ALBRIGHTON PARISH COUNCIL
Minutes of the meeting held on
Thursday 19th February 2009 at the Red House
Minutes of the Parish Council meeting held at the Red House on Thursday 19th February 2009.
PRESENT: Cllrs. P Lusk (Chair), D Beechey (Vice Chair), R Balkwill, G Beechey,
R Blincoe, M Holden, P Illes, D Johnson, R Kidson, D Murray, J Nelson, M Pate,
S Pledger.
CLERK: M Ward.
PUBLIC SESSION: No members of the public were in attendance.
APOLOGIES: Cllrs. N Hester, S Pate.
DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST:
Personal:
There were no declarations of personal interests.
Prejudicial:
Cllr. M Pate declared a prejudicial interest in items 8 and 18.
MINUTES OF THE PREVIOUS MEETINGS:
Parish Council Meeting of 15th January 2009
Cllr. Kidson requested the removal of one word in item 18 relating to the National Flood Forum newsletter. With this one amendment Cllr. D Beechey proposed that the minutes were a true record, seconded by Cllr. Murray. The motion was unanimously approved.
Parish Council (planning) meeting of 5th February 2009
Cllr. M Pate proposed they were a true record, seconded by Cllr. Blincoe. The motion was unanimously approved.
MATTERS ARISING:
Shropshire County Council had written to Mr Smith of the Cross Road Traffic Calming Scheme confirming that phase 2 would be included in the list of proposed projects for the next financial year. Its inclusion would be subject to the available budget and other demands on the Council’s resources. Officers were proposing a meeting to confirm the details of the scheme.
The Council had received a letter from Ms Samantha Hine, Head of Community Working, rejecting the establishment of an access point in the village. On grounds of population and population density the village qualifies for telly talk which would be located in the library and Ms. Hine would not, therefore, be seeking any office space in the village. Cllr. D Beechey regretted this decision although Cllr. M Pate suggested it was in keeping with the guidelines drawn up to determine the style of provision across the county. Cllr. Murray pointed out that the library was not always open, thereby barring access to telly talk at certain points in the week and suggested that the parish office could be used for “hot desking” at no cost to the county. The current office is not suitable for the disabled and while the Red House plans to have a community office under its refurbishment plans it is not likely to be available for some time in the future. Various options were considered for sharing the present accommodation but the need for confidentiality was often a stumbling block.
There was discussion over the missing speed visor and the Blacksmith’s Smithy. Cllr. M Pate confirmed that he had sent an email to highways concerning the missing visor and PC Salt had been using the speed gun locally in an attempt to prevent speeding within the village boundaries.
PLANNING:
Planning applications
FUL/09/0059 Erection of a stable block land at Beamish Lane, Albrighton.
Resolved to recommend:
Objections and refusal on the grounds of the size of the building and its incompatibility with green belt land.
FUL/09/0073 Erection of a two storey side extension 25 Loak Road, Albrighton.
Resolved to recommend:
No objections.
FUL/09/0081 Erection of rear extension to shop and two first floor flats above after demolition of existing stockroom and outbuildings 78 High Street, Albrighton.
Resolved to recommend:
Decision postponed to the planning meeting of 5th March. Cllrs. Nelson and Kidson to visit the site and make further investigations.
Tree preservation order
1 x Oak – Crown reduce by up to 25%-30% crown thin and deadwood, Beggars Roost, Cross Road, Albrighton.
Received and noted.
DCAE COSFORD REPORT:
Mo Ashan presented his apologies. No report was available.
POLICE REPORT:
PC Salt was not available but the latest crime statistics for the area had been circulated. Concern was expressed about the low detection rate in Albrighton with regard to a large number of offences.
RESOLVED: The Clerk to write to the Inspector at Bridgnorth to ask about the poor detection rate in the village.
Cllrs. Blincoe reported that the skateboard CCTV cameras were now in place and further works on the skateboard park meant that the project was nearing completion.
FINANCE:
Despite difficult weather the Clerk had attended training at Uffcott near Swindon on presenting end of year accounts using the RBS finance software. The day had been very helpful and because the Council’s accounts had been forwarded exercises could be completed using the Council’s figures. The training should enable the Clerk to prepare the accounts for the auditors with a minimum of difficulty.
The Finance Committee had met during the afternoon of 19th February and gone through the reconciliation for the last month. Members confirmed that there were no outstanding difficulties with the budget and approved the statement.
Because the Council was carrying forward large reserves in the Bank of Ireland account there was concern that auditors would be critical of these unspecified savings. This was unnecessary as the Council had approved a number of projects which had significant resource implications. Cllr. Lusk suggested a list of funding allocations which could be earmarked for the future as follows:
£60,000 to support leisure and recreation projects and part funding in grant applications;
£25,000 to fund the Parish Flyer;
£20,000 to part fund the work on Donington Pool;
£20,000 for grants in support of the refurbishment of the Red House.
This proposal was seconded by Cllr. Kidson and unanimously approved by the Council
The Chair read out a letter which detailed compensation arrangements from the Irish Government regarding depositors in Irish bank accounts. This increased the level of compensation to 100,000 euros per depositor, per institution. In addition the Irish Government guaranteed all deposits without upper limit for a two year period up to 29th September 2010 after which protection would revert to the existing limits of the Irish Deposit Protection Scheme.
Resolved: The Clerk to investigate current levels of corporate investment interest rates and report back to the Council at the earliest opportunity.
The Council received a tender for summer baskets in the village during 2009 from Mrs. Hanson. Cllr. G Beechey recommended that the tender be accepted and the proposal was seconded by Cllr. Nelson. The motion was unanimously agreed.
A list of 12 cheques enclosed as Appendix A was presented for approval. Cllr. M Pate proposed that the list be accepted and Cllr. Murray seconded the proposal. The motion was unanimously approved.
the minutes in the absence of the Chair, Cllr. S Pate. The committee proposed a grant of £250 to the Crucial Crew and suggested a letter of support be written to Shifnal Town Council regarding the proposed swimming pool at Idsall School. Funding could be built into the 2010/11 precept. A request for funding for the purchase of new stage curtains at Newhouse Lane Primary School had been received and the committee suggested a grant of £1,000 together with a grant of £50 to the Severn Hospice which could be paid out of section 137 funding.
Cllr. G Beechey proposed that the recommendations of the grants committee be accepted and the motion was seconded by Cllr. Murray and unanimously supported by the Council.
Resolved: The Clerk to write to Shifnal Town Council expressing support and funding from the 2010/11 budget for the proposed swimming pool at Idsall School.
SHROPSHIRE CORE STRATEGY: ISSUES AND OPTIONS:
The Clerk outlined the content of the Shropshire Core Strategy and drew members’ attention to the key sections of the report that had been previously circulated. A response form needed to be returned to Shropshire Council by 9th March and he suggested that the Council might like to consider a small working party that could produce a first draft of the Council’s responses to be presented to Council at its meeting on 5th March. An agreed version could be submitted to the County in time for the deadline. This strategy was agreed and Cllrs. Kidson, Murray, D Beechey, and Johnson were nominated to meet on 26th February to produce a draft list of responses which would take account of already agreed policy such as the Parish Plan and present a draft response document to the Council meeting on 5th March.
FLY TIPPING ON LAND IN ABNEY AVENUE:
Members recorded their considerable concern over rubbish that had been dumped over a long period on a privately owned plot of land in Abney Avenue. The Clerk and individual Councillors had made efforts to resolve the problem but without success. Cllr. D Beechey reported that he had asked Bridgnorth District Council to become involved and the Environment Agency had also been contacted.
BDC had confirmed that the plot is not a fly tip and BDC had served a notice on the owners of the land and given them 21 days to remove the rubbish. If the owners failed to comply with the order the Council would clear the rubbish and charge the owners for the costs incurred. This could include the cost of a fence to prevent further tipping once the area has been cleared. The nearby plastic collection skip could also be moved in front of the plot to help prevent further dumping of rubbish.
RESUEST FOR A MEMORIAL BENCH OUTSIDE THE HARP PUBLIC HOUSE:
The Council had received a request from the current landlord of the Harp public house for the siting of a memorial bench on the village green in front of the property. This was in recognition of the many years of work of the previous landlord.
The Council was sympathetic to this request and gave its support to the proposal providing that the bench and its positioning was deemed to be suitable.
Resolved: The Clerk to contact the current tenants and discuss the style of the bench and where it was proposed to position it. The Clerk to report back to Council on the outcome of these discussions.
DISABLED ACCESS TO ALBRIGHTON STATION:
Cllr. Illes reported that a meeting was in the process of being arranged with members of Network Rail and the train company to discuss the progress of the refurbishment of Albrighton Station. He agreed to raise the matter of disabled access to the platform for Wolverhampton and beyond by crossing the adjacent factory/office car park and perhaps reserving a small number of spaces for disabled drivers. Cllr. Illes will report back to the Council after the meeting has taken place.
REFURBISHMENT OF THE SWIMMING POOL AT NEWHOUSE LANE PR IMARY SCHOOL:
The Council had received a letter from the Albrighton Swimming Club outlining the expenditure necessary to provide a plastic liner to the swimming pool at Newhouse Lane Primary School. The total cost of the refurbishment was stated to be £8,000. The swimming club had already been promised £2,500 from SCC but this left a shortfall of app. £6,000. This was in addition to the costs involved in the building of the new changing rooms. Cllr. M Pate stated he was certain that the necessary funding could be met from the education budget but it would be helpful if the Parish Council could guarantee any shortfall if the education department could not fund the total cost. Cllr. Murray seconded Cllr. Pates suggestion that the Parish Council should help the swimming club by offering a grant if funds were still outstanding after SCC support and this was agreed by Council.
Resolved: The Clerk to write to the swimming club proposing a grant to cover any shortfall if the county could not provide the full funding.
STOP AND DROP PARISH COUNCIL TOOLKIT:
Cllr. Illes summarised the 7 main features of the toolkit and the 5 recommendations he wished to bring to Council in a document he circulated to members. If the recommendations were adopted the rota of Councillors monitoring the conditions of gullies and drains could also be used for the oversight of litter within the village. Cllr. Illes urged that publicity should be given to the need to keep the village tidy and free from litter including the use of the web site to publicise initiatives. Cllr. M Pate stated that the new Shropshire authority would fund any education campaign and he also promised to provide the CSO with a camera. Cllr. D Beechey suggested that a school competition to highlight the problem of litter, graffiti etc would be helpful. Cllr Illes agreed to do further work on the development of good practice in the village based on the pack and Cllr. G Beechey thanked him for his work on behalf of the Council. Cllr. Johnson moved that the Council adopt the proposed strategy. The motion was seconded by Cllr. Murray and unanimously agreed by Council.
REQUEST FOR FUNDING FROM ALBRIGHTON FOOTBALL CLUB:
The chair read out a letter from Albrighton Football Club which asked for a grant to improve the drainage of the Loak Road pitches. The total cost of the work is £7,500 plus VAT. Cllr. M Pate suggested that the young people involved should be encouraged to make an application to the Youth Opportunities Fund and he would be pleased to provide the club with the forms. He further suggested that if there was a shortfall in the funding from YOF the Parish could make up the difference. Members gave their support to this suggestion and Cllr Pate promised to take the matter further with the football club.
PLASTIC RECYCLING SKIPS AT ABNEY AVENUE AND CROWN CAR PARK:
The skip at Abney Avenue was on BDC land and an application had been made for retrospective permission to site the recycling skip in this position.
The skip on the Crown car park was blocking the disabled access to the toilets but if it was moved it would take up another parking bay. Cllr. Blincoe suggested that a new ramp should be provided and two padlocks be purchased to lock the skips. Cllr. Pledger suggested that Featherstone Prison could provide moveable ramps and she was willing to contact them and discuss the possibility further. The Council authorised Cllr. Blincoe to spend up to £100 on additional security for the two recycling skips.
YOUTH SHELTER:
The Chair reported that Bridgnorth District Council had not secured funding for a youth shelter in Albrighton. Cllr. Kidson recorded his disappointment at this failure but said that the case for a youth shelter in the village was still strong and he went through a list of possible sites which was discussed by members. There were concerns regarding the possible effects on businesses and residents and as a way of countering these misgivings Cllr. Balkwill asked the Council to consider a mobile shelter.
A shelter on the Crown car park gathered the most support provided it met with the approval of the young people involved and Cllr. M Pate suggested that the Youth Forum should be reactivated and asked to discuss the positioning of a new shelter. Cllrs. Pledger, Balkwill, Holden and M Pate agreed to meet and revive the forum so that the young people could contribute to the discussion.
Cllr. Nelson stressed that those involved needed to talk to the owners of the land before any commitments were made. He promised to approach Marstons who owned the land at the Crown car park and discuss the possible siting of a youth shelter on their land.
CORRESPONDENCE:
Two letters had been distributed regarding the continued illumination of the Christmas lights until the third week in January. The Chair of the operatic society confirmed that they did not need the lights for their January performances at the Red House and the Council agreed that the Christmas lights would be switched off and removed on 6th January in 2010.
A letter from the Village Halls Trust was considered regarding the surrender of the lease of the Old School.
Resolved: The Clerk to write to the secretary of the Village Halls Trust to ask for a draft of the deed of surrender.
Cllrs Balkwill and Murray are to attend the Bridgnorth District Council commemorative service on Sunday 29th March 2009.
Cllr. Illes promised to scrutinise the suggested grants from SCC to Parish and Town Councils for the devolution of services and report back to the Council.
An invitation had been received from the Southern Shropshire Partnership Forum to attend meetings in Highley and Craven Arms to discuss the development of three new area partnerships across the county. Cllr. Murray agreed to attend the meeting in Highley on 4th March and Cllr. D Beechey will attend the meeting in Craven Arms on 8th April.
An email had been received outlining the involvement of the Parish Flyer in the new concessionary fares scheme which will become operative on 1st April 2009. Virtually all of the users of the Flyer will be eligible for the concessionary fares which will necessitate a review of current procedures to accommodate the new scheme. A letter had been received from Donington Parish Council informing Albrighton members that the Council was now supportive of the operation of the Parish Flyer although a new contract is still needed which will need to be approved by the two Councils.
New electoral arrangements necessitated by local government reorganisation have been drawn up by SCC. The new procedures were received and noted by members.
TIMES AND DATES OF FUTURE MEETINGS:
Signed…………………………………………Date………………………………………
Chairman