Minutes of the Meeting of Lapley, Stretton & Wheaton Aston Parish Council held on Thursday February 2019 at Lapley and Wheaton Aston Village Hall

In Attendance:                      Cllr T Noblett                      Wheaton Aston (Chairman)

Cllr W Millington                Wheaton Aston

Cllr. M. Griffiths                  Lapley (Vice-Chairman)

Cllr M Fox                            Lapley

Cllr P Elson                         Wheaton Aston

Cllr Mrs B Cox                     Wheaton Aston

Cllr A Anderson                  Stretton

                                                    Cllr Sue Whittingham        Wheaton Aston

Cllr S Whittingham            Wheaton Aston

Also in Attendance:             Mrs A Watson                      Parish Clerk

                                                   A member of the press

Apologies:                                                                     

Cllr M Sutton                       Staffordshire County Council

Cllr B Cox                              South Staffordshire Council

                              Cllr B Wells                          Stretton

Cllr P Timson                       Wheaton Aston

Cllr R Wright                        South Staffordshire Council

Absent:

Public Forum

No public  in attendance

Standing Orders were imposed 7.30pm

176. To consider apologies

Apologies were received and accepted from Cllr B Cox, Cllr R Wright, Cllr Wells, Cllr Timson  and Cllr M Sutton

177.Vice Chairman Election

Resolved Cllr S Whittingham  is to act as Vice Chairman for the April meeting, proposed by Cllr  Fox and

seconded by Cllr Sue Whittingham

178. Declaration of Interest/Dispensation

Cllr Sue Whittingham declared an pecuniary  interest in agenda item  186, grounds maintenance contract

Cllr Anderson declared an interest in agenda item 191

179. Signing of the minutes

The minutes of the meeting of the Parish Council meeting held on17th January 2019 were signed

as a true and correct copy, Clerk amended apologies.

180. Clerks Report

Lapley, Stretton and Wheaton Aston

Parish Council

Clerks Report

February 2019

Information

4 Fires on Youth Shelter Tarmac reported to 101.  Incident numbers 373 080119, 145 180119, 328 220119, 359 010219. Details passed to PCSO’s

Weston Park have confirmed that the ‘Classic Ibiza’ event is a small scale event with an expected attendance of 6000

Highways your way survey completed

Contractor concerns reported to Staffordshire Police incident number 238 of 13.2.19

12.2.19 Confirmation received from Rights of Way SCC that the PC can maintain footpath no 7,18 twice a year

• Local elections take place on 2nd May 2019, the timetable is as follows: Publication of notice of election/beginning of nomination period 18^th March 2019
• DEADLINE: Close of nominations and appointment of election agents: 4pm 3^rd April 2019
• PUBLICATION: Notice of statements of persons nominated 4pm 4^th April 2019
• DEADLINE: New voter registrations 12^th April 2019
• DEADLINE: Application for a postal vote 5pm 15^th April 2019
• DEADLINE: Proxy vote 5pm 24^th April 2019
• DEADLINE: Appointment of counting/polling agents 25^th April 2019
• Polling day: 2^nd May 2019
• Purdah: Purdah begins mid March, details can be found by viewing the short guide at https://www.local.gov.uk/purdah-short-guide-publicity-during-pre-election-period

Work on Lapley Green is well underway and is anticipated to be complete by mid March

Consultations

https://www.sstaffs.gov.uk/doc/179763/name/70618-Locality%20Data%20Profile%202018%20DRAFT%20COPY.pdf/ Draft Locality Profile

Meetings/Events

25.02.19 Lets work together

27.2.19 5pm Elections- Candidate briefing

10.4.19 Election- candidate briefing

St Mary’s School

Electrical contractor

Penk Arb

Training/CPD

GDPR-ongoing

CILCA

Items emailed to councillors

14.1.19 SSC Round Up

14.1.19 The community Foundation BKV

17.1.19 SPCA Newsbulletin

17.1.19 Purdah notes

23.1.19 Weston Park ‘Classic Ibiza’

28.1.19 Round up

28.1.19 Elections update

28.1.19 Weston Park ‘Classic Ibiza’ update

28.1.19 Stop the Gailey Freight hub support request

28.1.19 SPCA Newsbulletin

28.1.19 R Busby Break ins

31.1.19 SPCA Newsbulletin

31.1.19 SSC Lets Work Together save the date

6.2.19 K Richards SHELAA and local plan review

11.2.19 SPCA newsbulletin

12.2.19 Planning application 19/00076/VAR

14.2.19 SPCA newsbulletin

22.2.19 planning ref178/01040/FUL

22.2.19 SSC Elections newsletter

26.2.19 Cllr M Sutton Road Safety Fund

Use of devolved powers

’No objection’ comment submitted in relation to applications 19/0004/FUL and , 18/000945/FUL

Approved the use of the relevant website details to be displayed for ‘London Bridge’ protocol at a cost of £35.00

Enforcement –

Decisions issued

181. Police Report

PARISH COUNCIL MEETING CRIME REPORT

 Parish council meeting crime report

Public bodies can only disclose information if they have the power to do so. Section 115 of the Crime and Disorder Act provides a power to exchange information where disclosure is necessary to support the local Crime Reduction Strategy and Partnership in achieving the aims of the Crime and Disorder Reduction Strategy and objectives outlined within it.

The degree of disclosure that takes place must be proportionate and relevant to the level of social ill or criminality it is intended to counter or prevent.

The information is only to be processed in relation to crime and disorder purposes. Information will be handled in accordance with the Data Protection Act 1998, the Human Rights Act 1998 and any other relevant legislation governing disclosures and will ultimately be disposed of in a secure manner.

This Police Report covers the dates from 18/01/2019 – 27/02/2019.

Over this period of time there have been no crime trends to report or any burglaries or thefts that have taken place. We’ve had one reported incident were a van has been broken into, luckily nothing has been taken but appears the offenders may have been looking for tools.

Also over this period of time there has been the following Anti-Social Behaviour incidents…

Fire which has been set at Marston Road playing fields.

A local resident trying to intimidate workers within Lapley.

Local patrols will continue to monitor these locations to identify any persons causing issues or problems.

Pcso Lloyd & Price have Police Surgeries in place over the next month.

The following surgeries are…

06/03/2019: St Marys Church – 10:30hrs – 11:30hrs.

27/03/2019: St Marys Church – 10:30hrs – 11:30hrs

Urged to encourage parishioners to report any incidents.

There is a particular concern with theft from vehicles, theft of key less cars and farm vulnerability.

Recent accountability forum – crime has increased, it is a district issue that incidents are not being reported.

Noted that 101 has a substantial waiting time.

182. District Report

No report

183. County Report

No report

Noted inappropriate marketing advert

184. Financial matters
185. a) Resolved to accept the financial budget comparison to 21^st February 2019
186. b) Resolved to accept the financial summary to 21^st February 2019
187. c) Resolved to approve the expenditure for January/February 2019
188. d) Resolved to approve the payments noted under delegated powers as noted on the Clerks report

185. Planning Recommendations: Resolved:
186. a) Planning application: 19/00076/VAR- ‘No objections’

18/01040/FUL-Withdrawn

1. b) Planning application after papers sent
2. c) Planning decisions: None received
3. d) Enforcement Cases: None received
4. e) Delegated responses sent: 19/0004/FUL – ‘No objections’, 18/00945/FUL ‘No objections’

186. Working Group reports:

Christmas Lights:

Resolved: Thanks to Cllr M Griffiths  for his role, to undertake again

Appoint Sound Junkies for sound and compere next year- no need obtain multiple qoutes

DB Security- to order : festoons, generator as in 2018 need more extension cables

Purchase 2 of 3×6 gazebos required and weights within Christmas light budget  PC to put up and install festoon for ease

Lights are pleasing

Event went smoothly, good feedback

Grotto:  PTFA to do it next year

Mr Busby to provide the trailer

Mascot, all to think of ideas

Cllr Whittingham to organise stalls

Saturday 23 November 4-6 lights on 530pm

Children’s school choir

Purchase Sleigh bells

All to consider  local  choirs to accompany the Salvation Army

Liaise with St Marys for more performances .

Clerk to book St Johns Ambulance, The Salvation Army

Next meeting June

• HR: no meeting

Councillor Sue Whittingham left the meeting

• Maintenance/Forward Planning and Finance:

Grounds Maintenance:  Three quotes received were outside of the allocated budget, contractors were asked to consider if the quoted price was firm. Following consideration it was resolved  to award the grounds maintenance contract to Ditton Services for a three year agreement from 1^st April 2019 to 31^st March 2022 cost £11,395 per annum. Small works contract approved and to be signed. Clerk to liaise with Ditton Services to negotiate a reduce cost for year one to account for reduced works required at Lapley Green

Resolved to continue  the phone contract with Mainstream Digital on a three year contract

Cllr Sue Whittingham returned to the meeting

Lapley Green: Resolved to apply for planning application to install a 7 metre high flag pole.

Resolved to hold  a meeting with Lapley  residents to discuss species to plant and flag pole requirements, a budget of £1200 has been set and delegated power to Clerk and Chairman to organise.

Resolved to accept the change in grass crete to grass matting

Resolved to amend the plans at Lapley Green to retain the chain link fencing

Resolved a resident requested the use of the bricks from the wall at Lapley Green , Council are happy to donate. In return the resident will provide bulbs for the area

Resolved to install the notice board near to the gated opening

Noted that there may an increase in contractor costs due to amendments to the plans and materials use.

Resolved that the bench at Marston field is adequate and is to be repaired as required and not replaced.

187.To receive reports from Parish Council Representatives:                                       

1. Lapley & Wheaton Aston Village Hall Management Committee

Meeting held 11.2.19. Agm is 20.5.19, bookings are steady. Flooring in kitchen and corridor is due to be replaced. All returns  made to the Charity Commission.

1. Lapley & Wheaton Aston Recreation Ground Committee

Meeting held 11.2.19, bonfire night income was reduced, bookings are lower than expected. Bonfire night has been schedule for 211.2019, this may not be able to go ahead. Returns made to the Charity Commission.

1. Lapley & Wheaton Aston Old People’s Welfare Committee

in process of updating constitution, name is due to change to Wheaton Aston and Lapley ‘Monday Lunch Group’

1. Wheaton Aston Community First Responders

No meeting held, two members ran a heart start course which was well attended. Financially in a good position, volunteers are needed to run the Responders. Pc and First responder to work together when new defibrillators  are installed.

1. Parish Charities Trustee

Committee is seeking a new treasurer.  Request to PC to support the Committee.

1. Staffordshire Police Locality Accountability Forum

Discussed in agenda item 181.

Many concerns surrounding theft and drug use.

1. Freight Hub action group

StopWMI Report

Submitted by Cllr Anderson

The SnubTheHub Group have been working tirelessly on the 8 written submissions and reading information and documents in relation to this project. The group have had several meetings with (Ansons Solicitors) who is helping us from a legal perspective to fight this development.

Prelim meeting 27 Feb

It was a full house, 200 seats available and most occupied

10am meeting was outline of timetable and deadlines and procedure

Letter will be sent out by PINS 4 March with timetable deadline dates

The Inspector spent some time on the 26^th Feb driving around the development area and walking along the canal tow path, he noted the groups banners and the tape around the area.

2pm open floor hearings

Time limited to 10 mins per speaker but not enforced, people could also speak more than once and there was a roving microphone making it a less intimidating experience.

attendees:

PINS – Inspector,  Case Manager/ assisting and written note taker

Applicant/Eversheds Sutherland legal/Rambol environmental/Quad

CPRE

SSDC Officer plus several Cllrs

SnubTheHub Group (around 10 of us)

Brewood/Penkridge/Hatherton/Wheaton Aston/Shareshill Parish Cllrs

Greensforge Sailing Club

Lots of residents from Brewood, Coven, Penkridge, Four Ashes & Gailey

Examination launched today and closes 27 August.

All written submissions have a deadline and after each one there is chance to submit counter arguments and/or summing up before the end of the process.

27  people used the microphone (some twice as wanted to counter applicant answers or ask a further question)

A lot was focused on the road issues and the problems we already face with M6 closures and accidents in the

area, gridlocked local roads and villages.

It was also stressed several times by the inspector that the rail terminal is of paramount importance, this development should do what it is intended to do especially when using greenbelt land.

The inspector also indicated that alternate locations will be an important part of the process and should be thoroughly examined. Applicant argued that a brownfield site would be more likely to impact on more people than having one in the greenbelt.

Greensforge Sailing Club spoke at length about wind direction and how large buildings in close proximity can alter the wind and make sailing dangerous and almost impossible. They are in talks with the applicant.

SSDC Cllr/Shareshill Parish Cllr/ Shoal Hill Common committee shared his knowledge of past events with the developer and how the development would impact on the AONB.

A recently retired traffic policeman who worked the M6 for 35 years stressed a direct link onto M6 would be too dangerous as there is only 1 mile between end of slip road J11 to start of slip road J12 with toll road traffic joining in between.

The groups statement was read out at both the 2pm and 6pm hearing for people and the group requested that it is involved with site visits which the inspector seemed willing to accommodate.

Site Visits

Anyone can suggest best places for site visits so the group need to compile a list and get it in for the 13 March deadline. They anticipate a whole day of site visits to include Shoal Hill Common and Canal & River Trust offered a barge to take a trip along the canal. I suggested the inspector drive the length of the A5 from Gailey to Pickmere Island and highlighted the fact that it was detrunked in 1995 and the areas where the road narrows in Stretton and Weston, making it unsuitable for HGV’s.

Open Floor at 6pm

Only around 25/30 people attended

16 microphone opportunities again some people spoke more than once

mostly residents of Coven, Four Ashes and Calf Heath, mostly road and rail concerns

Thursday 28 February – Issue Specific Hearing

The group were given seats at the table and allowed to speak. Details do need to be submitted by the group about the section 106.

The applicant is basing a lot of their DCO conditions on East Midlands Gateway and some on Northampton Gateway (currently a little ahead of us in the process)

The inspector had a lot of questions about the draft (revised) DCO, this was very long and protracted.

Canal & River trust not happy with bridge alterations on Gravelly Way

Highways England not happy with road alterations, there are problems with safeguarding that are not being adequately addressed.  The public would be put at risk, they are going to submit in writing all their concerns in detail.

SSC Officer advised an agreement had not been reached with the applicant regarding the rail terminal and its links to the associated warehousing.

A revised draft of DCO will be submitted 24 April.

PC submission will be sent with the collective Parish group.

188. CCTV Installation

Resolved: to install a CCTV system provided by SGS Systems as quoted, Clerk to apply for planning permission

(specification AW 1859/AW4460)initially this will house two cameras to focus on problematic areas at Marston Field.

Resolved to bring  expenditure and  organisation back to council following the election

PCSO is gathering information for the Clerk on procedures to follow.

Contractors have been engaged to provide the electrical aspect of the installation

Resolved Apply to Eon to derive power from the lighting column

St Marys First School are supporting the Parish Council

189. Container application                         

Resolved to rescind  resolution 111 (2018) to purchase a container to store on the village carpark and to lease a storage space at St Marys First School, costs (nominal)  to be confirmed.

190. Community Speedwatch

Update given, group has been running for 8 months and will be applying for permanent signs. Signs cost £75 for 4 signs but installation charge is £840. Concerns raised about the cost of installation. Group will be applying to the Safer Roads fund.

Cllr Anderson left the meeting

191. Grant request from ‘Stop the Gailey Freight Hub’ action group

A grant request of £1000 has been received from ‘Snub the Hub’ for assistance towards legal fees anticipated to cost £4000. It has been confirmed that £4200 has been raised to 25.2.19. Resolved to contact the group and advise that the costs appear to be met however if there are further immediate legal costs the Parish Council would consider donating towards these costs.

This situation has extenuating circumstances and therefore not applicable to adhere to the grant policy.

Cllr Anderson returned to the meeting                                                                                                 

192. Best Kept Village Entrance

Resolved: to contact St Marys First School and request the children complete one poster per class. These will be judged and a book box set awarded the one year group. To engage with the ptfa, children and families at St Marys First School and aim to set up a community group

Resolved to not to enter the Best Kept Village Competition

193.Lapley Green Scheme of Management

Resolved: following advice a Scheme of management is to be drafted with approximate costs of £1000.00 A working party comprising of  four councillors  and residents of Lapley (should they wish)  is to be formed to consider the elements of the scheme and report back to full council.

194.Community Sessions at the Church

Notification has been received  that the PCC are in agreement that the PC fund community sessions as previously detailed in agenda item 151 (2018). Sessions will begin on 1^st April 2019

195. Press Comment

Resolved to comment to the press regarding the situation at Lapley Green: The Parish Council have been in consultation with the residents  of Lapley for over twelve months to produce an appropriate  landscaped plan in order to renovate Lapley Green.

It was recognised that the area wasn’t reaching its full potential with numerous species of trees having failed to thrive, many had become unstable.  Relevant planning  permissions have been obtained and work began on 12^th February 2019. The Parish Council have engaged with numerous  contractors and have employed a suitable contractor to undertake the planned works.  It is anticipated that the green works will be completed by mid March 2019, following completion the green will be entered onto the register of Village Greens.

196. Employee Holiday

Resolved A Watson, K Daker and M Bissell to carry over 5 days holiday  (or equivalent) from 2018 to 2019

197. Items for future

Safer Roads funding

Youth Club

Birkenshaw Lane

198. Date of next meeting

The next meeting will be Thursday 4 April 2019 at 7.30pm, Lapley and Wheaton Aston Village Hall

Meeting closed 9.20 pm