Updated April 2010

Full Council Minutes February 2010

MINUTES of the Wrockwardine Wood & Trench Parish Council Meeting held on Tuesday 9th February 2010 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, D Pearce, K. R. Watkins, S.A. Watkins and J S Uppal.

IN ATTENDANCE: Amanda Roberts (T & W Council), Borough Councillor Bob Groom and seven members of the public.

10/1890 Apologies for Absence RESOLVED – To accept apologies from Cllr H. Smith (family commitments).

10/1891 Declarations of Interest There were no declarations of interest made in any item on the agenda.

10/1892 To issue a grant to Marie Curie Cancer Care

It was AGREED to post the cheque to Marie Curie Cancer Care after receiving their apologies for not being able to attend the meeting.

10/1892 To receive Amanda Roberts from Telford & Wrekin Council

  1. Church Road
    Amanda informed members that Jacobs are investigating issues with Church Road and will look specifically at the priority markings. Jacobs will report their findings by the end of March and Amanda will attend our meeting in April to update us.
    It was RESOLVED to allow residents to question Amanda on Church Road.
    Cllr. K. Hanmer asked at what time of day Church Road has been investigated. Amanda replied that it was not at peak times but the Engineer has been fully briefed as to the busiest times.
    A resident asked if the Engineer is independent of TWC and Amanda assured us that he is.
    A resident suggested that the Engineer should consult with local residents when surveying the site.
    Amanda assured a resident that traffic and speed counts will be carried out as part of the investigation.
    Borough Cllr. Bob Groom asked if Jacobs are going to submit a quote before the investigation is carried out and asked if an Engineer could attend one of the Parish Council meetings. Amanda replied that a quote will be submitted first and she will ask if the Engineer can attend a meeting.
    Cllr. C.F. Smith said that he is pleased that there will be an independent survey on the road and thanked Amanda for arranging this.
    A resident asked if the school could provide parking off road. Amanda replied that there is already parking available via Oakengates Leisure Centre, but this facility is not used enough.
    It was suggested that local pubs could be asked to allow parking at school times.
  2. Wrockwardine Wood Way/St. Georges Road
    Amanda informed members that there is a draft programme for installation of a signal controlled junction at this site for the next financial year which will have to be approved by TWC Cabinet and Amanda will inform us if it is approved when she attends our April meeting.
    Borough Cllr. Bob Groom said that the cost for this work is in the region of £790 thousand and he can see this as a barrier to getting it through Cabinet. Cllr. Groom asked if Amanda could check if this figure is still the same as it seems to be an extremely large cost. Amanda agreed to check the cost and email us with details.
  3. Old Trench Road
    Amanda said that the section of Trench Road from Furnace Lane to Wombridge Road has been identified as an accident route, especially to vulnerable users such as motorcyclists, pedestrians and cyclists. Amanda said that there is a proposed project to look at the condition of the surface, lining and signing, parking provision on road, bus lay-bys and provision of a pedestrian crossing. Amanda will update us on these proposals in April.
    Cllr. Smith informed members that regarding the car park at One Stop and the Duke of York, Nick Kitchin is installing a bollard on the council footpath and will seek permission from the owner of the pub to also install a bollard on the pub car park.

The Chairman thanked Amanda for attending and she left the meeting.

10/1894 Public Session

  1. A resident said that the litter by One Stop is worse than ever and the rear of Peppers is very untidy. The resident said that there are pot holes by the roundabout which were reported two weeks ago and they have been marked but not repaired. The resident said that heavy vehicles to One Stop are causing the damage.
  2. A resident said that she has been informed that West View, Church Road has had a change of ownership and young people are to be housed there. It was AGREED to find out more information.
  3. A resident said that she lives opposite the Stars Shop, Trench Road and there is an overgrown hedge at the exit which blocks vehicles' view up Wombridge Road making it an accident site. The resident said that there is a lot of anti social behaviour, with people using the car park as a toilet, littering and youths parking at night playing loud music and throwing takeaway food rubbish from their cars. There is also an asbestos shed on the car park that needs removing. The resident said that she understands the site has planning permission to build a house, but this permission expires in 12 months and she thinks that they may not build within that time.
    Cllr. Uppal said that he knows the resident next to the car park and he will ask them if they can cut back the hedge.
    Cllr. Plant said that he visited the site with Cllr’s. Anne Watkins, Keith Watkins and CSO Harrison and they were told by staff at the Stars Shop that these issues have been raised with the Manager. The Staff say they want to remove the shed and tidy the area but they cannot do this without the Manager’s permission. CSO Harrison is to raise these issues with the Co-Op directly and hopes to have some feedback by the PACT Meeting on 23rd February.
    The resident said that if a lockable barrier was installed on the car park they would not mind being responsible for locking it at night.
  4. A resident asked if the Railfreight Depot is being used as there seems to be nothing happening there as he has only seen 2 trains in the last 4 – 5 months. Cllr. K. Watkins pointed out that there has been passenger trains coming into the site. Cllr. C.F. Smith said that there has been a train in the last two weeks bringing in army equipment for refurbishment. Cllr. Smith pointed out that it is unfortunate that the depot opened at the wrong time with the recession but this facility will be an asset in future and will safeguard jobs at MOD.

10/1895 Police Session

Apologies were received from LPO John Walters who is on leave this week.

10/1897 Correspondence

  1. Telford & Wrekin Council – Application for a mobile catering van to be located on the lay-by on the A518 Trench side carriageway prior to Hortonwood roundabout. The applicant is Ian Keith Brown of Coseley, Bilston and he is applying to trade Monday – Sunday 0800 – 1600 hours. RESOLVED – to object to this application as it is not really a lay-by, but is used by Severn Trent and anyone trying to access this site would be forced to park on the road. It was noted that there is also no footpath at this site, so it would not be safe for potential customers.
  2. Telford & Wrekin Council – Ethical Standards Bulletin Winter 2009/2010.
  3. Telford & Wrekin Council – Notice of Strategic Housing Land availability update document – consultation on this document ends 5pm 15th February. This is an annual updating cycle for the SHLAA. It was noted that there is no land in our area mentioned in this document.
  4. Telford & Wrekin Council – LDF – Notice of the publication of the Shop fronts and Signage Design Guidance in Conservation Areas – comments by 1st March 2010.
  5. Telford & Wrekin Council – Letter of reply to our request to resurface footpaths at Trench, Alan Reynolds is investigating and will respond by 16th February.
  6. Telford & Wrekin Council - Invitation to the Mayor's Charity Ball at The Hadley Park House on Friday 23rd April 7pm –Tickets £34.50
  7. Telford & Wrekin Council – Code of Conduct Training Monday 22nd February at the Whitehouse Hotel, Wellington 6pm – 8.30pm or Tuesday 2nd March at Jubilee House, Madeley 6pm – 8.30pm.
  8. SALC – Invite to nominate the current Chairman and partner to attend Buckingham Palace Garden Party on Thursday 22nd July. RESOLVED – to nominate Cllr. John Thompson and Tina Thompson.
  9. SALC – Copy of the new draft constitution. The consultation on this starts now and will end at the Special General Meeting being held at Shirehall in the Council Chamber on Saturday 13th March at 10am.
    - Copy of a satisfaction survey for completion by 5th March.
  10. SALC – Training dates – Fundamentals for Councillors at Hollinswood Neighbourhood Centre on 18th February, Line Management & The Power of Well Being at Shirehall on 15th March, General Financial Clinic and update on recent developments at Shirehall on 22nd March and Planning at Great Dawley Parish Centre on 22nd April.
  11. Shropshire Council – Delivering a Sustainable Transport System – Invitation to a Wider Reference Group Meeting on Tuesday16th February at Meeting Point House. At 1pm.

Correspondence received after publication of the agenda and noted:

  1. Rev. Mark Sherman – informing us that the sale of the Chapel Building is now imminent. The graveyard is being retained by The Methodist Church and will continue to be available for interments (Full & Ashes), subject to approval. All communication regarding the graveyard should be directed to Rev Sherman at Dawley Christian Centre.
  2. Mayor Karen Blundell – notice of quiz evening on 12th March at Cordingley Hall, at 7.30pm. Cost £25 per team of four which includes a light buffet supper.
  3. Lilleshall & Donnington Parish Council Civic Service Sunday 7th March at St. John’s Church, Muxton at 11am.
  4. National Association of Local Councils – Development Strategy & Business Plan 2010 – 2015 draft for consultation – comments by 12th March.

Correspondence placed on the table

10/1898 Payments to be Issued

Payments issued outside the meeting to be confirmed

010738 Telford & Wrekin Council £152.86 Building Regs Plans Charge
010740 Society of Local Council Clerks £15.00 Power of well being CiLCA Question 7 submission fee

Payments to be issued

010741 HM Revenue & Customs £775.24 Tax & NI – January
010742 British Telecom £31.71 Phone, Alarm & Internet
010743 Initial Washroom Solutions £134.27 Sanitact & Nappy Units
010744 G.E. Heller Ltd £96.78 Stationery
010745 Lockley Security £39.10 Keyholding 23/11 – 20/12
010746 G & W. Whitefoot £124.76 Padlock & Keys
010747 West Mercia Supplies £27.85 Cleaner & Pads for buffer
010748 Janet Middleton Solicitors £646.25 Contracts for extension
010749 Telford & Wrekin Council £8624.63 Street Lighting 31.12.09
010750 Lockley Security £39.95 Keyholding 21/12 – 17/01
010751 Marie Curie Cancer Care £200.00 Grant

RESOLVED – that all the above payments be approved.

10/1899 To receive and approve a Statement of Accounts for January 2010

A Statements of Accounts for January 2010 was tabled (copies attached to office Minutes). RESOLVED – to approve and accept the Statement of Accounts for January 2010.

10/1900 To elect a Governor for Wrockwardine Wood CE Junior School

It was RESOLVED to elect Councillor Helen Smith as Governor for Wrockwardine Wood CE Junior School.

10/1901 To consider Telford & Wrekin Council Pothole Buster Scheme

It was AGREED to write to Telford & Wrekin Council to ask why they are filling in some potholes and leaving others that are in close proximity to those they have repaired.

10/1902 To consider the provision of Grit Bins

It was pointed out that three grit bins are needed at Johnstone Close and the bin at New Road by the Beehive needs moving to a better location. The Clerk was instructed to liaise with Alan Reynolds to see where grit bins are required.
Cllr. K Watkins said that residents have thanked the council for the grit bin at Gibbons Road.

10/1903 To consider tidying the Millennium Garden

Cllr. K. Watkins said that he has looked at the Garden and there are 7 or 8 trees small trees that need to be removed. Cllr. Watkins pointed out that grass cuttings are being discarded at the rear of the Garden. Cllr. K. Watkins and Cllr. C.F. Smith agreed to carry out the necessary work to tidy the Millennium Garden.

09/1820 Any Items of Information or Items for the next Agenda.

  1. Cllrs Keith Watkins and Anne Watkins together with LPO John Walters and CSO Richard Harrison carried out a survey on vehicles going through the lights on red at Trench Lock Island and the police will report their findings at the next PACT meeting.
  2. It was reported that the alleyway at the end of Gibbons Road to James Nelson Crescent has bushes overgrowing. It was pointed out that this problem has been reported previously but the bushes are on private land. It was AGREED to contact TWC about the slippy surface of the alleyway at the end of Woodhouse Crescent.
  3. Cllr. C.F. Smith said that there were problems with the No. 55 bus during the bad weather although the routes were clear, either two buses came together or people were waiting up to half an hour and a disabled lady had to wait for 1 hour 15 minutes. Cllr. Smith asked if our representatives on the Bus User Group, Cllr. Thompson and Cllr. Anne Watkins could raise this matter at the next meeting of the Bus User Group on 23rd March.
  4. The Chair, Cllr. Thompson informed members that there is a new Plastic Bottle Bank on Canal Side.
  5. Cllr. Thompson informed members that there is a planning application to demolish the two shops in the centre of Furnace Lane (on Donnington side). Cllr. Thompson said he has asked for the area to be tidied.

10/1905 Date & Venue of the Next Meeting

Tuesday 9th March 2010 at 7pm in the school hall.

A view from the chapel