Approved minutes of the N. P & P Committee Meeting held on 3rd May 2022

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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
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Approved minutes of meeting of the Neighbourhood Planning & Property Committee

Held on Tuesday 3rd May 2022 at 5.30 at Shenstone Parish Office.

1 Register of members in attendance.

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

Mr Richard Partridge & Mr Roger Gardner

2 Acceptance of apologies. None

3 Public Participation.

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

Mr Partridge wished to speak as Chairman of the Lammas Land Management Committee regarding the infringement onto the Lammas Land by a resident of Oakwood Close. Mr Partridge refreshed the Committee with the background & history of this infringement which was on 19th May 2020 as well as previous attempts re the same property in 1989. Both Mr Partridge & Mr Gardner feel that for Council to do nothing sets a dangerous precedent.

At this point Cllr Thompson brought item 8 forward & briefed both gentlemen on the findings of the Friend Associates survey report. He also shared the comments of the Solicitor re this property in that further information of the occupation i.e., for how long it has been used, for what purpose, how has it been maintained is required. Mr Partridge said no one other than the Lammas Land Committee has maintained the land.

Mr Partridge also said that if Council is concerned about legal costs, he is certain the residents of the village would provide funds.

Cllr Thompson thanked Mr Partridge for his much-respected guardianship & proposed a further face to face meeting once the subject had been further discussed by the Committee.

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 Feb 22nd 2022. Duly signed & approved.

6 Planning applications- update including outstanding applications and objections.

Cllr Thompson will next week speak in support of planning objections re a property in Eastridge Croft, Shenstone and another in The Grove, Little Aston.

7 Bioregional Feasibility Study: update & next steps

Cllr Thompson updated the Committee on progress to date:

  • 3 co-optees: Joanne Swinton, Peter Hales & Richard Worth

  • Public meetings to be held in Stonnall on June 20th & Shenstone on the 21st.

  • The Bioregional team to brief Full Council on June 14th

  • Delivery of the final report to the RCEF is the first week in August.

  • The website is almost complete & ready for release

8 Lammas Land Boundary incursion: consider report from Friends Associates & next steps.

It was agreed that the Clerk should provide Pickering’s with the further information re occupation by the Oakwood Close property. Also, that Mr Partridge should have copies of the Friend report so that he can share his views on the other properties that have potential boundary infringements.

Recommendation: it was also agreed that Council consider option 4 of the Pickering’s letter

“Whether giving consent to any encroachment and documenting it by way of letter or licence would be more beneficial in the long term. The reason being that having the formal consent of the legal owner to occupation would abolish any potential claim for adverse possession as this is a key requirement to an adverse possession claim. This is also potentially the least contentious option. “.

Cllr Nicholls agreed this was a good way forward & avoids antagonising residents.

9 St Johns Cemetery Restoration & safety work on gravestones: update

No word yet on the Diocese faculty permission to proceed.

10 A.O B.

Richard Cooper Room: discussions ongoing. The Clerk has researched the documentation provided by the Management Committee but there is nothing from the Charity Commission in 2000.

Following the theft of two cherry trees purchased for the Lammas Land, it was agreed that replacements should be purchased straight away.

Cllr Salter mentioned that the estate fencing at St Johns is still pending. Further quotes to be obtained.

Cllr Jones, on behalf of residents, raised the very important safety issue of traffic coming into Shenstone down Lynn Lane over the Railway bridge & that visibility is not possible until cars are over the hump making it hugely dangerous to cross the road to & from the Lammas Land. After some discussion it was agreed that something must be done. RECOMMENDATION: Review at Full Council.

11 Next meeting of Neighbourhood, Planning & Property Committee Tues Oct 25th, 5.30pm Shenstone Parish Office