Minutes of the Parish Council Meeting held on Tuesday 1 April 2008

PRESENT
Mr T Hughes (Chairman), Mr I Owen (Vice Chairman), Mr C Carter, Mr W Davies, Mrs F Hughes, Mrs B Sharpe, Mr P Davies, District & County Councillor N Hartin.
Mrs Helen Pugh, South Shropshire Housing Association.
32 members of the public.

REPORT BY SOUTH SHROPSHIRE HOUSING ASSOCIATION
The Chairman introduced Mrs Pugh, who reported on the open consultation evening held in the village on 20 March to view the housing association’s proposed plans for a new affordable development on Weston Road. The feedback had proved to be very useful, and as a result the SSHA would hold an open parish meeting in the Memorial Hall towards the end of this month, when a panel from the housing association would be available to answer any questions. This would be publicised via a leaflet drop to all houses in the parish. The Chairman said he was under the impression that all questions would be answered at tonight’s meeting. Mrs Pugh agreed to take questions, but was not in a position to speak on some subjects.

Mrs Pugh explained the contents of a Section 106 Agreement; this was updated from time to time, and she would bring a current copy to the open meeting.

The Chairman explained the history and the problems between the Parish Council and the Housing Association. Mr Hartin expressed concern that the timescale for the application for planning permission appeared to have accelerated from 3-4 years to one month, and said that the main problem was that the housing association had failed to take the local community along with it.

Mrs Pugh agreed to take back the parish’s concerns to the housing association.
The Chairman thanked Mrs Pugh, who then left the meeting. The Chairman apologised to the members of the public for the confusion regarding the arrangements for tonight’s meeting.

OPEN DISCUSSION
None

APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE
Mrs K Law, Mr C Savery.

DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST
None.

MINUTES OF MEETING HELD 4 MARCH 2008
Approved unanimously and signed by the Chairman as a true and accurate record.

MATTERS ARISING
Unitary Authority. Mr Hartin reported that the County Council would be deciding the electoral boundaries on Friday. There would be a 75 member council. The District Councillors would be making representations also.

Allotments. Mrs Fraser said that investigations were being made into a suitable piece of land.

Land opposite The Tyndings. Nothing to report at present.

Village Sewerage System. Mr Hartin said that Philip Dunne MP was to arrange a meeting with Severn Trent. Mrs Edwards was invited to speak from the floor and said that workmen had inspected the tanks next to the garage last week. These tanks were full, and they should be empty. The Chairman asked that any reports of problems with the sewerage system be submitted in writing to either himself or Mr Hartin in order to build up a case.

PARISH PLAN
The Chairman proposed that the parish proceed with the development of a Parish Plan in conjunction with certain conditions laid down by the Parish Council. Agreed unanimously on a show of hands.

ROADS
Street Lighting. The Clerk said that the two faulty street lights at Chestnut Meadow and outside The Woodlands had been reported.

Electricity Pole at river’s edge. This had been dealt with.

Bridge End Lane/The Causeway – river undercutting the bank. In progress.

Road sweeping of The Mynd. Mrs Hughes reported that this had been done, but a subsequent deluge had caused the same problem.
 
PLANNING
Applications Nos.1/08/20450/F & 1/08/20451/LB. Extensions at The Baron of Beef. Supported.

Application No. 1/08/20571/O. Residential development, demolition of business and dwelling, formations of access (renewal) at Riverlea, Redlake Place, Bucknell. To be put in the Post Office for a week. Clerk to email Councillors with the original comments in order that a response can be made.

Application No. 1/08/20412/TC. Tree works at The Hall, Bucknell, had been granted.

DAFFODIL LANE DEVELOPMENT
Mrs Edwards reported that everything was progressing well.

The Chairman said that arrangements were being made for the Lease of Field No 2 (96812 Land Registry No. SL113145) for the building of a new village hall and other recreational activities. The Lease to be made to The Bucknell Memorial Hall and Recreation Ground Charity for 999 years for a peppercorn rent of £1.00 per annum. The Chairman proposed this be accepted by the Parish Council. Agreed unanimously on a show of hands.

The Chairman congratulated the Steering Group members on the way they had handled the managing of the first piece of land.

FINANCE
Play Equipment Grant. Mr Hartin said he had found another source of funding, this required a contribution of £500 from the Parish Council. Agreed unanimously on a show of hands.

Bucknell Good Neighbours had proposed to issue a “who’s who in Bucknell” booklet to every household in the parish, and had requested a donation towards the cost of this. The Chairman proposed a donation of £100. Agreed unanimously on a show of hands.

Account Balances were reported as: