Members present:-

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

Messrs, A Biggs, P Brown, P Gilbert, L Higginson , G M Brewin (Clerk),

Three members of the public were also present.

Mr G Lowe.

Mr L Higginson signed his Declarations of Acceptance of Office and of the Code of Conduct subsequent to his co-option at the last meeting.

In the absence of both the Chairman and Vice-Chairman it was proposed and agreed that Mr L Higginson take the chair.

The minutes of the previous meeting held on Tuesday 13^th May were read and approved as a correct record and signed by the chairman.

The clerk reported that the Slad Green to Folly Farm ‘green road’ at Broad Dingle had been cleared. The Highways Partnership had asked for the location of the poor quality of the road repair work, particularly in Folly Lane. There was some doubt about this and the clerk would inspect the area and report to the Highways Partnership. The Accumulated gravel at the junction of Folly Lane and Green Street had not yet been removed. The clerk would contact the Highways Partnership regarding this.

After a wide-ranging discussion as to the merits or otherwise of embarking on the development of a Parish Plan the following actions were agreed.

The clerk would contact adjoining parishes regarding their progress in this matter and the possibility of joint action or support.

The clerk would arrange for copies of the Countryside Agency 'Guide for Parish Councils' to be available on request in the Village Post Office.

A Parish Meeting would be called for Mid September (date to be decided depending on availability of speakers) to discuss this, to which all parishioners and local organisations would be invited. To be arranged by the clerk.

In advance of this the clerk would arrange further information to be published in The Sphere magazine and prepare a leaflet for distribution to all houses in the joint parishes.

The possibility of having a small stall with information on Parish Plans at the Horticultural Show on the first Saturday in September would also be investigated.

Mrs Hickling reported that the Bransford Road (A4103) with new above flood levels at the Teme River Bridge was opened on 29th May 2003. The grant from Dept of Transport was £640,000 and the £80,000 above budget was paid for by the County Council.

The WCC Periodic Electoral Review's boundary changes will be presented to Council on Thursday 19th June 2003 before going to the Commission. This should result in equal representation for all County Councillors. However it would appear no account has been taken of Parish Council numbers.

WCC. Sustainable Transport Team is promoting transport this month for employers & schools to get staff on their bikes. This week is National Bike Week last week was Walk to Work Week. There is a prize of £1000 for employers with highest percentage of staff cycling. The prize for schools will be £500 for a school travel plan. This is to be followed by Public Transport Week and then Car Sharing Week to launch the WCC car-sharing Database.

Police recruitment will reach 2400 in strength this month.

Speed monitoring is available for all villages. Contact Richard Attwood at County Hall on 01905-766830.

Miss Clift reported that following the elections on May 1^st together with Mr John Guise, she now represented an expanded constituency designated Alfrick and Leigh. There were now four independent members of the MHDC including her and Mr Guise and as such they were now ably to operate as a group within the council which opened possibilities for working more effectively.

The work that she and the parish council had done in developing facilities for young people was being studied by the government and she was involved in discussions with DEFRA and ODPM who considered the youth work in Worcestershire to be outstanding.

She was asked what could be done to open the Broad Dingle viaduct to better public display? This she felt was a difficult matter which could perhaps be approached via interested groups such as Local Railway Societies and the Countryside Agency. The clerk would make enquiries about this.

The clerk reported that the Internal Audit completed with no comments. The 2002/3 accounts were now available for inspection up to 11/7/03. VAT of £129.63 had been reclaimed for 2002/3; previous vat claims had not been made at the year-end which distorted the yearly budget and this would now be corrected.

Accounts for payment were; npower - Lighting Acct - £14.99, MHDC Election Expenses - Alfrick £37.05, Lulsley £29.05, L Cotterill Accountants, Internal Audit - 2002/3 - £58.75 incl. VAT, Clay Green Garden Services - £115.50. These were approved.

The Footpaths Officer, Mr J Goldsmith reported that although he had been promised urgent action on the poor condition of the footbridge over Leigh Brook at the Knapp and Papermill Nature Reserve nothing had been done and he would take action on this. The problems of footpath Alfrick-53 at The Old Forge, Alfrick were still with WCC as now was the direction of the footpath Alfrick-29 where the route appears to pass over a newly constructed swimming pool.

There is a request from WCC to assist with the updating of the Definitive Map and he would be working with the clerk on this through the summer.

The clerk reported that following the underspending last year £465 has been received from WCC making a total of £1500 available for footpath work this year.

No Information to date. The clerk would contact the Housing Enabling Officer to have information for the next meeting.

There were no matters outstanding.

There were no matters outstanding.

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

Countryside Agency, Good Councillor’s Guide. Useful information on the role of and legislation about Parish Councils and their members.

WCC- Community Strategy, MH-AONB - Management Plan - Consultation, Community First - Countryside Strategy; These provide planning outlines for a number of strategies and although containing little of controversy with regard to the council, gave a useful structure to future plans.

All publications are available from the clerk on request.

Mrs Clarke noted that there was a vacancy for a representative of the council on the Village Hall Committee. She proposed Mr A Biggs and this was agreed. She said that here had been complaints about the condition of the Bus Shelter at Alfrick Pound. Mr Higginson will investigate.

It was noted that the handrail at the steps leading to the Village Shop was broken. The clerk will arrange for a replacement.

The clerk reported that the council notice boards at The Knapp and at Lulsley were in poor condition. It was agreed to replace these subject to reasonable costs. (John Roberts of Leigh was suggested as a supplier)

Date of the next meeting;

The next meeting of the council was confirmed as 15^th July at 7.30pm in the Village Hall.

The meeting closed at 8.45pm.

Chairman