Minutes of Bubbenhall
Parish Council Meetings

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BUBBENHALL ANNUAL PARISH ASSEMBLY MEETING
on 18th May 2010

Minutes of the Bubbenhall Parish Council Meeting
Held on Tuesday 13 July  2010

Present:          Cllr. Joanne Shattock (Chair)            Cllr J Lloyd
Cllr G Green                                       Cllr R Green
Cllr W Nwachkwu,                             Cllr J Border
Cllr R Keates                                      Cllr MacKay
Cllr N Pratt
Dawn Eady (Clerk)

Minutes:

The Chair welcomed Cllr Mackay, Chair of Warwick District Council to the meeting.

1.         Apologies
            Cllr Doody, Cllr Hammon

2.         Minutes of the previous meeting of 15 June were agreed and signed by the Chair.

3.         Matters Arising
            a)  3a) The matter of the rubbish behind the garages in Moat Close has again been raised with Warwick District Council

            b) 3d) The Pope will now be visiting Birmingham and not Coventry Airport.  The Parish Council meeting which had been arranged for late August to discuss the proposed papal visit has now been cancelled and the next meeting will be Thursday 23rd September.

            c) 4) The laurel bushes in the walkthrough between Coopers Walk and A445 have now been cut back.

            d) 16c) Highways Department were informed of the overhanging trees in Pagets Lane but the trees had already been cut back by a local resident.  However, the grass verges still need to be trimmed.

4. Affordable Housing Survey
   Mr Phil Ward attended the meeting to discuss the survey.  32% of the residents replied to the survey.  60% of these were supportive of a small number of affordable houses, 20% against and 20% did not know.  It was decided from the data of the survey that six homes for local people were required.  Two pieces of land in the village had been offered for affordable housing. Warwick District Council have agreed that planning permission would only be granted for affordable housing after a survey had been carried out in the village. At the present time no further houses could be built in Bubbenhall.  The Parish Council raised the question of what happens to these houses when the people who had requested them left the village.  Mr Ward stated that these would only be offered to local people and that the legal condition of the planning permission was that in perpetuity they would be for people with local connections only.  The Parish Council will look at the sites offered.  Concern was expressed that further housing would be added to these small group of houses. No further affordable houses can be built without another survey and WDC would need to have evidence of local need before planning permission would be granted. The Parish Council will need to state their preferred site.  The Housing Association would then apply for planning permission.  An architect would be approached to draw up plans.  A public consultation would then be arranged with the housing association and architect present.

5.         Business from members of the public

Concern has been expressed regarding the riding of horses in Lower End and Moat  Close.  The riders have been informed that they cannot ride horses on the paths or the walkthroughs.  Cllr G Green will speak to the riders again.

Concern has also been expressed regarding the driving of a tractor around the village, with other children on the back or on a trailer.  Cllr Green will speak to the people concerned.

6.         Village Spout
           
Mr Sproul gave his report.  The application to Awards for All for funding for the UV system and the repairs to the pipe work was unsuccessful.  In the interim, Mr Sproul has liaised with Davian of Kenilworth regarding the ultraviolet sterilization system and has discovered that the concept is much more costly than at first estimated.  A decision will be required as to the need for this feature in the short term.

Mr Sproul expressed concern about children playing ball games on the green and asked the Parish Council’s opinion as to whether or not a sign that forbids the ball games on the grounds of safety should be erected.  The Parish Council will look to see what, if any, action needs to be taken and will discuss the matter at the next meeting.

The Chair reported that the lease for the pond area has not yet been finalized..

7.         Planning report

a)  A request has been received for the agricultural restriction order to be lifted from land adjacent to Shrubs Lodge Bubbenhall.  The Warwickshire Wild Life Trust have applied to the Forestry Commission to plant trees in the three fields attached to Shrubs Lodge. The Parish Council agreed that, as Shrubs Lodge is no longer a farm, they would recommend that the order be lifted and applauded the idea of planting trees in these fields.
b)  A Hedgerow Removal notice was received for the removal of two hedgerows on land adjacent to Lower End, Bubbenhall.  The Parish Council would prefer that the hedgerows were not removed but had no significant reasons why they should not be removed.
c) Planning permission has been granted for the change of use of land and formation of hardstanding to form part of extended residential cartilage of Cedar Lodge, Weston Lane and also the removal of condition 20 on this land.

8.         Security

Cllr G Green gave her report.  One of the pubs in the village was raided on 29th June and the landlord was injured.  On 10th July a motor bike was stolen from Orchard Way and a van was burnt out on the Stoneleigh Road.
Concern was expressed regarding rumours of a site for travellers in Bubbenhall. Several sites in the area had been suggested in the Regional Spatial Strategy but this report has now been scrapped. No conclusions had been reached although there is no longer any obligation to provide a site for travellers.  It was felt that legal legislation would be required to remove the Regional Spatial Strategy.  The Parish Council raised their concerns in view of the fact that a large site for travellers is near to the village.  This matter will be raised on the agenda for the September meeting.

h) Cllr Keates mentioned the possibility of organising events in the village.  Bubbenhall Village Events organise several events such as the summer fair, etc and Cllr Keates will be referred to them.

BUBBENHALL ANNUAL PARISH ASSEMBLY MEETING

Minutes of the
Bubbenhall Annual Parish Assembly Meeting
Held on 18 May 2010

Present: Cllr Joanne Shattock, Cllr Jackie Lloyd,
Cllr J Border, Cllr Gill Green, Cllr Ruth Green         
Cllr M Doody, Cllr N Pratt
Dawn Eady (Clerk)

1.         Apologies were received from Cllr J Hammon, Cllr Win Nwachkwu

2.         Minutes of the last meeting
The Minutes of the meeting on 19 May 2009 were agreed as a correct record and were signed by the Chair.  There were no matters arising.

3.         Report by the Chair of the Parish Council (Cllr J Shattock)

Warwickshire Best Village Competition

As reported at last year’s Parish Assembly the Parish Council undertook to organize Bubbenhall’s entry in this new competition with the help of members of the various groups and clubs in the village. At a ceremony in July 2009 we were delighted to be awarded second place, and a prize of £300. The village was commended for innovative use of its buildings, in particular, the village hall, for the erection of the new bus shelter as part of the spout garden project, and for its communications, the newsletter and websites being singled out for special mention. The Parish Council asked Tony Sproul if he would co-ordinate this year’s entry, which he has agreed to do, with the help of a committee drawn as before from groups and clubs in the village. The deadline for entries is 31st May.

Personnel 

At our April meeting Councillor Peter Hennessey tendered his resignation due to his impending departure from the village. The Council expressed its appreciation of his services over the last two and one-half years. The appropriate steps have been taken to publicize the vacancy. If there is not a demand for an election the Council has the power to co-opt a new member. Expressions of interest will be invited.

Planning

The Parish Council considered twelve planning applications relating to village properties in 2009-10. Of these eleven were granted, and one refused by Warwick District Council. The Parish Council monitors those applications that are subject to certain conditions, with help from our District Councillors who liaise on our behalf with the planning department. There is currently one enforcement order on a property in the village. Rugby District Council now notify us of planning applications relating to land and property on our boundaries.

Affordable Housing

The Parish Council supported a village wide survey on the need for Affordable Housing in the village.  The survey was completed in March, and the results are expected shortly from the Warwickshire Rural Community Council.

Landfill Site, Weston Lane.

The Liaison Committee, which consists of representatives of Bubbenhall and Weston under Wetherley Parish Councils, Warwickshire County Council, Waste Recycling Group, Smith’s Concrete, and the Environment Agency, has held three meetings this year. The committee receives reports on the working of the site, on gas migration, and the state of litter. It also reports specific concerns of those residents whose properties are adjacent to the site. Among the issues discussed were the end date of operations for Smith’s Concrete including the restoration of Glebe Farm to its original contours. The Parish Council were successful in securing the withdrawal of an application for a new access to Glebe Farm from Paget’s Lane.

Coventry Airport

Cllr John Border is our representative on the airport consultative committee, along with Cllr Hammon, who represents Warwick District Council on the committee. With their help the Parish Council has been monitoring developments, including the recent sale of the airport, from which no concrete plans have yet emerged.

Village Spout Project

The Village Spout Sub-Committee under the chairmanship of Tony Sproul has overseen further development of the spout garden, including the regular testing of the water, and the installation of an electric pump. With the help of our solicitor we are in the process of securing a 99 year lease on the land adjacent to the spout garden, which includes a section of the village pond.  The Spout Sub-Committee currently has grant applications in process. Future projects include repairs to the pipes feeding the spout, the fitting of a UV filter for the water, and a replacement of the spout trough.

Policing and Neighbourhood Watch

A grant from Warwick District Council has provided a portion of the money for the installation of a second security gate and bollards adjacent to the playing field at the far end of the village hall car park. The remainder of the cost will be met from the precept. These security measures were undertaken at the request of the Village Hall Committee. Warwickshire Police continue to liaise with Cllr Gill Green, chair of Neighbourhood Watch, who keeps the Parish Council updated on incidents in the village. PC Mike Everall continues as our designated officer, with the assistance of two police community support officers.

Highway Matters

A new Bubbenhall sign is to be erected on the A445 .Following complaints from village residents, a litter bin has been  installed on the lay-by by the nursery school. Warwick District Council have agreed to empty the bin.

Recreation Ground

Following the retirement of Mr Wagstaff who has held the contract for mowing and maintaining the recreation ground tenders were sought for his replacement. The contract has been given to Heritage and Sons for a period of one year in the first instance. Chris Goddard continues to be employed by the Parish Council for maintenance of the playground equipment, the tennis court area, and for general repairs. There has been a marked improvement in the appearance of the playing fields and adjacent area. Fly tipping on the lane adjacent to the recreation ground is currently under investigation by Warwick District Council.

Broadband

There have been many complaints about the quality of Broadband provision in the village.  The Parish Council has explored the possibility of privately funded broadband, although there does not seem to be sufficient interest to generate the investment required.  The Clerk has been in correspondence with Open Reach but with as yet no positive result.  

Precept

The Parish Council took the decision to apply for a substantial increase in our precept from Warwick District Council for this year only. We did so for a number of reasons. The small increases in the annual precept since 2000 have not kept pace with our escalating costs  – for insurance, the maintenance of the recreation ground and playground equipment, the cutting of verges and general village maintenance. The sub-committee charged with developing the Spout Garden have been very successful in generating grant income, but several of the grants have required contributions from the Parish Council as a prerequisite of the award. The ongoing maintenance of the Spout Garden – mowing, electricity, insurance, and pest control – is now an additional annual commitment for the Council. The Village Hall Committee has been equally successful in raising money for renovations to the hall. This year the Parish Council agreed to contribute a substantial sum as part of their successful grant application.
We have asked for an increase in the precept for 2009-10 to meet these demands and restore our reserves which have become depleted. We anticipate that the precept will be lower next year, although it cannot return to the original level in view of demands on the Council’s budget. 

Conclusion

I would like to thank members of the Parish Council for their continued efforts in what has been another busy year. In particular I would like to thank our clerk for her excellent support to all our activities. As ever, we thank our three District and County councillors for their help and advice and for their attendance at our meetings.

4.         Report by the Village Spout Committee – Mr Tony Sproul
           
            Project Completion
I am pleased to advise you that allof the original project objectives have now been completed.  The plan in three phases has been achieved on time and within budget. I believe that we have a village centre and facilities that everyone can be proud of belonging to.

            Ongoing maintenance and enhancement
There is and there will be the requirement to maintain and enhance the focal  point of our village.
In this regard, I have created and completed an application to Awards for All (The National Lottery) to purify the spring water source, repair the old spout piping to its outlet and to replace the trough.

Additionally, there has been call for a storyboard on the Green, similar but larger that the Best Village sign,.  This, along with our ambition to procure a permanent Christmas Tree will form the basis of small scale ongoing fundraising.  Cyril Hancock continues very effectively to look after Village Green maintenance.

The Chairman congratulated Mr Sproul on the successful completion of the project.

5.         Report by the Village Hall Committee – Cllr Jackie Lloyd

            Village Hall Improvements
Total refurbishment of the main kitchen and both toilets has been agreed and will take place during the first three weeks of August this year.

The total cost will be £29,138.  The Parish Council has agreed to pay £1500, grants have been obtained and the remaining cost will be aid from Village Hall funds.

Health Inspection
This has been carried out.  Some minor work needs to be done in both kitchens and will be carried out during the refurbishment.

            Fire Assessment is carried out regularly and the exit light has been replaced.

            Security
There has been some minor social issues during the year, with persons hanging around the hall causing damage.  The veranda is being used as a through-way for bikes and it has been decided that further paving slabs be laid to provide access from the car park to the playing field.

            Constitution
Following discussions with the Charities Commission with regards to amending the wording of the constitution, the charity shall henceforth adopt the name Bubbenhall Village Hall.

The village hall continues to be well used by regular groups and the Villag Hall committee hopes that the refurbishments will encourage more outside bookings.

The Chairman congratulated Bubbenhall Village Hall committee for their hard work during the year and thanked Cllr Lloyd for her report.

6.         Report on the Recreation Ground – Cllr Ruth Green

Our Bubbenhall playing fields, playground and multi-use games area provide an excellent resource for the residents, children and young people of Bubbenhall and the surrounding communities.  Work which has been carried out over recent years, particularly the drainage work has enhances the grassed area, benefiting the football players and also the cleanliness of the Village Hall.  Further work to lay paving slabs along the front of the Village Hall will provide access for cyclists to the BMX track and ensure safety for people entering and leaving the Village Hall.

The Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents (ROSPA) carried out their inspection on September 2nd 2009.  In the report they stated that Bubbenhall had an ‘attractive range of good play value equipment for all ages with a nearby MUGA (multi-use games area).  The playground is in good condition and is well-maintained.’  They also recognised the hard work that has been done over the year in the games area and wrote ‘Considerable resources and work have been put into the playground which has resulted in a much higher standard of provision’  We are very pleased with this report and would like to thank Chris Goddard for his work over the year for carrying out regular maintenance tasks around the playground and in the village.

The following equipment was inspected and all were found to be in a safe state with no high level risks:- Slide, 2 flat seat swing, cradle seat swing, aerial runway, kulti-play with slide, agility trail, rocking rotator, seal spring and the crawl tunnel.  In addition the seating, access, fencing, signage, litter bins and cleanliness were all examined and were found suitable for the area.  However, it was recommended that bicycle racks were installed.

Improvements this year have included new tennis posts and a winder net wire.  There will be replacement basket ball nets up before the summer starts and we also have a delivery of bark expected and this should be spread before the next half-term holiday which will ensure a safe landing for the children playing in the playground area.

After the very cold weather the moles moved in and made quite a mess of the playing fields, causing problems for the footballers and also made the safe surface areas under the play equipment very slippery.  The grass cutting team have now agreed to use a regular anti-mole treatment.

In addition to the work on the playing fields, work has been carried in other areas of the village including a new litter bin on the lay-by on the A445, a replacement gate catch on the gate from Orchard Way to the A445, leaf clearing in the alley ways and some road sign cleaning.  Unfortunately, the catch on the gate has once again been broken so we need to investigate a new solution to ensure t3e gate stays shut.

We should like to thank Bubbenhall Parishioners for their vigilance in alerting us when a problem occurs on the playground and playing fields in order to maintain a safe playground and for their suggestions for improving the provision for us all.

The Chairman thanked Cllr Ruth Green for all she does in overseeing the provisions for the recreation ground.

7.         Neighbourhood Watch report by Cllr Gill  Green
           
Bubbenhall has been a crime free village.  The Neighbourhood Watch Co-ordinators continue to watch out for any suspicious vehicles or persons seen in the village.  The gate on the Village Hall car park has been a great success.  This is currently being opened and closed by local residents.  Opportune car crime can still be a problem and residents are asked not to leave articles in their cars and to be vigilant at all times.

Cllr Green continues to attend the meetings of the Rural East Community Forum.  These meetings are very useful in liaising with the Police, WDC and others to find out what is happening in the area.

The Chairman thanked Cllr Gill Green for her report.

8.        Report on Coventry Airport – Cllr John Border

This was a turbulent year for Coventry Airport, starting the year being put up for sale in May 09
There have only been two Airport Consultative Committee meetings during the year.  At the first, in July, the airport’s Director Brian Cox continued to be upbeat about the prospects of finding potential purchasers of /investors in the Airport , and also of attracting new commercial and freight operators. However there continued to be no scheduled  passenger flights operating from the airport and little immediate prospect of any commencing in the near future. The airport remained  closed at night, and consequently the number of noise complaints was very low.
By December 2009, the airport remained unsold, and was facing  a high court winding up petition due to unpaid creditors. The airport closed for commercial operations and had its aerodrome licence suspended. A frantic period of activity followed as the company was wound up, and Coventry City Council  tried to find a purchaser.  Finally in April 2010, it was announced a company led by Sir Peter Rigby had concluded negotiations to take on the airport.  It is understood from Sir Peter’s presentation to the Consultative committee in March that the ‘deal’ negotiated with Coventry CC revolves around including land around the airport for redevelopment adjacent to Rowley Road including the airport museum, railway sidings and Rugby Club. Further details remain unclear.
At time of writing, the airport is attempting to regain its aerodrome licence, having to put new arrangements in place for air traffic control and fire cover, and it looks like its immediate future as an airport has been secured once again.

9.         District Council Report – Cllr N Pratt

Cllr Pratt apologised for not attending all the Parish Council meetings due to his duties as Chair of Warwick District Council.  The high speed train link has caused concern in the area and an action group is being formed with other local councils provide a more solid picture against the proposed route.  The papal visit in September is being overseen by Warwick District Council.  Cllr Pratt thanked the Parish Council for their support during the year.

The Chairman thanked Cllr Pratt and Cllr Hammon for their support and advice during the year.

10.       County Council Report – Cllr Michael Doody           

• This year is much like  many others apart from the large amount of potholes.  £500K will be spent in the County just on potholes.
• Warwickshire County and Warwick District Councils  have considered the Link Road from the Show Ground at Stoneleigh to the A46 and agreed to support the venture.  Money from Advantage West Midlands is held up because of financial conditions.
• Warwick District Council and Stratford District Council are to investigate if they can work together to reduce the overheads and hence the Council Tax.  It is important that the brand name does not change.
• The Warwickshire County C ou7ncil have set their Council Taxes increase at 2.4%
• The Safer Neighbourhood has now become part of the Community Forum.  The Police inform me that crime is down.
• Since Christmas we have had one County Councillor die and one had to resign from ill health.
• The County is working to narrowing the gaps.  In my view money itself does not narrow any gaps in areas and £7.7million spent  on Brunswick division has not achieved any improvement.
• Personalising of home care has been successful and more money is now spent on dementia.
• The new North Leamington School is now complete at a cost of £32M.
• The Police feel that parking is not their responsibility but that of Warwick District Council.  I do not agree with Sgt Holby but he has agreed to put a paper on vehicles obstructing the villages.  I await to see this.
• The Community Forum has allocated amounts of money.  This year we have given money to the many very deserving cases.
• The Police have problems in attending every Parish Council Meeting but they have endeavoured to send a report via e-mail.
• A number of initiatives for speed reduction and highway safety are underway or soon will be.
• The new high speed rail was announced 250mph and 14 trains per hour each way.
• I should like to congratulate the Clerk who has always provided good sound advice with accuracy to the Parish Council.
• Both your District Councillors have represented this ward extremely well at the District Council and next year Councillor Hammon will continue with the portfolio for Development and Councillor Pratt, after a very successful year as Chairman, will take on the role of Chairman of Licensing.
• Madam Chairman, I should also like to congratulate you for the way that you have courteously managed the council meetings.

The Chairman thanked Cllr Doody for his report and for all his help and advice during the year.

11.       Any Other Business
            There was no further business.

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If you wish to contact us please do so to the Parish Clerk -

Mrs Dawn Eady, 24 Coopers Walk, Bubbenhall CV8 3JB, 02476 303957
bubbenhallparishclerk@talktalk.net