BRINDLEY HEATH PARISH COUNCIL
MINUTES OF MEETING
HELD ON TUESDAY 26 NOVEMBER 2024
AT THE WHITE HOUSE, MARQUIS DRIVE, BRINDLEY HEATH

PRESENT: Parish Councillors: P. Adams (Chairman)
R. Turville (Vice Chairman)
Mrs M. A. Turville
Mrs S. Pearson
D. Cotton
M. Sutherland (from end of item 3)

IN ATTENDANCE: Mrs T. Williams (Clerk)

1. APOLOGIES
Apologies and reasons for absence were received, accepted and approved under S85(1) of the Local Government Act 1972 from the following Councillors: M. Sutherland (to item 3) and A. Pearson.

Apologies were also received from County Councillor P. Hewitt.

2. DECLARATION OF INTERESTS

Member
None Interest
Type

3. BLEED KITS
The Chairman welcomed Fay Cooper (Trustee and First Responder) and Sean Cooper (Co-ordinator) from Rugeley & District Community First Responders to the meeting. Fay and Sean had very kindly agreed to advise the Council on the purchase of publicly accessed bleed kits in the community.
Sean informed the Council that the idea for bleed kits originated with Dr Lynne Baird MBE who set up the Daniel Baird Foundation to raise awareness of the importance of having publicly accessible bleeding control packs in communities after her 26-year-old son was killed in a stabbing incident in 2017.
He said that bleed kits were a relatively new and hot topic for district and parish councils and a scheme was being developed along the lines of the community defibrillator scheme. However, the bleed kit scheme was independent from the defibrillator scheme which had moved to a national data base and accessed by West Midlands Ambulance Service. The British Heart Foundation don’t recognise bleed kits in their data base.
The way the system works is that in the event of a major bleed occurring, a 999 call would be made to emergency services and details given of the nearest available bleed kit (within a 500m radius) for quick access before the ambulance arrives. The owner of the bleed kit would be notified afterwards to flag up the need for its replacement.
There are instances where bleed kits are stored in the same cabinet as defibrillators, but this is not recommended as good practice because it will often result in both sets of equipment being taken from the cabinet risking loss of the defibrillator or a delay in its return. There is no improvisation if a defibrillator is missing from its station in the event of a cardiac arrest whereas bleed kits contain some items that can be substituted by everyday items.
For this reason, the Community First Responder’s recommendation is for bleed kits to be stored in their own cabinet. The cabinets don’t need power and can be fitted next to a defibrillator cabinet (one red and one yellow). Five separate cabinets have been installed in the Rugeley area to date. Bleed kits have been installed in special dispensers in the former telephone boxes in Kingsley Wood Road and Slitting Mill.
Sean and Fay circulated the contents of a West Midlands Ambulance Service bleed kit which was designed for use on any major bleed from DIY, road traffic collision as well as violent assaults/stabbings. The kits are more advanced than a standard first aid kit and include:
• An information card (saying what is in the bag and how to use the equipment),
• chest seal (which incorporates a one-way valve to allow air out but not in),
• torniquet (for use on extremities),
• special gauze (coated with a shellfish clotting agent),
• gloves,
• face seal,
• scissors (to cut clothing),
• foil blanket and
• bandage to cover a larger wound.

The costs excluding VAT are currently: Bleed Kit – £85, cabinet (IP66 cabinet metal or polycarbonate) – £345.00. Bleed kit dispenser (not waterproof and suitable for a telephone box) £112.00.
Sean said that district councils were also looking across the area at suitable locations for bleed kits – and thought that included Cannock.
The Parish Council considered possible locations where bleed kits could be installed, and the White House was considered one of the better places as well as somewhere in Brindley Village. Fay offered to check where bleed kits had already been registered.
Sean said that money could be directly donated to the Rugeley & District Community First Responders to be designated for a specific purpose in the parish. Many of the consumables have use by dates and the Ambulance service doesn’t replace these.
There will be a greater need for bleed kits in highly populated areas such as town centres than rural areas. They can be installed inside premises (avoiding the cost of the cabinet) but would need to be registered with the opening times for the venue.
Defibrillators are installed at Birches Valley Forest Centre but there are no bleed kits there.
Sean said that he would be prepared to arrange the installation and maintenance of any new bleed kits purchased. For further advice: www.controlthebleed.org.uk
Fay and Sean emphasised that defibrillators remained their priority as there was still a need for new locations to be covered. As 80% of cardiac arrests occur at home, new installations were needed close to residential areas.
Defibrillators are already installed at: Cannock Chase Enterprise Centre, Marquis Drive Visitor Centre, Birches Valley Forest Centre, the White House and the telephone boxes in Stafford Brook Road and Slitting Mill.
As most landmarks have been covered, Rugeley CFR are looking at installing defibrillators in parks and housing estates. They can be installed with extra insulated cabinets (where there is no electricity supply) and suspended on posts. Fay has approached Cannock Chase Council about the possibility of this, but planning permission and a licensing agreement may be needed along with a requirement for public liability insurance.
The Council suggested local shops would make good locations for defibrillators and Fay said she was considering the possibility of mounting defibrillators on streetlights/lampposts, with the necessary permissions. She expressed the view that housing developers should be required by law to corporate defibrillators in all new housing estates.
At the end of the item, the Chairman and Parish Councillors thanked Fay and Sean for attending the meeting and for the valuable advice they had given.

4. POLICE REPORTS
The Council received the Neighbourhood Policing Report for the month of October.

The incidents occurring in Brindley Heath and Etching Hill were categorised as follows:

Missing persons – 7, Harassment/Stalking – 2, Concern for Welfare – 6, Road Traffic Collision – 1, Domestic Incident – 6, Family Domestic – 2, Criminal Damage – 2, Public Order – 1, Anti-Social Behaviour – 4, Vehicle Crime – 2, Suspicious Incident – 3, Violence against persons – 4, Other Notifiable – 1, Sexual Offences – 1, Blackmail – 1, theft – 1, Transport related – 2.

The Council once again agreed that the Neighbourhood Policing Team were doing an excellent job in the parish and surrounding areas. They are a highly visible and approachable team of officers, and the lines of communication including Smart Alerts and Police Reports at meetings are first class.

5. PUBLIC PARTICIPATION
No members of the public were present.

6. MINUTES OF LAST MEETINGS

Resolved: That the minutes of the meeting of the Council held on 8 October 2024 be approved as a correct record.

The draft minutes of the Planning Committee meeting held on 8 October 2024 were noted.

7. UPDATES FROM PREVIOUS MINUTES

There were no updates.

8. CHAIRMAN’S REPORT/ANNOUNCEMENTS

The Chairman had no report.

9. CORRESPONDENCE

a. Items of Post
Winter Fuel Allowance – Check eligibility for Pension Credit
The Parish Council noted a Cannock Chase Council press release (dated 19 November 2024) urging pensioners not to miss out on the Winter Fuel Allowance by checking their eligibility to Pension Credit which is a gateway benefit to the payment.

Staffordshire County Council’s EV Charging Survey
The Parish Council noted the details of an Electric Vehicle (EV) Charging Survey which the County Council is urging people to take part in to help shape the future of EV infrastructure and build a greener future for Staffordshire.

The County Council said the results so far showed 96% of EV users in Staffordshire (who had completed the survey) were satisfied or extremely satisfied with their vehicles. Around 80% said that saving money on fuel costs was their top motivation for choosing an electric vehicle.

Residents’ feedback had highlighted 375 locations as potential Electric Vehicle Charging sites to guide Staffordshire County Council’s future expansion efforts.

Road Safety for mature road users
The County Council’s Road Safety Officer advises (in an email dated 17 October 2024) that he is planning to introduce a road safety resource for mature road users is looking to deliver this to existing, ready formed groups of over 60s, by joining them to share the information.

His plans involved piloting 4 or 5 groups of 30 to 40 mature road users, motorists, pedestrians, cyclists, mobility scooter users, providing road safety information as well as ‘planning your driving retirement’ in 2.5-hour sessions.

The Parish Council discussed the proposal and suggested the initiative could be interpreted as discriminatory to older people when most issues on local roads in the parish involved younger age groups driving at excessive speeds.

b. Consultations
Government Consultation on the re-introduction of remote meetings

The Parish Council noted the Government consultation seeking views on the introduction of remote attendance and proxy voting in local authority meetings in England. An electronic link to the full details of the consultation had been provided with the agenda.

The Parish Council acknowledged the difficulty in setting up the technology to hold hybrid remote meetings in a venue not under its management, and as a very small parish council Brindley Heath PC did not believe it was best placed to express views in a survey. The Council agreed that Councillors participate individually, if they so wished.

Central Government Review of the National Planning Policy Framework

The Parish Council confirmed its observations submitted in response to the Review of the National Planning Policy Framework on 23 September 2024:

Please see below/attached the comments of Brindley Heath Parish Council (in Staffordshire) in response to the consultation on proposed reforms to the National Planning Policy Framework and other changes to the planning system:

Removal of Car Parks from Green Belts (Chapter 5, Paragraph 6)

The Parish Council is concerned that the planning reforms will allow for the removal of car parks from Green Belts:

The first step when reviewing Green Belt land should be Previously Developed Land.

Our countryside, including Cannock Chase, has many car parks associated with forests, country parks and heritage assets. Car parks in this proposal should be limited to car parks that are not typical of rural areas such as multi-storey cars and retail-park car parks and policy should specify that car parks typical of rural areas are not appropriate for development.

Increase in Planning Application Fees (Chapter 11, Paragraph 8)

The large increase (more than doubling) in the fee for householder planning applications from £258 to £528 is way above inflation and will hit many far from rich people, including some in Brindley Heath.

Weakening of Green Belt Policy for Smaller Green Belts

The problems with very large Metropolitan Green around London are leading to a weakening of Green Belt policy for much smaller Green Belts. The Metropolitan Green Belt extends two thirds of the way to Oxford and includes almost all rural Surrey. It creates a lot of problems for providing the housing that the Southeast needs.

The West Midlands Green Belt does not extend north of the River Trent and does not even reach Colwich, Colton, the Ridwares, Fradley and Alrewas.

The Parish Council is in full support of the following points in the Framework:

1. The brownfield-first approach.
2. Strengthened compulsory purchase powers.
3. Unlocking new sources of clean energy.
4. Maintaining current protections for National Parks, National Landscapes and Sites of Special Scientific Interest.
5. Bolstering Biodiversity Net gain requirements.
6. Onshore wind and other renewable and low carbon energy in appropriate places.

10. PARISH WARD ISSUES – CHASE SIDE
Felling of trees on protected land

Councillor Cotton advised the Council that the Tree and Landscape Protection Officer at Cannock Chase Council had confirmed that the temporary Tree Preservation Order on SAC and SSSI land off Stafford Brook Road had been made permanent.

11. PARISH WARD ISSUES – BRINDLEY VILLAGE
Land off the Rugeley Road

Councillor Peason was unable to give a report on his enquiries about the planning position on the use of land for commercial purposes.

12. CANNOCK CHASE
Councillor Cotton advised the Council that trees had been planted on the perimeter of the land used as a pop-up camp sites off Penkridge Bank Road.

13. HONORARY TITLES
The Chairman, Councillor Adams, left the meeting while Councillor Turville gave a report of a meeting of the Honorary Titles Working Group.
Councillor Turville advised the Council that the Working Group had recommended the purchase of a scroll in a frame, to be presented to Councillor Adams for his services to Brindley Heath Parish Council.
All Councillors agreed in principle to this presentation.
At the end of the item, Councillor Adams returned to the meeting.
14. INVITATION TO MEETINGS/EVENTS
The Council noted the following forthcoming (external) meetings with no specific members nominated to represent the Parish Council:

• Cannock Chase Chairman’s Christmas Karaoke Evening – Thursday 5 December 2024 at The Indian Smokehouse, 35 Market Street, Hednesford.

• Cannock Chase District VCSE Forum – Monday 9 December 10am to 12 noon.

15. REPORTS ON MEETINGS ATTENDED
a. To share information on meetings attended:
• NHS Urgent Healthcare event on Wednesday 9 October 2024 at Chase Leisure Centre.
Parish Councillors had not attended this event.

16. REPORTS ON MEETINGS ATTENDED
a. The parish representatives to outside bodies gave reports on meetings they had attended:

Slitting Mill Village Hall (M. Sutherland)
Councillor Sutherland advised the Council that all was going well with the new committee and regular meetings were taking place. Various events were being organised which included a well-attended Fish and Chip Supper attracting 90 plus attendees.

Etching Hill Village Hall (D. Cotton)
Councillor Cotton advised the Council that all was running smoothly at the Hall which was very well supported.

Chetwynd Charity (P. Adams)
Councillor Adams advised the Council that two grant applications had been received from students to the Charity although its future remained in question. Trustees were looking at ways the money could be put to alternative uses, in line with the charter.

Charity for the Recreation Ground (P. Adams & D. Cotton)
Councillor Cotton advised the Council that the recreation ground was in good condition and a meeting with Cannock Chase Council officers was still to be arranged.

He said the work on Etching Hill by volunteers and Staffordshire Wildlife Trust was going to plan. The Hill had recently been walked, and all was well with no issues picked up and none flagged by residents.

A steward has been appointed to patrol the Hill and give advice. Enquiries were still being fielded.

Councillor Cotton advised the Council that he had met with an officer from Walton Chasers Orienteering Club who had asked permission to map Etching Hill. The map will be produced by November 2025. The group start at Rugeley Cricket club and follow a route encompassing part of the Hill. The Club said it would ensure the area was inspected after visits, and a donation made to the charity.

Charity for an Allotment for the Labouring Poor (P. Adams & D. Cotton)
Councillor Adams reported that the allotments were running well, fully subscribed with a waiting list. A large allotment had become available which will be split into two. Various issues have been raised about trees and similar by surrounding residents and allotment holders.

Longdon Cotton Alms-Houses (P. Adams to 2028)
Councillor Adams advised the Council that one property had become vacant with work in progress to get it ready for reletting. People interested in taking on a tenancy would need to apply to the Longdon Cotton Alms-Houses Clerk.

Cannock Chase Council’s Standards Committee (R. Turville)
No meetings of the Standards Committee had taken place.

Cannock Chase AONB Conference (A. Pearson & Mrs S. Pearson)
No meeting had taken place as the conference is an annual one, taking place in April time.

17. COUNCILLOR REPORTS
Councillor Turville advised the Council that he had represented Brindley Heath Parish Council at the Remembrance Day Service in Hednesford which was very well attended. He suggested obtaining a wreath for the commemoration in 2025.

Councillor Sutherland informed the Council that an agreement had been reached between the County Council and Cemex on future communication lines with the community and he had attended a meeting with the County’s Planner, tasked with carrying the plan through. A draft agreement was currently with the County Solicitor.

Councillors reported that communication with the Quarry Manager used to be good but then had ceased (around the time of the Covid-19 pandemic).

Councillor Sutherland said that there was recognition that residents’ enquiries (mostly relating to the lorries) needed to be dealt with in a better way.

Councillor Sutherland reported that the construction of a school on the power station site was progressing well with a new roundabout going in.

Councillor Sutherland advised the Council that Rugeley Speed Watch had been reintroduced, and good feedback had been received. The group were looking to set up sessions by Hart School with the main purpose of making people them aware of their speed and the possible need to slow down.

18. WEBSITE
The Clerk advised the Council that transferring the content from the old Squarespace website to the new WordPress site would be ongoing for some time.
Councillor Cotton suggested that photographs of the parish could be taken for uploading, when the weather improves.

19. BLEED KITS
The Council considered locations in the parish where publicly accessed bleed kits could be installed.
Following the advice of the Rugeley & District Community First Responders earlier in the meeting, it was agreed that suitable locations for bleed kit cabinets would be the White House, Marquis Drive, and a suitable location to be identified in Brindley Village.

The Council acknowledged that the focus for supporting new defibrillators in underserved areas should continue.

20. 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 November 2024). The budget statement showed the current financial position of the Council with reserves totalling £15,866.12.

The bank account balance on 2 November 2024 (taken from the bank statement) was £19,194.28 with unpresented cheques totalling £3,328.16 (notice board, online mapping tool and reimbursement of a payment to the Clerk).

Resolved: That the financial position of the Council is noted.

b) Noticeboard Update
The Clerk advised the Council that the notice board was now installed.

c) Budget for the year 2025-26
A standstill budget for the financial year 1 April 2025 to 31 March 2026 had been distributed prior to the meeting.
The Council considered potential projects for the year, the sums the parish council would need to spend and how it would fund the spending (whether from precept, reserves or other sources of income such as grant aid). The Council considered the continuing high inflation levels and staff changes and staff costs.
The Council also considered potential community projects for the CIL money of which the balance after payment for installation of the notice boards was estimated to be £2,651.24.
Suggestions for spending this money included: a Community Speed Indicator Devices (SID) in a suitable location and installation of bleed kits. Comments were made about the speed of the lorries travelling along Stafford Brook Road.

Resolved: To approve the draft budget for the 2025-26 financial year, which would require the shortfall between income and expenditure to be covered by reserves.

d) Parish Council Precept for the year 2025-26
The Council noted that Cannock Chase Council had undertaken a calculation of Brindley Heath Parish Council’s Tax Base for 2025-26 and was recommending that it be set at 242.04.
It was noted that if the precept stayed at the same value in 2025-26 as in the current year, £4,272, a Tax Base of 242.04 would generate an annual charge of £17.65 for Band D householders. This value represented a 4.5% increase in parish tax.
The Council agreed that it needed to balance rising costs against a desire to minimise Council Tax increases for residents.
Resolved: To set the precept at £4,272 for the financial year 2025-26 (subject to the District Council’s approval of the recommended figures) generating a householder charge of £17.65 for a Band D property and representing a parish tax increase of 4.5%.

e). To authorise cheques for payment
Resolved: To approve following cheque payments:

100245 One Another Ministries £30.00 Donation for use of room for parish meeting on 26 November 2024

100246 HMRC £315.80 Income Tax: April to September 2024
100247 Trudy Williams £1,263.70 Salary: April to September 2024
100248 P2 Services £480.00 Installation of notice board

Resolved: To authorise payment of the cheques listed.

21. ANY OTHER ITEMS FOR INFORMATION AND ITEMS FOR NEXT AGENDA
The County Officer at SPCA has approached Councillor Sutherland and suggested he make an application to the SPCA Executive Committee to represent Cannock Chase. The Council expressed its support for Councillor Sutherland should he wish to apply.

Councillor Sutherland indicated that he would first like to seek Councillor Pearson’s advice in respect of making an application.

The suggestion was made that useful telephone numbers, such as emergency helpline in the event of flooding, be added to the Council’s website and notice board.

22. DATE OF NEXT MEETING
The next meeting of the Council will be held at The White House, Marquis Drive, Brindley Heath on Tuesday 11 February 2025. A future meeting was also set for 8 April 2025.