MINUTES OF A MEETING
OF CHADDESLEY CORBETT PARISH COUNCIL
Held on Monday 5 December 2005 at the Chaddesley Corbett Village Hall at 7.30pm
Present: Councillors:
Chairman, Mr C Dodge, Mrs S Holding, Mr H Grove, Mr D Spencer, Mrs P Pardoe, Mr
J Swift, Mr R Higgins, Mrs V Adams, Mr C Rowberry, Mr M Gibbs, Mr J Millington,
Mrs Y L Scriven (clerk).
Members of the
public also attended the meeting.
1. APOLOGIES: Cllr
Mr S Williams (attending Stone PC Meeting)
2. MINUTES OF THE
MEETING held on 7 November 2005 were approved.
FORMAL APPROVAL OF
THE AGENDA – Approved, except for Item 6.1 – Changed to read ‘Funding
Applications’.
3. DECLARATIONS OF
INTEREST: None
4. REPORT BY WEST
MERCIA POLICE:
PC McGill introduced PC David Townsend, who had been seconded to this area until
a new Beat Officer was appointed; other officers would be seconded from time to
time. The method of recording crimes had changed, which resulted in a 66.67%
reduction in the first month. There had been a 100% reduction in burglaries,
with only one incident of graffiti at Winterfold School, which was being
investigated. Still some theft from vehicles, mainly navigation equipment and
the Police asked the public to be vigilant. When asked about monitoring vehicle
speeds at Harvington, PC McGill indicated that speed restrictions in one area
tended to just move the problem to other areas, but agreed that monitoring could
be effective. A request should be sent to the Chief Constable.
5. CLERK’S REPORT
ON ITEMS RAISED AT PREVIOUS MEETINGS
5.1 Development Framework – Statement of Community
Involvement; Responses from Wyre Forest District Council and South Staffordshire
Council were noted.
5.2 Dial a Ride: Notice to be placed in Parish Magazine to
see if there was sufficient interest in introducing such a scheme in the Parish.
One application had already been received.
6. MATTERS FOR
DISCUSSION/DECISION
6.1 Funding Applications: Applications had been received from
St Cassians and St Mary’s churches, the Local History Society, the Sports
Club, Chaddesley Corbett First School, Village Hall car park and the Parish Plan
Steering Group. It was agreed that a full discussion on these applications would
be deferred to the next meeting.
6.2 The Council Charter: An e-mail from Pat Edwards of CALC
was read to the Councillors, who were not happy with the response. Cllr Mr J
Millington undertook to take this matter up with Pat Edwards himself and report
back to the next meeting.
6.3 Character Appraisal Chaddesley Corbett Conservation Area
Councillors noted that this document had been published without consultation
with the Parish Council and contained inaccuracies. The clerk was asked to write
to the District Council acknowledging receipt and stating that this was another
instance where they had not been consulted prior to completion of the report.
6.4 Draft Parish Plan: Cllr Mr H Grove, as acting Chairman of
the Steering Group, reported that the draft plan had been submitted for Parish
Council approval prior to publication. The intention was to publish the Plan in
a glossy colour booklet and post to every household in the Parish in January,
retaining a further 50 plus copies for issue to new residents in the future as
the booklet would have a life of up to 10 years. Shortly after publication a
detailed Action Plan would be formulated. Expenditure on the project to date,
including volunteer time was over £9,000, with actual cash expended of £2,100.
£3,000 had been donated by Community First, and £690 by the Parish Council,
and it was anticipated that a further £1,000 could be obtained from Community
First. This left a short fall of approximately £1,000 and the Parish Council
was asked to provide this additional funding, if required.
Cllr Mr R Higgins had many questions and observations on the draft Plan which he
felt would probably be adequately addressed if the Action Plan was published at
the same time as the Plan itself. A copy with hand written comments was passed
to the clerk for consideration by the Steering Group at their next meeting. Cllr
Mr J Swift suggested that in order to reduce cost it would be possible to
publish the Plan on the internet and not provide each household with a printed
copy. The Parish Council indicated that it would consider a further financial
contribution in order to complete the Plan.
6.5 Worcestershire County Council – Second Local Transport
Plan Strategic Environmental Assessment – Environmental Report:
Cllr Mr R Higgins had reviewed the report and his comments, on behalf of the
Parish Council, would be sent to Worcestershire County Council. It was noted
that the date for receipt of comments had already passed and that insufficient
time was given for study of this type of document.
6.6 Police Restructuring – Have Your Say: The proposals had
been studied by the Parish Council who were happy with the present arrangements
and did not feel they should be changed. The Clerk was instructed to write to
the Chief Constable accordingly.
6.7 Draft Guidance on Clean Neighbourhoods & Environment
Act: 2005: These new Powers were felt inappropriate as the Parish Council did
not have the manpower or resources to administer them.
6.8 Dates for meetings 2006: This was agreed, except that the
May meeting would be 15 May in accordance with statutory regulations following a
Parish Council election year.
7. ITEMS FOR
INFORMATION/CONSULTATION
In order to reduce the length of Parish Council Agenda’s, items for
information were scheduled on a separate sheet, attached to these Minutes for
reference, and documents were available for inspection by Councillors or members
of the Public.
8. CHAIRMAN'S
REPORT:
The Chairman reported on a meeting he had attended with other Parish Chairmen
and advised that Wyre Forest District Council intended to supply each Parish
Council with a laptop and projector to view planning applications
electronically. The clerk reported that a letter of confirmation had been
received from Mr M Parker at Wyre Forest District Council requesting volunteers
for a pilot scheme in the New Year. It was agreed that the Parish Council would
be willing to participate in this pilot scheme.
9. REPORTS FROM
COUNCILLORS REPRESENTING OUTSIDE BODIES:
9.1 Village Hall: Fund raising taking place to resurface car
park and rebuild retaining wall.
9.2 Chaddesley Corbett First Endowed School: Nothing further
to report; meetings with planners and architects taking place, but still no firm
way forward determined.
9.3 Charity Trusts:
9.4 Wyre Forest Area Calc: Meeting this week.
10. REPORT FROM
DISTRICT COUNCILLOR: None.
11. REPORT FROM
COUNTY COUNCILLOR: None
12. WORCESTERSHIRE
COUNTY ASSOCIATION OF LOCAL COUNCILS: Monthly information circular distributed.
13. FINANCIAL REPORT
13.1 Receipts and Payments. A schedule of receipts and
payment was tabled and approved for payment, as follows:
Expenditure: WFCH Annual Grass cutting Contract £695.46
WFCH
Lengthsman Scheme £325.85
Receipts (invoiced not yet paid):
Worcestershire CC Lengthsman Scheme £1113.32
Worcestershire CC Annual Grass cutting Contract £1052.00
14. ALLOTMENTS:
Plots now ready to let. Chairman and Clerk to meet to allocate space.
15. BURIAL GROUND:
Letter received from Vice Chairman of St Cassians PCC indicating that new
regulations governing memorials would be introduced after approval by the
Chancellor of the Diocese. Anyone who lives in or dies in the Parish would have
the right to be buried in St Cassian's Churchyard, and there would be an area
designated for new burials and another for cremated remains. The Vicar would
look after the records and act as Sexton.
16. PARISH PATHS
SCHEME: Report from the Footpaths Warden for November:-
16.1 Reports Received/Actioned - 3:
·
Motor cycles on bridleway;
· Hand
rail on bridge collapsed – bridge damaged previously and reported to
Environment in March and July 2005 – action promised!
·
Metal signpost at Hemming Way vandalised.
16.2 Paths walked 4 Highway access checked 10
16.3 Volunteer Hours: 3
16.6 General:
· Incorrectly
delivered gate – promised week commencing 5.12.05, plus other small items.
· No
information on Annual NW Meeting
· Countryside
Officer ‘surveying’ Parish for future reference/work requirements
· Weather
and other factors influenced minimal contractor work carried out.
· CALC
newsletter refers to P3 scheme and a meeting to discuss concerns over the way
the scheme is administered and funded – clerk to enquire on progress.
17. LENGTHSMAN
SCHEME
The Clerk reported that existing arrangement with contractors was not working
too well. Need to recruit either a self employed person or a direct employee.
Clerk to investigate insurance arrangements.
18. HIGHWAYS ISSUES:
18.1 Another letter from Mrs Jean Rumsey regarding Tandy’s
Lane. Clerk to respond and forward a copy to Highways and Stephen Clee.
19. ITEMS FOR NEXT
MEETING
Next Meeting Monday 9 January 2006.
