Churchill & Blakedown
Parish Council Minutes
Minutes of the Meeting of Churchill and Blakedown Parish Council held on Wednesday,
17th April 2013, in the Pavilion, Blakedown Sports Centre, Birmingham Road, Blakedown
PRESENT Cllr P A Dearden (Chairman)
Cllr Mrs S Cartwright
Cllr Ms S E Fowler
Cllr Mrs P V Hayward
Cllr M R Keys
Cllr J W Long
Cllr B A Pitt
Cllr R J Shade
In attendance: Cllr Stephen Williams
Gordon Stevens, Web site keeper
Anthony Robinson, architect for the signal box application
Roger Gurney, Clerk to the Parish Council
73/13 CHAIRMAN’S REMARKS
Cllr Dearden welcomed Councillors and members of the public to meeting.
74/13 APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE
These were received and accepted from Cllr Humble.
75/13 DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST
There were none.
76/13 COMMUNITY POLICING
There was no police presence at the meeting and there was no report. Cllr Ms Fowler
attended the Junior PACT meeting on 16th April. The main concern raised was dog
fouling in the street and on the playing fields..
ADJOURNMENT FOR PUBLIC COMMENT
(Two members of the public were present .No matters were raised).
77/13 REPORTS FROM COUNTY AND DISTRICT COUNCILLORS
Cllr Williams explained that WFDC is setting up a Scrutiny Committee,
the main purpose of which is to assess the working of parking wardens
in the
District; this function is now shared and run by Wychavon DC. Cllr Clee was not in attendance.
78/13 CONFIRMATION OF THE MINUTES OF THE MEETING HELD ON
20th MARCH 2013
It was proposed by Cllr Long, seconded by Cllr Ms Fowler, and RESOLVED that the Minutes, being a true and accurate record
of the proceedings of the meeting, be signed by the Chairman.
258 CHURCHILL AND BLAKEDOWN PARISH COUNCIL Minutes 17.04.13
79/13 BLAKEDOWN SIGNAL BOX
Cllr Ms Fowler reported that she has had further discussions with Network Rail and the
contractors regarding the de-construction of the signal box: two dates
in August and one in September for line closure when this work will
take place.
She said that it may be necessary to find a location for the storage of
the dismantled box. She confirmed that this part of the scheme is to be
funded by
Network Rail, and the re-construction will need funding from the
Heritage Lottery Fund. Local support will be needed for this
application. Cllr Long
reported that a suggested press release is being held back until plans are more certain.
Anthony Robinson was invited to present and explain the draft plans for
the relocation of the signal box on the opposite side of Mill Lane.
Copies were
circulated to Members and several comments were made. These will be looked into and incorporated if practical.
Mr Robinson will attend the Parish Meeting on 24th April with the updated plans.
80/13 BLAKEDOWN LEVEL CROSSING
Cllr Long has made contact with Network Rail, but his request has been
passed to another official, and he is awaiting a reply the request for
a meeting.
81/13 UPDATE ON THE AVENUE
The Clerk reported that he had not been able to arrange a meeting with
the Parish Council’s solicitors at the County Council, but he read out
the contents
of an email he had received. The advice given is that WFDC should
accept some responsibility for highlighting that a tree on private land
is dangerous.
The Clerk was asked to send a further letter to WFDC, emphasizing the
duty of care and insurance implications. Cllrs Long and Shade had met
with
representatives of Oakleaf Landscaping for them to give an assessment
of The Avenue, including the trees. Details and possible costing will
be sent shortly.
It is reported that dog fouling is becoming a problem in The Avenue,
and other locations in the Parish. It was agreed that 10 appropriate
signs will be
purchased for display in the affected locations.
82/13 PROGRESS REPORTS FOR INFORMATION
(1) Parish Web site. Gordon Stevens gave details, including the cost,
of acquiring the “.gov.uk” web site address and email addresses.
It was proposed by Cllr Shade, seconded by Cllr Long and agreed that the Parish Council proceeds to obtain this address.
The Clerk and Gordon Stevens would liaise as necessary.
(2) Lengthsman/Handyman. Mark Jones had sent his apology. Members requested that Mark Jones cleans the highway road signs.
(3) New road sign and post, Churchill crossroads. The Chairman has been
searching for a company that makes the sign needed at the crossroads,
but this has proved to be unsuccessful so far.
(4) Acquisition of The Green. The Clerk reported that the solicitor has
informed him that he now has the Transfer and Pre-emption Agreement
deed
both sealed by WFDC. This land now belongs to the Parish Council. He is now registering the deeds with the Land Registry.
(5) Neighbourhood Plan designation. The Clerk circulated the formal
designation notice of the Plan, as approved by WFDC, with effect from
2nd April 2013.
CHURCHILL AND BLAKEDOWN PARISH COUNCIL Minutes
17.04.13
259
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(6) Playground inspection report. The Clerk reported that this has been
received and the Chairman agreed to pass it to the Sports Committee for
any
necessary action. Members expressed concern with the amount of litter
around the sports field and asked that Mark Jones assesses where
additional
litter bins are needed.
(7) Allocation of Parish Games Quiz prize. On the suggestion of Cllr Ms
Fowler it was agreed that the £50 prize be used for the purchase of
bulbs.
Cllr Ms Fowler agreed to make the purchase.
83/13 PLANNING APPLICATIONS
(1) Applications received
WF/13/9001NMA Amendment to access arrangement, 1 Mill Lane, Blakedown
No objection, provided the amendment is approved by the highway authority
(2) Planning decisions
WF/13/0041 2 detached houses, 22 Belbroughton Road, Blakedown - WITHDRAWN
Certificate of Lawful Use or Development Land to rear of 5 Mill Lane, Blakedown – REFUSED
(3) Notice of Appeal 12/0323. Erection of building to provide
support accommodation in the form of 5 one bed apartments, 1 two bed
apartment,
including communal space for tenants and occupants including staff sleepover room, 22 Belbroughton Road, Blakedown.
It was agreed that the views previously expressed be put forward to the
Inspectorate, that the decision of WFDC be supported and that the Clerk
draws
attention to the increased traffic which will now emanate from the
Barratt development of 42 dwellings. It was agreed that the Parish
Council attends
the forthcoming hearing; Cllr Long offered to speak on behalf of the Parish Council.
84/13 FINANCE
(1) The Clerk reported that the current account today
stands at £6,241.98p and the Instant Access account stands at
£31,143.96p, giving a total credit balance of £37,385.94p.
(2) It was proposed by Cllr Pitt, seconded by Cllr
Mrs Hayward, and resolved that the following accounts be approved for
payment:
Staples (UK) Ltd £13.67 + £2.73 VAT
£ 16.40
N Power (Jan-March) £189.95 +
£9.48 VAT
£199.33
Playsafety Limited £83.00 + £16.60
VAT
£ 99.60
Mark Jones
Handyman
£320.00
Lengthsman
£160.00
£795.33
85/13 HANDYMAN’S/LENGTHSMAN’S WORK SCHEDULE
The Chairman reported that he has not yet completed the spreadsheet.
86/13 HIGHWAY MATTERS
The Clerk reported that Dave Hunter, WCC, has asked BT to remove the
pole from outside nos 12 and 14 Belbroughton Road. No reply has been
received.
260 CHURCHILL AND BLAKEDOWN PARISH COUNCIL Minutes 17.04.13
87/13 VERGE CUTTING IN 2013/2014
The Clerk reported that he has discussed with Oakleaf Landscapes the
cutting of the highway verges and given details, which were indicated
to the PC,
and for which a grant will be given. The Clerk will discuss the quotation with the Chairman.
88/13 FOOTWAY LIGHTING IN BARRATTS’ DEVELOPMENT (GLADSTONE PLACE)
The plan showing the street lighting column
locations and the specification, drawn up by the Lighting Section at
WCC, were circulated with the agenda.
This was noted. The Clerk reported that he has mentioned this to
Prysmian, who will take add these to the existing street lighting
maintenance.
89/13 ANNUAL PARISH MEETING
The Chairman confirmed that this will be held at the School, and will
start at 7 pm. The Chairman had agreed the Parish Council news sheet
and the
Clerk had passed this to Andrew Yardley for delivered by the
Distribution Team. The Clerk confirmed that Maria Dunn, WFDC, will
attend to explain
the next step for the Neighbourhood Plan, as too is the WFDC Ranger to
update the Parish on progress at Hurcott Wood. Anthony Robinson will
also
attend to explain the proposal for the signal box.
90/13 ITEMS FROM CALC
At the meeting of the Wyre Forest Area on 25th March Ian Miller, CEO at
WFDC, explained the problems with this year’s precept for Parish
Councils.
Whilst the precept remained the same as in previous years WFDC also
gave a grant to make up the calculated deficit. With the possibility of
“capping”
in future years it may prove a bonus for the Parish Council.
91/13 CORRESPONDENCE (for noting)
(1) WCC – Temporary closure of part of Perriford Lane for water main works – 5 days
from 20th May 2013
(2) WFDC – Register of Electors 2012/2013 (enclosed)
(3) WCC – consultation notice regarding expansion of Blakedown CE School
(4) Bromsgrove DC – consultation on Housing Growth,Bromsgrove and Redditch
(5) Magazines, including Countryside Voice, Western Power newsletter
(6) Agendas - Bewdley, Chaddesley Corbett, Kinver
(7) Letter from John Smith re picture framing at Wyre Forest House. Potential costs
were given and it was agreed that Mr Smith be authorized to spend up to £250 on
framing, in addition to his costs of preparing the photographs.
92/13 ITEMS OR PARISH INTEREST/ITEMS FOR NEXT AGENDA
Cllr Keys asked for the cleaning of the War Memorial to be on the next agenda.
93/13 DATE OF NEXT MEETING
The Annual meeting will be held on Wednesday, 15th May 2013, at 7.30 pm..
The meeting closed at 10.00 pm.
Dated his 17th April 2013 ……………………………………Chairman