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Minutes of the Parish Council Meeting held on Tuesday
Tuesday 7 February 2006
PRESENT
Mr K Barnett (Chairman), Mr T Hughes (Vice Chairman), Mr P Davies, Mr I Owen, Mr W Davies,
District & County Councillor N Hartin.
Nine members of the public.
The Chairman opened the
meeting by introducing Mrs Anita Bingeman, from Chapel Lawn, who
organised an annual horse ride which passed through the village.
SPORTS
ENDURANCE
Mrs Bingeman explained that the main purpose of the Sports Endurance
Ride, which this year is scheduled to take place in April, was to
encourage all riders of all abilities to take part. It was not a
competition, and participants ranged from disabled riders on lead reins,
to serious long distance riders. The area around Bucknell was ideal for
the event, and routes of 5 miles, 10 miles and 20 miles were mapped out.
Donations were made to local charities by the organisers and the
refreshments were purchased from Bucknell Stores.
Mrs Bingeman said that the arrows on the road were spray chalk and were
placed in threes as this was an internationally recognised standard.
Plastic ties were used as waymarkers, and were taken down the next day.
There were great problems with the ties being removed, and in some cases
replaced in dangerous places.
Mr Hughes disputed that spray chalk was used, and said it was spray
paint. Mrs Bingeman assured him it was chalk, but more durable than
conventional chalk to make it rain-resistant. The Chairman said that
last year there were weeks of dry weather following the ride, and so the
marks were not washed away, also that unfortunately the “graffiti style”
of the arrows made people suspicious.
Mrs Bingeman said that horse droppings were not generally removed as
gardeners were happy to do this, but they could be removed if required.
Mr Cornes said that a lot of last year’s problems were caused by lack of
information. Mrs Bingeman said that posters were put up in the village,
and an advertisement in the local paper. There were never enough helpers
on the day, and more marshalls would be very welcome. The Chairman would
have Mrs Bingeman’s telephone number, if there were any problems this
year.
The Chairman thanked Mrs Bingeman, who then left the meeting.
OPEN DISCUSSION
Mrs Jackson said that a pole in Chapel Lawn Road had rusted through at
the base. The Chairman would investigate and report to the relevant
authority.
Mrs Evans said that a gate post at the entrance to the school field was
missing. Chairman to investigate this also.
Mr Chambers had been in contact with the District Council, who had made
arrangements for litter bins to be emptied separately during the week
between the general rubbish collections, and had also cleared litter
from the layby near Oil Mill Lane.
Mr Chambers remarked that this particular area appeared to have a large
amount of litter generally. Mr Hartin said this was due to a number of
factors, including the time of year with the vegetation having died
down, and lack of public money. Mr W Davies added that large items were
being dumped in the woods, the public seemingly unaware that such large
items (ie too big to go in the wheelie bins) would be collected by the
District Council. Clerk to write regarding the amount of litter. It was
also remarked that there was a poor attitude from some of the dustmen,
Mr Hartin to follow this up.
Mrs Jackson said that a water leak outside White Lodge in Dog Kennel
Lane had resulted in three visits by Severn Trent, but the leak
remained. Chairman to make enquiries.
The Chairman then closed the Open Meeting.
APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE
Mr C Savery, Mrs F Hughes, Mrs K Law, Mrs B Sharpe.
DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST
None.
MINUTES OF MEETING HELD
3 JANUARY 2006
Agreed unanimously and signed by the Chairman as a true and accurate
record.
MATTERS ARISING
Sport Endurance Ride. There appeared to be two problems: the marks
stayed around a long time, and the “graffiti style” of the arrows. In
anticipation that these two problems could be addressed, it was agreed
unanimously that the Parish Council had no objection to the ride.
Street Lights. The Chairman tabled a quotation for seven proposed new
street lights, and opened the discussion to the floor. Mr Hughes said
there had been concern expressed about more street lights and proposed
that no more lights be installed. There was no seconder to this
proposal.
Mrs Edwards said it was very dark between the station and the school,
the Chairman replied that no electricity supply was available at that
location.
Mrs Jackson asked that the new lights would not light upwards, the
Chairman said that modern lights pooled downwards and outwards. Mrs
Jackson also queried whether more lights would aid or hinder thieves.
After discussion Mr Owen proposed that the light along the Causeway be
installed first at a cost of £3,035, seconded from the chair by Mr
Barnett and approved on a show of hands: 4 in favour, 1 against. Mr
Cornes asked whether the possibility of a solar powered light had been
investigated, the Chairman replied that it would not be suitable for
this application. Mr Chambers pointed out that the Causeway was well
used.
Level Crossing. Mr Hartin tabled correspondence including a letter from
the Corporate Director at Shropshire County Council who was not prepared
to support a 20mph zone nor a stop sign at the junction of Chapel Lawn
Road with the B4367.
Traffic through the village. Mr Hughes said that the main problem was
cars parked along the wall by the school, forcing traffic on to the
opposite side of the road on a blind bend. Mrs Evans offered from the
floor to ask the Head Teacher to speak to the parents concerned and was
requested to kindly do so.
Mr Hartin to investigate the possibility of gating on the bridge by the
garage and a speed ramp near the school.
Mr Hartin could obtain a speed gun for use by volunteers within the
village, training was available. Chairman said that anyone interested
should contact Mr Hartin direct.
Wicket gate near garage. Severn Trent had not replaced this, perhaps
because they could not see the reason for it. Mr Cornes was invited to
speak from the floor and said that the next gate along that footpath
needed repair also. Mr Hartin to investigate.
Smell near the garage. Mr Hartin said that the new installations at the
sewage works may improve the situation.
PLANNING
There were no applications for consideration, nor any decisions by the
Planning Authority to be reported.
DAFFODIL LANE
DEVELOPMENT
Mrs Edwards reported that the Countryside Agency had requested an
official opening, 25 March had been suggested and it was hoped to have a
sign displaying the names of all organisations which had supported the
project available by that date.
The Countryside Agency had a grant of at least £15,000 for play
equipment providing it could be spent by 31 March, and match funding was
required. After discussion the Chairman proposed that subject to the
grant being obtained, the Parish Council would donate £500 towards the
match funding, seconded by Mr W Davies and agreed unanimously on a show
of hands.
The Chairman asked if the Steering Group had any objection to the
children who were playing on the heaps of soil on the field. Mrs Edwards
replied no, providing no further excavations were made.
The Chairman also enquired whether there was any objection to the
Bucknell Cup match being played on the new field, Mrs Edwards replied
that no official approach had been made.
Mr Hughes considered that it was incumbent on the Parish Council to
provide a playing field for the village, the Chairman replied that this
was the long term intention.
FINANCE
It was agreed unanimously to pay the following:
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Npower (energy charge Dec. 05 qtr) |
£53.91
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CORRESPONDENCE
Herefordshire Council letter + enclosed Draft Statement of Community
Involvement.
West Mercia Police Service interim report re: reorganisation January
2006.
Office of the Deputy Prime Minister publication “Standards of Conduct in
English Local Government: The Future”.
CHAIRMAN’S ITEMS
None.
ANY OTHER BUSINESS
Mr Hughes reported that the PCC had asked if the Parish Council would
pay for the hire of a skip (£130 + VAT), to enable them to clear the
hedge trimmings, etc, from the churchyard. Agreed unanimously that the
Parish Council would meet this cost.
The Village Hall Committee needed a risk analysis for the Countryside
Agency. Mrs Edwards to provide a standard form and the Parish Council
would complete this.
Mr Owen suggested that as it was now twelve months since the work on the
churchyard wall was done, the next tranche of work be considered. It was
agreed unanimously that Mr Owen obtain a schedule of work and an
indicative price for this.
The new hall Caretakers, Mr and Mrs Samson, had very recently taken
over. The Chairman remarked on the excellent appearance of the hall.
Mrs Edwards mentioned from the floor that there was now a village diary
notice of events posted in the hall.
There being no further business the meeting closed at 9.30pm.
DATE AND VENUE FOR NEXT MEETING
The next meeting will be held on Tuesday 7 March 2006 in
Bucknell Memorial Hall at 7.30pm.
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