Full Council Meeting Minutes 23rd February 2022

BRIDGTOWN PARISH COUNCIL

Minutes of the Parish Council Meeting.

Wednesday 23^rd February 2022.

At Bethel Methodist Church following guidelines during the Covid 19 Pandemic.

Present:

Cllrs. Val Jones (Chair), Kevin Whittaker (Vice-Chair), Matt Freeman,Peter Krukonjic, Bob Eccleston, Mandy Cook,

In Attendance:

Chris Gracey – Clerk

PUBLIC PARTICIPATION

None present

THE PARISH COUNCIL MEETING WAS THEN OPENED.

The Chair. Cllr. Val Jones welcomed Members to the meeting.

1.Apologies received in writing prior to the meeting.

Apologies were received and accepted from Cllr. Paul Snape

RESOLVED: To accept the apologies of above Councillors.

2.Declaration of Interests on agenda items and consideration of dispensations where appropriate.

None

3.To Approve the Minutes of the Meeting held on 12^th January 2022

3.1 Members discussed the minutes in detail and agreed to accept the last edition of the minutes subject to the amendments and correction.

This was proposed by Cllr. Kevin Whittaker(Vice-Chairman), seconded by Cllr.Bob Eccleston and carried to approve the minutes.

RESOLVED: MINUTES WERE APPROVED.

4.0 Matters Arising from the Minutes.(Not already on the Agenda)

4.1 Cllr. Mandy Cook commented on a query from a resident regarding the £8 per year included in her council tax and wanted to know what the money was spent on, The clerk will check last years 2020-21 accounts and compile a breakdown and forward it to members.

RESOLVED:  NOTED

• Chairman’s Report.

5.1 The Chairman read out her report (SEE APPENDIX 1)  – and discussed various items.

6.0 Consideration of reports received from the PCSO.

6.1 The PCSO report had been submitted and was noted with the following comments.

• Anti-social behavior – 1 incident Price Street(Next to McDonald’s Cannock Town Centre)
• Theft of vehicles – 3 (Newhall St – Walsall Rd – Virage Park)
• Theft from vehicles – 4 (Spring St. –Chenet Way – Hampton Green – Beecroft Rd )
• Theft of Motorcycle – (Earlswood Way) – later recived in Willenhall stripped down, identified by chassis number

County Line Intensification Week – The PCSO’s will be running a county lines intensification week in March, where we will be proactively targeting gangs involved, and I will  be in a few of the local high schools talking to the students abut the signs to watch out for, and how they may find themselves involved in county lines & the dangers they could be exposed to.  This should always be a focus, however it means we will have patrols assigned solely to targeting those involved for the week, and not be dispatched elsewhere.  Hopefully there will b an update for the next meeting.

Cllr. Mandy Cook commented on an incident that took place on 4^th February 2022 with some youths that had hired a room at the hotel, they were causing a nuisance & the police was called, this incident is not on the report, the clerk will query this with the PCSO.

RESOLVED: NOTED.

7.0  District Councillor’s Report.

• District Cllr. Peter Kruskonjic submitted his report:

• An arranged meeting with County Cllr. Paul Snape, Highways Officer Mark Keeling, Bob Eccleston

to determine the location of HGV signage .

• Planning application CH/21/0039 at the Forge – refused

8.0 County Councillor’s Report

8.1 None

9.0 Recreational Areas.

9.1 The Leighton Memorial Garden – Cllr. Bob Eccleston commented on the proposed rose flower bed, to be planted in the Spring with David Austin roses, advice will be given on planting & maintenance,  and a plaque to be installed to commemorate the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee, proposed by Cllr. Bob Eccleston seconded by Cllr. Mandy Cook and carried.  A budget of £200 was agreed proposed by the Chair seconded by Cllr. Kevin Whittaker and carried.  Cllr. Bob Eccleston commented that the second area would be planted in late Spring with summer bedding plants and donations from the school of sunflowers.

• War Memorial – No comments

9.3  Memorial Park & Gardens in Union Street – No comments

9.4  Bridgtown Friends of Bridgtown Park – No update available

RESOLVED: Noted

RESOLVED: It was agreed the meeting would be adjourned to receive local community group reports

None present – apologies received from Sue Heath.

10.0 Planning:

All planning applications have been circulated to Councillors for comment.

10.1 Applications for Consideration

CH/22/0023 Single storey rear extension @ 65 Watling Street Cannock WS11 0BL – no objections.comments

CH/22/0027 Make alterations & improvements to the Northern, Central & Southern car parks at Wyrley Brook Retial Park Vine Lane Cannock WS11 OXF – no objections / comments

CH/22/0029 Two storey side extension with rear single storey extension @ 124 Walsall Road Cannock WS11 0JB – no objections/comments

22/CH/0039 Change of use on 1^st Floor from office/historical centre to one residential apartment @ 264 Stumble Inn Walsall Road Cannock WS11 0JL – objections impact on the previous survey, concerns about parking issues

10.2 Applications Approved/Rejected by District Council.

21/CH/00339 Erection of Nr.2 2 storey building to create 3 flats, 3 garages @  33 North Street Bridgtown – Refused

RESOLVED: NOTED

11.0 Correspondence – Items of correspondence received during the month are emailed to Councillors, as received and for this month included the following:

11.1 Incoming –

• SPCA Bulletin emailed to council 24^th January 2022
• CCDC News round-up emailed to council 24^th January 2022
• SPCA Bulletin emailed to council 4^th February 2022
• CCDC News round-up emailed to council 4^th February 2022
• SPCA Bulletin emailed to council 7^th February 2022
• SPCA Bulletin emailed to council 14^th February 2022
• CCDC details of Bloomin Cannock Chase Competition emailed to council 14^th February 2022
• SPCA Bulletin emailed to council 21^st February 2022

11.2 Outgoing – None

RESOLVED: ALL RELEVANT POST HAD BEEN CIRCULATED AND NOTED.

12.0 Accounts

12.1 Payments for Approval

RESOLVED: Authorisation of the accounts presented for payment totalling £419.70 was agreed proposed by the Cllr. Kevin Whittaker(Vice-Chairman) seconded by Cllr. Matt Freeman and carried.

• Consideration of the Current financial situation of the Council – The Financial statement 1^st April to 31^st

January2022 was presented and agreed.  The clerk confirmed that the General Reserves at 31^st January 2022 are £758.06

• Consideration of infrastructure projects update – No comments

12.4      Consideration of any grant funding application opportunities – nothing to report

12.5      Consideration of any Grant applications Received – none received

12.6      Consideration of CILS Money Expenditure – The Chair outlined items for consideration:

Members discussed the planned expenditure for a history board, the details of which will be confirmed by the History Society, the clerk has tried to contact Derrick Middleton, who is unavailable at thie time, she will try and contact John Davy or Bob Bevilt regarding the details and the ordering of the board.  A second history board was discussed & agreed to purchase proposed by Cllr. Bob Eccleston seconded by Cllr. Kevin Whittaker(Vice-chairman) and carried.

Commemorative plaque to the Late David Williams, the clerk will contact the school for permission to erect the plaque and also for information on the length of time that he was a teacher at the school.

Fencing at Lakeside Boulevard – Members discussed the approximate cost of the safety fencing and  considered if the developer of the area would assist with the cost fully or partially.  All developers are required to make a statutory contribution to the Community Infrastructure Levy (CIL) which has resulted in £41,000 being provided to the Parish Council with the expectation that the Parish Council would use those monies for just such needs. The Chair would confirm whether this position has changed.

Barriers on North Street members discussed the issues related to replacing the railings like for like also comments were made to repair the existing railings in North Street and other areas.  Cllr. Bob Eccleston will get a quote to repair all the damaged railings in Bridgtown, subject to permission from SCC and to a proposal being made to this effect and a vote by the council.

Lamp posts on North Street – this item was not the agenda for discussionat this meeeting. A decision had already been agreed at the Parish meeting on the 15^th September 2021 to follow the advice provided by the lightening company in respect of the colour of the ornamental lamp posts where the top of the lamp post was black. One member suggested painting the lamp posts green. This will need to be agreed by SCC and then voted through by council members.

12.7 Adopt the reviewed Financial Regulations – The Chair proposed adoption seconded by Cllr. Matt Freeman and carried.

13.0 Highways Issues – No reports from County Council regarding any Highways issues

14.0 To receive reports from Councillors who have attended outside meetings  – None

15.0 Queens Platinum Jubilee Celebrations –

15.1 Covered in the Chair’s report

16.0 Welcome Back Fund – St. Patrick’s Day Artisan Market – Planter Locations

16.1 Covered in the Chair’s report.

16.2 Planter Locations – Covered in the Chair’s report.

17.0  Items for Information or Future Agendas – None

18.0 Date of Next Meeting.

18.1 It was agreed that the next meeting would be Wednesday 11^th May 2022,  and the meeting will cover the Annual Parish Assembly, The Annual General Meeting & the Council Meeting.

RESOLVED: NEXT MEETING: 11^th May 2022

19.0 The Chair thanked everyone for their attendance and the meeting closed at 9.15pm.

20.0   Confidential Items – exclusion of the press and public when applicable.

APPENDIX 1

Bridgtown Parish Council

Chairman’s report

23^rd February 2022

Welcome Back Fund (WBF) Updates

1. Planters

The two large Amberol Self watering Planters funded through the WBF are now ready to be delivered to the Parish. Councillors and the Bridgtown History Society were canvassed for their views on the best location for them within the restrictions of the grant, however not all suggestions were acceptable to Highways. The council has however obtained  permission for one to be located on the grassy area where the History Board sits on the corner of the junction between the A5 and North. Permission for the second planter to be sited at the corner of Delta Way and the A5 is being sought.

2. St Patricks Artisan Market – Bridgtown Social Club

The event planner has provided an update on progress on the Artisan Market. There has been a lot of interest from stall holders and she is waiting for returned forms with a couple of street food vendors for the club area outside already booked in. A banner advertising the event has been attached to the railing at the club a couple of weeks ago. The Club is booking a bouncy castle and being decorated with Irish bunting. The Guinness brewery have been approached to enquire whether they will be doing any promotions.

“Paw Patrol “ has been booked so the children can have pictures taken with them and Radio Presenter Stu Haycock as well as being the DJ for the day will be involving attendees in some fun and games

There is a Facebook event page as and when traders are confirmed and share to other groups on other social media platforms, Twitter and Instagram
Facebook link https://www.facebook.com/events/4652146454903254  In addition posters are available for distribution for shops etc.

3. Queens Jubilee celebrations

Flags and Bunting have been purchased with the grant for the WBF which comprises 2 large street party packs which along with bunting has 24 large flags and approximately 500 small hand held ones. The District Council will be sending out packs and information on their preparations and support for the celebrations. Through the WBF Parishes can also place orders through the District Council for treats for their celebrations for chocolate smiley faces and cup cakes.

CIL Proposals for consideration are:

1. Safety Fencing for Lakeside Boulevard – residents have raised safety concerns around the green at Lakeside Boulevard where the goalpost is located. The concern is that that there is nothing to prevent a football being kicked onto the busy road closely followed by a child . There is a high risk of an accident involving a child.

Therefore the proposal is to use CIL monies to agree a budget to erect a safety fence. This would be  similar in design to that around the play area.

2. Street Furniture North Street – There are three ornamental safety barriers in North Street which are badly damaged. Highways have been informed and they have advised the Parish Council that they cannot replace them like for like and that they will be the grey square structures seen throughout Cannock. In addition it will be some time before any replacements can be made.  Therefore the proposal is to use CIL monies to fund replicas of the current ornamental barriers and retain the North Street design.
3. Additional Bridgtown History Board – the Bridgtown & District History Society have requested a further grant from the Parish Council for another History Board as part of the Bridgtown History Trail. The location is to be in front of the Bridgtown Social Club. Details to follow later.