BREWOOD AND COVEN PARISH COUNCIL
WITH
BISHOP’S WOOD AND COVEN HEATH
MINUTES FOR THE MEETING OF THE COUNCIL HELD IN THE COUNCIL
OFFICES,
PRESENT
Cllr A. Ball, Mr F. Barrett, Mrs J. Carr, Mr
D. Evans, Mrs D.M. Holmes, Mrs J.C. Jeffries, Mrs L.E. Jones, Mr G. Martin, Mrs
A.Y. Millward, Mr M. Webb, Mr I. Westwood.
APOLOGIES:
M. Alden-Court (holiday), Dr R.C.H. Taylor
(holiday), Cllr I. Clay (SSHA AGM), Mrs K.A. Holmes (family commitments).
Cllr
M.R. Hampson, PCSO A. Price.
MINUTES:
The
minutes of the meetings of: the Council held 14 August; the Staffing Committee
held 14 August; Coven Changing Rooms Committee held 15 and 26 August were
approved as being accurate records and duly signed.
DECLARATIONS
OF INTEREST:
Mr I. Westwood declared a non-pecuniary and
personal interest in planning application 08/00869/FUL. Mr M. Webb declared a
personal interest in planning application 08/00869/FUL and item 121 BPSA. Mrs
A.Y. Millward declared a personal interest in planning applications
08/00873/FUL and 08/00885/FUL. Mrs D.M. Holmes declared a personal interest in
planning application 08/00873/FUL.
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 will have any adverse impact
for the purposes of the Crime and Disorder Act.
144.
PUBLIC PARTICIPATION
The
Chair 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.
The
Chair congratulated Mr D. Evans on the birth of his first granddaughter.
A
resident of Brewood regarding The Three Stirrups Public House, Brewood. The resident wished to make Council aware of
recurrent incidents of violent and disorderly behaviour after licensing hours
and the problem of cigarette ends littering the area outside. The police had
been made aware of the situation. Cllr A. Ball reported that he had received
similar complaints from other residents. Cllr M. Hampson advised PCSO Price
that South Staffordshire Council would require an official letter from the
police advising them of any concerns, as these would be taken into account when
reviewing the landlord’s license. Cllr
Hampson also asked that Council write a letter, on behalf of the Parish with
regard to the concerns raised.
It
was resolved that the Clerk write to South Staffordshire Council with regard to
the concerns raised.
145.
POLICE
REPORT
Council
received the written Police report from PCSO Price. Although not due until the last meeting of
the month PCSO Price had supplied a report for circulation at the meeting. He reported that any matters perceived to be
missing from the report might currently be under Police investigation.
MATTERS ARISING:
288** Coven Changing Rooms.
Council had received the minutes
of the Coven Changing Rooms Committee meetings of 15 and 26 August and the
report of the Clerk with regard to the borrowing approval and loan options for
the changing rooms – circulated prior to the meeting. The Clerk reported that HMRC had now confirmed that they would
reply to the Council’s letter of 18 July before the end of September (15
working days from 3 September).
It
was resolved that:
·
the recommendation of Coven
Changing Rooms Committee to accept, subject to sourcing the balance of funding,
Tender C at a construction cost of £138,898.59 excluding VAT be approved.
·
the recommendation of Coven
Changing Rooms Committee to apply for Borrowing Approval to the DCLG (via the
SPCA) for either £59,000 or £88,000 (reference tables A2 and B2 in the Clerk’s
report on the Coven Changing Rooms) subject to the outcome of the reply awaited
from HMRC and the Council’s position with regard to recovering the VAT. In view
of the delay from HMRC this would now be £88,000.
·
that on successful application
for Borrowing Approval then a loan be sought from the Public Works Loan Board
for up to £59,000 or £88,000 subject to the outcome of the reply awaited from
HMRC and the Council’s position with regard to recovering the VAT.
·
that Council vire £8,000 from the
Loan Repayments budget 2008/2009 to the Sunshelter / Store Room budget.
The Clerk further reported that
the SPCA required a copy of the approved set of minutes before they could
forward the borrowing approval application. To wait until the next meeting of
25 September would delay the application, and therefore the ability of the
Council to appoint the contractor before the end of October as required.
It
was resolved that on this occasion the Chair, in the absence of the Chair then
the Vice Chair Mrs D.M. Holmes, and the Head of Finance Mrs L.E. Jones be given
authority to approve the page of the minutes specific to this item only, as
soon as it became available, in order to avoid delaying the project further. A
full set of approved minutes would also be forwarded to the SPCA after the
meeting of 25 September.
347** Buildings – Proposal
for New Development. Awaiting details concerning the ownership of Church
House. Reply received from The Venerable Chris Liley confirming he had forward
the letter to Mr Colin Hopkins, Diocesan Board of Education, to follow-up the
matter with Mr Steve Rayner, School Building Officer.
Matter of report.
347** Buildings – Scout Hut and Youth Club
Provision. Three points had arisen:
·
Mr
Richard Coggins, Staffordshire County Council inviting a representative to a
meeting on 3 September to discuss the future of Youth Provision in Brewood. In
the absence of Mr D. Evans (who was at work) Mr M. Webb attended on behalf of
the Council (M. Alden-Court who also expressed an interest was also unavailable
to attend).
·
South
Staffordshire Local Strategic Partnership, South Staffordshire Council inviting
a representative of the Council and the Clerk to a meeting on 17 September at
Brewood Jubilee Hall to discuss Youth Provision in Brewood – for consistency
and in the absence of Mr D. Evans, Mr M. Webb and the Clerk would attend. The
Youth representative for the Parish Jemma Reid and Mr P. Plowright had also
been invited to attend.
·
Letter
also received from Cllr Robert
Simpson, Deputy Leader, Staffordshire
County Council with regard to the sale of land at
Cllr M. Hampson
reported that he had attended the meeting on 3 September at which 4 locations
(including the present site) had been identified as possible sites for youth
groups.
72* / 151* Traffic
Management. Awaiting detailed drawings of the recommendation to construct two
‘build-outs’ in
It was resolved that before a further meeting of the Traffic Management Committee was scheduled the Clerk produce a summary report to consolidate the concerns previously raised, recommendations made, actions agreed and taken to date.
205*/250*
It was resolved that the Clerk
write to the Housing Association setting out the terms of this original agreement
and asking when the Housing Association would expect the repairs to be
undertaken.
217* Proposals for a
Matter of report.
234* Review of Standing
Orders. Awaiting return of the corrections that Mr Arnold had failed to action on
the previous request. Members were asked to approve the changes made to
Standing Orders as identified by the Standing Orders Working Party and as
defined by the report circulated prior to the meeting.
It was resolved that the changes as recommended by the Standing Orders Working Party be approved and on receipt of a satisfactory copy from Mr Arnold the Clerk to arrange for new copies of Standing Orders to be produced and circulated to all Members.
301* Road Conditions, Lawn Lane. Notice of Inquest Arrangements received
from the Coroner for Staffordshire (South) District regarding the fatality that
occurred in
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. The chain to be collected on 15 September for
engraving work to be carried out at a cost not in excess of £60 including
collection/delivery. Vaughton’s to
advise on display case.
Clerks report referred.
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. Housing
Survey questionnaires circulated to all residents in the Parish during the
first week of September. Reply received from Ms U. Bennion, Central Borders Housing Group with regard to the
Council’s Rural Exception Sites query and youth provision. Ms Bennion stated
that the addition of other facilities was a possibility and advised that the
Association would be happy to work with the Parish to try to provide youth and
scouting services, however the feasibility of such a project would depend on
site location, size of site, highway issues and the question of funding. She suggested the matter be discussed further
once the results of the housing needs survey had been compiled. Matter of report.
408* Croft House, Coven. Mr Burton-Pye had sent an email reply to the
Assistant Clerk’s letter regarding the scaffolding around Croft House. He reported that following discussions with a
structural engineer who considered that the building was subject to movement,
scaffolding had been erected to prevent any further disturbance of the fabric
of the building. He reported that he was
only able to act within certain powers pertaining to his department. Following
Council’s concerns regarding the safety of the scaffolding Mr Burton-Pye had
sent a copy of his email to Steve Poyser, who had responsibility for dangerous
structures. Cllr M. Hampson stated that
he would pursue the matter further.
Matter of report.
448* Public footpath from
It was resolved that a copy of the report be forwarded to Mr Brian Jones of Newport Street with a letter thanking him for his support on this matter.
32. Play Equipment,
56. Bus Shelter, The Parade, Coven. Coven Members
to consider the type and orientation of the bus shelter. Letter received from
Mrs D. Chalstrey,
It was resolved that Members would make a decision on the type of shelter required when they attended the meeting on 17 September to also discuss item 58 The Bront.
58. The Bront. Coven Members
to meet in September to produce Woodland Management Plan. Clerk to produce a
report from the site visit held with Cllr I. Clay with regard to damaged trees
and seek quotes for the work. Clerk’s report referred.
It was
resolved Coven Members would meet at 10.00am on 17 September at the Council
Office to discuss a
60. Public Participation –
Arriva Bus Service. Reply received from Arriva following this Council’s
concerns raised in June with regard to services failing to pick up passengers.
Copy enclosed – although the reply refers to dates in July, these were in fact
incidents that occurred in June. Letter also received from the Vehicle and
Operator Services Agency with regard to this matter. VOSA advised that they
would contact Arriva Midlands North to bring the failings to their attention
and to seek assurances that steps had been taken to prevent reoccurrence of the
problems. Matter of report.
61. BT Review of Red Phone Boxes. Although the
consultation was still ongoing with regard to the future of the red phone boxes
highlighted by BT for review BT had introduced ‘Adopt a Kiosk’ and ‘Sponsor a
Kiosk’ Schemes whereby the box could be left in situ with either no phone
inside or alternatively the Parish Council could pay £500 per year towards
retaining the service. BT required an ‘Adopt a Kiosk’ application to be noted
in the Final Notification that would be sent to BT. Also received from South
Staffordshire Council the First Notification of BT’s proposed removal of pay
phones in South Staffordshire. South
Staffordshire Council objected to the closure of 20 telephone boxes in
It was resolved the Clerk pursue retaining the phone box complete with payphone and not declare an interest at this stage in adopting the kiosk in case it should jeopardise the original application.
63. Bench,
Matter of report.
74. Reduction of Green Bus
Service. Department for Transport in response to our letter regarding the
withdrawal of local bus services. They
stated that the Government was committed to improving bus services throughout
the country with initiatives such as The Rural Bus Subsidy Grant 1998/9, the
Transport Act 2000 and a review in 2007 that led to the Local Transport
Bill. These measures were designed to
give local authorities a mix of powers to improve the quality of local bus
services and it was up to individual authorities to decide which services were
most appropriate for support in their respective areas. The Clerk reported that
Mrs Poole and Mrs Cumming were assessing the revised bus timetables to
determine their relevance to local requirements and any specific shortfalls.
Their report would be circulated prior to the next meeting. Matter of report.
85. Adult Accommodation
Charges, Staffordshire County Council.
Reply received from Staffordshire
County Council with regard to Adult Accommodation Charges for 2008/9. They advised that the charges were reviewed
annually and take into account inflation and other increases in costs. The charges had not risen since April 2006
and the Council had faced significant rises in its costs since then. Matter of report.
101. Staffing Committee. Clerk to obtain details regarding the Council’s Sickness and Absence Policy and update draft contracts as per minutes of 14 August. Once these papers were available a further meeting of the Staffing Committee would be scheduled to review the redrafted contracts. Matter of report.
102. Access to Council Offices, Hand Rail. Ace Kind had been contacted to provide a quote for erecting an appropriate handrail. The Clerk reported she would seek written confirmation as to whether planning approval would be required, the office being in the conservation area. Matter of report.
106. Improvements to the Police Report. The Assistant Clerk, Mrs D. Poole had researched information provided to other Parish Councils – generally similar, some provided more text but did not necessarily provide any more facts. Reports outside Staffordshire listed the date, time and nature of reported crimes but offered little or no more information and it was noted that only the crimes that ‘are for public discussion’ had been listed. Some reports were used more like the Neighbourhood Watch Newsletter which gave advice and possible areas of risk (put cars in your garage for example). No further recommendations were made for the Police reports. Matter of report.
117. Waste 2 Energy
Site. Letter received from Staffordshire County Council with regard to a
planning report presented to the Planning Committee on 4 September – the
purpose of the report was to recommend that a site visit, for the County
Council, take place. Email received from Mr J. Gale, Secretary of Stafford and
Stone Green Party referencing a number of reports regarding this matter. Copy circulated
prior to the meeting. Cllr A. Ball reported
that the matter had been rejected by South Staffordshire Council on the grounds
that it was too big, imposed on the Green Belt and it would be visible from a
large area. It was further noted that waste would have to be imported from
other areas if the site was to remain profitable. Cllr M. Hampson reminded
Members that Staffordshire County Council were the planning authority on this
matter. Matter of report.
121. BPSA – Letter of Complaint.
Dr T. Wynne Jones, Brewood
Parish Sports Association with regard to the letter of complaint received from
Mrs A. Jones following an event on 27 July.
BPSA had contacted Brewood Junior Football Club for their comments about
the complaint. Copy correspondence received from Mr A. Blakeway, Brewood Junior
Football Club, Under 12’s Manager to Dr T. Wynne-Jones, copy circulated prior
to the meeting.
It was resolved that Council would not pursue the matter further.
132. ‘Closing the Gaps for Communities Fund’ This Fund was only appropriate to 3rd Sector applicants which did not include Parish Councils. The Clerk reported that another source of funding had been identified which may be appropriate for some form of ‘ring and ride’ service as requested at the previous meeting. The feasibility of this would be investigated further. Matter of report.
135. Application for
Premises Licence - Coopers Fine Foods, 4 The Parade, Coven. South
Staffordshire Council providing notice of the Hearing of the application on 24
September at 10.00am at The Council Office, Codsall. Council were required to
give notice in writing as to whether a representative of this Council intended
to attend or be represented at the Hearing and whether this Council considered
a Hearing to be necessary – reply required by 17 September. Copy correspondence
received from E.J. Thomas to South Staffordshire Council noting their concerns
relating to this application.
It was resolved the Clerk reply confirming no one would attend from or on behalf of the Council.
Mrs J.C. Jeffries left the
meeting at 9.00pm due to Ofsted commitments, Cllr M. Hampson also left at
9.00pm citing other commitments.
141. Planning report – Horse Chestnut, Rear of Brewood Library. Mr S. Dores had confirmed that he would inspect the tree prior to preparing his report for the Landscape Planning Manager to determine. Matter of report.
CORRESPONDENCE RECEIVED:
Letters, reports, and e-mails had
been received from:
146. South Staffordshire Council with
regard to the S.S.C. Local Development Framework Development Policies
Consultation Paper – August 2008. An exhibition would be held at the Council
Office in Brewood on Tuesday 16 September between 3.00pm and 7.00pm. Comments
required by 26 September.
It
was resolved that the matter be deferred to the next meeting for Members views.
147. South Staffordshire Council with
regard to the next Parish Summit to be held 6 November at the Council Offices
in Codsall. The day would cover
It
was resolved that the Dr R.C.H. Taylor the Clerk, Mrs S. Groom attend.
148. South Staffordshire Council
enclosing a poster to publicise the new Code of Conduct for Councillors –
Complaints Process. Copies would be circulated to notice-boards in the Parish.
Matter
of report.
149. Brewood Parish Sports Association
seeking the Council’s view on their proposal to install boarding along the
hedge adjacent to the northern boundary of their ground – a series of 8ft long
x 4ft high boards with a 2ft space between each, mounted on wooden stakes in
front of the hedge was proposed. The objective would be to avoid losing
expensive match balls into the hedge and it may be possible to persuade local
companies to use these boards for advertising thus generating a modest but
welcome income.
It
was resolved the Clerk reply confirming that Members had no objection to the
proposal for fences to be erected subject to relevant planning permission being
obtained and the boards being painted in a suitable colour.
150. St Dominic’s School Prize Giving
evening 25 September, 7.30 at St Dominic’s, Brewood. Neither the Chair nor Vice
Chair of Council is available to attend.
It
was resolved that the Clerk reply giving the apologies of the Chair and
explaining there was a Council meeting the same evening.
151. Dr & Mrs Morris,
152. David Kidney MP inviting for a representative
of the Council to attend a Retail Business Support seminar on 30 September 2008
at 7.00pm at County Buildings, Martin Street, Stafford.
There
were no Members available to attend.
153. South Staffordshire NHS Primary Care Trust
inviting a representative of the Council to attend the AGM on Tuesday 30
September 2008, 5.00pm at Oak Farm Hotel, Watling Street, Hatherton, Cannock.
There
were no Members available to attend.
154. South Staffordshire Tourism Association enclosing
an invitation to their Familiarisation Visit to The Bratch Pumping Station, the
Rock Houses at Kinver, Half Penny Green Vive Yards, Ashwood Nurseries, and
Baggeridge Country Park on Tuesday 9th September 2008. Details of
costs were supplied. Booking was required by 28 August.
Matter
of report.
155. Cllr R. Roberts forwarding
details of the latest edition of the Youth Service News on the Staffordshire
Youth Service website www.youthinstaffs.co.uk.
Matter
of report.
156. Community Council of
Staffordshire, invitation to attend the AGM on 25 September 2008, 7.30pm at
Stowe-by-Chartley Village Hall, Station Road.
No
Members were available to attend there being a Council meeting the same
evening.
157. The National Association of Local
Councils, 2009 Elections Consultation Team with regard to the outcome of their
consultation on the proposal to move the date of English Local Government
Elections to the date of the European Parliament Elections in 2009. The report
was tabled at the meeting. Matter of
report.
158. Dr R.C.H. Taylor thanking the
staff and Parish Councillors for their ‘help, work and assistance’ in this
year’s Brewood entry to the BKV competition. Letter also received from Mrs M.
Wootton, Chair of Coven Memorial Hall offering ‘congratulations and thanks, on behalf
of the Memorial Hall Committee and the whole of Coven, to Yvonne Millward and
her wonderful team for winning the Best Kept Village Trophy for the third
time.’
Matter
of report.
159. SSCVA Annual Report 2007/2008 and
notice of their AGM to be held on 25 September, 7.30pm at
No
Members were available to attend there being a Council meeting the same
evening.
160. Staffordshire Parish Councils’ Association
September Newsletter – copies were tabled for each Member at the meeting.
Matter
of report.
CORRESPONDENCE CIRCULATED:
South Staffordshire Council
Agenda for the Regulatory Committee Meeting held on 2 September 2008; for the
Health Scrutiny Panel Meeting held on 4 September 2008; for the Executive
Meeting to be held on 9 September 2008.
NALC –
notice of a series of events during September to be hosted in
Brewood
Bowling Club Newsletter.
Coven
Heath Community Association Newsletter.
Brewood Civic Society, copy
correspondence to: Mr David Wright at Gailey Highway office thanking their
small works maintenance unit for maintenance work recently carried out in
Brewood; Mr Hayden Baugh-Jones, Landscape Planning Manager, South Staffordshire
Council asking that they be sent details of any tree works to be carried out
within the Conservation Area and in particular the proposal to fell a horse
chestnut tree in Brewood Library car park; Sarah Poxon, South Staffordshire
Council advising that they had no objections to planning applications
08/00815/FUL & 08/00816/LBC, alterations & extensions at 2 Market
Place, Brewood; Sarah Poxon, South Staffordshire Council advising that they
object to planning application 08/00793/FUL, proposed 5 detached dwellings at
10 Shop Lane, Brewood; Mrs Edwards (Bishops Wood) and Mrs Millward (Coven)
congratulating their teams’ efforts in the recent Best Kept Village Competition
2008.
Brewood Civic Society Minutes of
the 434th Committee Meeting held on Monday 18th August
2008.
Local Council Review – The
official Journal of NALC, September Issue.
Perton Library enclosing a
programme and posters advertising events and workshops on local and family
history during September. These events to be held in libraries across
Staffordshire.
West Midlands Training enclosing
leaflets outlining forthcoming training courses.
Community Council of
Staffordshire – results of Best Kept Village Competition 2008 and News and
Views Newsletter.
Staffordshire Fire and Rescue
Service Open Day 13 September 12.30 to 4.30pm at Fire Service HQ, A34,
Pirehill, Stone.
SSCVA Newsletter BUZZ
CrossTalk; Blueprint –
161. CHAIRMAN’S
REPORT:
Council
received the report of the Vice Chair, Mrs D. M. Holmes who reported attending
a very enjoyable event at the Best Kept Village Presentation in Coven and
thanked the organisers for all their hard work.
162. 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 August had been approved in advance on 14
August, there being no meeting at the end of August.
·
The accounts for payment as at 11
September, including the expenditure relating to the
·
Payment be made to a total of
£706 for extra hours worked by the Clerk, Mrs S. Groom and Assistant Clerk, Mrs
V. Turner during July and August to cover workload whilst annual leave taken
during the same period. Cllr
A. Ball voted against this resolution. The report of the Clerk with regard to
Staffing Hours (copy circulated prior to the meeting) was received.
·
The request from
·
The quote from
Note
also items 288**, 302* and 165 regarding other financial matters.
163.
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. South
Staffordshire Council, Notice of appeal by Mr D. Breakspeare against the
refusal of S.S.C. to issue a certificate of lawfulness of existing use or
development for the usage of part of site for residential occupation of 76 caravans
by retired persons without dependants at The Homestead Caravan Park, Shutt
Green Lane, Brewood. S.S.C’s. reason for refusal was ‘the use of the caravans
on the areas specified for residential purposes was a material change of use,
for which planning permission would be needed.’ Matter of report.
164. PLAYING FIELDS REPORTS:
The Council received the reports
of:
Bishops
Wood Playing Field and
Brewood
Playing Field –
Mr M. Webb reported that the fence needed repairing.
Coven Playing Field - Mrs J. Carr and Mrs A.Y. Millward reported that there were areas of insufficient bark, the netball net was missing, the aerial-runway was not in use and two suspension rings needed replacing. A quote had been sought from Playquest to replace the rings and the aerial-runway running box.
165. CLERKS REPORT:
The
Council received the written report of the Clerk. At the beginning of the meeting
the first item of the Clerk’s report was addressed and Members resolved that
the meeting should proceed as a legal meeting of the Council as the delay had
been caused by a problem at the post office, the agenda and call to meeting had
been published on the Parish notice-boards and Members had received the papers
prior to the meeting.
It was further resolved that:
·
Mr M. Webb and the Clerk would
attend the Playbuilder Roadshow at
Perton Library on 8 October. Mr Webb indicated he would attend the morning
session.
·
The Clerk purchase a new
phone/answering machine/fax machine at a cost in the region of £100.
ANY OTHER MATTERS OF REPORT:
166.
Flooding, Coven Heath. Mr F. Barrett reported that due
to the adverse weather conditions, water had again been flooding through the Horden
Park Mobile Home Park, seriously affecting residents and collecting at ‘The Common’ to form a lake
as the drains could not cope with the volume of water. Mr Barrett asked whether Council would be
prepared to endorse a letter written by him to County Highways Department
asking them to improve drainage from this area into the canal.
It was resolved the Clerk write to
Area Highways endorsing Mr Barrett’s letter and requesting they improve
drainage as recommended.
There being no other business the
meeting closed at 9.35pm
Clerk’s Report for the Meeting 11 September
2008
In the light of the problems
experienced with the post this month Members to consider whether the meeting
should continue as Members did not receive the agenda and call to meeting three
working days prior to the meeting. The public notices and agendas were
published at the correct time. Recommended
resolution: the meeting proceed as due notice had been given to the public and
Members did receive the meeting papers prior to the meeting.
MATTERS ARISING
302* Chain of Office The old Chain of Office
will be collected for engraving on Monday at a cost in the region of £60. I
have asked Vaughtons to supply details of display cases that may be appropriate
for the old chain.
408* Croft House, Coven Email reply received 11
September from Mr D. Burton-Pye, South Staffordshire Council. In view of the
time that this reply has been awaited I have circulated copies for Members
attention at the meeting.
58.
The Bront I haven’t obtained quotes for the
required tree works as indicated by Cllr I. Clay as yet. As there is a
substantial quantity of work to be undertaken it may be preferable to include
this work within the overall woodland management proposals to be pursued by
Coven Members during September and to be included in any potential grant
application that may ensue. Are Members
happy to proceed on this basis – any specific are of concern could be dealt
with separately if required.
61. BT Review of Red Phone Boxes For information Mrs J. Edwards
has requested that if BT do not intend to retain the phone box in Bishops Wood
that consideration be given to adopting what would be an empty kiosk in order
that it may continue to act as a bollard at its present location.
74. Reduction in Green Bus Service Reply received from
Staffordshire County Council regarding the reduced level of service – this will
be tabled at the next meeting. Mrs D. Poole and Mrs C. Cumming have been
evaluating the revised services and will provide a report for the next meeting
of the Council with regard to the implications on local residents.
102. Access to the Council Offices, Handrail. Ace Kind have agreed to quote for
erecting a suitable handrail at the entrance to the office. It is proposed the
rail will run to the right of the entrance (facing the building) and will be
secured to the ground for stability. Are
Members willing to recommend that the Chair (or Vice Chair as available) and
Head of Finance approve the quote when it arrives so that the necessary work
may be undertaken?
CORRESPONDENCE RECEIVED
Playbuilder
Roadshow –
invitation received from Staffordshire County Council to a roadshow concerning
the government playbuilder project from which Staffordshire County Council have
secured £1.129m for the development of 25 playareas for 8 to 13 years olds
across the county. The roadshow will take place at Perton Library on Wednesday
8 October when there will be 2 sessions from 10.00am to 12 noon and 1.00pm to
3.00pm. Mr M. Webb has already indicated he would like to attend. I also intend
to attend. Recommended resolution: the
Clerk to book places for Mr M. Webb and Mrs S. Groom. Any other Members wishing
to attend to notify the Clerk during the meeting.
FINANCE
For a long time now the Council
Office phone has been deteriorating and the answerphone is quite often barely
audible. With Council’s approval I will
purchase a new answerphone / fax machine with an additional cordless handset so
that the Assistant Clerks can make / answer calls from their desk as well.
I will probably have to purchase the system on my credit card for later
reimbursement. The cost of such a system will be in the region of £100.