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January 27th at 7.30pm
Present: Judi Hibberd, Janet Hickinbottom, Rona Taylor, Mary Webb, Dianne Adams, Helen Hehir, Faith Ward, Andy Gibbs, Rob Wright
Apologies and minutes of the last meeting (November 20th 2024):
Apologies had been received from Bron Putnam, Paddy Deeley and Hilary Cox.
Minutes of the last meeting and Matters Arising
See Minutes of meeting November 20th
Matters Arising from the previous minutes:
Remove from future agendas item about Hodgetts Lane/Cromwell Lane junction – completed
Arrange banner informing about public meeting regarding the proposed almshouses – agenda item
Chase up cost of anti-littering poster – agenda item
Changes to and printing of Welcome leaflet – completed
Liaise with the school regarding children’s Christmas card designs – agenda item
Arrange Christmas tree on the Coronation Verge – agenda item
Send email to Deirdre to confirm support of BGRA committee for pétanque pitch – completed
Circulate dates for 2025 meetings - completed
The minutes of the November 2024 meeting were approved.
Village Hall:
Dianne said bookings were very healthy.
A new activity called Little Kickers will be starting in March for pre-school children.
The one-man theatre performance had been successful with an audience of approximately 40 people. It was agreed it was good to see live theatre in the Hall.
Treasurer’s Report:
A report had been circulated as follows:
BGRA Accounts as at 26 January 2025
Current Account net balance: £2,290.66
Deposit Account net balance: £1028.53
Total Funds: £3319.19
Major Expenditure Since Last Meeting
Book Token for Xmas card competition £40
December 2024 Bugle Printing £891
Income Since Last Meeting None
Outstanding Parish Funds to be used by 31 March 2025 - £54.08
Other Items: Bank Accounts Paddy now has full access to the Lloyds bank accounts for the Residents’ Association Accounts y/e 2024
Lucy Hatton has not responded to requests as to date when accounts will be audited.
Dianne presented details of the need or otherwise for an audit or an independent examination. As our accounts are significantly less than £25,000 it was agreed to use an independent examiner in future. Dianne will ask Sally Keyes who had previously dealt with our accounts if she would be happy to take on this role.
Action: Dianne
Thanks were given to Dianne for her efficient handling of the accounts.
Residents’ views/concerns:
Battery storage. There was nothing of significance to report. Andy said some plans had been submitted and the Parish Council was keeping a watching brief.
Alms Houses. A planning request has been submitted to Solihull. It was agreed that individuals need to respond to the application by visiting Solihull planning site and referring to application PL/2025/00092/PPFL. The Parish Council was objecting to the proposal. Residents needed to be aware that the almshouses would not just be available for residents of the village but for the whole of Solihull MBC. Andy will speak to the Parish Council about producing a leaflet about the alms houses proposal.
Action: Andy Gibbs
As a separate matter, the P.C. will be issuing a leaflet about safeguarded land.
Speed signage at the end of Red Lane. Rona had investigated this and had been told by Warwickshire County Council that new parts had been installed on the sign but it was still not working. A new sign would need to be built and erected.
Update on and discussion of Residents’ Association initiatives and issues:
HS2 issues – there were no current issues.
BGRA logo – Rona would speak to Delance, a professional graphic designer in the village, to see if she could help by designing a suitable logo for the Residents’ Association.
Action: Rona
Litter Posters. Similarly, Rona would consult Delance about potential anti-litter posters.
Action: Rona
Christmas review: sleigh, cards, tree. As yet, Mary had not heard how much money had been raised by the Santa Sleigh in Burton Green. She would pursue this. Thanks were given to all those involved in the Christmas arrangements.
Action: Mary
PC funding application. Judi agreed to submit the necessary form to the P.C. and it was agreed to ask for a grant of £3,300, an increase of 10% because of the addition of Broadwell Heights estate.
Mary was meeting Alex Stuthridge to discuss the production of a replacement soldier outline after one had been stolen from the verge. Once costs have been established, a further application might be made to the P.C.
VE Day arrangements. Mary had discovered that Churchill had advocated chip shops staying open during the war to ensure the population had access to hot meals. As a result of this research, she advocated hiring a fish and chip van for our VE Day celebrations. The cost was £900 and she would enquire how many portions this would cover. BGRA members would sell tickets foe the event. It was suggested this could take place at the Village Hall on May 8th but this will depend on the Hall’s availability. Peter Hancock had volunteered to light the beacon at 9:30. If residents wished, they could attend in 1940s costume. Rona will check with Lesley about insurance requirements.
Action: Dianne and Rona
Food bank. An Easter collection of items to be donated to a food bank was suggested. The committee needed to research local food banks to decide on the recipient. Rob had contacts he was willing to talk to. Faith would find out about the availability of a collection lorry on Red Lane.
Action: Rob and Faith
Defibrillator pads to be changed
Judi reported that the defibrillator pads were due to be replaced at a cost of £147.60. This was agreed.
Action: Judi
Parish Council Report
There was nothing further to report.
Any Other Business:
Rob explained he had been in touch with residents of Burrow Hill explaining he would be happy to present to the Residents’ Association any issues they had. He offered to be a conduit for any residents and Mary would add his details to the next edition of the Bugle.
Action: Rob and Mary
Several residents had asked if the IndieGo bus could go as far as Hickory’s. Rob agreed to find out, as he uses the bus regularly.
Action: Rob
Questions were asked about the surface of the road in Red Lane. Work had been carried out but the stone was now coming loose. Signs had recently been erected indicating a skid risk. Rona agreed to contact Warwickshire Highways for an update on the situation.
Action: Rona
Date of next Meeting:
Meeting dates for 2025 are booked as follows:
March 24th
May 12th
July 28th
September 22nd
AGM October 27th
November 24th
November 25th at 7.30pm
Present: Judi Hibberd, Rona Taylor, Mary Webb, Hilary Cox, Faith Ward, Bron Putnam, Helen Hehir, Andy Gibb, Paddy Deeley, Dianne Adams, Rob Wright and Chris Langton(visitor)
Our newest committee member introduced himself and we to him.
Apologies and minutes of the last meeting (September 23rd 2024):
Apologies had been received from Janet Hickinbottom
Minutes of the last meeting and Matters Arising
Matters Arising from the previous minutes:
Remove from future agendas item about Hodgetts Lane/Cromwell Lane junction - completed
Remove Community Fund from the agenda for six months - completed
Arrange banner informing about public meeting regarding the proposed almshouses. - completed
Details of the community lunch to be circulated on the email loop - completed
Arrange leaflet inviting new Westwood Heath residents to our AGM - completed
Chase up cost of anti-littering poster completed
Changes to and printing of Welcome leaflet completed
Coronation Verge to be decorated for Armistice Day -completed and agenda item
Liaise with the school regarding children’s Christmas card designs completed
Arrange Christmas tree on the Coronation Verge (agenda item) completed
Arrange banner advertising the AGM- completed
Add new objective on the Welcome leaflet - completed
Send email to Deirdre to confirm support of BGRA committee for pétanque pitch completed
Circulate dates for 2025 meetings completed
The minutes of the September 2024 meeting were approved.
Village Hall:
The Village Hall AGM is on Dec 2nd at 7:30 pm.
The wildflower sowing has been completed until Jan 25 when additional hedging will go in.
The community meal is on Dec 6th. The doors remain difficult.
There is a theatre production of “three men in a boat “on 24 Jan 2025.
Treasurer’s Report:
A report had been circulated as follows:
BGRA Accounts on 21 November 2024:
Current Account net balance: £3221.66
Deposit Account net balance: £1026.87
Total Funds: £4248.53
Major Expenditure Since Last Meeting
Bugle Printing £520
Aprons for kitchen use £160.40
Cooker mats £10.95
Plants for tubs £36.25
RA Welcome letter - £150
Refreshments and Printing AGM £62.50
Residents’ lunches 11 October 2024 – loss of £135 (including hire of kitchen.
NB no cost of hiring hall)
Income Since Last Meeting: None
Outstanding Parish Funds to be used by 31 March 2025 - £985.08
Dianne asked for a second administrator to look after the accounts and Paddy volunteered and was accepted.
Dianne had suggested a bank account change but after looking around decided to keep what we have.
The accounts have not yet been verified and Dianne will sort the verification with Lucy asap.
Dianne has discovered that we do not need an accountant so Rona will write to Marlene, who has been our accountant and say thank you for what she has done.
Thanks were given to Dianne for her efficient handling of the accounts.
Residents’ views/concerns:
Discussion of the meeting re 37 Berkswell Charity Alms Houses:
Andy reported that Berkswell Trust are putting in a planning application and there is to be an EGM of Berkswell PC to discuss it. Chris Langton is going to attend that meeting as are some of Burton Greens Parish Councillors.
Issues of definitions of eligibility were discussed. Until a formal planning application has gone in BGPC can’t formally comment.
Battery Storage:
There are 4 proposed sites. Little Beanit has been approved. Burton Green Farm has gone to planning but there are concerns re visibility from the footpath. The other 2 have gone to the Secretary of State for appeal
Pavements:
This item was brought from the floor of the AGM by Dierdre Vernon as to the poor state of the pavements in Burton Green. Rona had contacted Mike Newham from Warwick CC.
He would not agree to meet and look at the pavements with Rona as there is no money for any major overall. He clarified the possibilities:
Up to 50 square meters can be handled quickly.
The corner of Hodgetts Lane and Cromwell Lane are being restored to full height, but it will need a road closure to do it.
John Cooke has an elective member’s discretionary budget of £4 to £5 thousand pounds.
Highways have £36000 per year for targeted maintenance and a computer decides what needs to be done.
There was a discussion about a small area of paving at the end of the path
close to the Village Hall entrance, Mike Newham had asked Rona if she
could find out who had paved the area. It was felt that the paving slabs were
an improvement on the muddy verge. Rona will talk to Cheryl.
Hickory’s fireworks:
This item came from the floor of the AGM as the event had caused considerable congestion on the night. It has been suggested that parking is limited to one side of the road with marshals. Chris Langton agreed to facilitate a meeting with the company nearer the time and to remember the police’s offer of extra cones.
Speed signage at the end of Red Lane:
This item came from the floor of the AGM. A discussion ensued around speeding through the village. It was not clear whether the speed signs at the bottom of Red Lane were working and Warwick CC opinions as to whether speeding signs actually work. Rona will check the signs. This led to a discussion on the PCs hopes for speed gates at the entrance points to Burton Green and a speed limit of 30mph throughout the village.
Update on and discussion of Residents’ Association initiatives and issues:
HS2 issues – none reported
Community Lunch – the last one was successful but a loss of £135 was incurred. Mary reported 4 people who booked didn’t come and a discussion was had about asking people to pay beforehand. Thanks were given to the lunch team.
Mary talked through plans for VE day 2025 and a suggestion that instead of a lunch we celebrate with an afternoon tea on the Sunday 11th of May 2025. Mary asked Judi to put it on the agenda for 2025 and the VH team asked Mary to book the room early to ensure availability.
Welcome Westwood Residents- leaflets went out to the whole of the Westwood site.
Litter Posters- the original idea proved too costly so Rona will look into a different format. Perhaps like the AGM banner so it could go to various sites in the village.
Bugle -Mary reported difficulties with format of photographs that are sent to her for inclusion. She will come up with a format people can use.
Armistice Day-One of the soldiers had been stolen. Mary and the team would like to change the display and a replacement is planned for the stolen soldier and a refurbishment of the display..
Christmas cards- are ready this week to go out. Thanks, given to Faith for approaching the school.
Santa’s Sleigh- The route will be in the Bugle. Its on 21st of Dec starting at 4:30
Tractor Run is on Tues Dec 17th staring from Stoneleigh and a map is available online.
Christmas tree arrangements- HS2 has supplied the tree and the Hickinbottoms and Hibberds will put it up and decorate the first week of December.
AGM debrief- it was deemed successful with the police presence helping draw people in. The police have been emphasizing anti snap locks. Rona had looked at the Facebook site and then contacted the firm that supplies them, Eydens in Wallace Road, Radford. She has negotiated a discount of 10% for Burton Green residents. Its £65 an hour to install and from £60 per lock. Mary will put an insert into the Bugle to let residents know.
BGRA objectives to be considered- This item was from the floor of the AGM by Chris Langton who was present at this meeting. He was concerned that the PC had too much to do and wondered if the RA could take on more actions. The PC have considered it and have formed some subgroups to reduce their agenda. Rona explained that our remits were different, but we retained a good relationship and flexibility with the PC. We have 2 PC on our committee and 2 of our members go to every PC meeting. The example of the bus stop was used. It had originally come into the RA but we escalated it to the PC as we don’t have the legal or monetary ability to achieve that outcome.
Parish Council Report:
The Parish Councillors reported that the bus stop will be with us in Jan 25 with the defibrillator beside it.
The noticeboard on Cromwell Lane will be moved near the bus shelter on Cromwell Lane.
The playground now has a working party to look at refurbishment.
The PC leaflet re-planning has been distributed to the village.
Any Other Business:
Salt and Pepper shakers need replacing as they have been stolen, so it was agreed the RA will buy more which and be kept under lock and key.
Hilary reported Hob Lane potholes had worsened and she was advised to use what3 words and where to report it.
Diane reported flooding in Hob Lane.
Rona reported that Lee Trust have money to spend for children for an educational project. A leaflet will go out with the Bugle looking for people to fund in Burton Green.
Date of next Meeting:
Meeting dates for 2025 are booked as follows:
January 27th
March 24th
May 12th
July 28th
September 22nd
AGM October 27th
November 24th
