Minutes of the Committee Meeting of the

Albrighton & District Civic Society

held at APC Office, 82B High St, Albrighton,

on Monday 12th March 2012 at 4pm

 

Present :       

Peter Woodman - Chairman

Rod Smith – Secretary.

Mike Pitchford - Membership Secretary and Acting Treasurer

John Bulmer

Hugh Hughes

Ron Kidson

Peter Leigh

David Beechey – ex-officio, representing Donington-with-Boscobel PC

Michael Ward – ex-officio, representing Albrighton PC

David Murray – ex-officio, representing Tong PC

 

1. Apologies  received from David Hughes.

 

2. Minutes of Meeting of 5th February 2012 were approved.

 

3.Main Issues

 

a) Station Heritage Centre – the Stage 1 Application for funds had been submitted to HLF on 7thMarch as planned and we now await a decision, which could take some months.

Andrea McWilliams SC had sent us details of a Feasibility fund which may make grants of up to £25k or 5 days professional help for development work but can not be used to fund building purchase or construction. This may be useful for our Stage 2 Application development e.g. business plan. ACTION:  PW to follow up and seek the grant.

 

b) Villages Entrance Scheme. JB reported that the planting at Patshull Rd/A464 damaged by the flood had been repaired and more than 40 roses, donated by D Austin Roses were planted and a first application of manure (donated by Brian Pemberton) had been made.

ACTION: PW to write letters of thanks to DAR and Mr Pemberton.

Mr Holland of Bishton Manor had written to us to say that he thought roses were not appropriate and wild flowers should be used but his letter was received after the planting was complete. PW had replied and explained that they were “Rosy Cushions” a hardy variety providing small heads which did blend in with the natural surroundings and were a low maintenance type and that we would be pleased to take up any suggestions for future plantings. PW explained that we would have liked Boningale PC to have a representative on our committee, as the other 3 parishes, but that they had so far refused our offer and not wished to participate but we now expected good discussions to begin with their new Chairman, David Thomas. Mr Holland had replied in a positive way.

JB explained that while wild flowers looked very nice it was extremely difficult to establish them and was not keen on the idea.

JB requested more mulch and it was agreed that ACTION: PW would ask Alb Garden Centre for a donation of mulch or if not possible the Society would purchase enough bags (cost limit £100).

All agreed that the line of daffodils, which we had planted along Newport Road from the Alb Garden Centre towards Albrighton, looked very impressive especially as it was a line and not patches. MP suggested that the line be continued further. JB would buy another 1000 No. daffodils now.

HH reported that DAR had postponed its rose planting at the end of Bowling Green Lane/A464 due to the ground being too dry.

 

c) Schools Civic Awards Scheme.

JB will ask Don Hickman if he can get Idsall to confirm their involvement.

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d) Visit of Chris Edwards to our Committee Meeting at 10am on 11 June to deal with mostly planning matters.

It was reported that the neighbours had decided not to object to the latest planning application for a bungalow at Stroudley’s Yard.

DB reported that the Alb PC met with Ian Kilby (SC Planning) who was keen on the idea of swapping some of the “white land” behind Shaw Lane with the land at the south side of the approach ramp to the station so that this could be used as more car parking for the Station and that this would be added to the Planners’ Plan for Albrighton.

ACTION: PW has chased Chris Edwards several times but he will try again to get his confirmation of coming to our meeting.

PL to discover which Civic Societies in Shropshire, if any, are already consultees for planning application -  to act as a precedent as we have been ignored after many requests.

(Post Meeting Note: Potential Societies, if they exist, include: Shifnal, Newport (but they are in Wrekin), Oswestry, Ludlow, Bridgnorth, Wem, Whitchurch, Bishops Castle, Ellesmere, Shrewsbury)

 

e) Planters & Tubs.

It was agreed that the Society would make an application for a LJC grant for funds. JB recommended that the planters be in heavy oak and fixed down to prevent theft. Nearby businesses would be asked to agree to maintain and water them. It was agreed that we would, in any case due to the planting season being upon us, begin by purchasing 2 No. Planters in parallel with the LJC application and MP would check if a purchase prior to award is covered.

ACTION: RK would seek quotations from suppliers and MP would draft the LJC application in time for the next LJC meeting on 23rd May at Tong.

A plaque stating “Albrighton & District Civic Society” would be fixed to each Planter. If the supplier would provide a significant discount then we could offer that his name is also fixed to the Planter.

 

f) Hanging Basket Competition for Flower Show (7th July).

Civic Society’s Bulmer Cup to be the 1st prize.

PW will reply to Sue Pate’s request for ideas for money making schemes and will send our suggestions

 

g) Albrighton Fayre (14th July). Activity as last year and so please can members donate bottles and hand to PW.

ACTION: MP to reserve the same stall site as last year, outside the new chip shop.

MP to organise approx 1800 No. flyers similar to last year. DB agreed that Alb PC will photocopy them and ADCS pays for the paper and ink.

PW will ask Tony Wrighton if, as last year, the Walking Group will deliver them along with the Flower Show leaflets.

 

h) Visit by Brewood Civic Society Committee.

Possible dates are:- evenings of 2nd, 9th, 16th July. All members agreed that they are available on any of these dates.

Plan is to have a brief guided (by Ernie Howells) tour of Albrighton, including the Station building, followed by snacks and drinks at PW’s house. PW will lend his mobile public address system to Ernie Howells

ACTION: PL will ask Ernie Howells which of these dates he is available.

 

4. Any Other Business

 

a)    Street Drinking.

PW said that there had been several occasions when youths were drunk on the High Street and causing a nuisance. Was there a case for the introduction of a ban on drinking in the street as SC had the power to introduce a by-law to this effect? DB said that PW should discuss with the police first but from a practical point of view he hoped that WPC Michelle Morris and/or the Community Officer would be around  late evenings after pubs closed to nip this in the bud.

 

b)    Dog Fouling.

Many reported that lots of dog mess is not being picked up and some bags of mess are left on the street even next to the special bins. All agreed that advisory signs were unlikely to be effective. It was agreed that a letter in the Parish Magazine jointly by Albrighton Parish Council and the Civic Society asking for residents to report people seen not picking up their dog’s mess to a phone number (the dog warden)

ACTION: RS to draft a letter for agreement with Alb PC

 

c) Lea Cottage – ACTION: PW to contact the new Enforcement Officer at SC to press for compulsory purchase.DM said that SC had powers to take over empty buildings (without the need for compulsory purchase) and to renovate them, lease them out and to recharge the owners. PW to discuss with SC

 

d) Communities Connect Magazine – ACTION: RS to contact and send articles

 

e) High St Lime Trees - JB proposed that they be removed and replaced with more suitable trees – rowans, planes, flowering cherries etc in phases over several years. The Committee agreed. ACTION: JB to contact SC Tree Officer to discuss.

 

   

Next meeting:  2 p.m. Monday 2nd April 2012

 

Following Meeting will be at 2pm on Monday 14th May 2012. (ie 2nd Monday due to bank holiday)

All Committee Meetings, unless otherwise noted, are on the first Monday of each month at

Alb PC Offices, 82B High Street, Albrighton WV7 3JA (T: 375455).

 

(All future AGMs are on the second Monday of October

– NOTE FOR YOUR DIARY: this year’s AGM is at 7pm on 8th October 2012)

 

 

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