CHURCHILL AND BLAKEDOWN PARISH COUNCIL 66 Minutes of the Meeting of Churchill and Blakedown Parish Council held on Wednesday, 20th September 2006, in Blakedown Parish Room. PRESENT Cllr R J Whiston (Chairman) Cllr A J Cairns Cllr S J Danks Cllr P A Dearden Cllr Mrs P V Hayward (from Minute no. 151/06) Cllr J W Long Cllr B A Pitt Cllr Mrs I A Scott In attendance: R D Gurney, Clerk to the Parish Council 143/06 APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE These were received from County Cllr Clee and District Cllr Williams. 144/06 DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST None. 145/06 COMMUNITY POLICING There was no-one in attendance and no report had been made. ADJOURNMENT FOR PUBLIC COMMENT (Two members of the public were in attendance. The matters raised by John Lorton related to a property outside the Parish and to lighting on thea.456. Steve Anstey (Neighbourhood Watch) reported on the increased evidence of drugs and drinking in the village and Sports Field and he hoped that appropriate signs could be displayed or a by- law introduced). 146/06 ELECTION OF VICE CHAIRMAN There were no nominations and it was agreed that this item be left on the agenda. 147/06 REPORT FROM COUNTY COUNCILLOR County Cllr Clee had given his apology and there was no report. 148/06 PARISH COUNCIL VACANCY
The Clerk explained that Mrs Thomas had submitted her resignation from the Parish Council following the closure of the previous meeting. The Electoral Registration Officer at WFDC had been informed and the statutory Notice of Election is currently being displayed, with the expiry on 21st September 2006. Members discussed that with the ordinary election being held in May 2007 it may not be reasonable to co-opt, particularly as there is no requirement in law to fill a casual vacancy during the six month period before an election. As the period for the Notice has not expired it was agreed that consideration to co-opt be deferred to the next meeting, when the method of cooption could be discussed. The Clerk confirmed that there is no requirement for the statutory election notice procedure to be followed for 35 days following an uncontested election). 67 CHURCHILL AND BLAKEDOWN PARISH COUNCIL Minutes 20.09.06 149/06 CONFIRMATION OF THE MINUTES OF THE MEETING HELD ON 16th AUGUST 2006 The following amendments were agreed: Minute 128/06 line 8. This should read candidates Page 62, line 1. Add after votes cast and defeated Mr Simon Charman Minute 131/06 line 2. Add a second sentence. The first vote was disallowed due to one councillor deemed to be ineligible. Subject to these amendments it was proposed by Cllr Dearden, seconded by Cllr Mrs Scott, and RESOLVED that the Minutes, being a true and accurate record of the proceedings of the meeting, be signed by the Chairman. 150/06 PROGRESS REPORTS FOR INFORMATION (1) Parish Web site. Malcolm Hall was not in attendance and there was no report. (2) Blakedown Playground. Cllr Danks reported that fund raising is progressing well; grant applications are being made; but there is no timescale available. The Committee had attended Blakedown Fete. (3) Lengthsman report. Mark Jones was not in attendance, but the Clerk was asked to speak to him following the problems raised during the public adjournment, Cllr Dearden will speak to the Sports Committee to obtain a key to the barrier for Mark Jones. (4) Stream Course, adj. Churchill Lane. The Clerk has spoken to both Colin Cross, WFDC Ranger, and the EA and will continue to pursue. (5) Churchill crossroads. A meeting is arranged for 26th September and Cllr Mrs Hayward and Cllr Pitt will attend. (6) Display of Definitive Rights of Way Map. This has now been laminated on to a board and the Clerk will speak to the Parish Room Committee to agree the location for its display. Members were pleased to note that there was no charge and the Council s thanks were to be passed on by the Clerk. (7) Delegation of litter picking duty. A meeting has still to be arranged. (8) Millennium Green Trust. A letter of thanks for the grant has been received.
(9) Speeding Vehicles in Belbroughton Road. The Clerk reported that he had discussed this matter with the Police at Kidderminster and the speed camera will be brought to the area during the next week. The Police intend to come to the next meeting to inform the PC of the outcome. (10) Electronic Consultation on Planning Applications. The Clerk reported that the CD of applications should be sent out on the first Monday of each month, starting in October. Already the weekly list is received via email. (11) Police Community Consultative Group. Mr Keys report of the meeting held on19.07.06 was noted. 151/06 PLANNING APPLICATIONS (1) It was resolved that the comments on the following applications, as detailed, be sent to Wyre Forest DC. Applications received WF/06/0752 (amended) Rear extension to first floor with internal alterations, adjustments to existing pool roof, 6 Churchill Lane, Blakedown No objection CHURCHILL AND BLAKEDOWN PARISH COUNCIL Minutes 20.09.06 68 WF/06/0836 Temporary consent for single storey office extension and 10 additional car parking spaces for a period of 2 years, Premises at Station Yard, Blakedown Objections for the following reasons: 1. The increase in the number of traffic movements resulting from the increased office development will be detrimental to highway safety close to a level crossing, and detrimental to the amenities of local residents. (A highway objection was raised when one additional dwelling was proposed at 6 Churchill Lane (WF/05/1107); this is a considerably larger proposal and, to be consistent, it should be refused). 2. The temporary building is likely to become permanent, should the applicants not be successful in relocating within the 2 year period. The appearance of this building is unsatisfactory to be a permanent structure in this location. 3. The current traffic problems involving large delivery vehicles would be exacerbated by the increased traffic movements to and from the site and the loss of the land required for the additional car parking. The following have been received for developments at Park Hall, Blakedown and the Chairman reported that these have already been presented to the Committee, most of which have been refused: WF/06/0846 Amendment of approved Plan no. WF/739/04 for conversion of
stables, demolition of existing garage/workshop and part demolition of Coachman's Cottage to create replacement garage and residential conversion of disused barn WF/06/0847 PC supports the recommendation WF/06/0848 Retention and alteration to existing building, originally a dairy, to create staff rooms WF/06/0849 WF/06/0850 Works to existing dwelling (Keepers Cottage) including partial demolition by previous owner WF/06/0851 WF/06/0852 Extension to main house to provide fitness suite and alterations to existing pool building 69 CHURCHILL AND BLAKEDOWN PARISH COUNCIL Minutes 20.09.06 WF/06/0853 PC understands that amended plans are to be submitted and hope that there will be an opportunity for further comment Consultation by Staffordshire CC: Iverley Park Farm The Clerk referred to the amended application with further details of the Odour Management Plan, required by Dudley MBC. Members had no objection to this amendment and thanked Staffs CC for notifying the PC.
Decisions - for information WF/06/0654 WF06/0716 Extensions, 11 Forge Lane, Blakedown - GRANTED Change of use of 704 sq.m of land to garden, new fencing/gate, land adj. 12 New Wood Lane, Blakedown - REFUSED WF/06/0719 Double garage, new gate piers and fence, conservatory and portico, Glebe House, Churchill - GRANTED Planning Appeal WF/05/1215 Extensions comprising garage, orangery and first floor annex, New House Farm, 74 Belbroughton Road, Blakedown The PC agreed to adhere to the objection made at the application stage and to request a copy of the decision notice. 152/06 REQUEST FOR GRANT: WRVS The letter from the WRVS was enclosed with the agenda. Members agreed that they did not wish to make a grant, as the organisation does not have a presence in the Parish. 153/06 FINANCE (1) The Clerk reported that the current account stands at 1,009.74p in credit and the Instant Access account stands at 7,583.48p, giving a total balance of 8,593.22p. (2) The Receipts and Payments Account for 06.06.06-06.09.06 was received. (3) It was proposed by Cllr Mrs Hayward, seconded by Cllr Mrs Scott and resolved that the following accounts be approved for payment: Staples UK Ltd, photocopying, stationery, stamps- August 62.08 + 10.19 VAT (2 invoices) 72.27 R D Gurney salary (August/September) 560.88 back pay (April/July) 70.56 631.44 Mark Jones handyman ( 410) and lengthsman ( 240) 650.00 1,353.71 154/06 WEIGHT LIMIT ON VEHICLES THROUGH CHURCHILL Cllr Pitt reported on recent problems at the railway bridge and drew attention to correspondence from 1999. It was agreed that this item be deferred to the next meeting and that the letter and photographs be enclosed with the agenda.
CHURCHILL AND BLAKEDOWN PARISH COUNCIL Minutes 20.09.06 70 155/06 PUBLICISING PARISH COUNCIL CONTACTS The previously list of Members contacts was circulated with the agenda. After some discussion each Member gave details of the information they would wish to be displayed on the parish notice boards. The Clerk will prepare this for the next meeting. 156/06 CORRESPONDENCE FROM CALC The MAIL and Information Bulletin were circulated with the agenda and the Clerk reminded Members that the AGM of Worcestershire CALC will be on Thursday 5th October 2006, at 7.00 pm, in County Hall. 157/06 CORRESPONDENCE FOR COMMENT (1) WFDC request experiences and views on PACT to date - Members were unable to make any comment, as there has not been a PACT meeting in this area (2)WFDC Parish Forum, 18.10.06, suggested items for the agenda - no suggestions were made 158/06 CORRESPONDENCE FOR INFORMATION The following correspondence was available for inspection at the meeting: (1) WCC Summary document of approved Local Transport Plan (2) West Mercia Constabulary Police restructuring (3) WCC Bus Bulletin September 2006 (4) email from Cllr Danks re Standing Orders, etc (5) Kinver PC reports (6) Magazines including CPRE Fieldwork, Clerks and Councils Direct, West Midlands Regional Assembly Speaking Out, Glasdon products catalogue, Urbanscape Product catalogue 159/06 ITEMS OR PARISH INTEREST/ITEMS FOR NEXT AGENDA 1. SLUG and the use of Blakedown Station (Cllr Long) 2. Emails from Cllr Danks 3. Train noise (Cllr Long) 160/06 DATE OF NEXT MEETING
The next of the Parish Council will be held on 25th October 2006, in Blakedown Parish Room. The meeting closed at 9.37 pm. Dated this 25th day of October 2006... Chairman