ALBRIGHTON PARISH COUNCIL
MINUTES OF MEETING
Thursday 15th December 2011 at 6.45 pm in the Red House
Minutes of the Parish Council meeting held on 15th December 2011 at 6.45 pm in the Red House.
PRESENT: Cllrs. D Beechey (Chairman), M Pate (Vice Chair), G Beechey, R Blincoe, N Hester,
M Holden, P Illes, D Johnson, P Lusk, J MacLachlan, D Murray, J Nelson, S Pate, S Pledger.
In attendance: M Ward, Clerk to the Council.
PRESENTATION BY MR H KIRTON FROM THE RED HOUSE MANAGEMENT COMMITTEE:
Mr Hugh Kirton explained to Councillors what was proposed for the phase 3 refurbishment of the Red House. He stated that the kitchen area was not subject to alteration but accommodation in the current manager’s office was available for the use of the parish council as the manager was being provided with a new office adjacent to the bar area. Mr Kirton suggested that a further meeting might be useful in which the council could discuss its detailed requirements. Wheelchair access would be via the front door. Plans had been submitted to Shropshire Council and it was anticipated that work would begin in April/May and be completed in August 2012. Mr Kirton answered questions from Councillors and showed members the proposed accommodation on the ground floor.
The Chairman thanked him and members of the management committee for their time and said that members would be considering the future location of the parish office later in the agenda.
PUBLIC SESSION:
The manager of the Red House stated that the Red House had not been open during the recent Traders’ Extravaganza in order to protect property and the contents. The toilets were not provided for public use but were made available to those hiring the premises. She said that the Traders Association had not made an issue of the Red House closure during the event. Cllr. S Pate distributed an information sheet which provided an explanation of the way that the Red House functioned given its charitable status.
A member of the public spoke of the proposal to position a youth shelter in the Talbot Road Park. She said that the sample of opinion so far gathered so far was small, amounting to 28 interviews, and the area was surrounded by housing with cars parked on the periphery of the green area. She claimed that there had been a history of anti social behaviour in the area involving drugs and alcohol and there had been damage to fencing. A number of residents had complained about the proposals to her and they were concerned about the possibility of a youth shelter in the park.
Cllr Lusk who was involved with the “Say Yes” organisation which was sponsoring the project said that this development was at an early stage and the young people concerned were still consulting local people. Any formal proposal would need the support of residents living in the area.
1. APOLOGIES:
Cllr. S Brown (family commitments).
2. DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST:
Personal:
Cllr Lusk declared a personal interest in agenda item 17.
Prejudicial:
Cllr. Hester declared a prejudicial interest in part of agenda items 4, part of item 5 concerning Beamish Lane and item 10.
Cllr. Holden declared a prejudicial interest in part of agenda item 4 and agenda item 10.
Cllr. Nelson declared a prejudicial interest in the first part of agenda item 10 concerning the location of the Parish Office.
Cllr. M Pate declared a prejudicial interest in part of agenda item 4 and agenda item 10.
Cllr. S Pate declared a prejudicial interest in part of agenda item 4 and agenda item 10.
Cllr. Pledger declared a prejudicial interest in part of agenda item 4 and agenda item 10.
3. MINUTES OF PREVIOUS MEETING:
Minutes of Parish Council meeting 24th November 2011:
Cllr. Hester asked that the sentence on page 1 of the draft minutes:
“He also regretted the relatively poor attendance by parish councillors at the recent Remembrance Sunday parade”
be extended to read:
“He also regretted the relatively poor attendance by parish councillors at the recent Remembrance Sunday parade although some members had attended acts of remembrance earlier in the week.”
His proposal was seconded and accepted by the Council.
With this amendment Cllr. M Pate proposed that the minutes were a true and accurate record which was seconded by Cllr. Lusk and agreed by Council.
Cllr. Hester asked whether future minutes could be printed as double sided copies. The Clerk agreed to investigate whether this was justified in terms of loss of quality and ease of photocopying.
4. MATTERS ARISING:
· Letter from Mr P Joseland, Chairman of the Old School Committee, re the grant for repairs to the Red House agreed in 2005:
Cllrs. Holden, Hester, M Pate, S Pate, and Pledger left the meeting for this item.
Members noted the contents of the letter and agreed to deal with this matter as part of agenda item 10.
Cllrs. Holden, Hester, M Pate, S Pate and Pledger returned to the meeting at the conclusion of this agenda item.
· Replacement of the notice board in Station Road – Cllr. Blincoe:
Cllr Blincoe reported that the new notice board had been completed and erected in place of the old model. It was a significant improvement.
Councillors thanked Cllr. Blincoe for all of his hard work with regard to this matter and the speedy response in obtaining a new board.
Action: the Clerk to write to Mr Moore thanking him for his efforts in producing a new notice board for the village.
5. PLANNING:
Planning applications:
11/04074/FUL Erection of an affordable dwelling and detached garage; formation of vehicular access, land between Red Roofs and Windy Ridge, Beamish Lane, Albrighton.
Cllr Hester left the meeting for this agenda item after making a statement that he had no objection to the application.
Members approved the application provided that it was not extended into a larger property in the future and it remained an affordable dwelling.
Cllr. Hester returned to the meeting at the conclusion of this agenda item.
11/04890/ADV Erect and display a church notice board and poster case, St Mary Magdalene Church, High Street, Albrighton.
No objection.
11/04197/FUL Relocation of shop front entrance and formation of access ramp 83A High Street, Albrighton.
Cllr. MacLachlan drew members’ attention to the problems sometimes arising from the use of mobility scooters which could be exacerbated by the building of a new ramp across the pavement. Councillors decided to raise no objections to the application but asked to see the engineering drawings once they had been produced.
11/03904/FUL Alterations to existing vehicular access (onto High House Lane) to include erection of 2m high gates/piers and 1m high boundary wall, Field House, Beamish Lane, Albrighton.
Cllr. Hester left the meeting for this agenda item after making a statement that he still found the proposals intrusive.
Members agreed to object to the application on the grounds that it was inappropriate in a rural setting and the original criticisms had not been met.
11/04903/FUL Installation of solar PV panels 3 Beamish Lane, Codsall Wood, Wolverhampton.
No objection subject to green belt policy.
Cllr. Hester returned to the meeting at the conclusion of this agenda item.
Action: the Clerk to inform Shropshire Council of Parish Council recommendations regarding the above planning applications.
Grant permission:
11/03798/LBC Listed Building Consent for repairs and refurbishment at Albrighton Railway Station.
Received and noted.
11/04314/FUL Erection of an extension to existing garage to include new pitched roof and conversion of garage to family room (Amendment to previously approved planning permission reference 10/04340/FUL) 80 St. Cuthbert’s Crescent, Albrighton.
Received and noted.
11/01080/FUL Conversion of a former bank and attached barns into 3 residential dwellings to include insertion of roof lights, 14 Station Road, Albrighton.
Received and noted.
Not proceeded with:
11/04699/VAR Variation of condition 2 attached to planning permission ref. BR/APP/FUL 09/0002 (erection of a dwelling and construction of associated access) to allow for amended house type, 18 Cross Road, Albrighton.
Received and noted.
Notice of appeal:
11/01637/FUL Erection of one detached dwelling following demolition of existing lock-up garage/storage units, rear of 41 High Street, Albrighton.
Received and noted.
Action: the Clerk to write to the planning inspector to confirm the Council’s earlier objections to this application.
6. POLICE REPORT:
No police representative was available to present a report.
Cllr. Lusk expressed concern that statements regarding anti-social behaviour at Talbot Road made in the Public Session had not been brought to the attention of Councillors by a police officer. The Chairman agreed to mention this matter to the local beat officer.
Cllr. Nelson proposed that a comprehensive police report every quarter was preferable to a quick monthly update. Cllr. Illes seconded the proposal which was agreed by Council. The next quarterly police report would occur in March 2012.
7. DCAE COSFORD REPORT:
No RAF Cosford representative was available to present a report.
Cllr. M Pate reported that he was more optimistic about the long term future of the Cosford RAF base and Cllr. Johnson stated that the museum had received more aircraft.
8. UNITARY AUTHORITY REPORT:
Cllr. M Pate reported that Shropshire Council now had to make savings of £84m although the Borough of Telford and Wrekin was in worse financial difficulties. Further cuts could be imposed by Government in the next eighteen months to two years.
9. FINANCE:
Albrighton Flyer income and expenditure for November 2011:
The report on the income and expenditure for the Albrighton Flyer for the month of November 2011 was received and noted.
A minor incident concerning the Flyer and a parked car which resulted in a small scratch to the car bumper had been dealt with without resorting to an insurance claim.
Cheques for December 2011 for approval:
A list of 17th cheques for payment was presented for approval. Cllr. M Pate proposed that the cheques should be approved for payment which was seconded by Cllr. Murray and agreed by the Council.
|
Date |
Cheque No. |
Payee |
Amount |
|
05.12.11 |
3106 |
Flyer contractor, bus pass refund |
348.00 |
|
12.12.11 |
3107 |
Flyer contractor, bus pass refund |
379.00 |
|
15.12.11 |
3108 |
Albrighton Electrical, erection of Christmas lights |
7038.00 |
|
15.12.11 |
3109 |
Clerk, registration and exam fees for CiLCA certificate |
265.00 |
|
05.12.11 |
3110 |
Office cleaner, 4 weeks cleaning & supplies |
45.99 |
|
15.12.11 |
3111 |
Clerk, December salary |
1036.99 |
|
15.12 11 |
3112 |
Village Warden, December salary |
104.36 |
|
15.12.11 |
3113 |
Litter Warden, December salary |
80.00 |
|
07.12.11 |
3114 |
Cash, cash for petty cash |
100.00 |
|
07.12.11 |
3115 |
G Moore, construction of new village notice board |
420.00 |
|
08.12.11 |
3116 |
TFM, litter picker, road salt & grit, refuse sacks |
90.05 |
|
19.12.11 |
3117 |
Flyer contractor, bus pass refund |
351.00 |
|
15.12.11 |
3119 |
E.ON, repairs to street light Ashgrove |
148.66 |
|
15.12.11 |
3120 |
RBS Software, 3 months payroll |
16.20 |
|
15.12 11 |
3121 |
BT, Internet services |
131.32 |
|
15.12.11 |
3122 |
Keith Gibson Cars, Flyer monthly check and fuel |
374.99 |
|
15.12.11 |
3123 |
D Beechey, expenses for CIL training, Shrewsbury |
21.60 |
10. DISCUSSION ON THE MEETING WITH THE RED HOUSE MANAGEMENT COMMITTEE EARLIER AND DECISION ON THE FUTURE LOCATION OF THE PARISH OFFICE AND THE REPAYMENT OF THE REPAIR GRANT TO THE RED HOUSE IN 2005:
Cllrs Holden, Hester, M Pate, S Pate and Pledger left the meeting for this agenda item.
The grant made to the Red House in 2005 for repairs to the building as detailed in the letter from Mr Paul Joseland distributed as part of agenda item 4, Matters Arising, was considered. Cllr. Illes proposed that the sum of £9,878.77 net for repairs made in 2006 should be returned to the Council. Cllr. Blincoe seconded the proposal which was agreed by Council.
Action: the Clerk to write to the Red House Management Committee asking for the return of the grant made in 2006 value £9,878.77 in accordance with the procedures confirmed in Mr Joseland’s letter of 17th June 2008.
Cllr. Nelson left the meeting for the remainder of this agenda item.
Cllr. MacLachlan stated that the accommodation being offered at the Red House to the Parish Council did not compare favourably with the office at 82b High Street. There was no in-office facility for round table meetings and the recent Mary Portas report on the future of High Streets recommended that public services should be accommodated in such a location. Cllr. MacLachlan felt that turning the Red House office into a storage unit was not necessarily the best option and suggested that it might be used for police business or for an Internet cafe which would appeal to young people and ensure that they used the centre. Cllr. Blincoe supported these remarks but felt that it was not appropriate for the Parish Council to comment on internal matters relating to the use of the accommodation and he proposed that the parish office should remain at 82b High Street.
Cllr. Lusk pointed out that the Red House is a key community facility and it was entirely appropriate that the parish council office should be accommodated there. There was no certainty that Shropshire Council would continue to share the office at 82b High Street which would have financial implications for the council. Cllr. Murray stated that the office at the Red House was not suitable and the council was already giving support to the Red House by holding its meetings there. Cllr. Lusk reminded members that they had resolved to move to the Red House if a suitable venue became available and the council needed to engage in discussions in order to make clear what its requirements were. These might include the need for space for shared use, a meeting room, toilet and kitchen facilities, an office that was accessible to the public and a notice board on the street. Once these discussions had been completed the council would be in a position to consider a suitable response.
Cllr. Illes asked for the Clerk’s opinion as he was the employee who would have to work in the office. The Clerk said that the council had every right to be proud of what had been achieved in its present accommodation and should be very careful before it considered a major upheaval which might endanger a successful and valued service. A move should only be considered if the council was convinced that the alternative offered a significant improvement and a clear opportunity to improve on the service that was currently available to residents. He was still to be convinced that what was on offer at the Red House met those aspirations.
Cllr. Illes said that Councillors needed to be mindful of the need for good relations between the two organisations which were important for future developments.
Cllr. Murray seconded Cllr. Blincoe’s proposal that the parish office should not relocate and remain at 82b High Street which was carried by the council.
Cllrs. Holden, Hester, Nelson, M Pate, S Pate and Pledger returned at the conclusion of this agenda item.
Action: the Clerk to write to the secretary of the Red House Management Committee informing her of council decisions regarding the repayment of the building repairs loan and the location of the parish office.
11. UPDATE ON THE OLD SMITHY DEVELOPMENT AND PROGRESS WITH REGARD TO THE SUBMISSION OF A FORMAL APPLICATION:
Cllr. Nelson informed members that Mr Thompson had agreed to meet with Councillors to provide an update on the Old Smithy at the meeting on 19th January 2012.
12. UPDATE ON THE PROPOSED SALE OF LAND FROM THE SPORTS AND SOCIAL CLUB AND REPORT FROM SEVERN TRENT WATER ON THE REFURBISHMENT OF COUNCIL LAND AT THE END OF LOAK ROAD:
The Clerk reported that the Sports and Social Club had agreed to offer the land at the allotments to the Council at no cost.
Cllr. Nelson reported that a solicitor from fbc Manby Bowdler was now acting for the Council regarding the recovery of land in Loak Road. He proposed a meeting to agree future policy which was supported by members.
The Clerk reported that Severn Trent had indicated that they were unlikely to take any further action with regard to the Council land at Worthington Drive following a second letter he had written to the company. Members were clear that this was an unsatisfactory response and action to restore the land to a serviceable state was required.
Action: Cllr. Nelson to arrange a meeting between fbc Manby Bowdler and representatives of the council and the Clerk to write to Severn Trent Water demanding action to restore the land at Worthington Drive to the state it was in before construction started.
13. REQUEST FROM DONINGTON PARISH COUNCIL FOR £60.00 FOR BULBS TO BE PLANTED IN THE NATURE RESERVE AND VOLUNTEERS TO WORK ON 19TH JANUARY 2012.
Cllr. M Pate proposed that the £60 should be provided for the purchase of bulbs as requested. Cllr. Illes seconded the proposal which was agreed by council.
Members suggested that volunteers might be recruited from the Civic Society and the local schools.
14. CONSIDERATION OF THE REMOVAL AND STORAGE OF THE ALBRIGHTON MACE WHILE THE NEW ORGAN IS INSTALLED IN ST. MARY’S CHURCH, ALBRIGHTON.
Cllr. Nelson said that the present safe which houses the mace needs to be replaced but the temporary arrangements suggested by the Church should be supported. Cllr. G Beechey proposed that the Church should be asked to make arrangements for the safe keeping of the mace as suggested by Rev Warren. The motion was seconded by Cllr. M Pate and agreed by council.
Action: the Clerk to write to Rev Warren asking her to proceed with the safe storage of the mace as suggested in her email.
15. ALBRIGHTON TRADERS ASSOCIATION CHRISTMAS EXTRAVAGANZA 2011 AND PLANS FOR THE 2012 EVENT:
The Traders had agreed to promote the 2012 Extravaganza on 29th November and members agreed that the Christmas lights should be in place by that date and switched on at the beginning of the event.
Action: the Clerk to write to Mr Whittaker thanking him for his work in erecting the Christmas lights for 2011.
16. STANDARDS AND MEMBER CODE OF CONDUCT – CONSIDERATION OF A FIRST REPORT FROM SHROPSHIRE COUNCIL ON NEW ARRANGEMENTS RESULTING FROM THE LOCALISM ACT 2011:
The Chairman informed members that in future the council would have to produce its own Code of Conduct although it could be based on a Shropshire model which would become available in 2012. The new procedures would come into force in April 2012 when there would be a legal demand to declare any pecuniary interest. The current personal and prejudicial interest declarations would be abolished.
17. FURTHER DISCUSSION ON THE PROPOSED YOUTH SHELTER ON THE LAND BEHIND TALBOT ROAD, ALBRIGHTON:
Cllr. M Pate said that it was important that residents close to a proposed youth shelter were properly consulted and their views taken into account. This issue was not a parish council matter and it was in the hands of the “Say Yes” organisation. Cllr. Pledger suggested that those managing the initiative might value the advice of one or two councillors and it was suggested that those councillors involved with the skate park would be suitably qualified to advise those working on this project if they felt it would be helpful. Members agreed to wait for proposals to be developed before making further comment.
18. CORRESPONDENCE:
For information:
· Mr Mark Pritchard MP – acceptance of invitation to the Civic Service Sunday 11th December.
No mention was made of Mr Pritchard’s attendance at the service.
Action: the Clerk to put a report mentioning Mr Pritchard in the Parish Magazine.
· Heather and Aaron Price – objection to an application for an Alcohol Sale Licence at
65 High Street, Albrighton.
Received and noted.
· Heather and Aaron Price – email update on the appeal and latest draft application at 41-42 High Street, Albrighton.
Action: the Clerk to incorporate their suggestions into the council submission to the appeal.
For action:
· Open Spaces Society – request for funding for “new threats to green spaces” appeal.
Received and noted.
· Ron Kidson – suggested breakdown of funding for HydroLogic scheme for flood prevention.
Members agreed the breakdown of funding between partners.
· Albrighton Sports and Social Club – sale of land in allotments site.
Matter dealt with under agenda item 12.
· P E Van Tech – estimate for alterations to the Albrighton Flyer.
Members agreed to proceed with the suggested alterations.
· David Beechey – report on the CIL workshop 8th December 2011.
Cllr. D Beechey recommended that the Place Plan should go forward and any CIL money should be banked for the future. The Place Plan includes communities such as Beckbury and Tong and it is to be revised in September 2012.
19. DATES AND TIMES OF FUTURE MEETINGS:
· Parish Council planning meeting Thursday 5th January 2012 at 7.15 pm in the Red House.
· Parish Council annual dinner Thursday 12 January 2012 at 7.00 for 7.30 pm in the Horns of Boningale.
· Parish Council meeting Thursday 19th January 2012 at 7.15 pm in the Red House.
Signed...........................................................................Date.......................................................
Chairman