FOREIGN PARISH COUNCIL Minutes of the Meeting of the Parish Council held on Monday 16th September 2019 at 7.30pm at Trimpley Village Hall Present Councillor Mrs. C. Gammond Councillor Mr. B. Phillips Councillor Mrs. L. Green Councillor Mr. C. Grainger Councillor Mr. G. Yarranton Councillor Mr. J. Gammond Mrs E Whitehouse (Clerk) Councillor Mr. C Jordan (arrived 8.15) District Cllr. J. Byng Dist. Cllr. P. Harrison 3 members of the public present 1. Police Report – Police were unable to attend, but sent the following report: “Burglary on Trimpley Lane, just after the bend on the way out of the main village. Smashed glass door to get in but nothing stolen. This happened on the 29th August - I did send it out to trimpleywatch. Theft from vehicle on a car park around Eymore wood. Window smashed and handbag stolen. Happened on 25th August” Cllr. Grainger asked if a check could be made to ensure the sign is still there, asking people not to leave handbags in cars at this location. Public Open Forum It was reported that Bridleway 576 was overgrown where you emerge onto the former golf club drive. Various E-mails had been circulating about the Golf Club site new sign – advertising a nature trail. The latest information from the planning authority was that although the sign was marginally above permitted limits, they were reluctant to fight this. They advised that the intention was to open a trail using the existing facilities. However, some of these were built without planning permission. Enforcement action was to be taken, but this had not yet happened. Officer Helen Hawkes has said that the Enforcement Officer was to meet with the landowner shortly, and that Planning permission will need to be obtained for some structures or they would be asked to have them removed. Cllr. Yarranton stated again that this was again an instance of retrospective applications for retention of some structures which had now been on site for 9 months or more. This was not the right way to go about planning, and he asked District Cllr. Byng to see planning officer Helen Hawkes about this, with a view to having structures removed Local Plan Councillor Mrs. Green raised the following issue: In the 2018 Pre-submission publication pages 223/224 dealt with the Land at Low Habberley WA/KF/3. On page 224 under “Reasoned Justification” the one line under this heading says “This site is well contained by solid boundaries on three sides”. However in the 2019 document on page 44 there is a revised reasoned justification for WA/KF/3 Land at Low Habberley. The one line from the previous document is to be deleted and the following is to replace it: “The site is located on the NW edge of Kidderminster’s urban area, approximately 1.5Km from the town centre. The retention and enhancement of the western hedgerow boundary will allow for an improved residential edge to Habberley when seen from the north and provide a strong defensible Green Belt boundary. The site has good access to local shops and schools. The impact of any development on the nearby Habberley Valley Nature Reserve and Local Wildlife Site should be balanced out through biodiversity net gain.” This now read as though it was the perfect site for development. Also she stated that it seemed unlikely that the development of 120 houses was going to benefit and create “biodiversity net gain”. Also Cllr. Green felt that the site already had a “strong defensible Green Belt boundary” being the Habberley Road. After discussion with the district councillors on these points, it was agreed that a further representation would be made from this parish, disputing some of the points. 2. Apologies For Absence: Received and approved at start of meeting from Cllr. C. Jordan, who was attending the Parish Forum on behalf of the Parish Council re an Agenda item of CCTV deployment in the Parish. 3. DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST: Cllr. Mrs. Gammond and Cllr. J. Gammond declared interests, being members of the Village Hall committee. Cllr. Phillips declared a pecuniary interest in respect of any Churchyard grant. Cllr. Grainger declared an interest in any item concerning Riddings Brook and also planning application 19/0428 (see planning). 4. Approval of the Minutes The minutes of the Meeting of the Parish Council Meeting held on 19th August 2019 were approved and signed. 5. District and County Councillor Reports - inc. progress reports on other matters Items reported for attention by District & County Councillor and other matters arising. District Cllr. John Byng ) District Cllr. Paul Harrison) – Consultation on the Local Plan had re-opened and further - 57 - comments deadline is Monday 14th October. He explained that the land earmarked under WA/KF/3 at Low Habberley had come in late to the Planning Department as a possible site for development, and was quite low in priority originally, but as now needed to make up house numbers after some sites were declared not acceptable for development, then the site at Low Habberley had moved up in priority. It was decided that the Clerk should make further comment on behalf of the parish council refuting some of the claims as in the discussion on revised wording minuted above in the Public Forum. Clerk was also to ask the District Council Arboriculturist to consider the roadside oaktree on Habberley Lane for a TPO. Localism – The District Council had e-mailed Stourport, and Kidderminster Town Councils, in an attempt to start discussions on the transfer of considerable assets and services to Towns under the Localism act. The same expansion plan may also filter down to parishes. Cllr. Yarranton posed the question that, if these assets and services were to become the responsibility of towns and parishes, was there going to be a need for a District Council, and would not the public be better served with just an unitary authority. County Cllr. Hardiman – had sent the following report: “The County Council is undertaking a number of Adult Social Engagement events across the county. For details contact Marina Johnson, mjohnson2@.gov.uk Kidderminster’s Worcester Street Project is progressing well; the work is now focussing on the junction with Blackwell Street and Coventry Street. Local Issues: VAS Signs (posts): I shall be meeting with Paul Green, Highways Engineer this week and hope to clarify the actual costs in relation to the necessary posts and their installation so that I can communicate to the Parish Council my Divisional Contribution towards this project.” A vote of thanks was given to Cllr. Hardiman for this offer. 6. PLANNING AND DEVELOPMENT CONTROL: a) Previous planning applications – 19/0428 Proposed single storey side and rear extension and conversion of garage to habitable space at THE BUNGALOW, GREY GREEN FARM Approved 19/0349 – Mill Cottage Sandy Lane – This property had received planning permission for an extension, and it lies within this parish. However, the Parish had never been consulted. Clerk contacted the Planning Dept, who confirmed they had wrongly assumed that it fell in Kidderminster Town Council area, and not Kidderminster Foreign. Hence, the Parish Council had not received a consultation, for which Paul Round had sent apologies. Cllr. Harrision stated that he had personally highlighted this error to Planning Officers some time ago, but the error had not been corrected before the application had been decided, which was of surprise to Cllr. Harrison. 19/0494/FULL RED RIDGE SANDY LANE KIDDERMINSTER DY115QZ Erection of single storey side extension and attached lean-to store outbuilding. Awaiting Decision. b) New Planning applications: - 19/0526 Certificate of lawfulness:- Use of property for permanent residential occupation in excess of 4 years at THE WILLOWS HILL FARM, NORTHWOOD LANE, BEWDLEY, DY121AT Comment: “We have no evidence to either support or contradict the claimed usage, but if as stated by the applicant themselves that they have permanently occupied the property in excess of 4 years, (indeed for 13 years) we would query the Council Tax liability, including the back- dated liability over these years, and wonder if they have been charged full council tax for permanent occupancy. Could this please be checked and appropriate measures taken.” c) Compliance Issues/Appeals Easter Cottage – Awaiting appeal decision from the Planning Inspectorate at Bristol. d) Local Plans – Clerk tabled details of drop-in sessions for the Wyre Forest Local Plan which had been circulated district-wide, with a closing date for comments on 14th October. She would make further comment as detailed above in these minutes, concerning the land at Low Habberley. The County Minerals Plan was also open for comments until 30th September. A proposed site – Site Ref F008-2502 - fell partially in this parish, and a link to the consultation document was given on the Parish Council website homepage. Clerk would make representation as instructed – viz: “- We are concerned about the flooding that extraction from this site may cause - both in operation, and in taking away the natural drainage of the land. Flooding may be caused with extra water (from both quarry operations and depletion of natural drainage minerals) going into the nearby Honeybrook, and we would like assurance that this will be catered for, and that North Worcestershire Water Management has been consulted on all aspects of drainage from this site, and given full consideration to the impact on the brook mentioned. We feel that lack of a full investigation into this point may render consideration of this site unsound. - 58 -

- The adjacent A442 is a very busy and dangerous road for site traffic to be exiting from/to this site. - Mud and sand quarry deposits on the road could exacerbate dangerous road conditions. - Should this site be developed, then we need to ensure that noise is kept to a minimum and that dust/debris is minimised by regulated wheel washes. Unfortunately, this latter requirement may exacerbate our first point re possible flooding problems. Although our comment does not easily fall into one of the categories in your consultation form - viz. Legally compliant Sound Positively prepared Justified Effective Consistent with national policy Compliant with the Duty to co-operate - we would like to be assured that the aspects highlighted in this e-mail will be taken into full consideration.” 7. Progress Reports and other Outstanding Items  CCTV – deployment by Parish Councils to counter flytipping Cllr. Jordan reported from the Parish Forum meeting which he had specifically attended to discuss this agenda item, but Wyre Forest officer, Rob Beeston, did not turn up for the meeting. It was reported that other parishes were interested, and that a separate dedicated meeting would be arranged to discuss all aspects of this matter.  VA Signs – Clerk advised that the County Council price for 3.5m poles to take the new signs would be £259 each + VAT. Installation could be by the County Council, and final agreement on sites would be required. County Cllr. Hardiman had also promised to assist with the cost. It was hoped that the sites finally agreed could be used for traffic travelling in either direction by turning the sign around. Clerk was requested to arrange a site meeting the Highways Officer Paul Green to discuss.  Signage near cutting in Hoarstone Lane – No new signage would be put at either end of Hoarstone Lane other than the existing warning signs of being unsuitable for HGVs. However, it may be possible to have SLOWs painted onto the road, along with white edge carriageway markings which helps to visually narrow the road, causing drivers to slow down. To discuss again with Paul Green during the next site visit.  Broken Manhole cover near to Mount Pool between Wild Woods and Wassell Top now repaired.  Severn Trent River Bank Stabilisation/Construction works - It was reported that people were still using the riverside footpath – (as no work was currently going on) - despite the sign.  Poor quality of the internet in Crundalls Lane / Lightmarsh Lane No further information. Minute closed pending future Broadband works promised.  Bench and Noticeboard Restoration –Work now completed satisfactorily. Clerk to send a letter of thanks with settlement cheque.  BT Cover Eymore Layby Repair works promised to be completed by 23rd September.  Mount & Other Pools – Trimpley Common – Cllr. Phillips had received permission from the landowner to undertake vegetation clearance work around the various pools on the common. Clerk had written to the residents at Crofton Lodge concerning Mount Pool. An e-mail response had been received requesting that when any clearance work is done, “no vehicular access or foot traffic is taken over our land for fear of spreading Japanese Knotweed”. If vegetation on land belonging to Crofton Lodge needed further pruning, then contact should be made with the owners who would arrange this. Attachments to the e-mail showed the HM Land Registry, the boundary of which the Parish Council disputed. It was agreed to arrange a work party to undertake vegetation trimming and cut back, and it was agreed that this should be on Saturday 12th October at 9.30a.m. Clerk would design a poster to advertise.  Northwood Lane – Messrs. Halford had cut back vegetation from around roadsigns on his side of the land, and it was requested that the Clerk contact Nick Ralls of the Railway concerning cutting back vegetation on land belonging to the SVR. 8. Planned work on Holy Trinity Church – Report from Cllr. Grainger – who had attended a meeting at the Church where Rev Simon Archer had outlined some of the ideas to renovate the building. Money has to be raised by the parish itself to maintain the church, but it is in good condition, and there is no fear at the moment that it will be closed. However, it is only being used for 3 Sundays per month, and the PCC were looking to have other uses for the building – making it less formal. Removal of some pews was discussed, and it was felt that perhaps some form of castor could be fitted to them to make them more mobile. For example, the building had enquiries about use by an Art Group, and also a Meditation Group. Also, there would be a requirement to have access to a toilet – either in the building or detached (in the church grounds). A discussion also took place about the use of the churchyard as an area for wild - 59 - flowers and pollinators. 9. Lengthsman, Footpath work & Litter collection & Footpath Clearance. Clerk advised that the Lengthsman (Sam) had been taken into hospital for an appendectomy. She had sent a “get well soon” card from the Parish Council for which she had received a text message thanking the Council. Clerk had surveyed local rates for lengthsmen, and it would seem that our Parish paid the same as Upper Arley (same lengthsman) and it was at the lowest rate in the District. To await further developments before further action taken. 10. Financial Reports –. a) Payments – Chq 1045 – Council – Fees relating to uncontested election - £150.60 Chq 1046 – Clerk’s PAYE - £69.60 Chq 1047 – Clerk’s Expenses, including Spring bulbs - £42.40

b) b) Clerk had downloaded the CALC Best Policy “Grants Policy” and shared this with Councillors for comment. 11. Worcestershire CALC Reports and Notices Clerk reminded councillors that she had a number of dates for training events. She herself was to go to the HMRC and Cyber Security Training on 24th September, Clerk had also raised the question again with CALC who confirmed that any grant to property or land belonging to the Church was outside of any power held by the Parish Council. 12. County and District and other Correspondence - Clerk advised that the County Council Passenger Transport Consultation had now closed, and she had received no representations from the public (following a prompt in the July Newsletter) to make any comment. Clerk reminded councillors of other events: IDOX Uniform Planning Training – 26th September 5.30 – 7p.m. Wyre Forest House. Clerk had advised 5 attendees from this Parish – Cllrs. Mrs. Gammond, Mrs. Green, C. Grainger, and J Gammond along with the Clerk. Community Broadband Engagement Event -26th September 4-6p.m. Free for anyone looking for information on upgrading to faster speeds, or better broadband for the local community. Clerk had also posted details / posters on the website of these forthcoming events: District Council – Older People Services Showcase – 26th September District Council – Kidderminster Greener Living Fair – 5th October Church – Fashion Show at Arley Memorial Hall – 3rd October County Council Parish Conference – 17th October at County Hall – 5p.m. Information marketplace, 6p.m. Conference.

Snow Clearance and Grit Bins – Clerk had circulated e-mails from the County Council asking for names of potential contractors interested in Snow Clearance contracts for the forthcoming winter. Clerk understood from Cllr. Grainger that the parish had sufficient surplus road salt for the winter, and Clerk had also requested councillors to check their local grit bins for sufficient supplies of usable grit salt. One potential contractor contact had been supplied courtesy of Cllr. Grainger. 13. Road Accidents – Car seen tipped on side in field by Habberley Valley Sat 14th Sept. (pm) 14. Other Matters Dead Tree – spotted on roadside by Wassell Wood side coming up from the rock cutting in Hoarstone Lane. It was undecided whether this belonged to County Highways or the Woodland Trust, but councillors agreed to discuss it with Paul Green on the next site visit. Large Pothole by Crossroads – near noticeboard, where the bus stops. It was agreed that councillors would also show this to Paul Green on the next site visit and request repair.

15. Date of Next Meeting – confirmed as 21st October 2019 at 7.30p.m Meeting closed at 10.00p.m. Chairman :

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