BRINDLEY HEATH PARISH COUNCIL
MINUTES OF THE MEETING OF THE COUNCIL
HELD ON TUESDAY 2 NOVEMBER 2010
AT THE BAPTIST BIBLE COLLEGE, BRINDLEY HEATH

PRESENT: Parish Councillors: P. Adams (Chairman)
D. Cotton
K. Baker
J. Wilkes

CLERK: Mrs. T. Williams (Acting)

1. APOLOGIES:
Apologies were received from Councillor Mrs. I. Higgs. As Councillor Mrs. Grice was not sent the papers or date for the meeting, her apologies must be taken as read and so noted.

2. MINUTES OF LAST MEETING
The minutes of the previous meeting held on 14 September 2010 were not available. It was resolved to record in the Minute Book that due to circumstances beyond the Council’s control the minutes were absent.

3. MATTERS ARISING FROM PREVIOUS MINUTES
The minutes dated 3 August 2010 were used as a structure for discussion at this meeting.

a) Notice Board
The Chairman reported that the notice board had been received but was very large. Although it was suggested that a more suitable size would be A1, an attempt will be made to install it. Keys will be given to Bert Mason and the Clerk.

b) Concerts in the Forest
A letter has been received from Cannock Chase Council with details of the concerts. The Parish Council must complete and return the enclosed application form for review of the licence.

c) Bower Lane
Parish Councillors will continue to monitor the situation and report instances where vehicles are marked ‘For Sale’.

d) D.V. Ward – Environmental Issues
This issue has been outstanding for 18 months and the only feedback on progress has been that it is ‘in hand’.

The Clerk was asked to write to Cannock Chase Council on the following points:

(i) Planning Application CH/08/0343 – The Planning Department have not yet stated the reason the Parish Council were not informed about the appeal (when and where it was to be held). The Planning Inspectorate has confirmed that the District Council should have notified the Parish Council. An explanation is requested.
(ii) Environmental Health – An update to be requested from Karen Sulway on the imminent prosecution of D.V. Ward in respect of deposits of waste on Slitting Mill.

e) Kingsley Wood Road
No contact has been received from Jaclyn Lake of Natural England. It was decided that if no response has been received by the next meeting, the Clerk will write to her again.

Cannock Chase Council have put up notices and cameras to deter fly tipping.

f) Winter Gritting
The Chairman read out a letter dated 14 October 2010 from Staffordshire County Council about road gritting over the winter season.

The Clerk was asked to write to the County Council asking that it ensures the grit bins located in Brindley Village and Kingsley Wood Road are filled up. It was also requested that two grit bins which were removed from Kingsley Wood Road (by the County Council) are replaced. The locations are adjacent to Fallow Lodge and Standwell.

g) British Telecom – Telephone Box at the corner of Kingsley Wood Road
The Chairman requested the Clerk to chase in due course when the papers become available.

h) Rugeley Quarry
It was reported that Councillors’ Adams and Cotton had attended a site meeting on 27 September 2010. The area of land owned by the Quarry up to the Rifle Range corner is now being policed by Midlands Bird Club. It is anticipated that someone from the Club would be present on site at a frequency of 3/4 times a week. One of the benefits of this is that any trouble or problems should be picked up.

It was suggested to the Quarry Manager that a meeting between members of the Council, the Bird Club, Police and other agencies would be beneficial. This would allow participants to share information and discuss issues concerning the site. Members will talk to the Clerk about arranging one.

The reasons for cutting the birch trees down are not known. A future meeting would be useful to raise this point.

i) Birchwood
The planning application was refused. The appeal date is awaited.

j) Silver Trees Holiday Caravan Site
A visit will be arranged in due course.

4. CORRESPONDENCE
• Chase Citizens Advice Bureau – Letter dated 29 September provided notification of the Annual General Meeting held on Wednesday 20 October 2010.
• Staffordshire County Council – Winter gritting routines (letter dated 14 October 2010)
• Hednesford Community Forum – date of the next meeting is 30 November 2010.
• South Staffordshire Primary Care Trust – South Staffordshire Pharmaceutical Needs Assessment. Public Consultation 1 September to 13 November 2010.
• Cannock Chase AONB – Mountain Biking in the AONB (letter dated 22 September 2010). A meeting will be arranged in the New Year to discuss this matter with the Cannock Chase ANOB Officer (Shugborough).

5. POST OF CLERK TO THE COUNCIL
The Parish Clerk, Mr. Young, has made a decision to take a period of leave from the council.
Resolved: To appoint Mrs. Trudy Williams to the post of Clerk for a temporary term, whilst Mr Young is absent.
The chairman has agreed to arrange for collection of paperwork including current correspondence, the minute book (containing minutes for previous 12 months), Attendance Book, Planning Book and cheque book.
The Temporary/Acting Clerk will write to the District Council, County Council and SPCA to supply her contact details.

6. PLANNING MATTERS
Planning Applications Received
a) CH/10/0390 Former Shooting Butts Outdoor Centre, Penkridge Bank, Brindley Heath
Redevelopment of outdoor recreation centre including demolition of 5 cabins, erection of 4 cabins, bat roost, and renovation of existing boiler house. External works including associated landscaping.
Comment – Planning committee need an extension to the 12 November 2010 deadline, to enable further consultation. Also plans don’t state: the intended usage, who the service users will be (children in care/physical/mental disability), whether it is a respite centre, how it is different to before.
Clerk to contact Mr Plagerson for further information.
b) CH/10/0394 Penkridge Bank Cottage, Penkridge Bank Road, Rugeley
One block of 8 brick built stables
Comment – Plans to be circulated and Planning Committee members will get together to formulate a response.
Planning Decisions made by District Council
a) CH/10/0240 Birchwood, Kingsley Wood Road, Brindley Heath
Residential development – extension and part conversion of outbuilding into two holiday homes and change of use to visitor activity area and storage areas (resubmission of CH/10/0135)
Refusal of planning permission – The proposed extension, cumulatively with previous extensions to the original dwelling and the construction of outbuildings would increase the ground floor area of buildings on the site by over 100%. This would have an adverse impact on the openness of the Green Belt. The proposal is therefore contrary to Policy C2 of the Cannock Chase Local Plan 1997.
b) CH/10/0280 36 Chancery Drive, Hednesford, Cannock
Part change of use of a dwelling to provide Beauty Treatment service on a part time basis (20 to 25 hours per week).
Approved – To operate only between the hours of 10am to 4pm on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Thursdays and Fridays.
c) CH/10/0215 Stafford Brook Stables, Stafford Brook Road, Rugeley
Erection of one block of four stables
Approved

7. CHAIRMAN’S REPORT
Nothing to report

8. EXTERNAL MEETINGS
Nothing to report

9. FINANCE
Resolved: To approve the following cheque payments:
400145 R. Young £525.40 Salary and expenses (approved 14.09.10)
400146 Baptist Bible College £75.00 Room Hire (approved 14.09.10)
400147 Baptist Bible College £75.00 Room Hire: 26.10.10, 2.11.10, 8.12.10

Resolved: That Mrs. Williams is paid by the hour and that time sheets detailing hours spent on council work are compiled. Expenses will be paid on submission of receipts.
Resolved: That Mr. Young should continue to be paid at the rate of half pay until further notice.
Councillor Adams has recently renewed the Council’s insurance cover and payment has been made to the company (Came & Co.). The paperwork was handed to Mrs. Williams.

10. ANY OTHER BUSINESS
None

11. ITEMS FOR AGENDA OF NEXT MEETING
None

12. DATE, TIME AND VENUE OF NEXT MEETING
The next meeting of the Council will be held on Wednesday 8 December 2010 at the Baptist Bible College, Brindley Heath. The start time is 7.30pm.

The meeting was closed by the Chairman at 9.25pm