The Parish Council met on Thursday 15th September 2011 at 19.30 hours in Tanworth Village Hall.

2 members of the public and District Councillor Oakley were present. Councillor Perry sent his apologies but forwarded the following report: WCC have confirmed that the front wall at Field House does encroach on to the highway. Paul Cowley has written to the owners informing them of this and Mike will report back at the next meeting. This rubbish in Forshaw Heath Lane has been removed and WCC are looking are putting bollards there. There is to be a site visit with an engineer of Bridleway SD268 in mid October to discuss the drainage. In Forshaw Heath Road they are looking at reducing the speed limit from 60mph to 50mph in the New Year. Councillor Oakley reported that he was troubled by the inconsistencies which seem to occur in the planning department, especially where conservatories are involved. Several District Councillors have formed a Greenbelt Group. There is concern that the Government is in disarray over its plans for reform to the planning system. Councillor Keogh commented on the planning decision by SDC Audit and Regulatory Committee which refused a conservatory at 39 Malthouse Lane when it was quoted that rules are rules and it exceeded the 30%. Councillor Keogh reported that a property in Blind Lane had withdrawn a planning application because SDC had told them that there was no way that it would be passed, yet another application had been granted a conservatory even though this would take them over the 30% due to special circumstances being taken in to consideration. There were no planning applications to consider. Members were given a copy of the minutes of a meeting held on 30th August between Jonathon Fraser, Customer and Community Manager of Worcestershire County Council, Richard Clewer, Senior Highways Officer of Worcestershire County Council and District Councillor Atkinson, regarding the rest area on the A435 by Alderhanger Lane. Councillors had also been previously given a copy of a letter from a local resident who wanted the rest area to remain open. It was decided to bring this item back to the next full council meeting when they had read all the information. The Clerk had previously circulated a draft letter to our MP expressing concern over the Governments proposed planning reforms, in particular the proposed presumption to grant planning permission unless there are strong planning reasons not to. It was agreed to send the letter to Nadhim Zahawi MP with a copy to Rt Hon Greg Clark, the Minister for Decentralising and Cities. It was agreed to accept the recommendation of the Finance and General Purposes Committee and accept the lease for the new office which the solicitor had drawn up. Areas of concern around the parish were reported as: Hedge encroaching on to pavement in Malthouse Lane Manhole cover between Doctors and Orchard House on Broad Lane still sunken Drain covers stolen on Tom Hill Sunken drain in Penn Lane between Rushbrook Lane and The Hollies Flooding in Tanworth Lane. The full minutes are available on our website www.tanworth-pc.org.uk or from the Parish Office in Earlswood Craft Centre, Wood Lane. The next meeting will be on November 17th at Tanworth Village Hall and December 15th at Earlswood Village Hall at 7.30pm. Anyone is welcome to come and listen or if you have an issue that you would like to raise, there is a Public Forum at 7.30pm. If you would like us to start emailing a Parish Newsletter, please just e-mail the parish office at office@tanworth-pc.org.uk and we will add you to our circulation list. If anyone has an issue which they would like us to pass on to PCSO Dave Martin, please give us the details and we will pass them on. If the matter is of a confidential nature, then you are welcome to leave a sealed envelope in the parish office addressed to PCSO Dave Martin and we will hand it over unopened. Dont forget that PCSO Martin will be giving crime prevention advice or addressing local concerns at his mobile police surgeries which are on the first Friday of each month for a trial period. For further details on the mobile surgeries contact PCSO Martin on 07923 288641.

Julie White Parish Clerk