MEETING - January 2007


Minutes of the Parish Council Meeting held on Tuesday 2 January 2007

PRESENT
Mr T Hughes (Chairman), Mr I Owen (Vice Chairman), Mrs B Sharpe, Mrs F Hughes, Mrs K Law, Mr C Savery, Mr P Davies.
9 members of the public.

OPEN DISCUSSION
Broken gate at the Hales.  The Chairman had been in correspondence with the County Access team, and it transpired that Mr Mike Starr, of the School House, was co-ordinator of the village Parish Paths Partnership scheme.  The local rights of way were to be surveyed in the next financial year, and any repairs carried out.  The Chairman stated it would be helpful to have gates rather than stiles, to enable dog owners to exercise their pets further away from the village itself.

Good Neighbours scheme.  Mr Mike Starr had also taken on this scheme and leaflets were available in the Post Office.

Local Scrutiny.  The Chairman had received report papers on Access to Services.  These would be put in the Post Office.  The Scrutiny Event team were keen that a Parish Plan be produced, and the Chairman had arranged for Mrs Caroline Oakes from the Community Council to attend next month’s meeting to give a presentation.  The Chairman had a folder on Parish Plans, and a similar DVD was with the Vice Chairman.

Post Office.  There had been no notice in the window to say when the Post Office was open over the Christmas/New Year period.  The discussion widened, and concern was expressed at the possibility of the Post Office closing in the future.

Local Housing for Local People.  Mr Cornes asked whether the Housing Association meeting would be repeated.  No information available at present.

The Chairman then closed the Open Meeting.

APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE
Mr K Barnett, Mr W Davies,
The Chairman requested Parish Councillors sign an attendance book at each Parish Council meeting.

DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST
None

MINUTES OF MEETING HELD 5 DECEMBER 2006
Agreed unanimously and signed by the Chairman as a true and accurate record.

MATTERS ARISING
Land at Chapel Lawn Road.  No bill received to date.

PLANNING
Application No. 1/06/19043/F Conservatory, etc, at Bergamot, Chapel Lawn Road.  Supported.

Application No. 1/06/18826/F Dwelling and garage at Yew Tree Cottage, had been refused.

The following applications had been granted:
No. 1/06/18896/F Extension at Hill View, Dog Kennel Lane.
No. 1/06/18786/F Extension, renovation and access at Wheatley Cottage, Bucknell.


DAFFODIL LANE DEVELOPMENT
Mrs Edward said that there was nothing to report at present.
Mr P Davies said that cars were being parked on the car park overnight.


FINANCE
Chapel Lawn Road site.  Three quotations had been received for the work required to trim the lower branches of the trees as follows.  Mr Owen declared a personal interest.
Bicknell & Owen                                    £441.00 inc VAT
Bucknell Nurseries                                  £446.50 inc VAT
South Shrops Landscaping & Fencing        £455.00 + VAT.

After discussion it was resolved to accept the Bicknell & Owen quotation for £441 (which would include the tree on the Causeway if required).  Agreed on a show of hands, 6 in favour, with one abstention.

Precept 2007/08.  A discussion document had been compiled by the Clerk.  It was noted that further expenses to be included were the £441.00 for the work at Chapel Lawn Road, and election expenses (£1052.80 if contested, £110 if not).  Further work on the Churchyard wall could be in the region of £7,000-£8,000.  After extensive discussion Mr Hughes proposed from the chair that a Precept of £10,000 be applied for, seconded by Mrs Sharpe and agreed on a show of hands 6 in favour, 1 against.

Accounts to Year Ended 31.3.06.  The Annual Return had been received back from the External Auditor without comment.

Settlement of Accounts.  It was agreed unanimously to pay the following:
Mr G Jackson (website domain name registration)                      £42.30
UHY Hacker Young (audit fee)                                              £141.00

It was further agreed unanimously to pay the following:
Mrs N Adams (salary – Dec 06 qtr)                                        £306.25

Change of Mandate.  It was agreed to leave this until after the elections.

CORRESPONDENCE
South Shropshire District Council letter re: Parish Guide – Planning Site Visits.

Shropshire County Council letter re: PFI Quality in Communities premises.  In Shrewsbury, Ludlow and Market Drayton.
West Mercia Police Authority letter + enclosures re: Police Service in 2007 and beyond.  To Post Office.

Natural England letter re: the end of the Doorstep Greens initiative on 31.12.06.

SAPTC South Shropshire Area Committee documents re: presentation on the Unitary Council held 7.12.06.

Ramblers’ Association letter re: Bucknell FP 11.  To Chairman.

HOWLTA Newsletter Winter 2006/07.

Scanlock (UK) Ltd letter + enclosure re: Alfastrip Heating Systems.  To Chairman.

SCC P3 Newsletter “Path Times”.  To Post Office.


CHAIRMAN’S ITEMS
Dealt with in the Open Meeting. 

ANY OTHER BUSINESS
Street light not working in Old Bedstone Road, opposite the Butcher’s.

DATE AND VENUE FOR NEXT MEETING
The next meeting will be held on Tuesday 6 February 2007 in Bucknell Memorial Hall at 7.30pm.

There being no further business the meeting closed at 9.30pm. 

 

Revised: 25 November 2006