FEATHERSTONE AND BRINSFORD
PARISH COUNCIL
Minutes of the Parish Council Meeting
held on Thursday, 11th July 2024 at 6.45pm
in Featherstone and Hilton Community Centre
Present: F Beardsmore, R Tucker, J Brindle, V Lockley, A Rowe, Z Webb, D Randell,
T Smitheman, J Smith and M.Perks.
Also Present: District Councillor R Cope
PCSO T Nichol
R Young – Clerk to the Council
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Prior to the start of the meeting, one minute’s silence was observed in respect of D Burns who had passed away. The Chairman, F Beardsmore, commented D Burns had been a very good Councillor for the Parish.
1) COUNTY COUNCILLOR’S REPORT
The Clerk reported that County Councillor K Perry in her absence had asked the following to be reported:-
- M54/A460 Traffic Island to be repaired September/October 2024.
- Motorway Link Road delayed.
- M Keeling to attend September 2024 Parish Council Meeting.
- No funds available for Featherstone Lane proposal at present. Parish Council would be required to fund £10,000+.
2) DISTRICT COUNCILLOR’S REPORT
- J Brindle
- No meetings.
- Attended the Hub.
- R Cope
- No major developments – Election took over.
- Battery proposal deferred again due to noise – Meeting next week.
3) PUBLIC PARTICIPATION
- No matters raised.
4) POLICE MATTERS
FCSO T Nichol commented as follows:-
- New Police Report circulated.
- Nothing of note reported in Parish.
- F Beardsmore reviewed the Police Report commenting the Anti-Social Statistics were questionable.
5) APOLOGIES
Apologies for absence were received from D Betts and K Perry.
6) MINUTES
It was proposed (R Tucker), seconded (T Smitheman) and agreed that the Minutes of the Parish Council Meeting held on the 13th June 2024 be approved as a true and correct record.
Resolved: That the Minutes of the Parish Council Meeting held on the 13th June 2024 be approved as a true and correct record.
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. D Randell and Z Webb declared an interest in all matters relating to Featherstone Chapel.
8) MATTERS ARISING
- Website
T Smitheman and M Perks to review next stage of development.
- Prison Visits
- Brinsford Prison – 15th August 2024 – 2.00pm.
(R Tucker and D Betts to attend).
- Featherstone Prison – R Tucker to prepare Agenda.
- 15 The Avenue
- R Cope – Landlord told to make house fit for purpose. Regarding Garden – Waiting to see who responds; Tenant or Landlord.
9) HIGHWAY MATTERS
- M54/A460 Traffic Island
Details reported under County Councillors section.
- A460/New Road Traffic Light Junction
The Parish Council had requested larger signage. This matter to be taken up with M Keeling when he attends the September 2024 Parish Council Meeting.
- HM Prison Signs on New Road
The Clerk to contact Prison Authorities on advice of C Larvin (SCC Highways).
- Malayan Way Sign
The Clerk to enquire with Bob Taylor at SSDC regarding missing sign.
- Road from Featherstone Farm to Kings Repose
C Larvin (SCC Highways) reported the “carriageway potholes have been put forward as part of the member funded works. Will let Parish Council know when scheduled”.
- Footpath alongside A460 Featherstone to Shareshill
The Clerk to report overgrown bushes, trees and general vegetation on this route to SCC Highways.
10) REPORT – FEATHERSTONE AND HILTON COMMUNITY CENTRE
- Nothing urgent at present to report.
- Defibrillator needs installing at Community Centre.
- Roof repairs to be undertaken on 20th July 2024.
11) REPORT – FEATHERSTONE FIRST RESPONDERS
- Attended four incidents.
12) REPORT – HOUSING ASSOCIATION
- The Clerk to contact Martin Wallace again regarding overgrown tree branches across Lamppost No. 4 on Hilton Road.
13) PLANNING
- Planning Applications Received
- 24/00414/FULHH
Two storey and single storey rear extensions and front porch.
58 Hilton Road, Featherstone
- Planning Enforcement Matters
- Update from Catherine Gutteridge.
46 Canrock Road – Case Reference: 24/00122/UNDE. The owner had issues with removing the old electrics, which has slowed down the redevelopment of the site. The demolition has recommenced and they’re hoping to have the site cleared, ready to rebuild, by the end of July. In the interim, the owner has been asked to keep all building materials inside the hoarding, to keep the site as tidy as possible. I would be grateful if you could forward photos of the property to the Case Officer, Kate Evans at k.evans@sstaffs.gov.uk at the end of August so that we can identify if further action is required.
Featherstone Chip Shop, 20A The Avenue – Case Reference: 21/00022/UNDEV. An appeal against the Enforcement Notice was lodged by the appellant in November 2023. The appeal is still with the Planning Inspectorate who wrote to the Council in January 2024 outlining a significant delay with determining planning enforcement appeals – copy of letter attached for your information. The Case Officer will update you further when we receive an appeal decision from the Planning Inspectorate, but unfortunately, we do not have a timeframe for this at present.
14) REVIEW OF PARISH LITTER PICKERS AND GARDENER
- Meeting to be arranged.
- A Rowe to enquire with C Hill the area he covers.
15) HARVEST GROVE DEVELOPMENT
- J Smith mentioned the following:-
- Work started on roads – Malayan Way – Brookhouse Lane. Problem for local traffic.
- Some shrubs planted around pool.
- Landscaping outstanding – Work not done.
- Chased issues relating to Changing Rooms.
- Safe passage needed for residents walking to school.
- Signage in need of attention.
- The Clerk to enquire with K Harris as to how £20,000 (Section 106) is paid and when.
16) CORRESPONDENCE
- D Harris (SSDC) Section 106 Report – July 2024.
- Code of Conduct Training to be re-scheduled.
- SPCA – Council News – July 2024.
- SPCA – Chief Executive’s Bulletin.
- SPCA – Local Transport Plan.
- SSDC – Consultation for Public Spaces Protection Order for Car Cruising.
- Barbara Griffiths – Naming of First Responders Room. Agreed 6.30pm, Thursday, 8th August 2024 – Clerk to contact Barbara Griffiths.
- SSDC – Request for Tensa Barriers.
- B Choudhury (Amey) Highway Work at Brinsford Lodge.
- Playsafety Limited – Confirmation inspection of Play Areas at Brinsford and Featherstone during August 2024.
17) PARISH MAINTENANCE
- Dog Waste/Litter Bins
The Clerk to contact Mark Moore at SSDC regarding the following:-
- Can we move litter bins and purchase additional bins?
- Dog Waste Bins – Can they be used for all waste?
- Red, White and Blue
- R Tucker commented the side of the Red, White and Blue is a mess and dangerous. J Brindle to provide the Clerk with owner’s telephone number.
- The Clerk reported that Kelly Harris had confirmed no timescales had been given by the owner concerning development of the site.
- D Randell had circulated photographs of overgrown vegetation on the Red, White and Blue alleyway.
- Hedge and Fencing around Brinsford Play Area
- M Wallace confirmed an Inspector had attended to measure up for replacement fencing next to the access gate.
- Noticeboards
- The Chairman, F Beardsmore, to ask the Parish Handyman to review and make good the Noticeboard at Brinsford.
- Swings – Featherstone
- The Chairman, F Beardsmore, to ask the Parish Handyman if he can install the replacement seats and chains.
18) NEW PLAY EQUIPMENT
Meeting to be arranged to discuss and decide on specification of proposed new play equipment.
19) ITEMS FOR DISCUSSION
- Parish Newsletter
- Community Gardening Club
- Z Webb reported a little garden planted in front of Featherstone Sign on A460.
- Website
- No further comments.
- Ground Maintenance
- Andrew Aston confirmed no cuts missed.
- Clerk to request a Schedule of when grass cutting to be undertaken plus time.
- Clerk to enquire with School as to who undertakes their grass cutting.
- Speed Indication Devices
- Clerk to confirm to A Aston no cost implication for Parish Council.
- Royal Ordinance Site
- R Cope reported no developments to date.
20) DATE OF NEXT MEETING
- Thursday, 8th August 2024 – 6.30pm.
21) SHARESHILL CHURCH
- R Cope reported the Church needs roof repairs costing £100,000.
- Options for the future being considered including closure.
- The Clerk to enquire with Helen Duckett regarding current situation and request a meeting.
22) FINANCE
- Cheque Payments
It was proposed, seconded and agreed to issue the following cheques:
Date | Cheque No | Details | £ |
27/06/2024 | 004002 | Parish Clerk – Mileage | 73.40 |
11/06/2024 | 004003 | Parish Clerk | 1,165.90 |
11/06/2024 | 004004 | Litter Picker | 495.73 |
11/06/2024 | 004005 | Litter Picker | 495.73 |
11/06/2024 | 004006 | Litter Picker | 445.93 |
11/06/2024 | 004007 | Parish Handyman/Gardener | 396.73 |
11/06/2024 | 004008 | HMRC (PAYE) | 536.93 |
11/06/2024 | 004009 | Khoo Seller | 466.80 |
11/06/2024 | 004010 | Jones Skips | 883.08 |
11/06/2024 | 004011 | SSDC (G.M.) | 769.71 |
11/06/2024 | 004012 | Vaughan Davies | 120.00 |
TOTAL: | £5,849.94 |