BRERETON AND RAVENHILL PARISH COUNCIL
Minutes of a meeting of the Parish Hall Management Committee held at the Parish Hall, Ravenhill
Park, Brereton, on Wednesday, 6th September 2017.
Present
Councillors R Easton [Chairman], K Ansell, Miss IJ Brown and Mrs DM Easton.
Apologies for absence were received from Councillors Mrs P Ansell, H Farnath, Miss C Harvey,
Mrs G Harvey and Mrs HJ Southwell.
Mr PG Davies [Parish Clerk] was also present.
1. DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST
No declarations of interest were given at the commencement of the meeting.
2. MINUTES
RESOLVED
That the minutes of the meeting held on 19th July 2017, be approved and signed as a correct
record.
3. PARISH HALL – PROGRESS REPORT

Hire Fee Income – Update

The Committee noted details of hire fee income as follows:-

July 2016 July 2017
£ £
Regular Business 1,151.67 1,096.45
Extra Business 115.65 227.20
_______ ________
1,267.32 1,323.65
_______ ________

4. FINANCE REPORT
The report of the Clerk, showing the financial position in respect of the Parish Hall as at
31st July 2017, was submitted for information and noted.
5. SOUTH STAFFORDSHIRE WATER – BUSINESS
The Clerk reported on several mistakes made by this company in relation to enquiries which
had been made by the Parish Council. In view of these failings, the company had made a
compensation payment of £90.00 to the Parish Council.
Members noted that the Parish Council’s water and sewerage arrangements had been
transferred to this new company who had given an undertaking that charges would not
exceed those previously paid to South Staffs Water.
6. DEFIBRILLATOR
The Clerk reported that the youth who had damaged the defibrillator had been charged by
the Police. The CCTV pictures provided by the Parish Council were clear and helped to
secure the youth’s arrest and prosecution. The initial court hearing would be held at
Cannock Magistrates’ Court on 27th September 2017.
2
The Committee noted that the Clerk had submitted a claim to Zurich Municipal Insurance to
recover the cost of the defibrillator. The Clerk had also submitted a compensation claim to
recover costs from the person who had vandalised the equipment.
The Clerk reported that the following donations had already been received to provide
another defibrillator in the community:-
Jeanette Dean [£20.00]
Alison Upton [£5.00]
Wendy Fisher [£5.00]
Councillor TA Jones [£10.00]
7. CHRISTMAS LIGHTS
The Clerk reported that Lightpower had gone into liquidation and had ceased trading.
Mr David Lusty was now operating as Lighting Futures Limited and he had given an
assurance that the Parish Council’s Christmas lights would be installed as usual this year.
Members noted that the five-year contract expired in February 2018 and a new contract
would be negotiated for 2018/2019 onwards.
8. ENERGY MANAGEMENT INITIATIVES
The Committee considered the following schemes for possible implementation in the current
financial year:-
adjusting the central heating system to function on a room by room basis;
replacing lights in the Main Hall with LED fittings to reduce the Parish Council’s
energy footprint.
RESOLVED
That the Chairman investigate these options further and report back to the Committee in due
course.
9. NEW YEAR’S EVE FUNCTION
The Chairman undertook to investigate the possibility of organising a New Year’s Eve
function at the Parish Hall as a fund raising event for a new defibrillator.
A local musician had offered to provide the music for the evening. He had also suggested
the possibility of organising a ‘music school’ for the youth of the area.
The Chairman indicated that he would extend an invitation to this person to attend the next
meeting of the Committee, when the proposals could be considered in more detail.
10. REPAIR TO THE ROOF OF THE PARISH HALL
Members noted that on a purely voluntary basis, Scope Roofing had carried out repairs to
the roof at the Parish Hall. This community-spirited gesture had been applauded by both the
Parish Council and the local community.
RESOLVED
That the Clerk send a letter of sincere thanks to Scope Roofing for the excellent and speedy
manner in which the work was carried out.
3
11. NEWMAN GROVE ALLOTMENTS
The Chairman updated the Committee on work being carried out on land adjacent to
Newman Grove allotments. Ace Plant Hire had kindly made available equipment for use on
the project and CEMEX had complemented the voluntary work undertaken as part of their
community programme.
12. DATE AND TIME OF NEXT MEETING
RESOLVED
That the next meeting be held on 4th October 2017, at 7.30 p.m.