Draft Minutes of Burton Green Residents’ Association Committee Meeting
September 22nd at 7.30pm
Present: Judi Hibberd, Janet Hickinbottom, Rona Taylor, Mary Webb, Hilary Cox, Dianne Adams, and Bron Putnam
Apologies: Rob Wright, Faith Ward, Helen Hehir and Paddy Deeley
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Minutes of the last meeting and Matters Arising
See Minutes of meeting July 22nd 2025
Matters Arising from the previous minutes:
Mary was still to send Paul Spence’s Food Hygiene certificate to Judi.
Action: Mary
The minutes of the July 2025 meeting were approved.
Village Hall:
Dianne reported that a new ballet and gymnastics class had started at the hall on Saturdays from 9-2. This frees up the hall for bookings for the remainder of Saturdays.
The recent Village Show was deemed a success. The catering was especially good. There had been more entries to the Show than last year. A good profit was raised.
Treasurer’s Report:
BGRA Accounts as at 16 September 2025
Current Account net balance: £3899.21
Deposit Account net balance: £1034.28
Total Funds: £4933.49
Major Expenditure Since Last Meeting
Emmerson Press – Bugle Printing £525
Bugle delivery - £20
Income Since Last Meeting
Monies for BGRA Residents lunches - £84
Outstanding Parish Funds to be used by 31 March 2026 - £2,342.27
The PC has refunded the cost of the banner at the top of Red Lane.
As always, thanks were given to Dianne for her efficient handling of the accounts.
Residents’ views/concerns:
Battery storage
Andy said that most applications had now been accepted apart from the one behind Burton Green Farm.
Alms houses
The decision had been deferred but was due to be made on October 6th.
Drains
The problem of blocked drains throughout the village had been reported in May with no action taken. Cllr. Mark Stephens had agreed to look into this problem and it was being handled by the Parish Council.
Banners
Rona felt the proliferation of banners at the top of Red Lane was unsightly. She hoped posts could be erected to display future banners and that all banners should be removed once events referred to were over.
A damaged fire hydrant in Red Lane was reported. Further investigation was needed.
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Update on and discussion of Residents’ Association initiatives and issues:
HS2 issues
The HS2 Working group set up under the Parish Council represented wider village organisations. These notes were submitted by Archie Taylor:
It was accepted that a meeting should take place with Jeremy Wright and, hopefully, Saqib Batti, as soon as possible. A Teams meeting was a possibility but, preferably, it would be in person. It was recognised that this could be difficult but the Parliamentary recess from September 12th to October 7th might allow this. Rona was to contact Jeremy Wright's office as soon as possible.
The presence of the Greenway Trust was welcomed and it is important to remember that this body provides direct access to MP Batti if our plans for a joint MP presence fail to materialise. Also, such a meeting may offer opportunities to examine our boundaries with Solihull.
There was a recognition that changes need to be made to the present plan for the Greenway, especially with the “Berlin Wall”, even though the powers that be are reluctant to follow that path. However it was felt that we should make it clear to MPs that we are not happy with the present proposals and that it is the responsibility of HS2 Ltd. to address them. We also need to see their environment master plan rather than listening to their assurances. Information is owed to us and we need to know what mitigation they are offering.
The issue of land disposal and the ownership of it was briefly mentioned but this was left to future discussion.
Rona felt HS2 should share their full environmental plan for land on top of the tunnel.
Hannah Taylor, artist in charge of the BBV Advisory group, asked if any further representation from the BGRA committee was needed but it was agreed that Andy Gibbs and Paddy Deeley would remain on the group and report back as necessary.
Sara Louise, Community Engagement Officer for HS2, is keen to consult about future Cromwell Lane bridge closures. On behalf of the Residents’ Association, Mary and Hilary had attended a meeting where different options were presented. It was agreed that Sara Louise will attend the Village Meeting on October13th to present ideas more widely.
The planning permission for a bridge at Crackley (mentioned at the last BGRA meeting) had been pursued by Rona. She discovered that permission had been granted last year.
Community Fund
Nothing to report.
BGRA logo
Thanks were extended to Alex Gibbs who had submitted designs for several possible logos and the committee had voted on their preference. Alex will be informed that the logo is needed in a variety of formats and is needed urgently to add to the banner promoting the Annual Village Meeting.
Action: Andy
Welcome leaflet
This had been completed and the template circulated to committee members.
AGM details to be confirmed
A draft agenda was discussed and Rona would gain Cheryl’s approval. It would then be added to the PowerPoint presentation to be used at the Annual Village Meeting.
Rona needed to secure attendance by a police representative who would be present before the start of the meeting to address residents’ enquiries. Rona would contact the Headteacher of Burton Green Academy to see if she could attend.
Action: Rona
Soldiers finished?
Progress was being made so that the soldiers would be ready to erect on the Coronation Verge in time for Armistice Day.
Hickory’s firework arrangements
A letter had been sent by Hickory’s to nearby residents informing them of this activity and asking if any drives can be used for parking. It was agreed to ask Chris Langton to liaise with Hickory’s on behalf of BGRA.
Action: Rona
Flower tubs
Thanks were given to Hilary Cox for her work on the village flower tubs. It was agreed to leave it with her to decide on plants to be chosen.
Action: Hilary
Xmas cards and Santa’s sleigh
The Lions plan to establish a group in Westwood but the sleigh will still be operated by the Balsall Common group. Mary will liaise with them when appropriate.
Action: Mary
Xmas tree arrangements
Judi has this in hand. She has met with Kieran who has promised a tree but if this does not materialise, BGRA will fund the purchase of the tree to stand on the verge. Hickinbottoms and Hibberds will deal with its erection and decoration.
Action: Judi
Bugle
Discussion took place about the distribution of the Bugle to the new housing estate at Westwood Heath. Thanks were given to Derek and his son for covering the patch when Archie was incapacitated. It was decided to experiment with producing an electronic Bugle for the area. This might encourage more new residents to understand that they are part of Burton Green.
Action: Mary
Parish Council Report
Many Parish Council matters had already been discussed as part of the agenda. Andy reported that a tree survey had been carried out and an oak tree near the car park on Hob Lane had been identified as in need of some work.
A request for CCTV in the car park had been declined.
It was acknowledged that Warwick Webster had worked hard on Tree Preservation Orders and the wildflower verges.
There was some discussion about PC meetings in the Tacon Room where some visitors could not hear what was being said. It was suggested that seating arrangements be changed so that visitors could see councillors more easily. Andy would take this back to the P.C.
Action: Andy
Any Other Business:
Warwick Webster had forwarded information about compensation for issues with water, as follows:
Get compensation for low pressure, missed appointments and supply issues
Under the guaranteed standards scheme (GSS), which all water and wastewater companies must adhere to, you're entitled to compensation if certain things go wrong with your water supply.
This includes low pressure, not restoring a water supply that's been cut off, or if your supplier fails to attend an arranged appointment. You should get at least £20 in each case. In England, compensation amounts were increased from 2 July, after the Government strengthened the standards. This means households will automatically get at least £40 for each standard that is breached.
You can see the full list of issues covered and minimum compensation amounts on the website of the water regulator, Ofwat.
Water and wastewater companies should automatically pay at least £20 compensation if they fail to provide a guaranteed service
If you're not offered automatic compensation when an issue occurs, and you think you should have been, you can claim within three months of the incident happening.
You'll need to contact your waste or surface water company in the first instance. For most households, the company that deals with their water supply is the same company that deals with their wastewater and sewage. However, in some cases it may be two different companies – check your bill to find out. You can also check Ofwat's map to find your supplier.
If your water company refuses to pay compensation, the Consumer Council for Water may be able to help. If it isn't successful, it may refer you to Ofwat for a formal resolution.
All water companies must pay £10-a-day compensation if you can't do essential household chores due to drought restrictions
If you can't get water to drink, cook, wash, or flush the toilet, as a result of emergency restrictions put in place due to drought, you'll be entitled to £10 for each day (or part day) that your household water supply is interrupted or cut off. The maximum you could get is your water company's average household bill for the previous year.
It was noted that BBV had filled in a large pothole near the school in Hob Lane.
Date of next Meeting:
November 24th
Further meeting dates for 2025 are booked as follows:
AGM October 13th
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