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Minutes of Meeting Tuesday February 26th 2019 held at 4 Pink Green Lane

Minutes, , ,

BROCKHILL RESIDENTS’ ASSOCIATION

Minutes of Meeting Tuesday February 26th 2019 held at 4 Pink Green Lane

Those Present:

Sylvia Collinson                                SC

David Dallaway                                DD

Lynn Dallaway                                 LD

Malcom Gilks                                   MG

Claire Ivins                                        CI

Gemma Monaco                             GM

Julie Vincent                                     JV

 

Guests in attendance: WCC Brandon Clayton (BC) and RBC Pattie Hill (PH).

WCC Robin Lunn (RL) was unable to attend but participated via Skype.

Apologies were received from RBC Anita Clayton and Stephen Siddle.

 

The Agenda:

  1. Welcome to new Committee Members
  2. Actions arising from last meeting in November 2018
  3. Community House
  4. Mainstay’s maintenance charges for Pointers Way and Meadow View
  5. Litter Pick
  6. Quiz Night
  7. Website
  8. Sale of land at rear of Carthorse Lane
  9. Land change of ownership – the field behind Parklands Close/Dairy Lane
  10. O.B.

 

  1. Welcome to new Committee Members:

Two new Committee Members, Claire Ivins and Malcolm Gilks, who had offered their services after the AGM, were welcomed to their first committee meeting.  Claire will be monitoring our Facebook page and Malcolm has volunteered his landscaping and general maintenance skills, should they be required.

  1. Actions Arising from last meeting:

DD had emailed Clare Flanagan, Principal Solicitor for RBC, enquiring about the latest position on the adoption of the Nature Reserve bordered by Brockhill Lane and Plumstead Close.  Ms Flanagan had responded that the Council were expecting to hear from solicitors for Persimmon but nothing had been received as yet.  She would now ask the Property Team Leader to chase this up as a matter of urgency.

In addition our Councillors had contacted Redditch MP Rachel Maclean, asking her to write to David Jenkinson, the interim Chief Executive of Persimmon Homes, regarding the twenty years delay in handing over Section 106 monies and the adoption of some Brockhill roads and public open spaces.   GM had also contacted Bullivant Media, who published an article in the Friday February 22 issue of The Redditch Standard newspaper.  David Jenkinson has vowed to investigate personally ongoing issues.

RL informed us that WCC have now taken possession from Persimmon of the land on which the new Holyoakes Field first School will be built.  The predicted date of completion is the summer of 2020, ready for the September intake.

BC informed us that following on from the tightening of the chicane in Carthorse Lane, a speed bump will now be created to assist the traffic calming measures.

BC & RL had contacted Traffic Safety and Control  Officers to monitor traffic speeds in Salters Lane, near to Oaktree Avenue.   The results are still awaited.

  1. Community House:

The bungalow Persimmon had supposedly built with the intention of allowing its use by the Association as a temporary meeting place, now appears to be being used for storage purposes.  The building was never a viable option with rooms that were unsuitable for meetings and insufficient surrounding  parking space.  GM has received an email from Persimmon Homes South offering a porta cabin that could be placed temporarily on the open area somewhere adjacent to the old Pointers Way showhouse.  The maintenance and security issues connected with such a building were discussed at the meeting, leading to the unanimous decision of its unsuitability.

Persimmon have also offered us plot 111, a two- storey house to be built mid-2020.  They have said in the short term  the house could temporarily be configured to our needs on the ground floor and the first floor could be boxed off.  GM will be contacting Persimmon to inform them this too would be unsuitable because of limited floor space, limited parking facilities, the house being not fully available for use and the day to day running costs that would have to be borne by the Association.

DD suggested that if we were no longer asking Persimmon to provide a temporary Community Building, perhaps they would like instead  to finance the supply and erection of a notice board on Pointers Way.   CI asked us why we couldn’t have a Council run Community Centre, like those in other areas of Redditch.  The Councillors explained that RBC is not running the Leisure Department any more with responsibility for such matters resting with Rubicon Leisure Ltd.  Rubicon are not taking on the running of any new Community Centres.

  1. Mainstay:

This is the company responsible for the maintenance of the public open spaces and grass verges on Pointers Way and Meadow View.  They charge residents an annual service fee which has increased every year so far.  We have been informed by members who live on Pointers Way that the charges increased by a further 6% in January this year.  GM will write to Claire Flanagan of RBC and Simon Mallinson, WCC’s Head of Legal and Democratic Service, to inform them that residents are very unhappy with these increased charges, especially as they cannot see much improvement to the public open spaces.  It was felt that Mainstay should not be allowed to keep increasing the fees well above the level of inflation and that there should be some sort of cap on charges.

  1. Litter Pick:

It was decided to hold our annual Litter Pick on Saturday May 11th.  JV will arrange to borrow the equipment from RBC and arrange for the collection of the rubbish bags.  Further details will be posted on our website and Facebook page and all members emailed to notify them of the time and date.

  1. Quiz Night:

The Annual Quiz Night will be held sometime in October.  This will need to be on either a Monday or Saturday evening, as those are the only evenings available to hire the Batchley Community Centre.  This is another reason why we need our own Community Hall as we are currently restricted as to when we can hold events.

  1. Website:

As a result of an email sent out to all members in January, Ben Moseley had kindly volunteered his services to handle the administration of the website.  He met up with Jules Collinson for a brief induction and is now in control.  We will be inviting Ben to our next meeting if he is available to attend.

DD was concerned that he had not received notification of any new members joining for some time.  He queried whether the mechanism for alerting him of new memberships via the website was still functioning.

DD asked if we could put a statement on our website that covered obligations under General Data Protection Regulations.

  1. Sale of Land at the Rear of Carthorse Lane/Longmoor Close:

Persimmon Homes have still not been communicating satisfactorily with the solicitors of those residents purchasing land at the rear of their properties.   One of our members has told JV that he is so fed up of the undergrowth behind his garden that nobody wants to take responsibility for, that he is thinking of moving.  BC said that he will contact the Council’s solicitor to find out what is preventing the land sale going ahead.

  1. Land change of ownership at the rear of Parklands Close/Dairy Lane:

JV said her neighbour had been informed by the local farmer that ownership of the field, behind the houses in Parklands Close upon which his sheep graze, had changed .  JV had previously been interested in who owned this land.  She had asked RL on several occasions who was responsible for the upkeep of the fence in Appletree Lane that is in need of repair.  BC said the land was in Bromsgrove and owned by Persimmon Homes.  PH suggested that we ask Malcolm Gilks to quote for repair of the fence.

  1. O.B.

One of our members had reported to us that a lamppost was not working in Wooton Close.  DD passed on the details to our Councillors who had arranged its repair.  The other issue reported by this member was the provision of a grit bin for Wooton Close.  BC told us that an appeal is taking place with regard to the request for a yellow grit bin as the original request had been refused last year.  He said that Wooton Close is considered to have the steepest incline in Brockhill and is hopeful of getting one installed.  DD said that speaking parochially he would like a grit bin in Pink Green Lane as the steep hill up to Wheelers Lane was usually impassable when it snowed.

 

Actions from this meeting:

GM to contact Persimmon Homes North regarding the Community House.

GM to contact Claire Flanagan at RBC with regard to Mainstay’s service charge increases.

BC to contact RBC’s solicitors to find out when the sale of land to residents in Carthorse Lane/Longmoor Close will go ahead.

BC to find out who owns the land to the rear of Parklands Close/Dairy Lane.

MG to prepare a quotation for the repair of the fence which separates the above field and Appletree Lane’s public open space.

JV to arrange to borrow equipment for the Litter Pick on Saturday May 11th.

JV to book Batchley Community Hall for the Quiz Night In October.

 

Meeting ended at 9.35 pm.

 

Download your copy here: 

Minutes of Meeting Tuesday February 26th 2019 held at 4 Pink Green Lane

 

 

Please find attached the Minutes of the Annual General Meeting held at the Batchley Community Centre

Minutes

AGM October 15.10.18

BROCKHILL RESIDENTS’ ASSOCIATION

Minutes of the Annual General Meeting

held at the Batchley Community Centre on Monday October 15th2018

In Attendance:

Committee: Sylvia Collinson, David Dallaway, Lynn Dallaway, Cllr Gemma Monaco, Stephen Siddle, Julie Vincent.

Members:Matt Collinson, Les Cook, Robin Dennis, Cherry Gilks, Malcolm Gilks, Graham Haynes, Marion Haynes, Claire Ivins, Louise Moakes, Paul Moakes, Mike Vincent, Jean Vranic, Jean Wood,.

Councillors:RBC Anita Clayton, WCC Brandon Clayton, RBC Pattie Hill, WCC Robin Lunn.

APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE:

Apologies were received from John Dallaway, James Doble, Tisha Greenway and Peter Merricks.

The Councillors and Committee were introduced to those members present by David Dallaway.  He extended a particularly warm welcome to Cllr Pattie Hill following her recent recovery from illness.

ADOPTION OF THE MINUTES OF THE PREVIOUS AGM:

The minutes of last year’s AGM were available on the Brockhill Residents’ Association website for members to read and were adopted forthwith.

APPROVAL AND ADOPTION OF THE ACCOUNTS FOR THE 12 MONTHS ENDING 28THFEBRUARY 2018:

David Dallaway provided members with a copy of the Income and Expenditure Account and Balance Sheet for the 12 months ended 28thFebruary 2018.  The overall profit of £382 increased our funds to £977.  The profit arose from two sources, viz.: Brandon Clayton’s donation of £250 from his Worcestershire Councillors’ Divisional Fund and Quiz Night profits of £219.  Julie Vincent had sent a letter of thanks to all individuals and companies who had donated prizes to the Quiz Night’s raffle.

Web hosting costs had been reduced by more than 50% and thanks were given to Jules Collinson for negotiating this.

Since the 1stMarch 2018 we had received a further £440 from three sources.  Committee member Stephen Siddle, a member of the Alvechurch Dramatic Society, had arranged and performed in a Murder Mystery Evening.  Our share of profits from the two highly enjoyable evenings was £300. Thanks were given to Stephen and his fellow thespians.

£100 was raised for the Association from a Fashion Show at Beoley Village Hall, organised in the summer by one of our members, Julia Cuzner. The show also raised £200 for Birmingham Christmas Shelter.  Thanks were given to Julia and those members who attended and supported the show, and to the local Tesco store for their donation of a couple of bottles of wine to the raffle.

Member Robin Dennis had again donated a child’s bicycle for auction, this being his third such generous offer.  It was disappointing that the auction, held shortly before Christmas and advertised on the Association’s website, Facebook page and notice boards, received no bids.  Robin subsequently sold the bicycle through his business and kindly donated £40 to Association funds.

Jules Collinson had managed to negotiate a further reduction down to £58 for this year’s web hosting costs and again he was thanked for his efforts.

At today’s date the Association’s funds stood at £1,360.

The Accounts were received, adopted and approved by members.

 

DISCUSSION OF THE FOLLOWING ONGOING ISSUES:-

  1. Holyoakes Field First School:-

The school in Bridge Street is still waiting to relocate to a new building on Pointers Way, Brockhill East.  They are now hoping that this will happen in September 2020. The delay in commencement of building was due to land ownership issues.  These have now been resolved and the remedial work, i.e. pinning down the land to prepare for the building to start, the laying of utilities etc. has begun. The school is not being built by Persimmon.

David Dallaway read out a recent newsletter message sent out by the school’s Headmistress:-

“Parents have been asking when we expect to move into the new build on Brockhill Estate.  Unfortunately we have been waiting for access road to be built which we believe has recently been completed but are still awaiting for the land to be transferred to the local authority.  Once this happens we will inform you but until then it is not possible to give any estimation or time limit for the project to be completed.”

Matt Collinson asked the Councillors about the road plans near to the school and if there would be enough turning space for cars dropping off children.  Robin Lunn said that there was going to be a traffic island constructed.  We were told that Burrington Road, which is the main road through Pointers Way, will eventually be a through road to Bordesley, which will ease the congestion of traffic.

  1. Adoption of the Nature Reserve:-

Peter Merricks, a member and former Chairman of the Association, had been asking persistently since 2016, when the piece of land known as the Nature Reserve was to be adopted.  This is the area, popular with dog walkers, accessible from gates in Brockhill Lane and Plumstead Close.  In August 2017 Pattie Hill had chased up Ruth Bamford, RBC’s Head of Planning and Regeneration, for an update on the matter.  Ruth’s response was very disappointing from somebody in her position:-

“It is not adopted.  I (sic) terms of whether or not Persimmon still own a particular parcel of land this would be a land registry matter.”

Brandon Clayton said the matter was in the hands of Persimmon’s lawyers and that at present, RBC are maintaining the land. Brandon added that some open spaces, previously thought to have been adopted, have not been fully adopted.  Anita Clayton said that Persimmon Homes had got away with these adoption issues for too long and it was now time to involve our MP, Rachel Maclean, in an attempt to resolve matters.  The Councillors all agreed that they would put their signatures to our letter to Ms Maclean.

[Post AGM note: The October 26thedition of The Redditch & Alcester Standard carried a front page headline, “Homes giant in dock over delay in payout.” Consequently no contact has yet been made with Rachel Maclean as the newspaper’s editor had brought the article’s contents to the attention of both Redditch Borough Council and Persimmon Homes.]

  • Community Building:-

We informed members of a visit, by several of the Committee, to view the bungalow recently built by Persimmon as part of its Meadow View development.  This building had been offered by Persimmon as a community building to serve as a temporary solution to the lack of community facilities.  We had been informed by Kate Tait, Persimmon Homes’ Strategic Planning Director, that the bungalow would be a shell with no interior walls, so that we could have the building designed for our needs.  When we visited the bungalow we were amazed to find that the interior walls had been constructed.  The rooms were too small for us to use for meetings and there was nowhere to park.  The building also had a “For Sale” sign attached to its front wall, although the sales representative said this was a mistake. We have emailed Kate Tait to ask her why the bungalow was not built to meet our needs, but as yet we are still awaiting a reply.  It was noted that Persimmon’s failure to respond on a number of matters was becoming the norm.

Several of the Committee had met with the Chairman and Treasurer of the Webheath Village Hall Management Team, to ask their advice on the running of a community building.  They were very helpful, but there was just no comparison to our position as they had inherited a well-run hall whose set up costs had already been financed before their takeover of responsibilities.  We learnt from them how expensive the running costs were, in their case financed by an annual lettings income of around £25,000.  It emerged that the need for two large rooms, available for hiring out, is paramount in order to generate sufficient income to cover the building’s running costs.

Brandon Clayton confirmed that it is proposed to build a Community Hall close to the new Holyoakes Field First School and the nearby new shops.  However, this will not be undertaken for several years.  Robin Lunn pointed out that there will be a room available for meetings when the new school is built.  A discussion then ensued as to whether this was likely to be jeopardised by the school becoming an Academy.  If this were to happen, then almost certainly there would be a charge for use of its rooms. Financially the Association would be in no better a position than currently, with the need to pay room hire charges for the Batchley Community Centre.

Matt Collinson expressed his indignation that section 106monies, arising from Persimmon’s various housing developments in Brockhill, had been spent by the Council in other areas of Redditch.  He bemoaned the total lack of community facilities in Brockhill and felt that the considerable amount of Council Tax paid by Brockhill residents should be used for the benefit of their own area and not others in Redditch.

MAIN ACHIEVEMENTS SINCE LAST AGM:

David Dallaway highlighted the following:-

  • A litter pick took place in July last year. All those who participated were thanked but the overall number was disappointing considering there are 370 members in the Association.
  • Following concerted efforts and hounding of Persimmon by Gemma Monaco, a tidy up of the land surrounding Pointers Way has been carried out.
  • Introduction of increased traffic calming measures by the chicane next to the postbox in Carthorse Lane.
  • Installation of a litter bin on the pathway adjacent to Greenford Close and the replacement of the one in the underpass leading to Brockhill Park.
  • Help given towards the advertising promotion of the Brockhill Football team being set up by Greg Fletcher.
  • Liaison with Police Community Support Officers regarding issues such as weed smoking in Brockhill Park and scrambler/quad bikes being ridden dangerously around the Nature Reserve and Pointers Way’s derelict barns. On an ongoing basis any problems should be reported to PCSO Ed Wood.
  • Traffic calming bollards and signage have been installed at our request in Salters Lane near the junction of Oaktree Lane. Unfortunately this has not had the desired effect and we have asked Robin Lunn and Brandon Clayton to see what else can be done to slow down traffic. They will be monitoring the speed of cars coming around the bend to see what further measures are needed.
  • The big dip in the tarmac pathway near to Rhymes Nursery in Low Field Lane has now been filled in.
  • The crossing at the Appletree Lane Traffic Island was completed in the summer.

ELECTION OF EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE MEMBERS:

David Dallaway informed the meeting that since the last AGM, Margaret Mole, James Doble, Gemma Moore and Emma Fletcher had resigned from the Committee.  He asked if there was anybody interested in volunteering to join the Committee.  There was no response but two members present came forward the next day to offer their services.  Claire Ivins, who has offered to monitor our Facebook Page, and Malcolm Gilks will be welcomed at our next Committee Meeting.

David Dallaway suggested that we ask for more volunteers when sending out notification to all members that the AGM minutes have been posted on the website.  The Association has continued to run without a chairperson since the resignation of the former incumbent in April 2014.  It was hoped then that a suitable volunteer would soon emerge but regretfully nobody has put themselves forward despite a large increase in membership in that four and a half years period.

A.O.B./ MEMBERS’ OPEN FORUM:

Mike Vincent asked why the grass bank had not been replaced after the new pathway in Appletree Lane had been created, near to the new crossing.  He said that itinerant travellers would now be able to get their vehicles onto the public open space.  The grass bank needs to be put back.  Brandon Clayton said that he will attend to this.

Pattie Hill told us that there is now a bigger team of PCSO’s in the Batchley/Brockhill area to tackle the anti-social behaviour we have been experiencing in Brockhill Park.

Graham Haynes asked if anyone knew what the tall masts were that had been installed recently on Brockhill Drive by the junction of Salters Lane.  None of the five Councillors in attendance was aware but said they would find out.

David Dallaway asked if anybody had heard from Greg Fletcher regarding the Brockhill Football Team he wanted to set up.  As mentioned above, Greg had contacted us earlier this year to ask for support in promoting his wish.  We have displayed his poster on our notice boards but have had no feedback from him since then. Pattie Hill said that he has probably set something up at Redditch Borough Football Club.

Malcom Gilks told us that there is a hedge obscuring the traffic on the corner of Lily Green Lane and Shireland Lane and wondered who owned it.  Robin Lunn said that he would find out and let us know.

The meeting ended at 10 p.m.

 

Brand New Girls Bike Auction

Events, Fund Raisers, , , ,

BROCKHILL RESIDENTS’ ASSOCIATION BRAND NEW GIRLS BICYCLE AUCTION

We are holding an Auction for this Bicycle which has been kindly donated by one of our Members, Robin Dennis.

The proceeds will help with our running costs.

Bidding starts at £40 and the Auction will close on Wednesday 25th April. Offers can be made by email to julievincent1@sky.com or Telephone:- 07870 880128

ANGEL GIRLS BIKE WITH 12in WHEELS & STABILISERS, finished in pink.

• BMX sloping top tube design frame

• side pull front and rear calliper brakes

• Adjustable brake levers

• stabilisers INCLUDED

• 8.5in frame for inside leg 13.5 to 16in

We would like Thank Stephen and dramatic society so much. £300 is a wonderful amount raised for our association.

Here are details of there next one:

Alvechurch Dramatic Society’s Spring production is ‘Deadly Nightcap’, a thriller by the master of the genre, Francis Durbridge.  Murder and mystery abound in this ingenious play with more than its fair share of twists, turns and blind alleys. Jack and Sarah Radford are a happy and successful couple living in a large home in the country. But then an unexpected visitor changes everything, and Inspector Cliff Jordan is soon in charge of a murder investigation.  Will he be able to untangle the threads of adultery, blackmail and vengeance? This tense and dramatic play will keep you guessing right until the end. The London critics said: “a night to remember for any fan of mystery, murder and edge of your seat suspense” and “if you enjoy the very best of thrillers, see Deadly Nightcap, it’s the best.” 

Tickets can be obtained from Stephen Siddle by phoning/texting 07977 140088 or emailing stephen.siddle@talktalk.net. 

 

Minutes of Meeting Thursday March 8th 2018 held at Alestones

Minutes, , , ,

BROCKHILL RESIDENTS’ ASSOCIATION

Minutes of Meeting Thursday March 8th 2018 held at Alestones

Those Present:

David Dallaway                                   DD

Lynn Dallaway                                      LD

Julie Vincent                                          JV

Tish Greenway                                      TG

Gemma Moore                                     GM2

Stephen Siddle                                     SS

Apologies from Pattie Hill (PH), Emma Fletcher (EF), James Doble (JD), Sylvia Collinson (SC) and Gemma Monaco (GM1)

Guests in attendance: – WCC Brandon Clayton (BC), RBC Anita Clayton (AC) and WCC Robin Lunn (RL)

The Agenda:

  1. Actions arising from meeting on 16.11.17
  2. Nature Reserve adoption
  3. Speed calming measures at Oak Tree Avenue/Salters Lane junction
  4. Meadow View development & Community Building
  5. Holyoakes Field First School
  6. Carthorse Lane chicane tightening
  7. Deep dip in pavement at top of Lowfield Lane
  8. Murder Mystery Evening
  9. Bicycle auction
  10. Brockhill Committee emails and Members’ List
  11. Broken fence in Appletree Lane (at the Dairy Lane end) Public Open Space
  12. Brown Hairstreak butterfly
  13. Brockhill football team
  14. Brockhill Park litter bin
  15. G.M.
  16. O.B.

 

  1. Actions from last meeting not covered in main agenda:

The litter bin on the pathway adjacent to Greenford Close, requested via PH, had now been installed.

Safety improvements at the bottom of the steps leading from the Nature Reserve down on to Brockhill Lane remained an outstanding issue. This will be left in abeyance until after PH’s recovery from illness.

RL informed us that there is still no commencement date for building of the new Holyoakes Field First School.

BC checked with RBC Planning Department on the position of the new school’s entrance.

  1. Nature Reserve adoption:

RL is still awaiting confirmation as to whether the Nature Reserve, bordered by Brockhill Lane and Plumstead Close, has been adopted by RBC.

  1. Speed calming measures at the junction of Oak Tree Avenue/Salters Lane

RL had spoken to Maurice Carlos, a Highways Officer at WCC, who has approved the construction of a crossing at this location. It will consist of bollards and markings on the road warning motorists to slow down. RL managed to secure the cost at half the original price and the monies will be provided from his WCC discretionary fund. He will inform us of the start date when given.

  1. Meadow View development & Community Building:

BC had met with the Planning Department of RBC and a Persimmon Planning Officer to discuss the Community Building to be provided from section 106 monies. The Association would be able to use the building for community activities. This would be a temporary measure until a Community Hall is built near to the school. The Committee Members will need to enter into a legal entity agreement to cover for any legal or insurance matters that may arise. BC said that this needs to be done a.s.a.p. He suggested that we take advice from B.A.R.N. (Bromsgrove and Redditch Network) based in Easemore Road as they have experience of these matters. DD pointed out we would require the input of JD whose knowledge and expertise in this area would be invaluable.

  1. Holyoakes Field First School:

Notice has been served on Persimmon by John Hobbs, Director of Economy and Infrastructure at WCC, as they are in breach of contract with regards to the building of the new school. The school should have been built before the second phase of the house building started. We were told the delay was due to a small piece of land, not belonging to Persimmon, that they were trying to obtain from the landowner. The Head of Holyoakes Field First School has received a letter from Persimmon to explain the delay. It would appear that Persimmon communicate better with the school’s Head than they do with Ruth Bamford, RBC’s Head of Planning and Regeneration. Jeanette Beckett from Place Partnership has also been trying to assist with negotiating a start date.

  1. Carthorse Lane Chicane Tightening:

The chicane in Carthorse Lane was very slightly tightened in January, but not enough to have the desired effect. Drivers still do not need to slow down to pass through it. RL had put traffic cones in place in an attempt to tighten the configuration but these were removed by a resident who disagrees with the work being done. GM2 told us that she replaced the cones on a couple of occasions only to find them removed again. Eventually she confronted the individual who claimed that placement of the cones was illegal. GM2 explained that the work had been sanctioned by WCC. RL has since contacted the disgruntled resident to explain why the work was being done and that it had already been approved. RL will let us know when the workmen will return to tighten the chicane further.

A few weeks ago DD became aware of widening work being carried out on the chicane in Butlers Hill Lane. He had referred this to RL who confirmed it was a tiny and very long overdue change to enable a resident to turn onto his drive going north, rather than having to turn round up the road and enter going south. RL had been trying to get this done for years, as it was not put in properly originally by the developers.   It should not make the chicane any less effective but certainly improve things for the resident.

  1. Deep dip In pavement at top of Lowfield Lane (opposite Rhymes Nursery School):

RL was under the impression that the work here had been carried out. JV assured him that it had not. He said that he will find out what is causing the delay. The tarmac on the path has sunk so low as to be a hazard for pedestrians, especially wheelchair and pushchair users. The path is opposite a Nursery School and more likely, therefore, to be used by mothers with pushchairs and children on bicycles and scooters.

  1. Murder Mystery Evening:

This event arranged by SS, who is a member of the Alvechurch Dramatic Society, is taking place on Friday and Saturday 9th & 10th March at Alvechurch Village Hall. SS told us that ticket sales were doing well. B.R.A. will share the profits with three other charities thus providing us with welcome income to help with our running costs. We will report on how much we receive in the next minutes

  1. Bicycle auction:

JV conducted the auction of a child’s bicycle donated by one of our members, Robin Dennis, who runs a business of assembling and selling bicycles and accessories. We thought it would be of interest as an ideal Christmas present. Details were displayed with a photograph on our website, Facebook page and both notice boards in the run up to Christmas. Also all members were emailed alerting them to the auction. Unfortunately no bids were received so JV will re-auction it in the spring.

  1. Brockhill Committee emails and Members’ List:

DD added this to the agenda before we knew that EF was unable to attend the meeting. As the maintainer of the list of members, he wanted to ask her for the names and postal addresses of new members who had registered recently. At present all that he receives is an email address. He also wished to confirm which committee members were included in ‘committee@brockhill.org.uk’ and ‘post@brockhill.org.uk’. DD will now contact EF outside the meeting.

  1. Broken fence in Appletree Lane adjacent to Public Open Space (at the Dairy Lane end):

We reported this to RL several months ago but it has still not been replaced or repaired. RL said that he will chase it up again for us. He couldn’t understand why it hadn’t been done, especially as workmen had been in the area last week.

  1. Brown Hairstreak butterfly:

B.R.A. had received an email from a representative of the “West Midlands Butterfly Conservation”. They are searching for the presence of the rare Brown Hairstreak butterfly – the closest location to Brockhill where its eggs have been found so far is Foxlydiate Wood. We have agreed to display posters requesting the reporting of any sightings on our noticeboards in the summer, to coincide with the flight period of this rare butterfly.

  1. Brockhill football team:

We have received an email from a member who wishes to form a Brockhill football team. Initially the aim would be to start up a men’s team to play in either the Redditch or Bromsgrove Sunday league. Longer term it would be hoped to open this up further as the community grows, to maybe have a ladies’ team, youth teams and a veteran’s team if there were sufficient interest. We have agreed to help by displaying promotional details on our website, Facebook page and notice boards. Anybody wanting to play or willing to help should email ‘brockhillfootball@yahoo.com’.

  1. Brockhill Park Litter Bin:

One of our members has requested a replacement litter bin to be placed near to the subway by the entrance to Brockhill Park. A bin existed there a few years ago but it was vandalised and hasn’t been replaced. AC said that she would put in a request.

  1. G.M.

We discussed when to hold this year’s A.G.M. We usually hold it in April, but with the Easter holidays and our Councillors being busy with the local elections in May, we decided to postpone it until June.

  1. O.B.

We are pleased to see that the undergrowth of brambles and long grasses has been cut back in Brockhill Park. The ground should recover, when the better weather arrives, from the damage caused by tyre marks from the work vans which were needed to transport the equipment necessary to do the job.

Undergrowth has also been tidied up in the pond by the pathway leading from Carthorse Lane to Appletree Lane, according to GM2, who lives nearby.

A non-member of the Association had recently asked if we could help advertise his newly set up business. DD had responded to say that unfortunately we were unable to promote private business interests and had turned down previous similar requests from some of our members.

Actions from this meeting:

RL to continue with his attempts in determining when the building of the Holyoakes Field First School will commence.

RL to find out when the chicane in Carthorse Lane will be tightened or if there is an alternative traffic calming measure to be taken.

RL to chase the investigation and repair of the deep dip on the pathway leading off the top of Lowfield Lane near to the last barn conversion on left hand side, opposite Rhymes Nursery.

RL to find out when the fence on the public open space in Appletree Lane (Dairy Lane end) will be repaired

AC to request a replacement litter bin by the subway on the Public Open Space near to Brockhill Park.

JV to contact B.A.R.N. for advice on setting up the Community Building.

Meeting ended at 9.15 pm.

Download your copy here: 

Committee Meeting Thursday March 8th 2018.

 

 

A Murder Mystery Evening in Alvechurch

Murder Mystery Evening and Bring your own drinks make it a cheap night out.

We are pleased to invite you to a Murder Mystery Evening on the 9th and 10th of March in Alvechurch Village Hall (www.alvechurchvillagehall.co.uk), which is being presented by Alvechurch Dramatic Society to raise funds for ourselves and other local charities. We are assured that these evenings are always great fun and you are invited to bring your own drinks as the refreshments on sale will be limited to tea and coffee.

Tickets can be obtained locally from

Stephen Siddle 07977 140088/01527 62930 or

Julie Vincent 07870 880128/01527 585321

 

 

Guidance on Clearing Snow and Ice

Worcestershire County Council is continuing to encourage householders to be ‘good neighbours’ and help keep highways safe this winter.

With the experience of recent winters very much in mind and the possible approach of severe weather once again, the Council is keen for residents to help keep highways clear for all users by clearing snow and ice from public footways or pavements fronting their properties.

The Council recognises that popular concern over a ‘compensation culture’ and possible legal liability has discouraged a lot of householders from clearing snow and ice from footways in the past.

In fact, we believe that case-law does not justify significant cause for concern and shouldn’t put people off, provided they take reasonable care.

Any householder who takes reasonable care when clearing a footway and ensures that its condition does not create a greater hazard than before is highly unlikely therefore to be faced with a successful claim from pedestrians who may suffer injury or loss as a result of that clearance.

Reasonable care would include following the government advice on how to clear footways safely shown below, although we are happy for salt in grit bins to be used to clear pavements forming part of the highway.

Government advice from https://www.gov.uk/clear-snow-road-path-cycleway supported by the County Council: Clear snow from a road, path or cycleway You can clear snow and ice from pavements yourself. It’s unlikely that you’ll be sued or held responsible if someone is injured on a path or pavement if you’ve cleared it carefully.

How to clear snow and ice

When you clear snow and ice:

 do it early in the day – it’s easier to move fresh, loose snow

 don’t use water – it might refreeze and turn to black ice

 use salt if possible – it will melt the ice or snow and stop it from refreezing overnight (but don’t use the salt from salting bins as this is used to keep roads clear)

 you can use ash and sand if you don’t have enough salt – it will provide grip underfoot

 pay extra attention when clearing steps and steep pathways – using more salt may help

How to clear the snow properly.

PC advice re Ice and Snow policy 2017