Parish Report January 2012

Parish Magazine Report from January 2012

The Parish Council met on Thursday 19th January at 19.30 hours in Tanworth Village Hall.

Four members of the public were present. District Councillor Atkinson, District Councillor Oakley and County Councillor Perry were also present at the meeting.

A member of the public from Alderhanger Lane addressed the Parish Council. She handed out maps to show where all the residents live in relation to the lay-by on the A435. She reported that although flooding does occur the locals know which roads to use to get through. She questioned how the Parish Council had reached the decision to support keeping the lay-by open. She said that people in Blind Lane have seen the sexual activity and have stopped walking their dogs in that area.

A member of the public then questioned what the Parish Council’s position is regarding undertaking a Housing Needs Survey. He had attended the Earlswood Residents’ Association’s meeting and wanted to know what the future held with the change to the planning rules. He was informed that if the Parish Council decides to create a Neighbourhood Development Plan, a Housing Needs Survey may need to be undertaken as part of this.

It was also asked if the alterations at the crossroads in Earlswood were the extent of the work to be carried out or would there be any further improvements to the junction. County Councillor Perry said that the junction was still being looked at but the problems have occurred with the utilities which run down the side of The Reservoir Public House in Valley Road. There will be a site visit in the next few weeks. The part which has been built out has helped. Councillor Perry is trying to get more electronic signs on The Common which will help to reduce accidents in the interim period.

It was reported by Jenny Buckley that the overflowing bin at 133 The Common has finally been emptied. It took a month to get the rubbish cleared and the District Council eventually got the bin men to do it.

Jenny also reported that there was to be a ‘Lakes Clean-up’ on February 5th.

County Councillor Perry gave his report:

Councillor Perry said that at an Alderhanger Lane meeting with the police, Worcestershire County Council said that they are not keen to close the lay-by again on the A435. Councillor Perry reiterated that Warwickshire are not responsible for this lay-by, therefore alternative ways of ridding the area of the anti-social behaviour are being looked at.

As residents are very concerned over the speed limit in Forshaw Heath Lane, Councillor Perry is trying to secure £10,000 funding to get the speed limit reduced from 60mph to 50mph.

Councillor Perry reported that he is also bidding for £6,000 to improve the signage at Cut Throat Lane.

The library will now be in the Methodist Church Hall next to the fish and chip shop in Henley. It opens on April 1st with 60 volunteers. It has taken a lot of effort from the local community. There are 16 community libraries with 14 still being run by the County Council resulting in a saving of £2.5m on the library budget. The mobile library will stay unchanged for the time being and will be reviewed in 2014.

It looks likely that there will be no rise in the Council Tax.

Warwickshire County Council opposed the HS2 project. They will support residents of the county as much as possible.

There is 14,000 tons of grit in stock. Warwickshire grit more roads than other County Councils but if there are any roads causing concern which aren’t on the gritting route then Bryn Patefield can be contacted at the County Council and he will arrange for the road to be gritted if necessary.

Councillor Atkinson gave his report:

Councillor Atkinson began by wishing everyone a Happy New Year. He went on to say that the 3rd draft of the Core Strategy is out soon and he is working to get a seminar in this area. It needs good input from the Parish Council and the community as it will be relevant until 2028.

Councillor Atkinson said that he had sent through to the Parish Council information from the Sailing Club who wanted to be involved in celebrating the Olympic Torch passing through Earlswood.

Confirmation had been received this afternoon that the chiller has been demolished at Cank Farm. The date for demolition had been appealed against, but was thrown out by the High Court.

Councillor Atkinson stated that the lay-by on the A435 belongs to Worcestershire and they have no intention of closing it. Therefore, alternative ways of ridding the area of the anti-social behaviour are being looked at. Councillor Atkinson feels that the Parish Council was misguided in their support for keeping the lay-by open.

Councillor Oakley gave his report:

Councillor Oakley reported that in the High Court last week the judge had ruled that the order wouldn’t change for Summers Poultry. Councillor Oakley hopes that under the Proceeds of Crime Act monies will be put back in to the public purse.

Councillor Oakley reported that the 3 toilets in Stratford which are going to cost 20p to use are predominantly used by tourists so Councillor Oakley is supporting this measure. This will bring in £200,000 per annum.

At the Community Forum in December the residents voted for their 3 police priorities. Burglaries in Earlswood, Henley and surrounding areas were one of the priorities so there will be 24 extra patrols carried out.

Councillor Oakley supported what Councillor Atkinson had said regarding the 3rd Draft Core Strategy and suggested that the Parish Council needs to think about their response to this so that our feelings about the way we want to see our parish develop are taken into account. The possibility of the creation of a Country Park based on Earlswood Lakes, Clowes Wood and New Fallings Coppice is to be included in the 3rd Draft Core Strategy.

The Parish Council then went on to discuss the formation of a Neighbourhood Development Plan.

It was agreed that a working party should be formed to look in to creating a Neighbourhood Development Plan. The Parish Council decided to appoint John McAdam to create a new website for them. It was agreed to give Earlswood Village Hall a grant of £4,000 to go towards the extension of the museum.

Councillor Willmott confirmed that the lease has now been signed and the building of the new office at the rear of the village hall will commence very soon.

It was decided to form a working party comprising of Councillor Jones, Councillor Bettam, Councillor Keogh, Jenny Buckley and Julie White to decide how best to celebrate the passing through Earlswood on July 1st of the Olympic Torch.

It was agreed that permission is given for the siting of a memorial bench in Malthouse Leisure Park for a former resident of Malthouse Lane, Roger Eaborn.

Councillor Stanton reported that there have been a few suggestions for a replacement tree on the village green. The favourite suggestions so far are the Small Leaved Lime which is truly native and the Sweet Chestnut which arrived over here in Roman times. The Sweet Chestnut also has a nice bark. It was also mentioned that prices should be sought for the iron work to protect the new tree. There was also a suggestion to unearth the well and have a wishing well.

The full minutes are available on our website www.tanworth-pc.org.uk or from the Parish Office in Earlswood Craft Centre, Wood Lane. The next meeting will be on March 15th at Tanworth Village Hall and April 19th at Earlswood Village Hall, at 7.30pm. Anyone is welcome to come and listen or if you have an issue that you would like to raise, there is a Public Forum at 7.30pm. If you would like us to start e-mailing a Parish Newsletter, please just e-mail the parish office at office@tanworth-pc.org.uk and we will add you to our circulation list. If anyone has a matter which they would like us to pass on to PCSO Dave Martin, please give us the details and we will pass them on. If it is of a confidential nature, then you are welcome to leave a sealed envelope in the parish office addressed to PCSO Dave Martin and we will hand it over unopened. Don’t forget that PCSO Martin will be giving crime prevention advice or addressing local concerns at his mobile police surgeries which are on the first Friday of each month. You can contact PCSO Martin on 07923 288641.