Minutes of the meeting August 2024 – Featherstone and Brinsford Parish Council

FEATHERSTONE AND BRINSFORD

PARISH COUNCIL

Minutes of the Parish Council Meeting

held on Thursday, 8^th August 2024 at 6.45pm

in Featherstone and Hilton Community Centre

Present: F Beardsmore, R Tucker, J Smith, A Rowe, T Smitheman, M Perks, J Brindle

and D Betts

Also Present: County Councillor K Perry

District Councillor R Cope

Seven Members of the Public

R Young – Clerk to the Council

————————————————————

1) COUNTY COUNCILLOR’S REPORT

K Perry mentioned the following:-

Visited A460/M54 roundabout with Mark DeVille who agreed repairs were needed. Planned repair of island September-October 2024.

Featherstone Lane proposal not supported by B Williams. M Keeling to come to September 2024 Parish Council Meeting.

Visited location opposite Harvest Grove where Trees and Hedges removed. Agreed to follow up at the County Council.

J Brindle commented numerous potholes marked for repair.

2) DISTRICT COUNCILLOR’S REPORT

J Brindle

No meetings.
Planning Application submitted for Red, White and Blue.

R Cope

Annette Roberts confirmed by email M54/A460 Link Road is a priority.
Battery Site Proposal Update.

3) PUBLIC PARTICIPATION

Removal of Trees and Hedge opposite Harvest Grove

The following matters were raised by Parishioners:-

Some of hedge removed. Contractor said hedge to be trimmed back.
High noise level from equipment being used.

Contractor changed statement to hedge and tree to be removed.
Resident had email from Staffordshire Council stating homeowners on boundary owned the Hedge.
Contractors, despite objections, carried on and decimated the hedge.
Security of homes now vulnerable due to removal of hedge.
Homeowners had been informed the hedge was their responsibility and in their ownership.
Resident had contacted Amey and they had confirmed the hedge was in the ownership of homeowners.
The Chairman, F Beardsmore, said the Parish Council had been pressing for the installation of a pavement on the other side and how the County Council had treated Parishioners was very poor. Residents had been let down by authorities.
R Tucker commented a problem had been created with regard to security.
K Perry said ownership was being checked by SCC Legal Department.
Pavement had been made two metres wide.
Residents said in 2009 informed by SCC that homeowners own the hedge.
K Perry agreed to go back to the County Council.
F Beardsmore said need to protect the boundary to houses.
Parishioners have meeting next week with Gavin Williamson M.P.
Details given of plant and machinery being used and noise levels. Contractors start at 7.40am.
This section of Malayan Way has been decimated.
Contractors ignored all requests to stop.
Compacting vibrates throughout homes.
K Perry commented work needs to stop.
F Beardsmore thanked Parishioners for bringing this matter to the attention of the Parish Council.

4) POLICE MATTERS

No report received.
M Perks said information passed to Police but no reaction. Police had commented they need evidence.
Reported motor cyclists going over grassed areas.

5) APOLOGIES

Apologies for absence were received from Z Webb, D Randell and V Lockley.

6) MINUTES

It was proposed (R Tucker), seconded (T Smitheman) and agreed that the Minutes of the Parish Council Meeting held on the 11^th July 2024 be approved as a true and correct record, subject to the following amendment.

13 bi) Delete 46 Canrock Road

Include 46 Cannock Road

Resolved: That the Minutes of the Parish Council Meeting held on the 11^th July 2024 be approved as a true and correct record, subject to the above amendment.

7) DECLARATION OF INTEREST

Councillors J Brindle, R Tucker, M Perks and T Smitheman declared an interest in all matters relating to Featherstone and Hilton Community Centre.

8) MATTERS ARISING

Website

Ongoing – Parish Councillors Declaration of Interest to be included.
Set-up with Tutorials.

Prison Visits

Brinsford Prison – 15^th August 2024 – 2.00pm.

The Clerk to confirm attendance.

Featherstone Prison – R Tucker to prepare Agenda.

The Avenue

Opposite 15 The Avenue – Bungalow with numerous black bags – Request Housing Association to arrange removal.

9) HIGHWAY MATTERS

M54/A460 Traffic Island

K Perry to obtain an update.

A460/New Road Traffic Light Junction

M Keeling replied stating Signs at this location are quite large.

To review with M Keeling when he attends a Parish Council Meeting.

HM Prison Signs on New Road

Councillors to enquire regarding Signs installed on visit to Brinsford Prison.

Malayan Way Sign

The Clerk to enquire again with B Taylor at SSDC.

Road from Featherstone Farm to Kings Repose

The Clerk to request an update from C Larvin when potholes scheduled for repair.

Footpath alongside A460 Featherstone to Shareshill

Overgrown bushes, trees and general vegetation – The Clerk to request an update from C Larvin.

Mark Keeling

The Clerk to enquire with M Keeling regarding the following:-

Could traffic calming be installed on Malayan Way.
East Road, Brinsford – Traffic constantly exceeding speed limit – Advise regarding any signage that can be installed.

10) REPORT – FEATHERSTONE AND HILTON COMMUNITY CENTRE

The following matters were discussed:-

D Betts reported six boundary posts missing .
D Betts also reported Playground Signs also missing.
Card Machine in operation.
Family Friday variable attendance.
Meeting to be arranged for end of the month.
Bleed Control Kit installation.
Defibrillator needs installing.
Roof repairs completed.
Skip – Clerk to arrange meeting – D Betts and Jones Skips regarding container.
Fire Doors need attention.

11) REPORT – FEATHERSTONE FIRST RESPONDERS

Attended four incidents.

12) REPORT – HOUSING ASSOCIATION

Lamppost No. 4 – Hilton Road – Clerk to check with Martin Wallace if completed.
Bungalow – No. 8, The Avenue; 12B Olde Hall Road – Both properties need to be inspected and reviewed.

13) PLANNING

Planning Applications Received

No applications received.

14) REVIEW OF PARISH LITTER PICKERS AND GARDENER

Meeting to be arranged.

15) HARVEST GROVE DEVELOPMENT

J Smith gave an update regarding several matters outstanding.
Road not done – Pavements completed.
Equipment left on Car Park.
Shrubs planted do not look healthy.
F Beardsmore said fencing installed at football pitch.
Football pitch back to being a farmers’ field quality.
Clerk to ask D Heywood for another meeting.

16) CORRESPONDENCE

SPCA – VCSE E-bulletin.
South Staffordshire Council – 50^th Anniversary Celebration.
Staffordshire Archive and Heritage Newsletter.
Playsafety Limited – Notification of play area inspection.
SPCA – Best Health Staffordshire – Obesity 2024.
South Staffordshire Council – Enquiry Public Toilet Location.
SSC – Draft Gambling Policy 2024.
SPCA – Local Transport Plan – Update.
NALC Chief Executive Bulletin.
SPCA – Star Council Awards 2024.
SSC – Staff Volunteering Opportunities.
SPCA – Climate Action Fund.
SSC – Maggie Quinn – PSPO Consultation for Social Media.

17) PARISH MAINTENANCE

Dog Waste/Litter Bins

Mark Moore at SSC confirmed the following:-

We are happy to work with the Parish on locations of litter bins. I have attached the information I sent to Councillor Beardsmore following the meeting a little while ago. Dog Waste Bins are only for the depositing of dog waste. However, the general bins can take any waste including dog waste. We are arranging for some stickers to be added to these bins to this is more obvious to residents. There is good coverage of bins across the village and it is unlikely that just providing more bins would result in reduced littering. It is more the behaviour change that is required. If the Parish felt that some bins in the village are under utilised and would be more effective in other locations, we are happy to discuss this. We have also committed to an additional bin on Malayan Way once the highway work has been completed.

Red, White and Blue

M Perks said he was very unhappy with the fencing and security at the Red, White and Blue. Children and others have access due to fencing damage. The Clerk to contact the owner to request fence repairs and greater security.

Hedge and Fencing around Brinsford Play Area

Ann Rowe reported the new fencing at the Play Area was very poor.

Old Lane

D Betts mentioned the overgrown vegetation on this lane. Clerk to enquire with C Larvin at SCC Highways.

18) NEW PLAY EQUIPMENT

Meeting to be arranged to review options concerning additional play equipment.

19) ITEMS FOR DISCUSSION

Parish Newsletter

Community Gardening Club

Website

No further comments.

Ground Maintenance

The Clerk to arrange a meeting with the Contractors who cut the grass at the School to meet D Betts.

Royal Ordinance Site

R Cope commented there was no change to date.

f) Shareshill Church

Councillors reviewed the recent Public Meeting including sale of the Church.
J Brindle commented car park land sold some years ago.
Vicar part of a rota for several churches.
Need a follow-up meeting.

20) DATE OF NEXT MEETING

Thursday, 12^th September 2024.

21) FINANCE

Cheque Payments

It was proposed, seconded and agreed to issue the following cheques:

Date	Cheque No	Details	£
08/08/2024	004021	Parish Clerk	1,166.10
08/08/2024	004022	Litter Picker	495.73
08/08/2024	004023	Litter Picker	495.73
08/08/2024	004024	Litter Picker	445.93
08/08/2024	004025	Parish Handyman/Gardener	396.73
08/08/2024	004026	HMRC (PAYE)	536.73
08/08/2024	004027	Parish Clerk’s Expenses & Plaque	43.20
08/08/2024	004028	Jones Skips	392.48
08/08/2024	004029	Information Commissioner	40.00
08/08/2024	004030	South Staffordshire Roofing	1,960.00
		TOTAL:	£6,467.63