BRERETON AND RAVENHILL PARISH COUNCIL
Minutes of a Parish Council meeting held at the Parish Hall, Ravenhill Park, Brereton, on Tuesday,
17th July 2018.
Present
Councillors R Easton [Chairman], K Ansell, Mrs P Ansell, Ms IJ Brown, Mrs DM Easton,
Mrs G Harvey, TA Jones, GN Molineux and N Parton.
Apologies for absence were received from Councillors H Farnath, PA Fisher, Miss C Harvey and
Mrs HJ Southwell.
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 meeting held on 5th June 2018, be approved and signed as a
correct record.
3. POLICE MATTERS
The Chairman welcomed PCSOs Andy Highman and Natalie Baggott to the meeting.
The Clerk circulated the following:-
a letter from the Police and Crime Commissioner regarding policing in Brereton and
Rugeley;
an e-mail from PC Martin regarding the damage to the flag pole fronting the Parish
Hall.
In respect of the e-mail from PC Martin, Members expressed concern that an officer had
been asked to liaise with a member of the public rather than the Parish Council in deciding
what further action was considered appropriate and proportionate. PCSO Highman
undertook to bring these comments to the attention of PC Martin and also endeavour to
ascertain whether the eighteen year old suspect was working in order that the Parish
Council could seek some recompense for the damage that had been caused to the flag
pole.
The Parish Council was pleased to note that the police post in the Parish Hall would shortly
be re-opened. Appropriate publicity would be given to opening times.
The police undertook to give particular attention to The Levels where there were currently
instances of both nuisance and anti-social behaviour.
The Chairman thanked the two officers for attending the meeting.
4. CANNOCK CHASE LOCAL PLAN
The Chairman introduced, and welcomed, Glen Watson, Development Services Manager
to the meeting. Mr Watson gave a short presentation on the Local Plan Review. A copy of
the key points in his presentation was circulated at the meeting. He also circulated a
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summary report on the Key Issues and Scoping Consultation.
In respect of the Power Station site, Mr Watson reported as follows:-
a demolition contractor had been appointed;
the work of demolition and clearance would take a minimum of three years;
following clearance, there would be a period to allow full decontamination of the site;
it was likely to be the early part of the next decade before any development took
place;
further uncertainty had been added due to a decision which was pending from HS2
as to whether they would use the Power Station site to power the line.
A Member pointed out that there would be strong support for a park alongside the River
Trent.
Mr Watson confirmed that the 500 houses built in Lichfield, on the border with Brereton and
Ravenhill would count towards the allocation of dwellings in Cannock Chase District. This
was not the case in respect of the development in Stafford Borough which was situated
immediately adjacent to Rugeley.
The Chairman thanked Mr Watson for attending the meeting.
5. MINING MEMORIAL
The Clerk reported that copies of the Deed of Variation had been received from Cannock
Chase District Council.
RESOLVED
That authority be given for the Chairman and Clerk to execute the deed on behalf of the
Parish Council.
6. SECTION 106 AGREEMENT HAWKESYARD: PA/03/00627/OUT
The Clerk reported that the Cabinet at Lichfield District Council had approved the following
allocation of funding:-
Canal towpath improvements – £218,280.00
The Parish Council noted that this decision was due to be ratified by the full council on
17th July 2018.
A letter from Amanda Milling, MP, setting out her support for the project was circulated at
the meeting. The Clerk also informed the Parish Council of a further letter from the MP
confirming the decision of Lichfield District Council.
RESOLVED
That the Parish Council place on record its thanks to Councillor TA Jones for the work he
had done in securing this funding for Brereton and Ravenhill.
7. LICENSING APPLICATION FOR EVENTS – FOUR OAKES FARM
– FMD EVENTS UK LTD
The Parish Council noted that following consultation with the Chairman and Councillor TA
Jones, a letter of objection had been submitted in respect of this application.
The Parish Council noted that the event organiser had withdrawn the application following
other objections which had been submitted, including one from Natural England.
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8. ROTARY COMMUNITY LIBRARY, BRERETON – OFFICIAL LAUNCH – 20th JULY
The President of the Rotary Club in Rugeley had invited Members to attend the official
launch of the library on 20th July, 2018, at 2.00 pm.
Councillor Parton indicated that he would be attending the launch.
9. HS2 ROAD SAFETY FUND
The Parish Council had been advised that more than £8 million of extra funding had been
allocated to HS2 for road safety measures and new woodlands. This funding had been
extended to Phase 2a to help deliver traffic calming measures, safer pedestrian corssings
or safer junctions for cyclists, pedestrians and drivers.
RESOLVED
That this matter be considered further at the October meeting of the Parish Council.
10. CANNOCK CHASE AREA OF OUTSTANDING NATURAL BEAUTY
The Clerk reported that the Annual Conference of this organisation would be held on
Friday, 14th September 2018, at the Aquarius Ballroom in Hednesford.
Councillor Mrs P Ansell indicated that she would be attending the conference.
11. COUNCILLOR MRS HJ SOUTHWELL
The Clerk reported that he had received a letter of resignation from Councillor Mrs HJ
Southwell dated 17th July 2018. Mrs Southwell had served for over 25 years on the Parish
Council but due to ill health, could no longer continue as a Member.
Members expressed their sadness that Councillor Mrs Southwell had found it necessary to
resign from the Parish Council. All present paid tribute to her long service and loyalty to the
Parish Council.
In extending their very best wishes to Mrs Southwell, it was
RESOLVED
1. That the Clerk write to Mrs Southwell echoing the sentiments outlined above.
2. That notice of the vacancy be given in accordance with statutory requirements.
12. PLANNING COMMITTEE
RESOLVED

That the minutes of the Planning Committee held on 5th June 2018, be approved.
13. PARISH HALL MANAGEMENT COMMITTEE
RESOLVED
That the minutes of the Parish Hall Management Committee held on 6th June 2018, be
approved.
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14. FINANCE AND MANAGEMENT COMMITTEE
RESOLVED
That the minutes of the Finance and Management Committee held on 6th June 2018, be
approved.
15. DATE OF NEXT MEETING
The Parish Council had previously agreed that the next meeting would be held on
4th September 2018, at 7.30 pm.
16. PUBLIC FORUM
Following concerns raised by a parishioner, the Clerk undertook to write to County
Highways in respect of the following:-
the trees on private land off Main Road which had grown to a point where they
presented a danger to the public highway. The risk had significantly increased in
the last two years;
the need for a ‘Keep Clear’ road marking to be painted on the highway in the vicinity
of the turning head at the top of Sycamore Crescent. This would help to alleviate
current problems where delivery vehicles were unable to use the turning head due
to vehicles parking in this space.
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