BISHAMPTON AND THROCKMORTON PARISH COUNCIL

Minutes of the Meeting of the Council held on Monday 2nd October 2006 at the Villages Hall, Bishampton

Members and Officers present: Mr D Cheetham (Chairman), Mrs T Gilligan, Mrs B Lammas (from 8.15pm), Mr M Argyle (from 8.25pm), Mr E Beever (from 8.30pm) and Mrs C.Morris (Clerk).

The council went into open session before the meeting, details of which are below.

The meeting opened at 8.30pm

06.10.01 Apologies for absence.
Apologies were received from Cllr Carter, who was away, Cllr Chadwick, who was at work and Cllr Tucker, who had another commitment.

06.10.02 Declarations of interest
There were no declarations of interest.

06.10.03 To approve the minutes of the meeting 4th September 2006.
The minutes were approved and signed.

06.10.04 Finance

06.10.04.01 To note receipts to the Parish Council
The following receipts were noted

• Severn Trent Water – Water Services Refund £33.76 (from Throckmorton Parish Room).

06.10.04.02 To approve the statement of cash reconciliation for 28th Sept 2006.
The cash reconciliation indicated that the council holds £5,374.95 in the current account and £24,660 in the deposit account. This brings the total cash assets of the Parish Council to £30,035.03 (£29,766.54 after all cheques cashed).
The clerk had received notice that the second precept payment of £9,015.00 was due to be transferred into the current account this week, which she will transfer into the deposit account as previously agreed. ACTION Clerk

06.10.04.03 To approve outstanding invoices for payment

• Limebridge Rural Services (September mowing of amenity areas) - £234.41. ACTION Clerk
• Worcestershire CALC (Clerk’s training – One-to-One session and Foundation Course) £141.62. ACTION Clerk

06.10.04.04 To approve the acting Clerk’s expenses for August 2006
Expenses of £58.22 were approved.

06.10.05 Planning

Councillors noted their planning committee’s response to the following applications:

06.10.05.01 W/06/01462 Proposed extensions to rear to form bedroom, en suite and enlarged living room and kitchen. Churchfields, Church End, Bishampton, WR10 2LT
- No Comment

06.10.05.02 W/06/01488 Proposed new vehicular access. Wenville, Broad Lane, Bishampton, WR10 2LY
- Although councilors regretted the loss of the boundary hedge which forms an important part of the street scene of Broad Lane, no objection was raised if the alteration was necessary on safety grounds.

06.10.05.03 W/06/01308 Conservatory to rear and extension to side/rear to provide garden room. Rosedene, Abberton Road, Bishampton, WR10 2LU.
- No objection

06.10.05.04 W/06/01459 Extensions to provide a dining room, garage and two further bedrooms. Shachs, Abberton Road, Bishampton, WR10 2LU
- Councillors felt that the planned extension was:

a) disproportionate in relation to the front of the property and
b) that the design appears out of keeping with the front of the building.

06.10.05.05 W/06/01402 Two storey extension to the front of the existing building forming 8 new bedrooms. Willow Bank House, Long Lane, Tilesford, WR10 2LA.
- The parish council objects to the proposal on the following grounds:-

• The scale of the development. The new application still represents a significant overdevelopment of the site, proposing a building both practically and aesthetically too large. The development will have a large visual impact and adversely affect neighbouring households, resulting in an unbalanced and domineering design, as seen from Long Lane and Tilesford. The first extension plans, which have already been agreed, will also increase the bulk of the building, resulting in a significant change overall.
• Councillors also sympathise with local residents who have voiced their concerns about overdevelopment of the site in terms of extra traffic, parking conditions and the inability of the sewer system to cope with any increase in numbers.
• It is believed that the figure of four extra cars per day could be an underestimate, and cause problems because there is no parking control and often vulnerable people walking in the driveway. Furthermore, there is an issue of car parking as the overspill parking area on the east side of the access road is DeFRA land and it is not known if there has been any agreement reached as regards long-term parking.
• The planned changes at Willow Bank will also see the proportion of mentally infirm rise from 28% to 68%, according to members’ information, which, while members realise may not be a planning concern, will nonetheless alter the balance of the home and the nature and sustainability of the community.
• Councillors also wanted to point out that there are no secure boundaries between the home and the neighbouring road system to keep vulnerable residents safe and that there has also been concern that while the numbers of residents will increase, the lounge areas will reduce with the new plans.

06.10.05.06 W/06/01548 Temporary stationing of mobile home for accommodation of fishery manager, ancillary store and wcs plus removal of condition 8 of consent w/04/00426 (ie no time restrictions upon use of fishing lake) to allow night time fishing. Vale Golf & Country Club, Hill Furze Road, Bishampton, WR10 2LZ.
-The parish council feels that there is nothing in this new application to change its position of objection to these plans.
It stands by its previous objections, supports the district council in its previous decision of refusal.

Previous objections were as follows:

• Accommodation and store:
• As the business is not yet operational, there is no validity to the necessity of these facilities.
• As fishery is not agriculture, temporary accommodation is not recognised under the same policies.
• We question the fact that security is not adequate and point out that planning policy states it is not a reason to position a mobile home on a rural site.

Night fishing:

• The justification to change this condition is weak and does not outweigh the original reason for making it a condition of approval.

06.10.05.07 To make comment on planning applications

• W/06/01545/ Loft converstion and refurbishment of existing bungalow. The Rhyddings, Main Street, Bishampton. WR10 2LX
  Councillors had no objection to the plans. ACTION Clerk
  
• W06/1402 Two-storey extension to the front of the existing building forming eight new bedrooms. Willow Bank House, Long Lane, Tilesford.
  The council decided to stand by its previous objections to the development. ACTION Clerk

06.10.05.08 To receive reports on planning decisions by Wychavon District Council.

• W/06/01277 One-bedroomed single-storey annexe, Hayes Farm, Hill Furze Road, Bishampton.
  It was noted that this had been passed by Wychavon planners.

06.10.06 To hear news regarding enforcement matters at the fishing lake at the Vale Golf and Country Club (further to minute 06.09.07.03)
The parish council noted the letters sent from parishioners to the planning department but it was confirmed that enforcement would cease while a new planning application was going through the planning process. Councillors agreed to keep monitoring the situation.

06.10.07 To consider applications for co-option to the council.
Mr Jon Morrison was the only candidate and was proposed by Cllr Gilligan, seconded by Cllr Lammas and was elected with one abstention, from his neighbour Cllr Argyle. Clerk to supply Mr Morrison with forms to be signed and a new councillor information pack in readiness for the November meeting. ACTION Clerk

06.10.08 To hear an update on parking issues surrounding garages in Babylon Lane, Bishampton, reported by residents (06.09.07.03).
The council agreed to ask the district planning enforcement officer to investigate whether any breaches of planning conditions had been made. ACTION Clerk

06.10.09 To hear an update regarding direction signs to the Vale Golf Club and the Villages Hall (06.09.09)
The council heard the signs are now in place.

06.10.10 To consider any response from the owner of Bishampton Stores to the parish council’s letter offering assistance (06.09.10). The clerk reported that Mr Osborne had indicated he did not wish to take up the council’s offer at this time.

06.10.11 To hear an update on tenders for the removal of equipment and clearance of the Junior Play Area at Bishampton Villages Hall (06.09.11).
Tenders have been sent out, with a new deadline of October 31st for quotes.

06.10.12 To hear an update regarding the status of Willow Bank Residential Home in Tilesford (06.09.12).
Councillors are following the progress of the planned extension and are in continued contact with residents. See planning above.

06.10.13 To review the status of the council’s risk management schedule (06.09.13).
Any progress to be reported at the next meeting.

06.10.14 To hear from Cllr Cheetham regarding chairmanship of the council (06.09.14)
Cllr Cheetham gave notice of his intention to resign as chairman so members had the chance to consider re-electing Cllr Carter, or another member, to the position at the next meeting.

06.10.15 To hear from Cllr Chadwick about the Rights of Way Improvement Plan for Worcestershire.
The item was adjourned until a time when Cllr Chadwick was able to report. ACTION Cllr Chadwick

06.10.16 To receive reports from councillors and items for future agendas.
County Councillor Liz Tucker attended the meeting and reported on:-

a) The progress of the policy document concerning the science park plans for Throckmorton Airfield: This consultation document will give people the chance to give their views on the development scheme and its possible access routes. CCllr Tucker urged villagers to study it carefully. It is due to be distributed later this month. Clerk will distribute to councillors as soon as received. ACTION Clerk

b) The state of the roads in Throckmorton: CCllr Tucker revealed that Throckmorton village roads were on the county council improvements programme for this year but she feared the programme may be delayed.

c) Budget cuts: The county council is meeting soon to consider ways in which to save £7m in next year’s budget.

She also informed the council that building work on the new Throckmorton parish room was on schedule and if all goes to plan it should be finished by the end of October.

06.10.17 To consider any further items of correspondence.
Litter bins 1: Cllr Carter’s correspondence with the Head of Community Services at Wychavon District Council regarding the emptying of litter bins in Bishampton has resulted in an offer of extra or larger bins. Councillors will consider this for the next meeting.

Litter bins 2: Mr Mark Hartshorne wrote to the council to report that the bin outside the Dolphin was missing. Clerk to investigate. Action clerk.

Citizens Advice Bureau: Paul Sutton, Chairman of Wychavon CAB, wrote to ask to be considered for a grant. To be placed on next month’s agenda.

Bishampton Gardening Club: Members have planted bulbs as requested by the council and are asking the council to reimburse their costs (likely to be less than £40). To be agreed at next meeting.

Wychavon Citizens Advice Bureau: The CAB asked the parish council to consider a donation to help fund its services in the Vale. To be considered at the next meeting.

Breathing Spaces Campaign: The council noted that National Lottery funds are available for people wishing to improve or create new community open spaces.

06.10.18 To affirm the date of the next meeting of the Parish Council.
The date of the next meeting was agreed as Monday, November 6th, at 7.30pm at the Villages Hall, Bishampton.

The meeting closed at 9.37pm.

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Chairman Date

Clerk to the Council Mrs C.Morris

Notes on the Open Session preceding the Council Meeting

• Local Policing Officer PC Pete Davey attended the meeting and said he was always keen to hear from parishioners with concerns. He said he is also busy compiling a Beat Profile of key contacts in the area. Anyone who wants to be included on the profile or would like to talk to him can contact him on 08457 444888 Ext 3404 or email peter.davey@westmercia.pnn.police.uk.
  
• Wychavon District Council Housing Development Officer Frances Evans visited the parish to ‘raise awareness of the need for affordable housing for people with a local connection to the parish’. She spoke briefly about various affordable housing scheme options, like shared equity properties, which could be considered if a need was identified in the area – and how such schemes could be successful in helping local people continue to live in the area they grew up in, helping sustain the community for the future. She said the last figures on housing need in Bishampton were complied in December 1999 and so asked the council to consider packaging and distributing a new survey, (provided by Wychavon free of charge), to help paint a more accurate picture of the type of need in the parish now and over the next five years. She stressed that any affordable housing schemes could linked in to village need via a Section 106 Agreement. This would mean parish people would be top of the list for the houses, then the area could be expanded to neighbouring villages and then in area bands from then on. The council took the points on board and will make a decision on whether to press ahead with a survey when it meets in November.