South Staffordshire Council & Essington Parish Council
Councillor David Clifft J.P.,
Chairman of Essington Parish Council
Blog...
Profile
David has extensively represented Essington, since 1999, attending many meetings, national conferences, and training events, including studying at The University of Gloucestershire 'Local Policy Studies for Local Authorities'. In 2007 he obtained 'The Certificate in Local Council Administration'. He has taken part in many radio and television interviews and debates both with the BBC; ITV; and SKY, along with over 1000 press articles appearing in the national and local newspapers 'The Wolverhampton and Walsall Express & Star'; 'Cannock Chase Post'; 'Birmingham Post' and the national press.
He has taken part in the BBC's 'Question Time' on two occasions and the BBC's radio show Victoria Derbyshire, FIVE LIVE.
News for August 2010
Clifft's Meeting Diary for this week...
Monday 6th September MASE Meeting : Tuesday 7th South Staffordshire Council 'Planning Committee' : Wedneday 8th 'Play Area Meeting' : Thurday 9th South Staffordshire Housing Assoc. : Thomas Vale Construction Meeting; Staffordshire Police Meeting :
Please note appointments for constituency case-work are kept private and take-up a large amount of daily work
Late bus service
The 69 bus runs from Cannock toFollowing discussions with local residents, a new late evening service will be introduced on Mondays to Saturdays providing three extra return journeys, with last buses now at 22:00 from Cannock and 22:55 from Wolverhampton .
The announcement comes as part of a wider project to improve rural accessibility to public transport in South Staffordshire .
After allocating £200,000 last year, South Staffordshire Council has now teamed up with Staffordshire County Council, and other local agencies from across the public and voluntary sectors, to form a South Staffordshire Rural Transport Partnership to help fund projects like this.
South Staffordshire Council
Residents win fight to remove motorway sign's
Residents from Sneyd Lane in Essington, who attended a meeting with the Highway's Agency to discuss their concerns about work being carried out for the 'hard shoulder running scheme' (Birmingham Motorway Box - Active Traffic Management, ATM) said they are much happier now that the Agency had listened to their concerns and had addressed then.
Residents living in Sneyd Lane, who's properties over look the M6 have been meeting with the Agency since April 2009.
South Staffordshire Council and Essington Parish Council, Councillor David Clifft, Chairman of Essington Parish, chaired the meeting between the Highways Agency and residents.
Councillor Clifft, said: "We have had a number of meetings with the Agency about residents concerns, ranging from noise issues; visual impact from the gantries and the message signs placed on-top of the gantries."
Councillor Clifft, added: "The Highways Agency up-dated residents regarding their concerns. Residents had asked for a fence to be extended to lessen the visual impact and noise the Agency agreed to do this and the work has now been completed. The Agency as also agreed to remove a visual display unit from the gantry which over looks their properties, this will lessen the visual impact from their homes. The sign will be installed on an alterative existing structure after some strengthening has been completed."
Paul Unwin, Project Delivery Manager, from the Highways Agency informed residents at the meeting that a smaller visual display unit on the same gantry could also be relocated at a future date and that he was looking at the costing for relocating the sign.
Councillor Clifft, added: "The Agency also agreed to plant extra trees close to residents homes to lessen the visual impact of the scheme."
Councillor Clifft, added: "The Agency had worked closely with residents to resolve many issues and this was to be applauded."
Express & Star
Armed police today shut down part of a South Staffordshire village to hunt for a man wielding a Samurai sword.
Officers carrying machine guns sealed off a busy road, refusing to let people leave their homes without having their cars searched
These were the dramatic scenes in Long Lane, on the border of Essington and Great Wyrley, as officers hunted for the armed man who had earlier threatened a security guard at a construction site in the road.
A blockade of police cars was put in place stopping people getting into the street on foot or in cars and the Staffordshire Police helicopter was also drafted in to help the search.
Residents were being allowed to leave the street but all cars were being searched by police, who warned people would not be able to return to their homes until the drama was resolved.
The road was completely sealed off in both directions.
Staffordshire Police spokesman Nick Pritchard said: “Armed officers were deployed to Essington this morning after reported threats to a man at a construction site in Long Lane.
“The incident happened at around 5.30am.
“The man making the threats was said to be carrying what is described as a machete or Samurai sword.
“Armed response vehicles and the force helicopter were sent to the scene and carried out a thorough search but were unable to locate the offender.”
The man threatened had been guarding the site of a road bridge in Long Lane, which was closed on Monday for safety work by Birse Rail to make it more secure in the event of crashes.
Neighbours today told of their shock at seeing armed police. Essington district and parish councillor David Clifft, who has lived in Long Lane for 20 years, said: “The police have told me it is a serious incident and they are concerned for people’s safety.
“It was a bit of a shock going to leave my house for a jog at around 6am and finding an armed officer standing outside my door.
“The armed police were outside my house for 45 minutes. It was very scary.
“I will be requesting extra security tonight and health and safety have turned up.
“A risk assessment is going to be carried out at the bridge and I’m going to be asking for more security on site.
Barbara Fellows, manager of Teddy Bears Nursery on Long Lane, said: “We have been told someone has been threatened, we don’t really know much about it.”
Sales assistant Hilda Brittle, from Pelsall, was trying to get to her sister’s house on Long Lane and said she was shocked at being turned away by police.
Residents lose fight to stop incinerator
A long running campaign to stop an incinerator being built in a community near Wolverhampton / Walsall has been lost, it was announced today.
Residents living in Essington, said they had been badly let down by South Staffordshire Council in allowing a controversial issue to go-ahead.
South Staffordshire Council and Essington Parish Council, Councillor David Clifft, Chairman of Essington Parish Council, said: "The announcement is a bitter-blow to residents who had campaigned for many months to stop the incinerator, they feel very let-down by South Staffordshire Council. Essington Parish Council have attracted major investment into the village; around £8m over the course of the last few years. Schemes like this one can only have a negative impact on our community and the image it portrays."
Councillor Clifft, added: "The incinerator will also impact on neighbouring communities like Great Wyrley and Cheslyn Hay, because of prevailing Westerly winds. The wind will carry population from the incinerator to a number of schools in these communities."
Councillor Clifft, added: "The site for the incinerator has B2 planning permission which is industry usage."
Councillor Clifft, added: "This announcement couldn't of come at a worse time, Essington Parish Council are currently in talks with developers regarding a £3m leisure centre, which will only be stone-throw way from the site."
Ends
Council in talks to secure £3m leisure centre
Essington Parish Council revealed today that they were in talks with owners of Essington Golf Club to unveil a £3m leisure centre in Essington.
Essington Golf Course is currently under development, at a cost of £3m and will take another two-years to complete.
The 100 acre site which is located in Bursnips Road, is already taking shape.
South Staffordshire Council and Essington Parish Council, Councillor David Clifft, Chairman of Essington Parish Council, said: "We have had informal talks with the owners of the golf course regarding facilities on the site. We have indicated we would like to see leisure facilities which includes a swimming pool; spa; gym and sauna. The owners of the golf course have told us to come back with a more detailed proposal. The council will meet over the course of the next few weeks to put together a number of options and detailed plans."
Councillor Clifft, added: "If the leisure centre was given the go-a-head the number-one condition would be that the residents of Essington would be offered access to the leisure facilities at reduced prices. This is a great opportunity for the community of Essington to have its very own leisure within the village, which every resident would have access."
Councillor Clifft, added: "Essington Parish Council have attracted £8m of investment into the village over the last four-years. Projects include Walsall Football Clubs state-of-the-art training ground; new medical centre and pharmacy. A leisure centre in the village fits into our vision and would provide much need facilities both for our youth and older residents."
Councillor Clifft, added: "If negotiations go well, a planning application could be submitted within several months."
e-mail your views to d.clifft@sstaffs.gov.uk
Park House / Housing Development
To enquire regarding part buy for an apartment or dwelling at the above development please can ring South Staffordshire Housing Association's call centre - 0800 096 8690. They will take details ready for when the brochures etc are available later in the year.
Councillor slams site as unofficial tip
A Councillor today describe a site in Broad Lane, Essington as complete mess in the green belt.
South Staffordshire Council and Essington Parish Council, Councillor David Clifft, Chairman of Essington Parish Council, said: "I am very concerned about the amount of material being dumped on the site on a daily basis; someone is making a lot of money from the process. I contacted officers from both South Staffordshire Council and Staffordshire County Council on Friday, asking them both to take legal action to stop the operation. 1000's of tons of materials has been dumped on the site over the last twelve-months completely changing the former farm land site into an unofficial tip."
Councillor Clifft, added: "There is no doubt that with the amount of machinery and waste on this site it is a well organizes unofficial tip and waste sorting site."
Councillor Clifft, added: "The site is on the edge of the South Staffordshire's green belt and neighbours a residential area in Sneyd Lane. Official's from both Staffordshire County Council and South Staffordshire Council have visited the site on a number of occasions, but lorries are still tipping on the site. This can not be allowed to continue and I will be asking for urgent action to be taken this week."
Councillor Clifft, added: "Residents have just successfully fought an application for a waste transfer station, which was refused both by Essington Parish Council and Staffordshire County Council. The applicant appealed to the governments planning inspectorate against the decision, but the appeal was dismissed on green belt policy."
Councillor Clifft, likened the actives on the site to that of travellers who move onto a site in the green belt without permission and turn the site into their home.
Express & Star what do you think? e-mail d.clifft@sstaffs.gov.uk
Bungalows refused by Planning Inspector
Residents living in Essington were today celebrating after the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government, dismissed a controversial planning application to change a football clubhouse, at Long Lane Park, Long Lane, into four-bungalows.
The application was submitted in July, last year and was refused both by Essington Parish Council and South Staffordshire Council.
Local residents living in Long Lane, mounted a campaign to stop the application after concerns of safe guarding the 'green belt' and that public money had been used to built the facilities.
South Staffordshire Council and Essington Parish Council, Councillor David Clifft, Chairman of Essington Parish, said: "The Secretary of State had agreed with the reasons for refusing the application made by Essington Parish Council and South Staffordshire Council and had therefore dismissed the appeal. Had this application been allowed it would have had a huge negative impact on the local community and sporting facilities within the area. I am contacted on a regular basis by people asking if we have any football pitches to hire, hence Wyrley Junior's Football Club project to build a £1.3m sporting and community centre opposite the site!"
The planning inspector refused the application on the grounds of unacceptable loss of recreational facilities.
Express & Star e-mail me at... d.clifft@sstaffs.gov.uk
Bridge to closed
Long awaited repairs to a bridge in a village near Wolverhampton / Walsall will be closed for improvements.
The bridge at Long Lane, Essington was closed for improvements several years ago but work was never completed. Now work is due to start at the end of July.
South Staffordshire Council and Essington Parish Council, Councillor David Clifft, Chairman of Essington Parish Council, said: "The bridge was closed for six-weeks several years-go for major improvements, but work was never completed. Despite four-years of corresponded between Rail Track and myself I was never given a date for the work to start."
Councillor Clifft, added: "Improvements include the installation of crash-barriers which will stop any vehicle leaving the road from ending-up on the rail track below. This will cause some major problems for motorists over the main summer months, but it is important that this work is completed. However, this will mean… For the first three-weeks (approx) only single file traffic will be allowed to travel over the bridge, which will be controlled by traffic lights. Then the bridge will be closed to all traffic for (approx) three-weeks. Finally for (approx) three-weeks only single file traffic will be allowed to travel over the bridge, which will again be controlled by traffic lights."
Express & Star
The 69 bus service time-table to be extended
From September (2010) the number 69 bus service time-table will be extended.
From the 6th September the 69 bus service will have a later time-table which will run from Monday - Saturday providing three extra services with the last buses at 22.05 from Cannock and 23.15 from Wolverhampton.
more information on time-tables will be released shortly...
e-mail your views d.clifft@sstaffs.gov.uk
Bognop Road to get speed reduced
/Uploads/Site594/Files/doc1.doc (use link to see site map)
It is proposed to reduce the current de-restricted speed limit through the residential area of Bognop Road, Essington. Over recent years the circumstances surrounding Bognop Road have changed dramatically, in particular increased traffic to Essington Farm Shop, the additional residential properties at Manor Farm Barns as well as the general increase in traffic using this route. It is intended to alter the speed limit from the end of the 30 mph speed limit at the Essington end of Bognop Road through to a point approximately 200m west of the entrance to Manor Farm Barns. This will provide a posted speed limit of 40 mph.
Essington Parish Council and residents have campaigned to get Staffordshire County Council to reduce the speed limit on Bognop Road.
e-mail me with your views d.clifft@sstaffs.gov.uk
CHAIRMAN’S REPORT
2009 / 2010
Firstly, may I extend a warm welcome on behalf of Essington Parish Council to all the new residents of Broad Lane Ward, Essington Central Ward, Newtown Ward, Westcroft Ward and Sneyd Ward.
This is my eighth year as Chairman of Essington Parish Council, a position I am honoured to hold.
The past twelve months have been a very busy year for Essington and I would like to take this opportunity to say a big thank you to everyone who makes Essington a great place in which to live and work.
Also a very special thanks you to…
Vice-chairman Mrs Mavis North, for her hard work and support of me in my role as Chairman. Each of the members of Essington Parish Council, who give their time freely to the good of our community. Mrs Chris Gracey, Clerk to the Council who continues to work beyond her role to support each member. Sir Patrick Cormack M.P, and Mrs June Sharman, whom I have worked very closely with the pasted twelve-months.
Essington Community Centre
Phase four of the refurbishment is under way as I write this report.
Phase four includes a whole new entrance into the community centre, information area and pharmacy. The work will be completed by the end of May (2010).
The management committee will be meeting over the course of the next few months to consider phase-five. The committee will consider the vehicle access into the centre.
Phase one was completed in 2006 – 07 which included
· New toilets / disabled toilet and ramp
Phase two was completed in 2007 – 08
· The refurbishment of the main hall
Phase 2a was also completed in 2008
· The refurbishment of the Council Chamber ante-room, kitchen area, disabled toilet and a ramp outside the Council Chamber entrance.
Phase three
· The refurbishment of the kitchen, bar and storerooms.
Essington Medical Centre
Work on Essington’s Medical Centre started in December 2009 and will be finished in mid-April.
The £1 million Medical Centre was funded by both Essington Parish Council and South Staffordshire Primary Care Trust (PCT).
Planning Matters
Essington has yet again faced more controversial planning applications over the course of the last year, these include:
· Park House / Senior Close / The Croft
· Use of the hard shoulder M6
· Essington Brick and Tile factory Hobnock Road / Biomass
· Ibstock / National Grid ‘Rosemary Landfill Site’
The Parish Council will continue with its policy of informing and advising, whether controversial or otherwise.
Looking back over this outstanding year…
In May 09
I was re-elected Chairman by members of the Parish Council. This month work started on the £3m Golf Course at Bursnips Road. At the end of May South Staffordshire Primary Care Trust (PCT) and myself held interviews to appoint a doctor to run our Medical Centre. Doctors Barry, Hickman and Libberton were appointed.
July 09
After months of endless meetings, Public Meetings and letter writing, Staffordshire County Council ruled that the very controversial waste incinerator at Hobnock Road be refused. The workload this application generated was huge and I would like to say a big thank you to everyone who helped to secure this result, including Essington Parish Council, Fight Against Masts in Essington (FAME) and residents. The Parish Council also enlisted the help of Doctor Van Steenis, a leading authority in this area.
August 09
A conversion planning application to convert a football clubhouse in Long Lane was refused. It is currently in the appeal stage. This month saw planning approval for a £3m golf course to be built in Bursnips Road. The golf course will bring much needed employment, both in the construction stage and when the facility is up and running in two-year’s time. A liaison committee has been formed comprising of local councillors and residents to oversee the project.
September 09
Work got underway on Essington golf course. Also this month, planning approval was given for Essington Medical Centre, by both Essington Parish Council and South Staffordshire District Council.
October 09
The appeal for the waste incinerator at the Brick and Tile, Hobnock Road, Essington was dismissed.
November 09
South Staffordshire Housing Assoc. unveiled their £13m development for Park House at Essington Community Centre. The Parish Council agreed to impose a complete alcohol ban on the streets of Essington. The ban is planned to be introduced by the end of 2010.
December 09
Work starts on Essington’s Medical Centre and will be completed by April 2010.
February 10
Planning approval was given by both Essington Parish Council and South Staffordshire District Council for the £13m Park House development, by South Staffordshire Housing Assoc.
March 10
Ibstock informed the liaison group, that National Grid (formally Transco), is to relocate a 24 inch high pressure gas main across a former landfill site.
April 10
Talks are held to discuss the relocation of the gas main on Ibstock site and are ongoing at this moment in time.
Report ends.
Profile of Committee's David is a member of...
Elected, Essington Parish Council, Councillor May 1999; 2003; 2007 Member of the following Committee's
- Full Council (Chairman)
- Management Committee (Chairman)
- Pool's Committee (Chairman)
- Essington Doctor's Premises Development and Business Steering Group (Chairman)
- Essington Golf Course Liaison Committee (Chairman)
Elected, South Staffordshire Council, Councillor May 2003; 2007 Member of the following Committee's
- Regulatory
- Scrutiny
- Full Council
- Partnership and Strategic Services Scrutiny Panel
- Health Scrutiny Panel
- Overview and Scrutiny Committee
- Crime and Disorder Committee
Community
- Elected Parish Councillor for Newtown 1999 to 2003 re-elected 2003 - 2007 and 2007 - 2011
- Elected Vice-chairman of Essington Parish Council 2001-02
- Elected Chairman of Essington Parish Council 2002 to date
- Elected Chairman of the Newtown Residents Association 2001 to date
- Elected Newtown Neighbourhood Watch Association Co-ordinator 2004 to date
- Studied at The University of Gloucestershire 'Local Policy Studies for Local Council Authorities'
- Appointed School Governor at St. John's Primary School 1999 to date
- Elected Chairman of the personnel committee at St. John's School 2002 to date
- A member of the Essington Friday Night Youth Club Committee 2003-06
- Elected Vice-chairman of the governoring body St. John's School 2003-06
- Elected District Councillor of South Staffordshire District Council 2003 to 2007 and re-elected 2007 to 2011
- Appointed Committee member on Wyrley Junior Football Club 2005 to date
- Elected Chairman of the governing body St. John's November 2006-07
- Appointed School Governor Cheslyn Hay Sport and Community High School 2000 to date
- Appointed a serving Magistrate for the County of Staffordshire October 2002 to date
- Elected Trustee of The Bushbury Trust October 2004 to date
- Elected member of Staffordshire Parish Council Executive Committee 2002 to date
- Elected member of South Staffordshire Parish Council Area Committee 2000 to date
- Studied Certificate in Local Council Administration 2005
- Elected member of South Staffordshire Sport's Council 2006 to date
- A member of the IBSTOCK Liaison Committee 2004 to date
- Appointed member of Walsall Football Club Liaison Committee 2007 to date
- Appointed onto Cheslyn Hay Community Learning Partnership Management Advisory Group September 2007 to date
- Chairman of The Essington Doctor's Premises Development and Business Steering Committee 2007 to date
- Chairman of the Essington Golf Course Liaison Committee 2008 to date
- Joint Chairman of The Long Lane, Newtown, Sport and Community Centre Development Steering Committee 2010 to date