BRERETON AND RAVENHILL PARISH COUNCIL
Minutes of a Parish Council meeting held at the Parish Hall, Ravenhill Park, Brereton, on Tuesday,
4th April 2017.
Present
Councillor PA Fisher [Chairman], Miss IJ Brown, Mrs DM Easton, R Easton, H Farnath,
Miss C Harvey, Mrs G Harvey and N Parton.
Apologies for absence were received from Councillors K Ansell, Mrs P Ansell, TA Jones,
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
There were no declarations of interest given at the commencement of the meeting.
2. MINUTES
RESOLVED
That the minutes of the meeting held on 7th March 2017, be approved and signed as a
correct record.
3. POLICE MATTERS
The Chairman welcomed PCSO Tom Sheldon to the meeting.
PCSO Sheldon informed the Parish Council of the following incidents which had occurred
during the past month:-
Two night-time burglaries
Two attempted distraction burglaries in Cherry Tree Road
Antisocial behaviour – several cases reported in Ravenhill Park in the vicinity of the
Parish Hall
Members noted that the Police were keeping the situation in Ravenhill Park under regular
review, with daily visits being made as part of the patrol strategy.
The Police were also continuing to offer reassurance to the elderly by, amongst other
things, arranging for the distribution of leaflets informing people of the need to be aware of
bogus officials attempting to gain access to properties.
The Chairman thanked PCSO Sheldon for attending the meeting.
4. CANNOCK CHASE LOCAL PLAN – PART 2
The Clerk had circulated a copy of the Parish Council’s response to the Cannock Chase
Local Plan – Part 2, which had been prepared by Councillor TA Jones.
The Parish Council noted the response of Brindley Heath Parish Council to the consultation
exercise.
RESOLVED
That the action taken in submitting the Parish Council’s comments on the Cannock Chase
Local Plan – Part 2, be approved and confirmed.
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5. PARKING ON PAVEMENTS – ARMITAGE ROAD
Councillor R Easton reported that following a site visit with representatives of the
contractors and the Police, this problem had been satisfactorily resolved.
6. BREACH OF PLANNING CONTROL – OAK TREE FARM
The Clerk circulated a copy of a response from the County Planning Regulation Manager in
respect of Oak Tree Farm. She advised that Staffordshire Fire and Rescue Service was
monitoring the fire at Oak Tree Farm and would undertake any repairs to the soil cap as
and when necessary to keep smoke escaping from the stack to a minimum. They had also
undertaken thermal imaging of the stack to assess the temperatures and their latest
estimates suggested that the fire would burn for several months yet and maybe into 2018.
When the fire had stopped burning and it was safe to remove the waste, Staffordshire Fire
and Rescue Service would notify the County Council so that the terms of the Injunction
Order could be enforced in respect of having the remaining waste removed from the site.
The Parish Council noted that the County Council was currently working on a method
statement, as specified in Part 4 and 5 of the Injunction Order, and would have this ready to
serve on the defendants by the specified date.
Since this response was received, the Clerk had informed the County Council that any
efforts to stop smoke escaping had not been successful. He had also enquired as to
whether any landfill tax had been paid in respect of the waste that had been burnt or
otherwise disposed of.
Following these further representations, the County Council had notified the Fire Service of
the situation and asked that the cap on the fire be reassessed once again.
7. COMMUNITY PATHS INITIATIVE – BIDS 2017/2018
The Clerk reported that details had been received of this scheme from the County Council.
RESOLVED
That the Clerk submit a bid for the following tools to assist the Parish Council in maintaining
the local footpath network, including vegetation clearance:-
Brush Cutter [£200.00]
Hedge Trimmer [£50.00]
Petrol Branch Lopper [£200.00]
Leaf Blower [£200.00]
8. ADDRESS CHANGE – ‘BRERETON’
The Clerk reported that letters had been received from the District Council and the
Chamber of Commerce in support of all properties in Brereton and Ravenhill being
addressed as ‘BRERETON’, Rugeley, Staffordshire.
Royal Mail were now assessing whether a site visit was required before going out to formal
consultation.
9. FORMER EDL SITE – OBNOXIOUS ODOURS
The Parish Council had received complaints from parishioners about the continuing
problem of obnoxious odours emanating from the above site. With summer approaching,
the situation was likely to worsen with flies etc. becoming a real problem.
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Rubbish had been dumped on this site some three years ago and no attempt had been
made to secure its removal. Members were also concerned about the potential fire hazard,
particularly in view of the problems already experienced at Oak Tree Farm.
RESOLVED
That the Clerk acquaint the District Council with the foregoing and request that action is
taken to secure the removal of the rubbish as soon as possible.
10. NEW DEFIBRILLATOR – PARISH HALL
RESOLVED
1. That the Clerk arrange a small ceremony to mark the commissioning of the new
defibrillator at the Parish Hall.
2. That the ceremony be held on 2nd May 2017, at 7.00 p.m. and, in addition to the
Chairman and Members of the Parish Council, the sponsors, together with the
press, be invited to attend.
11. PARISH HALL MANAGEMENT COMMITTEE
RESOLVED
That the minutes of the Parish Hall Management Committee held on 8th March 2017, be
approved.
12. FINANCE AND MANAGEMENT COMMITTEE
RESOLVED
That the minutes of the Finance and Management Committee held on 8th March 2017, be
approved.
13. PLANNING COMMITTEE
RESOLVED
That the minutes of the Planning Committee held on 7th March 2017, be approved.
14. DATE OF NEXT MEETING
RESOLVED
The Parish Council had previously agreed that the Annual Meeting would be held on
2
nd May 2017, at 7.30 p.m.
15. PUBLIC FORUM
There were no members of the public present at this juncture in the meeting.