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 FULL PARISH COUNCIL MEETING 14th MAY 2019 LITTLE ASTON VILLAGE HALL
1 Register of members in attendance.
Cllr David Salter, Cllr Sheila Beilby, Cllr David Thompson, Cllr Neil Perry, Cllr Nick Smith, Cllr Val Neale, Cllr Stuart Jones, Cllr Gail Nicholls, Cllr Nicola Macdonald, Cllr Nicki Gobran, Cllr Kelly Harrison, District Cllr Elizabeth Little, Shirley O’Mara – Clerk & RFO.
Peter Gunn (Little Aston Park Residents Association), Mike Jordan (Little Aston Park Residents Association), Mrs Lesley Edgley, Mrs Val Thomas, Mrs Inge-Kettner Wood. Over 60 residents of Little Aston- names detailed separately.
2 Acceptance of apologies
Cllr John Branch and Cllr Mick Cox. County Cllr David Smith
3 Public Participation.
A large number of Little Aston residents attended the meeting with regard to planning application 19/00550/FUL submitted to Lichfield District Council to install permanent motorised gates at the main road junctions of Keepers Road, Park Drive and Endwood Drive in Little Aston Park.
Mr Peter Gunn, Chairman of Little Aston Park Residents Association (LAPRA) began by explaining the reason for the application and the supporting detail behind it. He stated:
There are serious concerns being expressed by many residents of Little Aston Park concerning crime and security. Homes within the park are targeted and have been subject to opportunistic and, at times violent burglaries. LAPRA believe the introduction of gates would be a positive step to improve security and safety for residents. A workshop has been arranged at St Peters Church on May 22nd where representatives of the gating company will be able, with practical and video demonstrations, to explain in detail the operation of the gating and answer any residents concerns.
There are concerns that the initial plan for the first three entrances into Little Aston Park will cause higher traffic volumes on Roman Road. Many unauthorised drivers currently short cut and use these roads trying to avoid Rosemary Hill Road and the traffic island by driving down Roman Road and through Talbot Avenue. Gating these side roads from all but authorised users will stop this from happening and reduce, not increase the traffic flows.
Further, concerns have been made about access for emergency vehicles but no delays will be forthcoming by the use of special keys and codes being given to all emergency services to ensure immediate access in the case of emergency. A full detail of Mr Gunn’s report is attached.
Mrs Val Thomas spoke to oppose the gates application on the following grounds: congestion problems and dangers at accesses to the highway, the adverse impact on Roman Road, the fact that vehicle number plate recognition cameras are effective in crime prevention and that many residents already have gated properties inside the park and that the crime level is lower than Shenstone & Stonnall, and on the grounds of sustainability. Full details of Mrs Thomas’s objection are attached.
Mrs Inge Kettner-Wood spoke to request that as LAPRA do not have a mandate the application should be called in therefore allowing a full debate at Lichfield District Council. She states that consultation with residents has been sought too late and that having a demonstration workshop on the 22nd of May, one day before the consultation periods ends does not allow sufficient time to respond.
Mr Mike Jordan (LAPRA) stated that LAPRA have made a real effort to engage and completed a consultation earlier to 220 homes with 63 detailed responses and indicating 62% in favour.
There were several comments from the floor both in favour and against the proposal.
Cllr Salter, having extended the 15 minutes of public participation to 50, then stated that as Parish Council have no powers whatsoever all it can do is be the voice of the community and share feedback with Lichfield District Council. As there are strict controls on calling in an application Cllr Salter will seek to do so under highways guidelines as a “material planning matter”. He will also speak with colleagues at District Council to request an extension to the period of consultation though this is unlikely to be approved. He asked LAPRA to consider withdrawing the application pending further consultation and resubmitting later but Mr Gunn & Mr Jordan both believe that this is not in the resident’s interest and that they want to see action taking as soon as possible.
4 Election of Chair and Vice Chair.
There were no nominations for the role of Chair or Vice Chair and as both Cllr Salter as Chair and Cllr Beilby as Vice Chair are happy to continue in the roles, they were duly re-elected unanimously.
5 Declarations of interest & agree blanket dispensations.
The following members requested and were granted permission to speak and vote at meetings until May 2020 as follows. Cllr Beilby & Cllr Nicholls on Stonnall Youth & Community Centre & Stonnall Village Hal, Cllr Neale & Cllr Cox on Stonnall Youth & Community Centre, Cllr Nicola Macdonald on Stonnall Little Fishes, Cllr Jones on Shenstone Community Library & The Lammas Land and Cllr Salter on Little Aston Recreation Ground.
To accept and confirm minutes of the last Full Council meeting on Tuesday 9th April 2019.
Accepted and signed.
Clerks report on outstanding matters from minutes 9th April 2019:
Community Litter pick Pinfold Hill/Wyevale 4th May. A very successful event with 27 bags of waste collected.
Little Aston Recreation Ground/Parish Council lease proposal– Moseleys Solicitors have agreed to act for Council and have ordered the title deeds to proceed.
Request for bench Richard Cooper Rd/Court Drive/Holly Hill Rd- feedback from residents and Council decision.
Following a consultation of resident in the immediate vicinity there have been 48 responses in favour of a bench and 4 against. Three of the against votes come from owners immediately close to the green.
There was some discussion regarding youths & possible anti-social behaviour and support for the objections from Cllr Perry. However, Council then voted to support the installation for a trial period (to be determined) to assess the impact. RESOLUTION: Council voted in the majority to install the bench for a trial period. Proposed Cllr
Thompson, seconded Cllr Nicholls & vote carried.
To elect members to the following committees:
Neighbourhood Planning & Property- Finance, Legal, Health & Safety-Employment Committee
Lawn Cemetery Committee- Lammas Land
Members were duly elected as per the attached committee structure
To Elect Members as representatives on Outside Bodies:
Shenstone Village Hall – Shenstone Playing Field-Richard Cooper Room -Stonnall Village Hall-
Stonnall Youth & Community Centre -Stonnall Playing Field –Little Aston Recreation Ground Association-
Little Aston Village Hall -Staffs Parish Council Association-Quarry Committee- Highways Partnership
Members were duly elected as per the attached committee structure
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Chairs Honorarium.
Councillors agreed an allowance of £1250 for the Chair of the Parish Council in order to undertake official business.
7.Council vacancies- update on vacant positions in Shenstone.
There are two vacancies in the Shenstone ward with the vacancy advertised until May 24th. Two applications have been so far received with interest from a third party. If more than two applications are received interviews will take place in early June.
To receive reports from District and County Councillors.
There were no reports from District or County Councillors.
8. Finance
(i) To consider the internal audit report 2018/19
(ii) To consider the annual governance statement 2018/19 and approve.
(iii) To consider the accounting statements 2018/19 and approve.
All items fully shared and unanimously approved by Council. The annual governance statement and the accounting statement were signed by the Chairman (attached)
April transactions for approval & May transactions to date were shared with Cllr Beilby confirming that the Zurich Insurance policy had been scrutinised by the former Cllr Fordham.
Financial position as at 14th May 2019. Unity Account £219,913.42. Nat West Current account £960.00
Nat West Reserve Account £3097.74 Nat West Liquidity Account (ring fenced funds for possible new cemetery).
Confirm next meeting of the Finance, Legal, Health & Safety Committee is Tues May 28th at 5.30.
9.Planning applications
Planning applications received in last month and an update on any objections/ developments were shared with Council (attached).
Cllr Thompson pointed out the notable successes with regard to recent objections in Lincoln Croft, Shenstone & Birmingham Rd, Shenstone Wood End as evidence of the importance of a neighbourhood plan. Cllr Salter wished to formally record his thanks to Clllr Thompson for sharing incredible and invaluable knowledge in achieving these results . This sentiment was reiterated by all Councillors present.
Update on new Cemetery research- the Clerk briefed Council on a pre-application enquiry which has been submitted to Lichfield District Council with regard to a proposed cemetery and car park in Stonnall.
Cllr Salter advised Council of a request from Shenstone Playing Fields Management Committee regarding the installation of temporary demountable changing rooms for use by the Football Club whilst renovation of the Pavilion goes ahead. Without these facilities, the Football Association will not allow games. Lichfield Disrict Council would like approval in writing from Council to proceed.
RESOLUTION: Unanimously agreed to support with a letter of approval on provision of more detailed plans going forward including a time frame.
Confirm next Neighbourhood, Planning & Property Committee Meeting is Tuesday June 25th at 5.30pm Parish Council office.
10.Review and approve Council policies:
lone worker policy, complaints procedure, procurement policy, risk management policy.
All policies approved and adopted.
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Parish Council website: review of options and next steps.
E-bulletin distribution & June Newsletter
A vote was taken as to whether the Council actually needs to move forward with a website over haul.
Three Councillors voted yes, one no with the rest abstaining. There was then a discussion as to what Council wishes to achieve. Cllr Harrison commented that communications in a wider context should be looked at and believes that what we are actually hoping to achieve could be without too much training, enabling the Clerk to do updates. Cllr Gobran asked who exactly the website is aimed at and the demographic of the audience. She also shared concerns about the security of any of the sites we are considering.
After further discussion it was agreed that Council will form a “Communication Task & Finish” Group to work over the next three months on a plan to move forward with the current website provider providing support throughout that time. Cllr Harrison, Gobran & Jones will form the group with the Clerk.
12. Lengthsman request to sub contract additional support.
In order to complete heavy lifting tasks or time pressurised jobs the Lengthsman has requested permission to sub contract additional support as and when needed. There will be no contract and no guarantee of work with effort brought in strictly when required and as an efficient use of time and money. RESOLUTION: This was proposed by Cllr Perry, seconded by Cllr Jones and passed unanimously at a rate of £8.21 per hour.
13.Consider new litter bins for Little Aston –outside Pats butchers.
RESOLUTION: Council voted to investigate the cost of replacement following reports from the Lengthman and feedback.
14.Zurich Insurance renewal
This was approved by Council.
15.Post Office update
The Clerk has received notice that the Post Office are looking at possible interested parties.
16.Bus shelter request- Stonnall.
Following a request for an additional bus shelter in Stonnall from a resident of the village, this request will be passed to Highways though Council feel the location is not ideally suited for a shelter with significant impact on residents.
