Approved minutes of Neighbourhood Planning & Property Committee Meeting

Tuesday 22^nd Feb 2022 at 4.40pm Shenstone Community Library

1 Register of members in attendance.

Cllr David Thompson, Cllr Stuart Jones, Cllr Nick Smith, Cllr Gail Nicholls & Cllr Rita Hancocks. Shirley O’Mara (Clerk).

2 Acceptance of apologies.

Cllr Val Neale & Cllr David Salter.

3 Public Participation.

Members of the public are invited to address Council for a maximum of 15 minutes.

None

4 Declarations of interest. Members should consider whether they should partake in any discussion or vote on matters on the agenda unless they have a dispensation:

None

5 To accept and confirm minutes of the last Neighbourhood Planning & Property Committee Meeting Nov 23^rd 2021 at 5.30 pm :

Approved & signed

6 Planning applications- update including outstanding applications and objections.

An appeal has been submitted re refusal of planning application 21/01523 Cartersfield Lane. Objections still outstanding on Eastridge Croft & the Fox & Hounds

removal of noise mitigation conditions.

7 Richard Cooper Room

Update on meeting with the Management Committee Feb 9^th. The Management Committee restated their commitment to self-fund any building works themselves as much as possible. They will also prioritise the roof.

Legal clarification of ownership is still to be 100% confirmed though Pickerings Solicitors confirm after research so far “the 1918 Conveyance does transfer the legal title to the premises to the Parish Council, however it vests management and control of the premises in the Committee”. The Management Committee are looking for documentation relating to their setting up charitable status which Pickerings have requested.

A very positive & constructive meeting.

8 Shenstone Playing Fields: update on meeting 18^th Feb 2022 re CIL expenditure and discussion regarding Shenstone Village Hall possible land registry issue.

Cllr Thompson briefed the Committee on the meeting held between Mr Graham Jarvis & Mr Richard Edwards of the Playing Fields Committee & Cllr Thompson, Cllr Salter & the Clerk. This meeting followed an earlier meeting with Mr Harpal Panasar of the Playing Fields Committee earlier this month. Mr Jarvis confirmed that the Playing Fields Committee were delighted to accept the £8K CIL grant funding towards playground equipment but that, following a visit to Greysbrooke School, he wished to amend the order placed for a roundabout & change to parallel bars, which is the children’s preference. Mr Jarvis to liaise directly with the supplier & the Clerk to process the invoice.

On the matter of the Village Hall being landlocked, Mr Jarvis confirmed that he knew this had been a concern of the Village Hall for many years, but the Playing Fields Committee had always been accommodating and never had a problem with granting access. He could, however, understand that reassurance was not enough and legal permission in the form of a wayleave would be sensible. It was agreed by Mr Jarvis that he would contact the Playing Fields Solicitor to ask him to draw up the documentation. Cllrs Thompson & Salter offered to take to Council the recommendation that any legal costs incurred are paid for by Parish Council.

Mr Jarvis explained that no meetings of the Playing Fields Committee have been held due to the Covid situation for over two years but that they hope to start meetings again soon & he welcomed the addition to the Playing Fields Committee of Cllr Stuart Jones, who had nominated himself as the Parish representative two years ago.

RECOMENDATION: Parish Council pay the Playing Fields legal costs incurred in establishing a wayleave recognising its part in the creation of the original problem and seeking to rectify documentation for the benefit of all.

9 Stonnall Youth & Community Centre: update on transfer of lease.

The six months granted to the SY&CC Management Committee to establish themselves as a charitable trust is almost up. A lot of work has been done by the Committee to date, but the Clerk is charged with asking for an update on the exact position.

10 Shenstone & Stonnall Feasibility Study of Renewable Heating Options. (i) Creation of a NPPC Sub Committee or Working Group (ii) Agenda, Date and Preparation for the first meeting (iii) Funding drawdown clarification.

1. A Working Group was formed with Cllr Thompson as Chair, Cllrs Smith & Nicholls as members and Cllr Salter suggested. The Clerk will also take part.

2. A meeting will be arranged as soon as Cllr Thompson & the Clerk have met BioRegional.

3. Funding drawdown clarification has been received by the Clerk, but a meeting will be requested with the Clerk of Whittington Parish Council who are already experienced in the processes required.

The Clerk also mentioned that, as communication evidence is a key factor in securing the grant funding, a press release should be prepared asap for distribution to all Shenstone & Stonnall residents with a follow up article in the March newsletter. The Committee agreed unanimously & Cllr Thompson will draft something for Full Council approval asap.

11 Westgate Practice: ongoing closure of surgery.

There has been no further update from the Practice since Oct 2021. The Clerk will contact to find out if there are any plans to re-open in the Spring as stated.

12 Lammas Land boundary investigations.

This item was pulled forward to after item 5 following a site visit that preceded the meeting with Mr Richard Partridge, Chairman of the Lammas Land Committee.

Following the presentation of Mr Partridge’s proposal (attached) & the site visit, the Committee reviewed the options as follows:

1. Do nothing except, once the report from Friend Associates is complete, contact the 17 houses that back onto the Lammas Land with confirmation of exact boundary positions.

2. Put a short, looped footpath in at the narrowest point & sell off land around it.

3. Put a complete footpath in & out of the area.

4. Put a footpath loop around the not cross hatched area on the map (attached).

RECOMMENDATION: The Committee were unanimous in their support for option 4 which will allow walkers to benefit from the extra safe walking space but will not incur the problems of being boggy ground or potential high maintenance costs.

Cllr Smith also mentioned that not only would this be a benefit for those villagers wishing to enjoy the grounds but also some of the land could be used for bore holes as part of the RCEF project. Cllr Thompson agreed these are excellent reasons to retain.

13 The Govt UK OZEV offer to provide up to 13k to Parish Councils for the installation of each new individual on street charge point. Cllr Thompson briefed the Committee on this important opportunity, and it was agreed that the item should be taken to Full Council for further discussion.

RESOLUTIION: Add to March 2022 agenda.

14 A.O B.

None.

15 Next meeting of Neighbourhood, Planning & Property Committee April 26^th 2022 at 5.30pm Shenstone Community Library