BRERETON AND RAVENHILL PARISH COUNCIL
Minutes of a Parish Council meeting held at the Parish Hall, Ravenhill Park, Brereton, on Tuesday,
9th January 2018.
Present
Councillors PA Fisher [Chairman], K Ansell, Mrs P Ansell, Ms IJ Brown [Vice-Chairman],
Mrs DM Easton, R Easton, Mrs G Harvey, TA Jones and N Parton.
Apologies for absence were received from Councillors H Farnath, Miss C Harvey, GN Molineux
and Mrs HJ Southwell 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. MINUTES
RESOLVED
That subject to the word ‘visited’ being replaced by ‘spoken to’ in minute 20
[Councillor Mrs HJ Southwell] the minutes of the meeting held on 5th December 2017, be
approved and signed as a correct record.
3. POLICE MATTERS
The Chairman welcomed PCSOs Sean Nicholls and Andy Highman. The Officers were
pleased to report that the parking issues in the vicinity of Hobb Hill School had been
resolved. The Chairman was personally thanked for the action he had taken in helping to
bring a satisfactory conclusion to this long-standing issue.
Members expressed the hope that the Police would prosecute the individuals who had
damaged the flagpole on land fronting the Parish Hall. Excellent CCTV footage existed
showing clearly the individuals who had carried out the vandalism.
The Police reassured Members that all crimes in Staffordshire were taken seriously and
were properly and thoroughly investigated.
The Parish Council, in its next Newsletter, would make reference to fraudsters attempting
illegal door selling. The elderly and vulnerable were particularly at risk.
The Chairman thanked the two Officers for attending the meeting.
4. OAK TREE FARM
The Clerk circulated a letter from the Planning Regulation Manager at the County Council
in which she advised that there was no requirement for the non-burning waste to be
removed from the site until the burning waste had stopped burning. As soon as the Fire
Service notified the County Council that the fire had been extinguished, Mr Ward and
Mr Reeves-Morgan would be given 24 weeks to clear all the waste from the site.
The Parish Council remained of the opinion that the terms of the Injunction Order reflected
what the County Council had sought. Provision should have been made for the nonburning waste to have been removed immediately.
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RESOLVED
That the Clerk convey the foregoing views to the County Council and enquire as to where a
complaint of maladministration should be sent.
5. POSTAL ADDRESS TO INCLUDE ‘BRERETON’
Royal Mail had advised that the consultation process had been successful with only 1.71%
of residents objecting to the proposed change. Royal Mail would now arrange for the
change in the postal address to be implemented and residents would be notified
accordingly.
6. GRIT BINS
Councillor TA Jones, who had asked for this item to be included on the Agenda, advised
that the issues he had intended to raise had been satisfactorily resolved by the Chairman of
the Parish Council.
7. CHANGES TO SUBSIDISED BUS JOURNEYS AND BUS SERVICES ALONG
ARMITAGE ROAD
RESOLVED
That the Clerk send a further letter to the County Council requesting an urgent response to
his earlier letter.
8. DOG FOULING
Reference was made to an increase in incidents of dog fouling in the Parish. A particular
area of concern was the footpath on the A513 towards the bridges on the boundary with
Rugeley.
RESOLVED
That the Clerk write to Environmental Health to acquaint them with the position locally and
enquire as to what enforcement action was being taken to deter offenders.
9. STAFFORDSHIRE WILDLIFE
Councillor TA Jones had requested that this matter be considered by the Parish Council.
RESOLVED
1. That the Clerk write to the Partnership to enquire as to any proposals they had for
creating a Country Park on the former Golf Course site.
2. That in the letter in [1] above, the Partnership be advised that the Parish Council
would wish to be involved in any such scheme if it related to land within this parish.
10. WORLD BOOK NIGHT – 23.04.18.
The Parish Council considered the possibility of once again participating in this important
initiative.
RESOLVED

That the Parish Council agree to again participate in World Book Night and the Clerk liaise
with the Chairman and Councillor TA Jones in choosing the title of the book to be ordered.
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11. WHARF ROAD
RESOLVED
That with the continuing increased usage of Wharf Road by both pedestrians and vehicles,
the Clerk write to the County Council requesting that it be dealt with in the same way as
bus routes and gritted regularly during spells of severe inclement weather.
12. PRECEPT 2018/2019
The Parish Council considered the report of the Clerk on the precept for 2018/2019.
RESOLVED
1. That the following amendments be made to the draft budget for 2018/2019:-

Projects
Draft Budget
2018/2019
[£]
Maintenance of bus shelters 1,500.00
Christmas Lights [including
timers]
9,500.00
Street cleaning machine 1,000.00
Mining Memorial 500.00
Reserves 1,079.00
2. That the Parish Council’s receipt for the 2018/2019 financial year be set at
£62,969.00.
13. MENTAL HEALTH CONSULTATION
The Clerk circulated an e-mail setting out details of a consultation on a proposed new
agreement for the provision of social care for people with mental health conditions. The
County Council was proposing to implement a new ‘Section 75 Partnership Agreement’
with just one new provider, namely South Staffordshire and Shropshire Healthcare NHS
Foundation Trust.
RESOLVED
That the Parish Council fully support the proposals as outlined in the consultation
document.
[The Chairman declared an interest in this item and did not speak or vote thereon.]
14. CCTV
Members noted the contents of a letter from the County Commissioner, Girl Guiding,
Staffordshire, a copy of which was circulated at the meeting. The Clerk updated the Parish
Council on matters of clarification he had sought from the Commissioner.
The Parish Council also noted the contents of a CCTV Policy Procedure Guide which had
been prepared by the Chairman. A copy was circulated at the meeting.
As work was now being finalised on the installation of CCTV, it was
RESOLVED
1. That the Clerk reply in suitable terms to the County Commissioner
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2. That the Policy and Procedure Guide be formally approved and adopted.
3. That the Clerk formally register the system with the ICO
15. SOCIAL DEPRIVATION
The Parish Council considered an analysis of social deprivation of the Brereton and
Ravenhill Ward based on the 2015 Indices of Multiple Deprivation. A copy of the data
received from Cannock Chase District Council had been circulated.
The Clerk undertook to obtain a more detailed analysis of the data and arrange for this to
be circulated to Members.
16. SECTION 106 AGREEMENT RELATING TO HAWKSYARD: PA 03/00627/OUT
The Clerk reported that Armitage with Handsacre Parish Council did not wish to enter into
joint discussions in respect of the above. He added that despite a reminder letter being
sent, no response had been received from Lichfield District Council on the legal issues
relating to the interpretation of sections of the Section 106 Agreement.
In respect of additional car parking in the vicinity of the Parish Hall, Cannock Chase District
Council had advised that when a scheme was prepared in 2007-2008 to extend the car
park, it was noted that the cost of each bay would be approximately £1,000.00 excluding
any planning permission and architectural costs. If this proposal was to be pursued, the
District Council would require detailed proposals, including a plan showing the precise
location of the additional parking area.
RESOLVED
1. That the Clerk write again to Lichfield District Council expressing the Parish Council’s
deep concern that a reply had not been received to earlier correspondence and that he
enquire as to where a complaint of maladministration should be made.
2. That the Clerk contact the Canals and Rivers Trust to obtain costings of a scheme to
improve that part of the canal towpath within the parish which would, amongst other
things, enable residents to access Rugeley Town Centre on a bike, in a wheelchair or
with a pushchair.
3. That the Clerk contact both the County Council and Arriva to obtain costings for a
scheme to provide real time electronic information boards on bus stops on the 825 bus
route through the parish.
4. That the Clerk, together with the Chairman, Councillor TA Jones and R Easton, be
authorised to finalise the submission to be made to Lichfield District Council.
17. THE CHICANE WHERE COALPIT LANE BECOMES COLLIERY ROAD
Councillor TA Jones had asked for this item to be included on the Agenda.
The Parish Council noted that following an accident which resulted in one fatality and other
people being seriously injured, it was important to reduce the speed limit to 40 mph on
Colliery Road from Wanden Crossroads to the current 30 mph speed limit [just prior to
Engine Corner]. An equivalent mandatory speed limit already existed on Stafford Brook
Road.
RESOLVED
That the Clerk advise the County Council of the foregoing and request the imposition of
such a 40 mph speed limit at the earliest opportunity.
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18. PLANNING COMMITTEE
RESOLVED

That the minutes of the Planning Committee held on 5th December 2017, be approved.
19. DATE OF NEXT MEETING
RESOLVED
The Parish Council had previously agreed that the next meeting would be held on
6th February 2018.
20. PUBLIC FORUM
No members of the public were present at this juncture in the meeting.