MINUTES OF A MEETING OF
CHADDESLEY CORBETT PARISH COUNCIL
Held on Monday 6 June 2005 at the Chaddesley Corbett Village Hall
Present: Councillors: Chairman, Mr C Dodge, Mrs
S Holding, Mr D Spencer, Mr H Grove, Mrs P Pardoe, Mr J Swift, Mr R Higgins, Mr
J Millington, Mrs V Adams, Mr C Rowberry, Mr J Millington, Mr M Gibbs,
Mrs Y L Scriven (clerk).
Members of the public also attended the
meeting.
1. APOLOGIES: Cllr Mr S Clee
2. MINUTES OF THE MEETING held on 9 May 2005 were approved.
FORMAL APPROVAL OF THE AGENDA – Approved
3. DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST: None
4. REPORT BY WEST MERCIA POLICE
Senior Officer L Norgrove and PC Richard Drewett attended the meeting and
reported that two Beat Officer had joined forces to cover the area which should
result in a greater police presence. There had been a general reduction in
crime, except for graffiti at Winterfold House. There had been a number of
thefts in the Kidderminster/Broadwaters area recently and 2 wallets had been
stolen in separate offences at the fishing pools, which were being monitored.
Chaddesley Woods had been monitored and notices pinned to trees advising the
public of possible car thefts and asking for information. Reports of three young
persons in camouflage but no further information obtained as yet. There had been
an upsurge of burglaries in the Kidderminster/Blakedown area and as a result of
police action some displacement might occur and these could spread into the
Chaddesley area. Residents were advised to keep doors locked. Cllrs reported
mini-motors in Cakebole about 3 weeks ago. The Police were thanked for their
report.
5. CLERK'S REPORT ON ITEMS RAISED AT PREVIOUS MEETINGS
5.1 Community Involvement – Local Development Framework: The Chairman had
studied the document and would report any significant matter to the next
meeting.
5.2 Parish Council Website: Application had been duly made and the return of
papers was awaited.
5.3 Burial Ground: The clerk reported that no further complaints had been
received regarding the repairs to monuments.
6. MATTERS FOR DISCUSSION/DECISION
6.1 Affordable Housing:
A letter had been received from David Hislop of The Friends of the Village
Association asking for an amendment to item 6.2 of the Parish Council Minutes of
7 March 2005. The Minutes stated that “….intimated that legal action could
be taken against the Parish Council if they did not withdraw their support to a
small development of affordable housing”. Mr Hislop felt that the Minutes
should be amended to more accurately reflect his comments. The Clerk had given
Mr Hislop an opportunity to amend his letter to withdraw the implication of
legal action being taken, but this had not been forthcoming. After much
discussion to it was agreed that the Parish Council would acknowledge receipt of
the letter, which was duly noted.
6.2 Gypsy Caravan Parks: The Clerk had obtained some documentation which had
been circulated, together with a response from Wychavon District Council to the
Consultation Document ‘Planning for Travellers Gypsy Caravan Sites’. It was
noted that Wyre Forest District Council had not responded to this Consultation
Document and the clerk was asked to write to the Planning Department asking why
this had not been done.
It was agreed that the Parish and District Council should formulate a policy for
dealing with emergencies arising in the area, and it was noted that their was a
requirement to identify suitable sites all over the country. This matter would
be raised at future meetings.
7. ITEMS FOR INFORMATION/CONSULTATION
7.1 Community Champions: It was agreed to forward this to the Sports Club for
information.
7.2 Hawkaway House, Chaddesley Corbett: A neighbour had written to complain
about the maintenance and repairs to the building and the clerk was asked to
write to Wyre Forest Community Housing asking for an urgent site visit and
necessary remedial works, particularly as this property was letting the village
down in their application for the Village of the Year Competition. The resident
was thanked for bringing this matter to the attention of the Parish Council.
8. CHAIRMAN'S REPORT:
8.1 Neighbourhood Watch: The Parish Council expressed their appreciation to Mr
Michael Bird who organised such a successful Neighbourhood Watch scheme.
9. REPORTS FROM COUNCILLORS REPRESENTING OUTSIDE BODIES:
9.1 Village Hall: The booking secretary had resigned and interviews were being
arranged for a replacement.
9.2 Chaddesley Corbett First Endowed School: Cllr Mr C Rowberry advise that he
had nothing further to report since the article in the Parish Magazine. A
meeting would be arranged in July and a further update bulletin would be put in
the next Parish Magazine.
9.3 Charity Trusts: No reports.
9.4 Wyre Forest Area Calc: Cllr Mr J Millington had attended a meeting with good
attendance, only Broome and Bewdley were not represented. In the absence of the
Chairman he took the Chair and had been appointed Vice Chairman. He reported
that Rural Housing would be tabled at the next meeting and that other Parishes
were considering building affordable houses. Rural and urban passenger transport
was also discussed. After a discussion on police consultation, it was agreed
that the Chief Constable of West Mercia would be invited to the next meeting.
Cllr Mr Millington suggested that other Cllrs and the Clerk should attend
meetings.
9.5 Police Consultative Committee: Cllrs Mr J Millington and Mr D Spencer had
been included on the circulation list for future meetings which would be held at
Kidderminster Library on Thursday 14 July 2005, Thursday 6 October 2005,
Thursday 11 January 2006 and Thursday 5 April 2006. Members of the public were
also invited.
9.6 Parish Forum: No report
10. REPORT FROM DISTRICT COUNCILLOR:
Cllr Mr S Williams was congratulated on his appointment as Chairman of Wyre
Forest District Council. Cllr Mr Williams said due to these additional duties he
would not be able to attend so many Parish Council meetings in the future, but
he would be working for the benefit of the Parish and invited Parish Councillors
to contact him if they had a problem and he would do all he could to assist.
11. REPORT FROM COUNTY COUNCILLOR: None
12. WORCESTERSHIRE COUNTY ASSOCIATION OF LOCAL COUNCILS: No information.
13. FINANCIAL REPORT
13.1 An account for hire of the village hall was approved for payment.
13.2 In order to sign the Statement of Assurance on Page 2, the Clerk felt that
the auditor would need to be informed of a potential legal claim against the
Parish Council. It was agreed that the Clerk should approach the external
auditor Clement Keys for advice before completing the Financial Statement.
14. ALLOTMENTS:
14.1 The annual inspection had taken place and with the exception of Plot 17 the
tenants were doing an excellent job. It was agreed that the Clerk would contact
the new tenant for Plot to see if he still wanted the allotment, or whether he
would be prepared to share it.
14.2 The rest of the allotment needed cultivation and after some discussion it
was agreed that Cllr Mr C Rowberry would look after the land on behalf of the
Parish Council until a decision was made about its future.
15. BURIAL GROUND:
15.1 The annual inspection revealed that urgent maintenance work was required.
It was agreed to advertise the vacancy again and also ask for volunteers to
carry out the work on a rota basis. The hedges had been cut and were very tidy.
15.2 Wilmar Skip Hire had not received the letter instructing them to carry out
the work on the new path and the clerk would contact him to arrange for this
work to be done immediately, as well as emptying the rubbish.
16. PARISH PATHS SCHEME: Report from the Footpaths Warden for March:-
16.1 Reports Received/Actioned:
Complaint about muddy paths due to adverse weather
conditions.
On site discussions about possible ‘Permissive Path’ (one
allowed by landowner) and agreement reached to clear 2 metre width around
woodland, and land owner to put up a new fence.
Letter received from County Council about four different
situations, two of which with in the Parish. Identified problems and are
ongoing.
Letter forwarded by NE Countryside Agency Officer regarding
footpath 29 Belbroughton to Drayton House – attended on site and explained the
situation.
Complaints about stiles which are not dog user friendly, but
no requirement for County Council to provide such stiles.
Complaint about field access and padlocked gate.
Report about cross country motorised vehicles.
16.2 Paths walked. Highway access checked: 8 + 15.
16.3 Work (Emergency) Actioned and Completed: Nil. Awaiting confirmation of
2005-2006 grant.
16.4 Volunteer Hours:
16.5 General:
10 paths cleared.
Follow up seminar 13 June.
Meeting 8 June Countryside Agency.
16.7 Account: £135 plus VAT was approved for payment.
The Parish Footpaths Warden was congratulated on her excellent work and
conscientious approach to this voluntary work.
17. LENGTHSMAN SCHEME
Order received for this year for £2,000 of work.
New instructions to be issued shortly and would start in June.
Woodrow verges being cut out of last year’s budget.
18. HIGHWAYS ISSUES:
Park Lane Harvington – some subsidence, already reported to Highways without
response. The clerk was asked to write to Highways and Cllr Mr S Clee about the
footpath along Park Lane which had been promised several years ago, but for
which had been shelved due to lack of funding.
Tandy’s Lane - overhanging trees were the responsibility of the landowner of
the adjacent land. Unable to trace the owner, Mr Terry Field. The clerk was
asked to contact the District Council for information about landownership.
19. ITEMS FOR NEXT MEETING
Gypsies and Travellers
Next Meeting Monday 4 July 2005
