Chairman, Mr C Tolley

Mesdames, C Williams, B Hickling, (County Councillor),

Messrs, A Biggs, P Brown, P Gilbert, L Higginson , G Lowe, J Guise (District Councillor), G M Brewin (Clerk),

Mrs, S Clarke, Mrs M Scott, Miss E Clift (District Councillor), Mr J Goldsmith (Footpaths Officer)

The minutes of the previous meeting held on Tuesday 17^th June were read and approved as a correct record and signed by the chairman.

Broad Dingle Viaduct; The clerk had received a letter from Rail Property Ltd the owners of the viaduct who stated that they would be prepared to lease the viaduct to the Parish Council or another suitable body for a nominal sum providing certain legal arrangements could be made. The letter pointed out that in order for the track across the viaduct to be open to the public it would be necessary for the parapet to be fitted with guard rails and that access would have to be agreed with the owners of the old railway track on either side.

After a discussion it was agreed that the clerk would continue with enquiries about the possibility of access being arranged and funds being available.

All other matters arising were covered by agenda items.

Affordable Housing:

Mr A Saunders, Housing Enabling Officer, presented the results of the survey into housing needs in the combined parish. (see Minutes - February 2003) ref appendix (a). There was a definite need for affordable housing in the parish; probably between five and seven units. Following a discussion it was agreed that Messrs G Lowe, J Guise and A Saunders would form a small committee to investigate possible sites in the parish prior to holding an open meeting on this matter. The clerk would provide a suitable map showing the parish boundaries.

Highways - The County Council will appoint an independent Network Control Team operating from a database to produce a "Road Space Booking" system. This will co-ordinate all highway works undertaken by both the County Council and the utility companies.

Education - School budgets are rising by 10% per annum. 33 schools are in deficit. They will be allowed to use capital funding for the day to day running costs for one year only - BUT - they must return to balance within 2 years. Some schools have employed extra staff in order to reduce class sizes and find themselves unable to meet rising pay demands plus increases in pensions and national insurance contributions. Due to this dilemma the County has injected five million pounds {extra to government funding to avoid any redundancies this year. Next year schools may be funded directly from central government bypassing the LEAs.

There were now four politically independent members of the MHDC including Miss E Clift and himself and this has led to the establishment of an independent group within the council which has opened possibilities for working more effectively. He was a member of the Planning, Audit and Standards committees of the council. He felt that members were still settling in to their roles as councillors after the recent elections. He has the complete MHDC Council Plan for 2003 onwards and this was available to anyone who would like to read it. (The clerk has the summary of this plan - see publications received.)

Financial Matters;

Grass Cutting (yr. to date) £42.00 and Clerks salary and expenses (3 months) £638.40, were approved.

The clerk reported that he had contacted the clerks of adjoining parishes regarding their progress in this matter and the possibility of joint action or support, but had not received any replies to date. He had placed five copies of the Countryside Agency 'Parish Plans A Guide for Parish Councils' in the Village Post Office and had booked the Village Hall for an open meeting on Tuesday 23^rd September at 7.30pm when Sharon Ham, Field Officer for Vital Villages - Worcestershire would make a presentation on Parish Plans. He would arrange for invitations to this to be sent to all houses in the parish and all local organisations. It was decided not to have a stall at the Horticultural Show.

The clerk reported, in the absence of the Footpaths Officer, Mr J Goldsmith, that the footbridge over Leigh Brook at the Knapp and Papermill Nature Reserve had been repaired. Footpath Alfrick-53 at The Old Forge, Alfrick was with the Secretary of State for a decision and Footpath Alfrick-29 where the route appears to pass over a newly constructed swimming pool had been resolved.

Together they had reviewed the new definitive map for Worcestershire and reported on two footpaths - nos. 3 and 18 in Lulsley which require action by WCC Footpaths Office to enforce reinstatement.

The clerk was asked to advise the Footpaths Officer of the need for clearance work at Millham Farm and Grange Farm, Alfrick.

03/01012/FUL Pound House, Alfrick - Extension. No comment.

03/00947/FUL Orlando, Old Storridge - Replacement Dwelling. - Objection. It was considered that the new

building proposed was an inappropriate size considering the size of the existing dwelling.

03/01066FUL Extensions to Jubilee Cottage, Lulsley. No comment.

There were no matters outstanding.

Details are attached to the agenda. The clerk drew members’ attention to the following;

Standards Board - Standards Code Training Video and Laser Surveys letter regarding Broadband Internet Services.

All publications are available from the clerk on request.

The clerk was asked to advise the Highways Partnership that warning signs for the gritting process had not been removed from the Alfrick to Knightwick road following completion of the process and that drain covers installed during the gritting process have not yet been removed at Bridges Stone Mill on the Leigh to Suckley road.

Date of the next meeting;

The next meeting of the council was confirmed as 16^th September at 7.30pm in the Village Hall.

The meeting closed at 9.05pm.

Chairman