Mr C Tolley – Chairman, Mesdames, S Clarke, M Scott, B Hickling, (County Councillor), Messrs, P Brown,

L Higginson, G Lowe, J Goldsmith (Footpaths Officer), G M Brewin (Clerk).

Mr Alan Saunders, Housing Enabling Officer, Community Council, Malvern, PC Allen Naulls, Local Beat Officer,

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

The clerk confirmed that he had written on behalf of the council to Mr J Clarke to thank him for his work on the surround to the village War Memorial. He had received an acknowledgement from WCC Footpaths Office ref. footpath 53 and had given Mr Goldsmith copies of footpath details received from WCC Footpaths Office. He had arranged for the Recycling Project Officer to attend the next (January) meeting.

PC Allen Naulls reported on activities over the last six months; In Alfrick calls covered 4 burglaries, 1 theft from motor vehicles, 1 fraud and 1 road traffic accident. In addition there had been 34 calls mainly disputes between neighbours and stray animals on highways. In Lulsley incident were; 1 criminal damage, 1 non-residential burglary and 2 suspicious incidents. The main problems in rural areas had been the theft of trailers and horse boxes. He urged vigilance with these items.

Mr Alan Saunders, Housing Enabling Officer introduced himself and his work. Starting some 18 months ago, his role is to act as an ‘honest broker’ between local organisations, landowners, planning authorities etc to achieve local affordable housing for those who want to live and work in rural areas. So far he has worked with 60 parishes in Worcestershire and currently has 105 properties in progress. He pointed out that although substantial funds were available achieving this was not easy but that in every area where affordable housing matters were raised a surprising number of applicants came forward. He provided members with a ‘step by step’ guide to affordable housing schemes and it was agreed that members would study this and discuss possibilities at the next meeting.

Mrs Hickling reported as follows;

Periodic Electoral Review - The County Council Divisional Boundaries are currently under review. Proposals will be submitted March-July 2003. It is hoped that each County Councillor will serve roughly 7,500constituents. At the moment she represents 8,756. Councillor Farmer in Tenbury has only 5,439. We do not have electoral equality. It seems highly likely that the boundary for Broadwas and Cotheridge will be absorbed by Martley Division as will Kenswick & Wichenford and Rushwick. However it will have to go out to consultation before anything is finalised when there will be an opportunity to have an input. Public involvement is very important. The new electoral divisions will be used for 2005 elections.

WCC Trading Standards Service are warning drinkers and sellers of ‘JOHNNY WALKER BLACK LABEL SCOTCH WHISKY’ to be on the lookout for counterfeit bottles of the spirit in the run up to Christmas which contain harmful levels of METHANOL. (2000 times the normal level.) There is a fake lot code in Spanish on the rear labels of LO4P24878342 and the word 'distillers' is incorrectly spelt as 'Distilleries'. On no account should anyone drink the whisky.

Newland waste site will close at l pm. on Sunday 12th January 2003.

Ms E Clift had sent apologies for her absence. The only matter to report upon was the formal opening of the skate-board areas at Alfrick and Suckley the previous weekend which was very successful.

Payments to; District Audit office for the Audit - 2000/1 - £218.90, Clay Green Garden Services (Footpaths) -£165, agreed.

A request has been made to the council for a refuse bin to be located at the skate-board area. As the cost is considerable the council considered that the users of this area should take their rubbish away with them. The clerk will advise the proposer accordingly.

02/01279FUL, Garage/Workshop – Oak Apple Farmhouse, Lulsley Court. The council had previously objected to the provision of a workshop in addition to the Garage. (ref Sept 2002) A revised plan had been submitted and MHDC Planning Office required a reply by 5/11/02. This was reviewed by two members who raised concern over the revised height and definition of the ‘logs’ area.

02/01311/FUL Windy Ridge Old Storridge, addition of dormer window etc. No objection. Approved by MHDC Planning Office.

02/01130/OUT, New House at Papermill Road. Objection. Rejected by MHDC Planning Office.

Mr J Goldsmith – Footpaths Officer reported that work planned on paths nos. 33 & 41 had been completed satisfactorily. (see financial matters above). He had received a letter from WCC Footpaths Office asking if the remainder of the funds available this year would be needed. If not they could be used elsewhere. The council asked him to advise the Footpaths Office that there was more than enough outstanding work to justify the funds allocated this year. He was asked to draw up plans to enable the contractor to work up to the limit of funding.

These are set out in the accompanying ‘Supplementary Information’. The clerk drew the members attention to the following items;

Parish Charter for Worcestershire; - MHDC, Redditch BC, Worcester City Council. Wychavon DC, W-CALC, WCC, set out strategies and methods of working with local councils. It should be noted that again the matter of ‘Parish Plans’ occurs and the council should consider what should be done in this direction.

Draft Worcestershire Training Strategy For Parish And Town Councils; - Much of this is intended for organisations that are larger than this Parish Council. However with the move towards devolving responsibilities to parish councils; footpaths and roadside maintenance are the first examples, it is important that councillors are aware of what is being developed.

Countryside Agency; - Grants and advice are available for parishes making initiatives to develop rural life including Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty. Should this council be considering what could be done in these directions?

NCALC Development Strategy; - Much of this is directed to the larger level of council but there is a need for councillors to be aware of the facilities and support that are being developed by NCALC and to take advantage of them wherever possible.

WCALC– Audit review; - he had replied on behalf of the council.

WCALC Govt review Planning Arrangements; This is somewhat outside the area of a small Parish Council but there is a need to be aware of moves to make Planning Authorities more responsible and more able to enforce planning requirements.

Mr G Lowe drew the council’s attention to the state of Sandy Lane a non-maintained road, where flooding was considerable. The chairman said he would contact the owner of the adjoining land to see what could be done.

Several members pointed out that flooding on highways was significant as a result of the recent leaf falls and high rainfall. The clerk was asked to report this to the Highways partnership.

The clerk was asked to write to Mrs Sharpe and express the council’s thanks for the work she had done in maintaining the surround to the Village War Memorial over a number of years.

It was noted that there was a new interest in the WCC Computer Bus. The Clerk was asked to publicise this again and put details in the parish magazine The Sphere.

Mr L Higginson noted that the Village Hall Committee planned a major refurbishment of the Village Hall and asked the council on their behalf for assistance in obtaining the necessary funds. He drew members’ attention to the 50-50 Auction to be held at the hall on February 8^th a part of the fund-raising activities.

Date Of Next Meeting: 21^st January 2003 at 7.30pm in the Village Hall.

The meeting closed at 9.14pm.

Chairman