of a cesspit solution. Matter of report.

 

253       Tree Surveys Having spoken to Howard Jones of South Staffordshire Council he has informed me that South Staffordshire Council have arranged for their own trees to be surveyed and mapped to a database so they can be sure of having an adequate tree maintenance programme. Obviously this is being done with health and safety in mind. The agency involved will be including trees with a diameter greater than 250mm or 300mm (to be confirmed) and reporting on any areas of concern / future maintenance recommendations. Members should consider whether this Council wishes to arrange for a similar tree audit to be undertaken for trees on Council land, in so doing it will also be necessary to ensure funding is available to undertake any work that may be brought to the Council’s attention.

 

257       Brewood Civic Society - St Mary and St Chad’s First School Diane Oliver has forwarded me (email) a copy of the plan showing the registered land but I do not have the required software to view the plan. I have queried this with Diane but not received a reply. I will endeavour to retrieve a copy of the plan from the Land Registry in due course.

 

Further Correspondence Received

- Bishops Wood Christmas Lights Committee inviting members to attend the Bishops Wood Christmas Lights event on Friday 12 December at St John’s Church commencing at 6.30pm. The choirs of St John’s CE First School and St John’s Church will be singing and mince pies, mulled wine and light refreshments will be available.

- Brewood Tennis Club – quote received to replace the windows at the Tennis Club changing rooms and a business plan with regard to the need to address other maintenance issues in relation to the courts and the changing rooms generally. Recommended resolution: Mr M. Webb review the report with the Clerk for consideration

- Coven Christmas Lights Committee – copy correspondence from the Coven Lights Committee to Vic Thwaite raising their concern that several lighting displays had not been erected in time for the lights event as requested. The letter states the committee will discuss the matter with Vic Thwaite at a later date. Members’ views.

 

Finance (263)

Accounts for Payment As previously recommended by the Head of Finance Mrs L.E. Jones the individual salary payments will no longer be tabled to Members and only the payments made to the Inland Revenue and Pension Services will be listed. Should any Member wish to see the detailed breakdown of salary payments these will be available in the accounts book where they are filed. This recommendation came from a training course organised by the SPCA with regard to budget setting and accounts which Mrs J. Carr and Mrs L.E. Jones attended with the Clerk.

 

Brewood Christmas Lights Although the report of the meeting states that the committee intend to replace the lights over the next four years at a total cost of £1,320 it has since been noted that the letter from Peter Plowright (13 March 2008) stated that 30% of the lights had been replaced in 2007 ‘at a cost of £545 and that the remaining bulbs will need to be replaced over the next two years.’ This would leave the remaining lights to be replaced presumably at a cost in the region of £1,100 (up to £1,200 allowing for a 5% increase).

 

Planning

The amended application 08/01009/FUL single-storey rear extension and new shop front at 13 Church Road, Brewood that was reviewed at the meeting held 13 November did not, we have since found out, include the amended plans. Dr Taylor drew this to my attention on 17 November and an updated response was forwarded to South Staffordshire Council – amended plans have now been forwarded with their apologies. The amended plans showed that the illuminated sigh had been moved further away from the neighbouring property but a new door was proposed to the left of the existing door. Concern was raised to South Staffordshire Council that this new door affected the visual balance of the building. The amended plans have been tabled.

 

Other Matters

Notice-board Jubilee Hall Mrs D. M. Holmes has asked that Council give consideration to a request from the Brewood Village Community Council to fund the replacement of the notice-board on the rear of the Jubilee Hall with a view to it becoming a community notice-board. It is estimated that this would cost in the region of £1,000 although thought needs to be given to the type of board in order that it may provide community access. Mrs Holmes has suggested that the Anonymous Donation Funds could be used. Recommended resolution: the matter be deferred to the next meeting of the Council as it was not on the published agenda.

 

Street Light, School Road, Brewood Mrs D.M. Holmes has received a complaint that the stretch of School Road from the corner after Rushall House (Twigger Associates)  to the junction with Newport Street, past the Methodist Church does not have a street light. Members’ views.

 

Access to Playing Fields With Council’s permission I will make keys available to PC Matt Smith and PCSO Adrian Price so that if necessary they may enter the playing fields once they have been locked for the night.

 

Youth Council / Forum I have spoken at length to Julie Jones, Youth Worker, Staffordshire County Council and Rachel Taylor of South Staffordshire Council with regard to the current arrangements for a Youth Forum and a Youth Council. Brewood Youth Forum meet at the Youth Club and two representatives attend the Youth Council that is organised by South Staffordshire Council where District wide strategies are discussed and those present use the opportunity to network and share ideas to bring back to their respective Youth Forums. I have agreed with Julie and Rachel as to how the Parish Council and Jamie Porter can best work with the existing structure, have emailed Jamie and am waiting to hear from him. Jamie has already been to the Youth Club to meet Julie Jones. Matter of report.

 

Newsletter tabled for Members to proof read and approve.

 

Coven Members are reminded that the following meetings are scheduled:

-       Friday 28 November 10.00am, Council Office. Howard Medlicott ref. Friends of The Bront

-       Site visit Friday 5 December at 10.00am with David Wright of Area Highways. To meet at The Parade, Brewood Road, Coven. Mrs D. Poole will also attend.