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There has not been the usual level of requests for grants this year, in spite of highlighting in Madeley Matters. However, the support of football and coaching in both Madeley and Woodside has proved most productive.
The provision of the Greenhouse to support The Villa residents will prove to be most fruitful.
Our support towards the refurbishment of St Michael's Church proved to be essential. Further, it gave our Council the chance to share in ensuring the sound future of this most important building.
The Christmas Lunch / Celebration support for so many Senior Citizens has become important and I recommend continuation for Christmas 2009.
The Living History Project has made considerable progress during the year. They are blessed indeed to be led by Shelagh.
Cuckoo Oak has lost is collective voice since the failure of the Residents Association. I suggest we become proactive in helping the various groups to bring about a reformation, the constitution document is available. We could help with room hire and we could guide them towards grant aid to cover postage costs etc.
May I thank all members of the Committee for their support and their most splendid attendance. I wish the new Chair of Leisure and the team the very best for 2009/10. I trust that they will share in helping to bring about our new Madeley Town Centre.
All members of Leisure can feel very close to the twenty thousand residents of our area a great reward. However, little would be achieved without Katherine and her team - World on a Plate, Christmas Lights, to name but two.
I commend this report to Council.
Councillor David Edwards
Chair, Leisure and Community Committee
4th May 2009
Finance and General Purposes oversees three areas and objectives of Council administration and project work.
Finance and General Purposes Committee consists of eight members and met on five occasions during the year. The contribution, knowledge, experience and judgment from members throughout the year has seen prudent and effective management.
Audit Report, based on Annual Return for 2007/08 was approved be external auditor without comment. Madeley Parish Council commenced the 2008/09 financial year with net assets of £212,750 of which £157,700 was earmarked reserves.
The appointed date for Audit of Accounts for 2008/09 is August 17th 2009.
Budget and Precept process is based on the 2008 Strategy review and Committee Business Plans. The approved Precept for 2009/10 shows an increase of 3.9% from the preceding year. Of 12 principal Councils in the Borough, Madeley Parish Council Band D charge at £66.47 pa is ranked 6th.
Advice received from External Auditor has seen Madeley Parish Council adopt a Risk Management Policy. Steps are being taken to establish a Risk Management Plan covering all aspects of facilities, services, finance and organization.
Jubilee House - the Parish office and community rooms - has been very busy hosting regular community group activities and meetings. New promotional material has been produced with the aim of increasing agency bookings. The public access areas have been redecorated during the year. An interview room has been upgraded and is attracting interest from agencies conducting one to one interviews.
Management of the Public Conveniences gave some cause for concern. A major water leak in the winter has caused damage to plaster. Further investment is now required to bring them up to an acceptable standard.
Allotments at Sutton Hill (55 plots) and West View (12 plots) continue to be very popular. There is a waiting list for both sites. The Open Day held at Sutton Hill Allotments in August 2008 was very successful.
Madeley Partnership has been a major piece of work supported and developed by the Parish Council. There is now a wide representation of local agencies and businesses. A successful funding bid has enabled the Partnership to contract the Centre for Social and Economic Regeneration of Staffordshire University. The aim to carry out an extensive consultation on 'The Future of Madeley'. This document is now complete and will inform the future direction and work of the Partnership. In the meant-time other projects are being developed.
The Hanging Basket Scheme, after a successful first year, is to be continued by Madeley Parish Council in year 2. Bids have been submitted for underpass improvements and new Christmas Lights.
Madeley Parish Council has worked closely with Telford and Wrekin Council on their Locality Management programme.
Groundwork Black Country have been doing very exciting work with young people on Sutton Hill. They undertook a successful pilot project in 2008 which has now been extended. It involves the development of a programme to engage young people in volunteer environmental projects across the estate.
Through its Grants scheme, Madeley Parish Council has contributed financial support towards the refurbishment of St Michael's Church. The grant was for the external redecoration.
The past year has been a stepping stone into the future with the development and of Strategy and Partnership working.
Councillor J Jones
Vice-Chair of Council
Chair, Finance and General Purposes Committee
Built Environment - to work in partnership with the Local Authority to monitor and improve public facilities and services. To report and play an active part in the resolution of areas of concern.
Natural Environment - to work with partners and the community to improve the wildlife and enjoyment of the natural Parish environment.
Planning Applications - to protect community interest and where possible, gain community benefit through an active response to planning applications.
Heritage - to work with partners to promote, improve and protect the heritage of Madeley Parish. The heritage of Madeley Parish in general and the designated World Heritage Site in particular.
The Committee met on five occasions and the following report represents a small selection of the business conducted. Further details can be seen in the appropriate minutes.
The Council monitors the system by which Telford and Wrekin registers reports of causes of concern in the Parish. These include potholes, blocked footpaths, overhanging trees etc. This ensures that these issues are dealt with promptly and effectively.
Agreement was reached between Madeley Parish Council and Telford and Wrekin Council for a project partnership. The project being for the cleaning of footways in Sutton Hill. The information and experiences from this will be used as a basis for further similar programmes in the local area.
Madeley Parish Council has entered into a financial partnership with Telford and Wrekin Council. It is for the provision of anti-graffiti treatment to two main underpasses in Madeley.
Madeley Green Day took place in October and was once again highly successful. A large crowd enjoyed a wide range of activities and demonstrations. There was some controversy about the eligibility of some of the groups who wished to participate. This provides an opportunity to review the organisation of the event and the criteria that will govern its staging.
The Parish Council has provided logistical support for the Spring Clean by local Primary Schools. It was organised by staff and pupils of Madeley Academy.
Throughout the year the Council has pursued the objective of creating an enlarged Local Nature Reserve in the Madeley area. A 'landmark' bid has been submitted for Local Nature Reserve status for five sites in the Parish covering 44 hectares.
The draft Rights of Way improvement plan has been published by Telford and Wrekin Council. Madeley Parish Council has submitted a comprehensive response.
There has been a lot of activity at Madeley Community Orchard. Work has been carried out in conjunction with the Green Gym and its regular volunteer team. A programme of events has been planned throughout the year. The Orchard will also be promoted as a Summer picnic venue for local schools and community groups.
Madeley Parish Council continues to work closely with the South Telford Rights of Way Partnership (STROWP). The Council has submitted an application for funding by Natural England. The funding is for a Next Step proposal which has received first stage approval.
The Council received a total of 105 planning applications during the year. These covered, residential, business, commercial, industrial and Conservation Area proposals. Some of the plans for major proposed developments which were considered and representations made included:
One plan which proved to be controversial was the proposed erection of telecommunications equipment at Sutton Hill.
Where necessary, the Council has sought to protect the character and amenity of the local environment. Where possible, the Council has sought to obtain benefit from any development.
Awareness of Madeley's Conservation Area status is important. Great attention is given to applications and issues having an impact on the following:
At the same time, considerable effort is given to monitoring planning enforcement. Particularly involving the many buildings of local interest in the predominantly retail commercial zone of High Street.
Unfortunately, the Heritage Lottery Funding Application for a study into possible restoration projects has been withdrawn. These projects include:
The Heritage Lottery Fund advised withdrawal due to a backlog of applications and funding constraints.
The Committee continues to rely on the hard work and dedication of the Parish Council staff and volunteers. Their contribution to the work outlined above, and to many other aspects is very much appreciated.
Councillor Liz Swift
Chair, Environment Committee
08.05.2008
Again this year my annual report is an overview. I rely on the chairs of the main committees to supply more details.
The year has been a very productive and positive one for Madeley and for the Parish Council. I believe we are now beginning to see the improvements that we have long been waiting for.
As a council, whilst maintaining the things we have done well, we have adopted a more strategic approach. An emphasis on working through partnerships with others, has enabled us to have more influence over Madeley's future. Madeley Partnership commissioned local research and consultation about Madeley's Centre. This was carried out by the Centre for Economic and Social Regeneration. They are part of Staffordshire University, and have produced their report. Called 'Reassertion through Regeneration' it is now available to read and to help bring new investment into Madeley.
We are also working with Groundwork, Telford and Wrekin Council, Wrekin Housing Trust, Police and others. Our aim is to bring improvements to the three wards of Cuckoo Oak, Woodside and Madeley.
During the year we have welcomed three new councillors: Roberta Allen, Arnold England and Chris Higgins. I am confident they will all contribute strongly to the Parish. Thanks to all our councillors for their continuing efforts, ideas and time.
We have also employed a new project officer, Paul Higgitt. He will be supporting Madeley Partnership as well as the organisation of Green Day and our Christmas events. I would like to thank the Parish Clerk and all our staff for their hard work during the year.
Most importantly we can now see positive investment and change to the face of Madeley taking place. The Bowmer Kirkland / Tesco development is rapidly taking shape in the Centre. Both Madeley and Abraham Derby academies will soon have newly built facilities for our local secondary school children. All this is the result of many years of lobbying and work. I am very excited to see it finally coming to fruition.
Councillor Dave Davies
Chair, Madeley Parish Council
11th May 2009
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