Parish Of Alfrick And Lulsley

Parish Of Alfrick And Lulsley

Minutes of the Meeting of the Council held on Tuesday 20^th July at 7.30pm in the Village Hall, Alfrick.
Present:

Chairman Mr C Tolley

Mrs C Williams, Messrs, P Brown, A Biggs, G Lowe, L Higginson, G M Brewin (Clerk).

Apologies:

M Scott, S Clarke, B Hickling (County Councillor), J Guise (District Councillor).

Visitors: Around eighty members of the public.

Public Question Time prior to the formal meeting

Residents attending expressed their delight in seeing Mr Chris Tolley - Chairman of the Council back in action after his recent illness. In opening the meeting he said that although the council was still working with the Elgar Housing Association with a view to having an acceptable plan for affordable housing at Upper House to compare with the proposals at Leigh Road, this had been pre-empted by the owners/developers of both sites under consideration submitting proposals direct to the Malvern Hills Planning Office. He reminded the meeting that the council had not yet made any decision on this and would consider carefully the comments of those concerned.

Contributions from a number of residents focussed on the nature of the Upper House site; its designation as an Area of Great Landscape Value, its elevated position in the village and also the fact that more housing would be a second encroachment on local residents who had previously lost land to other developments. There was a generally expressed view that there should be no development on that site. Concerns were also expressed about the possibility of 'loopholes' in the legal agreements to control the allocation of properties and whether there was really any need for such housing locally because of the limited facilities available in the village and the limitations of local roads.

The formal meeting began at 8.05pm
1. Apologies for absence from members and members declarations of interest.

The meeting accepted apologies from council members M Scott, S Clarke.

2. Minutes:

The minutes of the meeting held on Tuesday 15^th June 2004 and circulated in advance to members were approved as a correct record and signed by the chairman.

3. Matters Arising not covered by the agenda:

None.

4. Reports from County and District Councillors

a) Mrs Hickling had sent a report which the clerk read as follows;

Museum Services; An in-depth study of museums Worcestershire-wide has been carried out. This service has suffered over many years from lack of funding. After many meetings and many interviews, a recommendation has been given to Cabinet for improving and enhancing Hartlebury Museum. There is no plan to close this museum. Due to the Disabled Discrimination Act of 1995 it will be necessary to install a lift in the main building to enable all to reach both 1st and 2nd floors. The cafe will require much improvement as will the exhibits. A vigorous marketing team will need to develop the potential to attract tourism which will increase financial injection and offset costs.

It is proposed to include partnership working with all District Councils.

b) There was no report from the District Councillor.

5. Affordable Housing

The clerk advised members that it would be necessary to convene an extra-ordinary meeting to review the planning applications relating to both sites. The date suggested of 3^rd August has proved to be unsatisfactory and the meeting would be held on 10^th August subject to confirmation. Residents would be asked to present their views prior to the council considering its response to both proposals and the relative merits of each.

The clerk was asked to follow up the revised proposals expected for Elgar Housing following the decision of the council at the last meeting.

The clerk read out the outstanding letters to the council relating to this matter. (refer to Correspondence Received)

6. Financial Matters;

Approve;

a) Playing Field Maintenance - £606.30 - Agreed

b) Parish Plan Expenditure - Printing £19.99 - Agreed

c) Clerk's salary - £557.70 and expenses - £ 76.65 (3 months) - Agreed

d) Parish Plan Newsletter - Printing £140, Folding and Distribution - £35 - Agreed

7. Planning applications and decisions

Planning applications; confirm delegated decisions

a) 04/00965/FUL Replacement Dwelling - Orlando Delegated to G Lowe & A Biggs

'We have no objections to the bungalow plans, but are concerned about the "existing entrance being reopened" This was never a vehicle access! only ever a pedestrian one. It has been closed for a very long time. A new drive would be opposite an existing one, where there may be objections from the landowner. If a new drive is allowed, it should follow highway guidelines, with the relevant splaying of the entrance for visibility purposes'.

Confirmed.

b) 04/00944/FUL New Garage etc - Chapel Cottage Delegated to G Lowe & A Biggs

'We are happy with the replacement garden shed, but feel that the rest of the plan is not replacing a simple garage with a similar design. The suggested building appears far too large for the site'.

Confirmed.

8. Parish Plan - update

The clerk said that the newsletter would be distributed in the next few days and the presentation to the parish would be over the weekend of 10-12 September. The committee would have a stall at the Horticultural Show on 4^th September.

9. Playing Field;

a) Drainage; The clerk reported that the cost of replacing a clogged land-drain had been considerable. L Higginson reported that the Swan Alfrick Cricket Club had offered to meet half the cost. The clerk would write to the club secretary about this.

b) Maintenance; The clerk advised that it would be provident to budget for a larger amount for maintenance in the forthcoming year.

10. Parish Lengthsman Scheme

See under item 12

11. Local Minibus Service

Mrs C Williams would be attending the meeting on Wednesday 22^nd July.

12. Footpaths and Highways;

a) Footpaths; There was no report from the Parish Footpaths Warden. The clerk reported that several local footpaths were obstructed by overgrown vegetation and he would write to the owners concerned.

b) Highways; The clerk reported that the contracts had been signed with A R Thomas and the parish could now call upon the services of the Parish Lengthsman for such work as clearing road drains, gullies etc and ensuring pathways, hedges and ditches were maintained. The first point of call would be the clerk who would give instructions to the Lengthsman.

13. Correspondence and Publications received:

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

a) MHDC, Allowances for Councillors: Members declined to implement this scheme.

b) Other items had been covered earlier in the meeting.

14. Any Other Business;

There was no other business

15. Date of the next meeting;

The next meeting of the council would be on Tuesday 21^st September 2004 at 7.30pm in the Village Hall Alfrick.

The meeting closed at 9.15pm.

Chairman ...............................................................................................................