Minutes of the Parish Council Meeting held on Tuesday 3 April 2007

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

OPEN DISCUSSION
Mrs Parker had been asked by someone who lived at the Tyndings whether a street light could be provided there. It was thought the costs would be prohibitive. Clerk to establish a breakdown of the costs for the light on the Causeway.

Mr Hogg asked whether the grass at the Causeway could be better protected as it was being damaged by the Builders. The Chairman said that the building work had now finished, but would investigate the possibility of the posts and chains being extended further along the Causeway.

A local resident wanted to paint the footbridge in Bridge End Lane. Chairman to check whether there was any problem with this.

Mrs Edwards said that a telegraph pole had been put up in the hedge at Daffodil Lane without any prior notification.

Mrs Jackson Law said that an electricity pole on the river bank was in danger of collapsing. This to be notified to the relevant authority straight away.

Mr Hogg said that a car had been dumped on a piece of land in Chapel Lawn Road. The police were not interested as it was not on the highway. It was not known who owned the land.

Mrs Sharpe said that Mrs Powell, Rock House, had said that there was an unsightly and unnecessary road sign at the end of her drive. Mr Hartin said that although these new signs were in accordance with the legal requirements, it was anticipated that common sense would prevail and the unnecessary signs would now be removed.

The Chairman then closed the Open Meeting.

APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE
Mr W Davies, Mr K Barnett.

DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST
None

MINUTES OF MEETING HELD 6 MARCH 2007
Under “Open Discussion”, Ms Bronwen Hutchings was from Environmental Health. Under “Parish Plan”, second sentence should start: “The Chairman said any Parish Plan should also include those items . . .” Subject to these corrections, the Minutes were agreed unanimously and signed by the Chairman as a true and accurate record.

MATTERS ARISING
Land at Chapel Lawn Road. Two quotations for mowing the grass had been obtained: South Shropshire Landscaping for £50 per cut, and Messrs Gough for £20 per cut. It was unanimously agreed to accept the quotation from Messrs Gough.

Highways. The Chairman tabled a copy letter he had sent to County Highways, re: Roads and Drains in Bucknell, together with the reply received. Mr Hartin to contact the District Council re: road sweeping. Situation to be monitored.

Street Lighting. Dealt with in the Open Discussion. Chairman to pursue.

Poultry Manure. The offensive smell had not been present of late. It was understood the manure would be stored further down the field.

Fire Service. Mr Hartin read out a letter he had written to the Parish Council fully explaining the procedure for selecting fire stations to cover the various categories of fire, eg whether life was at risk or not. Clerk to copy this letter to all Councillors.

Dog Wardens. Mr Hartin said that the Dog Wardens had been appointed and that the scheme would be up and running on 1 May. One of the Wardens could attend a Parish Council meeting in the future if required.

Affordable housing. Mr Hartin had telephoned Mr Paul Sutton at South Shropshire Housing Association, who confirmed that they were working with the Craven Arms Partnership on the needs survey. The response had been very good.

Land opposite The Tyndings. Mr Hartin reported that the District Council were trying to establish the identity of the owner. It was possible for the resurfacing work to be done and a charge placed on the Land Register, but negotiation was preferable.

PLANNING
Application No. 1/07/19340/F. Agricultural building off Bedstone Road, to serve Bucknell Nurseries. No objection, but adequate screening with trees to be provided.

Application No. 1/07/19287/F. Polytunnel and shed at Greenways, Chapel Lawn Road. After discussion it was resolved to make no objection to the shed, but to object to the polytunnel on the grounds that the proposed site was unsuitable within the curtilege of the plot. This resolution was agreed on a show of hands, 6 in favour with 1 abstention.

There were no decisions by the Planning Authority to be reported.

PARISH PLAN
On hold until after the Elections.

DAFFODIL LANE DEVELOPMENT
Mrs Edwards reported that an Easter Egg Hunt would be held on Easter Sunday. The mowing had started. A football match would take place on 14 April. An AGM was to be held with a view to re-forming the football club.

FINANCE
It was unanimously agreed to pay the following:

It was further agreed to pay the following:

CORRESPONDENCE
HOWLTA Newsletter Spring 2007.

Calor Village of the Year Competition in questionnaire form. Chairman to assess.

CHAIRMAN’S ITEMS
None.

ANY OTHER BUSINESS
None.


DATE AND VENUE FOR NEXT MEETING
The next meeting will be the Annual Parish Assembly, followed by the Annual Parish Council Meeting, and will be held on Tuesday 8 May 2007 in Bucknell Memorial Hall at 7.30pm. South Shropshire Housing Association will give a presentation on the recent housing needs survey as the first item on the Agenda.

There being no further business the meeting closed at 9.10pm.

Revised: 25 November 2006