Present: Cllr R Bennett (Chairman)
Cllr I Bearne
Cllr (Mrs) S Francis
Cllr J Francis
Cllr B Jenkins
Cllr B Martin
Cllr B Morton
Cllr J Remon
In Attendance: Mrs L Harrington-Jones (Clerk)
Cllr F Finlay, Stafford Borough Council (SBC)
And 4 members of the public
Apologies for absence were received from:
Mr C H Kelly (Legal Advisor)
Mr K C Kelly (Legal Advisor)
PCSO P Davies
PC S Thornton
Cllr (Mrs) M Grayson
Cllr (Mrs) B Holt
Cllr L Bloomer, Staffordshire County Council (SCC)
Cllr T Reeves, Stafford Borough Council (SBC)
2327 Public Question Time
The Chairman welcomed everyone to the meeting. A member of the public raised her concerns over the incidence of dog fouling in Kitlings Lane which she had documented during the previous three months. After discussion it was agreed that Cllr Finlay would obtain notices for display and deliver them to the Clerk. Action: Cllr Finlay
Another member of the public reported that a tree in the grounds of Walton Mead was obstructing the footpath and it was agreed that the Clerk would write to the residents of the property requesting that they trim back some branches. Action: Clerk
There were no further matters raised by members of the public.
2328 Crime Report for May 2010
PC Thornton had sent apologies as there would be no police presence at the meeting, and had forwarded a report which was read out by the Clerk.
On 4 May 2010 damage was caused to a motorcycle parked in Berkswich Methodist Church car park whilst the owner attended school. There were no known suspects.
On 17 May 2010 there was a report of anti-social behaviour from six youths playing football near the Little Fawn. There were no persons present on the arrival of a police patrol.
On 17 May 2010 there was a report from a resident living near to Milford Common car park of anti-social behaviour and noise in the late evening. There were no persons present on the arrival of a police patrol.
Cllr J Francis regretted the non-attendance of the police at the meeting.
2329.i. Minutes of the Annual Parish Meeting held on 4 May 2010
Councillors agreed that the minutes of the Annual Parish Meeting held on 4 May 2010 were a true and accurate record and they were signed by the Chairman.
2329.ii Minutes of the Annual Meeting of Berkswich Parish Council held on 4 May 2010
Councillors agreed that the minutes of the Annual Meeting of Berkswich Parish Council held on 4 May 2010 were a true and accurate record and they were signed by the Chairman.
2329.iii Minutes of the Parish Council Meeting held on 4 May 2010
Councillors agreed that the minutes of the meeting held on 13 April 2010 were a true and accurate record, and they were signed by the Chairman.
2330 Clerk’s Progress Report , Items not on Agenda
2316, The Clerk and residents of Kitlings Lane had met representatives from STWA who had agreed to reinstate the bank. The work had now been completed. The Chairman thanked the residents who had been watering the turfed and seeded areas during the recent dry weather.
2319, 2235, Cllr J Francis stated that he had not received a draft document for approval, as he was unable to open attachments to emails. The Clerk had commenced preparation of the bundle of documents, and will ensure Cllr J Francis receives a printed copy of the draft document. Action: Clerk
2320, The flower beds had been checked and found to be satisfactory. TGM will be asked to remove grass from one flower bed opposite 19 Milford Road on their next visit.
2320, BCTV will confirm a site visit to Walton Coppice in the next few weeks.
2321, Comments on the planning application for Oldfields House had been forwarded to SBC.
2301, The situation regarding the locking of Holly Bush Field by Mayflower Security had improved. Cllr Martin reported an incident when he had asked two young people to remove a scooter from the play area.
2281, Cllr J Francis confirmed he had requested extra grit bins for the parish.
2284/5, Cllr Bearne had met a representative from TGM, who was arranging to repair the grass verge at Main Road, Milford.
2331 Financial Matters and Financial Statement
Cllr J Francis expressed concern that the balance was over £120,000. Money held by the Parish Council should be used for the benefit of the community and the next budget should be prepared accordingly. After discussion it was agreed that Cllr J Francis would prepare a paper listing projects for the Parish Council to consider. All Councillors would consider which projects they would be prepared to support and advise the Clerk so that these could be discussed at the next meeting. Action: All
It was proposed by Cllr Remon and seconded by Cllr J Francis that the accounts for May 2010 should be approved, and this was agreed.
2332 Planning Matters
10/13497/FUL 26 Selworthy Drive, Stafford Extensions
Councillors had no comments to make on the above Planning Application..
10/13621/FUL Nawabgunj, Kitlings Lane, Walton on the Hill, Stafford Single storey rear extension
Cllr Morton declared a non-pecuniary interest. Councillors had no comments to make on the above Planning Application.
2333 Risk Assessment, Best Kept Village Competition
Councillors unanimously approved the Risk Assessment prepared by Cllr Bennett and Mr K Kelly.
2334 Risk Assessment, Friends of Walton Coppice
Councillors unanimously approved the Risk Assessment prepared by Cllr Bennett and Mr K Kelly.
2335 Kitlings Lane, protection of grass verges
At the request of Cllr Morton, the Clerk had asked a local builder to submit estimates for a brick wall and for a stone wall to protect the grass verge at the bottom of Kitlings Lane. Councillors agreed to pursue the building of a stone wall with the aim of completing the work before the autumn.
Councillors discussed previous proposals to close the exit from Kitlings Lane to Milford Road. Residents would have to be consulted if this was to be re-considered. After discussion Councillors agreed that SCC should be asked to install a sign ‘No through road to goods vehicles’ on the telegraph pole by the church car park at the top of Kitlings Lane. Action: Clerk
2336 School Lane, work to be carried out on grass bank
The Chairman thanked Cllr Morton as he had removed the ivy. The trees at the top of School Lane appeared to be in the Conservation Area and after discussion it was agreed to defer making a decision until Messrs C and K Kelly had returned from holiday as they held the definitive map.
2337 War Memorial
Cllr Bennett reported that the Parish Manual recorded that a report on work to be done on the War Memorial had been received in 2007, and a decision to implement the report had been deferred due to the possible reconfiguration of the road junction. Mr K Kelly had carried out work on the Memorial, including cleaning in October 2009. After discussion it was agreed to ask Mr Kelly to prepare a report on the condition of the Memorial and any work that was required, for consideration at a future meeting. Action: Mr K Kelly
2338 Correspondence and circulars received by the Clerk
A list of correspondence received to 25 May 2010 had been circulated to Councillors, and the Clerk listed recently received items of correspondence.
Councillors agreed that the Clerk should attend the Clerk’s Day organised by SPCA on 17 June 2010, at a cost of £40 to members.
2339 Matters for the next meeting
Newsletter, to include Chairman’s Annual Report and Financial Statement, and information for prospective Parish Councillors
Cllrs J and S Francis gave their apologies, as they would be unable to attend.
2340 Crime and Disorder Implications
Section 17 of the Crime and Disorder Act 1988 places a duty on local authorities to consider crime and disorder implications and to exercise various functions on and to do all it reasonably can to prevent crime and disorder in its area. Minute No 2328 had a positive impact on crime and disorder and that all matters have been considered thereto.
The next meeting of Berkswich Parish Council will be held on Tuesday 6 July 2010 at 7.30 pm in Walton Village Hall
The Chairman thanked everyone for their attendance. There being no other business the meeting closed at 8.25 pm.