Minutes of the Committee Meeting of the

Albrighton & District Civic Society

held at APC Office, 82B High St, Albrighton,

on Monday 7th February 2011 at 2pm

 

Present :         

Peter Woodman - Chairman

Rod Smith – Secretary

David Hughes - Treasurer

John Bulmer

Ron Kidson

Peter Leigh

Mike Pitchford (MP)

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

Michael Ward – ex-officio, representing Albrighton PC

 

1. Apologies received from Hugh Hughes, David Murray, Malcolm G Pate (MGP)

 

2. Minutes of Meeting of 6th December 2010 were approved.

It was agreed that a post-meeting note agreed by RS/DB would be added regarding item 4 of the Minutes of 5th November 2010. [Post Meeting Note: DB had looked again at the Parish Plan and advised that he had found that 78% of the recommendations had been fully or partially met and for those not met it was almost entirely attributable to factors beyond our local control. DB disagreed that “councillors were now apparently disassociating themselves from the plan" and his comments at the meeting merely referred to the unsatisfactory performance of Robert Money, the individual who had initially been employed to provide professional support.]

 

3. Main Current Issues

a. Eyesores Glen McGrindle will meet PL, PW, JB at PL’s house on 10 February and main item is to learn who does what at SC concerning the street scene so that we may chase up the correct person.

DB/MW reported no progress on the passing of responsibility for some maintenance tasks from SC to APC but they would pursue it further.

Weeding: MW will ask Bob Davis (Brian Bennett’s deputy at SC) about suitable courses for R Giles (APC workman) and also about the transfer of SC funds to APC for weeding etc so that APC could undertake the task.

MW was thanked for organising the clearing the paths near the Chinese Take-Away which now looked much better. ACTION: DB/MW

It was felt that, while the benches outside The Old Bush may need some maintenance in the future, we would concentrate on getting the more serious items, owned by the Councils, dealt with first.

 

b) Entrance Scheme. E-on had been helpful in meeting ADCS at the Kingswood/A41 site to advise on excavations for planting new trees which is planned for 7 March (meet on site at 9am). E-on will visit the site 1 week beforehand to advise further. MW said that Bridgnorth has un-used trees and JB will follow up to obtain. A Weeping Willow had been donated by HH and a Cyprus by Ken Chapman and both had been planted at the pond area at Cross Rd/Patshull Rd site. ACTION: JB

It was agreed that as we have plenty of work to do at our Entrance Scheme we would not participate in the National Tree Planting Scheme, although we support the initiative.

MP suggested that we find sponsors to carry out maintenance on the many sites – could be a company located nearby. MP had spoken to Stuart Moore who was willing to mow one of the sites on a regular basis. DH would ask Michael Marriot at D Austin Roses if they would maintain a site near their premises. MP would lead a task group to design and obtain small plaques which would be installed on the sites showing the names of sponsors ( providers of plants, labour and maintenance). RS can help with plaque design. ACTION: DH and MP

 

It was noted that SC Planners had refused permission for D Austin Roses (DAR) to extend their water reservoir used for watering and this may mean they could relocate in order to grow their business. ADCS felt that losing a major employer would be bad for the local economy and DH will contact DAR to find out more and to see how we could support their plans. Councillor members said that APC recommended the extension but SC continued to ignore local views. ACTION: DH to speak to DAR

JB not aware that Brian Bennett had done anything in respect of the weeds at the base of the wall adjoining Nos 5 & 6 Cross Road PW to pursue and to include the hedge at No 1 The Orchard

MW to write to Network Rail asking them to remove litter on the embankment adjoining the station.

 

The meeting agreed that we seem to spend a lot of time and effort in trying to get SC to do the right and sensible thing and that local views seem to be ignored.

PW will chase up SC about progress on our application for LJC Grant for the Scheme. ACTION: PW

 

4. Other items

 

Pedestrian crossing - not to be pursued.

 

Civic Day – refer to March meeting.

 

Albrighton Station

Discussions are on-going with Peter Isles to arrange a further meeting with Network Rail. We will continue to support APC who is leading on this issue.

PW has made a pre-application to Heritage Lottery fund to test if there appears to be any chance of obtaining funds to buy the Station Building and use it as a possible Local Museum/Arts & Crafts Exhibition/Craft Studio and similar.

 

Village Green

Work has commenced on some remedial work to the service road.

DB reported that he was still unable to trace ownership of this road, stating that the problem needs to be sorted out and that SC should accept responsibility/ownership.

MW to speak with Bob Davis re. the surface water between Nos 30 & 33 High Street.

PW to speak to the Land Registry to seek advice on the principle of ownership & to clarify who is responsible for Common Land.

 

The Old Smithy

DB reported that David Thompson had given a presentation to the PC.

No further planning application had been received for the proposed 9 houses on the Smithy site.

 

Planning applications

Stroudley’s yard – 1 x 4 bed detached house

ADCS has already written an objection to the above planning application and continues to support the Parish Council in its objection to this application

 

PL drew members’ attention to the WestMASA meeting at Coleshill on 26th February 2011 he said he would be attending and invited others to join him.

DB reported on a ‘Toolkit’ of grant money to be made available for approved regeneration schemes in small market towns.

JB raised the subject once more of an ‘unsung heroes award’ it was agreed to refer to next meeting.

JB suggested having a meal for members & wives this was agreed to be a good idea and would be further discussed at the next meeting.

 

The Treasurer reported a balance of £1337 with no outstanding debtors or creditors.

 

Flower Show – ADCS had been approached to see if it would be willing to sponsor an award to be presented at the annual flower show on 2nd July – this was agreed. 

 

MP said the Albrighton Walking for Health Group had agreed to do a leaflet drop for the Flower Show and that this might be an opportunity for ADCS to also include a promotional leaflet –  this was agreed.

 

Next meeting

2 p.m. Monday 7th March 2011 at Alb PC Offices, 82B High Street, Albrighton WV7 3JA (T: 375455)

 

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