Minutes of the Meeting of the Albrighton and District Civic Society

 held at  Barclay Cottage, Albrighton, on Monday 7th September 2009 at 4pm

 

Present :        Peter Woodman – Chairman

                        Rod Smith - Secretary

John Bulmer

                        David Harding

Hugh Hughes

                        Paul Joseland

                        Peter Leigh

Malcolm Pate

Michael Ward (Clerk APC)

                                                                                                         

1. Apologies received from David Hughes

 

2. Minutes of the meeting held on 29th July 2009 were approved

 

3. Matters Arising & check through that all ACTIONS agreed at last meeting were completed

 

4.The appointment of Rod Smith as Secretary until first AGM in October 2010 in line with other Officers and Committee Members was confirmed

 

5. Review of progress in regard to the following issues:-

 

-The Old Smithy

It was said that there was some doubt over the details of the General Development between Kingswood Rd/Beamish Lane/Bypass of which the Old Smithy was to be part. MW reported that all that was agreed was that there would be a Development there.

 

-The Village Green Conservation Area

PL had been advised by SC that there was no budget for painting of lamp columns.

PW said the responsibility for maintenance of the access  roads in the village green conservation area are the responsibility of the Albrighton Parish Council (APC) while the highway is adopted and is the responsibility of Shropshire Council (SC). MW said that the cost of bringing the access roads up to standard in one action was more that the total annual funds available to APC and therefore it was impractical to implement work here.

MW reported that a copy of the report on recommended cutting/pruning trees now being prepared by APC’s tree expert will be sent by APC to JB (APC’s Tree Warden) who will make it available to ADCS for discussion.

ACTION: MW/JB

 

This led to a general discussion of the Survey Report (of street scene items to be repaired) by PL & JB and including the roadways and trees of the conservation area. It concluded that:-

a)     if ADCS and its members keep writing to SC and APC asking for action on all the very many items, then this strategy is unlikely to be successful as the task would be seen as overwhelming. It was agreed that we would now concentrate on the major items. Once the main items have been dealt with we would review the other items.

 

b)     MW felt that just sending a list of items for attention was not the best way forward and may be ignored and recommended that the Society produces a short Report, focusing on only the main items. The Report would be firstly made as a presentation to the full APC at the start of one of the Parish Council meetings and then issued in writing to APC & SC. This was agreed by all. The Survey Report would essentially be an appendix of this Report (ie the base data) and it would also contain an estimate of the cost to carry out the work recommended. It may be that one outcome of this would lead to the conclusion that APC is unable to tackle the roadways of the conservation area due to lack of funds – if this was the case then it would enable all parties to view the real situation and try to decide the next step.

ACTION: after the surveys of Donington and Boningale have been added to the Survey Report file the Committee will discuss the preparation the Report. In the meantime, Members are asked not to chase up APC and SC regarding individual items from the Survey Report but to concentrate efforts on creating the new Report.

 

c)      MP suggested that the Survey Report should be extended to include Donington with Boscobel (DB) and Boningale. DHarding & JB offered to survey Boningale and add photos to the file.

ACTION: D Harding/JB

 

Someone to do the same for Donington with Boscobel (this to be discussed at the forthcoming meeting with the Chairman of Donington with Boscobel Parish Council).

ACTION: to be decided at the meeting

 

- The Phone box in High Street

PW had received a reply saying they have received our comments including our suggestion that the box be moved elsewhere but we await their decision.

 

- Albrighton Station

It was reported that the bridges at Shifnal and Cosford are or have been painted and it would be useful to ask why not at Albrighton. Then, if an unsatisfactory answer was received the Society should try to obtain some publicity in the press.

ACTION: PW to write to Network Rail

 

- The Tandoori Kitchen

The sale had fallen through.

ACTION: PW to write again to the selling agent

 

- The Hollies Development (18 Cross Rd) – an Amendment to the Planning Application has been sent in with deadline for comments by 18 Sept 09. The new plans were reviewed which showed many major changes from the original application:- all previous drawings had been replaced by a new set, the use of architectural features seen on The Hollies on the new houses and which were a major condition of the granting of the original Planning Consent were now abandoned, each driveway was now double width without a turning point, the proposed fence along the new frontages on Cross Rd was now abandoned and the five houses were now to have an open plan aspect (no fence nor bush plantings between the footpath and the houses, a third floor proposed for several of the houses. No notice had yet been posted on the property to inform residents. It was felt that the houses were now of modern appearance and open plan at front which were not in keeping with the existing street scene of Cross Rd and the double drives would pose traffic problems as being close to the zebra & school crossing. It was agreed to submit an objection on several grounds to the application.

ACTION: PW to write to SC Planning Office

 

- Fly tipping in Abney Ave

MP reported that the land in question had been fenced off for construction work and fly tipping had ceased.

 

- Lea Hall Cottage

ACTION: PW to write to SC to ask what action can they take including compulsory purchase.

 

- No. 5 Cross Road – repair damage to public footpath and remove builders rubble from garden

ACTION: PW to write to Nick Tart Estate Agents

 

- Ashfields (opposite the Old Bush)

The ownership of the grass verge between Ashfields roadway and the High St was questioned as grass cutting and maintenance was intermittent.

ACTION: PW to write to APC to recommend that they register this land as part of the conservation area.

 

6. PW/RS are arranging for the Officers to have separate meetings with Chairmen of Alb PC and Donington with Boscobel PC for us to explain our intentions and seek co-operation.

ACTION: RS

 

7. Insurance. MP reported that Michael Ward had said it is too expensive. PL said he would ask WestMASA’s broker. PW will also seek advice form Brewood CS.

ACTION: PW & PL

 

8. MP said that the Website would be set up within a week. RS reported that 55% of members have given us their email address and we should use these to send out notices including that for the 26th Oct Public Meeting - including attaching the “Alb Needs You” notice and asking members to display it in windows or on their fence. RS asked if MP could arrange two or three email addresses for ADCS eg chairman@…., secretary@….., treasurer@…Cost to be met by ADCS.

ACTION: MP

 

9. Discussion of plans for the Open Meeting fixed for Monday 26th October 2009

a)     Agenda for Meeting – ACTION: RS to revise and circulate again

b)     Notice for Parish Magazine – draft agreed with amendment. ACTION: RS to send to Parish Mag

c)      The Notice will also be produced as a poster – ACTION: RS

d)     It was agreed to confer Honorary Life Membership on Peter Jackson of Brewood CS for his help as we establish our Society and Ernie Howells for his long service to the Albrighton Historical Society. ACTION: PW to contact both to gain their acceptance.

e)     Borrow Laptop/projector & stand/screen for presentation – ACTION: PW

 

10. Other business

 

Publicity.

PW had Bridgnorth Journal 7/08/09 include an article concerning the founding of the Society.

 

Planning

ACTION: PW to write to Stuart West (SC Chairman of Planning Committee South) to ask if the Society may be formally notified of planning applications.

 

Voluntary Organisations List

PW tabled a copy of the list from David Beechey who said it was out of date.

PW will ask D Beechey for an electronic copy, if he has one, and RS will add column for name of our Committee member who will visit and recruit from the organisations. RS to circulate for volunteers and updates to the list.

ACTION: PW & RS

 

Historical Society

D Harding, as Chairman, agreed that ADCS members would be formally invited to attend some meetings this year if the topic seemed suitable – to try to foster some joint meetings. PL will recruit members at their 5th Oct meeting. RS to provide blank Membership Certs and Register Sheets.

ACTION: D Harding/PL

 

Skate Park at Newhouse Lane

HH reported that he is often asked why it is closed on Sunday when other ones elsewhere are open, as reported by PL. HH also reported that he and other residents on Newhouse Lane were not aware of any bad behaviour and that it was well used and nearly all residents had no complaints. Only one person has complained about it and wants it closed. Once things settle down Sunday opening may be considered. MP said it is supervised by a group of parents and it was proving to be one of Albrighton’s most successful initiatives.

 

Next meeting:

2pm on Friday 9th October 2009

at PJ’s house

  

RS13.09.09

 

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