ALBRIGHTON PARISH COUNCIL

MINUTES OF MEETING

Thursday 18^th February 2010 at 7.15 pm in the Red House

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

PRESENT: Cllrs: P Lusk (Chair), D Beechey (Vice Chair), R Balkwill, N Hester,

P Illes, R Kidson, D Murray, J Nelson, S Pledger.

PUBLIC SESSION:

No members of the public were in attendance

1. APOLOGIES:

Cllrs. G Beechey, M Holden, D Johnson, J MacLachlan, M Pate, S Pate.

Condolences were offered to Cllr. MacLachlan on the death of her mother.

2. DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST:

Personal:

Cllr. Hester declared a personal interest in item 5

Cllr. Pledger declared a personal interest in item 5

Prejudicial:

None.

3. MINUTES OF PREVIOUS MEETINGS:

Minutes of the Parish Council meeting 21^st January 2010:

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

Minutes of the Parish Council planning meeting 4^th February 2010:

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

4. MATTERS ARISING:

Cllr. Kidson was asked about the Joint Leisure Committee and whether any progress had been made since its last meeting on 20^th January 2010. Cllr. D Beechey, who was not at the meeting, felt that the Liaison Committee representing the two councils concerned should meet and try and resolve the difficulties. Cllr. Lusk agreed that this was the best course of action and he promised to take the necessary steps to debate the issues at the next meeting of the committee.

5. PLANNING:

Planning applications:

• 10/00329/FUL Erection of a single storey extension 37 Church Road, Albrighton.

No objections.

Permission granted:

• 09/0381/TPO Remove one sycamore tree for safety reasons. Decay in main truck which could cause failure 15 Redford Drive, Albrighton.

Noted.

Notice of appeal:

• 09/0276/TPO To remove 1 x Yew Tree protected by Bridgnorth District Council (Station Road, Albrighton No. 2) TPO 1981 54 Station Road, Albrighton.

Noted.

The Clerk was asked to enquire about the appeal on the proposed holiday flats behind the library in Station Road, Albrighton.

6. DCAE COSFORD REPORT:

The briefing note from Sqn. Ldr. Lee was received and noted.

7. POLICE REPORT:

PC Salt reported that burglary figures in the village were still rising, partly fuelled by the increase in gold prices. The CID was involved in all burglary cases and there was extensive liaison between the various police authorities in the area. A report giving further details regarding violent crime had been distributed to Councillors and the contents were noted. PC Salt confirmed that at present there were no particular “hot spots” in Albrighton and incidents of crime remained low.

PC Salt was thanked for the additional report he had provided and for his comments to the meeting.

8. UNITARY AUTHORITY REPORT:

Cllr. M Pate was not present to make a report.

9. FINANCE:

Bank reconciliation February 2010:

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

Cheques for approval:

A list of 19 cheques for payment was presented for approval. The chair confirmed that the council had agreed to fund the pitch maintenance on behalf of the Sports and Social Club in Loak Road for the period up to June/ July 2010 and it was in order to pay the invoice from ALS for pitch maintenance. Cllr. Beechey proposed that the cheques should be approved which was seconded by Cllr. Hester and agreed by members.

Date	Cheque No.	Payee	Amount
25.01.10	2609	RBS Software payroll preparation	31.72
25.01.10	2610	E.ON repair of lights in Orchard Close	40.26
04.02.10	2611	Npower, street lights bill for Ashgrove	479.58
04.02.10	2612	Passenger Lift Services Flyer lift repair	1010.16
04.02.10	2613	Heartwood tree maintenance High Street	2828.70
04.02.10	2614	Landlord, office rent January	291.67
04.02.10	2615	Regis Fire Extinguishers, servicing, maintenance	141.31
18.02.10	2616	R Wood, fence maintenance	50.00
18.02.10	2617	Wolseley UK, vacuum cleaner for office	102.22
18.02.10	2618	Clerk, February salary	1036.79
18.02.10	2619	Village Warden, February salary	135.16
18.02.10	2620	Litter Warden, February salary	64.00
18.02.10	2621	Office cleaner	40.00
18.02.10	2622	Flyer contractor, two weeks bus pass refund	642.00
18.02.10	2626	Severn Trent Water, final bill for Old School	102.83
18.02.10	2627	ALS Ltd., sports pitch maintenance	505.25
18.02.10	2628	Cash, petty cash	100.00
18.02.10	2629	Councillor’s travel expenses to London	105.50
18.02.10	2630	Keith Gibson, Flyer repairs and fuel, mower fuel	585.38

Confirmation of Mr. John Nicholls as Internal Auditor:

Cllr.  Beechey proposed that Mr Nicholls be retained as the council’s Internal Auditor for the financial year 2009/10. The motion was seconded by Cllr. Hester and unanimously agreed by the council.

Bank of Ireland Mandate:

The request from the Bank of Ireland for an up to date mandate of signatories was received and noted. Those signatories present at the meeting signed the mandate and the clerk was asked to obtain the remaining signatures and return the paperwork to the bank.

10. SHROPSHIRE LOCAL DEVELOPMENT FRAMEWORK:

Cllr. Kidson introduced the documents by stressing their significance with regard to development and planning within the county over the next twenty years. He told members that Albrighton had been upgraded as a centre and was now the ninth largest settlement within the county. The profile of the community is much influenced by the presence of DCAE Cosford; however, the suggested population as presented in the documentation for Albrighton did not include Cosford which was misleading and needed challenging. It was agreed that the content of the documents needed referral to the group charged with the task of producing the update to the local plan and consultation with key groups of residents needed to start very soon.

Cllr. Kidson informed members that only 3 of the 148 schemes considered urgent in the documents referred to Albrighton. In order of priority they were:

• The upgrading of the sewerage works;
• The provision of a new medical centre;
• The development of the police station.

Cllr. Kidson said that the proposed new development of 80 houses east of Shaw Lane was not mentioned.

The chair gave his support to the suggestion that the Civic Society needed to be involved in any consultation. Cllr. Beechey stressed that Albrighton was effectively a garrison town and needed special consideration. Members agreed that a formal response to these proposals would require a small group of councillors to consider the recommendations in detail and Cllrs. Kidson, Nelson and D Beechey agreed to serve on this working party and produce a draft response in time for the council meeting scheduled for 18^th March 2010.  The clerk was asked to obtain more copies to assist members in their deliberations and contact the chair of the Civic Society asking for a volunteer to join the working party.

11. REQUEST FOR MORE ALLOTMENTS FROM THE ALLOTMENTS ASSOCIATION:

The chair introduced a letter from the Albrighton Allotments Association requesting the use of council land at the end of Worthington Drive for the provision of more allotments. The land identified by the Association had been annexed by householders in the area to add to their gardens and Cllr. Hester pointed out that this land would need to be returned to the Parish Council before the request could be realistically considered. Cllr. Pledger agreed and stressed that the land belonged to the Parish Council and should be returned to the council so that new allotments could be created ion order to bring down the waiting list. Once created new fencing would be needed in order to provide effective protection for the new facility.

Cllr. Murray reminded members that it was the long term aim of the council to acquire the football pitch which is currently owned by Severn Trent Water and build a changing room facility on the land at the top of Worthington Drive. This would require parking spaces and the council would need to ensure that sufficient space was still available to accommodate these proposals.

Cllr. Nelson proposed that the council should respond positively to the letter from the Allotments Association and establish a small working party to develop an action plan with regard to the return of council land which had been annexed by householders in the area. He would be prepared to serve on such a group and he suggested that Cllr. Beechey should also join it and Mr David Hopkins, a past Chairman of the Parish Council, should also be invited to contribute. The working party should meet as soon as possible and produce an action plan for consideration by the full council at the earliest opportunity. Cllr. Beechey seconded this proposal which was carried unanimously.

12. PROPOSAL FOR A NEW BUS SHELTER BY THE “SHREWSBURY ARMS”:

A letter had been received from Mr Peter Leigh requesting that the council consider a proposal for a new bus shelter on the High Street adjacent to the Shrewsbury Arms opposite Saxon Park. This proposal met with the approval of Councillors and the clerk was asked to liaise with Cllr. Balkwill to obtain the contact details of the owner of the Shrewsbury Arms to obtain his approval of the scheme. It was also agreed that the clerk should approach Shropshire Council to provide the bus shelter which would be maintained by the Parish Council.

13. SHROPSHIRE COUNCIL ALLOCATIONS AND MANAGEMENT OF DEVELOPMENT DOCUMENTS:

Members referred this item to the working party established to consider the Local Development Framework (see item 10).

14. REPORT ON THE LOCAL JOINT COMMITTEE:

The chair reported that the last meeting of the Local Joint Committee had been very well attended and included presentations on financial matters and youth issues. Those members who attended the meeting felt that the presentation on financial matters was too long and over complicated for a lay audience and the voting system was inappropriate and should be reconsidered. There were also problems with individual items such as proposals for the fishing club and there was concern that the increase of 3.5% in council tax would not result in increased spending in the area. Cllr. Kidson said that there was no evidence of this in the documentation being considered by the council. The chair promised to take these concerns to the organisers of the Joint Committee but he would be unable to change the venue for the next meeting at Tong, despite the fact that most of the agenda concerned issues in Albrighton.

15. QUOTATION FOR HANGING BASKETS:

The council agreed to accept the quotation from Ms Hansen of Shaw Lane, Albrighton to provide hanging baskets in the village during the summer months.

16. THE LOCAL PLAN FOR ALBRIGHTON:

Cllr. Beechey reported that the Civic Society had agreed to play a leading role in the upgrading of the local plan for Albrighton and Mr Paul Joseland had agreed to act as chairman of a small working party appointed for this purpose.  Donington with Boscobel Parish Council had also agreed to this proposal.

17. COMPACTION SKIP FOR 2010/11:

The clerk was asked to advertise the new dates for the visit of the compaction skip throughout 2010/11, which would include one additional date in the summer, and inform Donington with Boscobel Parish Council of the new dates. Cllr. Illes asked members for their continued support in supervising the skip when it was available in the village. There was discussion on the proposal to house a plastics waste skip on Severn Trent Water land at the top of Worthington Drive but the clerk reported that despite an exchange of emails there had been no response from the manager of the sewerage works to enter into discussions, despite reminders. The chair agreed to telephone Mr. Martin Kane of Severn Trent Water to see if he could offer any help.

18. EXTENDED AGENDA ITEMS FOR REVIEW:

Councillors reviewed the items on the list which still needed resolution and agreed to bring forward those relating to parking in Newhouse Lane and the railway station to the planning meeting of 4^th March 2010.

19. REPORTS FROM COUNCILLORS:

Cllr. Nelson reported that he was in contact with the doctors involved with the proposed new medical centre and a meeting with planners had been suggested. He would report back to the council on any progress.

20. CORRESPONDENCE:

Councillors were informed of the withdrawal of the subcontractor to Morganest who were replacing the gas mains in the village. A new subcontractor would need to be appointed which would lead to a delay in the completion of the works. The clerk was asked to write to Richard Suggett expressing the council’s disappointment with this development and urging a speedy resolution to the difficulties.

A letter asking about additional car parking in the village provided by the parish council produced a response that no additional car parking had been provided because all available land was in private ownership. The council was trying to negotiate more car parking at the station and the Methodist Church was upgrading its car parking after receiving a grant from JLC.

The clerk agreed to display a poster from the NSPCC in the office window and supply the details to the Parish Magazine for inclusion in its next issue.

21. DATES AND TIMES OF FUTURE MEETINGS:

• Parish Council planning meeting Thursday 4^th March 2010 at 7.15 pm in the Red House
• Finance Committee meeting Thursday 18^th March 2010 at 3.00 pm in the Parish Office.
• Parish Council meeting 18^th March 2010 at 7.15 pm in the Red House.

There being no more business the meeting closed at 9.30 pm.

Signed………………………………………….Date………………………………..

Chairman