Minutes of Brizlincote Parish Council Meeting held at Violet Way Academy and Nursery on Thursday 20th February 2020
Present
Chairman, Councillor Robin Ludford-Brooks, Vice Chairman, Councillor Brian Judd and Councillors Adrian Cowan, Robert Bidgood, Peter Marston, Barry Marsden, Lynne Campion, Sarah Moss, Rita Page and Walid Qneibi, Borough Councillor Bernard Peters and County Councillor Conor Wileman
Public
Representatives of North Stapenhill Allotments Association and Clerk Barbara Roe
Public Session – During this session, the application for Grant Aid from North Stapenhill Allotments Association was discussed. It was noted that the allotments were tidy, clean and smart and their community event last year was very good for the community of Brizlincote. The decision would be made later in the meeting.
139/20 Apologies – apologies were received from Councillor Hyde and Borough Councillor Wileman.
140/20 Declarations of Interest – Councillors Bidgood and Qneibi declared an interest in the Grant Aid application from North Stapenhill Allotments as they were both members.
141/20 Minutes of previous Council Meeting (16th January 2020) – the minutes of the January Parish Council meeting held 16th January 2020 were proposed for acceptance by Councillor Qneibi, seconded by Councillor Campion and approved by all apart from Councillor Cowan who abstained as he did not attend the January meeting.
142/20 Report by the County Councillor – County Councillor Conor Wileman said work was due to start on a pedestrian crossing on Stapenhill Road on 24th February which has been funded from the S106 from the Drakelow development of approximately £35,000 to £40,000. However, there
was a possibility of a delay due to drainage work to be carried out beforehand. There were various problems with the road surface in Woods Lane, it is swept every six weeks and the gullies are ok but there is water pooling on the surface. Councillor Wileman was going to speak
to the contractor. Virgin Media have also been requested to return and put right their work.
Councillor Wileman is also investigating options to sort out the speeding issues. There are plans for a raised platform and speed indicator devices – County Councillor Wileman would help with the
funding. There was a suggestion of extra speed humps, but the raised platform and speed indicator devices would be tried first.
Councillor Wileman reported that the flooding system meant to control the water flow is broken due to debris lodged in the system in the Grafton Road culvert. This has been cleaned out but, due to
the recent weather, it has returned. Strata have designed new grills and are waiting for ESBC to approve. Severn Trent are going to ensure that the system is working properly following the removal of some of the trees in the area.
It was reported that the show houses have silver birch trees in their rear gardens and it was felt that in 20 – 30 years’ time these would affect the drains.
Also, it wasn’t felt that the spring running off by Redwood Drive has been taken into account by the builders. Councillor Wileman was waiting for a report.
143/20 Report by the Borough Councillors – Borough Councillor Wileman sent his apologies.
Borough Councillor Peters said they have both been involved in the above work on the flooding. A timeline had not been given from ESBC for the removal of the trees from the culvert, he was waiting for Mike Hovers to come back to him. Action: Councillor Peters
Councillor Peters had received calls from residents with complaints regarding the work carried out
by Virgin and wanting to know if they were going to put back the block paved drives to their original
condition.
Councillor Peters also said he would be contributing to the Speed Indicator Devices.
144/20 Contact between Borough/County Councillors and Parish Councillors re Parish Problems
Councillor Peters said to use the established method of reporting and if that doesn’t work go to the Borough Councillors who are more than happy to help.
Councillor Conor Wileman said to report in the normal way but if it takes too long go to him.
Use the correct method of reporting to Highways and not via Sam Griffiths.
Councillor Cowan said all properties should now have pavements but not all have. Some of the new properties don’t have pavements – what are the current planning views and when was it decided that pavements weren’t important? Action: Councillor Peters said he would look into this.
Councillor Cowan asked about Open Spaces and cutting down trees. When a situation was reported to the Enforcement Team, regarding cutting down trees and throwing the debris over the fence, nothing was done. Is it being done by Open Spaces or is it wilful damage? Action:
Councillor Peters said he would take the action.
145/20 Parish Plan – No information was forthcoming from the data that had been sent to the team looking into it. This would be discussed in the Parish Plan meeting due to take place on 27th February.
146/20 Nature Walk – Maintenance
Councillor Cowan said that we should look for further funding to help with these costs. This would be done.
147/20 – Art Competition – Councillor Campion reported that the day ran very smoothly and it was agreed that the addition of the magician was a success and we would thank him in our Newsletter.
It was agreed that an agenda item for next month would be for a 2020 competition. County Councillor Conor Wileman said that both he and the Borough Councillors would like to say thank you to Councillors Campion and Moss for all their work on this. All their Parish Councillors added
their thanks too.
Judging by the Mayor and Mayoress took place on Saturday 1st February at the Brewhouse. It was noted that, whilst we had only 30 entries, these were of a high standard. The event was well attended by the pupils who had entered the competition (these were from Tower Hill Junior School, Paulet High School and Burton PRU) and their parent/s or guardian and teaching staff. Winning prizes of £30 and a 1st prize certificate were awarded to the top entries in each of the four categories (Junior school 2 key stages, Senior school and Photographic categories).
As the number of entries were low, we awarded an additional £5 prize and a highly commended certificate to each of the other entrants
148/20 Newsletter – the items for entry were discussed – A write up from County Councillor Wileman on the flooding and crossing, items from the latest police report (Councillor Cowan), 30mph banner (Councillor Marston), Brizlincote in Bloom Entry Form (Clerk), Art Competition (Councillor Campion) and photos Councillor Bidgood, New notice boards (Chairman), Chairman’s piece to include a welcome to the residents of Strata homes site (Chairman), new website (Councillor Moss). A meeting was to be set up with the editorial working party to discuss all entries.
Action: Clerk
149/20 New Website Update – Councillor Moss said she had gone through everything on the website and felt we should ask Digital at Stafford to include it all in the new website. It was also decided that the Councillors photographs and addresses would not be included. Councillor Cowan proposed that all the information should now be passed over to the Digital team at Stafford, seconded by Councillor Judd and agreed by all. Action: Councillor Moss
150/20 Repair of bench outside of Post Office – ESBC had now confirmed they owned the bench and were happy for the Parish Council to repair/replace it. The Clerk produced a picture of a proposed new bench. Councillor Cowan proposed that a formal proposal for the replacement bench with all costs should be put on the next agenda. Seconded by Councillor Marston and agreed by all. Action: Motion to be put on the next agenda by the Chair
151/20 – Brizlincote in Bloom – The Clerk suggested a judging date of July 26th to be put on the form in the next Newsletter. Proposed by the Chair, seconded by Councillor Judd and approved by all. Action: Clerk
152/20 – Easter Event for Children – Councillor Campion proposed an Easter Egg Trail to be held about 5th April for under fives in the Washlands Area. Councillor Marston proposed to cover the cost
of the eggs and all running costs, seconded by Councillor Judd and approved by all.
153/20 – Good Neighbour Award and Facebook Page – the Chair apologised to Councillor Qneibi that, as we were running out of time, this would have to be on the next Agenda. Action: Clerk
154/20 – Finance – the Clerk explained that there was a late invoice to be included from ESBC for the catering at the Brewhouse. Councillor Cowan proposed we pay all monies, seconded by Councillor Judd and approved by all.
155/20 – Grant Applications – Councillor Cowan proposed that we make a donation of £150 to Tower View School with a proviso that another body/group will also fund the same amount. Seconded by Councillor Marston and approved by all. Action: Clerk to write to the school
Councillor Cowan felt that North Stapenhill Allotments was a very important community zone and proposed £1,000 to be donated, seconded by Councillor Moss and approved by all. Action: Clerk
to write to the allotments and confirm
156/20 – Planning. Councillor Page said there were no problems with any of the recent applications, but she wondered if there was any way to find out when a particular item was being discussed so that she could attend the meeting. Action: Clerk to contact ESBC Planning Dept.
157/20 Correspondence
There was no correspondence reported.
158/20 Clerk and Members’ Reports – The Chair reported that the Friends of Scalpcliffe Wood would be planting 300 new trees and new signage was going up in the area.
The Clerk was to send out an email re planning training at Stafford.
The Chair mentioned it was National Spring Clean on the 20th March and 13th April.
Councillor Marston reported that the safety fencing had been erected near the culvert in Grafton Road.
Councillor Moss said Edge Hill school would be applying for Grant Aid in our next meeting.
The meeting closed at 21.00.
The next meeting will be held at 19.00 on Thursday 19th March 2020.