Minutes of the Annual Parish Assembly held on Tuesday 9^th May 2006

PRESENT
Mr K Barnett (Chairman), Mrs K Law, Mr P Davies, Mrs B Sharpe, Mrs F Hughes, Mr W Davies, Mr C Savery, District & County Councillor N Hartin.
8 members of the public.

APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE
Mr T Hughes (Vice Chairman), Mr I Owen. 

MINUTES OF THE LAST ANNUAL PARISH ASSEMBLY 3.5.05
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 reported that the Parish Council had continued to carry out its duties over the past year which included overseeing planning applications for land within the parish. It was not always possible to influence planning decisions, but input from the Parish Council was worthwhile.

The excessive speed of traffic through the village was still a problem and it was disappointing that this subject was raised every year with no long term solution.

Further work was required on the churchyard wall but not so much as last year, and would be carried out during the summer. Although costly, these renovations were greatly appreciated by the village in general.

Land opposite the Baron of Beef. It had proved difficult to get busy farmers to come and do the mowing, so South Shropshire Landscaping had been contracted to do the work.

The new notice boards were in position, and would last an estimated 10 years.

The Daffodil Lane project was now up and running and the Steering Group had done a wonderful job. The Chairman especially mentioned Mr Stan Hogg and Mrs Dorothy Edwards. The Parish Council would continue to support this project.

A survey had been carried out to establish where new street lights were required and the new light at the Causeway, although expensive, was a great improvement in the village. The Chairman was pleased to report that the light had a wide spread of low level light, so that no light pollution had resulted.

The Chairman said that Bucknell had a surprising number of facilities for a village of only around 600 electors and was a very pleasant place to live.

The Chairman thanked Mr Chambers and his team of litter pickers, who diligently did a not-very-nice job for the benefit of the village. Also thanks to the WI for the station flowers, the Chairman had heard many complimentary remarks from train passengers. The Chairman also thanked Mr Jackson for keeping the website up to date, and Mr Bert Green for cutting the grass at the Causeway. Mr Green was unable to continue owing to ill health, and the Chairman was researching a suitable token of appreciation from the village.

The Chairman thanked Mr Ray Davies, the churchyard was a credit to the village, and also Mr Nigel Hartin, our District and County Councillor for attending Parish Council meetings. Thanks were due to Mr Hughes, Vice Chairman, for his support throughout the year, and also to the Clerk. The Chairman also thanked all Parish Councillors for their attendance and input over the past twelve months.

Finally the Chairman thanked those members of the public who attended the meetings, and diplomatically brought problems to the attention of the Parish Council.

DISTRICT & COUNTY COUNCILLOR’S REPORT
Mr Hartin reiterated the Chairman’s comments that Bucknell was a wonderful place to live, and went on to report that Central Government was imposing greater rules and regulations, for instance the restructuring of the local police and fire authorities. Mr Hartin mentioned the Local Government Plan, which was a big issue.

It was possible that Shropshire would become a unitary authority, but the Parish Council should remain unaffected. Herefordshire became a unitary authority approximately five years ago.

Mr Hartin reported that the District Council was seeking to put in place more affordable housing. The waste recycling scheme had proved to be very successful. There was no increase in council tax this year.

A report of speeds through villages throughout the county should be published soon. It was hoped that as many villages as possible would have a 30mph limit, 20mph was generally not acceptable. The parking attendants system in Ludlow and elsewhere was to be changed.

Mr Hartin concluded by asking that people contact him should they have any problems which he could help with.
 

OPEN DISCUSSION
Mr Chambers said that as a past Parish Council Chairman he would like to propose a vote of thanks to Mr Barnett for his time and effort. This was endorsed by all those present.

Mr Gooding asked whether seats would be provided on the land at Chapel Lawn Road now that work was being done there. The Chairman replied that seats were indeed planned for this area.

Mr Gooding remarked that in certain places in the village 30mph was too fast, and that 20mph was the only sensible speed where there were pedestrians. Mr P Davies remarked that the 30mph limit through Dorrington was very effective, Mr Hartin replied that this scheme was closely policed. Mrs Law enquired whether advisory signs would work, Mr Hartin replied that these tended to work for a short time only, and stated that the only effective system was some form of traffic engineering, eg chicanes, to physically slow the traffic, but these were expensive.

Mrs Sharpe asked about the Quiet Lanes scheme. Mr Hartin replied that nothing seemed to have come of this.

Mrs Parker said that the two new big signs in Bridge End Land were unnecessary and an eyesore. Mr Hartin would try to get them removed.

Mrs Jackson asked about the water leak outside White Lodge. The Chairman said that this matter appeared to be in hand. Mrs Jackson also mentioned the damaged pole at the Tyndings, the Chairman said this had been reported twice but was not a priority.

Mr Hartin reported on the following enforcement issues:
Alpha Stud. Generator running 24 hours a day, and people possibly living on the site. This matter was in hand.
Riverlea Development. The garage being constructed needed planning permission because of its size and advice to this effect had been given.
Development behind the Sitwell Arms. This had been given the go ahead.

Mr Gooding enquired about better signing of rights of way. Mr Hartin replied that there had been a reduction of money available for this, and explained the Parish Paths Partnership, of which there was a group in Bucknell. Mr Chambers was kindly storing the tools which belonged to the group.

The Chairman then closed the Open Discussion and the Annual Parish Assembly.