Present:-

Mr C Tolley (Chairman)

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

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

Apologies:-

Mr G Ashmore, Mrs C Williams

Minutes:-

The minutes of the previous meeting held on Tuesday 27th November and circulated in advance to members, were approved as a correct record and signed by the Chairman.

Matters Arising:-

On the matter of the appearance of a gateway through a hedge into a field at Crews Hill, The Clerk said that the matter had been reported to the MHDC Planning Department who had acknowledged the letter and would reply in detail later.

County Councillor’s Report:-

Mrs Hickling reported as follows;

There is little to report due to the Christmas break.

1. The County Council is disappointed in funding for Education this year. We remain near the bottom of the Shires Table but should meet the SSA+1% target.
2. In February we will debate the Two-tier Education system throughout Worcestershire. We already have a two tier system in this area but it may not be practical in all areas.

3. The County Council is set to receive another £1.5 million to combat bed-blocking.

4. Our priorities over the next four years will be :Education; Adult Services and Highways.

District Councillor’s Report:-

Meetings have been arranged with TYP committee, Rural Youth Providers and Youth Com. Two people were giving two nights each week up to the year-end (31 March 02) to organize a presentation to the parish Council on the facilities planned (refer to minutes of Nov 27^th ’01) and fund-raising events. She had also met parents and representatives of Rural Youth to set out a constitution for an adult body to operate in parallel with TYP committee. Funding after 31 March 02 was possible but subject to review.

She drew the council’s attention to a project at Abberley where the local Young Farmers were establishing a BMX trail through local woodland.

Financial Matters:-

The Clerk proposed that a Precept of £2300 be requested from MHDC for the year from 01/04/02. This was a similar amount to the current year and expenses were likely to be very similar. Agreed.

Planning Matters:-

The following decisions have been received:-

01/01335/FUL, The Hobbits Alfrick – approved

01/00136/CLE, Clay Green Farm Alfrick, - lawfulness of existing use, - approved

01/01251/FUL, Corbetts Cottage Hill Road. Erection of two storey extension withdrawn

01/01231/FUL, and 01/01232/lBC Black’s Well, Lulsley. Construction of single storey link – approved

01/01217/FUL, Evergreen, Folly Road. Extension, - approved

01/01322/FUL, Finches Nest, Folly Road Replacement of single storey – approved

01/01119/FUL, 4 St Mary’s Crescent First-Floor ext over garage – Refused

01/01082/FUL, Tree Tops, Alfrick. Garden Room – Refused

Following submissions received :

01/01414 FUL, Springhill, Alfrick – Erection of Car Port. Reply reqd by 3^rd Jan 2002 - No comment

Highways, Footpaths And Traffic Calming:-

Diversion of Footpath 53 Alfrick. (The Old Forge) -It was agreed that the proposed diversion would be beneficial as the existing exit on the crest of a sharp bend in the road was hazardous.

WCC Local Transport Plan – Invitation to Discussion, Malvern 19^th Feb – 10am. It would not be possible to send an elected representative to this meeting.

Alfrick Village Hall - Proposed return of the management of the Playing Field to the Parish Council. After discussion it was agreed to ask the Village Hall Committee for their detailed proposals as to the termination of their lease of the Playing Field from the Council.

Licence renewals 9; Public Entertainment licences were due for renewal for the Alfrick Village Hall and the Fox & Hounds, Lulsley. There were no objections to these.

Code of Conduct for Councillors To be discussed at the February meeting

Worcestershire County Structure Plan - June 2001

CIPFA – Accountancy Guidance for Local Councils

NALC – Account and Audit Regulations – a guide

Cheltenham & Gloucester College of Higher Education – Local Finance, Best Practice Guide

WCC - Environmental Improvement Grants

WCC – Fruit Trees in Worcestershire, Trees available up to end Feb £10 each

WCC – Community pride Competition

Woodland Improvement and Conservation – Trees price list.

The Countryside Agency – National Training Strategy for Parish and Town Councils, New Rights, New Responsibilities – Countryside Access arrangements

DTLR – The Way Forward for Parishes

The Standards Board for England – Guide to Pt 3 Local Govt Act 2000

Audit Commission – A New Approach to Local Council Audit

Any Other Business:-

Council web-site; Mr Gilbert would follow up the possibility of joining the Village Hall web-site or establishing a sub-site of the MHDC site.

Mr Lowe raised the matter of the deterioration of the road surface in Whitehouse Lane. The Clerk will contact the MH Highways department.

Celebrating the Queen’s Jubilee; to be discussed at the next meeting.

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

There being no further business to discuss, the meeting closed at 8.45pm.