The Lickey Hills Society

Report Of The Annual General Meeting : 27th November 2006

Chairman, Mike Brooke, reported that for much of the year the Committee had been working on the proposals for the site of the former Austin Rover works at Longbridge. The LHS Committee got involved early on in the consultation process. And much time has been devoted to this topic including an additional meeting to discuss proposals and formulate a response – these were shared with members through the Newsletters. Mike said that there were various views that could be taken of the public consultation process. There was the cynical view that it was all window dressing and would have little impact on the final outcome which would be determined by economic / financial matters. There was the constructive view that the views of the public will determine the future development of the site. And there was the realistic view that there would be a compromise based on the two viewpoints because whatever is developed on the site has to be realistic and financially viable.

Our first response in summer 2006 largely consisted of a response to proposed developments, as they would affect East Works and Cofton Hackett. We sent copies to 16 organisations and individuals with minimal response being received. This was followed by a well-attended closed meeting, restricted to Lickey Hills Society members, – in October at Lickey Parish Hall with representatives of St Modwen Properties. During the meeting – the 4 Area Action Plan Options for the site were outlined. We responded to these options by writing to the interested parties. Interestingly, the views expressed by the Society were broadly similar to those expressed at a public meeting of the parishioners of Cofton Hackett, and at the meetings held at Austin Sports and Social Club & Barnt Green Parish Centre. Our response was based on an amalgamation of Options 2, 3 and 4 – Mixed Use Employment / Residential / Town Centre.

Mike then summarised our key points:

• Mix of housing (mixed housing) and industry – appropriate in scale and design;
• Integrated public transport for area – based on interchange at Longbridge Station;
• Links to motorway system by A38 and A441 – opposing development of a Longbridge Relief Road crossing green belt land;
• Retention / extension of green belt land;
• Development of a range of services – retailing, educational, recreational etc in a new centre based on the site of the old North Works close to the Longbridge roundabout.

Mike concluded that the LHS would continue to monitor developments and respond accordingly.

The Honorary Secretary, Baden Carlson, reported that during the year Committee Members had attended many committees, meetings and working parties of associated bodies, including the Marlbrook Tip Monitoring Working Party; and had made presentations to a number of them. He also reported that the Society sends out approximately 150 Newsletters to members and to community leaders and organisations.

Prior to the election, Mike thanked the Officers and the Committee for their hard work over the year which amongst other duties included producing and delivering the Newsletters, providing refreshments etc. He also thanked ordinary members: Ann Ashman, Katherine Beresford, Pam Bridgwater Janet Duckworth, Cath Elliott, Barbara Hall and Victoria Hewitt, who were part of the Newsletter delivery team in the last year. At the conclusion of the meeting, Baden, on behalf of the Society, thanked Mike for all of his hard work.

The Officers elected:

Mike Brooke: Chairman.
Jill Harvey: Vice-Chair.
Baden Carlson: Hon. Sec.
Pete Harvey: Hon. Treasurer
Committee Members elected: Rob Amos, Brian Bridgewater, Brenda Carlson, Brian Gould, Diane Smith

After the AGM, Steve Hinton, one of the new Lickey Hills Rangers, gave a very interesting and informative talk about the work they are doing with schools called Forest Schools. This idea from Scandinavia involves school children and other young people spending time over six weekly sessions learning woodcraft skills that many of the older generation will remember from scouts/guides. This involves using tools, building shelters and fires, and being out of doors in all weathers! Members present were so taken with the idea that we asked Steve there and then if he could set up a day's course or sampler for ourselves, which he promised to look at. In thanking Steve, Mike also congratulated him and his fellow rangers, ably led by Chief Ranger Joe Hayden, for their continuing success and professionalism in achieving the Green Flag award for the eighth successive year.

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