ALBRIGHTON PARISH COUNCIL                                                            1                                                                        

MINUTES of the Parish Council Meeting held at the Old School, Station Road, on Thursday, 17^th June, 2004  

PRESENT: Cllrs J Nelson (Chair), Mrs G M Beechey, I R Copcutt, P Illes, R J Kidson, D T Leeson, D R V Murray, Mrs S Nelson, M G Pate, Mrs S J Pate and M Underwood

IN ATTENDANCE: S/Ldr V Kinnin                

APOLOGIES: Cllrs Mrs E L Byrne, D G Hopkins, Mrs G M Hopkins and P J Lusk

DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST

Cllr J Nelson declared a personal interest in planning application 04/0523 on the grounds that he had advised the applicant on another matter. Cllr Mrs Pate declared a prejudicial interest in 04/71(vi) & (vii) on the grounds that she was Chairman of the Village Halls Management Committee

04/ 65 MINUTES

The minutes of the Annual Parish Council meeting held on Thursday, 20^th May 2004, were approved by the Council and signed by the Chairman

(A request submitted by Cllr Lusk for an amendment to minute 04/56(c) was not approved)

The minutes of the Parish Council Planning Meeting held on Thursday, 3rd June, 2004 were amended by indicating that the interest declared by Cllr J Nelson was prejudicial and by recording the fact that he left the room during the consideration of application 04/0476. The amended minutes were approved by the Council and signed by the Chairman

04/ 66 MATTERS ARISING   

a)    Playleadership Scheme

The Clerk informed members that one of the playleaders had withdrawn from the scheme (see 07/72(e)). He had approached all local primary schools to enquire whether any members of staff would be interested in replacing her and had been informed that a member of staff at County Junior School had expressed interest. Cllr Lusk had spoken to Mrs S Neep, the scheme manager who had indicated that she would be willing to proceed with only three playleaders, which would be legally acceptable, if necessary. It was agreed that the scheme should proceed and that local newspapers should be asked to publicise the fact that there was a need for an additional play leader.   

b)    Double Taxation – Deferred until the next meeting

c)    Hanging baskets

 It was agreed that Cllrs Mrs Beechey and Mrs Nelson should take on the responsibility for hanging baskets, assisted where necessary by Cllr Copcutt 

d)    Cross Road – Update on traffic management proposals

Cllr Mrs Nelson informed members that the speed visor had been installed and appeared to be effective in reducing traffic speeds. However, Mr R Smith, Chairman of the Cross Road Traffic Group had observed that the brief submitted by Mr R Drummond to the County Council consultants was less detailed than the scheme agreed with the traffic group and was concerned that this loss of detail   might result in a different scheme to that which had been agreed. It was agreed that all concerned should keep a close watch on the situation.

e)     Advice that the Diocese does not wish to proceed with proposal for public use of car park at St Joseph’s Church

It was noted that members of the congregation would be questioning this decision and agreed that the Clerk should liaise with BDC and the Diocese in order to ascertain what reasons had been given for the decision and whether these included concerns that could be satisfactorily addressed locally. If necessary a meeting should be arranged between all parties to resolve the situation. 

04/ 67 REPORT FROM RAF COSFORD

S/Ldr Kinnin informed members that the recent Air Show had been very successful due to the good weather, the fact that there had been no Show in 2003 and the appearance, for the first time, of the Typhoon. The exact number of attendees was not yet known but  was estimated to be over 54,000, the number of vehicles being approximately 18,500. The Princess Royal would be visiting the station on 25^th June and the College would shortly be accommodating trainees from foreign air forces. There had been some minor problems in the Village over the past few weeks. Damage to the Vicarage fence, which had been attributed to RAF personnel, had unfortunately not been reported until the following day and the perpetrator(s) had not been found. However disciplinary action had been taken in respect of another incident in the same vicinity. S/Ldr Kinnin stressed the importance of reporting incidents promptly and, where possible, providing information such as descriptions of clothing, which would aid identification. In response to a suggestion from Cllr Illes regarding the possibility of improved rail access, including park and ride, on Air Show day he explained that detailed discussions were always held with Central Trains who, at one stage, had indicated that they would not be providing a stopping service. Similar discussions were held with the police and Highway Authority regarding road access and road signing which, at first glance might appear irrational, was actually carefully designed to achieve optimum traffic flow. It was confirmed that the annual Reception would be held in September and a briefing for Civic Leaders on 5^th October. Members expressed their appreciation for the continuing good relations between RAF Cosford and the local community and, particularly, for S/Ldr Kinnin’s major role in fostering those relations.          

04/ 68 REPORT FROM THE POLICE

The Clerk informed members that Chief Supt Guy Rutter, the new Divisional Commander for the Shropshire Division, had visited Albrighton earlier in the week. Members expressed concern about recent vandalism at the swimming pool, which had been a major contributory factor in the decision to close the pool for public use during the current season, and to the failure of the police to respond to calls from members of the public on this matter. The Clerk undertook to raise this issue at meetings he would be attending with the police during the coming week.

04/ 69 NEW BUSINESS

a)  Parking on pavements

 Members expressed concerns, reflecting complaints from local residents, regarding the regular parking of taxis and other vehicles on the pavement in front of the new taxi office in Station Road and it was agreed that the Clerk should speak to the proprietors of the business and request that their vehicles are parked elsewhere and also ask the police to enforce the parking regulations in this area. It was also agreed that, if these measures failed, consideration should be given to the installation of bollards or other obstructions on the pavement in question. 

b)  Position of Parish Council representative on Junior Youth Club Committee

 It was noted that Cllrs Copcutt , Leeson and Mrs Nelson had been appointed by the Junior Youth Club committee to represent the Council on that committee and, while the appointments were duly ratified it was agreed that the committee should be reminded that it was the Council’s responsibility to nominate representatives to outside organisations..

04/ 70 PLANNING

(a)  Applications

04/ 0491 – Application for use of ground floor as flat, alterations to existing first floor flat , erection of two storey extension to form four flats and alteration to access at 8 High Street 

Comment : Recommend approval

04/ 0514 -  Outline application for erection of one detached house and garage and installation of septic tank on land between Windy Ridge and Redroofs, Beamish Lane 

Comment : Recommend refusal on the grounds that the site is located in the Green Belt where new residential development is not permitted

04/ 0519 -  Application for increase in height of chimney at Beamish Cottage, Beamish Lane

Comment :  Recommend approval

04/ 0522 – Application for erection of conservatory and detached garage at The Hayes, County Lane, Codsall Wood

Comment :  Recommend approval on condition that this development is consistent with Green Belt policies

04/ 0523 -  Application for erection of a dwelling on land adjacent to The Little House, 54 Station Road

Comment :  Recommend approval

(b) Permissions – 04/ 0342 & 0387 - Noted

04/ 71 FINANCE

 Cllr Murray, seconded by Cllr Copcutt , proposed that the following payments and transfer be approved – carried

                                                                                                                                                                    £                         VAT

Transfer of £4750.00 from deposit to current account

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