ALBRIGHTON PARISH COUNCIL

MINUTES OF MEETING

Thursday 17^th September 2009 at 7.15 in the Red House

Minutes of the parish council meeting held on 17^th September 2009 at 7.15 pm in the Red House.

PRESENT: Cllrs. P Lusk (chair), R Balkwill, R Kidson, D Johnson, D Murray,

J Nelson, S Pledger.

PRESENTATION BY MR. ROY EVANS, CHAIR OF THE ALBRIGHTON AND DISTRICT CRIME PREVENTION PANEL:

The chair introduced Mr. Roy Evans, the chair of the Albrighton and District Crime Prevention Panel, to the meeting. Mr Evans began by updating members on the situation regarding the CCTV cameras. The new room to house the equipment was nearly finished but still needed a ventilation system installing. The total cost of the move was £3,179. Mr Evans had a number of concerns including the quality of the pictures, rent, the cost of the insurance (£1,300), maintenance, and the fact that a new monitor might be needed. These issues were a cause for concern for members. Cllr. Balkwill voiced members’ anxiety regarding the possibility that there would be a loss of picture quality resulting from the move. However, it was noted that the quotation for relocation was to achieve satisfactory picture quality so payment would be subject to the result being fit for purpose. Cllr Pledger asked whether there had been any variation in the crime figures during the period when the cameras were not functioning but no information was available. Mr Evans could, however, point to several examples in which the cameras had played a significant part in police investigations including the robbery at the Post Office. Mr Evans also said he hoped to replace the cameras at the top of the High Street and the existing cameras could be offered to Donington for the nature reserve. The equipment could operate with up to eight cameras and currently there were only five in use.

The chair thanked Mr Evans for his presentation and for taking over the chairmanship of the Crime Prevention Panel.  

PUBLIC SESSION:

No members of the public were in attendance.

1. APOLOGIES:

Cllrs. D Beechey, G. Beechey, W Holden, P Illes, M Pate, S Pate.

Inspector Dunn also gave his apologies regarding agenda item 7, Police Report.

2. DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST:

Personal:

Cllr. S Pledger declared a personal interest in item 17.

Prejudicial:

Cllr. J Nelson declared a prejudicial interest in item 11.

3. MINUTES OF PREVIOUS MEETINGS:

Minutes of the parish council meeting 16^th July 2009:

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

Minutes of the parish council planning meeting 6^th August 2009:

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

Minutes of the parish council planning meeting 3^rd September 2009:

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

4. MATTERS ARISING:

Minutes of the parish council meeting 16^th July 2009:

The letter from Cllr. S Pate to fellow councillors had been circulated by Cllr. Pledger and Cllr. Kidson had replied and met with Cllr. Pate to discuss the contents. A copy of his letter was available to members.

A skateboard park bin is to be installed and Cllr. Pledger reported that the fencing around the park is still broken and it is inadequate in height. The chairman reported that these matters had been referred to Mr. David Cobham who has in turn reported them to the school. Cllr. Kidson suggested that concerns over the park should be addressed at the leisure partnership meeting. Cllr. Nelson asked for a review of assurances given regarding the skateboard park and asked that it be placed on a future agenda.

Resolved: The clerk to place the skateboard park on the agenda for 15^th October meeting.

Minutes of the parish council planning meeting 3^rd September 2009:

Cllr. Kidson reported that notices regarding the proposed development at The Hollies in Cross Road had only just been posted on 17th September. Cllr. Nelson suggested that the council should ask for the consultation period to be extended.

Resolved: The clerk to write to Shropshire Council asking for an extension to the consultation period for the application relating to The Hollies, Cross Road, Albrighton.

Councillors were also informed that Mr Don Street had not been invited to the approbation reception and that this was an omission that should be corrected at the next parade. It was also agreed that he should be involved in any floral tribute opening if the RAFA initiative was to become a reality. The clerk reported that he had written to the organisation requesting further details but to date no reply had been received.

5. PLANNING:

Planning applications:

• 09/01486/FUL Erection of extension to dwelling 31 St Cuthbert’s Crescent, Albrighton.

No objections.

• 09/2377/FUL Erection of a pitched roof over existing flat roofed side and rear extension The Firs, Shaw Lane, Albrighton.

No objections.

6. DCAE COSFORD REPORT:

No representative of DCAE Cosford was available but the chairman read out a letter of thanks for the approbation parade from Air Commodore Green.

7. POLICE REPORT

Inspector Fitzpatrick and Sergeant Bailey were present to make a report on the latest crime figures which were circulated to councillors. The detection rate for Albrighton was 38.36% which was described by Sgt Bailey as being very high. The overall crime figures showed a reduction. Drug figures were affected by the recent V Festival and house burglaries were up although arrests had been made. Vehicle crime had been greatly reduced and although violent crime was up this was partly caused by the new policy of including domestic violence within this category. Cllr. Kidson registered his concern that the detection rates for Shifnal always show an improvement over those for Albrighton and Cllr. Pledger pointed out that all of the statistics for Shifnal were better than those for Albrighton. Cllr. Pledger also asked about dwelling house burglary and how it is investigated after an incident in her area appeared to show some lapses in procedure. Sgt Bailey said that house to house enquiries were made in every case and if there had been any failure of practice he would investigate the matter. Cllr. Murray asked about the V Festival and the need to target drug users/suppliers throughout West Mercia and Cllr. Balkwill enquired about the crime figures quoted in the recent press. The chair explained that the statistics quoted were offered in a personal capacity and were not credited to the council as a whole.

Cllr. Pledger initiated a discussion on operational concerns in the village but Cllr. Nelson urged caution and the chair asked that members adopt a balanced approach with regard to such issues. He suggested that any concerns should be passed directly to Sgt Bailey who confirmed that he would respond to any enquires raised by residents.

The chair concluded this item by thanking Inspector Fitzpatrick and Sergeant Bailey for their time and giving such a full account of the current policing strategy and the outcomes resulting from it.

8. UNITARY AUTHORITY REPORT:

No member of the unitary authority was available to give a report. Some councillors raised difficulties they had encountered or had reported to them, particularly concerning planning procedures and the refuse collection. Cllr. Balkwill reported on a tree that had fallen into the churchyard which had caused particular problems which he was attempting to solve with the assistance of Shropshire Council.

9. FINANCE:

Report from the finance committee:

The chair reported that the finance committee had met that afternoon and gone through the accounts to the middle of September in detail. With the large grant to the Red House for the ongoing refurbishment now passed through the account the balance for both the Bank of Ireland and Lloyds/TSB stood at £161,081.83. The committee had approved the accounts. Members noted that the additional insurance requested had been added to the council policy and that the War Memorial had come into the council’s possession. It was also noted that the parish flyer bus pass refunds will be returned by Shropshire Council.

Cheques for approval.

A list of 54 cheques was considered by the council.

The following cheques for September were approved and signed by the council:

Date	Cheque Number	Payee	Amount
20.07.09	2454	D Frizzell bus pass refund	206.00
20.07.09	2455	Alb. Table Tennis Club grant	410.00
06/08/09	2456	NALC LCR Subs 16 copies	192.00
27.07.09	2457	B Davies bus pass refund	309.00
03.08.09	2458	B Davies bus pass refund	263.00
10.08.09	2459	D Frizzell bus pass refund	250.00
17.08.09	2460	B Davies bus pass refund	250.00
24.08.09	2461	D Frizzell bus pass refund	250.00
06.08.09	2462	Alb Traders leaflet grant	1000.00
06.08.09	2463	Npower Old School electricity	36.56
06.08.09	2464	ALS football pitch maintenance	494.50
06.08.09	2466	Keith Gibson Cars mower/fuel	14.75
24.08.09	2467	M Ward August salary	1022.93
24.08.09	2468	R Giles August salary	197.77
24.08.09	2469	P Jozefowski August salary	64.00
06.08.09	2470	Keith Gibson Cars Flyer repairs/fuel	444.26
01.09.09	2471	D Frizzell hands free phone refund	152.93
01.09.09	2472	B Davies bus pass refund	204.90
01.09.09	2473	D Frizzell bus pass refund	44.00
03.09.09	2474	D Frizzell bus pass refund	215.00
03.09.09	2475	B Davies bus pass refund	290.00
03.09.09	2476	Cash, petty cash	100.00
03.09.09	2477	Glasdon skateboard park litter bin	147.61
03.09.09	2478	G Smith solicitors war memorial bill	138.00
03.09.09	2479	Blachere Christmas lights	2029.75
03.09.09	2480	Taylor York PC information leaflets	292.00
03.09.09	2481	Taylor York approbation invitations	106.95
03.09.09	2482	Ray Parry Abney Ave playground repairs	1012.00
03.09.09	2483	E.On Ashgrove street light repair	65.72
03.09.09	2484	Mazars external audit fee	460.00
03.09.09	2485	Npower Ashgrove street lighting	474.35
17.09.09	2487	M Ward September salary	1022.93
17.09.09	2488	R Giles September salary	197.77
17.09.09	2489	P Jozefowski September salary	64.00
17.09.09	2490	CPRE annual subscription	29.00
17.09.09	2491	Blachere Christmas lights	1506.50
17.09.09	2492	RBS software maintenance	90.85
17.09.09	2493	ALS feed and weed football pitch	465.75
17.09.09	2494	ALS sand slitting football pitch	172.50
17.09.09	2495	J Maylor delivery of leaflets	60.00
17.09.09	2496	Cllr D Beechey travel expenses	41.67
17.09.09	2497	BT Internet services	120.68
17.09.09	2498	Wellings September compaction skip	741 93
17.09.09	2499	Keith Gibson Cars Flyer and mower fuel	371.75
17.09.09	2500	E.On repair to lighting column	39.40
17.09.09	2501	D Frizzell bus pass refund	258.00
17.09.09	2502	B Davies bus pass refund	247.00
17.09.09	2503	M Pritchard approbation pedestal flowers	100.00
17.09.09	2504	Viking Direct files/printer cartridges	90.10
17.09.09	2505	Cartwrights approbation table decorations	155.00
17.09.09	2506	BT Office telephone bill	121.81
17.09.09	2508	Approbation Red House refreshments	816.66
17.09.09	2509	Alb. Swimming club grant	1500.00
21.09.09	2510	Crime prevention panel grant	2500.00

10. DECLARATION OF VACANCY ON THE PARISH COUNCIL:

The chair explained the situation following the resignation of Cllr. R Blincoe and drew councillors’ attention to the procedural notes circulated earlier to all members. Cllr. Balkwill proposed that the vacancy should be declared with immediate effect which was seconded by Cllr Johnson and unanimously agreed.

Resolved: The clerk to advertise the vacancy immediately and liaise with Shropshire Council regarding a possible election.

11. FUTURE LOCATION OF THE PARISH OFFICE:

The chair explained that the Barhale occupancy of 82b High Street, Albrighton will finish at the end of October 2009. It had been agreed that the parish office should share accommodation with the new Shropshire Community Access Point and county officers had been looking at possibilities within the village. The chair believed that their preferred option was the Red House but the current accommodation on offer is on the 2^nd floor and is not publicly accessible. The present office was being considered as was another vacant shop in the High Street which would not require modification for disabled access. Cllr Pledger gave her support to a move to the Red House with a possible short term stay in the premises which did not require adaptations in the High Street if the Red House was not immediately available. Cllr Murray proposed paying one quarters rent at 82b High Street then move to the Red House when suitable office space was available. The meeting agreed to working with Shropshire Council and sharing accommodation with them. The chair proposed that the clerk should stay at 82b High Street at present and move in with Shropshire Council at the earliest opportunity with no increase in rent paid by the council unless otherwise agreed. This proposal was seconded by Cllr. Balkwill and unanimously agreed.

12. APPOINTMENT OF VALUER AT 27 GRANGE PARK:

This agenda item was deferred to the meeting to be held on 1^st October 2009 due to pressures of time.

13. UPDATE ON THE SURRENDER OF THE OLD SCHOOL LEASE:

This agenda item was deferred to the meeting to be held on 1^st October 2009 due to pressures of time.

14. CONSULTATION DOCUMENT ON THE VISION, THEMES AND CROSS CUTTING ISSUES FOR SHROPSHIRE’S NEW SUSTAINABLE COMMUNITY STRATEGY:

Members noted the document and the deadline for comments of 30^th September 2009. Cllrs Lusk and D Beechey agreed to prepare a response on behalf of the council and submit it before the deadline.

15. UPDATE ON THE ARRANGEMENTS FOR THE CHRISTMAS LIGHTS AND FINANCIAL STATEMENT:

Cllr. Johnson submitted the accounts for the spending on Christmas lights to members and went through the details. He explained that the costs were higher this year than normal because of the need to buy some new displays, the purchase of lights to decorate the Red House and to replace bulbs with new long life bulbs which would in the long term prove more economic. The meeting agreed the costs and gave its full support to the proposed display for Christmas.

16. UPDATE ON THE ACQUISITION AND RENOVATION OF THE WAR MEMORIAL:

Cllr Johnson informed members that the council now owned the War Memorial as from August 2009. The Conservation Officer had been consulted and disabled access to the memorial had been discussed. Shropshire Council had lowered the footpath and two builders had been contacted for quotes for the remainder of the work. The council would then be in a position to seek a grant for up to £2,500. Members extended their thanks to Cllr Johnson for all of his hard work regarding this project. 

17. REPORT ON THE MEETING REGARDING TRAFFIC CONGESTION AT NEWHOUSE LANE/CROSS ROAD:

A report on the meeting was distributed to Councillors which would form the basis of an article to the Parish Magazine. It had been a productive, well attended meeting which had agreed the painting of a single yellow line in Newhouse Lane, no parking signs and the issuing of parking tickets for those who infringe the regulations. It was proposed that the school bus would now enter the school grounds to unload passengers. Cllr. Pledger was

dubious that the bus would be able to pass parents’ cars in the barrow lane and she asked

how the new rules would be enforced particularly as the police were no longer involved in parking offences.

Resolved: The clerk to write to Mr Hugh Dannett asking him to ensure that Park Right were available at the beginning and end of the school day to enforce the new parking restrictions.

18. CONSIDERATION OF NEW STANDING ORDERS FOR LOCAL COUNCILS:

Councillors were informed about the new draft standing orders which had been issued by NALC which would affect future practice within the parish council. Cllrs. Lusk and D Beechey agreed to form a small working party which would consider the draft order and report back to the council.

Resolved: This item to be placed on the agenda for the meeting to be held on 15^th October.

19. REPORTS FROM COUNCILLORS:

Southern Area Partnership Forum:

Cllr. D Beechey’s report was received and noted.

Report of meeting with London Midland, Network Rail and Shropshire Council:

Cllr. D Beechey’s report was received and noted.

Cllr Pledger also reported that the Old School had been valued at £250,000 and it would be placed on the market at the earliest opportunity.

20. CORRESPONDENCE:

Cllr. Pledger agreed to join the Road Safety Group as the council’s representative. . The clerk would inform the chairman and let him know of the appointment.

A request for suggestions regarding which areas would be suitable for a deep clean by the Environmental Maintenance department in March 2010 was made by the chair. He also suggested that grant requests received should be forwarded to the grants committee.

Courses organised by SALC were brought to the attention of councillors .

21. DATES AND TIMES OF FUTURE MEETINGS:

• Parish Council planning meeting 1^st October 2009 at 7.00 pm in the Red House with a speaker from Shropshire Housing Group.
• Local Joint Committee 8^th October 2009 at 7.00 pm in the Red House.
• Finance committee 15^th October 2009 at 3.00 pm in the parish office
• Parish Council meeting 15^th October 2009 at 7.15 pm in the Red House.

Signed………………………………………………Date…………………………………

Chairman