Minutes of the meeting of Curdworth Parish Council
Held on Monday 12th September 2011 at 7.30pm
At St Nicholas Church Hall
Cllrspresent :Mark Weatherley(Chair)
Alan Vaughton(Vice-Chair)
Brian Adams
George Bullivant
Anne Rimmer
Paulette Ross
Bill Thomas
In attendance Cllr Farrell (Coleshill Town Council)
Louise Baudet(Clerk)
104/11Apologies
There were no apologies for absence
105/11Public participation
Members welcomed Cllr Adam Farrell from Coleshill Town Council to the meeting. Cllr Farrell briefed the meeting on the proposed changes to the boundaries which were currently out for consultation. There would be no changes for Curdworth.
106/11Declarations of Interest
There were no interests declared.
107/11Minutes of previous meeting
The minutes of the meetings held on 11th July 2011 and 8th August 2011, having been circulated and read, were signed as a correct record. Members noted the minutes of the meeting with Severn Trent Water as circulated.
108/11Progress Reports
108.1Dunton Landfill
The Clerk reported that she had received contact from Mr Ambrose regarding the complaints from residents about the dust covering cars and buildings in the village, stating the prevailing wind direction blows from the village towards Dunton and that the dust was not from the landfill site (wind monitoring reports had been supplied to confirm this). Members acknowledged that on occasions wind may come from the westerly direction towards the Landfill site, but also noted that the winds also come from the East direction, thus carrying dust from the landfill site.
Cllr Bullivant suggested that the Parish Council consider using apparatus to analyse the content of the dust deposit to ascertain its origins. Cllr Thomas agreed to look into this to see if it was feasible.
Action : Cllr Thomas
It was agreed that the Clerk would request a further meeting of the Dunton Landfill Liaison Committee mid to end October and contact Mr Williams at Warwickshire County Council accordingly.
Action : Clerk
108.2Kingsbury Road – Speed limits
Cllr Weatherley reported that he has spoken to PCSO Nina Bowden at the last Area Forum West meeting who had promised to chase up a response to the correspondence sent in. The Clerk agreed to follow this up with PCSO Bowden.
Action : Clerk
108.3Ownership of land at King George V Playing Fields
The Clerk circulated summary statements she had produced from information provided by residents to support an application to prove ownership of land at King George V Playing Fields. Cllr Ross reported that she had contacted Mr Louth at Severn Trent Water who had agreed to try and locate the original deeds to the land. It was agreed not to pursue with gathering evidence until Severn Trent had got back to the Parish Council. Cllr Ross would maintain contact with Mr Louth.
Action : Cllr Ross
108.4Jubilee celebrations 2012
The Clerk confirmed that she had written to all organisations in the village and articles had also appeared in The Crier. Cllr Bullivant confirmed that the Art group would be holding an art exhibition, and also suggested the Parish Council consider a ‘pig roast’. Cllr Ross reported that Carol Evans (resident) had put her name forward as a Committee volunteer. As there had been a low level of interest, it was agreed to run another article in the Crier. Cllrs Ross and Rimmer agreed to liaise with Carol Evans about purchasing commemorative coins for the school children.
Action :Cllrs Ross/Rimmer
108.5Village amenity – directional signage
The Clerk reported that LEADER had confirmed that the Parish Council would be eligible to apply for funding to replace the directional signage from the Kingsbury Road to the village amenities. A quotation had been requested from Warwickshire County Council.
Action : Clerk
108.6Severn Trent Water
Members received the minutes of the meeting with Severn Trent regarding the recent problem with the sewage bed fires. A public meeting would be held at the Village Hall by Severn Trent on 21st October 2011 ; an advert would be included in The Crier.
108.7Road enhancement scheme
Members received details of the road enhancement scheme for the Coleshill Road, following concerns expressed directly to Warwickshire County Council b y residents. Funding for the improvements had been given by Cllr Lea. Members viewed the plans and felt it would be an improvement and asked the Clerk to write and thank Christine Lambert at Warwickshire County Council accordingly.
108.8Adult Exercise equipment
The Clerk distributed possible location plans for Adult Exercise equipment by the play area at King George V Playing Fields and also by the football pitches, which were approved by Members. Final quotations would be obtained and grant applications would be submitted to fund the equipment. The equipment would also need signage for instructions on how to use and appropriate warning signs. Cllr Thomas expressed a concern that certain users would possibly need GP clearance before using equipment at a gym, and queried whether the Parish Council could be held responsible in the event of an injury or medical complaint arising from the use of the equipment. The Clerk confirmed that the equipment would have ‘disclaimer’ signage, but agreed to make further enquiries.
Action : Clerk
108.9Update – village matters
- Clerk reported that the verges along the Kingsbury Road had not been done the previous year due to budget issues and change of contractor. Jane Pritchard at WCC had, however, confirmed that a request had been submitted for the work to be done this financial year.
- The Clerk confirmed she had contacted the Call Centre at NWBC and submitted a request for clearance of The Spinney. The request would be forwarded to Streetscape.
- Pothole on Coleshill Road reported online
- Request submitted for red tarmac aprons in Oaklands
109/11Curdworth Christmas TreeFestival
The Parish Council agreed to submit an entry to the Christmas Tree Festival themed on ‘local governance’. Cllrs agreed to meet informally to plan the entry.
Action :Cllrs
110/11Planning
There were no planning applications to consider.
111/11Finance
111.1Accounts for payment
Members approved the following accounts for payment :
St Nicholas Church – room hire £18.00
Cllr Weatherley – Chair’s allowance £67.00
Mr Simmons – Handyman£204.85
Mrs Baudet – expenses/reimbursements/office£75.40
Warwickshire County Council – pension conts£83.79
Ace Copying – copier hire £46.80
L Baudet – production of Sept Crier £40.00
Npower – electricity at playing fields £49.32
Cllr Mrs Ross – reimbursements £55.96
Wellsmead Mower Services – pitch/line marker£66.60
St Nicholas Church – s137 Christmas Festival £10.00
Mr Cannon – fold/deliver Crier £35.00
PAC Grounds Maintenance –goalposts£240.00
Cllr Vaughton – expenses/reimbursements£56.02
L Baudet – Football Secretary £25.00
J Baudet – Website maintenance £20.00
Mrs Baudet – Clerks salary £351.98
Members ratified the following expenditure since the August meeting, for items purchased reimbursed under delegated authorisation :
Asda vouchers – ex-gratia payment £80.00
Key cutting £23.90
Recorded delivery – Crier and keys £6.62
111.2St Nicholas Church Car Park signage
A request for support with the car park signage had been retracted since the Agenda was issued, and would now be considered by the Church.
111.3External Audit
The Clerk reported that she had received a request from Clement Keys to submit an amended return as the ‘rounding up’ of figures, in accordance with the guidelines on completing the form, had created a difference of £1. They also requested a copy of the ‘notice of audit closure’ for 2010/11.
111.4Request for payment of Village room hire
The Clerk reported that a resident was seeking financial assistance towards the cost of room hire at the Village Hall for an ‘employment roadshow’ event. Members of the Village Hall Committee present at the meeting agreed to raise this at the next Village Hall Committee meeting.
112/11Information items
112.1Communications
Members received details of communications received (Appendix A) and discussed the following :
Item 4 – Chair to attend Mayor of North Warwickshire’s Civic Service on 9th October at 10am in Polesworth Abbey.
Item 7 – WALC newsletter circulated to Councillors
Item 14 –Jakie Douglas, NWBC ; confirmation that the application submitted by the Parish Council for funding towards a new noticeboard, is eligible to be presented for consideration at the next Area Forum meeting on 13th October 2011.
Item 16 – Police surgeries ; email from PCSO stating he was hoping to hold surgeries at the Village Hall in Curdworth
Item 18 – the Phone Box outside the Post Office had now been changed to ‘card only’ payment
free training on ‘Inspecting Children’s Playgrounds’ offered through Alethea Wilson at NWBC.
Item 34 – Cllrs Ross, Weatherley, Vaughton and Bullivant to attend WALC AGM at Shire Hall on 26th October 2011.
Item 48 – Meeting re Hams Hall Boy Racers organised by Dan Byles MP had been held in Lea Marston (not Curdworth)
Item 50 – Planning training at NWBC ;Cllrs Thomas, Weatherley and Vaughton to attend on 9th November and Cllrs Ross, Rimmer and Bullivant to attend 17th November (7pm to 9pm).
Item 51 – the Clerk had contacted WALC who had confirmed that there had been no further meetings with Parish Councils and Warwickshire County Council. A further meeting could be arranged to look at Elderly and Care in the Community if Cllrs wished.
Item 53 – the Clerk reported that Christine Lambert (WCC) had confirmed that a new ‘one way’ sign would be erected at the end of The Paddock as part of the ‘traffic management programme’ for Beehive Lane.
Item 54 – CllrsWeatherley, Ross and Rimmer agreed to attend the WALC training for Chair’s.
Police Crime Statistics – Cllrs queried the incidents relating to firearms and violence during July. It was noted that there appeared to be an increase in the number of domestic burglaries and car thefts and it was agreed to include an item in The Crier to alert residents.
Item 60 – Cllr Bullivant asked if Cllr Lea had any information about the current permissions for the existing flight paths from Birmingham Airport.
Action : Clerk
112.2Planning matters
The Clerk reported on the following planning applications :
PAP/2008/0181 ;Omnium - permission for temporary storage for 3 years granted
PAP/2011/0122 ; Victor Valet – permission for signage granted
PAP/2011/0009 ; 30 Kingsbury Rd – variation to existing permission granted
PAP/2011/0298 ; 90 Coleshill Rd – permission for two storey side extension granted
PAP/2011/0392 ; 17 Coleshill Rd – permission for single storey side extension granted
PAP/2011/0308 ;Midway point - permission for refurbishment for existing application granted
PAP/2011/0392 ;Creola, Church Lane – application pending decision
112.3West Midlands Traffic Applications
The Clerk reported on the following applications :
Europa European Express Ltd, Midway point – 10 vehicles, 60 trailers
John Russell & Sons (Haulage) Ltd – 6 vehicles
113/11Jobs for Handyman
In addition to his normal duties, it was agreed that the Handyman would install the bench donated by M Cooper by the tennis course. Next Agenda ; gate at top of Church Lane.
114/11Crier and Website
The Clerk identified items for the next Crier to include Electric Blanket testing, Severn Trent public meeting, Jubilee celebrations, Phone Box in Curdworth, Dog Fouling, House burglaries and car crime.
115/11Councillors reports
Members discussed the future of the Beehive Pub.
116/11Closure of meeting
The meeting closed at 9.30pm
117/11Date of Next meeting
The next meeting would be held on Monday 14th November 2011 at 7.30pm
Signed …………………………………………………………………………………………………….(Chairman)
Date ……………………………………………………………………………………………………….
APPENDIX A
Curdworth PC – communications reported at 12th September 2011 meeting
Date / From : / Purpose1 / 14.7.11 / E / Roger Griffiths, SLCC / Branch meeting 21st July 2011
2 / 15.7.11 / L / Warwickshire Lieutenancy Office / Nominations for Queen’s Award info.
3 / 15.7.11 / E / Jenny Price / Area Forum West Agenda 28th July
4 / 18.7.11 / L / Karen Stokes, NWBC / Invite to Mayor of Nth Warks Civic Service 9th Oct, 10am Polesworth Abbey
5 / 18.7.11 / E / Jane Inman, WCC / Oral evidence on 6th Sept HS2-Agenda
6 / 18.7.11 / E / Alison Hodge, WALC / NALC opposing business rates for PC’s
7 / 19.7.11 / E / Alison Hodge, WALC / WALC Newsletter 95 – circulated to Cllrs
8 / 17.7.11 / E / Coleshill Green Man / Availability of football pitch
9 / 22.7.11 / E / River Tame Strategy / Tame Flood Risk Management Strategy – recs of proposed heights and alignments of flood defences to reduce flooding
10 / 27.7.11 / E / Jane Inman, WCC / HS2 briefing from WCC
11 / 31.8.11 / E / Timothy Statten / Dates for PC meetings-gave up to Dec2012
12 / 1.8.11 / L / Philip Cook Landscapes / New name : PAD Ground Maint Ltd
13 / 1.8.11 / E / Pat Whorton, WCC / Electric blanket testing - Crier
14 / 3.8.11 / L / Jaki Douglas, NWBC / Area Forum fund – grant eligible for consideration at next meeting on 13th Oct
15 / 5.8.11 / L / Royal Horticultural Society / Info re RHS Britain in Bloom campaign
16 / 5.8.11 / E / Timothy Statten, Police / Surgeries in Curdworth – 6th Oct, 8th Nov and 8th Dec (for Crier)
17 / 8.8.11 / E / Jenny Price NWBC / Diamond Jubilee Beacons
18 / 8.8.11 / E / Cllr Vaughton / Phone box changed to payment card
19 / 8.8.11 / E / Cllr Vaughton / Cc complaint to Police re scrap men
20 / 9.8.11 / L / Alethea Wilson, NWBC / Inspecting Children’s Playgrounds – courses available free of charge.
21 / 10.8.11 / E / Roger Griffiths, SLCC / Councils sharing employment of clerks
22 / 10.8.11 / E / Alethea Wilson, NWBC / Free course : Inspecting Childrens playgrounds ; future interest?
23 / 10.8.11 / E / Jo Giblin, WCC / Small Grants fund
24 / 12.8.11 / E / Resident / Youth unemployment event
25 / 17.8.11 / E / WCC press release / Superfast broadband to Warwickshire
26 / 17.8.11 / E / Alison Hodge, WALC / Community Development Fund
27 / 21.8.11 / L / Mr and Mrs Batchelor / Letter for inclusion in Crier thanking Parish Council for assistance with Severn Trent
28 / 24.8.11 / L / Society of Local Council Clerks / Notice of AGM 15th October 2011 (Berks)
29 / 24.8.11 / E / Lorna Dirveiks, Warks Arts Festival / Launch by Mayor 7 Oct, Coleshill Town Hall at 7pm, followed by gala concert
30 / 25.8.11 / L / Chairman’s Office, Warks C Council / ‘At home’ reception 17th September – Shire Hall.
31 / 25.8.11 / E / WCC Press Release / Civic Trust Awards 2012 competiton
32 / 30.8.11 / E / Open Spaces Society / Defra consultation on Village Greens
33 / 31.8.11 / L / Selco / Moving to new premises 17th October
34 / 31.8.11 / L / WALC / AGM 27th October 2011 7.30pm at Shire Hall and copy of Annual Report (tabled)
35 / 31.8.11 / E / Alison Hodge, WALC / Nth Warks Area Ctteemtg 5th Sept Agenda
36 / 1.9.11 / E / Ian Waddell / SNOW meeting 8th September
37 / 1.9.11 / E / Alison Hodge, WALC / Trusts & Charities Conference – 23rd Sept
38 / 2.9.11 / E / WCC Press Release / Arts events – North Warks Fringe Festival
39 / 2.9.11 / E / Amanda Tonks / Planning & Devt Board – 12th Sept
40 / 3.9.11 / E / Resident / Re: feasibility of signage on church car park
41 / 5.9.11 / E / Cllr Lea via Cllr Vaughton / Update on next meeting of Dunton Landfill Liaison Committee
42 / 5.9.11 / E / Alison Hodge, WALC / NALC briefing on National Planning Policy
43 / 5.9.11 / P / Warwickshire County Council / Restructure Rights of Way team/contacts
44 / 5.9.11 / E / Alison Hodge, WALC / Observational documentary on Councils
45 / 5.9.11 / E / Alison Hodge, WLAC / Observational tv documentary.
46 / 6.9.11 / E / Dave Harris, NWBC / Executive Board Agenda 13.9.11
47 / 6.9.11 / E / Rod Parker / Funding : Coalfields Regeneration Trust and also Comic Relief funding open. WCC Free Computers.
48 / 6.9.11 / E / Sandra Trickett for Dan Byles MP / Meeting re Boy Racers was held in Lea Marston not Curdworth (Echo incorrect)
49 / 6.9.11 / E / Rod Parker / Community Devt Fund grants available
And also Big Society grant funding
50 / 7.9.11 / P / J Brown, NWBC Planning / Planning training – 9th and 17th November, 7pm – 9pm, NWBC Committee room
51 / 7.9.11 / E / Alison Hodge, WALC / No further joint meetings with WCC. Is PC interested in meeting on Elderly and Care in the Community
52 / 8.9.11 / P / Mr Luckett / Thank you for payment for pitchmarking
53 / 8.9.11 / E / Christine Lambert, WCC / Confirmation of order of new one-way sign at end of The Paddock (part of traffic mgt)
54 / 8.9.11 / E / Alison Hodge, WALC / Training for Chairs
55 / 8.9.11 / E / Mr Ambrose,ALP / Ref:wind monitoring – dust at Landfill site
56 / 9.9.11 / E / Amanda Tonks, NWBC / Scrutiny Board Agenda – 19th September
57 / 9.9.11 / E / Jo Giblin, WCC / Community Action Against Crime Innovation fund – crime and community safety (not stat orgs) up to £50,000
58 / 9.9.11 / E / CPRE / Outlook magazine (circulated by email)
59 / 12.9.11 / E / Alison Hodge, WALC / Offer on Christmas tree lights
60 / 12.9.11 / E / Cllr Joan Lea / Informal info re B’ham flight paths
TEL CALL :resident re Parish Councils response to planning application for land off Church Lane
ON THE TABLE : Outlook, WALC Annual Report 2010/11, LCR
PLAYGROUND INSPECTION REPORT :July – bronze bush’s worn on shackles of swings, 1 bolt loose by slide platform.
FOOTBALL SECRETARY REPORT : football cheques banked, fixture info
WEBSITE UPDATE : Minutes and Agendas uploaded, old events deleted, new events uploaded
POLICE CRIME STATISTICS :
July -1 dwelling burglary, 1 concern not missing, 1 firearms, 1 observation, 2 police actioned incident, 4 road related incidents, 4 suspicious circumstances, 1 theft, 1 theft of motor vehicle, 1 theft from motor vehicle, 1 violence (total 18)
August – 2 alarm activation, 1 animal, 3 burglaries dwelling, 1 burglary (other), 3 concern not missing, 1 damage, 3 domestic,1 illness/injury, 1 industrial accident, 9 road related incidents, 1 theft, 2 theft from motor vehicle, 2 vehicle nuisance (total 30)