FEATHERSTONE AND BRINSFORD
PARISH COUNCIL
Minutes of the Annual General Meeting
held on the 9th May 2024 at 7.05pm
in Featherstone and Hilton Community Centre
Present: F Beardsmore, R Tucker, J Smith, V Lockley, A Rowe, D Randall, M Perks,
J Brindle and D Betts
Also Present: County Councillor B Williams
County Councillor K Perry
District Councillor R Cope
————————————————————
1) APOLOGIES
Apologies for absence were received from Z Webb and T Smitheman.
2) APPOINTMENT OF CHAIRMAN OF THE PARISH COUNCIL
It was proposed (M Perks), seconded (D Betts) and agreed that F Beardsmore be appointed Chairman of the Parish Council for the coming year.
Resolved: That F Beardsmore be appointed Chairman for the coming year.
3) APPOINTMENT OF VICE-CHAIRMAN OF THE PARISH COUNCIL
It was proposed (M Perks), seconded (D Betts) and agreed that R Tucker be appointed Vice-Chairman of the Parish Council for the coming year.
Resolved: That R Tucker be appointed Vice-Chairman of the Parish Council for the coming year.
4) APPOINTMENT TO COUNCIL COMMITTEES
a) Prison Liaison Committee
It was proposed, seconded and agreed that R Tucker, D Betts and A Rowe be appointed to the Prison Liaison Committee.
Resolved: R Tucker, D Betts and A Rowe be appointed to the Prison Liaison Committee for the coming year.
b) District Council Standards
R Tucker appointed to the District Council Standards Committee.
5) APPOINTMENT TO COMMUNITY CENTRE
It was proposed, seconded and agreed the following be appointed to the Community Centre Committee:-
R Tucker
T Smitheman
M Perks
J Brindle
Resolved: The above appointed to the Community Centre Committee.
6) STANDING ORDERS
It was proposed (R Tucker), seconded (M Perks) and agreed Parish Council Meeting should end at 9.30pm.
Resolved: That Parish Council Meetings should end at 9.30pm.
It was proposed, seconded and agreed that Standing Orders be adopted for the coming year.
Resolved: Standing Orders be adopted for the coming year.
7) MINUTES
It was proposed (R Tucker), seconded (D Betts) and agreed that the Minutes of the Parish Council Meeting held on the 11th April 2024 be approved as a true and correct record.
Resolved: That the Minutes of the Parish Council Meeting held on the 11th April 2024 be approved as a true and correct record.
D Betts commented his name was not recorded during discussions.
It was proposed (R Tucker), seconded (J Brindle) and agreed that Meetings should be recorded for a trial period of four months.
D Betts said he was not in favour of recordings.
Resolved: Record Meetings for a trial period of four months.
8) COUNTY COUNCILLOR’S REPORT
Kath Perry introduced herself to the Meeting.
M54/A460 Traffic Island Surface – K Perry said a Highway meeting was planned on site with all parties involved, including Contractors and Traffic Management to review the A460/M54 traffic island road surface. K Perry has requested an update from that meeting.
F Beardsmore commented that Signage had been installed on the A460/M54 slip road in September 2023 but no work had started. K Perry said she was not aware of a September 2023 date.
J Brindle commented M6/A460 repairs were completed three weeks ago – B Williams said these potholes were deeper.
K Perry said she would follow up the situation regarding the M54/A460 traffic island.
Featherstone Lane – Request for One-Way Traffic
B Williams said it was not necessary to have one-way. Mentioned alternative routes. No change in traffic volumes over recent years.
F Beardsmore said traffic volumes have increased due to Harvest Grove development. Safer one-way.
Complaint at last meeting that Councillor had spoken to the wife of a resident in an aggressive manor. B Williams said he had asked the lady for her opinion and then gave his view.
J Smith commented residents of Harvest Grove would prefer one-way.
F Beardsmore requested a Meeting with K Perry, B Williams and M Keeling to discuss and review the Survey undertaken twelve months ago. Nobody has stated the Survey was a waste of time.
R Tucker said the Parish Council were being pushed back.
D Betts commented that B Williams never stated he was against proposal and then telephones lady stating he was not in favour of proposal. D Betts said the Parish Council have been betrayed.
K Perry said that with a Survey, a residents survey drop should have taken place.
K Perry said she would speak to M Keeling regarding a meeting.
9) DISTRICT COUNCILLOR’S REPORT
a) J Brindle
J Brindle reported the following:-
Annual General Meeting held and Committees arranged.
Appointed to Licensing Committee.
b) R Cope
R Cope reported the following:-
Battery Facility – Featherstone.
• Gave update.
• Full Report on noise level.
• Noise level will be an issue.
Gypsy movement in Featherstone – moved on.
Chemist – Disabled Bay – Needs re-painting. Cannot enforce.
Work crew available for three day work period.
R Tucker asked if junction Brookhouse Lane – Malayan Way – is this included in plans? Will send enquiry to Dale Arthur at Staffordshire County Council.
R Tucker enquired regarding progress to remove rubbish from Brookhouse Lane. Public Protection Order in hand.
10) POLICE MATTERS
New Inspector appointed who is changing procedures regarding report.
11) DECLARATION OF INTEREST
Councillors J Brindle, R Tucker and M Perks declared an interest in all matters relating to Featherstone and Hilton Community Centre. D Randall declared an interest in all matters relating to Featherstone Chapel.
12) MATTERS ARISING
a) Website
M Perks commented new Website looks very good and T Smitheman obtained details.
b) Featherstone Lane
K Perry arranging meeting involving Parish Councillors B Williams, K Perry and M Keeling.
c) Overgrown Walkways and Hedges
M Wallace replied as follows:-
1. The fence repair next to play park in Brinsford – The work has been raised. I am just waiting on date for completion. I will update as soon as I know.
2. The Beech tree obscuring the street lamp in Hilton Road – The job is on the list of tree works to be completed; however, this is subject to any nesting birds which, if present, would delay work until August.
3. Alleyway from Olde Hall Road to Hilton Road – Should be completed within next two weeks. Clerk to enquire if fly tipping will be removed.
4. I can’t find evidence of trees hitting our properties in Brookhouse Close. Please advise of exact location in the event of any misunderstanding. Refer to flats No. 21 (four flats) plus fencing.
d) Prison Visits
Oakwood Prison – 15th May 2024 – 1.00pm.
Brinsford Prison – 27 June 2024 – 2.00pm.
Featherstone Prison – R Tucker to prepare agenda.
e) David Heywood
Meeting to go ahead on the 16th May 2024 – 3.30pm – Codsall Office.
f) 17 The Avenue
The Clerk to report a mattress deposited at property.
13) HIGHWAY MATTERS
a) A460/New Road Junction
Need improved signage at A460/New Road junction – Enquire with M Keeling if signage can be reviewed.
b) M54/A460 Traffic Island
It was proposed (V Lockley), seconded (J Brindle) and agreed to defer taking details to the Media for a month.
Resolved: To defer for one month taking this matter to the Media.
c) Road from Featherstone Farm to Kings Repose
C Larvin at Staffordshire County Council to review.
d) Malayan Way Sign
The Clerk confirmed he had notified C Larvin at SCC Highways of this matter.
e) HM Prison Signs on New Road
The Clerk to enquire with the Prison regarding the reinstatement of the HM Prison signs.
f) Pothole Outside 18 East Road, Brinsford
C Larvin at SCC Highways confirmed this pothole is on the system for repair.
14) REPORT – FEATHERSTONE AND HILTON COMMUNITY CENTRE
M Perks reported the following:-
Annual General Meeting held on the 8th May 2024.
Bank balance healthy.
Warm Wednesday and Family Friday well attended.
Update regarding electrical repairs.
Kitchen/Bar improvements very good.
Online banking.
V Lockley asked about Radiator covers.
T Tucker (Declared and Interest) said thanks to M Perks for work at the Community Centre as a lot down to your effort.
15) REPORT – FEATHERSTONE FIRST RESPONDERS
Attended nine incidents.
16) REPORT – HOUSING ASSOCIATION
The Clerk to forward a letter of thanks regarding installation of electric gates at South Crescent Car Park.
17) PLANNING
a) Harvest Grove Development
R Cope gave details of an email received from Dale Arthur at SCC Highways as follows:-
Following your email dated 6th April, I provided an update to your SSDC officers shortly after who I am advised were going to update you directly.
We are awaiting a response from StaveCon Countryside’s new contractors to our comments on the works quote they provided. Once the quote is approved, we will be able to produce a revised schedule of costs for the scheme.
The SCC legal team has issued a Deed of Variation for Countryside consideration. Unfortunately, we still haven’t seen any evidence of Severn Trent Water’s consent for gully connections (S.106) which will prevent SCC to enter the Deed, so we are still waiting for this.
Finally, road space has already been booked for an agreed start of works date (03/06/2024); however, this stems on the above being in place.
Road from Brookhouse Lane to Featherstone Lane is diabolical.
J Smith gave a review of outstanding matters.
R Tucker asked that the Royal Ordnance Site is on the Parish Council Agenda.
18) CORRESPONDENCE
Andrew Aston – Update regarding SID’s.
Alison Long, SSDC – Ageing Wall Summit – 16th May 2024.
SPCA – Health and Wellbeing.
SCC Data Protection Service.
SCC – Temporary Traffic Regulation Notice – Dark Lane, Featherstone.
A Long – Code of Conduct Training – 24th June 2024 – D Randall, A Rowe, J Smith and V Lockley to attend.
SPCA – Local Plan Review.
Dor-2-Dor Report.
SSDC – Local Plan Review.
Community Safety SSDC – Personal Alarms – The Clerk to order a further ten alarms.
19) PARISH MAINTENANCE
SSDC Ground Maintenance Costs – Reply to enquiry regarding proposed cost increase:-
The price rise for next year (2025-2026) is due to the increase in all aspects of the service including: wages, fuel costs, all other on costs to run the service.
We haven’t increased the price for years and we have found that over the years the costs have substantially risen without the increase from ourselves to our customers.
So, we did a piece of work last year to identify how much the service costs and how we need to ensure the service is charging the correct rates which, unfortunately, has identified a large increase next year. We realise that we would be running at another loss this year but didn’t want to put the burden on parishes and customers so decided to give you over 12 months to decide.
I have attached the grass areas.
Brinsford Play Area – Quotation received from Redlynch Leisure to overlay existing surface. To obtain costing for wheelchair gate for entrance.
Meeting to be held on Thursday, 30th May 2024 – 6.45pm – Community Centre, to discuss projects.
20) ITEMS FOR DISCUSSION
a) Community Gardening Club
D Randall reported more volunteers have joined the Club.
b) Website
Ongoing.
c) Parish Newsletter
Distribution of first edition completed.
d) Ground Maintenance
This matter was deferred.
e) Speed Indication Devices
SID available through SSDC at a cost of £1,350.00, as confirmed by Andrew Aston.
21) REVIEW OF PARISH LITTER PICKERS AND PARISH HANDYMAN/GARDENER
Meeting Dale to be arranged.
22) NEW PLAY EQUIPMENT
Meeting to be arranged to discuss specification for new play equipment.
23) FINANCE
a) Cheque Payments
It was proposed, seconded and agreed to issue the following cheques:
Date Cheque No Details £
09/05/2024 003979 A J Gallagher 441.28
09/05/2024 003980 Jones Skips 676.88
09/05/2024 003981 Parish Clerk 1,165.90
09/05/2024 003982 Litter Picker 495.73
09/05/2024 003983 Litter Picker 495.73
09/05/2024 003984 Litter Picker 445.93
09/05/2024 003985 Parish Handyman/Gardener 396.73
09/05/2024 003986 HMRC (PAYE) 536.93
09/05/2024 003987 Parish Clerk’s Expenses 36.90
09/05/2024 003988 M Perks (PA System) 320.00
TOTAL: £5,012.01
Resolved: To issue the above cheques.
24) PUBLIC MEETING
F Beardsmore to contact Maggie Quinn at SSDC to arrange a date.
25) DATE OF NEXT MEETING
Thursday, 13th June 2024.
The Meeting closed at 9.44pm.
F Beardsmore
Chairman