NETHER WHITACRE PARISH COUNCIL
Minutes of the Parish Council Meeting held at Nether Whitacre Village Hall
On Monday 19th December 2016 at 7.30pm
PUBLIC PARTICIPATION
Mr. Bryan Pryke from Middle Lane attended the meeting, he had written a letter to WCC Highways
sharing his concerns regarding gritting of middle lane, speed and blocked drains. They had replied
and confirmed gritting would only be carried out during prolonged spells of bad weather, speeding is
a police matter and the blocked drains issue had been passed to the relevant department. Borough
Councillor Terence Waters also attended. The proposed road through our parish included in the
Coleshill Neighbourhood Plan was discussed and it was agreed that the clerk would add their
response to our objection on the website which confirms that the idea has been removed from their
plan. Cllr Starkey had asked for details from WCC under the Freedom of Information act, they
confirmed no discussions had taken place with them regarding the proposal of a new road. Jane
Pritchard confirmed chasing Balfour Beatty regarding long outstanding repairs to pot holes on Old
Farm Lane. Large pot hole on Tamworth Road by the Angling club was done as an emergency. The
chairman agreed with Clint Parker of Highways that the overhanging trees by Noahs Ark have been
cut back.
ATTENDANCE
Cllrs Godwin, Rumble, Hemphill, Mrs. V. Wright, Mrs. D. Starkey, Mrs. J. Pickworth and the Clerk
Mrs. B. Woollaston.
APOLOGIES
`
Cllr K. Woodward
DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST
None
MINUTES
Minutes of the Council meeting held on Monday 19th November 2016 having been circulated prior to
the meeting, were approved and signed. .
MATTERS ARISING FROM THE MINUTES
Craig Tracey has agreed to support the resident being asked to travel to Rugby or Walsgrave for
treatment which she has had locally for over 20 years. The resident has agreed to complete a form
allowing Craig to speak to the surgery on her behalf. Councillors asked the clerk to write to our PRG
representative to voice their concern that the PRG were not prepared to listen to individual issues.
Jeff Brown advised the planning committee that the surface water from the ex-servicemens
development would be dealt with via a sustainable system, preferably through natural filtration. This
is not possible and an alternative system has been agreed with Severn Trent which incorporates a
handbrake system allowing water to be slowly released into the main sewers. Severn Trent to be
called out again to the smell in Dog Lane. Councillor also noticed it is affecting the manhole of No. 4.
Can we have sealed manholes.
Correspondence – 19th December 2016

Warwickshire County Council – Jo Edwards, Traffic & Road Safety Group. – Agree an additional
sign is required to warn of low bridge on Coton Road and will be arranging for this to be
implemented. Clerk to ask where it will be sited.

Warwickshire County Council – Warwickshire Minerals Plan (2017-2032) Public Consultation
from 9th December to 3rd February 2017. Clerk to write and strongly object due to the traffic
issues which will be created removing 1.2 million tonnes of sand and gravel from Hams Lane,
Lea Marston. Cllr Starkey will add her comments after inspecting the documents.

Over Whitacre Parish Council – Than you for our £500 cheque towards Daw Mill Costs.

HSBC – Cheque 100923 £500 – not signed in accordance with the mandate? Clerk to check with
Over Whitacre clerk to see if the cheque was returned and understand the reason. Staff at the
bank were unable to tell from their records why the cheque had been returned.

Ross Anthony Jones – confirmed pledges of £20k have been received to pay the Barrister for the
Daw Mill Appeal.

John Birch – Clerk to Arley Parish Council – Request for help with a joint statement from local
Parish Councils which will be supporting the comments from the Over Whitacre PC transport
expert at the enquiry. (He is meeting with Fillongley PC and will share their thoughts). Clerk to
ask for an update

Bill Richards – Chair of Coleshill Neighbourhood Plan Steering Group – response to our objection
to the proposed bypass from Faraday Avenue through our parish. Confirmed the item has been
removed from their plan. Advised that no formal discussions had taken place regarding the
scheme. – Full copy emailed to all councillors, Joan Lea, Mark Simpson and Terry Waters

Peter Benton of Bentons Haulage in response to complants of HGVs using Middle Lane/Gate
Lane as a cut through … Thank you for that We can track the vehicles and discipline the drivers in
question I will look on our system.

North Warwickshire Borough Council, Street name and numbering – Field View, 48 Middle Lane,
Nether Whitacre, Coleshill B46 2HY

Thomas Holland of Perennial Landscapes asking to tender for our grounds maintenance – Clerk to
call them in for a quote.

Jo Gratton of Shed Grounds Maintenance asking to tender for our grounds maintenance – Clerk
to call them in for a quote.

North Warwickshire Borough Council – Notice of road closures for carriageway patching:- Dingle
Lane from Hoggrills End Lane to Bakehouse 13th January 2017 and Halloughton Grange Lane
from Coton Road to Coventry Road 16th January 2017. Clerk to highlight to NWBC that our
Councillor witnessed council employees in their vans from 8.30am to 10.30am on Monday
12/12 who appeared to achieve nothing and a residenrt complained that their food wrappings
were left on the verge. On another occasion recently the Streetscape van was in St Giles
church car park for 1.5 hours.
Planning Matters – 19th December 2016

PAP/2016/0688 19 Station Road, Whitacre Heath B46 2JA – Rear and side extension to
bungalow. NFA

PAP/2016/0713 White Oaks, Old Farm Lane, Hoggrills End, Nether Whitacre B46 2DL –
Certificate of Lawfulness for proposed use for the erection of a two storey rear extension. The
erection of a car port and garden store and a swimming pool hall and change facility. NFA
DECISIONS

DOC/2016/0082 Gypsy Barn, Botts Green Hall Farm, Nether Whitacre B46 2NZ – Approval of
details required by conditions no: 4&7 of planning permission PAP/2015/0192 dated 15/5/2015
relating to window and door details & access details.
GRANTED
It was confirmed the works will not necessitate the removal of any trees or roadside hedgerow
OTHER PLANNING MATTERS
The Lakehouse - Jeff Brown has sent the residents statements to our Barrister who said they were
well written. Jeff will send them to PINS on 19th December. He is unable to give any indication of
time tabling yet as this is up to the Inspector. Hearing is set for 4 days from 24th January. Joan Lea
and John Godwin spotted ….Lichfield Council have enforcement proceedings against a couple who
built a bungalow on their farm and deliberately concealed it. It had been there less than 5 years, a
new concealment rule meant that they could be ordered to demolish it. Joan is to check why the
Lakehouse was not dealt with in this way.
Financial contribution from Whitacre Gardens
Paul Roberts, Housing Strategy & Development Officer, North Warwickshire Borough Council wrote..
This money is allocated solely for the development of affordable housing and was negotiated to be
spent throughout the borough. We had earmarked money to go into Nether Whitacre when
Warwickshire Rural Housing Association were looking to build affordable housing within the parish,
but this is no longer happening and the Parish Council have been very clear that there is no need for
affordable housing within their borough and therefore, we will be using the money elsewhere within
the borough to enable affordable housing to be built, where needed.
The Cedars
Peter Gittins advised that the council have authorised a further enforcement notice to the Cedars in
relation to the change of use of the land from agricultural to a mixed use comprising of B1 (business)
and B8 (storage and distribution, together with the unauthorised erection of an office building and
engineered bunding. A draft of the notice is currently with the legal team for issue in the new year.
No resolution yet to the outside storage of a caravan at the haybarn or the blue site offices in Dingle
Lane. Clerk to follow up.
TELEPHONE KIOSKS AND DEFIBRILLATORS
The power was disconnected to the Station Road Kiosk on 28th November by Western Power. The
chairman has asked the PCC to gift the piece of land adjacent to the Tin Hut to us for the Kiosk and
then we will not need planning permission to house it there. The Reddings Lane Kiosk has been jet
washed and is ready for painting. Clerk to contact residents to help clean and paint the kiosk. Quote
to be obtained from Bythe Electrics and MEL electrical (opposite Gate Riding Club) for fitting the
Defib and one defib to be ordered along with the defib signs which will be placed in the top of the
kiosk where it currently reads TELEPHONE. Councillor suggested purchasing a supply of face masks
to be used when the defib is in action.
TRAFFIC CALMING:
Over 400 forms have been supplied by Craig Tracey to be posted to every property in the parish.
The clerk is to produce a flyer encouraging residents to respond and highlight any personal issues
they may have with other areas such as Tamworth Road/Gate Lane and Birmingham Road.
Residents without email to be encouraged to hand leaflets to local councillors if they do not wish to
post them personally. It was agreed that the clerk will bring the leaflets and flyer to the next
meeting (16th Jan) for posting. PC Scot Ramsell has supplied dates for training in January, the clerk is
waiting for him to confirm how much of the day will be taken up.
SUPPORTED VILLAGE STATUS
Following the marking of village hall, churches, cricket ground and the drop in session we are eligible
for a ‘supported village status’ and will be entitled to signs on each of the entrances to our parish
stating ‘Thieves beware – you are entering an area where all property is security marked. The Parish
Council will also be given a set of marking tools to continue to protect residents property when
purchased. Carol is writing an article for the tidings which we agreed would also be displayed in the
shop window, on our website and on facebook, included will be an order form for padlocks etc from
the neighbourhood watch organisers. When the signs are erected – late February - there will be
photographs taken for Northtalk. Carol Cotterell, PC Scot Ramsell will be included along with Joan
Lea who is to be invited for her support with speedwatch and any councillors who are able to attend.
PLANS FOR THE EA LAND OFF COTON ROAD
Local horse owners met with Roy Stokes of the EA to discuss the potential to improve local bridle
paths in the area. The EA appear open to ideas and it was a useful discussion. We also took the
opportunity to ask about the development plans for the lakes. It would seem that the original ideas
of re- routing the river and filling in the lakes have been largely shelved due to cost issues. We asked
about the impact on water levels and were advised of no planned changes. The EA are meeting with
Severn Trent to discuss this further. Councillors requested the clerk to ask about using the
fishermans car park on Coton Road at the next meeting, is it available for dog walkers?
PRESERVATION OF RAILWAY FOOTBRIDGE
The clerk, Cllr Starkey and Hemphill had been unable to source any old photographs of the
footbridge. A 1895 map had no bridge, however it is there on a 1903 map. Cllr Rumble to inspect
the bridge to assess any repairs needed. Clerk to ask Elizabeth Waters if she was aware of any
photographs and put a note in Tidings asking residents. The Gate Inn may have some photos and Cllr
Wright contacted them during the meeting with no response. It was agreed to put together a case
in the new year.
VILLAGE HALL IMOROVEMENTS
The chairman of the village hall committee reported that he is working on a bid to WCC. He has
sourced a quote of approximately £8k for an acoustic ceiling, which will improve both acoustics in
the hall and provide additional insulation. Extractor fans can be incorporated into the ceiling to try
to improve the condensation forming on the floor at certain times. Also they plan to further update
the lighting by replacing the present fluorescent tubes with far more efficient LEDs in the ceiling and
is waiting on a quote from Blythe Electrics. The price of a new cooker can be included in the bid. A
deep clean has been carried out by a local company based in Coleshill, run by Tim Costello who used
to live in the village.
PLAY AREA:
Cllr Rumble reported that one upright of the big swing is slightly loose again, will need to remove
clamp and shim. The Birmingham Road end goal mouth needs top soil and seeding in the spring.
MONTHLY REPORT OF FINANCE OFFICER
An overspend to date of £546 is mainly due to the £500 grant to the flood group which was not in
the original budget along with the £500 donation to barrister costs offset by savings on playing field
equipment, training and kiosk maintenance. Income is lower than planned due to the late NWBC
invoice delaying the VAT reclaim. The closing bank balance, 4th December 2016, remains healthy at
£20,529.73.
ACCOUNTS FOR PAYMENT
It was agreed that the following payments be made: Proposed Cllr Mrs. V. Wright and seconded Cllr
T. Rumble
B Woollaston
Clerk Salary, Broadband
£513.66 Cheque 925
HMRC
Tax for B. Woollaston
£63.20 Cheque 926
Viking Payments
Printer Cartridges
£81.55 Cheque 927
Over Whitacre Parish Council Support for Daw Mill Inquiry
£500.00 Cheque 924
COUNCILLORS REPORTS
Councillors reported on a meeting with the press regarding recently refurbished footpaths in
Whitacre Heath being possibly damaged by Severn Trent works to fit new water pipes.
Councillors have observed dumper lorries and skip lorries from Halloughton Grange Lane cutting
through the village. Clerk to ask Peter Gittins for advice on what they can use the site for and if they
should have an operators licence.
The Dog warden is to be asked to paint the yellow dog signs on Dingle Lane to try and stop fouling.
Also is she aware of the rottweiler attacking a dog walker in Deep Lane. The dog is escaping when
automatic gates do not shut quick enough when cars leave the property.
Pot holes at the entrance to the Severn Trent Treatment works in Dog Lane
Dog Kennel dumped at the top of Forty Lane
Write to Helen Whittaker, the new clerk of Shustoke Parish, regarding the pot holes on Station Road
between Watery Lane and Blythe Road.
The road sweeper has done an excellent job around the village.
It was agreed to ask for Pot Holes and Fly Tipping to be added to the agenda for the Annual meeting
between the borough and town and parish councils.
The July 2017 meeting is to be brought forward to the 10th to enable the clerk to attend a family
wedding in Scotland.
DATE OF NEXT MEETING
16th January 2016
The chairman closed the meeting at 10.10 pm
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Chairman
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Date