Minutes of the Annual 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 Sharp, Mr P Davies, Mrs K Law,
Nine members of the public.

ELECTION OF OFFICERS
Chairman. Mr Hughes was proposed by Mrs Sharp, seconded by Mrs Law and re-elected unanimously.
Vice Chairman. Mr Owen was proposed from the chair by Mr Hughes, seconded by Mr P Davies and re-elected unanimously.

OPEN DISCUSSION
Mrs Parker said that the drains in Bridge End Lane had still not been cleaned out and the gutter which had been cut to direct the water off the road had now filled in.

Mr Jackson reported that a grill had been removed from a drain in Weston Road.
Mr Cornes said that the view of the lights at the railway crossing was a problem, possibly the lights were too high, in France such lights were positioned lower down. Mr Cornes feared there would be an accident on the crossing.
Clerk to write to the relevant authorities about all the above.

Mrs Parker said that the maintenance of the common land in Chapel Lawn Road was not very good. Chairman to contact the Contractor re: picking up the grass cuttings. Regarding a seat, the Chairman said it would depend on the financial situation. Chairman to ask Ray Davies to paint the iron seats at the Causeway green, also the posts.

Miss Edwards said she had seen a parishioner allowing his dog to sit on the picnic table. Mrs Sharp asked whether Dog Wardens could do anything about this.

Mrs Fraser asked whether there was any possibility of allotments being provided in the village. Chairman replied that this was a matter to be investigated. Mrs Edwards said that three couples were presently cultivating Mr Pole’s garden. There was also a possibility of allotments at Daffodil Lane.

The Chairman then closed the Open Meeting.

APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE
Mr W Davies, District & County Councillor N Hartin.

DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST
None

MINUTES OF MEETING HELD 3 APRIL 2007
Under “Open Discussion”, fourth paragraph. Second sentence to commence: “Mrs Law said that . . .”
Subject to this correction, the Minutes were agreed unanimously and signed by the Chairman as a true and accurate record.

MATTERS ARISING
Dog Wardens. No information available from Mr Hartin.

Land opposite The Tyndings. No progress regarding the identification of the owner. The garages belong to the Housing Association. BT owned the pole, to whom would they pay a wayleave?

PLANNING
 
Application No. 1/07/19471/F Dwelling and garage at Hall Farm. No objection Application No. 1/07/19425/F Extension at Pool Cottage, Bedstone. No objection. Application No. 1/07/19339/F Extension at Fairford, Chapel Lawn Road. No objection. Application No. 1/07/19245/F Conservatory, etc at Bergamot, Chapel Lawn Road, had been granted.

PARISH PLAN
Nothing to report at present.

DAFFODIL LANE DEVELOPMENT
Mrs Edwards reported that the field was being well used, with various football matches being held. Funding may be available from the Shropshire FA for changing facilities. No grant was forthcoming from Shropshire Hills AONB, so other funding was being sought.

A hog roast will be held on 2 June. RoSPA had been booked to inspect the play areas in the village in June. BT Community Connections were to provide a computer to be sited in the Memorial Hall for use by members of the parish.

FINANCE
Appointment of Cheque Signatories. These were currently Mr Barnett, Mr W Davies and Mr T Hughes. Mr Hughes proposed from the chair that Mr Owen be a cheque signatory instead of Mr Barnett, seconded by Mrs Sharp, and agreed unanimously. Clerk passed the Mandate information to Mr Owen.

Mr P Davies to ask Mr W Davies to telephone the Chairman to say whether he wishes to remain as a signatory.

Review of Clerk’s Salary. Latest information not yet to hand.

Litter Pickers. Mr Cornes was invited to speak from the floor and said that his patch was from the village to the Lingen Bridge, and the speed of traffic was at times unnerving. Mr P Davies said he had access to a catalogue firm who supplied warning triangles, etc.

CORRESPONDENCE
Various items of information re: Model Code of Conduct. To Chairman.
SALC information re: seminars.
Postwatch letter re: Post Office Closures. To Chairman.

CHAIRMAN’S ITEMS
None.

ANY OTHER BUSINESS
Vacancy on the Parish Council. Chairman to contact Parish Councillors outwith this meeting re: co-option.


DATE AND VENUE FOR NEXT MEETING
The next meeting will be held on 5 June 2007 in Bucknell Memorial Hall at 7.30pm. South Shropshire Housing Association to give a presentation on the Housing Needs Survey.
It was proposed to hold the July meeting at Bedstone, possibly on 10 July, to avoid a meeting in August.

Revised: 25 November 2006