Minutes of the Parish Council Meeting held on Tuesday 2 September 2008

PRESENT
Mr T Hughes (Chairman), Mr I Owen (Vice Chairman), Mrs B Sharpe, Mr C Carter, Mr C Savery, Mrs K Law, Mr P Davies.
10 members of the public.

OPEN DISCUSSION
Mrs Evans asked whether the Parish Council had heard from Severn Trent as their employees had dug up the new surface in Weston Road, and an elderly resident had had her water cut off, among other problems. The Chairman asked Mrs Evans to write down all the details so that a letter could be sent from the Parish Council.

Mr Jackson said that the new road surface had created puddles where there were none before, and that this could cause problems in the winter.

Mr Carter was thanked for replacing the posts around the Causeway.

Mr Hogg had spoken to the Community Service Officer, who had said she was leaving, and Mr Hogg suggested that a letter of thanks be sent. The Chairman replied that the Parish Council were not aware that the CSO was leaving, and hoped that a replacement would be appointed.

Mrs Edwards reported that cars associated with No. 1 The Square had been parking awkwardly in the area, but Highways Department at the County Council had decided not to pursue this matter.

Mrs Edwards said that a Roadshow held by the South Shropshire Housing Association had been held at Daffodil Lane recently.

The Chairman tabled a plan from Mrs Rachel Eardley showing the redevelopment of the play area by the school. A copy of the plan had been put on the notice board. Volunteers were required on Sunday 7 September to help remove the old equipment. Miss Edwards said that the RoSPA inspection of the play area had taken place and the Parish Council had been billed for this.

Mr Hartin said there had been problems with Bucknell school children being on different buses, however this had been resolved and all children from the village now travelled on the same bus.

The Chairman then closed the Open Meeting.

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

DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST
None.

MINUTES OF MEETING HELD 5 AUGUST 2008
Mr Carter said he had been present at this meeting, and the Minutes were amended accordingly. Subject to this correction, the Minutes were agreed unanimously and signed by the Chairman as a true and accurate record.

MATTERS ARISING
School Garden Play Area. Dealt with during the Open Discussion.

Allotments. Negotiations were ongoing re: two possible sites.

Land opposite The Tyndings. Nothing to report at present.

Village sewerage system/Water supply. Mrs Evans was invited to speak from the floor and said that there was still a smell along Weston Road, and that it seemed to be associated with heavy rain.

Trees. Chairman to arrange for a Tree Surgeon to examine the Coronation Oak at Bedstone. Clerk to write to the Tree Officer.
The tree at the junction of Chapel Lawn Road and Dog Kennel Lane was the responsibility of Shropshire County Council. A report had been done on the tree, as a result of which it had been heavily pruned in the hope that this may save the tree. Situation to be monitored.

Seat in Chapel Lawn Road. Mr Carter had removed this, complete with the four iron spikes. It was hoped to replace the seat later in the year.

Bedstone Notice Board. Mr Savery had applied for a grant for 50% of the cost and the remaining £350 would have to be paid. It was suggested that an application be made to the Parish Council.

ROADS
Street light half way down the Causeway was flickering. Clerk to report this.

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

PLANNING
There were no applications for consideration.

The following applications had been granted:
No. 1/08/20918/F New chimney at Orchard Cottage, Mynd.
Nos. 1/08/20759/F & 1/08/20760/LB Walk-in freezer at Bedstone Court.
No. 1/08/20842/TC Tree works at Brambles, Bedstone.

Application No. 1/08/20958/TP Section dismantle a beech tree to ground level. The Parish Council had objected to the proposed felling of this tree, and the tree works approval granted was for the removal of branches only, to give clearance of the electrical cables. Mr Cornes was invited to speak from the floor and said that the wall was bulging out at this point.

PARISH PLAN
Mr Jackson reported that the £2,000 given by the Community Council had been reduced by £500 because of the Scrutiny exercise.

No further meeting of the Steering Group had been held since the last Parish Council meeting.

The flyer was being finalised, and would contain the names of all the members of the Steering Group.

Public meetings were being planned for 27 September: 10am Bedstone, and 2pm Bucknell, also 2 October 7pm Bucknell Memorial Hall.

DAFFODIL LANE DEVELOPMENT
Mrs and Miss Edwards reported that grants were still being applied for – there were lots of “little pots” of money to be had. The main application for £298,000 was to Advantage West Midlands, which had a meeting scheduled for next Tuesday.

The Chairman thanked the Steering Group, and in particular Mrs and Miss Edwards for their tireless work.

The Chairman suggested that a notice be placed at Daffodil Lane: “Site of the new Village Hall”, or similar wording.

FINANCE
Account balances were reported as:

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

It was further agreed on a show of hands: 6 in favour:

Mr Carter declared a personal and prejudicial interest and left the room while this was discussed.

Incoming:

To be ring fenced for the creation of the Parish Plan.

CORRESPONDENCE
West Mercia Constabulary letter re: raising money for Crimestoppers. It was agreed to make a donation of £25.

Letter from Mr John Hodges re: reprint of his book “Bedstone Court – The Story of a Calendar House”.

Shropshire County Council letter + enclosed Countryside Access Strategy for Shropshire 2008 – 2018. To Post Office, then the information desk at the garage.

SCC letter re: Bus Fares (SCC subsidised routes) – Proposed increases. To Post Office.

SCC letter + enclosed notices and cards re: Local Bus Services, ShropshireLink. . . Roadshows. To Post Office.

Shropshire Waste Partnership letter + enclosures re: local Standing Conferences. To Post Office.

Shrewsbury & Atcham Borough Council letter + survey re: Parking enforcement levels.

ANY OTHER BUSINESS
None.

DATE AND VENUE FOR NEXT MEETING
The next meeting will be held on Tuesday 7 October 2008 in Bucknell Memorial Hall at 7.30pm.

There being no further business the meeting closed at 8.50pm.