ALBRIGHTON PARISH COUNCIL

MINUTES OF MEETING

Thursday 19th January 2012 at 6.45 pm in the Red House

 

Minutes of the Parish Council meeting held on 19th January 2012 at 6.45 pm in the Red House.

 

PRESENT: Cllrs. D Beechey (Chairman), M Pate (Vice Chair), G Beechey, R Blincoe, S Brown,

N Hester, 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 DAVID THOMPSON ON THE PLANNING APPLICATION FOR THE OLD SMITHY AND KINGSWOOD ROAD LAND:

 

Mr Thompson distributed an information leaflet for members’ information which provided details of the current status of the project regarding the Smithy, a submission for an additional 70 homes to add to the 80 homes already given outline permission on Kingswood Road land and a master plan map showing the proposed use of the Kingswood Road land. February is the key month for decisions on the proposed Smithy development. Mr Thompson answered questions on play facilities, the doctors’ surgery, the effect of changes to DCAE Cosford and station parking and confirmed that work on the Smithy development, if granted planning permission, would not start separate to the work on the proposed 150 homes on the Kingswood Road land. Cllr. Lusk asked about the details of the section 106 agreement and it was agreed that the Council would seek details of the document which had not been made available. Mr Thompson also discussed the possible impact of the new Jaguar/Land Rover development off the M54 which could also have an effect on housing demand in the area.

 

Mr Thompson was thanked for his presentation and information booklet by the Chairman who said Council would consider the application for planning permission for the Old Smithy later in the agenda.

 

Action: the Clerk to contact Shropshire Council to obtain a copy of the section 106 agreement relating to the proposed developments at Kingswood Road, Albrighton.

 

1.      APOLOGIES:

 

Cllr. Holden (on holiday).

 

All of the apologies were accepted by the Council.

 

2.      DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST:

 

Personal:

 

Cllr. Murray declared a personal interest in agenda item 9.

 

Prejudicial:

 

None.

 

3.      MINUTES OF PREVIOUS MEETINGS:

 

Minutes of the Parish Council meeting 15th December 2011:

 

Cllr. Hester stated that his return the meeting was prior to the discussion on the planning application 11/04903/FUL installation of solar PV panels 3 Beamish Lane Albrighton and that the minutes should be amended to show his presence for this item (page 4).

 

Cllr Illes asked that the sentence on page 7 of the minutes which read:

 

“Cllr. Illes proposed that the sum of £9,878.77 net for repairs made in 2006 should be returned to the Council”

 

should be amended to read:

 

“Cllr. Murray proposed that the sum of £9,878.77 net for repairs made in 2006 should be returned to the Council”.

 

Both of these proposed amendments were accepted by the Council. With these amendments Cllr. M Pate proposed that the minutes were a true and accurate record which was seconded by Cllr. Illes and agreed by Council.

 

Minutes of Parish Council planning meeting 5th January 2012:

 

Cllr. Hester asked that the minute on page 5 should be amended to read:

 

“Cllr. Blincoe seconded the amendment which was agreed by the Council. This became the substantive proposal which was then carried by Council”.

 

This amendment was agreed by Council. With this amendment Cllr. Blincoe proposed that the minutes were a true and accurate record which was seconded by Cllr. Johnson and agreed by Council.

 

4.      MATTERS ARISING:

 

The Clerk informed members with regard to the different status of the zigzag lines outside the two Albrighton primary schools.

 

 

 

5.      PLANNING:

 

Planning applications:

11/02977/FUL Refurbishment of the Old Blacksmith’s House; erection of two dwellings attached to existing house; erection of terrace of four dwellings; conversion of barn to one dwelling, The Old Smithy, 58 High Street, Albrighton.

 

Cllr. M Pate proposed that there should be no objection to the application which was seconded by Cllr. MacLachlan and agreed by Council.

 

12/00043/TPO Works to 3no Silver Birch Trees; to reduce the canopies by 15 to 20% and some very minor pruning to the top of the canopy. Trees protected by Shropshire Council (Land to the north of the High Street, Albrighton) TPO 2010, 12 Bushfield Road, Albrighton.

 

Cllr. Hester proposed that there should be no objection to the application which was seconded by Cllr. Johnson and agreed by Council.

 

Action: the Clerk to inform Shropshire Council of Parish Council recommendations regarding the above planning applications.

 

6.      DCAE COSFORD REPORT:

 

No RAF Cosford representative was available to present a report.

Cllr. Johnson reported that a Harrier aircraft had arrived at the museum also a partly dismantled Nimrod.

 

Members agreed that they would only seek a DCAE Cosford report every three months in line with the agreement regarding a police report. The next report would be scheduled for March 2012.

 

7.      UNITARY AUTHORITY REPORT:

 

Cllr. M Pate reported that there was to be no council tax increase for 2012/13 from Shropshire Council or the police service.

 

8.      FINANCE:

 

Bank reconciliation for the end of the 3rd quarter:

 

The reconciliation had been previously circulated to all members that showed a closing balance of £89,786.30. There were no questions relating to the statement and the reconciliation was received and noted by the Council.

 

 

 

 

Parish Flyer income and expenditure for December 2011:

 

The report on the income and expenditure for the Albrighton Flyer for the month of December 2011 was received and noted.

 

The Transport Committee agreed to consider whether it was still necessary to send the invoice for fuel and servicing to Cllr. H Kirton prior to its receipt by Albrighton Parish Council.

 

Cheques for January 2012 for approval:

 

A list of 18 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.

 

Cheque No.

Date

Payee

Amount

3118

02.01.12

Flyer contractor, bus pass refund

218.00

3124

05.01.12

BT, Office telephone bill

162.30

3125

05.01.12

Npower, adjusted office electricity bill

948.79

3126

09.01.12

Flyer contractor, bus pass refund

315.00

3127

16.01.12

Flyer contractor, bus pass refund

379.00

3128

03.01.12

Post Office Ltd., 3rd quarter tax and NI

1194.20

3129

09.01.12

Wellings Ltd., compaction skip for December 2011

719.81

3130

09.01.12

Office cleaner, 4 weeks cleaning

40.00

3131

09.01.12

Eastern Storage Equipment, one grit bin

131.70

3132

12.01.12

Horns of Boningale, annual council dinner

385.60

3133

19.01.12

Clerk, January salary

1036.99

3134

19.01.12

Village Warden, January salary

104.16

3135

19.01.12

Litter Warden, January salary

80.00

3136

23.01.12

Flyer contractor, bus pass refund

289.00

3137

30.01.12

Flyer contractor, bus pass refund

353.00

3138

19.01.12

P E Van Tech, new handrail and raising of seats on Flyer

562.80

3139

19.01.12

A Levens, repair to car bumper re Flyer

130.00

3140

19.02.12

Npower, street lighting Ashgrove

568.14

 

 

9.      DISCUSSION ON POSSIBLE SUPPORT  FOR THE ASHGROVE CHRISTMAS LIGHTS CHARITY FUNDRAISING FOR 2012 PROVIDED RESIDENTS WISH TO CONTINUE THE SCHEME:

 

Cllr. Nelson regretted the demise of the Ashgrove Christmas lights in 2011 which had raised significant sums of money for charity over the years and suggested that they should be encouraged to apply for a grant for the reinstatement of the lights in 2012 if they were willing to renew the project. Cllr. Pledger was concerned that the Council could be seen to be awarding a grant to residents in order to help them pay their electricity bills and Cllr. M Pate stated that a request to the LJC might be more appropriate, a suggestion that was supported by Cllr. S Pate. Cllr. Nelson proposed that the Council should consider a proposal from the Ashgrove Residents’ Group for a grant for help with the Christmas lights 2012 if one was received by the Council. Cllr. Johnson seconded the proposal which was agreed by Council.

 

Cllr. Pledger asked that her decision to abstain on the motion be recorded in the minutes.

 

Action: the Clerk to inform the Ashgrove Residents’ Group of the possibility of applying for a grant from the Council for the Christmas lights 2012.

 

10.  CONSIDERATION AND AGREEMENT OF THE COMPACTION SKIP PROVISION FOR 2012/13:

 

Cllr. Illes proposed that the Council should roll over the current year’s programme for the compaction skip to 2012/13 which was seconded by Cllr. S Pate and agreed by the Council.

 

Cllr. Illes was thanked for his work with regard to this service.

 

Action: the Clerk to produce a new schedule for the compaction skip for 2012/13.

 

11.  CONSIDERATION OF THE WORKING SCHEDULE OF THE ALBRIGHTON FLYER AND POSSIBLE REVISION TO THE EXISTING PROVISION:

 

Cllr. Pledger reported that there had been complaints from users regarding the two week absence of the Flyer over the Christmas period. The Clerk reported that the contractor was still ill and had not been involved in the running of the vehicle for several weeks.

 

Cllr. M Pate proposed that the matter should be referred to the Transport Committee which was seconded by Cllr. Nelson and agreed by Council.

 

12.  DISCUSSION ON THE USE OF CLOCKMILLS FOOTBALL PITCH FOR LEAGUE FOOTBALL:

 

Cllr. Blincoe reported that the Sports and Social Club will not go ahead with the use of the Clockmills football pitch without a 10-15 year lease and the availability of changing facilities. They would not be prepared to fund any development costs. Cllr. Lusk said that three quotes for the upgrade to the pitch were required and portable changing facilities could be provided. The pitch could also be used for junior football. Cllr. Pledger also stated that there was need for an area in which young people could play impromptu games during school holidays and in the evening.

 

Cllr. Blincoe promised to make further enquiries and this item would be placed on the agenda for the meeting on 16th February, 2012.

 

13.  CONSIDERATION OF A LETTER FROM ALBRIGHTON TRADERS ASSOCIATION AND OTHER CORRESPONDENCE FROM LOCAL TRADERS REGARDING TREE ROOTS AND LIFTING OF THE PAVEMENT, 63 HIGH STREET, ALBRIGHTON:

 

The Chairman explained that the trees were planted by Bridgnorth District Council and Shropshire Council is refusing to take responsibility for them. Cllr. Pledger said that the trees should be removed, the pavement repaired and planters put in their place. Cllr. Lusk said that this matter was not the business of the Parish Council and Cllr. Pledger proposed that the Council should suggest that the traders should contact Cllr. M Pate with regard to their problem. The proposal was seconded by Cllr. G Beechey and agreed by Council.

 

Action: the Clerk to write to the traders suggesting that they contact Cllr. M Pate with regard to the problem of the tree outside 63 High Street.

 

14.  FURTHER DISCUSSION ON THE NAME OF THE NEW ALBRIGHTON WEBSITE BEING PROVIDED BY SHROPSHIRE TOURISM:

 

Cllr. Lusk reported on his suggestions previously circulated to members and suggested Albrighton-Cosford or Albrighton.org. The Civic Society favoured a name that had the word tourism in it and Cllr. Murray proposed that the name should be Albrighton tourism. Cllr M Pate seconded the proposal and suggested that more than one name might be purchased. The motion was carried and Cllr. Beechey agreed to liaise with Shropshire Tourism over the decision.

 

15.  DISCUSSION ON THE MAINTENANCE AND REPAIR OF THE CROWN CAR PARK AND STEPS NECESSARY TO IMPROVE ITS PRESENT CONDITION:

 

Cllr. Nelson was concerned over the considerable flooding in the car park after recent rain and there were potholes and the surface was disintegrating. The Clerk reported that an email had already been sent to Mr Graham Downes drawing attention to the poor state of the car park. Cllr. M Pate agreed to follow up this matter at county level.

 

16.  DISCUSSION ON LETTERS FROM COUNCILLORS TO THE ALBRIGHTON PARISH MAGAZINE:

 

Cllr. Hester said that at a time when the Council was considering quality status it did not look good to the public when the Chairman and Vice Chairman were seen to be in opposition in letters to the Parish Magazine. Cllr. Pledger gave her support to this view and said that such actions undermined the Council. Cllr. M Pate stated that his original letter to the Parish Magazine did not ask for or need a reply and he was commenting regarding his responsibilities as the Shropshire Council member on housing matters, the administration of which was the responsibility of Shropshire Council. Cllr. Hester said that the Parish Council needed to acknowledge that this dialogue was unhelpful and ensure that there was no repeat. Councillors agreed to close this matter without further comment.

 

17.  ITEMS FOR THE AGENDAS OF PARISH COUNCIL MEETINGS ON 2ND FEBRUARY 2012 AND 16TH FEBRUARY 2012:

 

Members agreed to include five items on future agendas.

 

·         The provision of litter bins in the village;

·         To review any previous business that had not been brought to a conclusion;

·         Invitations to speakers at the Annual Parish Meeting;

·         Parish Council plans for the celebration of the Queen’s diamond jubilee;

·         Budget and place planning.

 

Action: the Clerk to write to Karen Higgins to invite her to speak at the APM for a 45 minute session.

 

 

18.  CORRESPONDENCE

 

For Information:

 

·         Churches Together – invitation to a special service in St. Mary’s Church, Albrighton on Sunday 5th February 2012 at 3.30 pm.

 

Received and noted.

 

·         SLCC – The Clerk magazine, January 2012.

 

Received and noted

 

·         Running Imp – Diamond Jubilee mementoes and party products.

 

Received and noted.

 

·         Arts Alive – Programme for arts events in Shropshire and Herefordshire January–May 2012.

 

Received and noted.

 

·         ALC – Information Bulletin, January 2012.

 

Received and noted.

 

·         Shropshire Council – Changes to street lighting bulletin.

 

Received and noted.

 

·         P Woodman – Grant request for Albrighton Moving Pictures Society.

 

Referred to the Grants Committee.

 

·         Bridgnorth and South Shropshire Crucial Crew – Request for a grant.

 

Referred to the Grants Committee.

 

·         Albrighton Village Halls Trust – Notification of parish office location and loan arrangements to be considered on 9th February 2012.

Received and noted.

 

·         FBC Manby Bowdler – Letter confirming instructions re allotment plots 38-41

 

Received and noted.

 

·         Shropshire Council – Update on the arrangements for a Shropshire Council Code of Conduct and registration of members’ interests.

 

Received and noted.

 

·         David Williams – Letter agreeing to act for Albrighton Parish Council on the sale of land from Albrighton Sports and Social Club and requesting further information.

 

Received and noted.

 

·         National Flood Forum – invitation to become members to support the work of the organisation.

 

The Parish Council is already a member.

 

For action:

 

·         ALC – Buckingham Palace Garden Party 22nd May 2012. Policy and nomination forms to be returned by 1st February 2012.

 

Cllr. M Pate proposed that Cllr. Pledger should be nominated by Albrighton Parish Council which was seconded by Cllr. S Pate and agreed by Council.

 

19.  DATES AND TIMES OF FUTURE MEETINGS:

 

·         Parish Council planning meeting Thursday 2nd February 2012 at 7.15 pm in the Red House.

·         Parish Council meeting Thursday 16th February 2012 at 7.15 pm in the Red House.

 

Members thanked Cllr. G Beechey for all of her efforts in arranging the recent Annual dinner.

 

There being no further business the meeting closed at 8.30 pm.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Signed..........................................................................Date........................................................Chairman