BRERETON AND RAVENHILL PARISH COUNCIL
DISTRICT OF CANNOCK CHASE COUNTY OF STAFFORDSHIRE
Minutes of the
COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT COMMITTEE MEETING
Held at: the Parish Hall, Ravenhill Park, Brereton, Rugeley. WS15 1DU
Thursday 18th April 7.30pm – 8.00pm
WELCOME
Members Present:
M Blackham (MB), (Chair)
K Theobald (KT),
D Blocksidge (DB),
R Hall (RH),
J Gascoigne (JG),
A Cowdell (AC),
C Harris (CH),
Members Absent: None
Apologises None
In Attendance: PR Whibley (Clerk), L. Featherstone (LF)(RFO)
12. DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST IN ANY ITEMS ON THE AGENDA
None.
13. ELECTION OF VICE CHAIR (if required)
It was agreed to leave this till the Parish Council Annual Meeting which is to be held next month.
14. FORMAL ANNOUNCEMENTS BY THE CHAIR / CLERK
None.
15. AGREEING THE MINUTES FROM THE PREVIOUS MEETING (attached)
The previous minutes were agreed and signed as a true record of the Community Engagement Committee Meeting.
16. MATTERS ARISING
3.a. Vice-Chair: That the clerk would place the election of a Vice-Chair for this committee on next month’s agenda. Completed. See item 13.
4.2.1.a. D-Day Flag: That the recommendation would be raised at Full Council for approval and purchase. Completed.
4.2.1.b. D-Day Flag: That JS would be given a ‘pre-paid debit card’ to purchase the flag after approval by Full Council.
4.2.1b. Resolved: That JS would be given a ‘pre-paid debit card’ to purchase the flag after approval by Full Council. To be placed on the FAR agenda.
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Minutes Approved by Chair / Acting Chair : ………………………………… Date: ……………………………
4.14b Bus Shelters: That SM/CD investigate the final cost of refurbishment for the three unused bus shelters and ask that the Finance and Asset Committee agree to their request. Ongoing.
4.14b. Resolved: That this be placed on the FAR agenda.
7.3a Road Sweeper: That MB investigate the cost of hiring a rotary vehicle. Ongoing.
No Update.
8.3a. Traffic Calming: That MB would forward PK’s email to all council members. Completed. See item 18.3. (3 attachments)
10.1a. Annual Show: That RH and KT begin to formulate a business plan to bring to next month’s CE committee meeting. ( See item 19.1)
10.2a. Car Boot sale: That this be raised at Full Council for a decision. Completed.
10.3a. Café: To place this on next month’s Agenda. Completed. (See item 19.3.)
11.1. Verbal Report to Full Council: To give a verbal report to the Full Council following this meeting specifically to include: Completed.
 4.2. D-Day 80th Anniversary (June 6th) Moved to next FAR Committee meeting for action.
 10.2. Car Boot sale (RH/KT) (renamed: Table Top Sale) (See agenda item 19.2)
17. PUBLIC PARTICIPATION
None.
18. REPORTS FROM WORKING GROUPS
18.1. Heritage Wg
04.03.24 Minutes Heritage (attached)
The committee expressed their thanks for the report and minutes.
18.2. Drop-in Wg
No Update
18.3. Traffic Calming Wg
See Matters Arising 8.3a
Guidance Notes for Speed Watch signs and Volunteer information and sign-up sheet (attached) No updates from Peter Kruskonjic (County Councillor) concerning when the free speed awareness signs would be available. The District might be waiting for the Precept finances to be distributed before auctioning these. There may be a charge to the PC for having them posted onto the designated lampposts. 18.3a. Resolved: That Peter Kruskonjic (County Councillor) be asked what the arrangements are about having the signs erected in time for next month’s CE committee meeting.
18.4. Neighbourhood
Letter from District Councillor re Litter (attached)
DB explained that Olivia Lyons (District Councillor) was unable to organise a clean-up operation on the area in question but she had been working hard to ensure that those responsible were aware of their responsibilities. It appears that the area in question is owned by Network Rail and of course collecting litter near railway lines is a major health and safety hazard which needs to involve a major assessment of risk. Also some of the area of concern falls outside the parish boundary.
18.5. Police Report
Police Report March (attached)
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Minutes Approved by Chair / Acting Chair : ………………………………… Date: ……………………………
It was stated that yesterday, Chad Carrington (Police Community Support Officer) took part in a ‘Speed Trap’ exercise along the Armitage Road. No motorist was found to be speeding.
19. COMMUNITY EVENTS
19.1. Annual Show (RH/KT)
There is no fixed date at present but a date will be fixed possibly in October. The council didn’t want to clash with Longdon’s which is on 8th September. A further update will follow. Ideas were suggested that if there were any unwanted vegetables, those could be either given to charity/given to people in need or auctioned off.
19.2. Table Top sale (RH/KT)
Presently the event in the Hall has already had reservations and payment for 16 tables, but feel confident that all the 20 tables will be taken. If the event has to be cancelled, these deposits will be refunded in full. RH is to be given use of the kitchen free of charge for this event.
19.3. Café (DB)
Quote for Sliding Window (1st of 3) (attached)
A discussion about what was the position of the guarantee if someone else fitted another company’s window. It was stated that because the window was a ‘sliding window’ those companies who make those type of windows, don’t fit them.
All the details will be given to LF who will complete any necessary documentation and have it ready for consideration at the next FAR committee meeting. At first glance the Pyramid Windows quotation was the preferred option.
19.3a. Resolved: That LF have the three quotations available for discussion at the next FAR meeting.
20. REQUEST LETTER (attached)
The Council has received a request to give a grant to the organisers of Brereton Carnival. The organisers are presently attempting to secure many streams of funding from organisations. These involve smaller annual amounts but secured over some years. The committee are aware of how well planned the event is organised. It was pointed out that the Community Grants funding is created each year as part of the annual precept and is allocated under section 137 of the Local Government Act 1972. This year the council has allocated £300 in their budget for this. LF the RFO did point out that the previous council had put a further £500 in reserves for this purpose. It was agreed that when the council began their deliberations for next year’s finances (prior to Christmas) that this would be a consideration when agreeing a Precept budget. The council were aware that the request from Brereton Carnival would certainly not be the only organisation requesting a grant. It was discussed as to whether the Brereton Carnival could join with the Charter Fair (Rugeley).
20.1. Resolved: That this be placed on the next FAR meeting agenda.
21. DATE OF NEXT MEETING
Thursday 16th May 7.30pm in the Parish Hall
Meeting Closed: 8.10pm