Minutes the Environment/Communications/Recreational Strategy Committee Meeting

Whittington & Fisherwick

Parish Council.

Minutes the Environment/Communications/Recreational Strategy Committee Meeting

Held on Wednesday 1st November 2017

at the Sports Pavilion, Bit End Field, Vicarage Road, Whittington.

Present:

Cllrs: M. Bennett, C. Millar, J. Cannon, J. Smith, and G. Hyde.

Mike Kinghan – Whittington & Fisherwick Environment Group (WFEG)

In Attendance:

The Chairman welcomed Mike Kinghan, the WFEG nominated representative. Apologies were received from the WFEG Chair, Ruth Meek.

1. Election of Chairman of the Committee for 2017 – 18
   

The nomination of Garry Hyde was approved unanimously by the Committee.

1. Apologies.

Apologies in writing were accepted from Cllrs. Julia Spencer and Roger Leek.

RESOLVED: To accept the above apologies.

1. Minutes of the Environment Committee meeting held on 26th July 2017.

Approved as drawn. Signed by the Chairman

1. Matters arising.

None, other than covered by the agenda.

1. Planning applications.

Councillor John Cannon described the current progress related to the following:

(1) Holiday Lodge settlement at Huddlesford. The main change from the original application was the reduction in units from 139 to 118. The Parish Council had also been recently notified of detailed changes to proposals for surface water disposal.

(2) Wick House Fisherwick Wood Road. A request has been made to convert adjacent agricultural land to garden space for residential use.

1. Recreational areas issues.

6.1Jubilee Park.

The BMX track is wearing badly around the corners and the tops of the bumps. It was agreed that the Clerk would contact RoSPA, and also British Cycling for advice. Mike Kinghan would provide the contact details.SK has repaired the gates to the park. As the fence and the gates are the responsibility of St. Giles Hospice then an account has been sent for payment.

6.2Swan Park.

The Chairman confirmed that the fencing has been repaired. It was agreed to retain the fallen tree for ecological reasons.

6.3Swan Croft.
Agreed:
(1) To rename the area as Swan Meadow to avoid confusion with the Swan Croft development.
(2) Councillor John Cannon to speak to Tonks about the growth and safety of the Ash and Oak within the vicinity of the houses.
(3) The canal perimeter to be fenced to minimise the dangers to the public, and a gate to be installed with the facility for locking. The embankment will not be cleared for the time being however. The quote of £875 that had been received was accepted by the Committee.
(4) The chain located in the perimeter fencing along Swan Road to be removed.
(5) WFEG will be planting wild flower pollinator-friendly meadow turf around the along the Swan Road perimeters and seeding the remainder with a wild meadow flower mix.
(6) The litter bin from Jubilee Park to be moved to Swan Meadow. The Clerk to contact Lichfield District Council.

6.4Bit End Field.

Councillor Martyn Bennett confirmed that there would be a 100 Hawthorn bare root whips arriving in the next week or so. The Committee remarked how improved the Children’s play area is now due to Steve Kirk’s efforts.

6.5Noddington Lane.

Councillor John Cannon confirmed that the split Norwaymaple near Mr and Mrs Evan’s house has been removed by Tonks. A cheque of £50 was received from Mrs Evans to be used for future tree planting. In addition a tree near the path in the top right hand side of the park needed cutting back, and Tonks would be contacted about this also for a quote.

6.6Allotment Gardens.

As the leases on the land and garages are due to expirein 2018. Ansons Solicitors have been contacted to arrange for their renewal. Councillor Cannon would contact the electrician to arrange for the stripping out of redundant electrics.

6.7Village Green and open spaces.

The village hall committee have been given permission to put up signs on PC land if necessary to prevent unauthorised parking.

6.8Litter Pick

Agreed: To defer the next organised litter pick until Spring 2018 because of other commitments. In addition it was agreed to run an article in the next Connect, March 2018, to ask for community support.

1. Consideration of 2018 – 19 Budget

Agreed: Next year’s budget needs to provide for:
(1) additional tree works, and a new tree survey
(2) additional repairs to Recreational Areas
(3) to meet the costs of additional functions transferring from the County Council
(4) the loss of the Council Tax Support Grant from Lichfield District Council

1. Pensioner Party

The Clerk confirmed the receipt of grants from Councillor Alan White, of Staffordshire County Council, and also the Staffordshire Community Foundation. Letters of thanks have been sent.

1. Registration of Memorial Site

Councillor Jonathan Smith described the work that has been undertaken to register the War Memorial Site with the HM Land Registry. The comprehensive work of the previous Parish Clerk was recognised. It is apparent that the triangle of land on which the memorial is situated has not been registered in the past, and is therefore Crown Land. Councillor Smith has prepared the Application and an application fee of £40 will be prepared next week.

Agreed: Councillor Smith was thanked for his hard work on this.

1. Engaging Members of the Community.

Councillor Chris Millar suggested that the next issue of the Connect would contain an article to try and generate community support to address the County Council’s reduced funding for environmental maintenance. Councillor Garry Hyde asked that the article would have contributions from other Councillors.
Agreed: WFEG to develop and present proposals on how grass cutting can be more verge wildlife friendly.

1. The Council’s Neighbourhood Plan Steering Group and associated matters.

Councillor Garry Hyde described how the Steering Group has more or less wound up, now as its main objectives have been met. If a referendum is required that will be for the District Council to arrange.

1. Highways and Associated issues.

It was noted that the dropped drainage at Fisherwick Road had been fixed by Staffordshire Highways but the two dead trees on Fisherwick Road by the canal had not yet been removed.

1. Public Rights of Way, Footpaths and associated issues.

Rights of Way audit.

Cllrs Chris Millar and Jonathan Smith would undertake an audit of the state of the paths, stiles and overhanging trees and shrubs, and note where farmers have ploughed paths.

1. Consideration of Staffordshire County Council’s letter in October re Village Improvements.

Noted for future action.

1. .Consideration of Arboricultural Issues.

Councillor Chris Millar explained how one tree near her home is leaning very badly.
Agreed: Councillor John Cannon to speak to Tonks.

1. The Post Office

A general discussion was had on the implications of the continued closure. The contact with the Head Office of the Post Office was noted, as was their current marketing of the business.

1. Items for Information or future Agendas.

Mike Kinghan suggested looking at entering the Britain in Bloom competition for the Parish.

1. Date of next meeting.

Wednesday 14th February 2018.

Chair: …………………………………………. Date: