LITTLE WENLOCK PARISH COUNCIL

MINUTES OF THE ANNUAL PARISH OPEN MEETING HELD ON
MONDAY 18th APRIL, 2011, AT 7.30 p.m. IN THE VILLAGE HALL, LITTLE WENLOCK.

PRESENT: Cllr. Ms. Pat Hutching in the Chair, Councillors Mrs. Debbie Goodman, Mr. Ed Roberts, Mr. Steve Collins and Mr. Alan Lees. Mr. J.F. Marcham – Parish Clerk.

IN ATTENDANCE

T&W Councillors Miss J Seymour and Mr. T Kiernan. WPC J. Macpherson from West Mercia Constabulary. 26 plus electors.

COMMUNITY REPRESENTATIVES:

Mr. Mike Dean Gardening Club
Mrs. Carol White Lunch Club
Mrs. H. Betts C Red
Mrs. Ishbel Walker Wenlock Wombles
Mrs. Sue Bates Keep Fit
Mrs. Heather Cooke W.I.
Miss Dot Knott Bowls Club
Roy Parsons Village Hall

Little Wenlock Parish Council’s Annual Report for 2011 had been included in the April edition of the Community News which had been sent to every household within the parish prior to the meeting. The minutes of the Open Parish Meeting held on 26th April 2010 and the accounts for 2010/2011 were circulated at the meeting.

1. Opening remarks from the Parish Council Chairman, Councillor Pat Hutchings:

Cllr. Pat Hutchings welcomed everyone to the meeting and outlined the agenda for the meeting. She thanked everyone for their displays and the WI for their excellent catering.

2. BEN BRADLEY:

Ben Bradley, a talented violinist who lives in the parish, played two pieces of music.

3. COUNCILLORS' QUESTION TIME:

The Chairman responded to a question about the make-up of the new Parish Council after the local elections on 5th May by stating that Cllrs. Goodman and Collins had not stood for re-election and that Mrs. Sheila Hutchison and Miss Juliet Esp had stood for election. As there were 5 candidates for the 5 places no election would take place.

4. QUESTIONS TO OUR BEAT OFFICER, WPC JUDITH MCPHERSON:

Mr. Jim Roberts raised the question of the protestors at New Works being in the nude in a public place and causing offence. WPC Macpherson stated that the police had not been informed of any incidents and could only act once a complaint had been made.

Mr. Jim Roberts also asked why a car belonging to a local person at Steeraway had been given a £80 ticket by the police. WPC Macpherson stated that there had been a complaint about the parked car and when the owner had been requested to move the vehicle he did not, hence the ticket.

Mrs. Elaine Gandy asked about beer cans that were constantly thrown from a car and thus littering the verges. WPC Macpherson stated that a person had been spoken to about this.

This led onto a general discussion about litter and fly tipping within the parish and particularly on Coalbrookdale Road.
It was suggested that the PC place litter bins where the people who go fishing park and at the pull-in at the top of Willowmoor Bank.

5. ITEMS FROM ELECTORS:

  1. The question was asked,”What is the time scale for responding to the UK Coal Restoration Plan?” which was on display in the hall. It was felt that as the plan would not be implemented for some years there was ample time for a full and detailed response to the plan.
  2. It was noted by one elector that the PC had a balance carried forward of £9,511.88 which was a £3,000 increase on last year. The Parish Clerk explained that the increase was largely due to substantial VAT return in respect of the Outdoor Gym. It was further asked what the PC intended to spend the money on for the benefit of the community.
  3. It was pointed out that the sign on the lamp post at Little Worth was no longer there.
  4. It was pointed out that at last year’s meeting a request for a footpath from Horsehay to Dog in the lane along Coalmoor Road be established. Peter Whittle (Chairman of the Huntington Lane Surface Mine Community Liaison Committee) reported that he and the Parish Clerk had met with footpath officers from T&W this year to look into the viability of such a footpath.
  5. It was stated that the planting of the verges with wild flowers was welcome and could trees be added, especially flowering cherries. It was stated that trees had been planted where there were gaps in the hedges.
  6. It was stated that New Works needs to benefit from the Community Fund and that a small area with seating and planted with flowers and trees might be welcome.
  7. The Chairman stated that we need to establish who has ownership of the verges in the parish.
  8. It was pointed out that the Highway Act states that verges need to be kept available for walkers and horse riders where there is traffic. Trees should be planted where they cannot be knocked into and have a height that will not impede a horse, i.e. not be too small.

6. PARISH SIGNS, TRAFFIC CALMING AND STREET LIGHTING:

  1. Cllr. Alan Lees outlined the suggestions for the new parish signs and asked those present to look at the various designs and comment upon them.
  2. It was pointed out that the finger post at Little Worth was worth keeping.
  3. It was pointed out that Coalmoor Road had no “street” sign. The Clerk responded by saying that this had been brought to the attention of the local authority and Cllr. Lees stated that signs for the road were included in the project.
  4. It was suggested that the entry signs could have small round “warning signs” underneath to indicate older people, children playing and horse riders as a reminder to those entering the communities of the dangers.
  5. Cllr. Lees stated that he and the PC had an on-going dialog with T&W about traffic calming but progress was slow and frustrating. There was an urgent need to reduce traffic speeds on Wellington Road and to move the 30 mph sign further towards Wellington so that speed cameras can be used.
  6. The Quiet Lane project was still on-going and T&W were forming a working party to examine all aspects of traffic calming and management in the area. The first meeting should take place in May and Cllr. Lees would be a member of the working party.
  7. Concern was expressed about parking at the Forest Glen and the danger of the bend; it was suggested that the priority of the Give Way be changed.
  8. It was suggested that active signs with smiley/grumpy faces might be effective.

7. T&W COUNCILLORS:

Both local councillors were present but because of the forthcoming election were not able to make any comments. However a member of the parish did compliment T&W on the work done to improve rights of way.

8. THE WREKIN TRUNDLE:

Mrs. Marilyn Pietroni gave a power point presentation about the Wrekin Trundle, explained what it was, how it would be funded and asked for support with the project.

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