BRERETON AND RAVENHILL PARISH COUNCIL
Minutes of a Parish Council meeting held at the Parish Hall, Ravenhill Park, Brereton, on Tuesday,
5th December 2017.
Present
Councillors PA Fisher [Chairman], K Ansell, Mrs P Ansell, Ms IJ Brown [Vice-Chairman],
Mrs DM Easton, R Easton, H Farnath, Mrs G Harvey, TA Jones, GN Molineux and N Parton.
Apologies for absence were received from Councillors Miss C Harvey and Mrs HJ Southwell.
District Councillor D Foley was also present.
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 the minutes of the meeting held on 7th November 2017, be approved and signed as a
correct record.
3. POLICE MATTERS
The Parish Council noted the content of a letter dated 9th November 2017, from the Police
and Crime Commissioner in response to the Clerk’s original letter of 6th September 2017. A
copy of the letter had been circulated.
4. CH/17/237 – DEMOLITION OF EXISTING PUBLIC HOUSE AND ASSOCIATED
BUILDINGS AND THE ERECTION OF A REPLACEMENT OFFICE BUILDING WITH
MIXED D1/B1 USE [AMENDED PLANS] – LAND AT THE ACADEMY EARLY YEARS
CHILDCARE [FORMER TALBOT PUBLIC HOUSE] MAIN ROAD
The Chairman welcomed the following representatives of the applicants to the meeting:-
Angela Southall [CEO Midlands Psychology]
Ben Davis [White Ridge]
Jason Ridgway [White Ridge]
Helen Boss [Midlands Psychology]
These representatives outlined details of the scheme which was set out in more detail in a
leaflet circulated at the meeting.
At this juncture the Chairman adjourned the meeting to allow the members of the public
present to address the Parish Council.
Members of the public raised the following matters:-
The building was a key structure on one of the main gateways into Brereton and
many present indicated they would like to see it retained.
Considerable concern was expressed as to how the owners had allowed the
building to deteriorate over the past two years.
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Due diligence appeared not to have been followed in relation to the financial viability
of the venture.
Many present questioned the assertion that the building was damaged beyond
repair.
A minority view was expressed that in order to improve the site and prevent any
further vandalism, a way forward needed to be found to secure some form of
redevelopment.
Councillor TA Jones, Chairman of the Planning Committee, sought the following
information:-
A copy of the original survey prior to purchase.

Why was the advice of the District Council not followed in respect of the nonremoval of the plaster so as to protect the brick work?
Why was the water not turned off to prevent a flood in the cellar?
In response, the applicants advised that the plaster was removed to facilitate the survey. In
respect of the water supply, no good reason was given to explain why this was not turned
off.
The Chairman duly reconvened the meeting and it was
RESOLVED
That being cognisant of the views of local residents, the Planning Committee immediately
following this meeting determine the Parish Council’s formal response to the planning
application.
5. CANNOCK CHASE COUNCIL PRIORITIES
The Clerk circulated the District Council’s response to questions raised by Members in
respect of the following:-
Social deprivation
Is Cannock Chase District Council a ‘Dementia Friendly’ Authority?
RESOLVED
That the Parish Council, at its next meeting, consider further the response of the District
Council in respect of social deprivation.
6. SECTION 106 AGREEMENT RELATING TO HAWKSYARD: PA 03/00627/OUT
The Clerk reported that there had been no response from either Lichfield District Council or
Armitage with Handsacre Parish Council in respect of the above.
RESOLVED

That the Clerk endeavour to expedite responses from both the District Council and Parish
Council and the matter be further considered at the next meeting.
7. RIGHTS OF WAY
The Clerk reported that following consultations with Councillors R Easton and TA Jones, it
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had been agreed that all public Rights of Way shown on the Definitive Map within Brereton
and Ravenhill should be given priority by the County Council as part of their ongoing review
of the network.
RESOLVED
That the action taken be approved and confirmed.
8. DOCUMENTATION
The Clerk tabled the following document for the information of the Parish Council:-
Staffordshire Pension Fund – Employers Newsletter
9. RED ENSIGN
The Parish Council was pleased to note that the Parish Council had received a Certificate
of Commemoration for participating in the ‘Fly the Red Ensign for Merchant Navy Day’
campaign.
The certificate would be displayed in the Parish Hall.
10. AMI BLAYMIRES – REDBROOK LANE
The Clerk circulated a letter from the District Council responding to the concerns of the
Parish Council in respect of the security of this site.
RESOLVED

That this matter be further considered at the February meeting of the Parish Council.
11. BRERETON LIBRARY
The Clerk circulated a letter from Councillor Gill Heath [Cabinet Member for Communities],
in which she stated that the County Council remained committed to ensuring that all
Staffordshire Libraries remained open and viable.
The Parish Council noted that the Library Service was currently in discussion with a
community organisation regarding the potential transfer of Brereton Library into community
management.
12. BEST KEPT VILLAGE COMPETITION
The Clerk reported the contents of a letter from the Community Council of Staffordshire
inviting the Parish Council to take part in the Best Kept Village Competition.
RESOLVED
That no action be taken.
13. PROPOSED ADDRESS CHANGE – ‘BRERETON’
The Clerk circulated a letter from Mr and Mrs S and J Dunning of 32 Brereton Road which
had been sent to Royal Mail objecting to the proposal to include ‘Brereton’ in the addresses
of all properties within the parish. A copy of the letter had also been sent to the local MP.
The Parish Council noted that the overwhelming response from the community to the
change of address had been very supportive.
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14. LANGUAGES FOR ADULTS IN STAFFORDSHIRE
Councillor TA Jones, who had asked for this item to be considered, recommended that the
Parish Council make a Freedom of Information request to the County Council to ascertain
what the Authority provided or supported in respect of the teaching of non-English
languages.
RESOLVED
That the Clerk submit the Freedom of Information request.
15. THE CHICANE WHERE COALPIT LANE BECOMES COLLIERY ROAD
RESOLVED
That this matter be included on the Agenda for the next meeting of the Parish Council.
16. OAK TREE FARM
The Parish Council reviewed the lack of progress in securing the clearance of material from
this site.
RESOLVED
That the Clerk write to the County Council requesting a response to the letter he had
previously sent.
17. DONATION – DEFIBRILLATOR
The Parish Council noted that a very generous donation of £250.00 had been received
from Gymphobics of 3 Market Square, Rugeley, to fund a new defibrillator.
The Clerk reported that he had already sent a letter of thanks and it was
RESOLVED
That the Parish Council place on record its thanks to Joanne and Cheryl from Gymphobics
for their very kind and generous donation.
18. CHANGES TO SUBSIDISED BUS JOURNEYS IN STAFFORDSHIRE
Councillor TA Jones, who had asked for this item to be included on the Agenda, referred to
the fact that among the services that would no longer be subsidised by Staffordshire
County Council from April 2018, was the ‘Lichfield and Rugeley Connect Mobility Link’, the
only service to Stile Cop cemetery.
The Parish Council expressed its great disappointment at the withdrawal of this service,
which would result in many elderly people not being able to access the cemetery to pay
their respects at the graves of their loved ones.
RESOLVED
1. That the Clerk convey the foregoing sentiments to the Chief Executive of the County
Council.
2. That in the letter in 1. above, the Clerk also enquire as to the current position
relating to the provision of a bus service along Armitage Road.
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19. CONVERSION OF DOG CONTROL ORDERS TO PUBLIC SPACE PROTECTION
ORDERS
The Parish Council considered details of a consultation paper issued by Cannock Chase
District Council in respect of the above. A copy of the paper and associated questionnaire
had been circulated. The final date for responses was 10th December 2017.
RESOLVED
That the Clerk be authorised to complete the questionnaire, making reference to the
following:-
dogs should be prohibited from entering tennis courts; and
in both cemeteries and allotments, dogs should be kept on leads no longer than 2
metres.
20. COUNCILLOR MRS HJ SOUTHWELL
Councillors Mrs DM Easton and R Easton had visited Councillor Mrs HJ Southwell and
reported that her health had improved and she was hopeful of attending future meetings of
the Parish Council.
RESOLVED
That in accordance with Section 85 of the Local Government Act 1972 [as amended], the
absence of Councillor Mrs HJ Southwell be approved for a further period of three months.
21. PLANNING COMMITTEE
RESOLVED

That subject to the word ‘share’ being changed to ‘show’ in the third line of the resolution,
the minutes of the Planning Committee held on 7th November 2017, be approved.
22. PARISH HALL MANAGEMENT COMMITTEE
RESOLVED
That the minutes of the Parish Hall Management Committee held on 15th November 2017,
be approved.
23. FINANCE AND MANAGEMENT COMMITTEE
RESOLVED
That the minutes of the Finance and Management Committee held on 15th November 2017,
be approved.
24. DATES OF FUTURE MEETINGS
RESOLVED
That the dates of Parish Council meetings in 2018 be as set out below with all meetings
commencing at 7.30 pm unless otherwise stated:-
9th January
6th February
6th March
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3rd April [followed by Annual Parish Meeting at 8.30 pm]
1st May [Annual Parish Council Meeting]
5th June
17th July
4th September
2nd October
6th November
4th December
25. PUBLIC FORUM
Members of the public raised the following matters:-
Dog fouling in various alleyways in the parish. Councillor GN Molineux would raise
this matter again with the District Council and Councillor R Easton invited
parishioners to inform him of any problem area and he would arrange for the Parish
Council’s road sweeper to be deployed.
Parking problems – Lea Hall Lane – The Chairman undertook to raise this matter
with the Police.
The Green, between Armitage Lane and Hobbs View. The Parish Council explained
the action that had been taken to register this land as a Village Green.
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