Albrighton Civic Society

Minutes of the Committee Meeting of the Albrighton and District Civic Society

held at The Rylands, 70 High St, Albrighton, on Friday 9^th October 2009 at 4pm

Present Peter Woodman – Chairman

Rod Smith – Secretary

David Hughes (DH)– Treasurer

David Beechey – ex-officio, representing Donington-with-Boscobel PC

John Bulmer

David J Harding (DJH)

Hugh Hughes

Paul Joseland

Peter Leigh

Malcolm Pate

1. Apologies received from Michael Ward. David Beechey was welcomed as the ex-officio member representing Donington-with-Boscobel PC

2. Minutes of the meeting held on 7^th September 2009 were approved with the change of Tandoori Kitchen to Balti Kitchen

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

4. It was agreed that Tong should be included in the Society’s District

ACTION: PW to write to Tong PC to invite their Clerk to be an ex-officio member of committee. RS to add Tong the final version of the Constitution

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

-The Old Smithy

DB reported that the owner David Thompson is due discuss it with Alb PC in Jan 2010 in the context of the whole development.

ACTION: PW to send a stronger letter asking for his intentions.

-The Village Green Conservation Area incl the Phone box in High Street

BT have replied to say they will not move the Phone Box. MP will ask SC to move the old waterlogged grit box .

ACTION: MP

(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 outstanding from previous meeting: MW/JB)

- Survey Report and Report to the Councils

DJH & JB have surveyed Boningale and have photos for the file.

(Post Meeting Note: Could DJH please provide them on a disc to RS for use in the PP presentation for Public Meeting)

- Someone to survey Donington-with-Boscobel.

ACTION: by ??

- Albrighton Station

DB reported that:- The stations, including the bridges, at Albrighton and Cosford are to be refurbished. The station building failed to sell at auction and is owned by someone in Birmingham who does not appear to want to discuss any maintenance etc. Alb PC, through Cllr Peter Illes, is dealing with all station issues and is having some success in his discussions with Network Rail and London Midland Railway. It was agreed that the Society would therefore act in a supporting role to APC over the whole station issues. However PL would write to the building owner to press for its maintenance or to be turned into a house/flats (it was the Station Master’s house)

ACTION: PL to write to owner

- Entrances to Village

PL/JB suggested that as the Alb station area was to be refurbished that it may be possible for the land at the bypass side of the bridge to be cleared and planted with low maintenance shrubs to help form a better looking entrance to the village. It was agreed that the Society should focus on a few issues and get then completed to hopefully show some success rather than working on too many items. The society will now focus on a “Village Access Scheme” which would intend to improve the appearance of each of the 4 entrances of the village in turn starting with the end of Station Rd. This work to be timed to start immediately after and to compliment the refurbishment of the station area. The Society would apply for funds from LJC18 (deadline 15? Dec 09)

MP said that LJC has a Regeneration Officer who could help make the Proposal.

ACTION: PL /JB to prepare a Proposal with costs (including removal of the conifers which will make more space for the parking

- Open Spaces Scheme

Following the above discussion it was agreed that the Society would, in future, work up similar proposals to deal with the open areas such Ashfields, outside Red house etc which would be called the “Open Spaces Scheme”

ACTION: for the future

- The Balti Kitchen

The sale had fallen through but then rumoured to have been bought by another.

ACTION: PW to write again to the selling agent

- The Hollies Development (18 Cross Rd) – an Amendment to the Planning. The Society has submitted an objection to the application on several grounds and PW has asked to speak at the Planning Committee Meeting at Bridgnorth at 2pm on Tues 3^rd Nov 09. RS has similarly asked to speak but as a neighbour to the site. Approx 40 objections were sent in from surrounding neighbours. The Society has applied for The Hollies to be Listed and this is now being considered by English Heritage (EH). DB said that there was a list of “Village Treasures” in the Alb PC files, which may have some information.

ACTION: PW & RS to speak at meeting. JB seeking the map of 1838 showing The Hollies for sending to EH. Can MW please search to find the list and any information.

- Lea Hall Cottage

PW wrote to SC to ask what action can they take including compulsory purchase. SC has it under review.

- Nos. 5 and 6 Cross Road – Nick Tart is no longer acting as Estate Agent for No. 5.

ACTION: PW to write to No. 5 to ask if they will remove builder’s rubble from garden.

MP to get SC to review the damage to public footpath caused when the garden wall was built by Nos 5 & 6 (pedestrian safety issue).

(- 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 outstanding from previous meeting: PW to write to APC to recommend that they register this land as part of the conservation area.)

-Whiteladies Priory

Donington PC have asked us to help improve the situation – the site is covered by litter including drink cans & worse etc. English Heritage owns the Priory but the access road is privately owned. Steel barriers have been erected across the entrance to the access road but these have been broken down.

ACTION: PW & DH will attend the meeting with EH at Boscobel house at 10am Tues 20^th October 09. PL will take some photos.

6. The Officers meetings with Chairmen of Alb PC and Donington with Boscobel PC for us to explain our intentions and seek co-operation went well. We have their support.

DB: Parish Plan needs updating. MP will have LJC18 organise a Community Group Project and the Society will participate but will not lead this. RS to make copies for all members of the Albrighton & District Village Design Statement 2003 and the Joint Parish Plan 2005.

ACTION: MPand RS

7. Insurance.

ACTION: for the future

8. Everyone was pleased that MP had set up the Website. RS to send the Constitution to MP for the website.

RS asked if MP could arrange email address for secretary@….., so that we could send out notices in advance of the 26^th Oct Public Meeting. Cost to be met by ADCS.

ACTION: MP & RS

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

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

b) All members to get Posters put up and Flyers delivered

c) Honorary Life Membership - Ernie Howells. ACTION: PW to contact EH

d) Borrow Laptop/projector & stand/screen for presentation and we trial it at Ace Computers Fri 23 Oct afternoon then Ace set up at 6pm on 26^th – ACTION: PW

e) PW/RS/DHughes to review room next week

f) Officers meet Andrea McWilliams at Bridgnorth SC next week & decide if she will speak at the meeting or a future one. ACTION: PW/RS/DH

10. Other business

a. D Hughes reported that the rebuilt stable opposite The Horns seemed to be a house.

ACTION: DH will contact Bob Tummons (Chairman Boningale PC) to determine what the Planning Application showed.

MP will ask Mike Clough SC Planning Officer to look into it

b. D Hughes reported a large pothole in The Crown car park and that a small wall at the entrance has partly fallen down.

ACTION: MP to check if it is the Brewery or SC who is responsible for maintenance

Funding

ADCS will apply to LJC18 for funding for the running of the Society– deadline for applications 15? Dec 09.

ACTION: PW/DH

Publicity.

ACTION: RS to put regular Notices in the Parish Magazine

Planning

ACTION: PW is awaiting a reply from Stuart West (SC Chairman of Planning Committee South) to confirm that the Society may be formally notified of planning applications.

Historical Society

D Harding, as Chairman, said that at their AGM in December 2009 they will consider joint meetings with us. PL tried to recruit members at their 5^th Oct meeting but had no takers.

ACTION: DJH/PL

Next meeting:

2pm on Friday 6^th November 2009

at MP’s house

RS15.10.09