BISHAMPTON AND THROCKMORTON PARISH COUNCIL

Minutes of the Meeting of the Council held on Monday 3rd November 2008 at the Villages Hall, Bishampton

Members and Officers present: Mr D Cheetham, Mr M Argyle, Mr J Morrison and Mrs C Morris (Clerk).

In attendance: Cllr Liz Tucker (WDC, WCC).

The meeting opened at 7.30pm and adjourned to hear a special report from Cllr Liz and to hear from Mrs Jo Fairclough and from Mr Steve Osborne. See attached note.

The meeting reopened at 8.27pm.

ADMIN

1. To receive apologies and to approve the reason for absence
Apologies were received and accepted from Cllr Baldwin, who was away on holiday, Cllr Burtoft, who was working away, Cllr Tucker and Cllr Mills, who could not attend for personal reasons and Cllr Day who was in hospital.

2. To record: a) Declarations of Interest (Personal & Prejudicial) and b) Any changes to be notified to the Register of Interest and Gifts & Hospitability
Cllr Argyle declared an interest as a member of the junior playground committee.

3. To approve the minutes of the Parish Council Meeting of Oct 6th 2008
The minutes were approved and signed as a true record of proceedings.

NEW ITEMS

4. To consider updates regarding flood alleviation work in the parish and any further flooding issues
The chairman reported on the meeting with Mr Hegarty at Wychavon attended by himself, Cllr Baldwin and Cllr Tucker. Mr Hegarty had not yet sent a response with mention of a timescale for Bishampton works. It was agreed that the clerk should write another letter to Mr Hegarty to thank him but remind him that the parish expects some action very soon. Action Clerk

5. To consider a request for a dog bin at the Gunnings Lane/Church End junction
Councillors read a letter received from a resident suggesting that a dog bin was sited in Gunnings Lane in an effort to reduce fouling in that area. Members agreed one should be installed in that area. Clerk to arrange. Action Clerk

6. To consider a request for warning signs to make the roads safer for horse riders
Members agreed to write to the county council and ask for horse rider warning signs to be installed at the north and east of the village. Action Clerk

REGULAR ITEMS

7. Finance

7.1. To note any receipts
None

7.2. To approve the statement of cash reconciliation for October 2008.
The council paid out £1,020.60 from its current account in October and received no income, which left a total of £11,388.27 in its current account. It received £33.34 in interest in its savings account, bringing its total to £15,674.67. This meant the council total cash assets, at the statement date of October 24th, stood at £27,062.94.

7.3. To approve outstanding invoices for payment
The following invoices were approved for payment:

• 1186 J Miller Nature reserve equipment (see item 12) £17.39
• 1187 Limebridge Footpath maintenance £101.05
• 1189 British Legion Remembrance wreath £25.00
  (the final item was approved by the councillors present under delegated powers because the timescale did not allow it be presented on the agenda.)

7.4. To approve claims for expenses/overtime
Clerk’s expenses of £2.00 were approved.

BREAK FOR CHEQUE SIGNING

8. Planning

8.1. Council’s response to planning applications between meetings
None

8.2. Current planning applications

• W/08/02700/PN – Willow Bank House, Tilesford, single storey extension to residential care home
  The council noted comments made by Mrs Marchant, immediate neighbour to the site. They decided that although they had no objection to the design of the extension, they felt that the scheme was an overdevelopment of the site.
  Clerk to respond. Action Clerk
• W/08/02402/PP – 21 Cottage, Long Lane, Tilesford, amendments to plans for extension to link house and outbuildings and form kitchen and lobby and construct a detached garage
  The council had no objection to this scheme. Action Clerk

8.3. Reports on planning decisions

• W/08/02245/PP & W/08/02269/LB – The Cottages, Broad Lane, Bishampton. Single storey garden room
  APPROVED

9. Play Areas

9.1. To hear any update from the BATVH play area committee and consider action necessary regarding the Junior Play Area project
The play area was officially opened at the October pub night. There was no further news about the grant claim.

9.2. To consider any other matters relating to the parish play areas

10. Footpaths: To consider footpath issues and spending of the footpath grant
The chairman and clerk met the county footpath officer at Badgers Walk to inspect its state and ask about a plan to fill some low-lying areas with clay and then at a point in Jubilee Walk where there was a particularly muddy gateway. The officer gave support to hardcoring at Jubilee Walk but asked the PC not to make improvements to Badgers Walk as it may be possible for the county to organise a longer term drainage solution. It was agreed that the Jubilee Walk work should go ahead and that the PC should wait to see the officer’s further recommendations. Action Clerk

11. To consider any parish Lengthsman issues/jobs
The PC considered the lengthsman’s hedge trimming at the village hall and thought there should be a decision made on how to approach it on a longer term basis. Members agreed to talk to Cllr Baldwin (village hall management committee chairman) about the issue of how the trimming of the hedges could be organised and funded. Clerk to obtain a cost from the mowing contractor. Action Clerk
There were no further updates or reports from the lengthsman.

UPDATES

12. To consider any matters regarding ongoing issues

• Future of village amenities – Councillors had nothing to add.
• Review of the role of the PC – It was noted that Cllr Burtoft may not be able to attend the planned meeting and if so, it should be cancelled, as it was being held at his instigation.
• Flooding – As above
• War Memorial – Further pruning was expected in November.
• Pavements. – Nothing new to report.
• Bus Service improvements. Nothing New
• Newsletter. No further news.
• Speed Activated signs. No News
• Moat Farm Lane conservation area – to consider reimbursement for materials used by volunteers: Councillors heard how a volunteer had kindly carried out some maintenance and Mr Averis had asked if he could be reimbursed for the cost of a new chainsaw blade. Members agreed.

REPORTS/CORRESPONDENCE

13. PACT news
Cllr Morrison reported that there was a meeting was due imminently.

14. CALC/ training matters
None.

15. To receive reports from councillors and items for future agendas
Councillor Balwin left word about the Community First Responder Scheme:

• That the new equipment pack proposal was with the Heart Foundation and it was hoped that approval would be gained in about three weeks;
• That two more people had now been trained and approved to join the scheme and will be operational after completing time with ambulance crews, giving the parish a total of five responders.

16. To consider any further items of correspondence

• Correspondence from Mr Peter Averis asking if the PC would consider paying for the wine (to be mulled) for the Christmas carol singing (about 6 bottles). The councillors indicated their approval – the item will be placed on the next agenda for formal approval.
• Grassroots grants programme – grants for Worcestershire groups were available on the basis that for every £1 raised, the Govt would match it with 50p. These grants are available for: Encouraging community citizenship (feeling included and part of your community)/ Safeguarding vulnerable people (feeling safe and healthy in your community)/ Enabling economic contribution (feeling pride and independence in your community).
• Proposed wind farm at Lenchwick – Drop in information sessions were noted.
• Worcs Infrastructure Consortium, conference for voluntary and community sector. 18th Nov – noted.
• Consultation on Code of Conduct for local authority members and employees. Noted.

Circulation: British Declaration of Independence letter/ Grassroots fund/Worcs Warden/ Countryside Voice/ Local Council Review/ Volunteer newsletter.

17. To affirm the dates of the next meeting of the Parish Council
The date of the next meeting was confirmed as Dec 1st at Throckmorton, 7.30pm.

The meeting closed at 8.55pm

………………………………………………… …………………………..
Chairman Date

Clerk to the Council Mrs C. Morris

Notes from the open session
Cllr Tucker broke the news that a new bid had been submitted by Qinetiq, for 2,500 homes on the airfield and Drummonds and Marshalls land, on the last day of the joint core strategy (local housing plan) consultation, without informing any local councils. This bid will go through to the Regional Spatial Strategy consultation next year.

Mrs Fairclough spoke about a petition received by the council, from local horse riders concerned about road safety, calling for warning signs. She said the worst points for traffic were to the north of the village and Broad Lane. It was explained that the county highways department was responsible for signs and that the PC would discuss the issue during the meeting.

Mr Osborne spoke about his trading year at the shop and post office and how taking were down. He said he would be considering closing in spring next year.