Minutes of the Parish Council Meeting held on Tuesday 2 November 2004
 
PRESENT
Mr K Barnett (Chairman, Mr T Hughes (Vice Chairman), Mr I Owen, Mr P Davies, Mr W Davies, Mrs B Sharpe, Mrs F Hughes, County Councillor N Hartin.


OPEN DISCUSSION
Traffic Calming
The Chairman informed the meeting that Mr Glyn Shaw from the County Council had been unable to attend tonight's meeting.  Mr Hartin tabled some plans from County re: lorry routes which were open for consultation.  This was a low key scheme and largely consisted of signage warning of the low bridge at Broome, the hope being that it would cut down the number of lorries through the village.

Mr Hartin said that two or more parishes could club together to buy a set of matrix signs, which could be moved around to cover a larger area. This would enable "speed check area" signs to be installed.  The Chairman said the most effective sign was the camera sign.

Mr Hughes asked whether it was possible to have the speed limit reduced to 20mph.  Mr Hartin replied that this was most unlikely.  Mr Cornes asked why the Police were involved in speed limits, Mr Hartin replied that there had to be a commitment to police speed limits and there was not the manpower to police further speed limits.

Mr Chambers said that there were cameras on the railway crossing, place there by Network Rail, to provide evidence of drivers who jump the lights.  It seems the railway hedge obscured the lights on the approach to the crossing.  The Chairman explained that the railway authority had wanted to replace the hedge with a wire fence, the Parish Council had objected, and offered to keep the hedge trimmed, which was done every year.  Mr Hughes offered to contact Mr Stead re: cutting the hedge.  It was considered that barriers would be preferable on the crossing.

Mr Glyn Shaw and a representative from the Police to be invited to the next Parish Council meeting, Mt Hartin to contact the Clerk outwith this meeting.

Other Matters
Mrs Evans reported that Weston Road had been swept thoroughly and was now satisfactory.

Mr Chambers acknowledged the Parish Council's letter thanking him for his work in the village, and had passed the letter on to the other members of his litter picking team.

Severn Trent were planning to implement a flood alleviation scheme which involved earthworks next to Belmont Garage.  Mr Hartin confirmed that no planning permission was required for this.  Chairman to write to Severn Trent seeking assurances re: any possible nuisance smell.

The Chairman then closed the Open Meeting.

APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE
Mrs K Law, Mr C Savery.

DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST
Mrs Sharpe declared a prejudicial interest in the planning application at Yew Tree Cottage.

Mr Owen declared a prejudicial interest in the planning application at 2 Sitwell Terrace.

MINUTES OF MEETING HELD 5 OCTOBER 2004
Agreed unanimously and signed by the Chairman as a true and accurate record.

MATTERS ARISING
Village Fete
The Chairman said that the accounts had now been prepared and circulated, and showed a very small balance to carry forward.  The reason for this was that no fund raising had taken place outside that of the fete itself.  Mr Hughes said that he and others had not been asked to help, the Chairman replied that this was an omission, but that some parishioners when asked, had refused quite strongly.

Bus Service from the Tyndings
No reply yet received from Whittles.

Hedgerow at the Causeway
Mr Caird from the District Council had written to say that it was not possible to put a tree preservation order on a hedge.  The Chairman said that hedgerow legislation did not apply to a domestic hedge, which this was.  Mr Chambers was invited to speak from the floor and reported that the soil level of the building site at The Causeway had been raised in an unsafe manner.

Posts around The Causeway
Chairman and Vice Chairman had received a quotation for £75 for labour and materials from Colin Carter to paint the posts.  In view of the deteriorating weather Mr Carter had been asked to proceed with the work.  This decision was endorsed by all Councillors present.

Weeds in Dog Kennel Lane
These had been hacked out by hand and swept up by the sweeping machine.

PLANNING
Application No. 1/04/16235/O Dwelling and garage at Yew Tree Cottage.  Mrs Sharpe left the room while this was discussed.  No objection with the proviso that the access onto the main road gave cause for concern, this being consistent with a previous application in this area.

Application No. 1/04/16281/F Extension at 2 Sitwell Terrace.  Mr Owen left the room while this was discussed.  No objection
 
The following applications had been granted:
No. 1/04/16199/F Extension and alterations at Redlake Cottage.
No. 1/04/16051/F Conservatory, garage, brick skin, etc at 15 Weston Road.
No. 1/04/16132/F Underground liquid propane tank and access at Orchard Cottage, Mynd.

Application No. 1/04/16174/O Dwelling and access adjacent to Sitwell Arms has been refused.

School Governor's Report
No meeting had yet been held.

Daffodil Lane Development
Mr Hogg reported that notification was still awaited regarding grant application.
The Chairman said he would need to sign the Lease at the Solicitor's office for technical reasons.
Mr Hogg was asked to produce a forward projection for income and expenditure, with particular reference to maintenance costs.

Switch in Shropshire
Mr Hogg reported that another meeting was to be help on 15 November, to which any interested parties were invited.

The Chairman reported that County Highways had agreed to pay to have Daffodil Lane widened to provide better access to the small field and would discuss the progress of works following removal of the hedgerow.  The issue of the BT pole was still to be resolved.

FINANCE
It was agreed unanimously to pay the following: 

Revised: 14 December 2004