BRERETON AND RAVENHILL PARISH COUNCIL
Minutes of a Parish Council meeting held at the Parish Hall, Ravenhill Park, Brereton, on Tuesday,
10th January 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 N Parton.
Apologies for absence were received from Councillors Miss C Harvey, 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 subject to the word ‘almost’ being added after the word ‘from’ in the second line of the
Resolution in minute 9, the minutes of the meeting held on 6th December 2016, be
approved and signed as a correct record.
3. POLICE MATTERS
The Clerk reported that Chief Inspector Geoffrey Knight had agreed to attend the next
meeting of the Parish Council.
RESOLVED
That the Chief Inspector be informed that in addition to any report he might wish to present,
the Parish Council would welcome an update on the following:-

The action being taken by Staffordshire Police to secure Section 106 funding from
local developers.

The future use of the Police Office in the Parish Hall, particularly the one-hour dropin sessions prior to Parish Council meetings.
4. LITTER AT RUGELEY TOWN STATION
The Parish Council was pleased to note that a new litter bin had been provided at the
station.
5. BT – REVIEW OF PAYPHONE – JUNCTION OF ARTHUR EVANS CLOSE/BIRCH LANE
The Clerk reported that Cannock Chase District Council had issued a notification under
Section 49[4] of the Communications Act consenting to the removal of several payphones
in the District. They had, however, concurred with the views of this Parish Council and
objected to the removal of the payphone at the above location amid concerns that elderly
residents would be adversely affected.
6. SUPPORT STAFFORDSHIRE
Support Staffordshire had advised that the Annual General Meeting had been postponed to
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a later date due to concerns from members and partners about the time and location of the
event.
RESOLVED
That the Clerk write again to Support Staffordshire reiterating the following comments:-

An evening meeting was preferred in order that Members who were still working
would be able to attend.

The meeting should be held in a location which was accessible by public transport
for the vast majority of towns in Staffordshire.

7. ZIP WIRE – RAVENHILL PARK
The Parks and Open Spaces Manager had advised that, in his view, the park play area
could accommodate a zip wire if it was erected on the right-hand side of the main entrance.
Brereton Million had been asked provide more details for consideration by the District
Council.
The Parish Council expressed its concern that such a piece of equipment was being
provided in the actual play area. If this was the case, it must be stipulated that the
equipment was for the use of children in the same age group as those permitted to use the
equipment in the park. It was important that the Parish Council was kept informed of
developments as Members were anxious to see details of the scheme before it was given
the ‘go-ahead’.
RESOLVED
That the Clerk convey these views to the District Council.
8. POTHOLES
The Parish Council expressed its concern that in the weekly update on repairs, there was
no evidence of any action being taken in Brereton and Ravenhill. This was despite the
Chairman having previously submitted a list of potholes requiring attention.
RESOLVED
That the Clerk write to County Highways to express concern that no action had been taken
to repair the numerous potholes requiring attention in Brereton and Ravenhill.
9. OAK TREE FARM
Amanda Milling, MP, had referred the Parish Council’s comments on Oak Tree Farm to
both the County Council and the District Council and was awaiting a response. She
undertook to update the Parish Council in due course.
10. DOCUMENTATION
The Clerk tabled the following document for the information of the Parish Council:-

Western Power Distribution – Summary Report 2015/2016
11. DEBT BENEFIT AND CONSUMER ADVICE
The Parish Council noted that the County Council currently commissioned this service from
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Citizens Advice at an annual cost of £439,000. As a result of a £15 million funding gap in
its budget, the authority was inviting other organisations, including Parish Councils to
contribute towards the cost of the service. They had estimated that £300,000 would be
required collectively from all partners to maintain some level of service.
Members considered it to be totally unrealistic to expect the Parish Council to contribute to
such a shortfall in funding when it was, itself, experiencing a reduction in funding of over
£10,000 from the District Council. The County Council had made large savings from
changes to the library service, etc. In addition, despite repeated requests for potholes to be
repaired in Brereton and Ravenhill, these had not been dealt with, presumably resulting in
further savings to the County Council.
RESOLVED
That the Clerk, in conveying the foregoing views to the County Council, point out that the
savings identified should provide sufficient resources to enable the Authority to support this
very worthwhile cause.
12. CANNOCK CHASE DISTRICT COUNCIL – SECOND STAGE BUDGET CONSULTATION
RESOLVED
1. That in response to this consultation exercise, the Clerk reaffirm the Parish
Council’s objection to the cuts in funding of £10,721.00 made up as follows:-
Precept Council Tax Grant – £8,435.00
Christmas Illuminations – £2,286.00
2. That the Parish Council also object to any increase in car parking charges in the
District.
13. MAJOR ADDRESS CHANGE – ‘BRERETON’
The Clerk reported that Royal Mail had agreed to the addition of ‘Brereton’ to all addresses
within the parish. Before they could proceed further, they required letters of support from
both Cannock Chase District Council and the Chamber of Commerce.
The Parish Council noted that the Clerk had already written to both bodies and responses
were awaited.
14. MINING MEMORIAL
The Clerk updated the Parish Council on action being taken to construct a new mining
memorial in Ravenhill Park and it was
RESOLVED
That the Parish Council agree to undertake the future maintenance of the mining memorial
and also arrange for it to be included in its insurance portfolio with Zurich.
[Councillor TA Jones declared a personal interest in this matter and did not speak or vote
thereon.]
15. PROVISION OF NEW LITTER BINS – TOWERS BUSINESS PARK
The Clerk reported the contents of an e-mail sent on behalf of Amanda Milling, MP,
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requesting the Parish Council to consider providing litter bins on the Towers Business Park
in an attempt to prevent fly tipping.
RESOLVED
That the Clerk respond on behalf of the Parish Council to advise that the request for litter
bins should be directed to the District Council and that consideration should also be given
to an approach being made to those companies to whom deliveries were being made,
inviting them to also consider providing such bins.
16. FOOTPATH AND CYCLE IMPROVEMENTS – BRERETON AND RUGELEY
The District Council had indicated that officers would like to meet a delegation of three
Members from the Parish Council to discuss the details of the above initiative.
RESOLVED
That the Chairman, together with Councillor Mrs DM Easton and R Easton and the Clerk,
be authorised to represent the Parish Council at the meeting.
17. WESTERN POWER
The Parish Council noted details of various stakeholder workshops being organised by
Western Power.
Any Members wishing to attend the workshops were invited to inform the Clerk as soon as
possible.
18. DOG CONTROL ORDERS
The Clerk reported that the District Council was currently reviewing the need to convert
existing Dog Control Orders to Public Space Protection Orders under the terms of the
Antisocial Behaviour Crime and Police Act 2014.
The Parish Council indicated its response to the various questions in the consultative
document. The Clerk undertook to forward these comments onto the District Council.
19. RUGELEY TOWN COUNCIL – CAR PARKING CHARGES
The Parish Council noted an exchange of correspondence between Rugeley Town Council
and Hednesford Town Council regarding car parking charges.
[Councillor Mrs P Ansell declared a personal interest in this matter and did not speak or
vote thereon.]
20. COUNCILLOR MRS H SOUTHWELL
The Parish Council was pleased to learn that Councillor Mrs H Southwell was improving
physically and was in good mental health.
RESOLVED
That in accordance with Section 85 of the Local Government Act 1972 [as amended], the
absence of Councillor Mr H Southwell be approved for a further period of six months.
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21. PRECEPT 2017/2018
The report of the Clerk on the precept 2017/2018 was considered.
RESOLVED
[1] That subject to the following amendments, the budget, as submitted, be approved:-
Item Draft Budget 2017/2018
£
Projects
Tennis Court Fund
Street Cleaning Machine Replacement Fund
Defibrillator
1,000.00
1,000.00
150.00
Other Initiatives
Neighbourhood Development Plan 800.00
[2] That the revised total budget of £76,314.12 be approved.
[3] That the Parish Council’s precept be increased by 15.6% to £59,490.00 for the
2017/2018 financial year.
22. WORLD BOOK NIGHT 2017
Councillor TA Jones, who had asked for this item to be included on the Agenda, sought the
views of the Parish Council on this very worthwhile initiative.
RESOLVED
That the Clerk inform the organisation that the Parish Council would wish to participate in
World Book Night and seek their advice on how best to secure the involvement of the local
community, with particular emphasis being given to elderly residents.
23. TOILET FACILITIES FOR AMAZON DELIVERY DRIVERS
Councillor TA Jones, who had asked for this item to be included on the Agenda, referred to
the lack of toilet facilities for delivery drivers for Amazon. Members noted the consequential
implications of such a lack of facilities which was causing distress to local residents and did
not provide the drivers with any dignity. The problem was particularly prevalent during busy
periods of the year.
RESOLVED
[1] That the Clerk, in acquainting Amazon with the foregoing, request that they give urgent
consideration to providing improved toilet provision and washing facilities.
[2] That the company also be advised that the Parish Council would welcome an
opportunity to visit and tour their site.
24. PLANNING COMMITTEE
RESOLVED
That the minutes of the Planning Committee held on 6th December 2016, be approved.
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25. DATE OF NEXT MEETING
RESOLVED
The Parish Council had previously agreed that the next meeting would be held on 7th
February 2017, at 7.30 pm.
26. PUBLIC FORUM
There were no members of the public present at this juncture in the meeting.