FULL COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES MINUTES of the Wrockwardine Wood & Trench Parish Council Meeting held on Tuesday 8 th December 2009 at the Parish Council Centre, Church Road, Wrockwardine Wood at 7pm. PRESENT: Cllr s. B.J. Thompson Chair, C.F. Smith Vice Chair, L.T. Brayne, K. Hanmer, M. Hanmer, D. Plant, K. R. Watkins, S.A. Watkins and J.S. Uppal. IN ATTENDANCE: TWC Councillor Bob Groom, Amanda Roberts, Telford & Wrekin Council and Four members of the public. 09/1860 Apologies for Absence RESOLVED To accept apologies from Cllr s. D. Pearce (illness) and H. Smith (illness) 09/1861 Declarations of Interest Declarations of Interest were made in Item 7 on the agenda To confirm the Minutes of the Allotment Committee Meeting by Cllr s. L.T. Brayne, C.F. Smith, K.R. Watkins and S.A. Watkins as members of the Trench Allotment & Leisure Gardeners Society. 09/1862 To receive Amanda Roberts, Telford & Wrekin Council to discuss proposals for Church Road. Amanda Roberts said that after meeting with us on site several weeks ago she has looked at several options to resolve problems on Church Road and would like our views on them. Amanda said that at Pickering Road junction, cars exiting right cannot see sufficiently up Church Road and the dropped kerbs allow vehicles to mount the footpath. Residents who live opposite Pickering Road have difficulty getting in and out of their driveways. Amanda said that we need to bear in mind that Church Road is on a bus route and any changes to the road would be subject to a safety audit before proceeding with consultation. Amanda said that she has looked at the land available at the site and whether the land is owned by the Council or Highways and suggests the following ideas: i. Shave some off the corner of Pickering Road on the left hand side of the junction to bring the give way line forward. ii. Reduce the footpath width opposite Pickering Road by No. 14 up to opposite No. 5 which would give sufficient room for two buses to pass. iii. Retain the priority build out as it protects parking and slows traffic. iv. Remove bollards v. Only drop kerbs where necessary. Amanda pointed out that the down side of these ideas is that they could increase vehicle speeds which is why a safety audit would be necessary, and it might not make it easier for people reversing in or out of their drives. Amanda said that the last five years there are no recorded injury collisions in the area, only at the top and bottom of Church Road and we need to make sure we don t alter that. It was RESOLVED to suspend Standing Orders to allow the public to ask questions. Cllr. K. Hanmer said that she lives in Pickering Road and the biggest problem is the give way signs being ignored and although there have been no recorded accidents there are regular near misses. Borough Councillor Bob Groom asked what a Safety Audit is and Amanda replied that an independent Design Engineer analyses the proposals and gives their view as to whether they would be likely to cause an accident. The engineer would also look at the present situation. 1
A resident said that shaving the corner off the path at Pickering Road would cause him problems and make it harder to get out of his drive. If the footpaths are narrowed it will cause increased vehicle speeds. The resident said that there is a problem caused by cars parking on Church Road outside the new housing although they have parking places at the rear of their properties. The resident pointed out that Kevin Price promised to look into putting double yellow lines in front of the houses. Amanda said that after hearing our comments it is clear that the ideas she has put forward tonight are not going to work. Amanda agreed to look at other ideas and attend our meeting in February with an update. Cllr. M. Hanmer asked about putting speed cameras at the site. Amanda said that they are usually put at accident sites, but agreed to find out more information. Amanda also agreed to find out if a vehicle weight limit can be put on Church Road. The Chairman thanked Amanda for attending and she left the meeting. 09/1863 Public Session a) A resident said that the drain outside Peppers Restaurant has now been cleared, but they have not provided any means of collecting cigarette ends. The resident pointed out that there is no pedestrian walkway outside the restaurant. The resident said that there is still access from the car park at One Stop shops through the Duke of York pub car park and pointed out that all that is needed to resolve this problem is two bollards. Cllr. C.F. Smith said that the land in question belongs to two private owners. Cllr. Smith said that when planning permission was given to the owner of One Stop we requested that the authority impose a condition to say that the bollards must not be removed, but they failed to do so. Cllr. Smith said that he was also promised by the Road Traffic team that they would look into having the bollards reinstated. It was AGREED to write to Telford & Wrekin Council to request that they raise this matter with the landowners before there is an accident. Cllr. Smith pointed out that we need to get rid of this unofficial crossroads. Cllr. Smith said that the owner of the Duke of York is willing to work with the One Stop landowner who is not interested. Cllr. K. Watkins pointed out that there are pot holes on the car park outside the shops. b) A resident said that the No. 55 bus failed to turn up at 9.35 this morning and did not arrive until 10.05 and he had a doctors appointment at 10.10am. It was AGREED to write to Arriva to say that there are problems with this service. Cllr. Bob Groom requested that a copy of our letter be sent to Stephanie Jones in Audit at Telford & Wrekin Council. The Chairman informed members that Arriva are making changes to the timetable in February. c) A resident said that parishioners deserve a better, nicely decorated Christmas tree than the one we have this year. It was AGREED to write to Telford & Wrekin Council to say that if they can put all those lights outside Civic Offices, surely they can decorate a tree for us so the children from the school can see a proper Christmas tree. Cllr. K. Watkins said that he would like to have a permanent tree at this site for use in future years. d) Cllr. Bob Groom said that at the PACT meeting someone raised an issue with warning lights being out at the islands in the area. Cllr. Groom said that he has carried out an audit of the area and a total of 30 lights are not working. Cllr. Groom has sent TWC an email asking for repairs to be carried out and has received a reply advising that they need time to investigate. Cllr. Groom said that he is waiting for more information. 09/1864 Police Session LPO John Walters sent apologies for not being able to attend the meeting. 2
09/1865 The Minutes of the Parish Council Meeting held on 10 th November 2009 were confirmed as a correct record and signed by the Chairman. Because of their declarations of interest, Cllr s. L.T. Brayne, C.F. Smith, S.A. Watkins and K.R. Watkins left the meeting during discussion of the following item. 09/1866 The Minutes of the Allotment Committee Meeting held on 17 th November 2009 and the recommendations made were approved by the Full Council. The Minutes were signed by the Chairman of the Allotment Committee. 09/1867 Correspondence a) Telford & Wrekin Council - Update on the SOS PRH Campaign from Cllr. A. Eade and briefing for the Developing Health & Health Care programme. The update says that Full accident & emergency, paediatrics and maternity services are guaranteed to stay at PRH only until 2013 and a consultation in 2010 will decide if these services continue to be provided at PRH from 2013. A consultation on the long term proposals for hospital provision in the area is not proposed until 2012. The NHS wants to move vascular services to one hospital site as soon as possible. It was pointed out that a permanent decision is required and the services at PRH should be retained. b) Telford & Wrekin Council Letter re. LDF Local Development Scheme & Strategic Housing Land Availability Assessment. This relates to land in the South Telford area not already included in the Local Development Scheme and Strategic Housing Land Availability Assessment. c) Telford & Wrekin Council Letter from Jonathan Rowe re. A Celebration of Telford & Wrekin Sporting Champions. Mr. Rowe says that as part of the run up to the 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games they are looking to celebrate former, present and future Olympic and Paralympic sporting champions and those that have represented their sport at a national level and asks if we know of any that have lived in our Parish or within Telford & Wrekin. d) Wellington Town Council Community Carol Service on Sunday 13 th December 2009 at All Saints Church, Wellington at 6.30pm. e) Shropshire Fire & Rescue Fire Safety Advice Sheet regarding a number of caravan and car fires in the Ketley areas which are being treated as suspicious. The sheet gives advice on reducing the risk of arson. f) No Panic Letter of thanks for recent grant. g) 1st St. Georges Guides Thank you card for recent grant. h) SALC Offer of Training for groups of Councils in local areas on Fundamentals for Councillors and Fundamentals of Chairmanship Skills. The training is being offered as Cluster events for groups of parish and town councils and would cost approx 12 per delegate. The Clerk informed members that an email has been received from Hammonds Caterers asking for feedback on the Christmas Party. Hammonds also asked if we will agree to pay for a tablecloth that the hire company are charging them for as it was drawn on at the party and cannot be cleaned. Cllr. K. Hanmer said that there were a significant number of complaints about the meals being cold at the Party and requested that the Christmas Party Committee should meet as soon as possible to discuss this issue. It was AGREED that the Christmas Party Committee will meet on Tuesday 15 th December 2009 at 7.30pm and a representative from Hammonds Caterers will be invited to attend. 3
Cllr. Hanmer thanked the committee for all the effort they put into arranging the Christmas Party. Cllr. K. Watkins gave thanks to Cllr. Hanmer and the Clerk and the Chair. Cllr. Thompson also thanked everyone. Tabled Correspondence Telford & Wrekin Council Insight Newsletter. Draft copy of the Scrutiny Members Bus Services Report (large document copies on request) Comments on this document are required by 11 th December. SALC - Wrekin Area Committee Minutes of the meeting held on 24 th November. SALC Dates for taking the new constitution forward 10 Dec, Shrewsbury 3.30pm onwards, 14 Dec Council Chamber 3.30 to 5.30pm, 18 Dec Exec Dining Room 2.30 to 5pm, 04 Jan Council Chamber 2 to 4pm, 11 Jan Council Chamber 2.30 to 5pm. Clerks & Councils Direct Magazine Local Council Review Magazine Leaflets & Brochures. 09/1868 Payments to be Issued Payments issued outside the meeting to be confirmed 010705 Y. Taylor 92.17 Petty Cash Imprest 010707 Y. Taylor 400.00 Chocs, drinks & vouchers for Xmas party 010708 Madeley Print Shop 744.98 Newletters & Website Name 010710 D. Lindsey (Del Charles) 120.00 Entertainer Xmas Party Payments to be issued 010711 HM Revenue & Customs 775.69 Tax & NI November 010712 Hammonds Catering Services 4705.34 Xmas Party Catering 010713 JSM Engravers 126.50 Roll of Honour 010714 Severn Trent Water 195.69 Water Rates PC Centre 010715 Severn Trent Water 108.00 Water Rates Allotments 010716 T & W Council 330.00 Hire of Sutherland School 010717 British Telecom 86.72 Phone, Alarm & Internet 010718 A. Regan TF Garden Services 450.00 Churchyard Maint. October 010719 Y. Taylor 96.66 Petty Cash Imprest 010720 Cancelled Cheque 010721 British Gas Business 201.64 Gas 20 May 14 Aug & 15 Aug - 16 Nov 010722 T & W Council 16,615.77 Street Lighting to 30.06.09 and 30.09.09 010723 Lockley Security 39.10 Keyholding 28/09 25/10 010724 Npower 145.80 Electric 31/08 01/12 010725 Y. Taylor 26.54 Reimburse for chocs, drink etc 010726 B. J. Thompson 600.00 Chairs Allowance RESOLVED that all the above payments be approved. 09/1869 TO receive and approve Statements of Accounts for November 2009 A Statements of Accounts for November 09 was tabled (copies attached to office Minutes). RESOLVED to approve and accept the Statement of Accounts for November 09. 09/1870 To nominate a Snow Liaison Officer for 2009/10 4
RESOLVED to elect Cllr. K. Hanmer as Snow Liaison Officer for 2009/10. 09/1871 To consider funding Speed Indicator Devices After discussion it was RESOLVED not to fund Speed Indicator Devices in our area. 09/1872 To consider Public Rights of Way around The Old Incline Cllr. D. Plant expressed concern that a resident who has purchased land at Summer Crescent is saying that a path that has been used as a right of way for 150 years is not a proper right of way. It was AGREED to ask Andrew Careless to meet with us on site in the New Year to look at Rights of Way around the Old Incline. 09/1873 ANY ITEMS OF INFORMATION OR ITEMS FOR THE NEXT AGENDA There were no items of information or items for the next agenda. 09/1874 DATE & VENUE OF THE NEXT MEETING There will be an Extraordinary Meeting on Tuesday 15 th December 2009 at 7pm in the Meeting Room to open tender documents for the extension to the Parish Council Centre. It was noted that this item will be discussed in Private Session. The next Parish Council Meeting will be held on Tuesday 12 th January 2010 at 7pm in the School Hall. Signed Chairman Date. 5