Minutes of Bubbenhall
Parish Council Meetings

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BUBBENHALL ANNUAL PARISH ASSEMBLY MEETING
on 10th May 2011

BUBBENHALL PARISH COUNCIL

Minutes of the Bubbenhall Parish Council Meeting,
Tuesday 17 January 2012 in the Village Hall
Draft minutes to be approved at the Parish Council meeting on 6 March 2012

Present:               Cllr Joanne Shattock (Chair)                           
Cllr John Hammon
Cllr Win Nwachkwu                                         Rose Woodforth (Clerk)                  
Cllr Aldo Keates                                               
Cllr Sam Baker                                  
Cllr Richard Morrison
Cllr Steve Haynes                                                                          
                                            
1.            Apologies were received from Cllrs Pratt and Doody.

2.            Declarations of interest for agenda items Cllr Haynes declared an interest in the planning application for 5 Home Close, it is his home.

3.            Minutes of the previous meeting on 6 December 2011 were agreed and were signed by the Chair.

4.            Matters arising
Affordable Housing The Clerk reported that as agreed at the last meeting she had contacted WRCC, WRHA and WDC stating that the Parish Council unanimously agreed to reject the WRCC recommendation that the Parish Council support the proposed housing development. No response has been received.

Paget’s Lane waste collection problems The Clerk has reported the problem to WCC and is waiting further information.

5.            Vacancy on Parish Council
The notice of the vacancy has been displayed on notice boards, an election has not been requested therefore the Parish Council is free to co-opt a new Councillor. Two interested villagers attended the meeting.

6.            Emergency Committee
Tony Cox, Chair of the Emergency Committee notified the Clerk that the Committee is now down to one member only. It is necessary that at least one Parish Councillor be on the Committee and also two or three others. Cllr Haynes agreed to join as did Cllr Morrison as he is in the village during the day. The Clerk is to contact another possible member and forward contact details to Tony Cox. The first role of the new committee will be to update the Emergency Plan. The Chair emphasised the need for the list of vulnerable people to be up-to-date.

7.            Business from members of the public
At the last meeting Bubbenhall Village Events Committee asked if they could donate a bench to be sited at the bottom of Coopers Walk or along Lower End for elderly residents to use on their way to and from the bus/post box. Suitability of the notice board area agreed at the last meeting was questioned. After a discussion of possible locations for the bench the Clerk is to investigate siting the bench on Lower End opposite the Manor House. Clerk is to follow up, contacting the Conservation Officer and WCC Highways department.
Last year a villager requested to donate money towards the Christmas tree however as this had already been purchased it was suggested that he might like to donate a bench instead. The resident has since asked for the bench to be sited on the Village Green. The Clerk contacted Tony Sproul asking for suitable locations, and a location was suggested however Tony reported that the current bench on the Green is starting to rot and needs repair. Concern was expressed by the Council that the bench already on the Village Green is not the same as the standard benches used on the recreation ground and so would be considerably more expensive. Concern was also raised about the Christmas tree as it doesn’t look particularly healthy. Clerk will contact Tony to see if he has any news on the health of the tree and also the resident to ask whether he would like to put money towards the Christmas tree lights instead.

8.            Coventry Airport
Cllr Hammon reported there is a Consultative Committee meeting next week. There is a plan for development in place, but this does not include the airport. The Clerk is to find details of a meeting to be held in Baginton regarding the airport and send information to Councillors.

9.            HS2
The Chair remarked on the lack of publicity there had been from the Warwickshire MPs following the announcement that the cabinet has agreed to go ahead with almost the original HS2 scheme. The route has been altered slightly and it will take a different route through the Stoneleigh Showground. Cllr Hammon remarked that the 51M group (of which WDC is a member) is pressing for a judicial review after it has been reported that 90% of responses received during the consultation period were against HS2.

9a.          Liaison Committee
The Chair reminded the Council of the advance notice Smiths have provided of the application they intend to make in February to quarry Wolston Fields Farm. At the Liaison Committee meeting on 10 January the Parish Council were told 4 lorries an hour will transport sand and gravel from Wolston to the Bubbenhall quarry for processing. An exhibition will take place in Wolston of Smiths proposals. Clerk to send details to Parish Councillors when received confirmation of date.

The Chair also queried the date of 2015 for the restoration of the Glebe Farm land, believing it to be 2013, but John Green said this had always been the date. Cllr Hammon also believed it to be 2013. Clerk to investigate further.

Smiths Concrete has invited Councillors on a tour of the site on Saturday 21 January, unfortunately no Councillors can attend. Clerk to request alternate dates.

10.         Recreation Ground
A tree has fallen on to the Village Hall car park, it has already been cut up and someone is going to bring a chipping machine. The Parish Council agreed if the tree was not removed the Clerk should obtain quotes for removal before the next meeting.

               The Clerk is to arrange for delivery and installation of the bench and picnic tables.

BMX track project
It was agreed to wait until March when the Parish Council will look into applying for a Capital Grant before approaching Smiths Concrete for assistance in clearing the area.

11.         Finance & Budget             
The Clerk presented the financial report. The Parish Council agreed to set up a savings account and to deposit reserves that have been earmarked for certain funds. To include: £750 election expenses (yearly); £3,000 BMX track project fund; £250 towards the parish plan. The reserve funds total £4,000.

The Parish Council budget for 2012-13 was discussed and it was agreed the precept for the next financial year should be £10,000. Clerk to notify WDC.

12.         Planning
5 Home Close - erection of single storey extension to front porch. Responses were requested before the meeting took place and Parish Councillors emailed the Clerk their comments. The Parish Council had no objection.
Watery Meadow, Bubbenhall Road - erection of field shelter and hay store and change of use from recreational use to agricultural use including livestock and horses. The Parish Council had no objections, although concern was expressed about implications on converting recreational land to agricultural land.
Buck & Hickman Ltd, Siskin Parkway East, Middlemarch, Business Park, Coventry - infilling sides of existing canopy. The Parish Council is notified of applications made on the Business Park.
  Longfields, Spring Hill – erection of single storey rear extension, balcony and new first floor doors. The Parish Council has no objections. Permission has been granted; the Parish Council had no objections to this application.

13.         Diamond Jubilee
Cllr Baker suggested the Village celebrate the Diamond Jubilee as part of the Fete and Fun day on 16 June as it was likely lots of families will be away on the official date (4 June) as this is during half-term week. There will be a tea-party, decorated floats, games and races. The Parish Council thought this a good idea and agreed to provide a souvenir/memento for the children of the Village. The Parish Council agreed to donate £500 to provide this. The Bubbenhall Village Events Committee has also agreed a £100 donation to the events.

14.         WALC Meeting report
Cllr Nwachkwu attended the meeting on 14 December and reported that WRCC are undertaking a bus service review, Parish Councils will receive questionnaires to disseminate to residents for completion. Cllr Nwachkwu also stated that there is currently a sum of money to repair winter-damaged roads and that WCC Highways has contracted all work to Balfour Beatty.

The importance of having a Parish Plan was emphasised at the meeting, something which Cllr Hammon agreed. It is necessary to create a Parish Plan committee; the Chair suggested asking the Events and the Village Hall Committees for suggestions as these are the two main active groups in the Village. This will be a main Agenda item next time.  

15.         Parish Matters (AOB)       
Overhanging trees Stoneleigh Road - The Clerk has written to the owners responsible for the boundary hedgerow on Stoneleigh Road however no reply has been received. Clerk to contact WCC for advice.
Cllr Morrison has received complaints regarding the domestic waste collections over the Christmas period with lorries refusing to take over-filled bins.
The Clerk is to chase the offer of someone from Severn Trent attending a meeting to discuss the problems the Village has with drainage.

16.         Security
Concern was expressed regarding the lack of neighbourhood watch information, Chair to contact Gill Green.

17.         Correspondence not dealt with in other items
i) WALC briefing: Precepts 2012-13 and Non Application of Council Tax Referendum
ii) WALC briefing: The Discontinuation of Gratuities and Local Government Pensions
iii) WALC: Warwick Area Meeting minutes 14 December
iv) WALC Briefing Seminar £39, 3 March.    
v) Nominations for Royal Garden Party on 22 May, nominations received by 30 January. The Council decided to nominate Cllr Shattock.
vi) Diamond Jubilee Beacons Registration, if not lighting a beacon they want they to know why. Clerk to respond: Bubbenhall will be celebrating the Jubilee on the 16 June in collaboration with the Village Fete.
vii) WDC Dog Exclusion Order. Would Bubbenhall like any areas included, they must however be “clearly demarcated”. The Council agreed it wasn’t necessary at this time.
viii) WDC Charity Theatre Night – Acorn Antiques the Musical tickets £15, 27 March 7.30pm. 

The next Parish Council Meeting will be on 6 March 2012

Re minute 9a above:
The public exhibition for Smiths Concrete Wolston Fields Farm project will be held on Monday 30th January at the Wolston Community and Leisure Centre, Manor Estate, Wolston CV8 3GT from 2-7.30pm.

Minutes of the Bubbenhall Parish Assembly
Tuesday 10 May 2011

Present:           Cllr Joanne Shattock (Chair)                 Cllr Norman Pratt
Cllr Jackie Lloyd
Cllr Aldo Keates
Cllr Gill Green
Cllr Sam Baker
Cllr Steve Haynes                                            
Rosemary Woodforth (Clerk)

1.         Apologies for absence were received form Cllr Hammon and Cllr Morrison.

2.         Minutes of previous meeting on 18 May 2010 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 Joanne Shattock

Personnel 
Bubbenhall Parish Council has experienced an unprecedented number of changes to its membership in the last twelve months.  At our annual meeting in May 2010 our clerk of four years, Dawn Eady, tendered her resignation with effect from the end of September. A subcommittee was set up to appoint a replacement and in August the post was offered to Gill King, formerly of the Warwickshire County Council. Mrs King took up the post in October, but unfortunately had to resign with effect from 7 February due to family circumstances.  We were fortunate to be able to appoint Rosemary Woodforth, with effect from February 2011, and we look forward to working with her for the foreseeable future.

The vacancy created by the resignation of Cllr Peter Hennessey, announced in last year’s report, was filled by the co-option of Cllr Aldo Keates at our June meeting. Cllrs Ruth Green and John Border resigned with effect from September and October 2011.  Several members of the village expressed interest in the vacancies. Stephen Haynes, Samantha Baker and Richard Morrison submitted nomination papers for the local government election on 5th May along with existing Cllrs Gill Green, Aldo Keates, Wyn Nwachukwu and Joanne Shattock. All were deemed elected without a contest, and comprise the new council. All of the new councillors have enrolled on or have attended training courses.

It is with great regret that we say farewell to Cllr Jackie Lloyd who steps down after more than twentyeight years on the Parish Council, with two terms as an outstanding Chairman. The Parish Council and the village are greatly indebted to Jackie’s enormous contribution to this aspect of village life. We are glad that her contribution will continue in other capacities.

Affordable Housing
A questionnaire prepared by the Warwickshire Rural Community Council was distributed by the Parish Council in March 2010 to determine whether there was a need for affordable housing for members of the village or others with local connections. Thirty-two per cent of the questionnaires were returned, of which 61% were in favour of a housing scheme, 20 % were against, and 19% were undecided. The responses were analyzed by the Rural Housing Enabler and his team and a development of six dwellings, four for rent and two for shared ownership, has been proposed. A plot of land has been identified, and a draft layout of the development presented to the Parish Council’s April meeting. A public consultation will be held in the Village Hall in June.

Village Spout Project
With the help of the Parish Council’s solicitor a 99 year lease on the land adjacent to the spout garden, which includes a section of the village pond, was signed by the Council and the landowner in October.  This brings to a conclusion a major phase of development of the spout garden, by the Spout Subcommittee under the chairmanship of Tony Sproul, who have been very successful in acquiring grants to assist in their work. The latest addition is a living Christmas tree which has been purchased from funds donated anonymously and is shortly to be planted.

Warwickshire Best Village Competition
F or the second year running Bubbenhall was awarded second place in the Warwickshire Best Village Competition. This year’s entry was coordinated by Tony Sproul, assisted by a committee drawn from village groups and clubs. Our entries in the ‘History and Heritage’ and the ‘Local Heroes’ categories were placed third, and our scores in all six categories contributed to our achieving second place overall. The £100 prize was used to fund the Christmas lights on the village green.

Planning
The Parish Council considered a number of planning applications relating to village properties in 2010-l, as well as those relating to Middlemarch Business Park which are referred to us for comment. 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 are currently two enforcement orders on properties in the village. There is currently a major planning application before the Parish Council for an extension of sand and gravel extraction, and for waste disposal for a further five years, taking the dates to 2016 and 2021 respectively.

High Speed Rail (HS2)
At its February meeting the Parish Council voted unanimously to oppose the proposed High Speed Rail line from London to Birmingham. Although the line does not directly affect the village, the Parish Council felt that its proximity to neighbouring villages, the overall environmental impact and the disruption which will be caused by its construction made it imperative that we oppose the project. We will be joining the Stoneleigh Village Action Group. Cllr Lloyd and Dr. A. D. Lloyd attended a conference on HS2 at Stoneleigh Park on 19th February and presented a detailed report of the proceedings.

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. Having been assured that the operations were due to end with the restoration of Glebe Farm land in 2013 the Parish Council were shocked to receive notification on 20 April 2011 of the application for an extension of sand and gravel extraction and waste disposal for a further five years as noted earlier in this report.

Coventry Airport
Recent proposed developments of the airport under its new ownership will mean that the Parish Council, with the help of District and County Councillors will renew its opposition to the expansion of the airport, to the resumption of commercial flights, and of night flying.  It has retained its membership of CAECA (Campaign against the Expansion of Coventry Airport) for this purpose, and intends to make representation on the airport’s Consultative Committee. 

Policing and Neighbourhood Watch
Warwickshire Police continue to liaise with Cllr Gill Green, chair of Neighbourhood Watch, who keeps the Parish Council updated on incidents in the village. A mobile police station has visited the village on two occasions. Members of the Parish Council receive regular email updates on crime in the district.

Recreation Ground
The Parish Council has been pleased with the work of Heritage and Sons in mowing and maintaining the recreation ground, and has renewed their contract for a second year. We were also pleased with this year’s ROSPA report on the playground equipment, in which only some minor repairs were required. We were awarded a grant of £2000 towards the replacement of safety mats under some of the equipment. Chris Goddard continues his work for the Parish Council in making regular safety checks, maintaining the tennis court area and the recreation ground and undertaking general repairs. There has been a marked improvement in the appearance of the playing fields and adjacent area. We are particularly grateful to Cllr Keates for taking responsibility for the playground, and for liaising with Chris Goddard.

Precept
The Parish Council was able to apply for a reduced precept this year, having built up sufficient reserves from the previous year to set against contingencies. Our major items of expenditure, as ever, are insurance, the maintenance and replacement of playground equipment, the upkeep of the recreation ground and the spout garden, the cutting of verges and cutting back of some hedges, and on keeping the village generally tidy. Costs are rising, but we continue to seek value for money, and to go out to tender wherever possible.

Conclusion
I would like to thank members of the Parish Council for their continued efforts in what has been another busy year. 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 Green Committee – Tony Sproul
The new village Christmas tree, funded by anonymous donations has been planted on the Village Green.

5.         Report by the Village Hall Committee – Cllr Jackie Lloyd
Refurbishment at the Village Hall took place during August 2010. New kitchen and toilets were fitted and the hall then re-decorated and the floor stripped and sealed. The Bubbenhall Village Events committee donated £150 to the Hall funds: this was used to buy two large tables.

Cllrs Shattock, Green and Lloyd attended the Village Hall lunchtime reception on 29 January when villagers were invited to see the recent refurbishments. Cllr Bertie MacKay, Chair or Warwick District Council was the Guest of Honour. The Hall continues to be well used by both regular users and outside bookings.

Mike Wareham has set up an email database to improve communication within the village it will possibly be used in conjunction with neighbourhood watch.

The Parish Council has asked the Village Hall Committee to consider creating space for storage of Parish Council documents in the village hall.

The Chairman thanked Cllr Lloyd for her report.

6.         Report on the Recreation Ground – Cllr Aldo Keates
The recreation ground received a very good RoSPA (Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents) report after the inspection in September 2010. We are awaiting a delivery of bark for under the play areas and the mats under the swings will be relayed and a new pulley system for the aerial swing will be fitted when the weather improves. Cllr Keates is liaising with the bike track on the A45 regarding possible surface solutions for the BMX track in order to make it more useable for the young people of the village.

The Parish Council is currently looking into providing picnic tables in the recreation ground and it is hoped there will also be a new bench (kindly provided by a villager).

The Chairman thanked Cllr Keates for all he does in overseeing the provisions for the recreation ground.
 
7.         Neighbourhood Watch Report – Cllr Gill Green
Bubbenhall and the local area continues to be relatively free from crime. During the first 5 months of 2011 in the locality there have been 2 burglaries, 1 antisocial behaviour offence and 5 other crimes including criminal damage, shop lifting and drug offences.

During the last year there have been 2 burglaries in the village, in Orchard Way and Waggoners Close and also thefts from cars parked in the Three Horseshoes Inn.

The Parish Council was reminded that a well-known resident from a local travellers’ site is still frequently seen in Bubbenhall and more alarmingly causing distress to some of the elderly residents of the village. The Police have requested that anyone who sees this person in the village is to dial 999 immediately. It was suggested that a notice be put in the village newsletter warning residents and that also the Friendly Club be made aware of the situation. Clerk to arrange.

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 Green for her report.

8.         District Council Report – Cllr Norman Pratt
Cllr Pratt explained that both District Councillor Hammon and County Councillor Doody were attending the Cubbington parish meeting this evening and could not make Bubbenhall.

There has been no increase in council tax this year and nor will it increase next year. WDC receives only 10% of council tax yet has managed to reduce its costs without making any redundancies. Cllr Pratt also mentioned that Leamington was voted the cleanest town in England this year.

Cllr Pratt warned that Bubbenhall and local villages/towns will be in for turbulent times as our pleasant place to live is under threat from the recent planned extensions to Coventry and (to a lesser extent) Birmingham airports and also the high speed rail link (HS2). Specifically with regard to increased traffic and noise pollution.

The Chairman thanked Cllr Pratt and Cllr Hammon for their support and advice during the year and hoped this would continue especially in the difficult times that may lie ahead.

9.         Parish Matters (AOB)

• Residents who very kindly close the Village Hall car park barrier at night have requested that regular uses of the Hall have a key so they can close it themselves. Jackie Lloyd to follow up.
• Complaints have been made regarding the poor state of repair of the sewers in Moat Close/Lower End. Clerk to follow up.
• Residents are concerned with the narrowness of Pit Hill, especially given its national speed limit. Clerk to contact Highways.

This site is supported by the Bubbenhall Parish Council.
If you wish to contact us please do so to the Parish Clerk -

Mrs Rosemary Woodforth, email bubbenhallpclerk@gmail.com