Present:-

Mr C Tolley (Chairman)

Mesdames, S Clarke, M Scott, C Williams, E Clift (District Councillor), B Hickling , (County Councillor)

Messrs, G Ashmore, G Lowe, P Brown, P Gilbert, L Higginson, G M Brewin (Clerk)

Mr J Goldsmith – Footpaths Officer

Apologies:- All present

Minutes:-

The minutes of the previous meeting held on Tuesday 15^th January and circulated in advance to members were approved as a correct record and signed by the Chairman.

Matters Arising:-

On the matter of a Parish Council Web-Site, Philip Gilbert said that he had discussed the matter with David Williams the head of Information Services at MHDC. There could be advantages in being linked to the MHDC site but it could be expensive to run. Discussions will continue on this.

County Councillor’s Report:- Mrs Hickling reported as follows; The County Council has signed the county's first Public Service Agreement (PSA). Worcestershire is the first County Council to involve district councils in its PSA as well as Fire, Police and Health partners in pledging to meet 'stretch targets'. We have placed an emphasis on making sport and physical activity more available to young people in rural communities over the next three years. Some £1.3m would be available to meet start-up costs and £9.4m if targets are met or passed.

District Councillor’s Report:-

Meetings have been held by TYP committee, supported by Rural Youth Providers and Youth Comm. The Council are invited to a presentation on 26^th March at the Talbot Hotel Knightwick at 7.30pm. The County Youth Officer and DEFRA Rural Youth Affairs are looking at the work being done by this group. (age 10-16yrs) A group of 16+ years is also working well. A visit to DEFRA London, The Houses of Parliament, and other attractions is being planned for around Easter. Two people were giving two nights each week up to the year-end (31 March 02) and there may be the possibility of further help after that.

Footpath Officer’s Report (Mr John Goldsmith)

1. Footpath signs; He had listed 47 in need of attention, of these 6 have been resolved already.

2. The 1949 Countryside Act requires that there is a Parish Register of Footpaths. The Alfrick register was last reviewed in 1968. There was no evidence of a register for Lulsley. There was a need to bring these up-to-date in order to qualify for maintenance grants. The total length of footpaths in Alfrick is 17.7 km and 16km in Lulsley.

3. As a result of Foot and mouth restrictions over most of last year many footpaths are in need of maintenance and a number which had been ploughed over needed re-defining. The procedure for this is that if he is advised of problems he will alert the WCC office who will then contact the landowner direct. There are currently a number of paths in the Folly Road/ Green Street area and at Lulsley Court where there is a need for immediate action. He will contact the WCC officer and arrange site meetings with him and the Clerk.

4. There is a nationwide scheme which enables individual Parish Councils to manage footpath maintenance directly by receiving grants from the County Council. He has application forms for this and was asked to proceed with an application. (The sums involved are some £50/km/annum together with start-up grants)

5. In a similar fashion to d) grants were available for a Parish ‘handyman’ to work on ditches etc. Leigh were already using this scheme and the Clerk was asked to obtain details.

Financial Matters:-

Accounts were due for local lighting - £10.44 and the subscription to ‘Local Council Review’- £10.99. Both agreed.

Planning Matters:-

The following decisions have been received:-

01/01350/FUL, Limebrook House Stocks Lane Alfrick – 2 storey ext. Granted

01/01337/FUL, Old Forge, Alfrick – New Dwelling. Refused

The following submissions have been received :

02/00056/FUL, Brooksbatch Farm, Stichens Hill, External Flue Pipe.

02/00077/FUL, Corbetts Cottage, Lulsley, Two storey extension to rear..

02/00143 /FUL, Cherry Trees, Yarrington Road, Alfrick – Conservatory

02/00157/FUL, 4 St Mary’s Crescent, Alfrick – Extension over Garage

No comments to all four applications – agreed.

The Clerk drew members’ attention to the information already circulated and the advice from the National Association of Local Councils. It was agreed that time would be allocated in the April meeting to enable new ‘Declarations of Acceptance of Office’ and the ‘Register of Members’ Interests’ to be completed. In the meantime the Clerk would obtain copies of the Act for all members.

After discussion it was agreed to support two activities as ‘Jubilee projects’. Firstly the skateboard/other activities area being organised by the Young Persons Group and secondly a coach outing for older members of the parish. The Clerk was asked to contact the Thursday Club about this.

Alfrick Village Hall

a) The proposed return of the management of the Playing Field to the Parish Council: After discussion it was agreed to ask the Council’s solicitor to draw up a deed to terminate the lease agreement with the Village Hall Committee with no penalties on either side. The VHC would be asked to meet the nominal cost of this. The Clerk was asked to open discussions with the Cricket Club about the possibility of their leasing the field from the Council.

b) Mr L Higginson agreed to remain as the Council’s representative on the Village Hall Committee for the coming year.

WCC – County Comput@bus – The Clerk was asked to indicate an interest in using this service and arrange a notice around the Parish.

Raynesway Construction Southern – Customer Impact Survey – Highway maintenance – to be held and reviewed after the current repair activity had been completed.

MHDC – Progress on the Local Plan Review

WCC - Performance Indicators 2000/1

CPRE – Response to Govt. Planning Proposals

WCC – Councillors and Services Directory

All the parish council files, documents etc are now stored in the council filing cabinet – previously in the Village Hall store room - which is now in the Old Stable at Whistlewood House, Lulsley.

It was agreed that the Clerk would provide summaries of the minutes for publication in the Benefice Magazine

It was agreed that the area would be monitored through the summer to assess the litter problem before committing funds to this.

Date Of Next Meeting:- 19^th March 2002 at 7.30pm in the Village Hall.

The meeting closed at 9.15pm.