BRERETON AND RAVENHILL PARISH COUNCIL
Minutes of a Parish Council meeting held at the Parish Hall, Ravenhill Park, Brereton, on Tuesday,
5th June 2018.
Present
Councillors R Easton [Chairman], K Ansell, Mrs P Ansell, Ms IJ Brown, Mrs DM Easton, PA Fisher,
Mrs G Harvey and TA Jones.
Apologies for absence were received from Councillors H Farnath, Miss C Harvey, GN Molineux,
N Parton and Mrs HJ Southwell and District Councillor D Foley.
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 8th May 2018, be approved and signed as a
correct record.
3. EVERYONE HEALTH
The Chairman introduced, and welcomed, Mr Steve Tranter, Stop Smoking Practitioner with
Everyone Health to the meeting.
Mr Tranter advised that Everyone Health had been commissioned by Staffordshire County
Council to provide the following services for people 50 and over, who were living in specific
wards within Staffordshire, including Brereton and Ravenhill:-
Weight Gain and Hydration Services
Weight Loss Services
Smoking Cessation
Physical Activity for Health Improvement
Falls Prevention Services
Social Isolation and Befriending
NHS Health Checks
The Parish Council noted that a One-to-One Smoking Cessation Clinic would be held from
9.00 am – 12.00 Noon every Thursday at Brereton and Ravenhill Parish Hall.
Promotional material was distributed at the meeting.
The Chairman, on behalf of the Parish Council, thanked Mr Tranter for attending the
meeting.
4. POLICE MATTERS
The Clerk circulated two letters from the Police.
Members noted that two local offenders had been arrested for the damage caused in
Rugeley Town Centre over the Bank Holiday weekend.
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In respect of the damage to the flagpole, the Police investigation was still ongoing. Chief
Inspector Sarah Wainwright had suggested that the Parish Council should allow the
criminal investigation to proceed before any other sort of action was taken.
The Chairman welcomed the following Officers to the meeting:-
PCSO Natalie Baggott
PCSO Andy Highmon
The two officers updated Members on criminal and other activity in the parish over the last
month.
Members expressed their continuing concern regarding vandalism in various locations
within the parish. Reference was also made to the totally inadequate response times on
the 101 line.
RESOLVED
That the Clerk write to the Police and Crime Commissioner to ascertain the current level of
Police resources covering Brereton and Ravenhill and bring to his attention the problems
being experienced by many people using the 101 service.
5. MINING MEMORIAL
The Clerk reported that Cannock Chase District Council had agreed the suggested
amendments put forward by the Parish Council in respect of the Draft Variation of Lease.
6. SECTION 106 AGREEMENT HAWKESYARD: PA/03/00627/OUT
The Parish Council noted that Lichfield District Council, in acknowledging the Clerk’s letter,
had requested a copy of the minute agreeing to support any parishioners making
complaints to either that Council or the Local Government Ombudsman in respect of the
above.
A letter which Councillor PA Fisher had received from Amanda Milling, MP was circulated
at the meeting. She had enclosed a copy of a letter she had received from the Chief
Executive of Lichfield District Council.
The Parish Council, at its meeting, formulated the wording of a response to go to the MP
and this is attached to these minutes.
RESOLVED
1) That a copy of the minute requested by Lichfield District Council be sent to its Chief
Executive.
2) That the attached letter be sent by the Clerk to Amanda Milling, MP.
7. FOOTWAY – COALPIT LANE TO SWAN CLOSE
The County Council had advised that this footway was not listed with Land Charges as a
County asset. They had offered to help with signage etc. if the Parish Council decided to
carry out the clearance work.
Councillor P Fisher kindly undertook to ascertain whether the District Council was
responsible for the proper maintenance of this footway.
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8. DOCUMENTATION
The Clerk tabled the following document for circulation to Members:-
SCC Superannuation Fund – Employer Focus
9. MERCHANT NAVY DAY
Seafarers UK had advised that Merchant Navy Day, this year, will be on 3rd September.
The Clerk undertook to complete the on-line registration form to indicate that this parish
would be flying the Red Ensign. In so doing, the Parish Council would be added to the
prestigious ‘Roll of Honour’ on the charity’s website.
10. COUNCILLOR MRS HJ SOUTHWELL
The Clerk reported that the one-month sanction given to Councillor Mrs HJ Southwell for
not attending meetings due to ill health, would expire on 3rd July 2018.
RESOLVED
That the sanction be extended to the date of the next Parish Council meeting on 17th July
2018, when the situation would be reviewed.
11. THE 2018 NATIONAL RURAL CRIME NETWORK SURVEY
The Clerk had circulated a letter from the Deputy Police and Crime Commissioner urging
Parish Councils to complete the 2018 National Rural Crime Network Survey.
RESOLVED
That the letter be noted.
12. FUTURE PROVISION OF OUTDOOR PLAYING PITCH FACILITIES
The Clerk reported that the Parish Council had been invited by Cannock Chase District
Council to complete a questionnaire in respect of the above.
RESOLVED
That the Clerk be authorised to complete the questionnaire, making particular reference to
the need for (i) additional tennis provision and (ii) additional parking facilities in Ravenhill
Park.
13. PLANNING COMMITTEE
RESOLVED

That the minutes of the Planning Committee held on 8th May 2018, be approved.
14. DATE OF NEXT MEETING
The Parish Council had previously agreed that the next meeting would be held on
17th July 2018.
15. PUBLIC FORUM
A member of the public present referred to the serious problems of heavy vehicles using
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Redbrook Lane. Particular reference was made to the following:-
traffic, including heavy lorries, speeding in Redbrook Lane;
the noise nuisance being caused by lorries leaving factories at 4.00 am and
travelling down Redbrook Lane – many of the houses in the road were situated very
near the highway;
the ‘chaotic situation’ that often arises with cars being left by people using the public
house, supermarket, etc. This problem was exacerbated by the lorries and it was a
major factor in creating a real ‘bottleneck’ and, as a consequence, a road safety
hazard. The junction with Main Road was simply not adequate to cope with the
volume of traffic being generated.
In light of the foregoing, it was
RESOLVED
1) That a letter be sent to Highways requesting a representative from that Department
to attend a future meeting of the Parish Council to discuss ways in which the
problems highlighted could be alleviated.
2) That, in the letter in (1) above, the Clerk request accident statistics over the past five
years in respect of the Redbrook Lane/Main Road junction [100 metres in each
direction].
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