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

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

P Gilbert, C Tolley, G Lowe, J Goldsmith (Parish Footpaths Warden), J Guise (District Councillor),

Visitors: Seven members of the public, one member of the press.

The matter of affordable housing was raised. Mrs Williams explained that the council was still waiting to see proposals for the Upper House site. As soon as plans were ready the council would hold a public presentation of the details.

Questions were raised as to accuracy of the clerk's letters in reply to objections; he had stated that there were no proposals so far, members of the public believed there were such proposals and quoted details. It was pointed out by Miss E Clift that the proposals referred to were those for revising the Parish Development Boundary made by the owner of the Upper House site, which had been withdrawn. These were not a matter in which the council was involved and distinctly separate from the matter of affordable housing. Members of the public also questioned the desirability of developing an area designated as an 'Area of Great Landscape Value'. The Clerk replied that such designations were a guide and it was reasonable for the landowner and developer to question the possibility of a development in this area

. The formal meeting began at 8.05pm

The meeting accepted apologies from council members; P Gilbert, C Tolley, G Lowe.

Mr C Tolley was proposed by P Brown seconded by A Biggs and approved unanimously

In the absence through illness of Mr Tolley the council decided that his Declaration of Acceptance of Office should be delivered at the next meeting.

Mrs C Williams was proposed by L Higginson seconded by S Clarke and approved unanimously

S Clarke and C Williams advised the meeting of their personal interests in the matter of Affordable Housing.

The minutes of the previous meeting held on Tuesday 20^th April 2004 and circulated in advance to members were approved as a correct record and signed by the chairman.

The clerk reported that he had not yet resolved the matter of the Jubilee Plantation, and that the other items for action in the minutes of the last meeting had been completed. On the matter of a new notice board he had checked the existing one on the north wall of the village shop and considered that it would be adequate for displaying the minutes of meetings which usually were no more than two sheets of A4 paper. It was agreed than the minutes of meetings would be displayed on all four notice boards once approved by the chairman of the meeting - usually two days after the actual meeting - and these would be marked 'unconfirmed' as they would not be approved by the council itself until the next meeting.

Confirm arrangements for the Annual Audit of the Accounts; the clerk confirmed that Dr L Cotterill would perform the internal audit on the accounts as last year at a fee of £50. This was agreed.

Confirm the clerk’s salary and hours of work for 2004/5;(NALC recommendations - £8.58/hr, 5hrs/wk); agreed.

Confirm payments to; Cornhill Insurance - £331.90, Village Hall – £200 for the Parish Plan W/end, Village Shop £26.40 - refreshments at the Annual Parish meeting. All agreed.

Confirm decision - 04/00445/FUL Dove Cottage, Alfrick, Revised scheme; agreed

Review - 04/00692/REM Dwelling at Barley Farm, Outline permission was already agreed. The details of the building were reviewed. It was considered that the notes - '...finish to match existing' were too vague as there was a variety of finishes on local properties. A definite finish should be specified.

The clerk reported that there were as yet no firm proposals for the Upper House site from Elgar Housing. He then read out a letter from Mr P Attwood commenting on and objecting to the possibility of a development in this area and raising questions as to the viability of the site. Concern was expressed that many parishioners were unaware of the situation. It was proposed and agreed that a copy of the report to the Annual Parish Meeting of 11^th May should be circulated to the whole parish to keep everyone up-to-date on this project. The clerk would also contact the Housing Enabler and Elgar Housing to investigate the possibility of building several smaller developments around the parish.

Parish Lengthsman Scheme

The clerk reported that contracts were now available and it should be possible to complete these at the next meeting subject to obtaining a local contractor. One had previously expressed an interest and he would advertise on the council notice boards to ensure arrangements were made fairly.

The clerk reported that Suckley Parish Council had arranged a meeting on Wednesday 9^th June and had asked for representatives from Alfrick and Lulsley. S Clarke and C Williams would attend this.

Footpaths; The clerk reported that the Parish Footpaths Warden had been unable to report. The work was falling behind the budget allocated by WCC and he would discuss the possibility of obtaining more help with Mr Goldsmith.

Highways; It was noted that the oak trees opposite Black's Well cottages, Lulsley appeared likely to be hazardous in the near future. The clerk would contact the landowner, MHDC Trees Advisor and the Highways Agency to resolve this.

Details are attached to the agenda.

Mrs Clarke reported that she had received complaints about the state of the trees in the Jubilee Plantation. There was a discussion on the future of this woodland and the clerk reminded members that at a previous meeting they had decided to keep this as a 'wild area'. It was agreed to put this item on the agenda for the next meeting and in the meanwhile canvass opinions as to the future of this land.

Council members expressed their congratulations and best wishes to District Councillor E Clift on her forthcoming marriage.

Date of the next meeting;

The next meeting of the council which would be on Tuesday 15^th June 2004 at 7.30pm in the Village Hall Alfrick.

The meeting closed at 9.10pm.

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