BRERETON AND RAVENHILL PARISH COUNCIL
Minutes of a Parish Council meeting held at the Parish Hall, Ravenhill Park, Brereton, on Tuesday,
7th February 2017.
Present
Councillors Miss IJ Brown [Vice-Chairman in the Chair], K Ansell, Mrs P Ansell, Mrs DM Easton,
R Easton, Mrs G Harvey, TA Jones and GN Molineux.
Apologies for absence were received from Councillors H Farnath, PA Fisher [Chairman],
Miss C Harvey, N Parton and Mrs HJ Southwell.
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 10th January 2017, be approved and signed as a
correct record.
3. POLICE MATTERS
The Chairman welcomed Chief Inspector Geoffrey Knight and PC Jo Manser
[Neighbourhood Officer] to the meeting.
Chief Inspector Knight updated the Parish Council as follows:-

To improve visible policing in this area, two Police Officers were now based in
Rugeley and they were supported by four PCSOs and a significant number of
special constables who were mainly on duty at weekends. Details of shift patterns
were explained to Members.

Following a review of Police resources, one armed response vehicle now served
Brereton, Rugeley and Cannock.

In the next two years the Police could lose up to 25% of its officers. Most of this
reduction was due to officers retiring from the service.

A recruitment drive was underway and interviews were being held for both new
recruits and for officers being transferred from other forces,

An update was given on crime statistics and details were circulated at the meeting.

The Police were aware of reports of anti-social behaviour in Ravenhill Park and they
would continue to monitor the situation.

The Police undertook to make more use of the Police Office at the Parish Hall.
Views expressed by Members included the following:-

There was real concern about burglaries from dwellings, particularly amongst the
elderly. Members offered to help the Police with the circulation of leaflets
highlighting the importance of security of dwellings.
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Reference was made to the fact that Staffordshire Police had not accessed Section
106 monies from developers. Examples were given of action taken by other forces
and Inspector Knight undertook to raise this matter with his Senior Officer.
The Chairman thanked both Chief Inspector Knight and PC Jo Manser for attending the
meeting.
4. BRERETON LIBRARY
The Chairman welcomed Lillian Thompson to the meeting.
Lillian confirmed that Redbrook Hayes Primary School was not in a position to take on the
management of the library. A letter outlining the County Council’s position had been
circulated.
The Committee noted that the County Council intended to keep the library open but did not
indicate how this would be achieved.
Councillor GN Molineux kindly agreed to ascertain whether the District Council could offer
any support to ensure a library service was retained in the parish.
RESOLVED
1. That the school’s decision not to take on the management of the library be fully
supported and they be thanked for the considerable efforts they had made in
assessing the viability of the proposal.
2. That the Clerk write to the County Council to seek clarification as to their future
intentions for the library service in Brereton and Ravenhill.
[The Chairman, in thanking Lillian Thompson for attending the meeting, asked her to keep
the Parish Council informed of future developments.]
5. ZIP WIRE – RAVENHILL PARK
The Clerk reported that the Parks and Open Spaces Manager at the District Council had
advised that providers tried to avoid age distinctions as the abilities of children varied at
different ages. He did undertake to keep the Parish Council informed as the scheme
progressed.
The Parish Council expressed some concern with this response as they considered it
absolutely essential that an age limit should be stipulated for children using the zip wire.
This was the case in respect of the paddling pool where the age limit had been set at
twelve years. Not to impose an age limit would create obvious problems and potential
dangers for younger children
RESOLVED
That the Clerk arrange to convey these views to the District Council.
6. MAJOR ADDRESS CHANGE – BRERETON
The Clerk reported that responses were still awaited from Cannock Chase District Council
and the Chamber of Commerce. He undertook to send reminders to both.

7. WORLD BOOK NIGHT 2017
The Clerk reported that the Parish Council had made a bid for up to 200 books to be used
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as part of World Book Night 2017. Councillor PA Fisher [Chairman] had kindly agreed to
receive the books on behalf of the Parish Council.
8. STAFFORDSHIRE LOCAL COMMUNITY FUND
The Parish Council noted that no response had been received to date from the County
Council or Councillor A Dudson regarding the bid which had been made for £500.00
towards environmental improvements in Wharf Road.
The Clerk undertook to speak to Councillor Dudson to ascertain the current position in
relation to the application.
9. BEST KEPT VILLAGE COMPETITION
The Parish Council had been invited to participate in the Best Kept Village Competition
administered by the Community Council of Staffordshire.
RESOLVED
That no action be taken.
10. MAJOR VILLAGE FESTIVALS AND EVENTS
The Community Council of Staffordshire had invited the Parish Council to list any major
festivals and events taking place in Brereton and Ravenhill over the next twelve months.
RESOLVED
That in his response, the Clerk make reference to both Remembrance Sunday and
Brereton Carnival.
11. CANNOCK CHASE DISTRICT COUNCIL – RUGELEY AND BRERETON
IMPROVEMENT SCHEME
The Clerk circulated plans showing details of this improvement scheme. The scheme
included cycle and other physical linkages in and around the Rugeley and Brereton areas.
The District Council, who were formulating a bid of £535,000.00 to the Local Enterprise
Agency had requested a letter of support from the Parish Council.
RESOLVED
That the District Council be informed that the Parish Council fully supports the scheme and
would, in particular, highlight the following:-

the proposed improved footpath link to Rugeley Town Station is strongly supported.
It will not only relieve pressure on Wharf Road but also improve access for
pedestrians;

the Parish Council again strongly supports the proposed resurfacing of the canal
towpath. It must, however, be of sufficiently good quality to allow cyclists and
pedestrians to use at the same time. The surface must also be of sufficient width
and quality to enable less able walkers and parents with pushchairs to use it.
12. POT HOLES
The Parish Council considered the contents of a letter from County Highways, a copy of
which had been circulated.
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RESOLVED
That the Parish Council place on record its thanks to Councillor PA Fisher [Chairman] for
the work he had done in locating pot holes requiring repair and submitting these details to
the County Council for action to be taken.
13. BREACH OF PLANNING CONTROL – OAK TREE FARM
The Parish Council considered the contents of letters from Amanda Milling, MP, and the
Chief Executive of Staffordshire County Council.
Bearing in mind the history of this case, Members did not have confidence that the action
being taken would satisfactorily resolve this matter. Reference was made to the County
Council being informed in June 2016 that fires were burning, following which warnings were
issued, and despite an initial short period of calm, the owner had since repeatedly
committed serious offences.
The Parish Council continued to have serious doubts about the effectiveness of injunction
relief for reasons previously stated. Members remained of the view that the use of
compulsory purchase powers would have been far more effective as the landowner could
not then again be in breach of planning and environmental law. Any compensation to the
owner would be available to cover existing fines, court costs and civil claims.
RESOLVED
That the Clerk arrange to convey the Parish Council’s views to the Chief Executive of the
County Council, with a copy being sent to the local MP.
14. COUNCIL TAX REFERENDUM
The Parish Council considered the contents of a letter from the Department of Communities
and Local Government [DCLG], a copy of which had been circulated.
Members pointed out that the problem was not about taking on additional responsibilities,
as implied in the letter, it was rather the large cuts in funding from central government that
had created the problem.
RESOLVED
That following conflicting information received by the Parish Council, the Clerk make a
Freedom of Information request to the DCLG in respect of the following:-
“Can you please advise as to whether Cannock Chase District Council received
additional grant funding as was the case with neighbouring, more prosperous,
District Councils in Staffordshire?
Did the District Council make application by the deadline date for this funding or
were thy never invited to do so?”
15. PARISH HALL MANAGEMENT COMMITTEE
RESOLVED
That the minutes of the Parish Hall Management Committee held on 11th January 2017, be
approved.
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16. FINANCE AND MANAGEMENT COMMITTEE
RESOLVED
That the minutes of the Finance and Management Committee held on 11th January 2017,
be approved.
17. PLANNING COMMITTEE
RESOLVED
That the minutes of the Planning Committee held on 10th January 2017, be approved.
18. DATE OF NEXT MEETING
RESOLVED
The Parish Council had previously agreed that the next meeting would be held on
7
th March 2017, at 7.30 pm.
19. PUBLIC FORUM
There were no members of the public present at this juncture in the meeting.