Minutes of the Parish Council Meeting held on Tuesday 6 March 2007

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

OPEN DISCUSSION
Mrs Jackson asked whether the problem of the poultry manure stored near Bucknell Nurseries had been solved. After discussion the Clerk reported that Ms Bronwen Hutchings of the Environment Agency Health would need to be informed on 01584 813384 as soon as there was a problem, and she would attend on site immediately.

Mrs Parker reported that the trees between Field House and Redlake Reach were in danger of falling. Situation would be investigated.

Mrs Evans asked if there was a date for resurfacing Weston Road. Mr Hartin said not at the moment. There were potholes in the school playground car park.

The area opposite the Tyndings where the bus turned was in a poor state, but it was not known who the owner was. Mr Chambers related the history of this piece of land. Mr Hartin to make enquiries, with the possibility of the Parish Council claiming ownership in order to keep the site in a reasonable state of repair.

Mr Hartin said that the area around the notice board at the Causeway was starting to look shabby, and the wooden posts were rotten. The metal seats also needed to be repainted. Chairman to follow this up.

Mr Chambers asked whether new plastic bollards could be provided opposite the shop, Mr Hartin to put this in hand, and also arrange for the white lines to be repainted.

Miss Edwards had received a Housing Needs Survey, as had everyone in the village. The Chairman had immediately telephoned the Housing Association, since the Craven Arms Partnership had already carried out their own Housing Needs Survey. It was thought parishioners may not complete the second form, which would degrade the value of the survey. Mr Hartin to establish the percentage of returns of the Housing Association Survey.

The Chairman then closed the Open Meeting.

APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE
Mr K Barnett.

DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST
None

MINUTES OF MEETING HELD 6 FEBRUARY 2007
Heading to read: “. . . held on Tuesday 6 February 2007”. Subject to this correction the Minutes were approved unanimously and signed by the Chairman as a true and accurate record.

MATTERS ARISING
Land at Chapel Lawn Road. The trees had been lopped back.

Street Lighting. The light in Old Bedstone Road had been repaired.

Poultry Manure. Dealt with in the Open Meeting.

NHS Meeting in Knighton 5.2.07. The Chairman said a Focus Group meeting was scheduled for next Monday evening. He was unable to attend, but invited someone to represent the parish.

Fire Service. Mr Owen asked why the fire service at Leintwardine was no longer first call for Bucknell, and had been replaced by Clun. Mr Hartin, as Chairman of the Fire Authority, explained the somewhat complicated call order, and confirmed that Leintwardine remained first call for Bucknell.

PLANNING
Parish Guide to the Planning Process. Mr Hartin had been unable to attend the meeting in Clun, but confirmed that the Parish Council would be informed of any changes.

Application No. 1/07/19245/F Pitched roof and conservatory at Bergamot, Chapel Lawn Road. Supported.

Application No. 1/07/19180/O Dwelling and access at Gove End Paddock. Mr Owen was concerned that planning approval for this would depend on a substantial sum being paid by the owners to the District Council. Mr Hartin defended the policy. This application was discussed by the Parish Council and a decision of no objection made. The Appeal against refusal of planning permission being granted on the previous application had been dismissed by the Planning Inspectorate.

Application No. 1/06/18910/F Replacement domestic garage, etc, at Misty Meadows, Oil Mill Lane, had been granted.

Application No. 1/06/18628/CE Use of part of Crabtree Bank, Bedstone Road, as a residential unit had been certified.

Application No. 1/07/19080/O Four affordable dwellings, etc, adjacent to Brooklyn, had been withdrawn.

PARISH PLAN
Letter had been received from Gemma Robinson at the Community Council offering support should Bucknell decide to create a Parish Plan. The Chairman said any Parish Plan should also include only those items which the parish did not want to change, for instance the open nature of the centre of the village, and reiterated that the Village Design Statements which some parishes had produced, had not been effective.

DAFFODIL LANE DEVELOPMENT
Grant applications had been made the the Big Lottery and also to the Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty office in Craven Arms.

The Chairman had received a letter from Mr C Samson asking whether the land for the new village hall could be used for allotments. Mrs Edwards said that allotments could be made out of large gardens, where the owners were no longer able to maintain their garden.

FINANCE
It was unanimously agreed to pay the following:

It was further agreed unanimously to pay the following:

A request had been received from the PCC to pay half the cost of servicing the mowers, but the invoice from G Bryan Jones Ltd was not in the correct form to enable the Parish Council to claim back the VAT. Clerk to telephone Mr Hann.

Clerk to report the bank account balances at each meeting.

CORRESPONDENCE
South Shropshire District Council publication: “Affordable Housing Solutions”. To Chairman.

Celebrate St George’s Day – guide to taking part.

Communities and Local Government letter + enclosed Revised Model Code of Conduct. To Chairman.

Letter from the Parochial Church Council thanking the Parish Council for maintaining the churchyard wall.

CHAIRMAN’S ITEMS
Mr Samson’s letter also referred to the problem of dog fouling in the village. Mr Hartin said that the District Council were employing Dog Wardens, and would make enquiries to see whether Bucknell could be put on their list.

ANY OTHER BUSINESS
Mr Savery said that flooding on the Bedstone Road was very bad, and was a recent occurrence. Mr Hartin was aware of the situation and had spoken to Mr Glyn Shaw.

A letter had been received from Coxall Baptist Church thanking the Parish Council for its donation.

Mr Hartin offered to arrange another public meeting re: affordable housing in Bucknell as the last date had not been convenient for a lot of people.

A quotation of £50 per cut had been received from South Shropshire Landscaping and Fencing to cut the grass at Chapel Lawn Road. Chairman and Vice Chairman were delegated to pursue this matter.


DATE AND VENUE FOR NEXT MEETING
The next meeting will be held on Tuesday 3 April 2007 in Bucknell Memorial Hall at 7.30pm.

There being no further business the meeting closed at 9.15pm.

Revised: 25 November 2006