Minutes of the Parish Council Meeting held on Tuesday 4 March 2008

PRESENT
Mr T Hughes (Chairman), Mr C Carter, Mrs F Hughes, Mrs B Sharpe, Mr P Davies,
Mrs K Law, District & County Councillor N Hartin.
9 members of the public.

OPEN DISCUSSION
Mr Hartin reported on the current situation with regard to the move towards a unitary authority, and also the changes to the Wards, each of which would contain around 3,000 electors. This item to be put on the agenda for future updates.

Mrs Jackson said that the river was undercutting the road at Bridge End Lane, and also near the Post Office. Mr Hartin said these two matters were ongoing and that stoning the bank needed Environment Agency approval.

Mrs Jackson also asked what was the current position re: parish plan. Mr Graves tabled a Community Council impact report (available on the internet) and asked that this be taken into account when the parish plan was discussed by the Parish Council. The Chairman read out his written proposal objecting to the creation of a parish plan. Mr Hartin suggested that a public meeting be held to ascertain whether there was any interest in the village. Miss Edwards said that the existence of a parish plan was taken into account by grant funders when any applications were being considered.

A lot of information was available from the scrutiny event which was held recently.
Mr Hartin to arrange the public meeting, and a decision would be made at the next Parish Council meeting.

The Chairman then closed the open meeting.

APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE
Mr I Owen (Vice Chairman), Mr W Davies, Mr C Savery.

DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST
None.

MINUTES OF MEETING HELD 5 FEBRUARY 2008
Under “Presentation by Mr Sutton, SSHA”, second sentence to commence: “Mr Sutton said that the . . .”
Subject to this correction the Minutes were approved unanimously and signed by the Chairman as a true and accurate record.

MATTERS ARISING
Allotments. Mr Graves said that funding may be available for the leasing of a suitable piece of land.

Land opposite The Tyndings. Mr P Davies reported that an 86 year old resident had said that this was common land. Mr Hartin said that the District Council had been unable to trace the owner, but as the parish had had free and beneficial use of the land for more than 12 years it may be possible for the Parish Council to claim ownership. It was agreed unanimously that this be further investigated.

Village Sewerage System. Mr Hartin said that Philip Dunne MP was now involved, and Severn Trent had agreed to make another site visit and reassess the situation.

Proposed reorganisation of local schools. Mr Hartin reported that this was on hold at present and would be reassessed shortly.

ROADS
Weston Road. Mr Hartin said that it was unlikely this work would be done now, although it was possible it could be surface dressed.

20mph signs past the school. Mr Hartin said Mr Glyn Shaw was aware of the Parish Council’s request for advisory signs.

Higgins Bridge. Mr Hartin said the Contractor had used engineering bricks, and that a weathering wash would be applied.

Road in The Tyndings – potholes. Chairman said that as this was SSHA land, it was their responsibility.
 
PLANNING
Application No. 1/08/20412/TC Tree works (Conservation Area) at The Hall, Bucknell. No objection.

Applications Nos. 1/07/20201/F & 1/07/20202/LB Replacement conservatory at Weir House, Bucknell, had been granted.

Affordable housing for local need. Nothing to report at present.

PARISH PLAN
To be discussed next time

DAFFODIL LANE DEVELOPMENT
Miss Edwards reported that the committee was working towards a multi-use grant application to Advantage West Midlands.

Mrs Edwards said that an Easter Egg Hunt would be held on Easter Sunday, and that the football pitch was being well used, in particular by the Marches Mini Soccer Tournament, when 14 teams of under 11’s took part.

A Telly-Talk system was to be installed at the garage, funded by EU money through the County Council. Mrs Edwards explained that this would involve a touch screen, and would provide direct access to the local authorities, CAB, etc.

FINANCE
Play Chest Scheme. The Chairman explained that this would involve the Parish Council in a contribution of £1,000. Funding was still being sought.

Account Balances were reported as: