Minutes of the Parish Council Meeting held on Tuesday 5 August 2008

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

OPEN DISCUSSION
Mrs Evans said that Weston Road had been resurfaced, and was much better.

Mrs Evans also reported that numbers 1 to 6 Weston Road were having problems with the sewerage system, and it was understood that Environmental Health was now involved.

Mr Savery said that the Coronation Oak tree at Bedstone was in a poor condition. Chairman to arrange for the tree surgeon to investigate. The Chairman also said that a tree in Chapel Lawn Road needed attention. It was understood Mr Eddie Price was the owner – Chairman to speak to him. Clerk to write to the Tree Officer re: these two items.

Mr Chambers said that the trees on the corner of Dog Kennel Lane were subject to Tree Preservation Orders. Clerk to check the relevant planning application.

It was believed that the tree on the corner by Weir House had been planted in 1926.

The Chairman then closed that Open Meeting.

APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE
Mrs K Law, Mrs F Hughes, Mr W Davies.

DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST
None.

MINUTES OF ANNUAL PARISH COUNCIL MEETING HELD 1 JULY 2008
Agreed unanimously and signed by the Chairman as a true and accurate record.

MATTERS ARISING
School Garden Play Area. An invoice from Active Garden Ltd in the sum of £3,697.50 plus £647.06 VAT had been received, being the 50% payment in advance as required. This would be refunded almost immediately by the District Council. It was agreed on a show of hands that this be paid.

Allotments. Mrs Fraser reported that land had been offered for allotments, which was outside the village and therefore would have problems with rabbits and deer. It would be preferable to have some land more in the centre of the village. It was hoped to have the land this autumn to enable work to be done in readiness for planting in the spring.
Bucknell Allotments Society had been featured in the quarterly national leisure gardens magazine, with an article and photograph. Alan Titchmarsh had also sent his best wishes.

Land opposite The Tyndings. Nothing to report at present.

Village Sewerage System. Still causing problems. The Chairman said this must be resolved before any further developments were built.

ROADS
Highways Department had marked where work needed to be done.

Bedstone to Bucknell Road. Mr Hartin to deal with this matter at the appropriate time.

Hedge by the Railway Station. Nothing to report at present. Clerk to chase.

Resurfacing of Weston Road. Has been done and was much improved.

PLANNING
Application No. 1/08/20971/LB Installation of a woodburner, etc, at Weir House, Bucknell. Supported.

Application No. 1/08/21027/TC Tree works at Bedstone College. Supported.

Application No. 1/08/20958/TP Section dismantling of a beech tree at The Old Coach Houses, Bucknell. Councillors requested an inspection by the County Tree Specialist and there were grave doubts that this work was required.

Application No. 1/08/20918/F New chimney on gable wall at Orchard Cottage, Mynd. Supported.

Application No. 1/08/20922/F Ten affordable dwellings on Nursery Site, Weston Road, Bucknell. Mr P Davies declared a personal interest. After discussion it was resolved to object to this application for the following reasons:
The need for 10 affordable dwellings had not been proven owing to errors in the Housing Needs Survey.
Weston Road was designated a Narrow Road which in many parts did not allow for two cars to pass.
The proposed development was 1.2 miles (round trip) from the main road (B4367) at the railway station and the bus stop. There were no pavements. It was a little further to the centre of the village (school, church, and the IT computer point at the garage). It was 3 miles (round trip) to the recreation ground.
It would be necessary for households to have two cars, particularly as there were few opportunities for employment in the village, with the corresponding increase in carbon emissions and the increasing cost of petrol and car ownership in general which would have implications for family budgets.
The village sewerage system was at its limits and a further 10 houses would overload the system to such an extent that blockages would be even more frequent than they were now, particularly where the sewer on Weston Road decreased in size at the western end where it passed through the gardens of private houses.
The proposed site was outside the village envelope.
The construction of 10 or more (this was only the first phase of the plans) two storey houses in this location would have significant impact on the rural and visual environment.

Application No. 1/08/20842/TC Tree works at Brambles, Bedstone, had been granted.

Application No. 1/08/20695/OE New electricity pole at land adjacent to Old Coach Houses, Bucknell. The Planning Department had resolved to raise no objection.

PARISH PLAN
The Steering Group had met twice and the Sub Group had met once.

The flyer to be delivered to every house in the parish was in final draft.

Everyone in the parish would be invited to one of three meetings to take place in September and early October, the purpose being to glean information from parishioners. The text would be agreed with the Parish Council before distribution.
The aim was to complete the Parish Plan by summer next year.

The Chairman requested that copies of the Minutes be available in the Post Office.

DAFFODIL LANE DEVELOPMENT
Funding was still being sought, but there were considerable problems fulfilling the requirements.

FINANCE
Account balances were reported as:

Settlement of accounts:
It was agreed unanimously on a show of hands to pay the following: