Neighbourhood Planning & Property Minutes June 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

APPROVED MINUTES OF NEIGHBOURHOOD PLANNING AND PROPERTY COMMITTEE MEETING TUESDAY JUNE 25th 2019   

  1. Register of Members in attendance.

Cllrs David Salter, Stuart Jones, Mick Cox, Neil Perry, Nick Smith. Shirley O’Mara, Clerk.  Mr Richard Smith and Mr Robin Stubbs.

  1. Apologies Received.

Cllrs David Thompson & Val Neale.         

  1. Declarations of interest on agenda items.

None

  1. Appointment of Chairman of Neighbourhood Planning & Property Committee & adoption of terms of reference.

Cllr David Thompson had expressed an interest in continuing as Chair. This was proposed by Cllr Perry, seconded by Cllr Cox and unanimously approved.  Cllr Salter pointed out that the Terms of Reference need to be aligned with the Standing Orders regarding delegated powers and resubmitted for approval. Clerk to amend.

  1. Public Participation.

Mr Richard Smith and Mr Robin Stubbs attended the meeting representing “Save our Shenstone”. They drew attention to the recently released Green Belt Review Method Statement Consultation which Cllr Salter confirmed had been received and would be commented on in due course. Cllr Thompson, in his absence, had left a series of questions relating to the Local Allocations Plan inspectors report which were to be raised at a Parish Forum meeting later that evening. These questions were shared with “SOS” and answers forwarded in due course. 

  1. Approve minutes of last NP&P meeting 26th Feb 2019

Approved & signed.

  1. Planning applications- update including outstanding objections.

Application 19/00569 Blossom Hill Farm, Little Hay has been refused.

A resubmission of an application previously refused has been received for Lynn Lane Farm, Shenstone –  development of six dwellings.

Little Aston Park Planning Application Ref: 19/00550/FUL will be going to committee on 1st July 2019.

Cllr Cox raised the issue of application 14/00218 Certificate of Lawfulness Footherley Hall.  There are concerns  about the use of the words “in perpetuity”. The Clerk will raise with the Case Officer.

  1. New Cemetery for Shenstone- agree plans for public meetings and possible referendum.

The Clerk has had a meeting with Mark Ridgeway, Gravedigger, to look at options available to increase capacity at St Johns Lower Lawn Cemetery. The following were shared with the Committee:

  1. A) Do nothing- if we carry on with the existing rules in terms of cremated remains on the one side & burials on the other, maintain the area of unconsecrated ground near the wall & keep spacing the same we are looking at about 5 years. Demand is usually 12-15 a year with 40% cremations- last 12 months:  9 cremated remains, 4 burials.
  2. B) Cremated remains side only:  In Mark’s view our spacing between plots is over generous. He believes by reducing spacing- so they are still within guidelines but closer together- we could extend capacity by another 15 years.
  3. C) Mark suggests we also consider utilising the large areas of unused land between rows on the burial side for cremated remains. Again, keeping within guidelines this would generate enough capacity for a further 10 years.
  4. D) Finally, if we move to cremated remains only and stop all burials within the next three months(preventing the start of another row) we generate space for another 15 years.  

After some discussion led by Cllr Cox it was agreed that the Committee fully supported option B with option C to follow. There was no agreement to support option D at this stage. Cllr Cox would like to know the number of plots which are possible within the area of unconsecrated ground & also the number of municipal cemeteries within the district. Cllr Jones stated that it would be irresponsible to pursue a new cemetery presented with these new options. Cllr Perry said that if land was available for a possible new cemetery Council could consider purchasing it and sitting on it. Cllr Salter stated that a review of burial fees could also be considered.

RECOMMENDATION: that Full Council agrees to implement options B & C with appropriate changes to the Burial Regulations being made public including sharing with Funeral Directors. Furthermore, a regular period of review is built in to the regulations to monitor capacity. Proposed Cllr Jones, seconded Cllr Cox & unanimously agreed.       

  1. Lengthsman update.

The Clerk shared with the Committee the latest report of the work completed by the Lengthsman & salary paid. It was unanimously agreed that the Lengthsman project has been a huge success with Steve Crane doing a great job. Mr Robin Stubbs stated that the idea of employing a Lengthsman was a stroke of brilliance & Cllr Perry commended the speed & efficiency. Cllr Salter also complimented the additional work done by the Lengthsmans  occasional assistant.  

  1. Lichfield District Council Ground Maintenance contract- update.

The meeting is due to take place on Thursday 2th June. The Clerk fed back the positive comments she has received on the work at St Johns & the Lammas Land, with Cllr Jones also adding his praise for the standard of work on the latter. At the meeting the additional strimming of the Upper Lawn Cemetery & the extra work required at the Lammas Land will be formalised.  Church Lane, Stonnall will also be discussed.

  1. O.B

No further items of discussion.