BARTON UNDER NEEDWOOD PARISH COUNCIL

Transcription

1 BARTON UNDER NEEDWOOD PARISH COUNCIL MINUTES OF THE PARISH COUNCIL ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING HELD ON THURSDAY 14 MAY 2015 AT BARTON UNDER NEEDWOOD VILLAGE HALL Present: - Cllr G Hughes Cllr E Sharkey Cllr A Kennedy Cllr A Jones Cllr L Brant Cllr M Naylor Cllr S Theaker Cllr S Van Daesdonk Cllr J Taylor Cllr L Bennett Clerk Mrs S Rumsby Borough Cllrs Julia Jessel and Jacqui Jones Press: Lichfield Mercury; Burton Mail 6 Members of the public 1. CLERK S WELCOME AND OPENING REMARKS The Clerk welcomed those present to the Annual General Meeting and thanked them for their attendance. Our Borough Councillors Julia Jessel and Jacqui Jones were congratulated on their re-election. The Clerk welcomed and introduced the new Parish Councillors Shirley Theaker, Susanne Van Daesdonk, Marg Naylor and Alison Jones and wished them well in their term of office. The Clerk explained that during the evening there would be elections of Chairman, Vice Chair as well as appointing members to the various Committees and Outside Bodies. 2. APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE Apologies were received from Cllr D Sherratt, Sgt Kerr, Sara Botham and Nigel Mellor 3. APPOINTMENT OF CHAIRMAN Proposal: Cllr G Hughes nominated by Cllr Kennedy, Seconded by Cllr Taylor With no other proposals Cllr Hughes accepted the position and was duly appointed and welcomed as Chairman for the ensuing year. The Clerk then handed the meeting over to the Chairman to continue. 4. APPOINTMENT OF VICE CHAIRMAN Proposal: Cllr L Brant nominated by Cllr Sharkey, Seconded by Cllr Kennedy Cllr Brant accepted the position and was as duly appointed and welcomed as Vice Chairman. 5. PARISHIONERS FORUM A resident of Holland Park asked about the current status of the John Taylor school drop off zone. It was confirmed that at a recent meeting, altered plans were discussed, costing is as expected in the region of 700K. The Local Education Authority whilst keen to proceed, referred to the shortfall from the Section 106 monies of 200K. Cllr Hughes had reported that stage 1 of the Bellways development promised 400K, 75K for stage 2, and the Cameron Homes development at the Marina had promised 30K which he thought was reported to be allocated to the Better Barton scheme. Added to the shortfall would be planning fees. Staffordshire Education Authority remained confident that the gap could be breached by further S106 monies from future developments. Our Borough Councillors pointed out that if the Local Plan currently under examination, was accepted, there would be no more development until It was possible that S106 allocation may not dependant on developments in this village but may come from other S106 agreements from developments outside the village. Staffordshire Highways will take any monies not allocated to proceedable projects. Permission for the original scheme was approved in December2013. The drop off zone would be relocated nearer to rear of John Taylor with better rear access for the Infants school. The revised scheme would enable the school to rearrange internally and provide additional parking on the tennis courts. A 1

2 resident voiced concerns about the expansion of the scheme and moving parking closer to the housing which would effect of the value of his property. Previous parish councillors were in support. Cllr Sharkey remarked that they he had not seen the revised plans and had only been made aware of the concept so Councillors were unable to comment until the revised plans had been reviewed. It was felt that the general village view would be to decrease the traffic impact. Cllr Naylor asked for clarification as she had thought it was just a coach drop off. It was confirmed that the revised plans included the tennis court be used for parking. The next meeting was scheduled for 9 June. Cllr Jessel advised that clarification on financing the project would be sought before the scheme could be submitted for planning approval. A resident was concerned about the broken drain on the Catholme flyover which was hazardous when meeting lorries. Our Borough Councillors offered to chase with Highways. Barton Turns roundabouts were also being chased and confirmed that they had been pursuing the latter for the past 3 years. These improvements would cost approximately 300K to do the repairs properly and our Borough Councillors had queried why money had been spent on erecting 4 bright yellow variable speed cameras on the A515 at Yoxall. There followed a discussion on the ongoing sewerage investigations. Some porous pipes had been uncovered and it was thought that the cracks in the pipes were caused by subsidence or heavy traffic causing the pipes to be displaced. Severn Trent would line the sewer, and some cleaning work was to be done imminently. This will make it slippier so sewerage should go through the system quicker; engineers say this will be a good solution. The pumps are being replaced and significant engineering works were being done to improve throughput. Residents would like to see more Borough Council involvement to move things along. A recent Flood Risk group meeting did have an environmental health officer from the Borough there and health risks to residents were brought up. A resident had still had no explanation as to why the culvert had been filled in and Cllr Sharkey offered to pick this up at the next meeting. Information can be put on the website and facebook page. 6. POLICE REPORT / ESBC Police - PSCO Josie Sheppard advised as she was standing in for PCSO Lesley Hardware and had no particular report. Cllr Taylor reported that the trees on Gilmour Lane had been vandalised again. Josie had been to have a look and will record this as a crime. Cllr Taylor would provide a statement. Due to the high winds the tree had been re-staked on Monday with new straps, it was fine Tuesday morning and again at 2.15pm but by 3.30pm the tree was down and the straps had been cut. The matter will be investigated and enquiries made at the junior school. ESBC - Our Borough Councillors, Julia Jessel and Jacqui Jones referred to their re-election and their manifesto outlining their priorities. They had received a good response to a questionnaire and will address issues on footpaths and traffic matters. They are constantly in touch with Staffordshire County Council about these and hope to see positive results and action taken. Julia and Jacqui would continue to support community projects with funding, utilising the WASP fund and neighbourhood development fund. On their agenda is a survey of the footpaths throughout village which were in various states of repairs. It was mentioned that it was difficult to know who is maintaining them and responsibilities needed identifying. The Planning enforcement officer had now received an undertaking by Bellways to extend roadsweeping further down Efflinch Lane. It was recognised that the footpath on the Efflinch is covered in grit and gravel and they promised to get Borough Council street cleaners to clear this. The 40mph speed limit at Barton Gate was now in place and contact had been made with a group of resident keen to train up on Speedwatch to reinforce the new speed limit. The second part of the public enquiry of the Local Plan had commenced this week. Whilst there are housing development pressures, another area within the original concepts of the Local Plan was to include protection for retail centres not just in town centres but also in villages and it was hoped to retain these as much as possible. There are sections in the Local Plan if 2

3 adopted will help with retaining these and also to help to defend against future planning applications. Roger Bell had been attending the examination. If there is any increase in the overall number of each of the main development areas, tier 1 villages will get a percentage. Cllr Jessel understands that within the trajectory of housing delivery, the Inspector acknowledges a high proportion of big sites will take several years before the first house is built. The Inspector has suggested and recommended re-profiling housing delivery so that long feed in periods and rate of delivery accelerates in a normal curve. Recalculations are being considered and if accepted will give sufficient land supply additional sites were already identified or with planning permission. Lichfield District Council were asked to find another 700; if this was the case at ESBC on top of the allocated, we had already exceeded the figures so there would be no impact if any additional numbers came forward. Cllr Naylor asked for a copy of the survey our Borough Councillors carried out and results found. 7. APPOINTMENT OF OFFICERS TO COMMITTEES AND OUTSIDE BODIES REPRESENTATIVES Committee Officers Elected Finance Cllrs D Sherratt; L Brant; G. Hughes Planning Human Resources including Health & Safety & Emergency Planning Fishpond Allotments Burial Ground Transport & Environment inc. Footpaths Parks and Open Areas Village Enhancement Project (Better Barton) Outside Bodies Representatives: Village Hall Holland Sports Club Newbold & Barton Quarries Liaison Drakelow Park Community Liaison Eon Community Fund Barton & Dunstall Key Trust Cllrs L Brant A Kennedy; J Taylor, S Theaker Cllr L Bennett; L Brant; S Van Daesdonk; Clerk Discussed rationalising with Parks & Open Spaces Cllr Taylor would speak to co-opted members Co-opted: AdrianWedgwood, Robert Spurrier and Billy Miller Cllrs G Hughes; L Bennett; L Brant Cllrs L Bennett, D Sherratt, A Kennedy, S Van Daesdonk Cllrs E Sharkey; J Taylor; M Naylor Co-opted: Peter Hardy and Roger Bell May combine with Village Enhancement Committee Cllrs E Sharkey, L Bennett, J Taylor, A Jones Cllrs M Naylor, E Sharkey, J Taylor, S Theaker Co-opted: Linda Percival, Peter Hardy, Dave Naylor, R Bell Meet last wed of month Cllrs A Kennedy, D Sherratt, Cllr G Hughes Cllr S Van Daesdonk Cllr attendance required once every 3 months Cllr E Sharkey Roger Bell (Co-opted) Cllr G Hughes Cllr A Kennedy Cllr S Theaker also volunteered but was outvoted 6 to 2 in favour of Cllr A Kennedy 3

4 School Governors Special Responsibilities: Communications inc. Village Website/Facebook page/twitter Flagpole Cheque Signatories Internal Auditor Flood Risk Group Village Hall Management Committee (Non Parish Council members) Infants: Cllr L Brant Currently no vacancy for Community Cllr at Junior School Clerk, Cllr S Van Daesdonk Cllr E Sharkey Clerk, Cllrs D Sherratt, A Kennedy, L Brant, G Hughes, E Sharkey Alec Jones Cllr E Sharkey Co-opted: Derek Lord Mrs Pam Jepson; Mrs Sian Calder; Mr David Moore; Mrs Margaret Fitchett; Mrs Catherine Butlin members proposed by Cllr A Kennedy and seconded by Cllr J Taylor, all agreed. 8. MINUTES OF ANNUAL OPEN MEETING AND THE PARISH COUNCIL MEETING 2 APRIL 2015 It was proposed by Cllr Kennedy and seconded by Cllr Taylor that both of the previously distributed minutes of 2 April 2015 were approved and signed as a correct record by the Chairman. All agreed. 9. COMMITTEE REPORTS a. Finance Committee Receipts & Payments The Clerk referred Councillors to Addendum 2 of the Schedule circulated. There were no queries. Cllr Kennedy expressed thanks to Cllrs Jessel and Jones for sanctioning the funding for the memorial wall. The Clerk reported that the accounts were currently with our internal auditor, Alec Jones and once these were received the Annual Return would be brought before the Parish Council for approval at next month s meeting. Resolved Detail was accepted by members. b. Transport & Environment Cllr Sharkey reported on the local plan examination hearings which Roger Bell was attending. Position papers have been submitted and the next session would be on village sites. A representative from a developer had argued that more houses should be built in Barton for middle managers and entrepreneurs. Cllr Sharkey was not aware of the area westward of Barton Park being promoted. The Inspectors report was expected by mid June. There was likely to be small no of amendments and there would be a 6 week consultation period. It was believed the Plan would be adopted around October but our Borough Councillors hope to accelerate this. After this phase, along as there were no significant areas of concern, the Plan could start to be used as policy before formal adoption. Any judicial review could hold up the adoption so vigilance in the process was required. There were legal teams supporting the Twin Rivers project south of here and the commercial and leisure aspect of the site would undoubtedly affect this area. Flood Risk Cllr Sharkey advised that there was more work to be done on the design side and he would brief those affected once known. Newbold Quarry Aggregate Industries were clearing the site for the first phase of the Newbold quarry extension. The liaison group would be meeting next Wednesday. 4

5 c. Village Enhancement scheme The circulated Minutes referred to 30K being allocated to the scheme from the Cameron Homes development. Our Borough Councillors explained that when the housing application went through, there was no provision for highways modification. Cllr Jones asked for funding for the John Taylor drop off and this was approved with a maximum of 30k specifically allocated to the John Taylor school drop off. However, now it appeared a different interpretation had evolved. ESBC Officers have listened to recordings of the committee meeting and confirmed that the monies was referred to as specifically being for the drop off zone which is the number 1 priority for the Borough Council. An update on the Village Enhancement Scheme was that the survey work had all be completed apart from the Skinny Kitten plans. Amey will have the results by the end of May. A meeting was scheduled for 12 June. c. Planning (Refer to Separate Schedule Addendum No.1) o Cllr Brant reported that there were no objections to the majority of applications received. R Bell had provided advice on the response to the 31 Barton Gate application which she proposed endorsing his comments. Cllr Sharkey, for the benefit of the new Councillors, clarified Roger Bell s experience and his comments were approved. o There were two refusals - 24 Barton Gate and the felling of the Mulberry Tree. Cllr Sharkey pointed out, again for the benefit of the new Councillors, that trees on the Bellways site were flagged early on and Bellways had been asked to change their layout at an early stage to accommodate the protected trees. d. Village Hall Following the resignation of Roy Bishop, a new caretaker/cleaner had been appointed, Alan Greenaway. The foyer chairs were to be replaced. e. Holland Sports Club Nothing to report. The club were looking for votes in their bid for funding from the Aviva Community Fund. f. Burial Ground Cllr Bennett would be calling a meeting to agree landscaping for the memorial wall. There had been concerns about the state of the cherry tree adjacent the cremated remains area and aboricultural expert advice is required. Members of the Committee had visited Fradley Crematorium and been impressed with their memorial wall and the facility for scattering of ashes findings would be discussed at the committee meeting. g. Parks and Open Spaces Cllr Sharkey advised that Phil Gould, the grounds maintenance contractor was doing well and he would soon instigate a walk around with him to review works necessary. There was an ongoing issue still unresolved with Entrust over the termination of their contract for grounds maintenance. Collinson Park the annual inspection had been carried out by Playdale highlighting two pieces of equipment to be repaired. The swing seats in the toddler park were discussed and needed monitoring. Cllr Sharkey suggested the repairs should be discussed at a Parks & Open Spaces meeting. h. Human Resources. There had been no meeting. Cllr Brant proposed to keep Val Windsor on litter picking 5

6 duties in the parks to be reviewed once it had been established which areas the Borough Council were cleaning. This was agreed. Terry Taylor s transition had gone well and his working week resolved. Terry will be in Barton working on his own on Mondays and the further members of the Borough Council street cleaning team would join him in Barton on Thursdays. Our Borough Councillors confirmed that any complaints should be directed through ESBC s website. i. Other Committee Reports None j. ESBC Neighbourhood Delivery Plan. Nothing to report. k. Sundry Matters A Memorial Tree in honour of the Queens Diamond Jubilee is now in place in Collinson Park, using monies left over from the Diamond Jubilee funds. 10. COMMUNITY SPEEDWATCH Equipment has been retrieved and residents of Barton Gate had shown an interest in participating. It was thought the project needed a Parish Councillor to run the scheme and volunteers were asked to come forward. Cllr Jessel believed that as long as appropriate training was provided a Councillor need not be present. Alison Jones volunteered to restart the scheme. Records should be sent to the police and they would then issue warning letters. Cllr Sharkey referred to the Burton Mail coverage of a scheme in South Derbyshire in which residents had passed information on to the police but no action was taken. Following the press coverage the police then provided action in terms of speed cameras. Cllr Jessel offered to ask Andy Mason for advice on the process and would pass this on to Cllr Jones. 11. ADMINISTRATION The Clerk referred Councillors to the items on Addendum 1 for consideration. All items approved. The request for a donation for a plaque in recognition of fundraising by Barton Gardens Festival was agreed. Cllr Theaker advised that the monies had helped to make improvements to a school extension and facilities at the Children s Hope of Ghana and this year monies raised would be going towards health centre improvements in the region. 11. CORRESPONDENCE See Schedule Addendum 1. The Schedule was referred to. The request for a Skate park to be considered had been circulated to all Councillors but only one responded. Cllr Sharkey proposed that a reply should be given that there is no land at present unless a developer comes forward with a public open space on it and negotiations would then take place with ESBC. Cllr Bennett felt that after residents reaction and upset with Collinson park, a skate park might be a step too far. Cllr Jessel advised that their second neighbourhood priority was to carry out a consultation on upgrading the Borough Council owned Oak Road play area. Cllr Sharkey proposed that the Clerk should respond that regrettably there was presently no suitable plot of land for this use; however, the Borough Council would be carrying out a consultation on the future of the Oak Road park, albeit this was in a densely residential area. The correspondent should contact Parks & Open spaces at ESBC on any future new developments. The majority of those present agreed whilst some members thought the response could be simpler. The Clerk would compile an appropriate response. 12. REPORTS FROM REPRESENTATIVES ON OUTSIDE BODIES Nothing to report. 6

7 13. COUNCILLORS REPORT Cllr Kennedy proposed that a letter of thanks for their contribution be sent to the retiring councillors. It was confirmed that this was already under way. Cllr Kennedy also remarked that the tap in the burial ground had been attracting high jinx with children filling up water balloons and leaving debris everywhere a sign had been put up in various locations. 14. CLERK S REPORT o A resident of St James Road had reported to the clerk that the fencing alongside St James Church Hall is falling down and needs repairing/replacing as it is falling into his garden. He has been told the carpark is owned by the Council. Cllr Kennedy having worked on the church hall property was confident this was not the case and offered to contact the resident to advise. 15. DATES OF NEXT MEETINGS Future meetings would be 4 June, 2 July, 6 August, 3 September, 1 October, 5 November, 3 December 2015 The Chairman thanked those present and closed the meeting at 9 pm. Chairman June