Minutes of the Parish Council Meeting held on Tuesday 4 December 2007

PRESENT
Mr T Hughes (Chairman), Mr I Owen (Vice Chairman), Mr C Savery, Mrs F Hughes. Mrs B Sharpe, Mr C Carter, Mr W Davies, District & County Councillor N Hartin, PC T Griffiths, CSO Ms S Eden.
10 members of the public.

PRESENTATION RE: LOCAL POLICING
The Chairman introduced PC Tim Griffiths, who reported that the Community Police Surgery held recently in Bucknell Memorial Hall had been well attended by members of the public. Local concerns had included dog fouling, parking on the school corner, and speeding traffic through the village, and where necessary, these had been followed up.

This year to date, 334 telephone calls had been made to the police, 98 from Bucknell, of which 2 required an immediate response. The few reported crimes had been of a minor nature, and Bucknell was a very safe place to live provided simple security measures were taken. Crimes in Bedstone had been limited to Bedstone College: theft of two mobile phones and an MP3 player.

PC Griffiths was also involved with the “Crucial Crew” awareness scheme for children which is run in Bridgnorth each year.

Mr Cornes asked whether the telephone number on the handout was the one for Neighbourhood Watch Co-ordinators. PC Griffiths confirmed that it was.

Mr Hartin asked about the proposed changes to the responsibilities of Community Support Officers. PC Griffiths confirmed that at present CSO’s had the same powers as members of the public, but the proposed introduction of increased powers would undermine the principle of CSO’s, namely to have a visible presence in rural areas, and was therefore regrettable.

The Chairman thanked PC Griffiths and CSO Eden, who then left the meeting.

OPEN DISCUSSION
Mr Hogg reported that there was a hole in the road between Upper House and Homeland in Chapel Lawn Road, possibly where a stop tap cover had been removed.

Mr Jackson said that a stop tap cover was jammed in Dog Kennel Lane at the bottom of Red Lane. These two problems to be reported to the relevant authority.

The two street lights had been repaired, but it was understood that another one at the far end of Chapel Lawn Road was not working.

Reorganisation of Primary Schools. Mr Hartin reported that the public consultation drew 1200 responses, of which 42 were in favour, the remainder against, or partly against. Nevertheless, the County Council would be going ahead. There was another public meeting planned for 6.30pm on Thursday at Craven Arms.

It was reported that five surface water drains outside the school were unsafe. It was not known whether the Church or the County Council Education Department were responsible.

Mr Jackson referred to the recent South Shropshire District Council publication, which was asking for suitable sites for affordable housing, and asked what was the current situation in Bucknell? Mr Hartin replied that this was unclear.

Allotments. Mrs Fraser said that should a plot for affordable housing be found, it may be possible to acquire an adjoining area for allotments.

A meeting had been held with Mr Hartin, and a meeting of the Allotments Society was scheduled for Thursday in the Memorial Hall.

The Chairman then closed the Open Meeting.

APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE

Mr P Davies, Mrs K Law.

DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST
None

MINUTES OF MEETING HELD 2 NOVEMBER 2007
Agreed unanimously and signed by the Chairman as a true and accurate record.

MATTERS ARISING
Allotments. Dealt with in the Open Meeting.

Land opposite The Tyndings. Mr Hartin reported that it was possible to find out who owned the land, but Mrs Caldebank had warned of possible implications. After discussion it was resolved unanimously on a show of hands that the Parish Council needed to establish the owner if this matter was to be taken forward. Mr Hartin to pursue.

Churchyard Wall. Chairman reported that this work had now been completed. The Lych Gate would be repaired and repainted next year. Les Morgan & Son had submitted an invoice for the agreed estimate of £7,425 + £1,299.37 VAT, total £8,724.37. Of this, a grant of £3,000 had been received from the Worshipful Company of Grocers. It was resolved unanimously on a show of hands that this be paid.

Mr W Davies said that Michael Stastieu (Sugar), had reported that his shed was not secure. Chairman said he had instructed Sugar to buy a padlock, etc, and the Parish Council would reimburse him.
 
PLANNING
Application No. 1/07/20164/F. Village hall, parking and access at Land at Daffodil Lane. Supported.
Application No. 1/07/19977/F. Extensions at Windy Hall had been granted. Affordable Housing Survey.

No information had been received since the SSHA’s presentation about three months ago, nor had anything been heard from the Craven Arms survey.

PARISH PLAN
Sample plans were now in the Post Office.

DAFFODIL LANE DEVELOPMENT
Miss Edwards reported that the main application for funding had had to be rearranged with assistance from the Shropshire Access Partnership. However, the build was no longer tied to a June 2008 deadline.

Mrs Edwards said that the football club was doing very well at present. A Food and Fun Quiz Evening was scheduled for 15 December at 7.30pm, tickets £5 each.

FINANCE
Account Balances were reported as:

Cheque to Ray Davies for £53.50 had been paid between meetings. This was approved by Councillors present.

It was approved unanimously on a show of hands to pay the following:

Review of Clerk’s Salary. Nationally agreed rates increased the Clerk’s salary from £1,225 to £1,254.40 per annum, backdated to 1.4.07. A sum of £19.18 backdated pay was therefore due. It was agreed unanimously on a show of hands that these be implemented.

Changes to Bank Mandate. More information was needed. To be sorted after this meeting.

CORRESPONDENCE
Notification from Shropshire County Council of the closure of the unclassified road at Higgins Bridge, Bedstone, from 21 January 2008 for two weeks in order to carry out bridge parapet repairs.

CHAIRMAN’S ITEMS
None.

ANY OTHER BUSINESS
Footpath from the church to the school near Woolacombe. Sign needed to be replaced.

Bench on the roadside by the school was broken and dangerous. Mr Carter to remove it tomorrow morning.

Horse Chestnut Tree by The Weir House. Chairman reported that this must be felled. It was not known whether it had the nationally reported disease of conker trees. Further enquiries to be made.

Grants of up to £3000 for Play Equipment. To be agenda’d next time.

DATE AND VENUE FOR NEXT MEETING
The next meeting will be held on Tuesday 8 January 2008 in Bucknell Memorial Hall at 7.30pm. The Precept will be decided at this meeting.

There being no further business the meeting closed at 9pm.