Burton Green Neighbourhood Development Plan

A draft version of the Burton Green Neighbourhood Development Plan has been published for public consultation.

The document can be viewed on the Parish Council website, here:
http://www.burtongreenparishcouncil.org/uploads/1/0/0/6/100693498/bg_ndp_presubmission_draft__version_1_november_2019.pdf

Complete details for submitting comments about the plan can be viewed on the Parish Council website, here:
http://www.burtongreenparishcouncil.org/ndp-regulation-14.html

Proposed Parish Boundary Changes

Warwick County Council is considering changes to the Burton Green Parish boundary.

There are two changes involved:

1) To move the present University ward from Ashow and Stoneleigh Parish Council to become a ward of Burton Green Parish. The justification for this proposal is based on co-terminosity, as the Parish Council and District Council elections are held on the same day every 4 years. It will avoid confusion for the electorate by having the same ward boundaries. This affects 1705 electors.

2) To realign southern boundary of Burton Green Parish. The justification for this proposal is to tidy up an original boundary. This affects two electors.

More complete (and hopefully accurate) details may be found on the Parish Council website, here:
http://www.burtongreenpc.org.uk/boundary-review-update/

I have attempted to reproduce my interpretation of these changes on the map just below. The thick black boundary denotes the existing parish boundary. The area coloured red denotes the new parish. The areas shown in dark red are the new areas to be incorporated. The area coloured blue denotes the area which will leave Burton Green...

Solar Farm - Planning Permission Refused

The official decision of Solihull Council has been posted on their website. The decision is at the bottom of this page:
http://ww2.solihull.gov.uk/planning_new/dc/ViewAppdetail.asp?Y=2014&R=1212

The reasons for the decision are:

• The proposed solar park development represents inappropriate development within the Green Belt. The proposal causes harm both by definition and by demonstrable visual impact to the openness of the Green Belt, the purposes of including land within the Green Belt and the character, appearance and openness of the locality. The very special circumstances case advanced to support the development does not clearly outweigh the harm by reason of inappropriateness and any other harm. The proposal would therefore be contrary to guidance within National Planning Policy guidance relating to the provision of renewable energy and Policies P15 and P17 of the adopted Solihull Local Plan 2013.

• The proposed solar farm would, by virtue of the appearance of the panels, sub frames, security fencing, buildings, roads and other associated development, have a considerable adverse impact upon the setting of designated and undesignated heritage assets and would produce less than substantial harm to their significance that would not be outweighed by any public benefits of the proposal. The proposal would therefore be contrary to Policy P16 of the adopted Solihull Local Plan 2013.

The plan had been opposed by Burton Green Parish Council. The Parish Council's 7-page document, detailing their objections to the plan is here:
Burton Green Parish Council Response to Solar Farm Application


Previous Related Posts

Proposed Solar Farm (30th March)
Nailcote Solar Farm (13th August)
CPRE Threat from Solar Farms (23rd August)

Select Committee Visit - 7 October 2014

This is a summary from Cllr Marcus Stewart of last week’s Select Committee visit.

On Tuesday 7 October four members of the Select Committee visited Burton Green.

Ahead of the visit, the Parish Council, Residents’ Association, Action Group, Greenway Trust and Primary School worked together to ensure Burton Green presented itself with one voice and stressed the serious impact HS2 will have on the parish.

These local groups were also supported by Warwickshire County Council, Warwick District Council and Jeremy Wright MP.

The committee visited the school, the Greenway and the top of Red lane.

They then moved on to the Village Hall where they were met by Chair of the Parish Council, Vaughan Owen. The main messages were seven years of construction problems, residents already leaving the village, the HGV route passing the school, construction noise, spoil being imported into the village, the number of compounds in the village, houses lost and many residents affected, loss of local ancient woodland, the route going right through the middle of the village, houses encircled by HS2 workings, the siting of the ATFS near to homes, and the noise at the tunnel entrance and exit.

Committee members heard an overview from Andy Gibbs of the Action Group, listened to Rona Taylor of the Residents’ Association explain the permanent impacts HS2 will have, Councillor Stewart covered the construction issues, then Andy Gibbs talked about mitigation and compensation.

The feedback from the select committee was that these messages were heard loud and clear on the impacts of the parish. The HS2 team in attendance were very quiet and did not challenge any of the points made. The day was good preparation for appearances in front of the Select Committee.

Claire Turner

Burton Green Parish Council Clerk

Parish Council Meeting 15th September

The next Parish Council meeting will be held on 15th September, at 7pm. Please note the earlier start time.

The agenda is here: 

 Burton  Green Parish Council Agenda 15 September 2014
 

The draft minutes from the previous meeting are here:

Burton Green Parish Council Minutes 18 August 2014

The response submitted to Solihull Council concerning the proposed solar farm is here:

Burton Green Parish Council Response to Solar Farm Application

Parish Council Meeting - Monday 18th August

The next meeting of Burton Green Parish Council will be held on Monday 18 August. 

The agenda and the draft minutes from the last meeting are available on the Parish Council website

The agenda is here: http://www.burtongreenpc.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/BurtonGreenPC-Agenda-18-August-2014.pdf

The minutes from the last meeting are here: http://www.burtongreenpc.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/minutes-BGPC-15-July-2014.pdf

Parish Council Meeting and HS2 Property Consultation

The next Parish Council meeting will be on Tuesday 15 July at 7.30pm at Westwood Church (this is a change of date and venue).  The agenda and draft minutes from the last meeting are on the Parish Council website, here: Agenda 15 July 2014 and here: Minutes 16 June 2014. 

HS2

HS2 have recently sent the Parish Council information about HS2 Property Consultation.  The details are also on the Parish Council website at http://www.burtongreenpc.org.uk/hs2/

Those details are similar to those that have been posted to residents by HS2.

That web page also includes the text of the petition against the HS2 bill which was submitted by the parish council, speaking for the residents of Burton Green. That document is here: BGPC HS2 Petition

A great many hours of work went into the writing of the petition and all the research to get to the point of writing it. We will continue to do everything we can to mitigate the impact of HS2 on our community and recognise the dominant impact it has on the parish. 

Parish Council Update

The next meeting of the Parish Council is on Monday 16 June at 7.30pm. The agenda along with draft minutes from the last meeting on 19 May and the Annual Parish Meeting on 9 May are available at http://www.burtongreenpc.org.uk/agendas-minutes/

Latest news is available at http://www.burtongreenpc.org.uk/news/

Our HS2 petition is also now on the website at http://www.burtongreenpc.org.uk/hs2/

Vacancy for Parish Councillor

The Parish Council currently has a casual vacancy. Anyone who is interested in becoming a Councillor can find out about what is involved by reading 'All about Local Councils' and 'It takes all sorts' which can be found on the 'Publications' section of our website. There is more information on the National Association of Local Councils’ website.

If you would like to be considered for the vacancy and meet the eligibility requirements please come along to meet the current Councillors on Wednesday 28 May at 7.30pm in The Village hall Green Room.

For more information please contact

Claire Turner
Burton Green Parish Council Clerk

Email: burtongreen@hotmail.co.uk    Website: www.burtongreenpc.org.uk

Burton Green Parish Council Annual Meeting

The Annual Meeting of Burton Green Parish Council will be held at the Village Hall on Monday 19 May at 7.30pm. Members of the public are welcome to attend. 

An outline of the agenda is here (PDF document):
http://www.burtongreenpc.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/BurtonGreenPC_Agenda_19thMay2014.pdf

Vacancy for a Parish Councillor

The Parish Council currently has a casual vacancy for a Parish Councillor. This is a wonderful opportunity for someone who is interested in their local community, would like to represent the residents of Burton Green and become involved in current issues affecting the parish.  Anyone who is interested in becoming a Councillor can find out about what is involved by contacting the Clerk to the Parish Council, who will be able to send a copy of the eligibility criteria.  There are also two very informative booklets entitled ‘All about Local Councils’ and ‘It takes all sorts’ which can be found on the ‘Publications’ section of the Parish Council website (www.burtongreenpc.org.uk).  

Anyone wishing to apply should check they meet the eligibility criteria and write to the Clerk of the Parish Council with their expression of interest by 28th April 2014, with a copy of their CV and a short statement about why they would like to be considered for the role.

Job Advert for a Clerk to the Parish Council

Burton Green Parish Council

VACANCY

Parish Council Clerk/Responsible Financial Officer

Home based - part-time : 38 hours per month

Salary scale NJC : £8.428per hour to £11.296 per hour

The Parish Council is seeking an enthusiastic and motivated Clerk, who has an interest in supporting the Parish Council shape the future of the local community and effectively deliver local services.  The residential area of Burton Green is surrounded by farmland, and has an active local community, village hall, school and local pub.   

The successful applicant will be required to provide professional support and guidance in respect of all aspects of the Council’s work including acting as the Council’s Responsible Financial Officer.  This will involve ensuring that the Parish Council adhere to all statutory provisions, as well as adopted policies and best practice.

Ideally the successful applicant will an experienced CiLCA qualified Clerk, although consideration will be given to unqualified Clerks who are willing to become qualified.  

Applicants need to have excellent communication skills and organisational skills, be able to take minutes of meetings, undertake administrative duties and manage the Council’s finances.  A confident IT user, the candidate should have experience of using Microsoft office and be capable of using a content-managed website.    

The post is home-based for 38  hours per month, but will require attendance at evening meetings.

The successful candidate will be employed under nationally agreed NJC terms and conditions of employment, benefits of which include a Local Government Pension Scheme and annual salary review.  The appointment will be made within salary scale LC1 (pts 15-25) £16215-£21734 pro rata (£8.428 per hour to £11.296 per hour), depending on relevant experience and qualifications. Mileage and financial allowance for the use of home as office are also payable, along with a laptop/printer which will be provided by the Parish Council.

For Job Description, Person Specification and Application Form, please contact
Louise Baudet – Clerk to Burton Green Parish Council

47 St Pauls Crescent

Coleshill

Birmingham B46 1BB

Email : burtongreen@hotmail.co.uk

Telephone : 07503 002948 (please leave name, address and email)

Closing Date : 10th January 2014     Interviews : 17th January 2014 (evening)

Housing Development Meeting - Dec 13th

Ian Cox, Chairman of Burton Green Parish Council, will set forth proposals for potential housing development in Burton Green, in a national and local government perspective, at a meeting in the village hall on Friday 13th December at 7.0pm.

Burton Green Parish Council Job Advertisement

Burton Green Parish Council

Vacancy for

Parish Council Clerk/Responsible Financial Officer

Applications are invited for the role of Parish Council Clerk/Responsible Financial Officer to Burton Green Parish Council in Warwickshire.

Burton Green is a new Parish Council with 7 Councillors, who are actively involved in the community - current issues for the Parish Council include HS2 and producing a Neighbourhood Plan.

The successful applicant will be required to provide professional support and guidance in respect of all aspects of the Council’s work including acting as the Council’s Responsible Financial Officer.

The successful applicant will ideally be an experienced Clerk, CiLCA qualified – although consideration will be given to unqualified Clerks who are willing to become qualified.  Applicants need to have excellent communication skills and organisational skills, be able to take minutes of meetings, some accounting experience and and should also be a confident user of office technology (word processing, simple spreadsheets, and the internet).  

The post is for 24 hours per month – primarily working from home, with attendance at Parish Council meetings on the third Monday of every month.  The postholder will be entitled to all statutory holidays and a leave entitlement ; laptop and printer will be provided by the Parish Council.

The appointment will be made within salary scale LC1 points 15-25,  £16215-£21734 pro rata (£8.428 per hour to £11.296 per hour),  of the nationally agreed rates of Local Council Clerks, depending on relevant experience and qualifications.  Pension scheme available.  Mileage and allowance for the use of home as office are also payable.

For Job Description, Person Specification and Application Form, please contact
Louise Baudet – Clerk to Burton Green Parish Council

47 St Pauls Crescent

Coleshill

Birmingham B46 1BB

Email : burtongreen@hotmail.co.uk

Telephone : 07503 002948 (please leave name, address and email)

Closing Date : 24th August 2013

Possible Housing Site - What Do You Think?

The information on this page was originally circulated to residents by Dr Paul Thornton. This page also contains comments and clarification about Dr Thornton's letter, provided by Councillors George Illingworth and David Skinner (Westwood, Coventry).


Call to Take Part in Consultation or Risk Consequences

"Burton Green has been added to the villages which it is proposed will find space for between 30 and 80 homes on brownfield and green belt land..."

This is a map that was included in a link originally sent out by Dr Thornton. The shaded areas show sites described as 'potentially suitable urban edge sites'.

George Illingworth has pointed out that this site at Westwood is NOT included in Warwick District Council's latest Preferred Options Map. George Illingworth's clarification and explanation are reproduced further down this page.

"Consultation on future housebuilding sites must be genuine, but residents should be warned of the consequences of simply opposing development. This was the view of Warwick district councillors when they discussed outline plans for land use in the area until 2026. Cllr Bill Gifford said: “It’s absolutely vital that this consultation is seen and known to be genuine.”

...Burton Green has been added to the villages which it is proposed will find space for between 30 and 80 homes on brownfield and green belt land; the wording will also be changed for the plan to “make no provision” for high speed rail, rather than oppose it; and it emerged many had misunderstood ‘safeguarding’ pockets of green belt land as meaning that it would be protected from future development rather than being set aside for it."

The italicised paragraphs above are taken from a longer report in the Kenilworth Weekly News, which is here:
Call to take part in consultation (KWN)

The map shown above is part of 'Item 3 map2' on this webpage:

Warwick District Council Meeting Details

The Preferred Options Map (which does not show the site at Westwood highlighted) can be seen as 'Item 3 Map 3' on the same page:
Warwick District Council Meeting Details


Public Consultation

A further E-mail circulated to residents, from David Skinner, provided the following additional information, which comes from Warwick:

"There will be a consultation period, which starts on 1st June and runs for 8 weeks through 27th July. The only housing development proposed close to the Coventry border is a small amount of growth (between 30 and 80 houses) at Burton Green.  The exact location of this has not been decided and is something that the District Council will be working on with the Parish Council. The sites shown on the plan you have attached were put forward in the Strategic Housing Land Availability Assessment and were assessed by us [WDC] as being potentially suitable – though of course that does not mean they will all be subject to development.  I can confirm that the agreed Preferred Options does not include proposals for development on the site at Westwood Heath. If you, or any residents, wish to comment on the Preferred Options you would be welcome to do so.  All the details will be available on our website [WDC] from Friday 1st June."

These are addtional points made by David Skinner in a further E-mail:

"By coincidence, I have today sat in on the inaugural meeting of the new [Coventry] Council Scrutiny Board 6, where Housing and HSR2 were both debated.

My primary interest is to safeguard Westwood Ward residents, and I shall send a personal comment about the new proposals to Mr Barber as soon as I can. I shall bear in mind the 17,000 Coventry residences owned by Whitefriars Housing Group, many of them in my Ward. Council planning officers have just told me; "I can confirm that we will formally respond [to WDC] before the deadline of 27th July". This will be the official professional officers response.

The final decision will be taken by Warwick District Council, not Coventry. I am aware of Dr Thornton's excellent research and have read his comments with great interest."


Fears Allayed by George Illingworth

Councillor George Illingworth has provided the following clarification:

"The area marked on the map above is NOT the area being suggested by the District Council. It is an area put forward by developers and considered in the assessment, but rejected for good reasons so that it does not form one of the preferred options to be consulted upon. It did feature in the supporting working papers and I know that I can rely on most people in Burton Green to object most strongly to it.  That Green Belt around Coventry must remain intact.

The nearest preferred site to Burton Green is at Thickthorn in Kenilworth.

What is proposed for Burton Green is indeed just what is being suggested in the comment above. A small amount of housing (30 rather than 50, I would have thought, over many years) within the village envelope allowed by adjusting the Green Belt within the village.  This is what a number of residents preferred in the recent survey.  The exact ideas and location will indeed be discussed with the Parish Council as David Skinner says.You can rest assured that I have been fighting the threat of development in the Green Belt for years."


Response from David Skinner to Warwick District Council

This is the response sent to Warwick District Council by David Skinner:

Sent: 02 June 2012
To: newlocalplan@warwickdc.gov.uk; Dave.Barber@warwickdc.gov.uk

"Dear Mr Barber

Thank you for your information on WDC plans for future building. I have passed this on to as many residents as possible in my Ward.

As City Shadow Cabinet member for Housing and a Director of Whitefriars Housing Group, I am well aware of the need for housing, but I make two main points;

A I have no comment on what WDC propose in other areas, away from Westwood Ward;

B The open space between my Ward and Kenilworth should remain green.

I am very grateful for the comments from Cllr George Illingworth, a Warwick District Councillor (and present Mayor of Kenilworth)

Cllr Illingworth has specifically said, inter alia:

"That Green Belt around Coventry must remain intact. The nearest preferred site to Burton Green is at Thickthorn in Kenilworth".
 
I entirely agree, and would remind everyone that Cromwell Lane is already busy and Bockendon Avenue/Crackley Lane potentially dangerous. A large lorry, with the driver speaking on his mobile telephone, nearly forced me off that road recently.

If you ever wish to speak to me, I shall be happy to hear from you.

Yours sincerely

Cllr. David Skinner"


Residents' Informal Comments

If any residents would like to add an informal comment to this page please do so. To add a comment, or view existing comments, just click on 'Comments' just below...

Parish Council Meeting 10th May - Agenda

BURTON GREEN PARISH COUNCIL

Annual Council meeting of Burton Green Parish Council, which will be held at 7.00pm on Thursday, 10 May 2012, at Burton Green Primary School, Hob Lane, Burton Green.

Graham Leach

Acting Clerk

Published 2 May 2012

AGENDA

1. Apologies for Absence

2. Election of Chairman

3. Vice Chairman of the Council

1. To decide whether to appoint a Vice Chairman.
2. If so decided, to elect a Vice Chairman.

4. Declarations of Interest on items on the Agenda

5. Minutes

To consider the minutes of the meeting held on 10 April 2012.

6.    Committees & External Bodies

(a)    To consider whether any Committees should be established.

(b)    To appoint members to any Committees which are established.

(c)    To appoint members to and/or agree work with any external bodies which are considered appropriate;

(d)    To agree the reporting mechanisms for members appointed to or work with external bodies

7.    Standing Orders and Financial Regulations

To consider the draft Standing Orders and Financial Regulations as attached.

8.    Membership of Associations

To confirm the Council’s continued membership of the West Midlands Association of Local Council’s and Information Commissioners Office.

9.    Inventory

To receive a verbal report from the Acting Clerk regarding land and assets including buildings and office equipment owned by the Council.

10.    Confirmation of Insurance Levels

To review and confirmation of arrangements for insurance cover in respect of all insured risks.

11.    Official guidance

To consider ordering appropriate publications and stationery for the Council.

12    Web site

To discuss an official Burton Green Parish Council web site.

13.    Meetings of Parish Council

1. To confirm the Parish Council will meet on the following dates for 2012/13:

14 June 2012 12 July 2012 13 September 2012 11 October 2012 12 November 2012

10 December 2012 10 January 2013 14 February 2013 14 March 2013 11 April 2013

2. To confirm that from May 2013 the Council meets at Burton Green Village Hall on the third Monday of each month.

14.    Mitigation in Burton Green

To consider a report from Councillor Taylor.

15.    Links with the Community

To consider a report from Councillor Taylor.

16.    Neighbourhood Plan

To consider a report from Councillor Taylor.

Parish Council Minutes 10th April

BURTON GREEN PARISH COUNCIL

Minutes of the meeting held at 6.00pm on Tuesday, 10 April 2012, at Burton Green Village Hall, Hodgetts Lane, Burton Green.

PRESENT: - Councillors; Mrs Hills; Owen; Taylor and Worringham.

At the start of the meeting Andrew Jones (Monitoring Officer for Warwick District Council) welcomed all to the first meeting of the new Parish Council and passed on the good wishes for the future work of the Council from Ashow & Stoneleigh Parish Council, Warwick District Ward Councillors Mrs Blacklock, Coker and Illingworth and Warwickshire County Councillor Whitehouse

The Monitoring Officer also advised that the three candidates for election to the Council had been notified by the meeting and were present at the meeting.

1. Election of Chairman

The Monitoring Officer provided advice to the Council that since the original letter from the Chief Executive of Warwick District Council the Council had received further legal advice that the Monitoring Officer could not chair the first meeting but a member of the Council needed to take this role. He apologised for this error by the Council and suggested that because of the concerns that had been expressed locally about appointing a Chairman of the Council up to the Annual meeting of the Parish Council, the Council may want to consider appointing a Chairman just for this meeting.

The Council thanked the Monitoring Officer for his advice and assistance to date and agreed the best approach would be to appoint a Chairman for the meeting.

It was proposed by Councillor Taylor, duly seconded by Councillor Worringham.

RESOLVED that Councillor Owen be appointed as Chairman for the meeting.

2. Vice Chairman of the Council

RESOLVED that the decision to appoint a Vice Chairman should be deferred until the Annual meeting of the Parish Council.

3. Code of Conduct

RESOLVED that the Model Code of Conduct for Parish and Town Councils (published by the Standards Board for England April 2007), be adopted including the requirements of paragraph 12 (2)

4. Register of Financial & Other Interests

Councillor Taylor submitted his Declaration of Financial and Other Interests Form. The other Councillors noted they needed to be submitted, to the Acting Clerk, by 28 April 2012

5. Declarations of Interest on items on the Agenda

There were no declarations of interest made.

6. Clerk of the Council

RESOLVED that

(1)    Graham Leach be appointed as Acting Clerk and Responsible Finance Officer for the Council;

(2)    the job description and person specification be amended by the Acting Clerk and circulated to Councillors for approval, then advertisement; and

(3)    the person acting as the Clerk or Acting Clerk, be appointed as the Proper Officer of the Council.

The Acting Clerk, thanked the Council for his appointment but explained that due to personal commitments he would only be able to undertake the role until the end of July 2012. The Council recognised this and hoped that a permanent Clerk to the Council would be in post long before then.

7.    Financial Arrangements

The Acting Clerk reported that the Council precept had been set at £10,333 for the year and that this would be made in two payments on 30 April 2012 and 26 September 2012. In addition he reported that the governance review order had not contained the transfer of the Bus Shelter or Parish Notice Board and he would need to contact Ashow & Stoneleigh Parish Council about the transfer of these assets.

Councillor Mrs Hills reported that the Council would be in receipt of a capital amount from Ashow and Stoneleigh Parish Council that was currently being considered by the Council’s auditor.

Councillor Owen reported on two preferred insurance quotes received for the Council’s public liability insurance. These were from AON and Aviva. They both offered the same level of cover however it was considered that AON had greater experience in this area of work and on that basis should be approached to insure the Council.

RESOLVED that

1. the financial report, be noted;

2. the Acting Clerk liaises with Councillor Hills over the most suitable bank account (either Lloyds TSB or HSBC for the Council) and all Councillors be established as signatories for the interim;

3. the Council appoint AON as its insurers.

8.    Planning Applications

RESOLVED that

1. the Acting Clerk writes to Warwick District Council to notify the Council of all planning applications in the parish; and

(2)    any applications received be notified to Councillors via email for consideration.

9.    Standing Orders and Financial Regulations

There were several minor amendments, to draft orders included on the agenda, agreed by Councillors and considering that the Council was due to have a further three Councillors it was considered appropriate that these be brought to the Annual meeting of the Parish Council for confirmation when all Councillors will be present.

RESOLVED that the draft standing orders, as amended, be brought to the Annual meeting of the Parish Council for confirmation.

10.    Membership of Associations

RESOLVED that the Council becomes a member of:

1. the Warwickshire Association of Local Councils, which in turn would mean membership of the National Association of Local Councils; and

2. Council for Protection of Rural England

11.    Information Commissioner

RESOLVED that the Clerk to the Council, be registered, as a Data Controller with the Information Commissioners Office and authorise the payment of the subscription fee by direct debit.

12.    Training

RESOLVED that payment for four Councillors and the Clerk to attend Induction Days with WALC for new councillors and Clerks.

13.    Official guidance

RESOLVED that consideration be deferred until all Councillors had taken office.

14    Web site

RESOLVED that consideration on the introduction of a website for the Council, be deferred until the next meeting.

15.    Meetings

RESOLVED that

1. the next three meetings of the Council be held at the Burton Green Village School, starting at 7.00pm on 10 May 2012, 14 June 2012 and 12 July 2012.
2. the Clerk brings the suggested dates for meetings for the next 12 months to the Annual Council meeting
3. the Council meets in the village school for now, with the ambition of moving meetings to the village hall as soon as practicable.

16.    Committees

RESOLVED that consideration of the establishment and membership of Committees, along with appointments to outside organisations, be deferred to the Annual meeting of the Council.

(The meeting ended at 7.38pm)