CROWLE
PARISH COUNCIL
5.10: Minutes of Crowle
Parish Council meeting
Held on
Thursday 1 July 2010 at 7.30pm in Crowle Parish Hall.
Present: councillors; Mesdames Coleman. Eastwood, Chairman. Turner.
Messrs. Boden. Bourn. Field. Maginnis.
In attendance: Mrs M Rowley, District Councillor
Mr R Adams, County Councillor.
Mrs J Crawford, Clerk.
5.10.1 Apologies: Mr N Gow.
PC Tony Carter
CSO Jenny Hawkins.
5.10.2 Declaration of
Interests.
a) Register of Interests: Mrs Eastwood to update her register as will shortly take on chairmanship of a charitable organisation.
b) Mrs Coleman and Mr Maginnis declared personal interest in items 5.10.5.c) and d)
c) Prejudicial interest – none declared.
Public Comment/Question Time.
a) Concern expressed as to the merits of erecting a ‘duck house’ on Green Pool, felt inappropriate and against all originally agreed conservation methodology for the benefit of wildlife on the pond.
b) The poor state of footpaths along Church Road particularly outside Amberley Cottage.
c) Safety concerns particularly for children at junction of Pinners Close and Church Road.
All matters to be discussed as an agenda item.
5.10.3 Police Report.
In the abscence of both PC Carter and CSO Hawkins a written report was read:-
a) Continued problem with speeding vehicles along Old Turnpike Road which is being used as a rat run by commuters. The safe road partnership have been contacted to ask to install a monitoring device to collate figures (this has been done on several previous occasions and showed no problem as average taken – to be informed ). Clerk.
b) Suspicious VW blue transporter with Irish plates has been seen in and around Crowle asking for farm directions.
c) During the early hours a resident witnessed someone looking into their neighbour’s property. Unfortunately the van details and reg were unable to be taken.
Agreed a letter be sent to Tony Carter who is recovering from a recent operation wishing him a speedy recovery and also to congratulate him on recently receiving an award for excellent police work.
Clerk.
5.10.4 Minutes of the Annual Meeting of the Parish Council held 20 May 2010 were approved and accepted.
Proposed. Mrs Turner. Seconded. Mrs
Coleman. Carried Nem Com.
5.10.5 Progress Reports.
a) Purchase of duck house withdrawn. In any naturalistic environment no duck houses or similar would be used.
b) Pinners Close – this has been inspected by Rights of Way Officer from WCC who initially was not too concerned on safety grounds. However due to continued public concern Kevin Oliver, WCC has been asked to review and investigate further and to offer advice as to best way to avoid a potential accident. People using the path to be asked to keep the field gate shut. ? Cryer article.
c) No date yet fixed for meeting with the football club. Chairman of the Searchers has been asked to agree date and get back to PC.
d) It is proposed a letter be sent to the Chairman of the Searchers Football Club expressing concerns re the organisation of their last event with Droitwich Junior Football club. Agreed. However, the PC were assured that there had been no cars parked along the allotment track as the club are well aware of the importance of keeping clear for emergency vehicles etc. Cars were parked along the visibility splay which is not to be encouraged and is an ongoing problem. Members of the Searchers are well aware that they had been taken by surprise at the numbers visiting and recognise that they should have been more circumspect. As a result of this the booking form for both the hall and the playing field is being reviewed.
e) A volunteer has come forward as editor of the Crowle Cryer.
f) Alternative car parking continues to be investigated, some possibilities have been found to be totally unsuitable. Iit is suggested that Malcolm Pugh be approached and offered payment on a commercial basis for hire of small fenced off area for approx. 70 cars and whole field for larger events. If agreed he would be notified well in advance and paid per event, proposed £75.00 die smaller area and £100.00 for whole field. Mrs Turner to liaise with Mr Pugh. Mrs Turner.
g) Mr Adams not present at beginning of meeting so no information available re visit to Envirosort.
h) No progress with updating website. Clerk.
i) Church Service was organised by PC and held 27 June, very few councillors attended. The Chairman is reluctant to repeat next year if not supported by council. Member of the public thanked the PC for organising and running a very enjoyable and stimulating service.
5.10.6 LMC Report.
Mr Maginnis reported:-
a) The flooding investigation work being carried out in Crowle Green has now been taken over by another company. A report and action proposals are awaited.
b) The controversial issue of removing the Christmas Tree from the Parish Garden needs to be resolved. The tree was originally used to support the millennium Yew which has now grown and is becoming detrimentally effected by the Christmas Tree, therefore the FMC request a decision from the PC as to whether the Christmas Tree should be cut down or not. A member of the public reminded council that the land was purchased with donations from villagers who expected the Christmas tree to be removed in due course. A vote was taken 4 in favour of removal and 1 against, carried. Article to be placed in Cryer. Mr Maginnis.
5.10.7 FMC Report.
Mr Brereton reported:-
a) The biggest issue at the moment is finding sufficient space for all the football teams, the Searchers Junior Football are marking out on senior pitch who are opposed to this practice. To be sorted out between the two clubs.
b) A review of the booking conditions for the hall and playing field is being undertaken to ensure ‘responsible person’ is identified and event organisation covers all health and safety issues. A risk assessment of each event may need to be undertaken separately.
c) At the last meeting of the FMC it was agreed that all future bookings of the field are to be asked for a donation towards the maintenance – whole day £100.00 – less than a day on pro rata basis.
d) Letters are to be sent in January to all village organisations using the field asking for their donations before the end of March (financial year). Clerk.
e) There is a problem with drainage between the bowls green and cricket nets, can be resolved by trench being dug along affected area.
f) The cricket nets need replacing.
g) An excellent report has been received following recent Annual Playground Inspection by ALPS.
5.10.8 Finances.
a) Consideration of payments as follows:-
Community Account:
· Jen Crawford - salary June/July £606.00
Admin. 72.27
£678.27 £678.27
· David Miles – Lengthsman May £182.00
Grass cutting
75.00
£257.00 £257.00
Accounts paid between 20 May and 1 July 2010
· WDC – printing Cryer Feb/March/April 2010 £270.72
· Bluesky International – flood survey £545.20
Playing Field Account.
· Rob Skinner – payment June/July £309.00
Accounts paid between 20May and 1 July 2010
·
Rob Skinner – repairs to
speaker £387.75
Adopted for payment. Proposed: Mr Boden. Seconded: Mr Field. Carried Nem
Com.
b) Internal audit of 10K Run to be undertaken within the next few weeks.
5.10.9
Highways Issues.
a. Mr Adams to pursue the resurfacing of Church Road, has been reported that only area from the school up to Bredicot Lane is to be fully resurfaced and the stretch from Old Turnpike Road to the school patched. This felt to be the wrong way round. Mr Adams. Clerk.
b. The footpath outside The White House has been inspected and found to be satisfactory and not in need of repair – to be reviewed by Mr Adams. Mr Adams. Clerk.
c. Hedge near Bleak House not felt to be problem best left.
d. Letter regarding siting of salt bins for next winter has been received, suggestions given by council members to be relayed to WDC. Clerk.
e. Letter to be sent to Roy Fullee and copied to Dave Denning requesting clarification as to progress on removal of obstructions on highway. Clerk.
5.10.10
WCC
Report.
Mr Adams reported:-
a. There is great pressure on WCC to make considerable savings in over next 3 years could be as much as 25% of current budget - £75million.
b. Difficult times are ahead and need to ensure front line services remain available.
c. Concessionary bus passes for over 60s may be removed.
5.10.11
WDC
Report.
Mrs Rowley reported:-
a. The Environmental Agency has stated they have done more than is required on Bow Brook, nothing appears to have happened to date. The fallen tree has still to be removed. Some confusion as to who is responsible.
b. Now have until the Autumn to submit comments regarding the Bosch Development application.
c. WMRSS has been abolished. The SWJCS is now to be more locally driven with local demand influencing development.
d. The manager of the Road Safety Partnership addressed the Droitwich Area Forum and offered to speak to Parish Councils – to be pursued. Clerk.
e. Money is available to improve playground facilities and to add additional play opportunities.
f. WDC are also having to make budget cuts, car parking charges may rise.
5.10.12
Planning
a. Applications and progress – no comments.
b. Bosch Development – Mr Gow recently attended a meeting with Tibberton Parish Council and White Ladies Aston which was attended by a Planning Consultant. The advice given was to ensure the main focus of comments included the apparent lack of full assessment of all potential sites and their weighting/marking scores. It appears that site 54 (Norton) has not been fully assessed and therefore Bosch are making decisions, in preference to area near junction 6, without all relevant information. Agreed by council this be included in comments.
Tibberton Parish Council are totally opposed to this application. It was agreed that Crowle Parish Council be supportive but need to assimilate all the facts and make own conclusions as to comments to be submitted for consideration by WDC.
The Planning Consultant fee of £600.00 proposed to be paid by the three councils concerned.
Agreed there be a ‘one off’
payment of £200.00 – carried.
5.10.13
Correspondence
previously circulated for information.
Correspondence of note:-
a. Letter regarding the abolition of RSS and the implications.
b. Notification of rise in Parish Hall hire charges with effect from next year.
5.10.14
Councillors’
reports and items for future agenda.
a. Bridleway gate is chained shut, Mr Firkins reported to be awaiting new gate.
b. Pinners Close concern to be on next agenda. Article for Cryer raising parents awareness of dangers.
Meeting closed at 10pm.
Date of next meeting to be held on 2
September 2010 at 7.30pm in Crowle Parish Hall.
Signed ................................................................................... Chairman
Date ...............................................