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COLTON PARISH COUNCIL

 

Annual Assembly of the Parish Meeting

Thursday 8th April at 7:00p.m.

Colton Village Hall, Bellamour Way, Colton

 

AGENDA

 

1.           Welcome and introductions

In attendance were Parish Councillors Tony Hill (Chairman), Paul Waring (Vice Chairman), David Astle, Mrs Sue Pope, and Mrs Shirley Barnett; County Councillor Frank Lewis; 27 members of the public; and the Clerk, Charlotte Chambers.  The Chairman welcomed all those in attendance to the meeting and introduced Mike Kinghan of Whittington and Fisherwick Energy Group (WFEG).

2.           Apologies for absence

Apologies had been received from Michael Fabricant, MP, Parish Councillors Charles Hawley and Tony Winter, Paul Danks, Burial Ground Committee, Judy Winter and Christine Corkeld, Colton Friendship Club, and Paul Lovern, School Headteacher.

 3.           Presentation from guest speaker Mike Kinghan: Improving your Carbon Footprint.

 4.           Minutes of the Annual Assembly of the Parish Meeting held 9th April 2009 were approved as a true and correct record.

 5.           Chairman's report on the past year.

Cllr Hill reported on the Parish Council’s activities over the past year.

Thanks were expressed to the Clerk and to all councillors for their support in various different projects – Noticeboard, Closed Burial Ground Railings, Bulb Planting, SPCA liaison, Training, Parish Plan.

6.           Presentation of Parish Council Accounts

The Clerk circulated copies of the draft accounts for 2009-2010.

 7.           Reports from Local Organisations:

a.    Colton Burial Ground Trustees Committee – Report submitted by Paul Danks, read by the Chairman.  Accounts were circulated.

b.    Colton Friendship Club.  Report given by Rebecca Simcock.

c.    Colton History Society.  Report given by Shirley Carter.

d.   Colton Neighbourhood Watch.  Report given by Peter Jones.

e.    Colton Old People’s Welfare Committee.  Report given by Dorothy Bradbury.

f.     Colton PCC.  Report given by David Brown.

g.   Colton Parish Lands Trust.  Report given by David Bradbury.

h.   Colton Produce Guild.  Report given by Polly McMillan.

i.     Colton Ramblers.  Report given by Gwen Johnson.

j.     Colton Village Hall Admin Committee.  Report given by Brenda Lloyd.

k.    Colton Women’s Institute.  Report given by Rebecca Simcock.

8.           County/district councillors’ reports

Report from County Councillor Frank Lewis.

·         Brook Bridge traffic calming – Tim Buxton was chasing this up.

·         Blithbury Road passing bays – work to commence this month.

·         Gritting – in extreme weather, if you ring CLARENCE a team will be dispatched to grit High Street by hand.

·         ‘School’ sign at Bellamour Way – replaced by Neighbourhood Highway Team.

·         Fingerpost at Stockwell Heath – repaired by Neighbourhood Highway Team.

·         Bellamour Lane drainage – on a works schedule for this financial year.

Report from District Councillor Tony Hill.

 9.           School governors' report

Report from school governor Tony Hill.

 10.        Local policing

The Police Authority was not represented but PC Andy Brown will be in attendance at the drop in coffee morning in the church meeting room a week on Saturday.

 11.        Matters received for inclusion on the agenda

a.    Parish Plan

Vote of thanks was extended to all who have volunteered to distribute the Parish Plan questionnaire and also to everyone who has completed and returned their questionnaire.  Everyone was urged to complete their questionnaire and anonymity was guaranteed.

b.    Burial Ground

Included as a section on the Parish Plan questionnaire.

c.    Roaming Dogs and Dog Fouling

Alan Lloyd reported that between Malt House Farm and down toward the school it was particularly inundated with dog fouling.

It was reported that dogs were being let out to perform their business and roam during the day and retrieved after work. 

A possible solution was suggested – report incidences to a Parish Councillor, who could issue first a standard letter requesting that they behave responsibly as dog owners and second a standard letter warning that action would be taken.  If the individual persists then they would be reported to LDC dog warden.

Gwen Johnson reported that the dog fouling problem is also bad along the side of the Brook – a very well-walked path – despite there being a very clear notice on the concrete bridge at the far end.  It was suggested that there needs to be one by the Brook Bridge end aswell.  Clear new signs are needed on the verge and on the wicket gate urging people to pick up after their dogs.

It was suggested that dog bins be installed, but this was met with indignation, as installation, emptying and maintenance would be the financial burden of all the council tax payers of the parish, rather than the responsibility of those who choose to own dogs.

Councillor Mrs Pope volunteered to be the contact person on the Parish Council responsible for taking reports to the dog warden.

It was reported that some offenders drive to the Parish and release their dogs from their cars to do their business, leave it, retrieve their dogs and drive away again.  It was suggested that dogs be required to be on leads on private land, such as Parish Lands Trust land, however it was acknowledged that the problem here again is enforcement.  Direct action was suggested in the form of taking registration numbers of the cars of offenders and reporting to the dog warden.

          d.   Litter

Gwen Johnson reported that litter and debris in the hedgerow is an ongoing problem at the top end of Heathway going down the lane to The Border Collie Trust.  This had been addressed before and it was acknowledged and commended that Lichfield District Council will clear up fly tipping the following day.  Anyone who observes an offender was encouraged to report it.  It was observed that there is a particular problem with vodka bottles being stowed in the hedgerows along the lanes, particularly Newmans Lane, Hollow Lane, and Moor Lane.

12.        Open discussion

·         A leaflet box was suggested for the foyer at the village hall for such leaflets as the Staffordshire County Council Community Services ‘Straighten out your consumer problems’ and the Home Office ‘How to beat the bogus caller’ that were available at the meeting.

·         It was requested that a letter be sent from this meeting commending the blacksmith for his skill and dedication in fabricating the new railings recently installed at the Closed Burial Ground.

·         It was request that road sweeper be asked to come every 3 months without waiting to be asked.

·         Blue bins – it was reported that recycling has increased tremendously.  The recycling plant is very successful and effective.  Cllr Hill offered to arrange a visit to anyone interested.

·         Traffic calming outside the school – it was suggested that the yellow lines be extended toward Moreton Brook Bridge.  It was reported that it is very difficult to turn in to the church meeting room when cars are parked outside the school.  It was suggested that a letter go to the school requesting that parents not allow their children to get out of the car on the road side.  A further suggestion was that the church raise the barrier during school drop off and pick up times and allow parents to park there safely.

·         Stagnant water near the brook at the ford.  The Clerk had repeatedly arranged for South Staffs Water to investigate this and they had reported that the water was not coming from the fire hydrant.  It was suggested that a little bit of grading toward the Brook would resolve this problem.

·         Annual Assembly.  It was suggested that next year a microphone be used so that everyone can hear better.