BROCKHILL RESIDENTS’ ASSOCIATION

Minutes of Meeting Monday March 9th 2015

Those Present:

David Dallaway​​​​​DD

Lynn Dallaway​​​​​LD

Julie Vincent​​​​​JV

James Doble​​​​​JD

Angie Preece​​​​​AP

Guest in attendance: – WCC Robin Lunn.​​RL

Apologies from Sylvia Collinson, Tish Greenway and Pattie Hill

The Agenda:

1. A.G.M. – Date & Venue

2. Superfast Broadband

3. New Road Signage

4. Sale of Land at Rear of Carthorse Lane

5. Nature Reserve Path

6. New Membership Leaflets – Print & Distribution

7. PACT Meetings

8. Walking Maps & Leaflets

9. Litter Pick

10. Paths leading nowhere on Pointers Way

11. Greenford Close Litter Bin

12. Pathway needed at Lily Green Lane Traffic Island

1. A.G.M. Date & Venue:

A discussion took place about where and when to hold this year’s A.G.M. RL suggested that it be held after the General Election on May 7th. We decided that good attendance figures were more likely if the meeting was held at a local establishment rather than at the Tardebigge Community Hall, the previous two years’ venue. We will be comparing the suitability and cost of three local Community Halls in Batchley and will post a notice on the website when the venue has been booked. An e-mail will be sent to all members once the details are posted.

Action JV

2. Superfast Broadband:

We received an e-mail from one of our members, Peter Merricks, requesting support from the Association in his quest to obtain more information regarding the installation of fibre optic broadband in Brockhill. The new estate at Pointers Way already has it installed and we want the rest of Brockhill to enjoy similar benefit. Contact was made in February with Robert Stepniewski, Project Manager at WCC, who responded with a summary of the current and proposed situation. Last week a notice was attached to BT cabinet number 53, situated on the corner of Butlers Hill Lane. The notice advised residents of the proposed installation of a fixed line fibre broadband telecoms cabinet. Residents have 21 days in which to make representations regarding the development. We are waiting to find out if this cabinet will feed all of the other cabinets in Brockhill or if they will be adapted independently. A brief report will be posted on the website.

Action DD

3. New Road Signage :

RL confirmed that he has ordered the new sign to be placed on Brockhill Drive at the Bromsgrove Highway end which will be marked Brockhill/Batchley. There have also been some new directional signs displayed further up Brockhill Drive.

4. Sale of Land at Rear of Carthorse Lane:

Persimmon Homes are in the process of selling the land behind four houses in Carthorse Lane. RL assured us that this will not encroach on the path used by walkers, which is a public right of way. It is only the owners of houses on the right of the path who have been given the option to buy the land. 

5. Nature Reserve Path:

We are awaiting confirmation from Pattie Hill that a more absorbent surface has been ordered to be placed at the top of the path, where rain water collects, thus making the land extremely slippery. Also the sides at the bottom of the new gate need to be blocked off with chicken-wire or the like to prevent young children and dogs from falling down the steep slope on to Brockhill Lane.

Action PH 

6. New Membership Leaflets – Print & Distribution:

Once provided with relevant details, AP will design a new leaflet for distribution via the local newspaper to cover all areas of Brockhill. This will hopefully increase our membership numbers.

Action AP

7. PACT Meetings:

RL informed the meeting that cut-backs had resulted in the police being unable, currently, to provide officers to attend the Batchley & Brockhill PACT meetings. Also a suitable venue was still being sought. PACT meeting dates and venues should be displayed on the West Mercia Police website.

8. Walking Maps & Leaflets:

We plan to have printed walking maps and leaflets to assist members in getting to know our area better and exploring the nearby countryside. These will indicate how the pathways around Brockhill link up to some great walks. It was felt that Persimmon Homes should be contacted to see whether they would like their name shown on the maps/leaflets in return for some form of sponsorship. Anthony Green at “Redditchwalks.org.uk” will be contacted to ascertain what existing maps are available. 

We are also planning a competition in which residents will be asked to propose names for the open spaces around Brockhill.

Action DD & JV

9. Litter Pick:

With the better weather on its way, we are planning a Saturday morning Litter Pick. This will hopefully bring the community together with a good team effort of looking after our habitat. Posters will be displayed on the two notice boards to let residents know the date, time and place to meet. JD will also organise some laminated notices to be placed in strategic positions around the “dog walkers’ fields”. Litter picking equipment and bin bags will be provided, but bring your own gloves if required.

Action JD

10. Paths leading nowhere on Pointers Way:

At the last meeting JD voiced his concern about paths on the Pointers Way estate that presently do not seem to lead anywhere. RL met with Persimmon’s Planning Officers in November and was informed that some of the paths will lead up to the new school which, subject to planning permission, could be open by September 2017. JD asked RL if B.R.A. representatives could attend the next planning consultation meeting, so that we can ensure that the development of community facilities are sufficient, as these are sadly lacking in Brockhill at present.

Action RL

11. Greenford Close Litter Bin:

We have reminded PH about the need for a litter bin on the path adjacent to Greenford Close. At present there is considerable amount of rubbish in the ditch. There is a suitable area for a bin on a small grass area near to the path.

Action PH

12. Pathway needed at Brockhill Drive/Lily Green Lane Traffic Island:

RL has assured us that he will be able to provide the funding for this path once we enter the new financial year. He appreciates that this is a busy junction and that the lack of a pathway makes it extremely difficult for pedestrians to cross at peak traffic times.

The meeting ended at 9.10 p.m.