BRINDLEY HEATH PARISH COUNCIL
MINUTES OF MEETING
HELD ON TUESDAY 26 JULY 2022
AT THE WHITE HOUSE, MARQUIS DRIVE, BRINDLEY HEATH

PRESENT: Parish Councillors: P. Adams (Chairman)
D. Cotton
Mrs M. A. Turville
M. Sutherland
A. Pearson
R. Turville
Mrs S. Pearson

IN ATTENDANCE: PCSO Emma Beady & PCSO L. Mason (to end of Police Reports)
One Member of the public/local resident
Mrs T. Williams (Clerk)

1. APOLOGIES
There were no apologies from parish councillors

Apologies were also received from County Councillors P. Hewitt & Dr J. McMahon

2. DECLARATION OF INTERESTS
Member
Interest
Type

No interests were declared.
3. POLICE REPORTS
PCSO Emma Beady (who covers Hednesford, including some areas of Brindley Heath) and PCSO L. Mason were welcomed to the meeting.
The Police Community Support Officers confirmed that the Local Policing Team continued to comprise: PCSO Liz Dale, PCSO Chad Carrington, PCSO Sean Nicholls, PCSO Hannah Lloyd and PC Darren Wilkes.
The officers advised the Parish Council that the Commonwealth Games biking event scheduled to take place on 3 August 2022 would attract a large police presence on the day with policing teams drafted into Cannock Chase from a number of different areas. Police teams would be shared across all Commonwealth Games competition sites.
Councillors advised the Officers that they had been impressed with the organisation of the biking event by the Commonwealth Games Organising Committee and the local knowledge of Fraser Lennox who had delivered a briefing to parish councillors on the arrangements for the day.
PCSO Beady and PCSO Mason advised the Council that one of the big issues on Cannock Chase was off road bike riding on footpaths. In recognition of this a Police Force ‘Road Crime Operation’ had taken place last Sunday (24 July 2022) on Cannock Chase and four bikes had been ceased and three arrests made. The operation had included a number of areas including Cannock, Hednesford and Burntwood.
The Officers were asked about the new Policing model, and they informed the Council that they were confident it would work well once established. The model which came into operation only four weeks ago will work in a similar way to local policing teamwork arrangements in previous years. At present there are police personnel shortages due to annual leave and recruitment but when the figures come back up there should be a noticeable improvement with members of the public having the opportunity to get to know their officers as the service becomes more localised.
The Chairman expressed the usefulness of a written police report encompassing the Brindley Heath parish and the nature of the policing work undertaken. He asked that a report be provided again in the future, if possible.
Councillors expressed the value of having a visible police presence in the parish which was considered the most effective deterrent against criminal activity. They also informed officers that they valued their attendance at meetings which enabled information to be shared and in turn disseminated within the parish where appropriate.

Before leaving the meeting, PCSO Beady and PCSO Mason were thanked for their time and attendance.

4. PUBLIC PARTICIPATION
Mrs Lianne Sayfritz advised the Council that she had attended the meeting to gain an insight into the work of the Council. There were no specific topics that she wished to raise.

5. MINUTES OF LAST MEETINGS

Resolved: That the minutes of the Annual Meeting held on 31 May 2022 be approved as a correct record.

The draft minutes of the Planning Committee meeting held on 31 May 2022 were noted.

6. UPDATES FROM PREVIOUS MINUTES

It was confirmed that the worn road markings in Stafford Brook Road had been reported through the County’s ‘Report it’ system.

County Councillor Sutherland confirmed that the road markings would be repainted in due course.

The Council discussed issues at Rugeley Quarry. It was reported that despite stop notices being installed outside the quarry, lorry drivers were continuing to drive out of the Wolseley Road junction without giving way.

Lorry drivers had also been seen driving out of the quarry with their vehicles uncovered and last week lorries were seen travelling through Etching Hill which they shouldn’t do.

Drivers can also be heard sounding their horns continuously in the quarry which can through repetition cause annoyance and disturbance.

The suggestion was made that Parish Councillor meetings with the Rugeley Quarry Manager should resume again and that enquiries could be made. It was also suggested that issues at the quarry be reported to Councillor David Williams, Cabinet Member for Highways and Transport.

7. CHAIRMAN’S REPORT/ANNOUNCEMENTS

The Chairman had no report.

8. CORRESPONDENCE

a. Items of Post
Taxi Policy Consultation
The Council noted Cannock Chase Council’s Taxi Policy Consultation (which closed on 10 July 2022) introducing several new matters into a revised Hackney Carriage/Private Hire Driver, Vehicle and Operator Licensing Policy. These included a commitment to the following five matters in respect of the fleet of vehicles: air quality, electric and hybrid vehicles, wheelchair accessible vehicles, CCTV in licensed vehicles and vehicles written off by insurers but purchased with the intention of licensing with the authority.

The Council expressed the view that being forced to move to electric taxis by a particular date would put a lot of people out of business as they may be unable to switch. Electric vehicles won’t be helpful to taxi businesses if halfway through the day they have to charge their vehicles and lose hours of work. At this stage there probably won’t be any advantage to moving to electric and a hybrid arrangement might make sense during the period of transition.

b. Consultations
Cannock Chase District Council Electoral Review
The Council had previously noted (in an email from Cannock Chase Council on 26 April 2022) that the independent Local Government Boundary Commission for England was undertaking an electoral review of Cannock Chase District and were inviting residents’ and parishes to assist in drawing up a new pattern of electoral wards in Cannock Chase.

In drawing up the new wards the Commission aims to ensure that each district councillor represents a similar number of electors and that the wards, as far as possible, reflect the interests and identities of communities across Cannock Chase.

The Boundary Commission was looking to reduce the number of councillors from 41 to 36 but made no other recommendations in respect of boundary divisions and ward names.

Councillor Sutherland shared information from meetings he had attended at the District Council and said that reducing the number of councillors would also involve realigning the wards. The Boundary Commission was assisting Cannock Chase Council to model the structure and a proposal had been put forward on behalf of the Council suggesting 36 councillors divided by 3 would equal 10 wards.

The question was raised about whether the ‘on the Heath’ part of the ward name ‘Etching Hill on the Heath’ was appropriate. Another question was raised about whether the parish should be part of the Chase or the town.

The Council concluded that it didn’t think there was a great deal to make comment upon at this stage and that further opportunity to comment would arise after the recommendations had been considered.

Brindley Heath Parish is the oldest in the Cannock District and Councillors felt strongly that the boundary continued to encompass Cannock Chase, keeping it as a coherent whole in the interests of maintaining a voice to look after and protect the Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty into the future.

Resolved: That at this stage of the Electoral Review of Cannock Chase the Parish Council feels unable to provide detailed comments but asks the Boundary Commission to bear in mind that Councillors are worried about the impact of boundary changes on the parishes.

Public Spaces Protection Order – Control of Dogs

The Council noted that Cannock Chase Council is consulting on a replacement of its 2018 Public Spaces Protection Order (PSPO) in relation to the control of dogs. The District Council, under the Anti-Social Behaviour Crime Policing Act 2014 proposes to discharge the current Order and make a new one which will last for a three-year period.

The proposed order imposes various requirements on owners/persons in control of dogs in public places. These include the requirement to pick up and remove dog faeces in the event of fouling, extends the exclusion of dogs to more children’s play areas/tennis courts/multi-use game areas, to keep dogs on leads when near roads/carriageways and adjoining footpath verges within 3 metres of the highway, to place dogs on leads when instructed to do so in all public spaces by an authorised officer or police officer and to be in control of no more than six dogs at any one time.

The Council discussed the proposed Public Spaces Protection Order and made the following observations:

• The consultation does not clarify whether the District Council has consulted Natural England who are aware of problems relating to the control of dogs on Cannock Chase. Natural England has its own set of rules, and the District Council should be satisfied their approaches align.

• There is no special provision in the Order for managing dogs on Cannock Chase, particularly in respect of Special Areas of Conservation and Sites of Special Scientific Interest.

• The parish council notes that the Order shall not apply to forestry land managed by the Commissioners under the Forestry Act 1967 and asks whether the District Council and Forestry England have aligned policies on the control of dogs.

• Six dogs are considered too many for one person to handle in public spaces. It would be very difficult for one person to keep six dogs under safe control and be able to clear their faeces away safely.

• It would be helpful if there was clarification on Point 2a and 3a (Dogs on Leads) in respect of the use of extendable leads which are often five metres in length.

• The Council would like to see the District Council employ proactive measures to help promote responsible dog ownership in addition to introducing the Order. Many people do not know the responsibilities that come with dog ownership in public places. Some don’t seem to realise that it is illegal to walk a dog on/near a public highway without a lead and there should include clear communication on how owners/handlers may dispose of dog waste if facilities exist. Appropriate action should be taken against the hanging of dog poo bags on tree branches (which seems to be a common practice). The general public may not be aware that use of a yellow lead or the wearing of a yellow coat may indicate that a dog has got issues.

• The District Council should arrange for authorised officers to make random visits to appropriate sites for an hour every now and again to check that dog owners have dog poo bags in their possession. This course of action would act as an effective deterrent against poor attitudes or a lack of commitment to picking up dog faeces.

Resolved: To feed the comments into the Public Spaces Protection Order – Control of Dogs Consultation.

9. ROAD SAFETY
a) Rugeley Road, Hednesford TRO 40mph Speed Limit – Consultation Questionnaire

The Parish Council noted (from an email dated 15 July 2022) Staffordshire County Council’s proposal through the Divisional Highway Programme to reduce the speed limit on the Rugeley Road, Hednesford, to make a buffer 40mph before the 30mph limit following the development of Fallow Park which is currently situated on a national speed limit zone.

The Parish Council expressed support for a reduction in the speed limit from 60mph at the end of the 30mph speed limit (Hednesford side of the A460) to 158 metres beyond the Walker’s Rise junction but suggested the County be asked to consider setting the speed at a lower 30mph.

A 30-mph speed limit would bring many more safety advantages than a 40pmh speed limit for the residents of Fallow Park, the users of the Cannock Chase Enterprise Centre and nearby homes, whether travelling by motor vehicle or walking along the verges on foot.

The Council considered that only three or four streetlights would need to be installed for many more benefits to road safety.

The absence of pedestrian footpaths, the limited visibility at the entrances to Fallow Park and Walker’s Rise due to the bends in the road and fast pace of travel, should justify a 30mph speed limit to deter motorists from failing to anticipate that vehicles are turning.

A 30mph speed limit would also enable Community Speed Watch schemes to operate on this section of road.

Resolved: That the Council writes to Staffordshire County Council expressing support for the TRO 40mph speed limit on the Rugeley Road (withing the zone defined) but asks that consideration be given to reducing the speed limit to 30pmh.

b) Highways Bulletin

The information in the Highways Bulletin was noted.

10. PARISH ISSUES – CHASE SIDE
No issues were discussed.

11. PARISH WARD ISSUES – BRINDLEY VILLAGE
No issues were discussed.

12. CANNOCK CHASE FOREST
a. Cannock Chase AONB
Sustainable Development Fund – information from Cannock Chase AONB Partnership on the opportunity to apply for a second round of grant aid funding was noted.

Parish Councillors noted that match funding would need to be secured for grants that exceeded £500 in value.

Resolved: No potential projects were identified at present.

b. Commonwealth Games
The Parish Council concluded that there was nothing more to discuss on the arrangements for the mountain biking competition on 3 August 2022.

c. Ironman Competition
The Ironman Chief Executive Officer’s previous offer to answer questions by email if not in person were noted once again. The competition was thought to be causing difficulties to some Brindley Heath residents on event day and the Council had previous asked (via County Councillor Wilson) that consideration be given to varying the route in future years. Leek was suggested as an alternative potential location.

The Chairman asked that the point be made again that the Ironman cycle route be varied so that residents of Brindley Heath were not subject to the inconvenience of road closures on event day each and every year.

A request was made for the total costs of hosting the Ironman event to be obtained from Staffordshire County Council.

d. Outdoor Safety Message
The Parish Council noted the Outdoor Safety Message from the Staffordshire Fire & Rescue Service and discussed the parishes vulnerability to fire in dry weather.
Councillor Sutherland offered to ask officers at an upcoming event/meeting he would be attending, when they last consulted parishes about this issue.

13. INVITATION TO MEETINGS/EVENTS

There were no upcoming (external) meetings or invitations to note except the Chairman’s invitation to attend Cannock Chase Council Chairman’s Civic Service on Sunday 7 August 2022.

The Chairman said that he would forward the invitation (which had been sent to him directly) for the information of the Vice Chairman.

14. REPORTS ON MEETINGS ATTENDED

No reports were given under this item.

15. COUNCILLOR REPORTS

No Councillor reports were given.

16. FINANCIAL MATTERS
a) Financial Position of the Council
A breakdown of income and expenditure for the financial year to date was given in the Clerks Report (dated 21 July 2022). The budget statement showed the current financial position of the Council with reserves totalling £17,429.59.

Resolved: To note the financial position of the Council.

b) Parish Notice Board
Concern was expressed about the cost of purchasing an oak notice board which was both expensive and may be more prone to damage/vandalism.

Councillors had also previously expressed the view that a metal noticeboard may not be right for the site off Brindley Heath Road.

Councillors felt that it was important to include the name of the parish council on the notice board.

Resolved: That the Parish Council continues its search for the most suitable style of notice board.

c) Community Infrastructure Levy (CIL) Allocation Process – Request for information form Cannock Chase Council
The Council noted correspondence from Cannock Chase Council (an email dated 17 June 2022) asking for an update on the parish council’s planned expenditure of Community Infrastructure Levy received.
Resolved: That the Clerk be authorised to inform Cannock Chase Council that the Parish Council’s intention was to spend a proportion of its CIL monies on a parish notice board.

d) Parish Council’s Insurance provider
The Chairman advised the Council that the renewal quotation for the Council’s insurance with Hiscox Insurance Company Ltd (through Came & Company) had increased from £218.00 in 2021-22 to £619.25 in 2022-2023. The significant increase had arisen because the previous supplier of insurance (who had provided competitive premiums) had withdrawn from the parish council market.
A quotation for insurance from Zurich Municipal (Local Councils Policy Schedule) with similar levels of cover had been much more competitive at £214.00.
Resolved: To retrospectively approve the parish council’s purchase of insurance from Zurich Municipal.

e) To authorise cheques for payment

100204 Zurich Insurance £214.00 Insurance from 6 July 2022 to 5 July 2023

100205 The White House £25.00 Use of room for meeting on 26 July 2022

100206 Support Staffordshire £25.00 Membership Subscription 2022-2023

Resolved: To authorise payment of the cheques listed.

17. ANY OTHER ITEMS FOR INFORMATION AND ITEMS FOR NEXT AGENDA
None

18. DATE OF NEXT MEETING
The next meeting of the Council will be held on Tuesday 27 September 2022 at the White House, Marquis Drive, Brindley Heath.

The Chairman thanked everyone present for their attendance.