Minutes of Burton Green Residents’ Association Committee Meeting
January 23rd 2018
Present
Dianne Adams; Hilary Cox; Paddy Deeley; Trish Hancock; Judi Hibberd (arrived 8:10); Janet Hickinbottom; Bron Putnam; Rona Taylor; Mary Webb.
In attendance: Cllr Caryll Green, Cheryl Wall.
1. Apologies
Apologies had been received from Faith Ward.
| Summary of actions following the meeting | Responsible |
| Dementia article for Bugle | Mary |
| HS2 compensation article for Bugle | Andy and Mary |
| Welcome pack to Hilary | Judi |
| Contact Peter Hallam about various works needed in Red Lane | Rona |
| Speak to Diane Swindells about charges for lunches | Rona |
| Agenda item for September meeting on chosen charity for Santa sleigh 2018 | Judi |
Minutes of the last meeting and Matters Arising
The meeting in November 2017 had been cancelled because of bad weather. The minutes of the September meeting were approved.
Matters Arising from the previous minutes:
- Dementia article for Bugle - Mary to check Action:Mary
- HS2 article for Bugle - Mary to check with Andy Action: Mary and Andy
- Welcome Pack to be sent to Hilary Action: Judi
All other matters arising had been covered or were to be agenda items.
2. Treasurer's Report
A report had been circulated. Dianne explained the various items.
3. Residents' views/concerns
A variety of potholes were highlighted, especially one in Red Lane opposite 77. The footpath after 79 and before the bungalow in Red Lane also needed clearing again. The previous clearing had been done very well. Rona would contact Peter Hallam. Action: Rona.
Potholes in Solihull were proving more difficult to sort out. The Parish Councils of Berkswell and Balsall Common had been contacted.
4. Update on and discussion of Residents' Association initiatives and issues
Review of AGM: this had gone well and there had been a good turnout. No suggestions for improvement were made. Hearing speakers was identified as a problem but it was hoped the new Village Hall would have better facilities to address this.
Fly tipping: Mary reported that fly tipping in Red Lane had been cleared.
Retired of Burton Green lunches: A discussion was held about the £7.50 charge made for the Retired of Burton Green lunches. It was decided as this was not supposed to be a profit- making venture, the cost would not be increased at the moment but Mary would speak to Diane Swindells to seek her view. Action: Mary
Santa Sleigh 2017 review: this had again been a very successful event with a total of £1000 raised after donations, sales of food and a donation from Hickory’s Smokehouse. A Lions presentation evening had been attended with donor recipients who had included Zoe’s Place, the chosen charity of the Residents’ Association. Thanks were extended to Balsall Common Lions and all those who helped and took part. An item would be added to the September agenda for discussion of next year’s charity. Action: Judi
5. Village Hall
Cheryl reported that the progress of the planning application had been delayed because HS2 had not paid some of the contractors’ invoices but this had now been resolved. Monthly meeting were now held with HS2 and the consultants.
The Village Hall committee had formed a variety of sub groups to look at different aspects such as the landscaping.
The views of the community would be needed to feed into developments. Who were future users of the hall likely be? With an increasingly older population, would this impact on the needs of the community? Some ideas would be available through the Neighbourhood Plan.
Community access was important but should the hall be run for profit?
Q. Would the number of rooms available provide flexibility?
Hopefully as there would also be an office space to rent. Should this be given an alternative name to “Office” as this implied a space restricted to administrative activity for the Hall.
Q. How will the outdoor space be used?
There are still many details to be decided. Various suggestions have been put forward such as a bowling green and boules pitch. There will be no provision for a children’s play area as the Parish Council could not move the existing facility in Red Lane. Perhaps Cala Homes could be persuaded to create a play area for older children as part of their housing development. Another alternative suggested was to use an area on the new Greenway once established but this would be the responsibility of WDC.
Q. When would building commence?
The original schedule was for June 2018 but the timescale has already been delayed by three and a half months. HS2 still had to pay the fee for the planning application to be considered but it was hoped the application would be in place within the next month. The duration of the build had been estimated as nine months but that was before the delay which would mean involving the winter months of 2018-19.
A decision would need to be reached about who should open the new hall. The oldest and youngest residents? A celebrity?
Q. How would the security barrier which was proposed operate to ensure no unwelcome parking took place whilst allowing Hall users access and egress?
Details such as these were still being considered with expert advice.
Rona thanked Cheryl for attending to provide the information and said she should not hesitate to contact the Residents’ Association if any help was needed.
6. Parish Councillor's Report
Cllr Green reported that the PC had been very busy with the large planning applications submitted just before Christmas. These included:
The Cala Homes application for the Burrows Hill site. The WDC planning committee was scheduled to consider this on January 30th. The PC had objected on various grounds including the reduction in size of the playing field since the community consultation
HS2 had purchased a strip of land bordering the Cala Homes site and this contained a hedge. There were some concerns over the future of the hedge. At the recent Greenway Trust Meeting it had been reported there were no plans to remove the hedge.
A planning application had been submitted regarding homes in Westwood Heath Road. The PC had put in an objection to Coventry City Council and would do the same to WDC on the grounds of lack of road planning prior to the building and hence tremendous traffic problems in the area.
An application had been submitted on behalf of a group of Plymouth Brethren to change the use of a garage in Hob Lane into a Gospel Hall. The PC had not objected as there were no grounds to reject it because a building had been on the site since before the 1940s. Some concerns were raised about parking and some of the residents of Hob Lane were putting in objections. Drainage might also be a problem.
Thanks were given to Cllr Green and the whole PC for their hard work.
7. Any Other Business
Mary reported that HS2 had finally sorted the payment of the electricity for the lights on the community Christmas tree.
There was a lot of litter throughout the village and so a litter pick was arranged for February 11th at 10:30. Volunteers should meet at the bridge and gloves, rubbish bags and grabbers would be available.
Paddy reported that the email loop system had been changed to utilise MailChimp. Some minor amendments were suggested. The system allowed for scheduling of future notifications.
On request from the Village Choir, Rona had written a letter of support for an application to the Forum for funding.
Rona explained that Michael Bing, an experienced structural engineer who advised the government, looked likely to be appointed by a consortium of local parish councils, to present a case for an extended covered tunnel in Burton Green.
8. Date, time and venue of Next Meeting
The next committee meeting was scheduled for March 13th 2018
Future meetings were scheduled as follows:
May 8th, July 10th, September 11th, October 1st (AGM), December11th
