Minutes of the Parish Council Meeting held on Tuesday 4 September 2006

PRESENT
Mr T Hughes (Chairman), Mr C Carter, Mrs F Hughes, Mrs B Sharpe, Mr P Davies. District & County Councillor N Hartin. 9 members of the public.
The Chairman opened the meeting by welcoming our new Parish Councillor, Mr Colin Carter.

OPEN DISCUSSION
Mr Cornes mentioned the silt and other materials which built up in thr river and asked whose responsibility it was to keep the river clear. It appeared the Environment Agency was responsible, but did not dredge it out now because of the crayfish, but the recent floods caused damage because of the lack of dredging. Mrs Edwards said the County Council had been out to take photographs. The Chairman suggested there should be a policy of clearing under the bridges. Mr Hartin said that was the problem at the Ludlow bridge which collapsed and would ask the Environment Agency to carry out a survey of the river. Mrs Parker had heard that the Environment Agency were to clear out under the bridges every year. Chairman to write to the Environment Agency.

Mr Chambers said that two lots of graffiti on the station had been cleaned off very quickly.

The Chairman had had a visit from PC Griffiths who was in charge of Partners and Community Together (PACT). The County had been divided into Wards and Bucknell was in the Craven Arms Rural West Ward. Community Police Officers would be holding evening surgeries in the Memorial Hall and asked that two members of the Parish Council also be present. The first surgery was scheduled for 20 September from 6-8pm.

Speed Guns. Mr Hartin said that 15 parishioners would be required but it should be possible to get that number of people. The Police would write a warning letter to any offending driver.

Mrs Edwards asked whether it would be possible to have a "concealed entrance" sign at Daffodil Lane. Mr Hartin to pursue.

The Chairman then closed the Open Discussion.

APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE

Mr I Owen (Vice Chairman), Mr C Savery, Mr W Davies.
Edit - Mrs K Law

DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST
None

MINUTES OF MEETING HELD 10 JULY 2007
Agreed unanimously and signed by the Chairman as a true and accurate record.

MATTERS ARISING
Tree in the river had been cleared.

Allotments Mr Graves had written to the Chairman following the recent meeting of interested parties, but their list of requirements for a suitable piece of land was very demanding. Mr Hartin would help to find a site.

Land opposite The Tyndings Nothing to report at present.

Dog Warden Miss Doran was unable to attend the October meeting and would be invited to the November meeting.

Churchyard Wall Chairman had obtained a £3,000 grant towards its reconstruction from the Worshipful Company of Grocers. Chairman suggested this work should now include the lych gate for which two quotations would be sought.

Speed of Traffic past the Timber Yard Mr Hartin said there was no money available to take this forward at present, but would ask Mr Glyn Shaw to schedule another monitoring exercise as soon as possible.
 
PLANNING
Application No. 1/07/19783/F Extension at Wheatsheaf House had been received between meetings and no comment made. This decision was endorsed by those present.
Application No. 1/07/19835/F Conservatory at Misty Meadows. No objection.
Appeal re: Yew Tree Cottage. Mrs Sharpe declared a personal interest. This appeal had been withdrawn and the file closed.

The following applications had been granted:
No. 1/07/19528/LB Garden room extension at 8 Red House, Bedstone.
Nos. 1/07/19591/F & 1/07/19592/LB Open sided canopy etc at The Baron of Beef.

Affordable Housing Survey. Chairman was still awaiting the correct figures from Mr Paul Sutton at South Shropshire Housing Association, and had also received no information from the Craven Arms survey.

PARISH PLAN
Still ongoing.

DAFFODIL LANE DEVELOPMENT
Mrs Edwards reported that applications were still being for grant funding. The Chairman mentioned raising a penny rate. Clerk to out how much this would raise.

FINANCE
Cheque Signatories. The Bank required a different Mandate Form to be completed, Clerk to organise.

Account Balances were reported as:

It was approved unanimously to pay the following:

Chairman would get the cheques countersigned.

Forward Budget Plan
Copies distributed to those Councillors present.

Review of Clerk's Salary
Information not to hand.

Accounts to year ended 31.3.07
UHY Hacker Young had sent back the Annual Return for amendment, which had been completed, and returned to UHY.

CORRESPONDENCE
South Shropshire District Council letter + enclosure re: Play Chest Grant Scheme. Possibly for the School Garden Play Area? Clerk to request an application form.

Shropshire County Council letter + enclosures re: Rural Bus Services - Stakeholder Consultation. Mrs Sharpe to assess.

Hope House Children's Hospices letter requesting donation. After discussion Mrs Sharpe proposed a donation of £50, seconded by Mrs Hughes and approved unanimously.

Cllr Peter Phillips letter + enclosures re: A South West Shropshire Regeneration Company. Mr Hart in explained the background and said this would be considered shortly.

Mr Philip Dunne MP letter re: Big Lottery Fund.

SCC letter re: locally based discussion meeting 8.10.07 at the SPARC Centre, Bishops Castle.

SSDC letter re: Licensing Act 2003 - Policy Review.

SCC letter + enclosure re: Road Closure - unclassified road from Stowebridge Junction at Stowe end of Weston Road to junction with B4367 at Bucknell - 6 weeks from 10.9.07.

SSDC letter + enclosure re: Review of Boundaries/Extent of Conservation Areas. To Chairman.

Shaping Health letter requesting volunteers for Patient and Public Involvement (PPI) Forums for NHS Trusts. To Chairman.

SCC letter + enclosed Local Highway Maintenance Plan 2007-2008. To Chairman.

SCC letter re: Walking for Life.

SCC Countryside Access Strategy document.

CHAIRMAN’S ITEMS
None.

ANY OTHER BUSINESS
Sweeping of Byroads. Mr Hartin said that if a specific problem existed the relevant authority would come and clear it up. There was a deal of moraine on the Mynd following the rain. Chairman to telephone.

Flooding on the Bedstone Road. It appears this was caused by a collapsed soakaway. At some point the road would have to be closed so that it could be dug up.

DATE AND VENUE FOR NEXT MEETING
The next meeting will be held on Tuesday 2 October 2007 in Bucknell Memorial Hall at 7.30pm.

There being no further business the meeting closed at 9.20pm.

Revised: 06 November 2007