Members present:-

Mr C Tolley – Chairman,

Mesdames, S Clarke, C Williams, B Hickling, (County Councillor), Miss E Clift (District Councillor).

Messrs, G Ashmore, P Brown, G Lowe, J Goldsmith (Footpaths Officer), G M Brewin (Clerk).

PC Allen Naulls, Local Beat Officer, Mr P Beaumont & Mr I Sinclair representing the Teme Youth Project, Mr A Galligan ( MHDC Recycling Officer,) from 8.30pm, Mr T Ellard, (Trustee Alfrick Charities). Two members of the public as observers.

Mrs M Scott, Mr P Gilbert.

PC Naulls reported that crime figures for the parish were 2000-1 – 14, 2001-2 – 18, 2003 –13. In the current year there had been; 1 – Burglary-dwelling, 7 – Burglary-other premises, 2 – Vehicle crime, 1 – Offence against the person. In December 2002 he had held a Rural Safety Initiative session at the Talbot Knightwick which had been well attended by representatives from surrounding parishes and from this plans were being developed. He was involved currently in a problem of neighbour relations in the area.

Mr P Beaumont reported on the Teme Youth Project; Warning signs requiring skateboarders to wear protective clothing and headgear are to be installed at both sites. Future plans were to install Basket-Ball nets at the two sites and he hoped the council would view their request for additional fund favourably. (see under any other business)

The minutes of the previous meeting held on Tuesday 19^th November and circulated in advance to members were approved as a correct record and signed by the chairman.

The clerk he had arranged for the WCC Computer Bus to run a course at Alfrick. It would run for 10 weeks from January 30^th. 13 had applied for this but only 10 can be accommodated at one time. He would arrange additional courses if the full complement could be arranged.

Mrs Hickling reported as follows;

Comprehensive Performance Assessment (CPA); This is a review of Council performance by The Audit Commission to assess how well or badly a council is performing. There are 5 categories: Excellent; Good; Fair; Weak and Poor.

She was happy to say Worcestershire County has been placed as "GOOD" only one step away from Excellent.

Buses; Worcestershire is soon to have a call centre for a local bus pick-up system. She understood 5 small buses will be available to provide this service via "Mobilsoft" response system similar to that used in Finland and other countries.

Bromyard Omnibus Co. will operate a new bus service from 18th February 2003 on a TUESDAY between Leominster and Great Malvern allowing 2 hours in Malvern Town Centre. The bus will call at Bromyard, Cradley, Storridge and Leigh Sinton. It will be a low-floor Optare Alero 16 seater.

Alert; Counterfeit BENSON & HEDGES cigarettes are in circulation. Look out for incorrect labelling. 1) The word SUPPLIERS is spelt SUPPLIERS, 2) Number on base is R417B07 (but in some cases different) contact Worcs. Trading Standards on 01905- 765389 if suspect a packets are found.

Ms E Clift reported;

She had discussed the problems of flooding and road surface deterioration on the 6224 road, known as ‘The Clawes’ locally, with the Highways partnership and had given details of the local terrain, drainage etc. She intended to follow up with a further call to them in the near future. Following the successful lunch given by the Teme Valley Youth Group in Alfrick Village Hall for elderly members of the community, they hoped to repeat this in the near future.

As trustees of the Alfrick Charities she asked the council to consider some method of distributing the accrued income of this fund. (some £550). After some discussion it was suggested that a distribution to all parishioners who were over the retirement age and who did not own there own home could be considered, as is the case with some other parishes. Mrs S Clarke will work with the clerk to draw up a list of such parishioners.

Report on Audit 2002/3: The clerk reported that the external auditor had given an unqualified opinion on the accounts.

Precept for 2003/4: The clerk had proposed a precept of £3,400 for the coming year (£2,300). This was substantially more than the previous year in part due to the subsidising of the 3 previous years’ precepts by reducing the council’s bank balance. It was felt never-the-less that the precept should be lower and the clerk was asked to bring this down to £3000.

Grant to MH – Citizens’ Advice Bureau. £75 - proposed and accepted

Payments to; npower (Lighting) £10.44, Clerk expenses ,£91.40, Clerk salary 3 mths £362.82,

Local Council Review – subscription £11.59, Audit – external £58.75, all proposed and accepted.

Mr A Galligan presented the aims and objectives of the MHDC recycling project and the configuration of the special skip which would collect paper and glass, which were the most suitable types of materials for an economically viable operation. After discussion it was agreed to participate, initially on a three-month trial, subject to the agreement of the Village Hall Committee as the skip would be located in their car park.

Mr J Goldsmith – Footpaths Officer reported;

YARRINGTONS - Part Path 29. This is a diversion of a previous one carried out approx. 8 years ago. The work is of high standard but waymarking and a signpost is required at point D on the map due to erection of a large wooden building which will confuse path users. NORGROVE- Part Path 29. Good signposting and fencing from E to A on map. Thereafter somewhat of a shambles where path is possibly on land owned by occupants of Cherry Trees. Unable to confirm. One fingerpost in hedge, two stiles with no steps. Two signposts reqd one with finger stile parts and waymarking. NEWHOUSE farm - Path 21. Original largely obstructed by current building work. Owner awaiting final confirmation of diversion. Very co-operative should be no problems here. THE OLD FORGE - Path 53. Premises will have to pay for signpost and any fencing required. There is a tree and wire obstruction at rear of No 1 Orchard Way. This is in the hands of Phillip Betts at County Hall. Meanwhile he had full co-operation from the owner of adjacent bungalow, The Chase over whose property 85% of the path exists.

The chairman advised that the landowner was in the process of improving the drainage in this area. The clerk was asked to advise the Highways Partnership of this and also request that any further upgrading was considered a low priority whilst virtually all the parish’s roads requiring some attention.

It was agreed to invite the Housing Enabling Officer to the next meeting with a view to conducting a survey.

There were no matters other than those associated with the TYP above.

02/01755/FUL, Station House, Lulsley. New Gable End. (Ms E Clift left the meeting at this point.) no objection.

MHDC - Review of Planning Tour; The clerk was asked to nominate Slad Barn and the new house at the top of ‘The Clawes’ as examples of interest in the parish.

Full details are listed with the agenda. The following were brought to the attention of the meeting and noted.

Community First - Participation in Countryside Recreational Strategy, MHDC-Transport Projects, WCC- Worcestershire Assembly Invitation, MHDC - Joint Councillor Forum 12/02, MHDC- Questionnaire on Public Spaces,

MHDC - Free Refuse Skips – Location; The clerk was asked to advise the MHDC that the skips should be provided as previously advised. Alfrick Village Hall and Lulsley Greswolde.

W-CALC – Rural transport Seminar 12/02/03 - noted

Macmillan Cancer Appeal for help to Old Storridge Charity £50 proposed and agreed

Request for help Teme Valley Youth project £500 from Old Storridge acc. proposed and agreed

The clerk was asked to write to Elgar Housing Assn. regarding possible breaches of their Tenants’ Agreement.

The clerk was asked to write to the Highways partnership and Severn Trent Water regarding the state of the roads in the area of Crews Hill where new water mains are being installed.

Date Of Next Meeting: 18^th February at 7.30pm in the Village Hall.

The meeting closed at 9.55pm.

Chairman