MEETING - December 2004


Minutes of the Parish Council Meeting held on Tuesday 7 December 2004

PRESENT
Mr K Barnett (Chairman), Mr T Hughes (Vice Chairman), Mr I Owen, Mr P Davies, Mrs K Law, Mr C Savery, County Councillor N Martin.

OPEN DISCUSSION
The Chairman reported on the recent traffic survey which had been carried out from 15th to 22nd November. Two sites had been involved, one by the garage and one near Ladywell. The average 24 hour volume was 608 towards Hopton Castle and 591 towards Knighton. 3.5% were HGV/PSV’s. A discussion followed. Mr Martin reported on the site meeting with the representative from the District Council.

Mrs Jackson said that a large tractor had been depositing muck along Weston Road.

Mr Gooding asked whether it was possible to have the footpaths in the parish better defined, and also if dog- friendly stiles could be provided.

Mr Hartin reported that the steps opposite the church were being replaced.

Mr Chambers reported that his team had carried out a litter pick last Wednesday. The Chairman thanked Mr Chambers for organising this.

The Chairman then closed the Open Discussion.

APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE
Mr W Davies, Mrs F Hughes, Mrs B Sharpe.

DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST
None.

MINUTES OF MEETING HELD 2 NOVEMBER 2004
Agreed unanimously and signed by the Chairman as a true and accurate record.

MATTERS ARISING
The Chairman read out a proposed letter to Network Rail regarding the safety of the level crossing, stating the Parish Council’s concerns and asking that automatic barriers be installed. This was approved unanimously.

Severn Trent. Work next to the garage appears to be satisfactory.

Notice Boards Mr Cohn Carter had quoted £130 for two notice boards on the existing posts. It was considered that the posts should be replaced also. Mr Hughes was not keen on metal posts. Mr Carter had quoted £575 in total and if was agreed unanimously to go ahead on this basis, and also to obtain a notice board for Bedstone if possible. It was thought more concrete slabs at the Chapel Lawn Road notice board would be advantageous.

Hedges in the village have now been cut.

Mr Savery asked why the Bedstone road flooded so badly. Mr Hartin had reported this and would chase it up.

Churchyard Walls. Mr Owen reported that work would start on 4 January 2005.

PLANNING
Application No. 1/04/16422/F Retrospective application for a 2 metre high boundary fence and gates at Two Hoots, Bucknell.
It was understood an enforcement order had been issued by the District Council.
No objection, but with the comment that the new fence replaced a low black wicket fence, not a high fence as the Applicant stated.
 
Application No. 1/04/16281/F Extension at 2 Sitwell Terrace had been granted.

SCHOOL GOVERNOR’S REPORT
This item to be deleted as the Parish Council was no longer represented on the Board of Governors.
Letter had been received from the PTA via the School Secretary asking for a grant towards the replacement of the front fence which it was hoped would be match funded by the Craven Arms Initiative. Mrs Evans was invited to speak from the floor and said that wrought iron panels, each costing £100 were planned. After discussion Mr P Davies proposed that, subject to the Chairman and Vice Chairman obtaining further details tomorrow, the Parish Council make a grant of up to £500 for this project. This was seconded by Mrs Law and agreed unanimously on a show of hands.

NEIGHBOURHOOD WATCH
Chairman to print the leaflets as soon as possible.

DAFFODIL LANE DEVELOPMENT
Mr Hogg reported that a grant had been obtained on the Hall site and the survey was now taking place. The Field site had had technical problems which it was hoped were now sorted out. Mr Rutherford from County Highways had agreed to widen the road in this financial year and also improve the drainage. BT pole still to be moved.

Help was needed this Saturday to plant bulbs and cut the grass.

Mrs Edwards detailed the running costs for the next 3 to 4 years and said that some of this was covered by a Countryside Agency grant. The sale of the existing Memorial Hall site would raise in excess of £50,000, this could not be used as capital but would be invested to provide income to cover the running costs. A contribution from the Parish Council would be requested, since this was a community project.

The Chairman had received notification from Miss Humphreys at the Planning Department that it was in order to remove the hedgerow as required for the highway work.

Lease. First parcel of land — field site. It was agreed unanimously on a show of hands that the Chairman sign the Lease on behalf of the Parish Council.

FINANCE
It was agreed unanimously to pay the following:

Bucknell Memorial Hall (hire for meetings)

£25.00

 
Crime Prevention/Crucial Crew £21.00  


Precept 2005/06
The Clerk tabled an estimate of future expenditure, which was discussed. Mr Barnett proposed from the chair that a Precept of £7,000 be requested, seconded by Mr Hughes and agreed unanimously on a show of hands.

C
ORRESPONDENCE
Standards Board letter + enclosed guidance booklets re: Lobby Groups, etc. Distributed to those Councillors present.
South Shropshire District Council letter + enclosure re: Registering of Interests and Freemasonry.
SSDC letter + enclosure re: Tourism Strategy.
SSDC letter re: Community Safety.
South Shropshire Community Safety Partnership questionnaire re: Safety Audit and Strategy. Chairman to complete on behalf of the Parish Council.
Shropshire Hills AONB “News & Views”.
South Shropshire Partnership letter re: Opportunity Fund. To Mr Hogg.

CHAIRMAN’S ITEMS
A “Switch on Shropshire” meeting had been held last night.
Five laptops had been allocated to Bucknell as from the last week in January. A Co-ordinator was needed, Mrs Marion Barnett was kindly helping out temporarily.

ANY OTHER BUSINESS
None.

DATE AND VENUE FOR NEXT MEETING
The next meeting will be held on Tuesday 4 January 2005 in Bedstone and Hopton Castle village hail at 7.3Opm. Mr Savery to book the hall.

There being no further business the meeting closed at 9.3Opm.

 

Revised: 05 January 2005