BRERETON AND RAVENHILL PARISH COUNCIL
Minutes of a Parish Council meeting held at the Parish Hall, Ravenhill Park, Brereton, on Tuesday,
4th September 2018.
Present
Councillors R Easton [Chairman], K Ansell, Mrs P Ansell, Ms IJ Brown, Mrs DM Easton,
Mrs G Harvey, Mrs R Harvey, TA Jones and GN Molineux.
Apologies for absence were received from Councillors PA Fisher, Miss C Harvey, N Parton and
District Councillor D Foley.
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 H FARNATH
The Chairman reported the sad news that Councillor H Farnath had passed away. He paid
tribute to the work of Councillor Farnath, who had been a loyal friend to Brereton over many
years. These sentiments were echoed by other Members at the meeting.
All present stood in silence for one minute as a mark of respect.
3. CO-OPTION OF NEW MEMBER AND FILLING OF FURTHER VACANCY
The Clerk reported that following the resignation of Councillor Mrs H Southwell, notice of
the vacancy had been given. As ten electors had not requested an election, the Clerk
advised that the Parish Council could now co-opt to fill the vacancy.
RESOLVED
1. That Mrs R Harvey be co-opted to fill the vacancy on the Parish Council.
2. That the Clerk arrange to give notice of the remaining vacancy.
4. MINUTES
RESOLVED
That the minutes of the meeting held on 5th June 2018, be approved and signed as a
correct record.
5. POLICE MATTERS
The Chairman welcomed PCSO Dave Hughes to the meeting. The PCSO gave a
breakdown of incidents in the parish during August [copy attached].
The Parish Council was pleased to note that patrols had been increased to cover both The
Levels and Ravenhill Park.
Members reiterated their wish for the Police Office to be manned on a regular basis. PCSO
Hughes indicated that initially it was hoped to occupy the office during periods over the
weekend.
The Clerk made reference to the PCSOs hosting a Dementia Awareness Day entitled ‘A
Step Back in Time’ on 17th November 2018, 10.30 am to 2.30 pm at Rugeley Community
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Centre. The event was designed to raise awareness of dementia and the PCSOs were
hoping that as many Councillors as possible would attend.
At this juncture, the Chairman adjourned the meeting to allow the public present to
address the Parish Council.
The public present made reference to the following:-
Noise from industrial units at The Levels which was particularly problematic early in
the morning. Some of the language being used by employees was not appropriate,
particularly as it could be heard by children living in properties whose gardens
backed onto The Levels.
Concern was expressed regarding vehicles speeding near the corner into Birch
Lane and then down Birch Lane into Redbrook Lane.
Some metal debris had fallen off a lorry speeding down Birch Lane [this was
displayed at the meeting].
Reference was made to the problems of parking, particularly in the vicin9ty of the
Co-op in Redbrook Lane.
The Chairman made reference to representations already made to the County Council in
respect of various problems associated with heavy vehicles from The Levels Industrial
Estate. The Clerk circulated a response from the County Council, a resume of which is set
out below.
The County Council had advised that part of Redbrook Lane was traffic calmed and
was signed at the junction with Main Road to notify drivers they were entering an
area subject to speed humps. The Authority did not have any traffic data for this
location and therefore consideration could be given to a traffic count to determine
the speed of vehicles. There had been one recorded accident within the first 100
metres of the junction with Main Road within the last five-year period.
With regards to HGVs travelling at 4.00 am, the County Council had suggested that
Cannock Chase District Council Planning Department be contacted to ascertain
whether there were any planning conditions for times of delivery to and from The
Levels Industrial Estate.
A request was being made to the County Enforcement Team for additional
enforcement to be carried out in respect of the parking on double yellow lines.
The County Council advised that the costs associated with the introduction of a
weight restriction limit would exceed the only available budget via the local member,
as such a limit would require a traffic regulation order and signs at all leading roads
within the designated area. The signs would be required to be illuminated and would
exceed Councillor Dudson’s budget.
The Parish Council noted that when Councillor Dudson had his next Divisional
Highway Programme budget meeting, the Highways Team would raise with him the
possible funding for a speed survey.
In addition, the Parish Council had submitted a bid for funding from the Staffordshire Safer
Road Partnership for vehicle activated speed signs for Redbrook Lane.
A Member pointed out that problems regarding noise should be referred to the
Environmental Health Department of the District Council as they had powers to deal with
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such statutory nuisances. Horns from vehicles should not be used between the hours of
23.30 and 07.00 in such areas as Birch Lane/Redbrook Lane.
Other members of the public present raised the following matters:-
Illegal multi-occupation of properties in Coulthwaite Way.
A Community Speedwatch Training Session held at Brereton Library. Eighteen
people had attended and 15 of these registered to take part in training sessions.
The parishioner present did not agree that volunteers should be undertaking
Community Speedwatch activity in the parish.
Reference was also made to vehicles parking on Armitage Road and the
consequential road safety implications. The Parish Council had made
representations for a 30 mph speed limit on the road and would be considering
possible other measures at its next meeting.

The Chairman duly reconvened the Parish Council meeting.
6. TREE ON PRIVATE LAND ABOVE MAIN ROAD
The County Council had inspected these trees but did not intend to take any further action.
The Authority had suggested that, if considered appropriate, the Parish Council might itself
wish to consider writing to the owners of the property concerned.
RESOLVED
That the Clerk write in suitable terms to the owner of the property expressing the Parish
Council’s considerable concern regarding the dangers associated with these trees and
pointing out that it was their duty to inform their own insurance company of the position,
including the advice received from the Parish Council.
7. DOCUMENTATION
The Clerk tabled the following document for circulation to Members:-
Staffordshire Pension Fund – Employer Focus – July and August
Staffordshire Fire and Rescue Service – Conference 15th November 2018, entitled
‘Making a Difference’
Press release – Community Council of Staffordshire
8. EXTERNAL AUDIT
The Parish Council noted that Mazars, the external auditor, had completed their audit for
the year ended 31st March 2018. The Clerk was pleased to report that the Auditor had
issued his Certificate making no adverse comments on the accounts.
9. ‘PEOPLE HELPING PEOPLE’
The Parish Council considered a letter from the County Council’s Cabinet Support Member
for Communities, a copy of which had been circulated. The letter contained an invitation for
Members to attend a meeting in the Ball Room at Cannock Chase District Council on
13th September 2018, at 6.00 pm.
Members again expressed their concern at the stance being taken by the County Council
as they continued to assume that there was an inexhaustible number of volunteers
available to undertake work previously undertaken by the Authority.
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10. CANNOCK CHASE AREA OF OUTSTANDING NATURAL BEAUTY – SUSTAINABLE
DEVELOPMENT FUND [SDF]
The Clerk had circulated an email from the Rural County Development Officer giving details
of the SDF.
RESOLVED
That the Clerk be authorised to submit a bid for funding of £1,200.00 for an Interpretation
Board to be sited near the Brereton and Ravenhill Way/Colliery Road.
11. CANNOCK CHASE LOCAL PLAN REVIEW
Councillor TA Jones circulated a draft response to the Cannock Chase Local Plan Review.
RESOLVED
That the draft response, as circulated, be approved for submission to Cannock Chase
District Council.
12. CANNOCK CHASE DISTRICT COUNCIL – GAMBLING ACT 2005 – DRAFT
STATEMENT OF PRINCIPLES – CONSULTATION
The Parish Council considered a Draft Statement of Principles for the period 2019 – 2021.
A copy of the document had been circulated.
RESOLVED
That the document be noted.
13. PLANNING COMMITTEE
RESOLVED

That the minutes of the Planning Committee held on 17th July 2018, be approved.
14. PARISH HALL MANAGEMENT COMMITTEE
RESOLVED
That the minutes of the Parish Hall Management Committee held on 18th July 2018, be
approved.
15. FINANCE AND MANAGEMENT COMMITTEE
RESOLVED
That the minutes of the Finance and Management Committee held on 18th July 2018, be
approved.
16. DATE OF NEXT MEETING
The Parish Council had previously agreed that the next meeting would be held on
2nd October 2018.
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