Kingsbury Parish Council Minutes

 

 

Meeting of Kingsbury Parish Council held on Wednesday, 21st June 2006, at Hurley Village Hall, Hurley

 

 

Present:          Councillors:    L Forsyth (Chair), B Moss, A Lewis, I Thomas,

M Moss, R Cox, A Jenns and H Phillips

Clerk: S Humphries

 

Apologies:      Apologies for absence were received from Councillors: S Boydell,

F Takrouri and S Ayasamy

 

636      Declarations of Personal and Prejudicial Interests

  • Councillor Forsyth declared a personal interest in any matters relating to Waterloo Housing Association, by reason of a family member being an employee.
  • Councillors L Forsyth, B Moss, H Phillips and A Lewis declared a personal interest in any Borough Council issues.

 

637      Minutes

It was proposed by Councillor R Cox and seconded by Councillor A Lewis:

Resolved - That the minutes of the meeting held on 24th May 2006, are approved as a true record.

 

638      Public Questions

The following items were raised by a member of the public:-

  • The road sweepers were used frequently in Hazelcroft, but due to the size of the vehicles they were not able to reach the ends of the cul-de-sac and it must be the same for other roads.  The Clerk would report this to NWBC.
  • Trees at the Mill end of Kingsbury are blocking the pavement.  This will be reported to County Highways.
  • Bushes/hedges are blocking the pavement by the STWA property on the Tamworth Road, Kingsbury.  This will be reported to County Highways.

 

639      Street Lighting, Hazelcroft and Hedge adjacent to Hazelcroft (604)

·          Tree in Hazelcroft needs cutting back – WCC had carried out some work on the tree, however a resident reported that the tree in the hedge was still obstructing the street lamp.  WCC have again inspected the tree and do not consider any more work to be necessary.

 

640      Road Safety Issues, Kingsbury (605)

Further developments to the concerns raised are as follows:-

  • Bus Shelters/Bus Stops – Arriva had agreed to trial a temporary bus stop for three months.  A report from Arriva stated that the bus stop could not stay in the present position as it was a safety concern.  Arriva did say that it was well used and it was agreed that another site meeting would be held to find a more suitable location.
  • Pedestrian Crossing refuges – Locations for possible refuges have been sent to WCC for their consideration.  A reply is still awaited.

  

641      Elevated Footpath leading to Water Park from Church Road, Kingsbury (606)

Councillors were most concerned that the elevated footway had been totally removed without any prior consultation with Local Councillors or the Parish Council.  An explanation/reply was received from WCC.  Parish Councillors accepted their apology for not informing them, but are not in agreement with the action taken.  It was also reported that the new path had bricks protruding from underneath.  The Clerk would reply with Councillors comments/concerns.

 

642      New Street Lamps – Piccadilly (611)

The cost for three additional 5m lighting columns would be in the region of £5,240 to install and service.  Councillors B Moss is still awaiting an answer from WCC to see if they can provide the funding for this. 

 

643      Request for a shelter for teenagers and new bench (612)

A representatives from NWBC attended the meeting to report on the consultation carried out to obtain residents views on a shelter.  It was felt that not enough residents who may be affected by a shelter on the recreation ground had been asked.  A more thorough consultation will be carried out before the next meeting of the Parish Council.  The outcome will then have to be discussed at length before a decision can be made.

 

Apparently it was agreed back in April 2005 at a meeting of YPSO Steering Group that a new bench would be supplied to replace the existing one on the recreation ground in Kingsbury.  It appears this never materialised.  It was proposed by Councillor B Moss and seconded by Councillor A Lewis and agreed unanimously

RESOLVED: That NWBC be given the Parish Council’s approval to go ahead with the replacement bench.

 

644      Fibre optic speed signs (613)

Information had been received by the Clerk of a scheme called ‘Speed Aware’ which is the use of temporarily fixed or mobile flashing Speed Aware signs.  Councillor Takrouri and Councillor Cox put forward areas in Hurley and the Clerk would complete the relevant forms to apply for this scheme.

 

645      Parish Council Swings, Kingsbury (616)

NWBC have included the painting of the swing frame at a cost of £60 to be included with the annual costs for grounds maintenance and this will be attended to as soon as possible.  This was agreed by all Councillors.

 

646      Broken Roof Panels in Bus Shelter, Coventry Rd, Kingsbury (617)

A quote was received from Queensbury Shelters for the repairs to the two broken roof panels and also a cost for replacing all roof panels with aluminium ones that would be a lot stronger and more cost effective in the long term.  It was proposed by Councillor B Moss and seconded by Councillor H Phillips and agreed unanimously:

RESOLVED: To replace all the roof panels with aluminium at a cost of £466.36

 

647      Post Box, Sycamore Road, Kingbsury (618)

The Clerk wrote to Royal Mail requesting that the post box be repainted and a reply received agreed that it was in need of repainting, and a job would be raised for this.

  

648      Speeding Cars, Sycamore Road (625)

The Clerk received a letter from Warwickshire Casualty Reduction Partnership stating that on the basis of the speed data collected in November, Sycamore Road would qualify for mobile speed enforcement.  The Clerk has received confirmation that the completed form has been received.  It may take some time to review the site but we will be informed of the outcome as quickly as possible.

 

649      Ditch opposite Brick Kiln Lane, Knowle Hill (627)

This has been reported to the County Highways department but the ditch is the responsibility of the adjacent landowner.  The Clerk has informed County Highways who will write to ask him to clean it out.

 

650      Remains of an old Lorry in Linear Park, Kingsbury (628)

The remains of a lorry need removing from the Linear Park.  This has been passed onto the car clearance team and the Clerk is just waiting for confirmation that it has been removed.

 

651      Litter problem in Hurley (629)

Litter and disused furniture is reported at the back of the mini-market.  This area is privately owned and last time there was a problem a notice was served on the land owner.  This has been passed onto Environmental Health, NWBC to action.

 

652      County Highways matters raised (631)

The following would be reported to WCC:-

  • Uneven pavements north end of Kingsbury – Although the footway is somewhat ‘up and down’, there is only one item requiring attention.  A manhole cover is slightly proud and will be made safe.
  • Black Path, Hurley, pot holes – The pot holes will be repaired
  • Kerb stones in Wood End need to be more substantial due to heavy vehicle use  (outside the ‘Red Box’, Tamworth Road)– This will be investigated to find a solution.

 

653      Mill Island Planting (632)

Councillor B Moss asked the Clerk to write to BP Oil as they have sponsored the planting on the island in the past to see if they are continuing with this.  As no response was received in time for the meeting the Clerk will chase up a reply.

 

654      Hurley Village Hall (633)

The following matters were raised and either no response has been received or further information is needed.  The Clerk will write again to Waterloo Housing.

  • Councillors are concerned that pavements are in a dangerous state outside Hurley Village Hall following building work.  Waterloo Housing have said they will make safe while waiting for a response from the Local Authority to go ahead and complete the work. 
  • Councillors were concerned that the Village Hall parking spaces are still not marked out and there is a lamp post in the way of the parking bays. 
  • The Clerk has been contacted to find out whose responsibility it is to tend to the flower beds at the rear of the Village Hall.  It was pointed out that the original plans were for the area to be covered in tarmac.
  • Hurley Community Association asked if permission was needed from the Parish Council and CISWO for windows and fire escape doors to be replaced.  Councillors gave their permission and the Clerk is awaiting a response from CISWO.

655      Correspondence

The Clerk reported on the following:-

  • WALC – First meeting of North Warwickshire Area Committee
  • Grounds Maintenance Quote for 2006/2007.  This was accepted with the addition of a one-off-job to paint the swing frame.
  • Open Space, Play and Recreation Survey of Town and Parish Councils
  • Open Spaces Society report and magazine
  • WCC – Information on Trading Standards Service including ‘The Bogus Bugle’ newspaper.
  • WCC – Bus Service Improvements.  Any feedback needed regarding the suitability of bus services in the parish.
  • Proposed Radio Base Station, Rush Lane, Whateley, Site Ref WMD0431.  Pre Planning Application Consultation. (copy handed to Cllr)
  • North Warwickshire Citizens Advice Bureau-support wanted for the local service.
  • NWBC – North Warwickshire Draft Statement of Community Involvement: Pre-submission Consultation.
  • NHS – Acute Services Review
  • North Warwickshire Arts – Invitation to a reception on the opening evening of the Performing Arts Festival.
  • NWBC – Clean Neighbourhoods and Environment Act 2005.  Draft Dog Control Order for consultation.
  • Bulletin from CVS
  • Environment Agency – Local Newletter
  • WCC – Funding Opportunities for Green Space/Liveability Projects.
  • WCC – Community development Fund 2006/2007
  • Letter from Kingsbury School Governors re Parking Problems
  • WCC – Annual Update of Parish Council Community Emergency Plans.  The Clerk will update and return.
  • NWCVS Annual Funding Market
  • Police Force Restructuring
  • Bodymoor Green Farm – appeal Decision

 

656      Bench, Dexter Lane

Councillor Cox reported that the bench that the Parish Council agreed to maintain is overgrown with weeds.  The Clerk will ask County Highways to inspect it.

 

657      Hedges need cutting along the ‘Black Path’ (T52)

This will be reported to WCC.

 

658      Woodbridge Road, Hurley

Councillor Phillips asked the Clerk to contact WCC to ask that the road be adopted by the County.

 

659      Fishing Trip

A letter was received asking for a donation towards a fishing trip for 50 pupils of Kingsbury School.  There was a successful trip last year that the Parish Council supported.  It was proposed by Councillor Phillips and seconded by Councillor Moss and unanimously agreed that:-

RESOLVED: £350.00 be given to fund this trip.

660      Accounts 2005/2006

The internally audited accounts for 2005/2006 were circulated at the meeting.  The Clerk explained the figures and significant variances to Councillors.  It was proposed by Councillor I Thomas and seconded by Councillor A Jenns

RESOLVED: That the accounts for 2005/2006 be approved subject to external audit and the Statement of Assurance in the Annual Return be also approved.

Following the acceptance of the accounts, the Chair signed the Statement of Assurance and the Annual Return.  These would be sent to the external auditor in due course.

 

661      Citizens Advice Bureau

A letter received from CAB informed us that local outreach advice sessions would be continuing in Kingsbury until September 2006.  A request to support  these sessions was contained in the letter.  It was proposed by Councillor H Phillips and seconded by Councillor B Moss and agreed.

RESOLVED: That £250.00 would be donated to the CAB for this cause.

 

662      Next Meeting

The next meeting will be at Piccadilly Community Centre, Piccadilly - Wednesday 19th July.

 

663 Accounts for payment

It was proposed by Councillor I Thomas and seconded by Councillor A Jenns:

RESOLVED: That the accounts listed below be approved for payment.

 

Internal Audit of Accounts                                                                      £125.00

Clerk’s June Salary                                                                                 £491.61

Inland Revenue                                                                           £613.49

WCC Re-site Lamp post                                                                      £1366.88

Hurley Community Centre-Hire of Hall for meeting                                    £15.00

Admin Costs                                                                                          £133.14

North Warwickshire CAB (minute 661 June)                              £250.00

Kingsbury School Fishing Trip (minute 659 June)                                    £350.00

 

  

 

Bank Balances                                                    30th June 2006

Current Account                                                  £1841.12

Reserve Account (Clubs and Societies)                £6164.68

Capital Reserve Account                                     £18039.91