BRERETON AND RAVENHILL PARISH COUNCIL
Minutes of a Parish Council meeting held at the Parish Hall, Ravenhill Park, Brereton, on Tuesday,
6th June 2017.
Present
Councillors PA Fisher [Chairman], K Ansell, Mrs P Ansell, Miss IJ Brown, Mrs DM Easton,
R Easton, H Farnath, Mrs G Harvey, TA Jones and GN Molineux.
Apologies for absence were received from Councillors Miss C Harvey, N Parton 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 the minutes of the Annual Parish Council Meeting held on 2nd May 2017, be approved
and signed as a correct record.
3. POLICE MATTERS
No Police Officers were present at the meeting.
Councillor R Easton circulated a ‘scam letter’ he had received.
The Clerk undertook to display the letter on the Parish Hall’s notice board. He would add
suitable wording of the dangers of revealing bank and personal details to such scam
organisations.
4. ADDRESS CHANGE – ‘BRERETON’
Royal Mail had advised that in order to comply with its Code of Practice, it would be
necessary for them to consult all of its customers whose addresses were affected by the
change. It was currently considering whether to initiate a site visit before the consultation
process got underway.
The Parish Council noted that Amanda Milling [MP] had reaffirmed her support for the
address change.

5. LOAN SHARKS
The Clerk reported that following consultation with the Chairman and Councillor TA Jones,
an application had been submitted for Grant Funding of £2,000.00.
RESOLVED
That the action taken be approved and confirmed.
6. MOTOR BIKES – NUISANCE – POWER STATION ROAD
The Clerk reported details of an e-mail he had received from a local resident living near
Power Station Road complaining about the noise and general nuisance created by motor
bikes racing along Power Station Road, sometimes into the early hours of the morning.
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RESOLVED
1. That the Clerk write to the Police in full support of the representations already made
by local residents.
2. That a letter be sent to the District Council asking them to seek an injunction against
this motor cycle nuisance.
3. That the Clerk inform local residents of the action being taken.
7. DOCUMENTATION
The Clerk tabled the following document for the information of the Parish Council:-
Staffordshire Police Cyber Security and Cyber Crime
8. RED ENSIGN – MERCHANT NAVY DAY
A letter had been received from Seafarers UK inviting the Parish Council to fly the Red
Ensign, the official flag of the British Merchant Navy, on Merchant Navy Day 3rd September
2017. Participating Parish Councils would be added to the prestigious ‘Roll of Honour’ on
their website.
The Clerk reported that depending on the size of the flag, the cost varied between £28.00
and £45.71. Several Members kindly undertook to donate the funds required to purchase a
flag for £28.00.
RESOLVED
That the Clerk arrange to purchase the flag and arrange for it to be flown on Merchant Navy
Day.
9. UNION FLAG – FLYING HALF-MAST
RESOLVED
That the Chairman, in consultation with other Members, decide on those occasions when
the Union Flag should be flown at half-mast.
10. NEIGHBOURHOOD HIGHWAY TEAM
Councillor TA Jones had requested that this item be included on the Agenda. A copy of an
e-mail from the Neighbourhood Highway Team 2017 had been circulated with the Agenda.
RESOLVED
That the Neighbourhood Highway Team be requested to carry out the following works:-
Cutting back of hedges which were overhanging the footpath on both sides of
Armitage Road.
Replacing the street sign on St Michaels Road which had been damaged and was
beyond repair.
Cutting back of the overgrown hedge in the alleyway – Swan Close onto Coalpit
Lane.
Cutting back of overgrowth between The Talbot and the by-pass.
30 mph sign on Colliery Road had been damaged and required reinstatement as it
was in danger of falling onto the highway [previously reported to the County Council
some three months ago].
Drainage clearance to prevent flooding on Armitage Road in the vicinity of the new
houses on the former Bradbury and Brown site.
Replacement of missing barrier – Armitage Lane.
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Repair of gate at the top of Cherry Tree Road going onto Coppice Lane.
11. COUNCILLOR MRS HJ SOUTHWELL
The Clerk reported that he had spoken to Councillor Mrs Southwell who had expressed a
wish to return to the Parish Council when her health had improved.
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 six months.
12. PARISH COUNCIL’S INSURANCE
The Parish Council considered the contents of insurance renewal documentation received
from Zurich Municipal, copies of which had been circulated.
RESOLVED
1. That the document, as submitted, be noted.
2. That, later in the year, the Finance and Management Committee examine the level
of excess applied to items referred to in the policy.
13. FORMER EDL SITE
The Clerk had circulated a letter and accompanying composite response paper from the
Environmental Protection Manager at Cannock Chase District Council.
Members of the Parish Council remained concerned not only about flies and the obnoxious
odours but, more importantly, the danger of a fire and the consequential impact on
parishioners.
RESOLVED
1. That the Clerk respond to the District Council reaffirming the Parish Council’s
environmental concerns, particularly the high risk of a fire originating from the
dumped material.
2. That the Clerk write also to the County Council to ascertain whether any
enforcement action could be taken as a result of a change of use on the site.
14. FLOODING NEAR THE CEMETERY
Councillor TA Jones, who had asked for this item to be included on the agenda, referred to
the severe flooding on Stile Cop Road in the vicinity of the entrance to the cemetery. It was
an ongoing problem during spells of inclement weather.
RESOLVED
That the Clerk request County Highways to clear the drains in this area to prevent a
recurrence of the flooding and thus overcome the inconvenience to people, many of whom
were already distressed, visiting the cemetery.
15. PLANNING COMMITTEE
RESOLVED
That the minutes of the Planning Committee held on 2nd May 2017, be approved.
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16. PARISH HALL MANAGEMENT COMMITTEE
RESOLVED
That the minutes of the Parish Hall Management Committee held on 3rd May 2017, be
approved.
17. FINANCE AND MANAGEMENT COMMITTEE
RESOLVED
That the minutes of the Finance and Management Committee held on 3rd May 2017, be
approved.
18. DATE OF NEXT MEETING
The Parish Council had previously agreed that the next meeting would be held on 18th July
2017, at 7.30 pm.
19. PUBLIC FORUM
No members of the public were present at this juncture in the meeting.