MINUTES OF A MEETING OF
CHADDESLEY CORBETT PARISH COUNCIL
Held on Monday 7 March 2005
at the Chaddesley Corbett Village Hall
Present:
Councillors: Chairman, Mr C Dodge, Mrs S Holding, Mr R Higgins, Mr C Rowberry,
Mr D Spencer, Mr H Grove, Mrs P Pardoe, Mr J Swift, Mr M Gibbs,
& Mrs Y L Scriven (clerk). Plus County Cllr. Mr S Clee
Approximately 24 members of the
public also attended the meeting.
1. APOLOGIES: Cllr Mr J Millington
(ill), Mrs V Adams (ill)
2. MINUTES OF THE MEETING held on 7 February 2005 were approved.
FORMAL APPROVAL OF THE AGENDA
– Approved.
3. DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST: Cllr Mr C Rowberry (allotments)
4. REPORT BY WEST MERCIA POLICE
A representative of the
Police did not attend the meeting.
5. CLERK'S REPORT ON ITEMS RAISED AT PREVIOUS MEETINGS
5.1 Report from Parish Plan Steering Group:
A report had been received from the Steering Group and circulated to members.
The report confirmed that the questionnaires had been analysed and a leaflet
publishing the factual results had been distributed to every household in the
Parish. Copies had been sent to clubs and groups within the Parish as well as
shops, District and County Councillors, Council Officers, the Countryside Agency
and Community First. Cllr Mr S Clee had praised the leaflet and had obtained
some Press coverage, although the press had reported on what they believed was
the finished plan. The Steering Group had prepared sections of the draft plan
and were finalising others. It had been agreed to hold a Public
Presentation using a Powerpoint presentation and this would be held in
Chaddesley Corbett Village Hall on Wednesday 27 April 2005 between 7-9.00 p.m.
The presentation could also be seen on the same day at the village school. A
report on funding was also presented. The target date for completion of the
Parish Plan was end May 2005. The Steering Group had requested clarification on
their brief, and after discussion it was agreed that the Steering Group should
prepare all recommendations and forward a draft to the Parish Council for their
further consideration.
It was agreed that this should be done by the next meeting on 4 April 2005.
5.2 Date for Annual Parish Meeting: Postponed until completion of the Parish
Plan.
6. MATTERS FOR DISCUSSION/DECISION
6.1 Wyre Forest Community Housing – Allocation of community housing:
Mr Rob Pritchard of Wyre Forest Community Housing addressed the meeting and
explained the housing stock had been greatly reduced by the sale of community
houses to tenants. Houses were allocated on a points basis and in
accordance with the booklets provided and favoured the homeless or those with
special needs. Some young people no longer registered on the housing waiting
list due to lack of availability. Although all housing stock was available to
any applicant, it was believed that fewer tenants asked for rural locations,
wishing to remain in the towns and near friends and relatives. However, houses
in the Parish were allocated to anyone on the list with the highest number of
points and no rural weighting was applied. This means that most local housing
was not allocated to local people. Mr Pritchard went on to say that a Choice
Base Lettings policy would be introduced shortly, whereby potential tenants
had to bid for the available houses, but this too would be using the points
system. Parish Councillors questioned the policy whereby houses had been
allocated to unsuitable tenants, but it was confirmed that nothing could be done
about this.
However, in the case of the currently proposed affordable housing, an agreement
had been obtained that if any Wyre Forest Community Housing property was vacated
by a tenant who moved to a new affordable house, that property would be offered
in the first instance to local people.
6.2 Affordable Housing:
A letter had been received from the newly formed Friends of the Village
Association, and copies of correspondence between Wyre Forest District Council
and Dr Taylor MP had been forwarded to the Parish Council. The letter 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. The
Chairman stated that it would now be necessary to seek legal advice on this
matter and he could not therefore comment further. A member asked what the
likely cost of obtaining this advice would be and it was agreed to try to seek
an estimate of potential costs before proceeding further.
6.3 Chaddesley Corbett First Endowed School:
A letter had been received complaining that
residents had not been informed of the potential change to 2-tier education at
the school, its consequential increase in size and plans for a new school in the
Village. Problems associated with parking were also raised. It was agreed that
the Clerk would reply to the resident advising that the Parish Council had not
been officially consulted about these changes, although they had been kept
informed verbally. It was understood that no decision had yet been taken and
that a full consultation would take place in due course. The problem of traffic
congestion at the start and finish of the school day was fully understood and
was being taken into account by the Education Foundation and
Worcestershire County Council.
6.4 St Cassian’s Church – Installation of Toilet/Kitchen facilities:
A request had been received from the PPC for funding towards this project, which
was estimated to cost £25,000. In view of the potential need for funds for
legal representation, it was felt that the Parish Council would have no
alternative but to curtail any grants of this type until that matter had been
resolved. The clerk was asked to write to the Hon. Treasurer advising him that
worthy though the cause was, we would not be able to provide any assistance at
this time.
6.5 Code of Conduct:
Consultation paper on proposed changes to the Code had been distributed to
Members. It was agreed that this should be studied and placed on the Agenda for
the next meeting.
6.6 Clean Neighbourhoods and Environment Bill:
A letter had been received from DEFRA regarding new Powers allocated to Parish
Councils in respect of litter, graffiti, fly -posting and dog fouling, as well
as sections on
crime and disorder, nuisance, abandoned vehicles, waste and noise which are
intended to benefit all communities. The booklets which accompanied the letter
were passed to a member for study and comment.
7. ITEMS FOR INFORMATION/CONSULTATION
7.1 Clerk’s Gathering: The Clerk had attended a training session on insurance
procedures given by AON insurance and a report had been circulated to Members,
the contents of which were noted.
7.2 Entries for Calor Gas Village of the
Year Competition 2005: It was agreed to enter the competition again this year,
but that we were ill prepared for the event last year. It was suggested that a
member of the Parish might like to coordinate the event and the clerk was asked
to put a notice in the Parish Magazine asking for volunteers.
7.3 Rushock Parish Council: The clerk of Rushock Parish Council had requested an
exchange of Minutes, and it was agreed that as our were published in the Parish
Magazine, they should be asked to obtain information from that source.
8. CHAIRMAN'S REPORT: None
9. REPORTS FROM COUNCILLORS REPRESENTING OUTSIDE BODIES:
9.1 Village Hall Committee: Meeting end March
9.2 Cllr Mrs V Adams had resigned as representative on Education Foundation due
to ill health. Cllr Mrs P Pardoe was nominated, seconded and duly elected to the
Committee.
9.3 Chaddesley Corbett Education Foundation: A report was tabled on the Wyre
Forest Area Review and proposed changes to Chaddesley Corbett First School. In
an official notice, it was stated that a new Voluntary Aided primary school for
up to 210 boys and girls aged 5-11 would be established at The Village,
Chaddesley Corbett, occupying the same buildings as the current Endowed First
School with temporary additional accommodation made available while options for
a new site for a purpose built primary school are explored. The number of
children to be admitted at age 5 in September 2007 and subsequent years would be
30. It was noted that the Schools Organisation Committee is due to meet on 11
April when they will either ratify the decision of Worcestershire County Council
to accept the proposals of the Wyre Forest Review, or they will refer it to
Ministerial level for a decision. If the matter is referred to Whitehall, then
this may cause a delay in the proposed timing. The Educational Foundation
intends to keep residents informed in the Parish Magazine, and on the Chaddesley
Corbett website, www.chaddesley-corbett.co.uk.
It was suggested that if a parishioner wanted to make constructive comments they
should write to Mrs M Green, Clerk to the Chaddesley Corbett Educational
Foundation, Southlands, The Pound, Bluntington, DY10 4QL.
9.4 Charity Trusts : Alms Houses – full. Some renovations would take place.
10. REPORT FROM DISTRICT COUNCILLOR: None
11. REPORT FROM COUNTY COUNCILLOR:
11.1 County Cllr Mr S Clee reported that he had inspected Tandys Lane and there
had been some land spillage sliding into the lane which he was investigating.
Another letter had been received from Mrs Rumsay regarding the recent road
cleansing operations.
11.2 The County Council had set a budget of 3.9% on Council Tax and Wyre Forest
District Council would follow suit. The usual S137 grant of 15% of Precept would
be
paid again in the next financial year.
12. WORCESTERSHIRE COUNTY ASSOCIATION OF LOCAL COUNCILS: None
13. FINANCIAL REPORT
13.1 The Clerk presented a statement of receipts and payments which was
unanimously approved.
13.2 Account balances would be circulated at the next meeting.
14. ALLOTMENTS:
14.1 Allotments 17a and 17b had become vacant again, but the clerk was meeting a
potential tenant on Saturday.
14.2 A decision would have to be taken at the next meeting on what to do with
the remaining allotment land, which would show a deficit unless tenants could be
found.
15. BURIAL GROUND:
15.1 Monument Plot E15 – Approved.
15.2 S136 Contribution – Advised by Wyre Forest District Council that £600
would be paid towards actual expenditure for the year 2005/2006. This sum would
be increased annually by the rate of inflation.
15.3 Clerk advised that 28 memorials were in need of stabilisation. Work was
authorised at £20 each, a total of £560. This work was necessary under health
and safety requirements.
15.4 Two further quotes received for work on burial ground. Would be discussed
at next meeting.
16. PARISH PATHS SCHEME: Report from the Footpaths Warden for February:-
16.1 Reports Received:
Footpaths 78 and 24 –Investigated, met with landowner and
passed to CAO/Enforcement for comment//action.
Footpath 47 – Official diversion considerable time ago but
old route still being used. Identified signs, investigated and actioned.
Footpath 70 – Old well adjacent to path identified – 40’
deep – covering inadequate.
Road side Chaddesley Woods – Fly tipping and garden waste
checked and removed.
Reports forwarded to CAO/Enforcement – Footpaths 78, 24,
70, 51.
16.2 Paths walked. Highway access checked: Footpaths 44, 47, 46, 70A, 70, 69,
71, 31, 14, 15, 16, 78, 24, BW 32 – 14 in all.
16.3 Work (Emergency) Actioned and Completed:
Footpath 51 – Staked and fenced off well/path and area
cleared/diverted around well.
Footpaths 69/70 – Damaged W/M post reinstated.
Footpath 15 – WM Post and signed emphasing correct route
installed.
16.4 Volunteer Hours: 12
16.5 General:
Site visits/discussions with landowners and walkers – 5
Meeting with C.A. Manager, at his invitation, to comment on
proposed new P3 Working Document and Parish Contract.
Attended one full day training covering PP Essentials –
Interesting andconstructive.
Attended 1 half day
course (plus volunteer) on ’Mapping – The Definitive Story’. Covered the
history of paths – this session proved fascinating in all aspects and was
presented by members of the Map/Enforcement and Legal
Time spent on
admin/training/meetings in February was 22 hours.
Two training certificates awarded.
16.6 Dogs in the Countryside: Owners of dogs using bridleways, footpaths and
byways should keep their dogs under close control and on a short lead as they
were responsible for any damage to property or injury to persons and not only
could they be prosecuted they could be fined and have to pay compensation. A
farmer could shoot a dog which was worrying lifestock.
16.7 Account: An invoice for £125 plus VAT for emergency work was approved for
payment. Expenditure had now exceeded income by £116.72, after allowing for a
refund of VAT of £294.56. Work would continue until notified of next
financial year’s allocation and would be funded by the Parish Council.
17. LENGTHSMAN SCHEME
· Work completed on Deansford Lane – gullies exposed, signed cleaned, verges
cleared, kerb on bend cleared.
· Woodrow – instruction issued to clean grips, expose gullies, cut back tree
branches obstructing carriageway, clear overgrowth and branches obstructing
signs, clean signs.
· Tandy;s Lane – instruction issued to clear passing places of mud, leaves
and debris.
Expose all gullies along route.
· Woodrow – cut and tidy verges to hedgerow along entire section. Work to be
carried out by County Council’s hedge/verge cutting contractor. It was noted
that cutting
hedgerows is the responsibility of the adjacent landowner.
18. HIGHWAYS ISSUES:
· Ditch near Cottage Nurseries needs clearing
· Mud on lanes and roads
· Timber left at side of road
19. ITEMS FOR NEXT MEETING - Monday 4 April at 7.30 p.m
Gypsy’s and Travellers –
new legislation – if literature available
Community Involvement –
Local Development Framework – Consultation Paper
Code of Conduct –
Consultation Paper
