MINUTES OF A MEETING
OF CHADDESLEY CORBETT PARISH COUNCIL
Held on Monday 6 February 2006 at the Chaddesley Corbett Village Hall at 7.30pm
Present: Councillors: Chairman, Mr C Dodge, Mrs S Holding, Mr D Spencer, Mr H
Grove, Mrs P Pardoe, Mr J Swift, Mr R Higgins, Mrs V Adams, Mr C Rowberry, Mr M
Gibbs,
Mrs Y L Scriven (clerk).
District Cllrs Mr S Williams, Mrs P Hayward, County Cllr Mr S Clee,
Members of the
public also attended the meeting.
1. APOLOGIES: Cllr
Mr J Millington
2. MINUTES OF THE
MEETING held on 9 January 2006 were approved and signed by the Chairman.
FORMAL APPROVAL OF
THE AGENDA – Approved, except for additional items 6.7, 6.8 and 6.9 listed
below.
3. DECLARATIONS OF
INTEREST: None
4. REPORT BY WEST
MERCIA POLICE: P C McGill attended and reported a break-in to a shed in Tanwood
Lane and a stolen tractor from the point-to-point. He also warned of groups of
people going house to house selling cleaning materials – Duzzit Cleaning - and
asked anyone to report sighting of them. A brick had also been thrown through a
window in Harvington. Still some incidents of break-ins to cars – mainly
targeting satellite equipment.
Cllr Mr M Gibbs reported an incident where 3 youths were chased by a resident.
PC McGill reported that his staff had been reduced to 2 officers, but with
integration from other areas he would be able to offer a better service overall.
Cllr Mr H Grove asked if the web-page for West Mercia Police could be updated;
he was advised to contact Inspector Craig.
5. CLERK’S REPORT
ON ITEMS RAISED AT PREVIOUS MEETINGS
5.1 Speeding Checks – Worcester Road, Harvington: Two letters received from
West Mercia Police following recent letter from Parish Council. A request for
speed restriction measures had been sent to Worcestershire County Council for
consideration.
Cllr Mr M Gibbs noted that speed checks had been made at weekends and more were
required during weekdays.
5.2 Electronic Planning Applications: Pilot scheme would be undertaken by Rock
Parish and Stourport Town Councils and Cllrs were invited to attend on 20
February, 20 March and 17 April.
5.3 Worcestershire Transportation and Development Control Guide: Cllr Mr J
Swift’s response on behalf of the Parish Council was noted.
5.4 Briar Hill – Bus Service: Letter received from Worcestershire County
Council stating that the bus used was necessary for the level of service
currently operating, but the situation would be monitored.
Highways Partnership had repaired potholes in the area, but the road condition
was still inadequate.
5.5 Affordable Housing: Letter received from Mike Parker following complaint
from the Parish Council explaining the level of consultation undertaken between
the applicant, planning and Highways. Discussion took place on the disclosure of
information contained in a confidential e-mail from Mr Parker to third parties,
which was in breach of the Code of Conduct. The Parish Council did not feel able
to withdraw their previous complaints about the actions of the planning officer.
5.6 Park Lane Harvington: No further information available at this time.
5.7 Deed of Surrender – Allotment Land – Response from CALC: Events had now
overtaken this, but it was noted that the land rented by the Parish Council and
used as allotments was registered as agricultural land.
5.8 A Plan for the Parish of Chaddesley Corbett: Cllr Mr H Grove reported that
the Steering Group had approved circulation of the Plan to all residents and
this would be achieved by printing A5 size, and within the existing funding,
without a further contribution from the Parish Council. A copy was circulated
and would be posted/delivered during the next week. A detailed Action Plan was
in preparation.
5.9 Briar Hill: Cllr Mr S Clee had arranged a site meeting with Mr C Broom,
Acting Head of Highways Partnership Unit. It was agreed that the road needed
repair but due to budget restraints they were unable to commit finance to the
project at this time.
5.10 Parking Under Chestnut Tree in the Village: Highways Partnership had agreed
to place reflective bollards around the area and re-seed. Work likely to
commence in 6-8 weeks.
6. MATTERS FOR
DISCUSSION/DECISION
6.1 Proposed Caveat in Standing Orders and On the Parish Council Web-Page: Cllr
Mr H Grove had prepared a draft document, designed to reduce potential risk,
which was formally approved by the Parish Council.
6.2 Best Practice Guide: Powers and Duties: Noted. It was agreed that a copy
could be provided to the Parish Plan Steering Group to assist them in
preparation of the Action Plan.
6.3 Draft Air Quality Strategy – Draft Consultation Document: Noted and
welcomed.
6.4 Worcestershire Highways Partnership – Re-Structuring: Noted. It was felt
that this amalgamation of District Highway Partnership Units would result in an
even less efficient service locally. Cllr Mr S Lee pointed out that efficiency
savings had to made to meet Government targets of 2½% year on year for the next
3 years.
6.5 Minerals and Waste Development Scheme – Monitoring Report: Cllr Mr H Grove
had prepared a précis of the report which recommended that the Parish Council
“gave its support to the document, as having been born of an open and full
consultation process; which has shown the ability to change and adapt in
response to suggestions and criticisms, and which should provide a fair and even
platform for the consideration of planning applications within these two subject
areas country-wide”. Cllr Mr Grove was authorised to respond to the
consultation document on behalf of the Parish Council.
6.6 Letter from Mrs Morris and Response from Clerk: Noted. Further response, if
any, would be deferred until the next meeting when Cllrs would have had the
opportunity to study the letter.
6.7 West Mercia Police Authority – Police Restructuring: In view of Government
decision to proceed with amalgamation of forces, Cllrs felt there was no point
in responding other than to record their view that this would result in an
inferior service.
6.8 Calor Cas Village of the Year Competition: Agreed to obtain entry forms for
further consideration, and if possible to involve the Friends of the Village
Association.
6.9 Harvington Bus Shelter: Cllr Mr M Gibbs reported that a resident had offered
to apply a coat of preservative to the bus shelter. Estimated cost £80-£100.
It was agreed to proceed on this basis.
7. Items for General
Information
7.1 Worcestershire County Council had introduced a website to allow people to
advertise unwanted household items such as furniture, bicycles, musical
instruments and sports equipment to other members of the local community. All
items are free and Worcestershire Waste Management is supporting the scheme as a
new way to divert household waste from landfill. The web-site address is www.freecycle.org.
8. CHAIRMAN’S
REPORT
8.1 The Chairman thanked Cllr Mr D Spencer for the engraved gavel in remembrance
of his late father who had served on the Parish Council for many years.
8.2 The possibility of forming a group of volunteers for litter picking was
discussed but deferred to the next meeting.
9. REPORTS FROM
COUNCILLORS REPRESENTING OUTSIDE BODIES:
9.1 Village Hall: Cllr Mrs V Adams thanked the Parish Council for their promise
of a donation towards the car park, and referred a further request for funding
towards decoration and repairs. See Item 13.5 below.
9.2 Chaddesley Corbett First Endowed School: Nothing further to report. Still
talking to highways about Site 5. Cllr Mr C Rowberry thanked District Council
officers for their support and guidance, who were trying to move this project
along. The Parish Council encouraged this co-operation.
9.3 Charity Trusts: None
9.4 Wyre Forest Area Calc: None
9.5 Parish Forum – Thursday 6 April 2006: Items for the Agenda had been
requested. No Parish Councillors were available to attend the meeting due to
other commitments.
10. REPORT FROM
DISTRICT COUNCILLOR:
Cllr Mr S Williams did not give a report as it was the policy not to do so prior
to an election.
11. REPORT FROM
COUNTY COUNCILLOR:
11.1 Cllr Mr S Clee reported that the budget for Worcestershire County Council
had been reduced by £12m and this would result in reduction to services; £1m
of this would be cut from the highways budget.
11.2 The footpath project at Harvington was still awaiting a response from Wyre
Forest Community Housing who had indicated their willingness to offer some
financial support.
11.3 The Lyons report on the Local Government Review would be issued by the end
of the month and would affect the 1st, 2nd and 3rd tier of local government. The
White Paper would be issued in the Summer of this year, and would recommend a
Unitary West Midlands Council with Unitary authorities. Cllr Mr J Swift
undertook to study the report and respond to Worcestershire CALC on behalf of
the Parish Council.
11.4 It was noted that most Parishes had signed the Charter, but not Wychavon
District Council.
12. WORCESTERSHIRE
COUNTY ASSOCIATION OF LOCAL COUNCILS:
The Worcestershire Mail had been circulated and was noted. Executive Officer’s
Report to Area Meetings December 2005 had been received and was noted.
13. FINANCIAL REPORT
13.1 Receipts and Payments. A schedule of receipts and payment was tabled and
approved for payment, as follows:
These payments
needed authorisation under Section 137, which was unanimously agreed.
13.3 VAT Recovery: The clerk was investigating the rules in relation to recovery
of VAT in respect of projects around the village to which they were
contributing. A report had been obtained from CALC, but more information was
awaited from the VAT Office.
13.4 St Cassians Church: A further request for funding towards the new toilet
facility had been received and was deferred until the next meeting when detailed
costs would be available.
13.5 Chaddesley Corbett Village Hall: The Management Committee had thanked the
Parish Council for their donation towards the car park, but requested additional
urgent funding for repairs to the spire on the village hall. It was proposed and
agreed by the majority, with one abstention to donate a further
14. ALLOTMENTS:
Further requests received. Plots to be pegged out and let from March 2006.
15. BURIAL GROUND:
Nothing to report at this time.
16. PARISH PATHS
SCHEME: Report from the Footpaths Warden for Jan 2006.
16.1 Reports Received/Actioned - 5:
16.2 Paths walked 8 Highway access checked 26
16.3 Volunteer Hours: 5
16.4 Work actioned and completed in December and January 2006:Gate installation
- WM posts - General minor repairs
16.5 General:
Parish Paths Officer and Clerk had attended two separate meetings on the
new Definitive Map. Larger scale copies of the map supplied to Clerk and
Footpaths Warden, now 3 separate maps. It was noted that most footpaths and
bridleways had been given new numbers. Copyright prevents duplication of the
maps and the clerk’s copy needed to be placed in a safe location. It was
suggested that the History Society might be prepared to hold them. It was noted
that the Definitive Map would be subject to update - digitally only - and
could be accessed via the County Council’s website. Any queries should be
directed to the County Council, but it was likely to take up a long time to
resolve disputes.
Manual supplied, together with booklets/leaflets containing general information.
Handouts to the Council were also distributed.
·
Footpaths Warden had attended Annual meeting with a full agenda; 14
members of staff were present and approximately 100 PPW and volunteers.
·
Still awaiting some items of furniture – 6/8 weeks minimum.
· Account submitted for £215, which was approved for payment.
17. LENGTHSMAN
SCHEME:
All existing instructions now complete and invoiced. Still £413 of the annual
allocation available. Highways Partnership Unit inspecting area shortly and
would advise of any new work required. Still trying to get someone local
interested in becoming the Parish Lengthsman. Parish Council insurance would
cover them during their site operations. Advertising locally to continue. Clerk
appointed to Steering Group to represent Wyre Forest Parish Council Clerks.
Meeting in Malvern next week.
18. HIGHWAYS ISSUES:
18.1 Speed signs in Tanwood Lane: had been done and potholes repaired, but
temporary 20 mph signs still in place.
19. ITEMS FOR NEXT
MEETING
Next Meeting Monday 6 March 2006:
Calor Gas Village of the Year Competition
Funding for St Cassians Church toilet facility
Voluntary litter picking patrols
