BRINDLEY HEATH PARISH COUNCIL
MINUTES OF MEETING
HELD ON TUESDAY 23 SEPTEMBER 2025
AT THE WHITE HOUSE, MARQUIS DRIVE, BRINDLEY HEATH AT 7.30PM

PRESENT: Parish Councillors:

P. Adams (Chairman)
A. Pearson (Vice Chairman)
D. Cotton
M. Sutherland
R. Turville
Mrs M. A. Turville
Mrs S. Pearson

IN ATTENDANCE: Mr Josh Newbury MP
County Councillor Jon Pendleton
Mrs T. Williams (Clerk)

1. APOLOGIES
Apologies were received from County Councillor P. Jones.

2. DECLARATION OF INTERESTS

Member
None Interest
Type

3. POLICE REPORTS
The Council received the Neighbourhood Policing Report for the month of August 2025.

The incidents occurring in Brindley Heath and Etching Hill were categorised as follows:

Anti-Social Behaviour – 5, Concern for Welfare – 9, Criminal Damage – 4, Domestic Incident – 1, Drugs Crime – 1, Harassment – 2, Missing Person Report – 4, Other Notifiable Incident – 1, Public Order – 1, Road Traffic Collision – 3, Suspicious Incident – 8, Theft – 4, Transport Related Incidents – 12.

Councillors noted the information with thanks to the Neighbourhood Policing Team.

4. PUBLIC PARTICIPATION
No members of the public were present.

MEMBER OF PARLIAMENT FOR CANNOCK CHASE

The Chairman welcomed Josh Newbury MP to the meeting and invited him to address the Council.

Mr Newbury advised the Council that he had planned a visit to all parish councils in his Cannock Chase constituency and as Brindley Heath Parish Council had written to him, he decided to attend this evening’s meeting.

After speaking to other parish councils, Mr Newbury said that two of the main topics of discussion had been local government reorganisation and Neighbourhood planning. Many of the local parish councils already had (made) Neighbourhood Plans or were working towards them. He said the government’s withdrawal of funding to support their development had been disappointing and that he would be writing to the Secretary of State (for a second time) with his concerns.

The Chairman informed the MP that in Brindley Heath parish the land was already protected by the Cannock Chase National Landscapes (AONB) designation, and the formulation of a Neighbourhood Plan would not add much benefit to the area.

Mr Newbury understood that existing Neighbourhood Plans would continue as legal documents until local government reorganisation had taken place and then Plans would need to be reviewed and realigned with the new unitary councils’ Local Plans.

As there was not a consensus on the proposed unitary authority structure for local government in Staffordshire Central Government will determine the final structure (after the submission deadline date in November 2025). Hopefully at the end of the transition process there would be a structure that will work for residents.

Mr Newbury said the priority for him was for parishes to remain intact with the opportunity to take on assets if desired and for good relationships to thrive with the new Council. Parish Councils will potentially play a more important role locally if the higher tiers grow and become more remote from residents. In other parts of the country where unitary authorities have been set up (Telford as an example) several assets and responsibilities have been passed to parish councils, increasing their profile and role.

The Chairman said that again, Brindley Heath was in a very different position to other parishes as it would not be able to take on (due to its tiny size electorally) the management of assets.

Mr Newbury’s preference was not for the County Council (East West split) or District Council (North South split) options as he was concerned the outcome could be a council that was too big. He preferred a three-council split with Stoke on Trent and Newcastle merging into one, and then an East and West Staffordshire split. He was concerned there may be too few councillors to serve the public well, making it difficult for them to properly represent their areas.

As the County and borough/district councils are not in alignment with their proposals the time frame for transitioning to the new structure may be slower. It was possible the elections to the new council would take place in 2028 with a shadow authority for a year while the new council takes over from the old. The new councils may assume responsibility in 2029, near to the next general election.

It was pointed out that along with assets there was liability and no one was offering reassurance that parish councils would be protected against liability.

5. MINUTES OF LAST MEETINGS
Resolved: That the minutes of the meeting of the Parish Council held on 22 July 2025 be approved as a correct record.

The draft minutes of the Planning Committee meeting held on 22 July 2025 were noted.

6. UPDATES FROM PREVIOUS MINUTES
There were no updates not covered by the agenda items listed.

7. CHAIRMAN’S REPORT/ANNOUNCEMENTS
The Chairman had no report.

8. CORRESPONDENCE

a. Items of Post
Leaflet for Local Walking Trails
The Parish Council noted the services of One Media Shed who promote local walking trails with professionally branded leaflets. The easy-to-follow guides promote local walking routes that support community health and wellbeing initiatives and encourage tourism and local exploration.

The Chairman suggested that it would be difficult to promote walking trails on many parts of Cannock Chase because of extensive cycling activity. The leaflets would need to explain where the dedicated bicycle routes were and the walking paths which need to be safe for use by children. The largest number of complaints come from families who are concerned about cyclists riding at speed.

The Council considered that distribution of the leaflets would be a difficult task without needing to be reliant on other organisations. Issuing the information leaflets by social media or electronically might be a good method of distribution.

Councillors agreed to hold the information for future reference.

NALC Elections
The Parish Council noted an email from the SPCA County Officer inviting Councillors and Clerks to stand for direct election to NALC’s Larger Councils Committee or Smaller Councils Committee. Stepping forward would involve representing parish and town councils across England.

The Larger Councils Committee represents the needs of larger local councils, defined as those with an electorate of over 6,000 and/or an annual budgeted income of £600,000 and the Smaller Councils Committee represents the needs of smaller councils, defined as those with an electorate of under 6,000.

Parish Councillors didn’t wish to stand for election due to time constraints with other commitments.

b. Consultations
No consultations

9. PARISH WARD ISSUES – CHASE SIDE
Permitted Development and Campervans

Pollution Complaint
Councillor Cotton informed the Council that he had received an enquiry from a member of the public concerned about the repeated burning of waste, suspected to be toxic, at the top of Bracken Close, Brindley Heath.

The ad hoc lighting of fires was a regular activity that was affecting neighbourhood amenity. The fire service had been called in and the matter reported to Environmental Health who advised there was nothing they could do unless the fire originated from residential property or there was evidence to state who was lighting the fires. For fires on open land the Environmental health department have no enforcement powers and suggested the fire department be contacted via 999 if fire happen again.

The Fire Department have indicated they would be conducting patrols to raise awareness and will put signs up and leaflet drop surrounding homes as a deterrent.

Councillor Cotton said he thought one of the agencies would have attempted to establish whose land it was and write to the owner. He was not confident the matter was resolved.

The Council agreed there was a need to establish exactly where the fires were located.

Fishing pools opposite the Tackeroo in Brindley Village
Cllr Turville reported that he had received an enquiry from someone who wanted to take over one of the fishing pools in Brindley Village which he understood was under the management of Staffordshire County Council.

Permitted Development and Campervans
Further to discussions at the last parish meeting and a call for clarification on the definition, treatment and use of campervans, motorhomes and caravans under the Town and Country Planning Legislation, Councillor Sutherland had followed up an enquiry to the Senior Planning Officer.

The Senior Planning Officer advised him that the temporary campsite operated under the GDPO for 60 days per calendar year for up to 50 pitches. The applicant was required to enter a S.106 or Unitary Undertaking on the land in relation to the Habitat Regulations and mitigation measures required the provision of dog litter bins and display boards to highlight the pressures of visitors to the SAC.

The permitted development rules had been relaxed since the first use of the site as a campsite (with an increase in numbers of tents and dates) however Staffordshire County Council had not introduced any further requirements for protecting the SAC.

The Cannock Chase SAC officer had expected the impact of the use of the sites on the SAC to have been assessed by Forestry England within the Habitats Regulations Assessment process. No objections had been raised some months ago to the extended use of the land around Penkridge Bank Road/Shooting Butts Road as there were no watercourses leading from the sites onto the SAC and they considered visitors were doing so to attend an event on the FE site and leaving the following day. Increased mitigation was therefore not considered necessary.

The Council suggested the Cannock Chase SAC Project Officer be invited to a future meeting to talk about protection and management of the SAC.

10. PARISH WARD ISSUES – BRINDLEY VILLAGE
The following item was considered:

Land off the Rugeley Road

Councillor Peason advised the Council that he understood a new Enforcement Officer had started work at the District Council. He was still awaiting clarification on the planning position for the use of agricultural land for commercial purposes – when bringing into use large numbers of greenhouses and similar structures of which there are estimated to be 20 or 30.

The Council agreed that a letter should be sent for the attention of the new Enforcement Officer seeking clarification.

11. CANNOCK CHASE
The following items were considered:
Forest Concerts

The Chairman commented on the sound recording procedure at the forest concerts and that it appeared staff monitoring of noise levels may not take place during the concert.

The Forestry were said to have stopped advertising the events on site. The site at the top of Shooting Butts Road had not had a billboard on it. It was thought the reason for this was that the events were selling out and there was no need to advertise.

It was reported that the weddings event company had moved from the Tackeroo Camp Site.

Cannock Chase National Landscapes (Former AONB) 40mph speed limit

Josh Newbury MP – recently had a surgery in Cannock Wood and a couple of community speed watch volunteers said they were planning to campaign for the whole AONB to be made a 40mph limit which was something that Cllr Phil Hewitt had raised. It is a new initiative, and he wanted to put it on the parish councils’ radar to ask for parish views. They have asked Josh to support it.

The SAC partnership asks motorists to stick to 40mph during the rutting season which currently is advisory.

The Chairman said a campaign was started 35 years ago to get a 40mph enforced, especially in Penkridge Bank Road. Motorists are seen doing 70 miles per hour.

The only success the parish council has had is in getting Stafford Brook Road reduced to 40mph. They put the speed checks on the road but put them on bends where vehicles will naturally slow down.
Councillor Pearson said this topic has been on and off the agenda since he has been a parish councillor. He has spoken to Police officers in different positions who have told him that speed is unenforceable on the Chase as there aren’t enough police to catch people speeding. A lot of people have been killed on the Chase because they don’t realise how dangerous it is.

Mr Newbury explained that it costs councils large sums of money to change speed limits because of the legal process that has to be followed even when there are no changes to the infrastructure.

No Overtaking Lines

Councillor Cotton highlighted his concerns about the Stafford Brook Road junction with Penkridge Bank Road where vehicles are regularly seen overtaking lorries. He said that when coming out of Stafford Brook Road the first inclination is to look to the right and then to make a commitment to pull out to the left. If there is a lorry coming up the bank and a car is overtaking it (on the wrong side of the road), a collision may occur. If ‘no overtaking’ lines were installed on this stretch down to Birches Valley, traffic would have to slow down as a natural calming method.

Councillor Sutherland pointed out that in 2017 he supported a 40mph speed limit on roads across Cannock Chase particularly on Brindley Heath Road and the Highways Department were always deferring to Staffordshire Safer Roads Partnership who are driven by data. Councillor Sutherland suggested Josh Newbury contact Safer Roads as the Highways Department value and rely on their data.

The Parish Council expressed its support for 40mph speed limits and supported no overtaking lines on Penkridge Bank Road which may be easier, quicker and less complicated to introduce on the dangerous stretch between Stafford Brook Road and Birches Valley.

The Parish Council asked that this proposal be put forward again to the Highways Department (with a copy to the MP and County Councillor).

12. HONORARY TITLES
Councillor Turville said he wanted to honour the Chairman for his service and expressed his support of the Parish Council awarding Councillor Adams with honorary Freeman.

Councillor Turville said that the working group would be finalising the design of a Freedom Scroll to be awarded to Councillor Adams at the earliest opportunity.

13. LOCAL GOVERNMENT REORGANISATION
The Parish Council noted Staffordshire County Council’s proposals for a unitary authority arrangement in Staffordshire via a link to an article posted on Wednesday 17 September 2025.
County Cabinet members have backed a new option for organising local councils in the future and have approved the development of a business case for two new unitary councils, one covering the East and one covering the West of Staffordshire – as part of the Government’s programme of Local Government Reorganisation.
The East Staffordshire Council would provide services for 689,784 people in Staffordshire Moorlands, East Staffordshire, Lichfield, Tamworth and Stoke on Trent using the existing district and borough council boundaries.
The West Staffordshire council would serve 487,794 people in Newcastle-under-Lume, Stafford, Cannock Chase and South Staffordshire.
The Parish Council had previously noted that Cannock Chase Council along with East Staffordshire Borough Council, Lichfield District, South Staffordshire District, Stafford Borough and Tamworth Borough Councils had submitted a proposal on 21 March 2025 for a combined ‘Southern and Mid Staffordshire’ unitary authority.

14. INVITATION TO MEETINGS/EVENTS
The Council noted the following forthcoming (external) meetings with no specific members nominated as Parish Council representatives:

• Support Staffordshire meeting on Thursday 11 December 2025 at St Stephen’s Church, Bideford Way, Cannock.

Councillor Turville and Councillor Mrs Turville said they would do their best to attend.

15. REPORTS ON MEETINGS ATTENDED
a. To share information on meetings attended:
There were no reports on this occasion.

16. REPORTS FROM PARISH REPRESENTATIVES ON MEETINGS OF OUTSIDE BODIES
a. The parish representatives to outside bodies gave reports on meetings they had attended:

Slitting Mill Village Hall (M. Sutherland)
Councillor Sutherland advised the Council that a well-attended summer fayre had taken place. He said the Village Hall was going from strength to strength and the management team were working well together.

Etching Hill Village Hall (D. Cotton)
Councillor Cotton advised the Council that the Etching Hill Village Hall had a well-run committee and was excellently supported by the trustees. Like any village hall small issues arose from time to time but were resolved with the support of the team.

Chetwynd Charity (P. Adams)
Councillor Adams advised the Council that there had been one application for a grant in the last academic year. Very few applications for grants from young people were coming forward despite publicity. The money was held in the bank and a decision about the charity’s future would need to be made.

Charity for the Recreation Ground (P. Adams & D. Cotton)
Councillor Adams reported that Staffordshire Wildlife Trust were applying for grants for the charity because it would be impossible for successful applications to be made directly. Without grant aid they were completely dependent on the district council and town and parish councils for funding.

They are trying to get the ground back to lowland heath again.

Councillor Cotton advised the Council that they were trying to reach an agreement where Staffordshire Wildlife Trust devoted its time to a particular area and the remainder of the hill was managed in line with a plan. Funding was needed for various works, and the application process was a lot different to how it used to be four or five years ago. There must be a management plan, a constitution, health and safety, GDPO etc. The structure is in place but has been updated along with discussions and negotiations with Staffordshire Wildlife Trust.

The paths are accessible, and they are keeping on top of tree work as best they can. There is a good community team involved with the Friends of Etching Hill.

Charity for an Allotment for the Labouring Poor (P. Adams & D. Cotton)
Councillor Adams advised the Committee that he and Councillor Cotton were in consultation with an allotment holder on several matters. A gentleman who lives next door to an oak tree with a TPO on it is concerned about fallen acorns, sap damaging his cars and damage to property should the tree or its branches not be sound.

Tree work is very expensive with associated surveys, and it would help enormously if the TPO officer was able to meet trustees on site and point out the work that was permitted.

Longdon Cotton Alms-Houses (P. Adams to 2028)
Councillor Adams advised the Council that one property had been relet, and the Fire Officer had visited to undertake an inspection of one of the homes.

Cannock Chase Council’s Standards Committee (R. Turville)
Councillor Turville advised the Council there had been no meeting.

SPCA Executive Committee (M. Sutherland)
Councillor Sutherland advised the Council that SPCA was targeting training. They were also making themselves available to attend meetings to talk through the reorganisation of local government.

17. SPCA ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING
The parish council considered nominations to Staffordshire Parish Councils’ Executive Committee. No new nominations were made as Councillor Sutherland was currently a member of the Executive Committee.

The Parish Council noted the details for the Annual General Meeting on Monday 24 November 2025 and the new format which included exhibitors and speakers from across the sector.

18. COUNCILLOR REPORTS
The Chairman invited County Councillor Jon Pendleton to address the Council.

Councillor Pendleton advised that he had attended a meeting at Slitting Mill Village Hall on Saturday where an overview was given on the refurbishment of the village hall which is going to be closed at the start of the New Year and would be back in use by mid to the end of February 2026. They had received a number of grants. He also attended the summer fayre. They are an impressive committee they work together well and do some impressive work at the village hall.

19. CESSATION OF COUNTY EMAIL SERVICE
The Parish Clerk informed the Council that the new email service had been set up through Parish Online with individual email addresses for Councillors taking the format: Christian name.surname @ Brindleyheath-pc.gov.uk.

Use of individual business email addresses for Councillors and Clerk is best practice and one step further than only the Clerk having a business email address. This relates to Assertion 10 of the Governance and Accountability Guide that comes with the audit process for 2025-26.

Email management forms part of the audit process where every local authority must have a generic email address hosted on an authority owned domain. This is free through Parish Online for the clerk only but there is a cost for Councillors to have business email addresses to meet best practice standards. The cost of £192 this year includes a £100 deduction.

All smaller authorities must meet legal requirements for existing websites regardless of the existing domain that is being used. All websites must meet web content accessibility guidelines. The email addresses will match the domain name.

The details for setting up each account would be emailed to Councillors.

20. FINANCIAL MATTERS
a) Financial Position of the Council
A breakdown of income and expenditure for the financial year to date was given in the Clerk’s Report (dated 18 September 2025). The budget statement showed the current financial position of the Council with reserves totalling £13,718.85.

The bank account balance on 2 September 2025 (taken from bank statement 172) was £13,718.85. A bank reconciliation (to 23 September 2025) included no unpresented cheques.

Resolved: That the financial position of the Council is noted.

b) Projects for CIL funds
Councillor Pearson asked for information on the types of projects that CIL money could be spent on to comply with the regulations. The Council recognised the need to utilise the balance of £2,066.25 for community projects as soon as possible.

c) To authorise cheques for payment
Resolved: To approve the following cheque payments:

100260 One Another Ministries £40.00 Use of room for parish meeting on 23 September 2025

100261 Parish Online £67.20 Annual Subscription for on-line mapping tool

100262 Local Authority Technology CIC £192.00 Parish Council email service
100263 Support Staffordshire £25.00 Annual Subscription for 2025-26

Resolved: To authorise payment of the cheques listed.

21. ANY OTHER ITEMS FOR INFORMATION AND ITEMS FOR NEXT AGENDA
No items

22. DATE OF NEXT MEETING
The next meeting of the Council will be held on Tuesday 25 November 2025 at The Church of the Holy Spirit, Mount Road, Rugeley.

Date……………………………………………………