Minutes of Committee Meeting Monday 11th March 2024

Minutes, News

BROCKHILL RESIDENTS’ ASSOCIATION

Minutes of Committee Meeting Monday March 11th 2024

Those Present:

Councillors:- Lucy Harrison RBC, Joe Baker RBC, Brandon Clayton WCC, Kerrie Miles RBC

Committee:  

Stephen Siddle SS

Julie Vincent JV

Mike Vincent MV

Sylvia Collinson SC

Mark Whitworth MW

The Agenda:

  1. Apologies
  2. Actions arising from previous meeting on May 9th 2023
  3. First Port Maintenance Services
  4. Right of Way across the Red Ditch
  5. Flooding (Sink hole) by Subway to Brockhill Park
  6. Wildlife Project
  7. Barrier for Brockhill Park (Pathway leading into Salters Lane)
  8. A.O.B.
  1. Apologies:

Apologies were received from WCC Salman Akbar.

  1. Actions arising from previous meeting on May 9th 2023:

BC confirmed that the Nature Reserve/Red Ditch is still owned by Persimmon Homes.

LH has put in a request to First Port Maintenance Services for a larger Dog Litter Bin to be installed to replace the smaller, well used and overflowing existing bin.

JV arranged to borrow the Litter Pickers and bin bags from RBC Richard Adlington for the Litter Pick held on Saturday June 10th 2023.

  1. First Port Maintenance Services:

The meeting arranged by our local Councillors LH & JB at Holyoakes Field First School on Monday February 19th was well attended.  Committee members JV, MV & MW also attended, to meet with First Port’s Property Manager Jean Brown and a Maintenance worker.  Residents’ were able to voice their concerns regarding the uncapped service charges which they have to pay annually and which had risen by a significant amount.  Some Residents’ had refused to pay it and had been charged a late payment fee.  Jean Brown said that the service charges had risen due to the increase in the price of maintenance materials after the COVID Pandemic.  Residents’ complained about the lack of litter bin emptying, with dog excrement bags lying around on the ground near to the Childrens’ playground.  Jean Brown said that she was going to arrange to use a more reliable company to empty the bins.  We are still waiting to be told who she will be employing.  LH said that she will let the Committee know which company will be responsible for this as soon as she knows.

A second meeting has now been arranged by RBC’s LH & JB on Tuesday April 2nd at the School again, the time has yet to be confirmed but is likely to be early evening.  Jean Brown will be attending again to answer further questions.  The Councillors will be sending out flyers to the Residents’ of East Brockhill with the details.

  1. Right of Way across the Red Ditch:

Our efforts to create a pathway and stile across the Red Ditch to enable School Children and their Parents to walk to school by a safer and quicker route, thus relieving the traffic congestion at the school, have been thwarted.  The land still belongs to Persimmon so until the area is adopted by RBC, nothing can be done.  

  1. Flooding (Sink Hole) by Subway to Brockhill Park:

This area of Public Open Space, which floods several times a year, is again, still not adopted by RBC after more than twenty years.  RBC KM and her partner, attempted to divert the flood water into the nearby Brook, but it needs professional maintenance to be carried out. The flooding in this area increased after the Farmer who uses the field for his Sheep to graze, dug a trench in the field for rainwater to drain away, but this created a sink hole on the other side of the fence.  LH told us that the talks that RBC have had recently with Persimmon Homes, have been more positive towards adoption of the Public Open Spaces around this part of Brockhill.

  1. Wildlife Project:

MW will be applying for a grant from RBC this year, mainly to purchase a Notice Board to explain what has been planted on the Public Open Space in Appletree Lane, together with the Bat and Bird Boxes and the Bug House which he made to encourage Brockhill’s Wildlife. 

With the help of a few volunteers to the Wildlife Project, a Winter flowering Cherry Tree has recently been planted behind the Rockery.

  1. Barrier for Brockhill Park (Pathway leading into Salters Lane:

We have been trying to get a safer barrier at the end of the pathway leading into Salters Lane for several years now.  We had hoped to have a crossing installed also, to make it safer for children crossing over to reach the playground in Oak Tree Avenue.  We have again, come to a standstill, as the paths have not been adopted by RBC. 

  1. A.O.B.:

SC told us that the Grit Bin on the corner of Butlers Hill Lane/Brockhill Lane had slipped forward and was blocking the pathway.  BC said he would have it looked at.

JV informed the Committee that we’ve had 12 new members register in the last month.  She has taken over the monitoring of the Membership list and sending out the ‘Welcome’ e mails to the new members.

Actions from this meeting:

LH to send us the new Police team contact details.

BC to arrange for the Grit Bin in Butlers Hill Lane to be put back in place.

MW to apply for a Grant rom RBC for the Wildlife Project.

The meeting ended at 8.30 p.m. 

A.G.M. 2023 Minutes

AGM, Minutes, News

BROCKHILL RESIDENTS’ ASSOCIATION

Minutes of the Annual General Meeting

Held at Batchley Community Centre on Monday November 27th 2023

In Attendance:

Committee: Julie Vincent (JV), Sylvia Collinson (SC), Stephen Siddle (SS), Mark Whitworth (MW) and Mike Vincent (MV).

Members: David Dallaway, Lynn Dallaway, Maureen Mole, Steve Mole, Claire Ivins, Sue Merry, Bob Merry and Lynda Browne.

Councillors: WCC Brandon Clayton (BC) & RBC Lucy Harrison (LH)

APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE:

Apologies were received from WCC Salman Akbar, RBC Joe Baker, RBC Kerrie Miles, Peter Merricks, Anil Jha, Mike Long and Mrs Koser (Head Teacher HFFS).

ADOPT MINUTES OF PREVIOUS AGM:

The minutes of the last A.G.M. held on 21st November 2022 have been available on the Brockhill Residents’ Association Website for Members to read and were adopted forthwith.

TREASURER’S REPORT:

This report includes the presentation and, if approved, adoption of the accounts for the 12 months ending 28th February 2023.

SS provided the Members with a copy of the Income and Expenditure Account and Balance Sheet for the 12 months ending 28th February 2023, which showed an excess of expenditure over income for the year of £132.00, leaving us with total funds of £1,630.69 at the end of the financial year.

He reported that he had presented the figures in a slightly different way this year in order to separate the income and expenditure of the Wildlife Project (WLP) from our General Funds.  This is because it is necessary to recognise that income that is received specifically for the WLP is not available for general spending.

He also provided a copy of the interim accounts for the current year, showing the financial position as at 24 November 2023, being a surplus of income over expenditure of £899.71 and total funds of £2,530.32 (consisting of General Funds of £1,392.52 and WLP Funds of £1,137.80).

Both sets of accounts can be viewed via these links: 2022-23 accounts and 2023-24 interim accounts

Commenting on the results for both years, he explained that there had been no general fundraising in 2022/23, because of the lack of support for the proposed Skittles Evening, which had been aborted after incurring expenses of £29.95. In contrast to this, last month’s Quiz Night had raised £363.20, which is needed to cover this year’s administrative costs of (to date) £220.86.

Turning to the WLP, he explained that Grants had come from our Councillors and were supplemented by plant sales and by donations, for the purchase of cherry trees, from Residents and from Persimmon.  MW then gave an update on the progress that has been made by the WLP and what was hoped to be achieved by the planting of the cherry trees.

We thanked WCC BC, who had contributed to our funds earlier this year from his discretionary fund.

The 2022-23 accounts were then approved and adopted by members.    

UPDATE ON ISSUES AND EVENTS SINCE LAST AGM  

JV reported that we were invited to hold our committee meeting at Holyoake Field First School by the Head Teacher Mrs Koser in the early evening time.  Mrs Koser also attended the meeting on May 9th, as there were matters concerning the school, listed on the agenda.  After the meeting, Mrs Koser invited us to a tour of the school, which we arranged for June 16th.  Mrs Koser led us around the school, showing us the classrooms, the library and other communal areas and also the playground.  She showed us a war memorial which has been brought from the old school and placed outside in a prominent position.  Mrs Koser is a keen Historian, which will be of great benefit to the children.

On Saturday May 13th, we held a Plant sale on the Public Open Space in Appletree Lane in aid of the Wildlife Project.  It was very well attended by Residents and our local Councillors.

We held a Litter Pick on June 10th this year. It was not very well attended by members, but the Committee and Councillors, along with a few members and their dogs, enjoyed the sunny weather and exercise.  Fourteen bags of rubbish were collected from Brockhill Park and Burrington Close.  LH and JV met up afterwards to walk around Brockhill East to see if the litter bins placed around the area had been emptied, as there had been a few reports from Residents that some of them were over filled.  The bins had been emptied at that time, but we have now concluded that although there are several small bins near to the playground area, what we really need, to prevent constant overspill, are the larger black type. Lucy said that she will contact RBC Environmental department, to order these

On August Bank Holiday weekend, the Committee took part in the Summer Fete organised by RBC Joe Baker. It was held on the Public Open Space in Burrington Close, East Brockhill.  We met several new residents who had moved to East Brockhill in the last year and we promoted the membership.  We joined in with the fun and games, which were the usual sports day type of games:  MV had made a ‘Splat the Rat’ game, which raised a small amount of money for our funds – ‘Every little helps!’

It was after this event, that we decided that it would be good to have a banner for B.R.A. to display when we hold events, which we have now purchased.

On Saturday October 16th, we held a Quiz Night, our first fundraising event in three years, as the Skittles Night that we arranged for last Autumn was cancelled due to lack of interest. The Quiz Night, however, was extremely well attended, and the money raised from it should cover our running costs for the next year.

We continue to reply to members who contact us via the committee’s admin e mail address with any problems in the neighbourhood and, if necessary, report matters to our local Councillors for advice.

SC runs our Facebook Administration and posts items of interest to the community, mainly items such as car and house theft, which will then act as a warning for Residents to be more vigilant.  She also displays posters of lost pets.

Lately, some of the bushes in our area, have been missed off the maintenance programme and have been growing over pathways, to such a degree that two thirds of a path had been covered by brambles.  We brought it to the attention of our local Councillors, who have been able to arrange for them to be cut back and put on the list to be included on the maintenance list for next year, hopefully!

DISCUSSION OF THE FOLLOWING ONGOING ISSUES:

  1. Persimmon Homes and section 106 monies
  2. Traffic calming measures in Burrington Close/Hawling Street
  3. School Traffic/Parking
  4. Right of way across the Red Ditch
  5. More Dog Litter bins for Meadow View Estate
  6. Barrier/Crossing for Salters Lane entrance to Brockhill Park
  7. Anti-social behaviour issues in Brockhill Park
  1. Persimmon Homes and Section 106 monies:

Lucy Harrison has spoken to a Persimmon Surveyor who has told her that the land boundaries around Brockhill need to be surveyed and agreed again.  Some land at the back of a few houses in Carthorse Lane was sold off to house owners by Persimmon but it has now been established that the land was not owned by Persimmon, so was not theirs to sell! When the land boundaries have been agreed, the 106 monies should be paid to RBC.

2.Traffic calming measures in Burrington Close/Hawling Street:

Residents of East Brockhill have been complaining about speeding traffic on several roads and closes in the area, but particularly on the main spine road and on the school route.

This is naturally of great concern, with school children travelling on foot and by car every weekday.  Redditch Skip company had also been reported for speeding in Burrington/Hawling Street, since the speed bumps have been taken out.  Our local Councillors have been in touch with the Skip company and Residents are advised to take photographs of the registration numbers on the vehicles if it continues to happen.   Persimmon have erected a 20mph sign as it is a private road until it is adopted, when it will become 30mph, as are all residential roads.  When Weights Lane is reopened, there will be another way out of the estate, which we are hoping will relieve the situation.

3. School Traffic/Parking:

When the new School first opened in September 2022, the School traffic was made worse by the bad timing of Severn Trent Water who decided this would be a good time to repair the water meter in Burrington Close, near to the junction of Cookridge Lane, which is the main route up to the School.  Temporary traffic lights were installed, which caused more havoc as the lane isn’t very wide and vehicles which had taken children to school were trying to turn around.

The situation was eased somewhat, when Severn Trent’s work was completed, but there is still a problem on the school route at the drop off and pick up times, as with many schools, but as there is only one way in and out of the housing estate at present, this has made matters worse.  We are hoping that the opening of Weights Lane will ease the situation.

The Head Teacher, Mrs Koser, said that the school is still receiving the odd complaints from Residents regarding the parking but she feels that the barrier, which is used at the end of the school day, is certainly helping with the safety of the children leaving the school site.

4. Right of way across the Red Ditch:

You may have read in previous committee meeting minutes on display on our website, about us trying to have a pathway and crossing made across the wasteland, which had been possible to cross in years gone by.  We had a copy of an old map dating back to at least the 1940’s, which showed it as a right of way and we believe the farm workers used to use it.

If a properly constructed crossing and pathway could be made, this would enable some school children and their parents to walk to school, taking a short cut, thus relieving the school traffic.  We have been waiting to find out who owns this land and it has now been established that it belongs to Persimmon.  WCC BC said that we will have to wait for the land to be adopted, before the work can go ahead, and that RBC will be happy to do this.

5. More Dog Litter Bins for Meadow View Estate:

The current litter bins near to the Playground on the Meadow View Estate are the smaller variety and even though there are several in that area, there are some used more than others.  As they are so small, they soon fill up and as they are not emptied often, the poo bags end up being left at the base.  This is an environmental hazard, with the children’s playground being so near, so we have asked for the larger black metal bins to replace them.

RBC LH said that she would order the replacements straightaway.  There have also been complaints by residents about the lack of maintenance from First Port generally and in particular to the wooden steps leading up to the playground which have cheap wood supports and exposed nails.

6. Barrier/Crossing for Salters Lane entrance to Brockhill Park:

We have been trying to get a safer barrier or crossing in this area for several years now, as we feel there needs to be something to slow children on Bicycles and Scooters down when approaching the busy Salters Lane, which is on a bus route.  Many residents walk with children through the park to the playground or the local shops and when crossing over to Oaktree Lane, the traffic comes quickly around a bend in the road, making it hard to judge whether it is safe to cross.  SC said that she has witnessed several near misses, not only from children but also disabled older residents and those in wheelchairs.  WCC BC said that he will find out from previous WCC’s Robin Lunn and Graham Vickery about how far they had got with a solution when they were working on this several years ago, as for some reason nothing has been resolved, other than a speed monitor and a ‘Slow Down’ sign being installed.

7. ASB Issues at Brockhill Park:

The two areas of concern in this area are the Underpass and the Basketball Court, where Teenagers tend to meet up.  CCTV had been set up by the Basketball Court for a while but is only temporary.  It is moved on to other troublesome areas when things settle down. There are always more reports of ASB in the warmer weather so there haven’t been many instances reported of late.  The walls of the Underpass haven’t been defaced as much lately.  The Police have advised Residents to ring 101 to report any anti- social behaviour in this area. We have been told that the local Police team regularly patrol the area at night time.

ELECTION OF EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE MEMBERS:

In compliance with our Constitution, which states that two/three Committee Members must resign each year in order to recruit new Committee Members, Sylvia Collinson and Julie Vincent both resigned from the Committee, but agreed to continue when no-one else came forward to replace them. 

We are still seeking a new Chairman, as the person whose name was put forward at last year’s AGM has been unable to help us at all this year, due to work commitments. JV also said that she wished to stand down as Secretary, so we are still seeking a new Chair Person and a Secretary.  No volunteers came forward, so Julie agreed to stay on until a replacement is found.

The Committee thanked Ben Moseley for his great management of the Website this year and hope he will be able to continue to do so.

A.O.B./ MEMBERS’ OPEN FORUM:

MW said that he had witnessed drug dealing in Appletree Lane on the Car Park area near to the Public Open Space and Dairy Lane.  He asked if CCTV could be installed there and signage to make everyone aware.  LH said that she will speak to the Community Safety Officer and asked Mark to e mail her all of the details to strengthen the case.

Stephen Mole asked what would happen to the old Barn when the 17 new houses were built near to the school.  The Barn, which is derelict, was originally going to be converted into a bungalow. It has become a meeting place for young people, but is unsafe.  The owners we believe, live abroad and have not claimed responsibility for it.  We will try to find out more in the new year.

BC told us that when Persimmon submitted the plans for the building of houses at East Brockhill in the 1990’s, the development was split into phases and the plans seemed fine.  Unfortunately, the plans weren’t followed in the right order, which is why we have the problems we are faced with today.

The meeting ended at 9.30 p.m.

Quiz Night Success!

Events, Fund Raisers, News

The Quiz Night held on Saturday October 14th at Batchley Community Centre was very well attended.

It was great to get the Community together again after three years apart due to the COVID Pandemic.

Our three local Councillors were present; Lucy Harrison, Joe Baker and Kerrie Miles and donations to the Raffle Prizes from members and local businesses namely: Tesco’s local, The Blakemore Foundation (SPA), Golden Carp and Wel Gel Sweets, were very much appreciated.

Funds raised will go towards our annual running costs.

Holyoakes Field First School Tour

Events, News

The Committee were shown around the new Holyoakes Field First School in Cookridge Close, Brockhill on Friday June 16th 2023, by head teacher Mrs Koser.


The photo shows members of the Committee and Head Teacher Ms Koser, looking at the 2nd World War Memorial, which had been transported from the old School and placed in the grounds. Several of the boys from the school had gone on to become Soldiers in World War II. The names of those who had perished were engraved onto the top of the memorial.

Minutes of Committee Meeting Tuesday May 9th 2023

Minutes, News

BROCKHILL RESIDENTS’ ASSOCIATION

Minutes of Committee Meeting Tuesday May 9th 2023

Those Present:

Councillors:- Lucy Harrison RBC, Joe Baker RBC, Brandon Clayton WCC, Salman Akbar WCC

Headteacher of Holyoakes Field First School – Mrs Koser

Mrs Koser has kindly given permission for us to hold our Committee Meeting in the School Hall.  The meeting started at 5.30 pm.

Committee:  

Mike Long                                 ML

Stephen Siddell                         SS

Julie Vincent                             JV

Mike Vincent                            MV

The Agenda:

  1. Apologies
  2. Actions arising from previous meeting on September 26th 2022
  3. Traffic Calming Measures in Burrington Close/Hawling Street
  4. School Traffic/Car Parking
  5. Right of Way across the Red Ditch
  6. More Dog Litter Bins for Meadow View Estate
  7. Barrier/Crossing for Salters Lane entrance to Brockhill Park
  8. Anti-Social Behaviour by Basketball Court in Brockhill Park
  9. Litter Pick
  10. Quiz Night
  11. A.O.B.
  1. Apologies:

Apologies were received from Sylvia Collinson and Mark Whitworth.

2. Actions arising from previous meeting on September 26th 2022:

SA informed us that he has ordered a staggered barrier to be installed at the end of the pathway from Brockhill Park into Salters Lane, but is still waiting for a date for the work to be undertaken.

BC told us that Safety Speed checks were carried out in Salters Lane and it was found that the average speed was 25/26 mph, so a crossing is not found to be necessary at present.

BC said that the Slow Down sign had now been re-erected. MV asked if it had been concreted in this time as it is down more often than up.  BC said that he believed that the Bus is the cause of it being knocked down when it comes around the bend.  JB said that his opinion was that YOBS had damaged it. BC said that he will have it re-erected in concrete and Tarmacked over.

JV had written to Mainstay to ask how often the Litter Bins were emptied at East Brockhill. She did not receive a reply as they were in the process of changing over to a new maintenance controller called First Port.  LH has been in touch with First Port to complain about the lack of service and will continue to monitor the situation.

BC said that the inspection had not been carried out by WCC Engineers with regard to the flooding at the gate to the field as it is still owned by Persimmon.  The land that floods is at the gate which is on RBC land, so we have asked if it can still be inspected by WCC Engineers.

3. Traffic Calming Measures in Burrington/Hawling Street:

Since the Speed Bumps have been taken out in this area, the problem of speeding has become worse, so JB has spoken to the Site Manager, Nathan Cox and requested that they be put back in.  Because the roads have not been adopted, speed checks cannot be done, but several residents’ have complained about the traffic speed and are concerned for the safety of their children.  We discussed having a crossing installed on the corner of Cookridge Close/Burrington Close junction, for the use of the school children who walk this way.4.

4. School Traffic/Car Parking

Residents in Pointers Way have complained about the double parking caused by the parents of school children who are being dropped off.  Mrs Koser told us that she has a system in place, where the Teachers’ meet children from their parents cars and walk them up to the School, to help relieve the situation.  We discussed having a one-way route in place to avoid congestion of vehicles turning around.  Mrs Koser said that the main problem is that there are no pavements for the Children to walk on, there had been at the old School. JB said that the Police would not get involved until an accident happened, as they, understandably haven’t got the man power.  The Councillors said that they are attending a meeting at the School on Monday May 15th and will be discussing this with WCC Officers and Persimmon Site Managers’. 

5. Right of Way across the Red Ditch:-

JV produced a copy of a map showing a right of way footpath, dating back to 1940, extending across the Red Ditch which runs parallel to where the new estates were built and therefore, near to the school.

She asked if the area could be cultivated and a pathway installed across the ditch, to provide a safe walking route for school children to use who live on the west side of Brockhill, which would then ease some of the car traffic.  BC said that he would bring this up at the meeting with WCC Highways Officers and Persimmon on Monday afternoon.

6. More Dog Litter Bins for Meadow View Estate:

Residents’ and parents of children using the playground on Meadow View Estate, have complained to us about the lack of Dog Poo bins being emptied regularly, even though they have to pay extra maintenance fees to First Port, the agency that is supposed to provide the service.  Residents’ have to pay uncapped fees on top of the Council Tax as is the case on all new housing estates, no matter who the builder is.  The maintenance company changed hands about a year ago, taking over from Mainstay and we had hoped that, with the increase in charges, a better service would be provided, but so far, this does not seem to be the case. LH has however, managed to get one new bin installed and will assess the situation regularly.

7. Barrier/Crossing for Salters Lane entrance to Brockhill Park:

SA informed us that he has ordered a staggered barrier to be installed in this area and he will chase its installation.  BC said that it is unlikely that we will get a crossing installed, as the results of speed checks that were carried out last year, were of no concern, even though there have been many witnesses to traffic not slowing down for the bend in Salters Lane.  We hope that when the ‘Slow Down’ sign is erected in concrete and tarmacked over, therefore spending more time up than down, motorists will take heed. BC said that he will order the work to be done.

8. Anti-Social Behaviour by Basketball Court in Brockhill Park:

There have been reports from Residents’ of anti-social behaviour and some have witnessed drug dealing taking place outside the Basketball Court in the Park.  At one time, a camera had been in place, but after a few weeks, it was moved on to another troublesome area.  JV suggested a light being installed there, to highlight any illegal activities and therefore deter this activity.  JB said that he didn’t think that would stop it and that the YOBS would just move into the bushes or the underpass to carry out their drug dealing, which they also do at present anyway.  There is a PACT meeting taking place at the end of May at Redditch Rugby Club, we are waiting to hear the date it’s being held and plan for the committee members to attend and we will also let members know the date as soon as possible.

9. Litter Pick:

We are approaching the time of year when we usually hold our Litter Pick.  We discussed a suitable date in June and JV said that she would contact Richard Adlington of RBC, to arrange to borrow the Litter Picks and Rubbish Bags.  We have set the date for Saturday June 10th. Members will receive an e- mailed invitation shortly.

10. Quiz Night:

We discussed whether to hold a Quiz Night in October and asked Mrs Koser, if it would be possible to hold it in the school hall.  We explained that we apply for a drinks licence and would need to set up a bar as this helps us to raise the money we need for our annual expenses, i.e.website hosting and domain name registration, alcohol licence, photocopying and stationery.  She said that this would be possible on a suitable date for the school.

11. A.O.B:

MV asked BC if there was an update on when the Bannister for the steps leading from Kite Lane into Brockhill Park, would be installed.  BC said that he had not been able to put in an order for this to be done, as the paths and steps have not been adopted yet by RBC. 

Actions from this meeting:

SA to find out a date for the Barrier to be installed in Brockhill Park/Salters Lane end.

BC to contact RBC Landscaping Department to request the Banister for the staircase.

BC to order the concreting and tarmacking of the ‘Slow Down’ sign in Salters Lane.

LH to request another Dog Poo/Litter Bin for Meadow View and find out how often the bins are emptied.

JV to contact Richard Adlington of RBC to arrange to borrow the Litter picks and bags for June 10th and for the removal of litter bags collected.

JV to contact Mrs Koser to arrange a suitable date for the Quiz Night.

JV to arrange a date with Mrs Koser for the committee to have a tour of the new school.

The meeting ended at 7 p.m.