Mr P Hill - Chairman

Parish Councillors Messrs D Buggins, A Carmichael, J. Drew and A Nicholls

Mr P Cumming – Parish and District Councillor

J Plumridge (Clerk)

3 members of the public

1.  Consideration of apologies for absence

Apologies were accepted from Councillor Mrs J Mills.

County Councillor R Farmer was unable to attend.

None

Minutes of the meeting were accepted and signed by the Chairman as a true record.

Great Witley doctors’ surgery is mounting a campaign to oppose changes that are proposed in a Government White Paper that could lead to the loss of the dispensary. A letter of support is to be written to The Department of Health on behalf of the Parish Council. Parishioners are to be made aware via the website and Parish Magazine.

08/00983/LBC – Poachers Barn, Well Lane

Replacement double glazed windows

Listed Building Consent granted

08/01179/LBC- Rosemary Cottage, Church Lane

Internal wall and door modifications

Listed Building Consent granted

08/01510/FUL - Gables Cottage, Church Lane

Single storey replacement garage with occasional accommodation for

non-commercial use

Following consultation with the owners of neighbouring properties the following comments have been submitted:

The height of the pitched roof, some 2 metres above the height of the present garage structure, will have an adverse effect on the ground amenities of "Cherry Orchard", in particular light.

For that reason we request the height be reduced.

If and when permission is granted there needs to be a condition that ownership of the building is never separate from that of the rest of Gables Cottage.

Is the window in the roof of the rear elevation to be opening?  If so, consider privacy when looking out from "Cherry Orchard" at first floor level.

The Chairman and Clerk are to determine appropriate developments that have been completed in the last year for inclusion in this tour by District Councillors.

6.1 The application to adopt the telephone kiosk has been submitted to BT Payphones and a decision is expected within the next few weeks.

6.2 Vehicle Activated Signs pilot scheme – The lengthsman’s training has been completed and the first session of traffic monitoring indicated widespread speeding. Data is to be kept for submission to Highways Services and the Police at the end of the trial period. Police radar speed checks are also being conducted in the area.

Sharing the ownership of permanent vehicle activated signage with other parishes is to be considered.

6.3 Affordable housing – The Chairman and Clerk are to attend a consultation meeting on rural housing needs surveys. It is noted that the Government restriction on staffing businesses with temporary foreign student labour increases the demand for affordable housing for farm workers.

6.4 Three evergreen trees to screen the mobile telephone mast are on order and will be planted when weather permits.

6.5 Witley Court passes – English Heritage has extended the scheme for a further three years. Existing passes will continue to be accepted.

6.6 Grant aided projects – Funds are available from several sources for community based projects. Possible projects arising from the Parish Plan are to be discussed at the next meeting. Worcestershire CALC is preparing to offer a Grant Application Support system on a no win no fee basis.

Consultation papers have been received for comment:

• The making and enforcement of byelaws
• Codes of conduct for local authority members and employees

A further revision of the Mineral and Waste Local Development Scheme, setting the timetable for the adoption of a Waste Core Strategy by the end of 2012, has been accepted by Government. A Refreshed Issues and Options report has been prepared by Worcestershire County Council and is available for comment.

MHDC are currently putting together the procedure re new housing surveys and how they will work together with Parish Councils. This is expected to be presented in February after various consultations have taken place. 

A consultation report on refuse collection is expected early in the New Year. Many complaints have been received about the thin refuse bags currently in use. These will be considered under the overall plan.

Payments made since last meeting:

C Jones – Lengthsman services September 2008 £120.00

Accounts due for payment

C Jones – Lengthsman services October 2008 £235.20

Clerk’s net salary October 2008 £210.43

Clerk’s net salary November 2008 £184.03

Clerk’s expenses September+ October 2008 £ 32.00 £426.46

Council agreed payment of all of the above items (Proposed AN, seconded DB)

After payment of the above:

No. 1 main account £126.21

No. 2 account £50.00

Deposit account £6083.28

TOTAL £6259.49

The attached budget update for 2008/ 2009 shows an anticipated year end result close to budget with reserves in line with Council policy.

The 2009/ 2010 budget figures are for consideration by Councillors in readiness for the setting of the precept at the January meeting.

Council approved the following donations:

Friends of St Michael for churchyard maintenance £190.00

Nora Parsons Day Centre £140.00

PH and DB attended the Worcestershire CALC AGM on 9 October. Detailed report given in the Parish Council News.

PH attended an assessment meeting of the Standards Committee.

JP attended the CALC Clerks’ Gathering. A good presentation was given of the extension of the Worcestershire County Council website to include pages for each parish and town council.

12. Parish Plan status report

A steering group has met to discuss the formation of a film club. Initial presentations are likely to be made using hired equipment to gauge the true demand.

The updated Neighbourhood Watch scheme is providing much better communication of police messages.

The Parish Council will need to drive some of the initiatives that resulted from the survey as volunteers to take on these tasks are not forthcoming.

A temporary cover and bollards have been placed over the missing manhole cover in Hockhams Lane.

Drainage work at Rock Cottage and additional drains on the Worcester Road have been successful. Further work is to be done on the other side of the road.

The drain at the entrance to Well Lane is scheduled for next week.

A contractor has been booked to attend to most of the overhanging trees and hedges at the landowners’ expense.

Overhanging trees are a problem on the Butts and the Church footpaths. Landowners are to be approached.

Dog fouling is again an increasing problem. Appeals for consideration are to be made in the parish magazine.

All costs resulting from the fuel oil leak have now been recovered from the insurance company.

Bar prices are being increased.

Part refurbishment of the kitchen, including a commercial dishwasher, is to be undertaken in January.

A New Year’s Eve party is to be held in the hall.

There is concern that bookings from caravan clubs for 2009 are much reduced.

No report.

 

There being no further business the Council meeting closed at 9.15 pm.

Public Question Time now precedes the Council meeting to enable views expressed by the public to be taken into account during the Council proceedings.

The grass on the Well Lane triangle has been cut three times this year. Weed treatment is intended for next year to improve the grass quality.

It was suggested that central islands in the Worcester Road at entries into the 40mph zone would provide effective traffic calming.

Wheelie bins would be problematic for many householders as they are very difficult to move on gravelled or inclined drives.

Flower boxes around the village name boards would improve the initial impression when entering the village.

An accident book is to be kept to record any road traffic incidents that occur within the parish.

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Mr P Hill - Chairman

Parish Councillors Mrs J Mills and Messrs D Buggins and A Nicholls

Mr P Cumming – Parish and District Councillor

J Plumridge (Clerk)

PC A Hood and the Community Support Officer

2 members of the public

Apologies were accepted from Councillor A Carmichael.

County Councillor R Farmer was unable to attend.

None

The vacancy was advertised on the notice boards following the resignation of Steve Watton.

John Drew, the only applicant, was co-opted to serve as a Parish Councillor. His special duties

are to represent the PC on the Village Hall Committee and to look after any matters

involving utilities. Completed Acceptance of Office and Declaration of Interest forms were

received.

Minutes of the meeting were accepted and signed by the Chairman as a true record.

Planting of the 2 trees to screen the mobile telephone mast will be arranged not later than March 09

Choice Based Letting – a scheme allowing applicants from a wider area to apply for affordable housing. Paul Cumming will obtain details of the proposed scheme and will press for a definite ruling to be set up and ensure that local qualifications continue to apply.

No decisions have been made by MHDC Planning Services since the last meeting.

Application 08/01179/LBC – Rosemary Cottage, Church Lane, Little Witley

Internal modifications.

The Parish Council made a ‘No Comment’ return on 25^th August

The South Worcestershire Joint Core Strategy Strategic Housing Land Availability Assessment report has now been published.

7.1 Post Office Network Change Programme – No local Post Offices have been selected for closure.

7.2 Vehicle Activated Signs pilot scheme – LWPC have accepted the offer for Quality Parishes to take part in a pilot scheme. WCC has purchased the equipment and the lengthsman’s training in the use of the equipment is due shortly.

7.3 Flooding issues survey – MHDC has engaged the services of a consultant to study the overall details of the 2007 flooding and to recommend flood alleviation measures. Details of the flooding in Little Witley have been given to the consultant.

7.4 To consider adoption of the telephone box – Council resolved to take up the offer to purchase the telephone box from BT for £1. This offer is only open until 1 October and needed to be taken up to prevent BT removing the box due to continued very low usage. BT will remove the telephone equipment and the Parish Council will be responsible for maintenance and lighting of the box. The electricity supply to the box is to be transferred to the Village Hall electricity account. The Parish Council undertake to cover the costs involved in the supply of electricity to the box.

Changes to the Local Code of Conduct Complaints Process – The responsibility for considering complaints that a Councillor may have breached the Code of Conduct will be that of the Standards Committee of Malvern Hills District Council rather than the Standards Board of England.

The South Worcestershire Joint Core Strategy Preferred Options Consultation Process is taking place up to 31st October.

No report.

Refuse collection is a major issue for the District Council.

Recycling rates need to be further increased to avoid heavy penalties.

The District Council is looking at all possible measures to improve the refuse collection service and to effect cost savings. These possibilities include changing the frequency of the collection of both land fill waste and the separate classes of recyclable materials. Consultations will take place throughout the District when the possible changes have been formulated.

Payments made since last meeting:

C Jones – Lengthsman services July 2008                                   £110.00

Clement Keys – External audit fee                                                  £158.63

Accounts due for payment:

C Jones – Lengthsman services August 2008                               £55.00

H M Revenue & Customs – PAYE                                                  £134.72

Clerk’s net salary August 2008                       £179.63

Clerk’s net salary September 2008               £179.63

Clerk’s expenses July + August 2008           £122.63                 £481.89

Note: Clerk’s expenses include:

Website hosting fee                                         £51.57

Printing consumables                                      £34.06

Council approved payment of the above accounts.(Proposed by DB, seconded by AN)

Balance at bank after payment of the above:

No. 1 main account                                                                   £122.87

No. 2 account                                                                               £50.00

Deposit account                                                                      £4073.57

TOTAL                                                                                     £4246.44

An unqualified audit opinion has been given by Clement Keys and duly publicised on the Parish Council notice boards.

None

The Village Hall committee is working on the formation of a film club.

The updated Neighbourhood Watch scheme is attracting new members.

Overhanging trees and hedges are still a problem. Worcestershire County Council has authorised additional hours for the lengthsman for any work necessary resulting from the recent heavy rainfall.

The missing manhole cover in Hockhams Lane has still not been replaced. DB will progress action.

Drainage work at Rock Cottage has been successfully completed. A second phase will be the provision of additional drains on the Worcester Road.

Strimming of The Butts footpath is to be attended to when the weather improves.

Additional fine surfacing material on both of the footpaths within the village would be advantageous.

No report

Local burglaries are still a concern and house owners are urged to be vigilant.

Communication and feedback given continues to help the police.

The sale of Smartwater kits continues.

There being no further business the Council meeting closed at 9.00 pm.

Public Question Time now precedes the Council meeting to enable views expressed by the public to be taken into account during the Council proceedings.