S.P.C Minutes February 2019

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SHENSTONE PARISH COUNCIL

 

Serving Little Aston, Shenstone, Stonnall, Shenstone Wood End, Lynn, Parish Council Office 25C Main Street Shenstone WS14 OLZ
Tel: 01543 481 947
e-mail: <admin@shenstone-staffs.gov.uk >
web: www.shenstone-staffs.gov.uk

FULL COUNCIL MEETING TUESDAY FEBRUARY 12th 2019  

LITTLE ASTON VILLAGE HALL

  1. Register of members in attendance.

Cllrs David Salter, Sheila Beilby, Rita Hancocks, David Thompson, Jean Wilson, Mick Cox, Gail Nicholls, Val Neale, John Branch, Nick Smith, Nicola Macdonald, Stuart Jones, Charles Fordham. County Cllr David Smith. District Cllr Joseph Powell.

Shirley O’Mara- Parish Clerk.

Mr Richard Smith, Mrs Jo Smith, Ms Sarah Williams – Save our Shenstone ( S.O.S)

  1. Acceptance of apologies –Cllr Neil Perry

  1. Declarations of interest:

Cllr Beilby in Item 166 Grants 1 & 2. Cllr Nicholls in Item 166 Grant 1. Cllr Hancocks in Item 166

Grants 3, 4 & 12. Cllr Jones in Item 166 Grants 12 & 17. Cllrs Beilby & Nicholls in Item 171.

Cllr Rita Hancocks in item 155.

Dispensations approved at Full Council Dec 2018

  1. To accept and confirm minutes of the last Full Council meeting on Tuesday 8th January 2019

Duly approved & signed.

  1. Clerks report on outstanding matters from minutes Tuesday 8th January 2019:

1) Request for a bench at the top of Churchill Road, Shenstone.

The Clerk confirmed that there have been three responses from residents following the mail shot request for feedback – two against and one in favour. Council would like to actively seek more opinion before making a final decision at the March meeting.

A request for a grit bin to go at the top of Churchill Road which has also been received will also be considered then.

2) Update on Post Office in Shenstone. The Clerk has been informed that the current owner of the village shop was unsuccessful at interview for the position of Post Services Manager. An email has today been sent to the Post Office to find out what plans, if any, there now are to resume services in the village.

  1. Public Participation.

Part of item 167 was brought forward to allow the public representatives of “Save our Shenstone”   to hear Council’s report re Lichfield District Council’s Plan Review.

Cllr Thompson briefed as follows:

INTRODUCTION
Lichfield District Council has issued a preferred housing and employment growth areas consultation document with a closing date of 18th March. The revised Local Plan to be adopted December 2020.

The option of a New Settlement between Little Aston and Shenstone has been dropped. The option of a New Employment Area at Shenstone has been dropped. However the preferred option is housing growth based on (a) settlements with services and amenities that can sustain growth and Shenstone and Little Aston and Stonnall are included (b) two strategic growth areas one north east of Lichfield the other north of Tamworth.

INITIAL  ACTIONS

(i) The Parish Council has asked the relevant LDC Planning Officers to attend a public meeting on 20th February and this has been publicised (ii) Early open communication has been established with the Save our Shenstone campaign (iii) information retrieved from Navigus on the other housing sites considered during the SNP consultation.

POTENTIAL AREAS OF CHALLENGE

  • No overall LDC housing growth total or settlement growth totals given
  • assumptions that Shenstone, Little Aston and Stonnall have amenity and services capacity to support growth
  • the Green Belt
  • consideration of a proactive instead of a reactive approach.

The public meeting is on Wednesday 20th February with representatives of Lichfield District Council in attendance. Questions will be prepared by Cllr Thompson in advance , who will work closely with S.O.S.  There is then a Neighbourhood Planning & Property Meeting on Feb 26th at 5.30pm in the Parish Office to plan a further response with comments required by March 18th.

County Cllr David Smith stated that Council need to continually challenge what is sustainable and the importance of infrastructure. There have been no discussions of possible consequences as far as Highways is concerned and planning needs to be more sensitive and logical.

Cllr Powell encouraged everyone to attend the public meeting as it will be well worthwhile.

Cllr Salter gave his personal thanks and the gratitude of the Council to Cllr Thompson for the amount of work he is doing on this important issue and his thorough report.

  1. To receive reports from District and County Councillors.

County Cllr Smith would like to arrange an early March meeting with Council where he hopes to be able to share some good news. The consultation re Shenstone parking around the station is complete with almost unanimous support. This will be implemented as soon as possible.

There is some progress regarding a pedestrian crossing at Blake Street Station.

With regard to the current speed survey being conducted on Birmingham Road, though evidence is important, actions are also dictated by the status of the road.

Cllr Salter announced that a website has been launched detailing updates on the site formerly known as “Friarsgate”. 

There is a drop in session re the Lichfield District Council’s Plan Review on Thursday Feb 14th at 3.00

in St Marys Library, Lichfield.

LDC is asking households to start putting their bins out 30 minutes earlier, by 6.30am, from Feb 25th. This is to avoid rush hour traffic and finish rounds in the light, which is safer.

Cllr Powell confirmed an increase of 3% on 2019-20 Council Tax.

  1. Finance- current position as at Feb 12th 2019.

The Clerk shared the current position of accounts:  Unity Bank £127,400.72. Nat West current account £975.00. Nat West Liquidity Account (earmarked funds for cemetery) £140,182.08. Nat West Business Reserve £3096.24.

The Clerk also shared details of January transactions to date & updated Council on the Finance, Legal, Health & Safety Meeting held on Jan 29th 2019. The Committee made the following recommendations which were unanimously approved by Council:

Quote from Playdale for £666.90 for the inspection of the playgrounds in the three Wards.

Quote from Andesign for £362.00 to produce two new village signs for Shenstone designed to emphasis village status and hopefully influence speed of traffic.

RESOLUTION: Both quotes unanimously approved.

Next meeting of the Finance, Legal, Health and Safety Committee Tues March 19th at 2.00pm in the Parish Council office.

  1. Community Grants 2019- recommendation from Finance Committee for block approval of grant applications.

Eighteen grant applications were approved by Full Council – full details attached.

RESOLUTION: All grant applications unanimously approved.

In addition the Clerk has received a request from a resident of Stonnall representing several residents who cut the grass verges and tend communal flower beds in the village. The request is for £320.00 + parts to service the equipment- quote provided.

RESOLUTION: Unanimous approval for payment.

  1. Planning- consider all applications received (attached).

Objection to Planning Application 19/00149/FUL- erection of two, three bedroomed dwellings on land to the rear of 60 Main Street, Shenstone.  Cllr Thompson briefed Council on the objection for submission to LDC which was unanimously approved. (full details attached).

Cllr Salter briefed Council on planning application 19/00143/CLE Little Aston Primary School.

The school who now own the land known as “the turning circle” wish to incorporate it into part of their playground with a tarmac surface. The application is causing controversy as there are fears that this will lead to even greater strain on parking in Forge Lane at pick up & drop off times especially. Also, an unadopted public right of way from Little Aston Lane to the school will be lost because the development will completely block its exit.

Cllr Cox pointed out that a tarmac surface would be inappropriate for a playground. Cllr Jones would also wish to ascertain that the school actually need to proceed with this work based on numbers.

A new application for a certificate of lawfulness has been submitted by the School and Council voted to put forward a response to LDC based on their concerns re this proposal.

Next meeting of the Neighbourhood Planning & Property Committee Tues Feb 26th at 5.30 in the Parish Council office.

“Old Tower” Day- community event to launch Shenstone History Trail and attract interest in The Old Tower rebuild project. Approval required for a maximum of £200.00 expenditure.

RESOLUTION: Council unanimously voted to support the expenditure to cover prizes for Greysbrook School pupils entering a model competition as well as refreshments.

  1. Feedback on communication between SCAR and Parish Council.

There was no feedback to share. Council are still not in receipt of the traffic survey which is in public circulation. The Clerk was charged with requesting a copy. ACTION: Done.

  1. Speeding: – update on the speed survey on the Birmingham Rd, Shenstone & discussion re survey and traffic calming on Cartersfield Lane, Stonnall.

The speed survey on the Birmingham Road is being conducted 7th-14th February. Regrettably, the contractors have not placed the boxes exactly as specified which may result in skewed data. If this is considered to be the case, then the survey will be repeated. Cllr Salter is in communication with the contractor.

If Council are pleased with the services of the speed survey contractor Cllr Nicholls would like to propose a survey is conducted on Cartersfield Lane in Stonnall and that new village signs highlighting the village status would be useful.

Cllr Cox shared details of a tele-traffic tvcam which could be purchased for approx. £9,000 with the purpose of prosecuting speeding drivers. He is currently in discussions but fears were expressed that its operation could incur serious operator safety risks.

Cllr Salter has established that the speed detection camera vans may be available for hire outside of normal working hours. Those hours are up to 8.00pm in the summer and specific times can be requested.

  1. Amendments to Stonnall Village Hall constitution.

Changes are required to Stonnall Village Hall constitution- mainly due to the change in trustees. At the time the original document was drawn up, four trustees were named, three of which have since died and whilst the listing with the Charity Commission has been amended annually, it was felt the constitution also needed to reflect these changes. RESOLUTION: Amendments unanimously approved.

  1. Lammas Land- report from LDC Tree Officer re overhanging trees.

Following inspection by Gareth Hare of Lichfield Council it is felt that the trees which over hang part of the Lammas Land from private land need attention as branches are without doubt going to come down posing a serious safety risk. After discussion it was agreed that the Clerk should write to the landowner requesting access to his land to enable remedial work to take place. The Clerk will seek tenders for the work.

Cllr Powell asked that any issues in the Parish regarding trees are copied to him as he may be able to offer support. Cllr Thompson passed on details of the objection discussed under point 167.

  1. Access road to Village Hall, Shenstone- drainage problems: report on inspection 24th Jan 2019.

The Clerk informed Council that the report has been received by Staffs County Council who agree that the drains need clearing and jet washing with the work now to be scheduled.

  1. Parish website: examine proposals for new website.

Council considered and discussed three possible options for a new website. Cllr Nicholls was hugely in favour of a completely new approach, and whilst all members were in agreement that there needs to be changes, as well as a review to ensure best value for money, it was agreed that this subject should be deferred until May under the new administration.

  1. Police surgeries in Parish Council office.

PCSO Andrew Horsnall will hold a late night clinic in the Parish Office one Wednesday a month. This will be advertised to encourage residents to pop in and with the Clerk in attendance allow input from Council where relevant.

  1. Date of next Full Council meeting:

Tuesday 12th March 2019 Shenstone Village Hall.