ALBRIGHTON PARISH COUNCIL

MINUTES OF MEETING

Thursday 18th March 2010 at 7.15 pm in the Red House

 

Minutes of the Parish Council meeting held on 18th March 2010 at 7.15 pm in the Red House.

 

PRESENT:  Cllrs. D Beechey (Vice Chair), R Balkwill, N Hester, M Holden,

P Illes, D Johnson, J MacLachlan, D Murray, J Nelson.

 

PUBLIC SESSION:

 

No members of the public were in attendance.

 

1.     APOLOGIES:

 

Cllrs. G Beechey, R Kidson, P Lusk, M Pate, S Pate, S Pledger.

 

2.     DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST:

 

Personal:

 

Cllr. Holden declared a personal interest in item 5.

Cllr. Illes declared a personal interest in item 5.

 

Prejudicial:

 

Cllr. Nelson declared a prejudicial interest in item 12.

 

3.     MINUTES OF PREVIOUS MEETINGS:

 

Minutes of the Parish Council meeting 18th February 2010:

 

Cllr. Illes proposed that the minutes were a true and accurate record which was seconded by Cllr. MacLachlan and unanimously approved.

 

 

 

Minutes of the Parish Council planning meeting 4th March 2010:

 

Cllr. MacLachlan proposed that the minutes were a true and accurate record which was seconded by Cllr. Johnson and unanimously approved.

 

4.     MATTERS ARISING:

 

There were no matters arising from either set of minutes.

 

5.     PLANNING:

 

Planning applications:

 

·        10/00673/FUL Erection of a first floor extension with Juliet balcony to rear elevation 41 Bushfield Road, Albrighton.

                 

            No objections.

 

Permission granted:

 

·        09/03696/FUL Erection of a dwelling and construction of associated access The Hollies, 18 Cross Road, Albrighton.

 

Noted.

 

6.     DCAE COSFORD REPORT:

 

A report from Sqn. Ldr. Lee was received and noted. Cllr. Beechey told the council that Cosford could be mothballed for 2/3 years and the effect on the village would be dramatic and suggested that it is something that the council should monitor closely. Cllr. Beechey informed members that there had already been an effect on the budget of Donington with Boscobel Parish Council and there could be implications for the railway station and its parking and for the village schools and businesses. Cllr. Illes agreed that the effects could be very damaging to the long term prospects of the village and Cllr. Hester pointed out that there were many valuable resources at Cosford that would be severely underused if the facility was wound down.

 

7.     POLICE REPORT:

 

PC Salt distributed copies of the local crime statistics which showed very little change over preceding months although there had been a spike in house burglaries  in February and March 2010. Cllr. Illes asked about a group of 11/12 year old children that had sometimes collected on Elm Road and resulted in occasional complaints and Cllr. MacLachlan was concerned that some residents would not open their gardens to the public because they were afraid of potential criminals using the opportunity to survey properties for future criminal activity. Cllr. Hester asked about the lower detection rates for fraud and forgery and Cllr. Beechey raised the issue of youths riding motor bikes at Donington Pool. PC Salt noted these matters and promised to investigate them and he mentioned that the PACT meetings were continuing and getting a good response. He also reported that a speed check on High Street and Newport Road had resulted in 10 speeding tickets being issued.

 

8.     UNITARY AUTHORITY REPORT:

 

In the absence of Cllr. M Pate no report was available. Cllr. Beechey informed members that funding would not be available for the 3 area partnerships in 2010/11 and a recommendation was going to cabinet for changes to partnership arrangements. There was a possibility that this would result in increased pressure for funding from the LJC’s.

 

9.     REPORT ON THE LOCAL  JOINT COMMITTEE

 

An email had been received from Cllrs. Shelley and Tummons from Donington with Boscobel Parish Council regarding a proposed inquiry by the LJC into a consolidated plan for youth and children. The concern over provision for young people in the village was welcomed by Councillors but many felt that the proposals needed further clarification.

 

Resolved. The clerk should write to the chair of Donington with Boscobel Parish Council asking for further details regarding the proposed plan for consideration later by the council once they have been received.

 

 

 

 

 

 

10.                          FINANCE

Bank reconciliation March 2010:

 

The Vice Chair reported that the Finance Committee had met that afternoon and gone through the bank reconciliation for the period up to 18th March 2010. There were no problems that needed addressing and the reconciliation was agreed.

 

List of cheques for approval:

 

Cllr. Illes highlighted the ongoing costs of the Parish Flyer and stated that the possibility of a new/used replacement vehicle was now under consideration. Cllr. D Beechey informed members that the employment status of the contractor had been confirmed to Donington PC.  He also voiced a concern regarding an invoice from bea for a set of architectural drawings related to the war memorial refurbishment. The drawings had not been specifically asked for from the council and had come as part of a quote from Boningale Nurseries. Some members felt that the council was not responsible for settling this invoice although it was agreed that drawings were required for the submission of a grant application and for submission to Sarah Lowe, the conservation officer.  Cllr. Nelson remarked that the drawings had already been used by the council and it was unethical to make use of someone’s work without paying for its ownership. He proposed that he ask for a second opinion on the value of these drawings from another architect and report back to the council on the outcome of these discussions and whether the council was advised to settle the account. Cllr. Hester felt that this was good way forward and Cllr. Holden seconded the proposal from Cllr. Nelson which was unanimously agreed.

 

A list of 23 cheques for payment was presented for approval. Cllr. Beechey proposed that the cheques should be approved which was seconded by Cllr. Johnson and agreed by members.

 

Date

Cheque No.

Payee

Amount

04.03.10

2632

JC & SC Nelson office rent for March

291.67

04.03.10

2633

E.ON, street light in Newhouse Lane

40.26

04.03.10

2634

E.ON, street light in Bush Close

40.26

15.03.10

2635

Flyer contractor, bus pass refund

223.00

15.03.10

2636

Flyer contractor, bus pass refund

332.00

02.03.10

2637

P Barratt, hard standing for allotments

1095.00

04.03.10

2638

TFM, 200 refuse sacks

25.73

04.03.10

2639

Viking Direct, toner, stamp, dividers

190.24

18.03.10

2640

Keith Gibson, Flyer fuel, service

359.06

18.03.10

2641

Clerk, March salary

1036.99

18.03.10

2642

Village Warden, March salary

135.36

18.03.10

2643

Litter Warden, March salary

64.00

18.03.10

2644

CommuniCorp. Subs. Clerk/Councils Direct

66.00

18.03.10

2645

BT, Internet services

123.31

18.03.10

2646

Crucial Crew grant

170.00

18.03.10

2647

Alb. Players Drama  Group grant

500.00

18.03.10

2648

Flyer contractor, bus pass refund

239.00

18.03.10

2649

Flyer contractor, bus pass refund

335.00

18.03.10

2650

4th quarter tax and NI

1140.74

18.03.10

2651

Wellings, compaction skip March

453.55

18.03.10

2652

BT, office telephone

112.78

31.03.10

2653

Office cleaner, March wages

40.00

18.03.10

2655

Councillor training expenses

62.81

 

11.                         SHROPSHIRE LOCAL DEVELOPMENT FRAMEWORK:

 

Cllr. Hester asked about despoliation of parts of the green belt and whether the county council had any powers to compel owners to keep their properties in a reasonable condition. Cllr. Beechey replied that his understanding was that such powers were extremely limited. Cllr. Illes raised the matter of references to Cosford on page 48 in the draft response to the county document and asked whether, in the light of recent events, the comments were still relevant. Members decided to retain them and Cllr. Hester thanked Cllrs. Beechey and Kidson for all of their hard work in preparing the paper. He proposed that the response should be submitted to the county on behalf of the parish council which was seconded by Cllr. Nelson and agreed by members.

 

12.                         REPORT ON THE PARISH OFFICE:

 

Cllr. Nelson reported that work on the pavement outside the parish office was proceeding and a meeting with 3 officers from the county had taken place although no feedback from the meeting had yet been received. Work on the inside of the office had not yet begun. Cllr. Murray asked who was in charge and Cllr. Nelson replied that Ms Mary Morrison seemed to be leading the work although a number of other officers were involved.

 

13.                         VEHICLE ACTIVATED SIGNS:

 

In the absence of Cllr. M Pate this agenda item was deferred.

 

14.                         LAND ANNEXED BY HOUSEHOLDERS TO THE REAR OF WORTHINGTON DRIVE:

 

Cllr. Nelson reported that he had walked the area with Cllr. Lusk and the manager of the site workers and later with Cllr. Murray. He stated that the council needs to prevent a lack of interest resulting in annexation of the land and as a consequence the moving of boundaries had been challenged with regard to 3 householders and they knew that the land was not theirs. The position with the householder at the end of Loak Road was different because he felt that the land was his and he is in occupation. Cllr. Nelson said that the council needs to document his length of occupation and any record of a challenge to his occupancy. The council should challenge his annexation of council land in writing but should acknowledge that he has planted the area and wait for his cultivation of crops to be completed before asking him to vacate the land. It was noted that a new fence had been erected in the last few days. Cllr. Murray said that more allotments were needed and the council should reclaim its land. Cllr. Nelson proposed that at some point in the near future the council should decide whether to sell the land to the three owners and reclaim the land at the bottom of Loak Road. The motion was seconded by Cllr. Illes and agreed by members.

 

15.                         LAND OUTSIDE THE STATION FOR POSSIBLE PARKING:

 

This agenda item was deferred to a later meeting.

 

 

16.                         UPDATE ON A POSSIBLE NEW BUS SHELTER:

 

Cllr. Balkwill reported that the owner of the Shrewsbury Arms had received a letter from the clerk asking about a new bus shelter on his verge. Because of some planning issues that still had to be resolved he had not yet replied but would do so once a few outstanding matters had been agreed.

17.                         DISPOSAL OF TWO SHEDS AT THE OLD SCHOOL:

 

Cllr. Johnson reported that the driver of the compaction skip had expressed an interest in buying one of the two sheds at the Old School. Cllr. Nelson said that there might be some dampness in the building and it could be difficult to dismantle. Cllr. Illes proposed that the shed should be offered as seen and with no guarantee for the sum of £50.00 and driver in question should be responsible for taking the shed apart and removing it. Cllr. Holden seconded the proposal and the motion was unanimously agreed.

 

18.                         ANNUAL PARISH MEETING:

 

A date of 22nd April at 7.00 pm was agreed for the Annual Parish Meeting. Members suggested that county officers should be invited to talk on strategic planning and highways and the Albrighton Traders should be invited to make a presentation on their current plans for encouraging trade and how the parish council might support them.

 

Resolved: The clerk to write to the Shropshire Council  issuing invitations to appropriate highway officers to make a presentation at the Annual Parish Meeting, together with an invitation to the Albrighton Traders.

 

19.                         REPORTS FROM COUNCILLORS:

 

Cllr. Beechey raised the matter of prioritisation of the resurfacing work on the Bushfield estate. Mr. Brian Bennett had asked for the two parish councils to agree on a priority order for the resurfacing and Cllr. Beechey proposed that the council should endorse the order agreed by Donington with Boscobel Parish Council of Woodland Close first followed by Bredon Close and then Barrington Close. This was seconded by Cllr. Nelson and agreed by the council.

 

Resolved: The clerk to write to Mr. Brian Bennett endorsing the priority order of roads to be resurfaced as suggested by Donington with Boscobel Parish Council.

 

 

 

 

 

20.                         CORRESPONDENCE:

 

Cllr. Johnson agreed to represent the council at the AGM of the Allotments Holders Association. A letter of thanks from the association had been received for the provision of hard standing in the entrance to the allotments.

 

The next meeting of the LJC was at Tong Parish Hall.

 

Albrighton Traders had asked for support from the parish council regarding their request for further compensation from Severn Trent Water. Cllr. Murray proposed that the council should pledge its support which was seconded by Cllr. Illes and agreed by members.

 

Resolved: The clerk to write to Severn Trent Water pledging the council’s support for the Albrighton Traders’ request for further compensation.

 

The scouts have issued an invitation to councillors to a service at St Mary’s Church on Sunday 25th April 2010 at 11.30 am.

 

21.                        DATES AND TIMES OF FUTURE MEETINGS:

 

·        Parish Council planning meeting Thursday 1st April 2010 at 7.00 pm in the Red House.

·        Finance committee Thursday 15th April 2010 at 3.00 pm in the Parish Office.

·        Parish Council meeting Thursday 15th April 2010 at 7.15 pm in the Red House.

 

There being no further business the meeting closed at 9.00 pm.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Signed.....................................................Date.......................................

Chairman