AGENDA ITEM 4 Changing District for the better…..

….step by step

LICHFIELD DISTRICT PARISH FORUM

Monday 24th January 2011

Council Chamber, District Council House, Frog Lane, Lichfield

Chairman: Cllr Doug Constable

Present: See Appendix A

1. Introduction and Welcome – The Chairman welcomed everyone to the meeting and apologised for having to leave early to attend another meeting. Cllr Norma Bacon (Vice Chairman) would deputise on his departure.

2. Apologies for Absence – Apologies were received from Cllrs Bayliss, Adams, Rigby, Allsopp, Sullivan, Leedham, Duckett and Walker

3. To receive the Minutes of the meeting held on 23rd November 2010 (previously circulated) – The minutes were approved as a true and accurate record.

4. Matters Arising – Steve McQuade confirmed on behalf of Cllr Ben Adams (Lead Cabinet Member For Communities & Culture at County Council) that the provision of e- mail accounts to Parish Councils was now in place and that all chairmen and clerks should have received a letter explaining the next steps. If help was required then the contact at the County Council is Nigel Ferguson (Tel: 01785 854434).

5. Energy Efficiency – Ruth Plant, Council – Ruth Plant (Contact 01543 687540) gave a general overview of energy efficiency in terms of residential and public buildings. An energy audit is seen as the key starting point for larger premises. The importance of renewables such as solar power was stressed and Forum Members were made aware of the tariffs and subsidies that are available to parishes. Parish Councils were encouraged to check what happens to the ‘feed in tariff’ in particular.

Ruth then took questions and was thanked for her attendance by the Chairman.

6. Presentation on the Future of British Waterways - Sally Ash, Head of Boating, British Waterways – Sally Ash ([email protected]) gave a presentation covering the changes affecting British Waterways and the move to establishing a new charitable organisation to manage the canals. Staffordshire is a very important part of the network with very high traffic flows when compared with the national figures. As such it is an important contributor to the local economy. There would be an opportunity to secure representation for Staffordshire on the new management council for the charity.

Page 1 of 1 Sally then moved on to cover the local arrangements and the development of Local Mooring Plans. Local communities were encouraged to make contact and to contribute to these plans which aim to manage the movements and parking of boats in a sustainable way.

There then followed a debate on a number of issues and the Chairman thanked Sally for her presentation.

7. Smart Water Project - Steve Lloyd - SmartWater Technology Ltd (contact: [email protected]) and Inspector Jed White – – Steve and Jed introduced an item on SmartWater which is to be piloted in the near future in parts of the District. In other parts of the country the introduction has had dramatic effects on reducing the level or burglary. The product works by generating a unique chemical signature on items of property or when coming into contact with people. This code allows property to be traced and criminals linked to the scene of crime. Research has shown that the deterrent factor of the product is extremely significant. Cllr Ben Adams (through Steve McQuade) conveyed his strong support for the scheme and encouraged take up in the future.

A discussion then followed and the Chairman thanked Steve and Jed for their contribution.

8. Increasing Democratic Representation – Viv Evans, Chief Executive, Staffordshire Parish Councils Association – Viv delivered a short item promoting the role of Parish Councillors and encouraging Members of the Forum to voice the benefits of becoming a councillor within their community. Viv covered the support that the SPCA could provide directly or indirectly to help new Councillors through induction training in particular. The National Association of Local Councils should also have a free mini training session for potential councillors on their website. Members were encouraged to contact Viv ([email protected]) for further information.

9. Shared Learning - Two items were raised, with Parish Council Now have a conservation area management plan in place and Whittington and Parish Council confirmed that a new landscaping scheme is in place in the centre of the village and this work had been supported by grant aid from the District Council.

10. Any other business – Items for future meetings – Two items were agreed for the next meeting on 6th April, these were a presentation on the new police organisational structures and an update on the parking enforcement arrangements.

11. Meeting Closure and dates of future meetings1 – The Vice Chairman thanked everyone for their attendance and closed the meeting at 21:13. The next meeting will be held on the 6th April 2011. Members of the Forum agreed to start all future meetings at 7pm.

1 PT All meetings are planned to be held in the Council Chamber at District Council House, Frog Lane, Lichfield and will commence at 7:00pm with tea and coffee available from 6:45pm. Page 2 of 2

APPENDIX A

Name Representing Will Chapman Parish Council Richard Cox with Parish Council Melanie Cox Parish Council Elaine Moore Armitage with Handsacre Parish Council Maureen Humphreys Town Council Maureen Holt Burntwood Town Council D A Lodge Clifton Campville with Thorpe Constantine Parish Council Shirley Barnett Colton Parish Council Paul Waring Colton Parish Council J Blount Parish Council Margaret Jones Elford Parish Council Janet Stonehouse Parish Council Ian Lewin Town Council Simon J Lee & Parish Council K V Wasdell Parish Council Geoff Kynaston Hints with Canwell Parish Council Ian Pritchard Parish Council and Lichfield District Council Gareth Seddon Kings Bromley Parish Council Norma Bacon (Vice Chairman) Lichfield District Council Doug Constable (Chairman) Lichfield District Council Colin Greatorex Lichfield District Council (Portfolio holder - Observer) Rita Hancocks Lichfield District Council Steve McQuade Lichfield District Council (Officer) Margaret Stanhope Lichfield District Council J C Walker Lichfield District Council Rita Wilson Lichfield District Council (Officer) Richard Allsopp Lichfield Police Richard Morris Lichfield Police Inspector Jed White Lichfield Police Richard Clarke Longdon Parish Council Jean Coton Shenstone Parish Council Steve Lloyd SmartWater Viv Evans Staffordshire Parish Councils Association Judith Marshall Wigginton and Parish Council Joy Whitehead Parish Council John Cannon Whittington and Fisherwick Parish Council

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