DRAFT MINUTES

MINUTES OF CHELMSLEY WOOD TOWN COUNCIL

HELD TUESDASY 27 MARCH 2018, AT 7.30 pm

Present: Councillor Mrs E Chidler (Chairman), Councillors Mrs P Allen, P Clark, M Corser, Ms H Dawkins, A Hill, Ms E Tomkins and Ms L Turner

In attendance: Ms K Stevens

It was with regret that Councillor A Hill advised the meeting of the death of former Chelmsley Wood Town Councillor, Honorary Alderman Arthur Harper. Councillor Hill said that Honorary Alderman Arthur Harper was a man of the people who had dedicated his life to helping people. Councillor Corser expressed real sadness at the passing of his close friend known as Uncle Arthur by his children. Councillor Corser advised that they had worked together for fourteen years as Councillors for Fordbridge Ward and that Arthur was always there to help others.

The following resolution was proposed by Councillor Hill, seconded by Councillor Corser and was passed unanimously by the Council:

That Chelmsley Wood Town Council place on record the extraordinary record of service to our community carried out by Councillor A Harper on behalf of the community as a member of this Council, Meriden Rural District Council and Solihull Metropolitan Borough Council:

  • 1970 – 2015 Chelmsley Wood Town Council

Chairman of the Council 1971/72, 1977/78, 1993/94, 2006/07 and 2011/12

  • 1970 – 1973 Meriden Rural District Council
  • 1986 – 2002 Solihull Metropolitan Borough Council

Mayor of Solihull 1999/2000 and Deputy Mayor 2000/01

That the Clerk of the Council

  • Informs his family of this decision,
  • Provides them with the detailed record of their father’s achievements
  • Express, on behalf of the Council, our sincere condolences

267/18. TO RECEIVE APOLOGIES AND REASON FOR ABSENCE

Councillors Mrs S Farrell (illness), D Mansell (family illness) and J Wood (abroad)

268/18. TO RECEIVE DISCLOSABLE PECUNIARY INTERESTS FORM

RESOLVED

None

269/18. TO APPROVE THE MINUTES OF THE TOWN COUNCIL MEETING HELD ON 23 JANUARY 2018

RESOLVED

The minutes were accepted as a true record of the meeting (proposed by Councillor Hill and seconded by Councillor Ms S Tomkins)

270/18. TO RECEIVE QUESTIONS FROM THE PUBLIC REGARDING TOWN AFFAIRS

None

271/18. CHAIRMAN’S ANNOUNCEMENTS

The Chairman advised that she would be attending the Mayors Sapphire Ball on 21 April 2018

272/18. PROGRESS REPORTS FOR INFORMATION

The clerk reported that:

  1. Gas/Electricity: the Clerk advised that she is currently negotiating new contracts with British Gas
  2. Car Park lighting: There is an issue with drugs use and sexual activity in the car park as there is no lighting towards the entrance to the field. She requested permission to obtain costs to install lighting

RESOLVED

That:

  1. Noted.
  2. Agreed that a quote for lighting should be obtained

273/18. THE CLERK TO REPORT ON ANY URGENT MATTERS SINCE THE LAST MEETING

The Clerk advised that pipes had burst in the outside changing area bringing down three ceilings. An insurance claim was submitted and the Clerk is working with the loss adjusters to get the ceilings/plumbing/electrics repaired

RESOLVED

That the Clerks actions be noted

274/18. TO APPROVE THE MINUTES OF THE FINANCE AND GENERAL PURPOSES COMMITTEE HELD ON 6 MARCH 2018

RESOLVED

The minutes were accepted as a true record of the meeting (proposed by Councillor Hill and seconded by Councillor Ms S Tomkins)

275/18. TO APPROVE THE MINUTES OF THE ONWARD CLUB SUB- COMMITTEE HELD ON 6 MARCH 2018

RESOLVED

The minutes were accepted as a true record of the meeting (proposed by Councillor Hill and seconded by Councillor Clark)

276/18. TO APPROVE THE MINUTES OF THE ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH, COMMUNITY SERVICES AND RECREATION COMMITTREE COMMITTEE HELD ON 13 MARCH 2018

Minute 100/18. Resolved point 1 should read ‘Councillors P Clark, Ms H Dawkins, Mrs S Farrell, Ms S Tomkins and MS L Turner be involved in the meetings.’

Councillor Mrs P Allen also stated that she attends the Chelmund’s Heritage Association meetings as a resident rather than as a Councillor

RESOLVED

With the above amendments, the minutes were accepted as a true record of the meeting (proposed by Councillor Corser and seconded by Councillor Hill)

277/18. REVIEW OF STANDING ORDERS

The Clerk outlined the proposed changes to the Standing Orders pertaining to questions from the public. It was proposed that members of the public should give their name and address when they addressed the Council to ensure they reside within the Councils boundaries. A long discussion then ensued regarding the possibility of the public filming meetings and putting footage on social media. Some Councillors feel very uncomfortable with this prospect and advised that should this happen, they would withdraw from the meeting.

RESOLVED

That:

  1. The Clerk amends the Council’s Standing Orders as requested and brings the revised version to the next Town Council meeting for formal adoption.
  2. The Clerk investigates the implications of the filming of meetings and takes legal advice if appropriate. The issue to be discussed at July’s Town Council meeting.

278/18. CORRESPONDANCE FOR INFORMATION

The Clerk reported that the following had been received:

  1. Solihull Switch and Save: Solihull MBC and its partners are committed to trying to find its citizens with a cheaper energy provider. Therefore it has launched its newest collective switch offer. Residents need to register an interest by 22 May 2018 by visiting www.solihull.gov.uk/switching.
  2. Response from Councillor Bob Sleigh: Following the resolution made at Town Council regarding the opening of Chelmunds Court, the Clerk had written to Councillor Sleigh as requested. The Clerk read out Councillor Sleigh’s response.
  3. Fordbridge Town Council Charity Event: A letter was received inviting the Chairman and guest to attend the charity event on 21 April. The Clerk has since received an email advising that the event has had to be cancelled.
  4. HS2: A leaflet has been received called HS2 Look Ahead – Interchange Station Spring 2018. Copies were distributed to Councillors.
  5. Meriden Adventure Playground: A letter had been received from Meriden Adventure Playground Association (MAPA) requesting financial assistance for staff wages, equipment and maintenance. The letter was read out in its entirety. A long discussion then ensued and contrary to the contents of the letter, Councillors advised that the playground was not opening consistently, was not opening at key times, Saturday opening was occasional, the number of children attending was significantly lower than the attendance outlined in the letter, the business plan was not fit for purpose, the café area is not cleaned appropriately and the letter sent by MAPA was generic with an opening paragraph that did not reflect the Chelmsley Wood of today. Councillors did state that they do object to the cuts made to the adventure playground by Solihull MBC particularly in the light of how Solihull MBC are spending some of their budgets but as a Town Council, we are not in a position to help MAPA financially.

RESOLVED

  1. Noted
  2. Noted
  3. Noted
  4. Noted
  5. That no financial help is given to Meriden Adventure Playground (Proposed by Councillor Hill and seconded by Councillor Ms H Dawkins)

279/18. COUNCILLORS REPORTS AND ITEM FOR FUTURE AGENDAS

Councillor Mrs Chidler advised that she had received an email from a resident asking for justification in the precept rise. The resident made reference to our inadequate website that is not fit for purpose in a society that uses technology and the Internet as their first port of call.

RESOLVED

That the Clerk obtains quotes to update/re-do the website and brings these back to Finance and General Purposes Committee.

280/18. TO CONSIDER THE EXCLUSION OF THE PUBLIC AND PRESS IN THE PUBLIC INTEREST FOR THE REMAINDER OF THE MEETING

281/18. DATE OF NEXT MEETING

Annual Town Council Assembly and Annual Town Meeting - Tuesday 15 May 2018.

The Meeting ended at 8.46 pm.

1

Chelmsley Wood Town Council – 23 January 2018

Signed: ………………………………………………… Date: 27 March 2018