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

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

Mr C Tolley,

Visitors: Mr A Saunders, Housing Enabling Officer and five members of the public.

Members had heard of the chairman's illness and the clerk was asked to write formally to Mr Tolley with their best wishes for a speedy recovery.

Questions were raised about the increase in the Council Tax for 2004/5 which were answered in detail by the County and District Councillors.

The minutes of the previous meeting held on Tuesday 17^th February 2004 and circulated in advance to members were approved as a correct record and signed by the chairman.

The clerk reported that he had received a reply from the Head of the Worcester Division of the West Mercia Constabulary regarding vandalism at Lulsley which whilst acknowledging the situation offered little more to resolve matters.

The WCC having received a grant higher than expectations and higher than inflation this year has been able to keep the rise in the County Council precept down to 5.1%. However the demands of the police and fire authorities would nudge the figures up. The county has still not been included in the government's Area Cost Adjustment but would continue to fight for this.

Mr J Guise reported on progress of the Recycling/Collection scheme which was working well. He commended the principle to members and asked them to support the scheme as it spreads throughout the area.

Mr Saunders reviewed the situation and answered questions as to why three sites had been rejected particularly as the Upper House site had been rejected initially but was now acceptable. It would be necessary to design the houses on this site to a very high standard consistent with the rating of the surrounding rural area.

After considerable discussion on the merits of the sites likely to be acceptable i.e.; Leigh Road and Upper House, it was agreed unanimously to recommend the Upper House site to Elgar Housing and ask them to proceed with a development plan for future approval. On the recommendation of Mr Saunders it was agreed that the following would form a project group assist in the development of the scheme; Mrs S Clarke, Messrs A Biggs, G Lowe, L Higginson.

'106 Agreements' ;

A copy of a '106 Agreement' was available and future copies would be available for members as required. In essence this type of agreement, applied to an affordable housing development, sets the parameters for assessing the suitability of residents based on associations with the locality.

None.

Parish Lengthsman Scheme

The clerk reported on the meeting on 2/3/04 at WCC County Hall. Although a revised contract between parishes and the county council have been issued model contracts between the parish council and the contractor are not yet ready. It is hoped to have these available by the end of March. There were concerns also about the method of invoicing and payment which could lead to problems and increased administrative time, however these are expected to be resolved in time for a start in April-May

Confirm decision delegated to SC & CT, ref -04/227/FUL , Garage etc Newhouse Farm, No Objection. Confirmed

Review - ref - 04/00335/FUL Garage etc at Upper Court, Lulsley. The council considered this building would be large and obtrusive in an area of open landscape. Objection

The clerk confirmed that he would attend the meeting at Suckley on 23^rd March to express the council's positive views on this project. It was noted that an initial sum of £100 would be reasonable.

Mr P Gilbert reported on the Open Weekend at the end of February noting the well-attended sessions and the large response to the proposed subjects. A copy of his summary of the proposals is attached as appendix-a. The Steering Committee had met subsequently on 9/3/04. A copy of the minutes of this meeting is attached to these minutes as appendix-b. The committee was now evaluating and codifying the results and would propose future activities when this had been done.

Footpaths; Mr J Goldsmith reported that Footpaths Officers were now to be know as Parish Path Wardens. The contractor we had been using for footpath work was no longer available and the work outlined at the last meeting would be undertaken by Roger Thomas.

Footpaths that have not been reinstated after cultivation of farmland were to be the subject of enforcement orders from the county council's legal department.

Highways; The clerk explained that the Highways Partnership have had difficulty in identifying the legal owner of the overhanging hedges restricting the roadway at Stichens Hill. They had now decided to do the work regardless of this and it was under way. There was some doubt expressed that the extent of the work was not enough to be completely effective and the clerk would check on this.

Details are attached to the agenda. Specific items; Information on green Roads. Additional postcards to enable protests to be made on the misuse of these roads by four-wheel drive vehicles were distributed to members. Community First - Community Support Initiative 18/3; The clerk had accepted the invitation to attend this event and would report at the next meeting.

The clerk reported that this area which is owned by the council is now heavily overgrown and in need of clearing. It would cost £300 to do this work. After discussion it was agreed that this area should be left as scrub to encourage and harbour wildlife and that a track of 1-1.5m width should be cleared around the perimeter to allow access. The clerk will discuss this with a contractor.

Annual Parish Meeting; Local organisations would be invited to mount displays similar to those at the Parish Plan presentation to encourage interest in their activities. It will be held in the Village Hall on Tuesday May 11^th from 7.30pm and it is hoped as many as possible will attend.

Date of the next meeting;

The next meeting of the council was confirmed as 20^th April 2004 at 7.30pm in the Village Hall.

The meeting closed at 9.25pm.

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