Draft Minutes of the NP&P committee meeting held on Tues Feb 26^th 5.15pm at Shenstone PC Office

Note: This meeting was audio recorded for accuracy when compiling the minutes

1. Register of members in attendance

Cllrs David Thompson (Chair) David Salter, Lesley Edgley, Gail Nicholls, Simon Fisher
Pam Salter (Acting Clerk)

2. Acceptance of apologies.

Cllr Phil Whitehouse.

3. Declarations of interest.

None

4. Public Participation

A Shenstone resident had asked to address the committee.

He is happy with all aspects of village life apart from the issue of speeding. Having taken on the role of Chair of ‘Shenstone Against Speeding’ (SAS) he is determined to work towards improving the situation. So far, he has met with County Councillor Smith and District Councillor Whitehouse.

A meeting with PCSO Horsnall proved very informative resulting in his setting up the previously disbanded Speedwatch group. Volunteers have been recruited, and training is being arranged ready for April. He believes this will show the County Council the group’s commitment. He has also met with a member from SCAR.

He has now come to the Parish Council (PC) to ask how he can help to progress the safer roads campaign further.

Cllr Thompson praised his enthusiasm and noted that, at a meeting last week, the Police and Crime Officer had mentioned his efforts very positively.

Cllr Thompson then outlined the Parish Councils current areas of focus on the issue:

1.the Neighbourhood Plans are crystalising issues across the Wards with an emphasis on traffic calming

2. the Southern gate traffic calming is ongoing.

3. SIDS- the PC is in the process of establishing sites for mobile SIDs and arranging site visits. This will take time.

4. costs to refresh paintwork on fading road surface markings are being researched

5. PCSOs are willing to assist with parking concerns by issuing parking warnings

6. a Phase 2 review of Shenstone’s parking control area is being considered

7. The PC are willing to pay for 2hrs a week clerical support to interpret statistical evidence and are lobbying for this.

Councillors thanked the resident for coming to address the meeting and he assured them that he was realistic in what could be achieved and will persevere with his mission. He then left the meeting.

5. Minutes of the previous meeting held 05/11/2024.

The minutes of the previous Full Council Meeting were duly approved and signed.

6. Lammas Land:

A letter from the Council to the Lammas Land Committee saying we will go no further with pursuing a single incursion was supported. There are 18 residents directly bordering on to the Lammas Land.

A letter will be offered by the Council to the Lammas Land Committee (LLC) to residents to avert future incursions if requested.

The issue of gates/steps from properties into the Lammas Land should also be reviewed.

Cllr Fisher would be working on site on Friday morning. Cllr Thompson would welcome feedback.

There is a new ten year programme for the Lammas Land.

Cllr Fisher asked who had supplied the timber for the recent work. Cllr Nicholls said that the Lammas Land Committee tend to come to the PC for larger expenditure but there is a standard £1,500 maintenance agreement which may be called on.

It was agreed that funding needs to be built into the 10-year plan.

Cllr Fisher asked if the 10-year plan had been approved by the PC. Cllr Thompson said there were still areas to be agreed with the LLC, the LLC enhancing LL income and public views of the LL 10 year plan were two of them. The Clerk had been monitoring feedback. The Clerk will check on PC web site for public feedback on the 10 year plan.

Cllr Fisher noted that the Lammas Land AGM is next month. He does not recall any accounts being presented and the £1,500 was not shown. He will ask the question regarding accounts..

Cllr Thompson said that feedback in respect of all funding sources would be helpful.

7. Richard Cooper Room roofing contract-

Cllr Salter reported that there had been no progress. Companies have declined to give a quote as there is no access to undertake work without the permission of the adjoining landowners. Cllr Thompson summarising the current status cited the 3yr old survey showing a risk to the public because of the state of the building.

Points raised for consideration:

Offer residents payment for parking their cars at the station to allow access. Insurance cover will not be possible without work commencing

The PC is a custodian trustee and has no powers of management

Although the adjoining resident had previously proved unhelpful has anyone approached him recently

Recommendation: Cllr Salter to be delegated to attend the next Richard Cooper Room meeting and report back to Full Council

8. Traffic calming gates at southern approach to Shenstone

This has been put on hold pending further information about (a) the Wall wooden pilot (b) possible regulation changes and costs

9. Revision of the three Neighbourhood Plans

Cllr Thompson reported that all 3 plans were proceeding.

The Clerk has logged all Consultation events.

The money is not now tied to 31^st March so no immediate rush to complete

Cllr Nichols confirmed that Stonnall was close to completion but expressed her concerns that the application document was not now accurate as content regarding the Playing Fields was not accurate.

10 The £113k Projects Budget:

Cllr Thompson suggested that the logic behind the proposed distribution for this one-off opportunity to use the graveyard funding was overwhelming.

There followed an informed discussion on burial rights and changes in legislation. This could potentially see closed cemeteries being reopened. Cllr Thompson said that this had been a good discussion and was grateful for Cllr Fisher’s professional advice.

Division of the 30k CIL element and consideration of the division of the £72k non-CIL element.

Cllr Edgley recommended that in consideration of upcoming financial issues an amount should be kept back, before the allocation of funds, as a contingency plan.

Recommendation: Unanimously agreed to ring fence £20k

11 Draft Full Council exceptional funding proposal SPFMC

Cllr Fisher reported that SPFMC had incurred costs of circa £2-3K

£6K is to be used towards legal costs. £6.5K is owed to the PC
Clarification was requested.

Points made:
There was income from the football bookings. Very little income had been received since October

It was suggested that funding be sought from the FA

Recommendation: full proposal to be brought to Council in March with background papers circulated prior to the meeting

12 Future of our lampposts in Court Drive and Roman Road:

SPC will no longer maintain these lamp posts. A mistake had been made as they cannot be classed for ‘public benefit,’ and this must now be rectified.

Recommendation:
Research is needed by the Parish Council.
a) into the historical background and
b) into costs of removal versus handing over functional items with comparison of making good and operating costs.

13 Planning applications update

New applications:
25/00088/FUL Woodlands Park Drive application to vary Sec 73 application

25/00132/FUH Poplar Rise Little Aston garage extension

25/00146/REMM Land at Lichfield South

Recommendation; No concerns were raised by Cllrs to the above

25/00093/FUL Shenstone Business Park erection of a B8 container and new office parking layout. Cllrs discussed downloaded plans.

Recommendation: to investigate further

Decided applications:
25/00036/FUH 47, Forge Lane, Little Aston Refused

App/K3415/W/24/3347052 Land rear of8-16 Main St Shenstone Appeal Refused

App/24/00019/REF 2 houses side of 176, Birmingham Rd Shenstone Woodend. Appeal Granted against recommendations from Shenstone PC

Ongoing- Land at Home Farm Little Aston Speculative development

14 AOB

~ Cllr Fisher raised concerns about the builders on St John’s Hill parking on the pavements.
Recommendation: Refer to PCSOs to monitor

~the 30 mph sign on Lynne Lane opposite the entrance to South Staffs Freight is missing.
Action: Cllr Edgely to report

~Starbucks in plans to develop existing access

~Cllr Fisher has a bi-weekly formal review meeting arranged with Mr. Panesar

15 Date of next meeting of NP&P committee: TBC

The Chair closed the meeting at 7.58pm