Parish Council Minutes October 2020

BRERETON  AND  RAVENHILL  PARISH  COUNCIL

Minutes of a Parish Council meeting held on line on Tuesday, 13^th October 2020.

Present

Councillors TA Jones [Chairman], Mrs P Ansell, Ms IJ Brown, Mrs DM Easton, Alderman R Easton, PA Fisher, Mrs W Fisher, D Johnson, Mrs L Johnson and GN Molineux.

Apologies for absence were received from Councillors K Ansell, Mrs G Harvey and JC Harvey.

Mr PG Davies, the Parish Clerk, was also in attendance.

1. DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST

No declarations were given at the commencement of the meeting.

2. COUNCILLOR K ANSELL

Members were sorry to learn that Councillor K Ansell was not well and could not attend this

evening’s Parish Council meeting.

RESOLVED

That the Parish Council’s best wishes be sent to Councillor K Ansell.

3. MINUTES

RESOLVED

That the minutes of the meeting held on 1^st September 2020, be approved and signed as a             correct record.

4. POLICE

The Police were not in attendance at the meeting.

5. PATH BEHIND AMAZON

The Chairman continued to express concern regarding the state of this footpath.

Councillor PA Fisher and/or Councillor GN Molineux would raise this matter at the next Liaison Meeting with Amazon.  In the meantime, the Chairman kindly undertook to take photographs of the footpath which would assist in securing an early resolution of the matter.

6. ARMITAGE ROAD

1. Speed Limit

The Clerk reported that following his letter to the County Council requesting a reduction in the current speed limit from 40 mph to 30 mph, the Strategic Community Infrastructure Manager had advised that unfortunately the matter had not been prioritised above the many other competing demands in the locality.  He had, however, undertaken to arrange for the matter to be discussed at the next six-monthly review meeting.  He also made reference to the Divisional Highway Programme managed by local members which provided the Council with a platform to investigate concerns.

The Parish Council did not consider this matter was being given sufficient priority and it was

RESOLVED

• That the Chairman draft a Freedom of Information request to Staffordshire Police asking the following:-

• “how many prosecutions have there been for exceeding the speeding limit along Armitage  Road in the last 5 years?;
• how many prosecutions have there been for exceeding the weight limit along Armitage Road in the last 5 years?”

• That the Chairman draft a Freedom of Information request to Staffordshire County Council asking the following:-

• “how many reported accidents have there been along Armitage Road in the last 5 years?;
• what proposals does Staffordshire County Council have in respect of that part of Armitage Road that is subject to a 40 mph speed limit?”

• That the term Armitage Road in (1) and (2) above relates to the whole length of Armitage Road, Brereton [part of the A513] that is from its junction with Brereton Road and Horsefair at its north western end and its junction with the A51 Rugeley by-pass at its south eastern end.

1. Cutting Back of Hedgerow

The Parish Council was pleased to note that the hedgerows between 155 Armitage Road and the Thompson Road junction had been cut back.  However, a considerable amount of debris remained on the footpath and it was essential this was cleared away.

RESOLVED

That the County Council be thanked for arranging for the cutting back of the hedgerow but they be asked to remove all remaining debris, widen the footpath to its full width and indicate whether this work would be undertaken on an annual basis.

• Gate – Northern Entrance to Ravenhill Park

A local resident had again referred to the noise nuisance from this gate.

RESOLVED

That the Clerk seek authority from the District Council for the Parish Council to resolve this matter.

1. Brook – Ravenhill Park – Installation of Second Barrier

The District Council had received a response from the Environment Agency in which they advised that the location was not on or within 8 metres of a main river, and was also not in the floodplain of a main river.  Accordingly, a flood risk activity permit was not required.

The Parish Council noted that the District Council had written to Staffordshire County Council seeking the consent of the LLFA to the installation of a further barrier.

RESOLVED

That the Clerk ascertain whether the District Council had received a response from the

LLFA and, if this was not the case, the Clerk write direct to the County Council Flood Team to secure their approval to the installation of a second barrier.

1. Unit 5 Wheelhouse Road

A local resident had again complained about the obnoxious odours emanating from this site and also the hours of operation.

RESOLVED

That the Clerk write to Environmental Health regarding the odours and the Planning Department in respect of the hours of operation.

7. REMEMBRANCE SUNDAY

The Parish Council noted that due to Covid 19, large gatherings would not be permitted on Remembrance Sunday.  Accordingly, there would be no parade and no road closure.

The service at St Michaels Church would include the 26 people in the regular congregation, plus Helen Ulrichsen from the Royal British Legion, Councillor PA Fisher [District Council], Councillor TA Jones [Parish Council] and a representative of the uniformed organisations.

A small ceremony would take place at the war memorial, which would include the Royal British Legion Standard Bearer, a bugler, together with members of the clergy.

The public were being asked not to attend.  However, they were being encouraged to purchase poppies in support of the Royal British Legion.

8. PLANNING COMMITTEE

RESOLVED

That the minutes of the Planning Committee held on 1^st September 2020, be approved.

9. PARISH HALL AND PROPERTY MANAGEMENT COMMITTEE

RESOLVED

That the minutes of the Parish Hall and Property Management Committee held on              2^nd September 2020, be approved.

10. FINANCE AND MANAGEMENT COMMITTEE

RESOLVED

That the minutes of the Finance and Management Committee held on 2^nd September 2020, be approved

11. DATE OF NEXT MEETING

The Parish Council had previously agreed that the next meeting would be held on

3^rd November 2020.

12. PLANNING – SECTION 215 NOTICE

RESOLVED

That the Clerk send an appropriate letter to the District Council requesting the serving of a

Section 215 notice to secure urgent improvements to the amenities of the following sites:-

• The Castle
• Cedar Tree
• Talbot

13. PUBLIC FORUM

A member of the public expressed his concern regarding the excessive speed of vehicles in Armitage Road [minute 6 refers].  In addition to the concerns expressed by Members, he also referred to the following:-

• increased traffic flow on Armitage Road, including heavy goods vehicles;
• the downdraft from speeding heavy goods vehicles was a safety concern for all the children using the footpaths on Armitage Road;
• a survey was required to ascertain clearly the speed and types of vehicles using the road.

Councillor PA Fisher kindly undertook to approach Amazon to ascertain what action they could take in respect of heavy goods vehicles from their site travelling along Armitage Road.

______________________

[Chairman]