Minutes of the Annual Parish Assembly held on Tuesday 3^rd May 2005

PRESENT
Mr K Barnett (Chairman), Mr I Owen, Mr C Savory, Mrs F Hughes, Mrs B Sharpe, Mr P Davies, Mrs K Law, County Councillor N Hartin.
7 members of the public.

APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE
Mr T Hughes (Vice Chairman), Mr W Davies. 

MINUTES OF THE LAST ANNUAL PARISH ASSEMBLY 4.5.04
The Minutes were read by the Clerk, agreed unanimously and signed by the Chairman as a true and accurate record.

CHAIRMAN’S REPORT
The Chairman began by thanking those parishioners who had attended Parish Council meetings throughout the year, and whose contribution was greatly valued. Also thanks to all Parish Councillors for their time and attendance at meetings and site meetings.

Being mindful of the heavy burden of Council Tax, the parish Precept was kept at the same level as last year.

The Parish Council had organised maintenance work around the village and reported problems to the authorities.

A traffic survey had been carried out which it was hoped would result in speed monitoring as promised by the County Council.

The Lease on the large field in Daffodil Lane had been sorted out, and the second Lease should be ready soon.

Major repairs had been carried out on the churchyard wall at a cost of around £6,500, which was a large sum for a village this size. However it proved to he money well spent in view of the great number of compliments from everyone.

The common land in Chapel Lawn Road was being kept under better control, and the two notice boards were to be replaced imminently.

There were no new street lights this year, but such arrangements do take time.
 
The Chairman thanked the Daffodil Lane Dove Development Steerinq Group who had worked tirelessly on this project. Also thanks to the ladies of the WI for the flowers at the station, probably the best display on the Heart of Wales line. The Chairman thanked Mr Bert Green for mowing the grass by the garage and regretted the amount of dog fouling now in that:
area.

Mr Chambers arid his group of volunteer litter pickers were thanked for their continuing village clean ups, and also Mr Jackson for managing the parish website and organising the provision of broadband.

The Chairman concluded by thanking Mr Ray Davies for his work in the churchyard, which looked a picture, arid also thanked the Clerk for her time and effort 

COUNTY COUNCILLOR’S REPORT
Mr Hart in reported that the recent national assessment had judged the Council as excellent, which placed it in joint first, place in the country. Money was being cut from the minor roads budget, and more seriously, from the rights of way network maintenance.  Bucknell had been added to the list of “sustainable” settlements.

District Council
Mr Hartin said a new recycling scheme was to be introduced, and a representative’ from the District Council would attend the June meeting of the Parish Council to give a presentation on the changes to the waste recycling scheme presently in operation.
 

OPEN DISCUSSION
Mr Hogg asked whether a Parish Plan could be produced. The Chairman replied that this had been raised in the past, and some parishioners were opposed to it. It was also difficult to find people to take on the considerable amount of work involved.
 
Mrs Evans said she had fallen in the street recently and although unhurt, wondered what was the situation should someone be injured. Mr Hartini to investqate.

Mr Chambers thanked his team of litter pickers, and mentioned that rubbish in the layby had been removed soon after he reported it to the District Council.

Mr Cornes said the dog fouling at the Causeway had improved slightly. Mr Hogg said that the new fields at Daffodil Lane were being used to exercise dogs. The Chairman said the Parish Council would support the Village Hall Committee in whatever action they saw as appropriate. Mrs Evans said the same problem at the school and play area had not been solved by the dog fouling signs provided by Mr Hartin.

Mr Hoqg asked about the proposed street lights at The Tyndings. The Chairman detailed the procedures involved.
 
Mr Hogg also asked when the work by the garage would he completed. Mr Hart in said the hand gate would be installed soon.
 
The Chairman then closed the Annual Parish Assembly.