Mesdames, C Williams, B Hickling, (County Councillor),

Messrs, P Brown, P Gilbert, L Higginson , G Lowe, C Tolley (from 8.15pm), G M Brewin (Clerk),

J Goldsmith (Footpaths Officer)

Mrs, S Clarke, Mrs M Scott, Miss E Clift (District Councillor) Mr J Guise (District Councillor) Mr A Biggs,

Visitors:

Mrs M Davies, Neighbourhood Watch coordinator, Ms N Meakin, Malvern Gazette

Chairman:

In the absence of the chairman the vice chairman Mrs C Williams took the chair.

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

All matters arising were covered by agenda items.

Malvern Library - Graham Road

Malvern Hills Customer Service Centre is now open Monday to Friday 9.00am to 5.30pm. This is a joint enterprise between Worcestershire County Council & MHDC. Tel: 01684-862151

Waste

This remains a headache for the County. DEFRA has refused permission to move waste to the outer London area. Incineration is no longer an option. 200,000 tonnes will be diverted away from landfill this year by using a regional, Waste to Energy plant in Coventry. We are also looking at a 'Waste to Fibre' plant with Mercia Waste. The contract with Severn Waste is under review.

Homecare

Social Services is undergoing a disruptive changeover period to Helping Hand which has cost another £1 million but should see a much better service for our elderly residents.

Potholes

As we all know these are an ongoing problem. Do we fill them in as and when or repair the whole road at vast expense born by the rate payers ? We are none too happy with Raynesway whose contract ends winter 2003/4. They have an extension until the Spring 2004 when the contract will be reviewed. We have purchased a 'Jet Patcher' which will speed up the whole operation.

The chairman invited Mrs Davies to address the meeting. Mrs Davies drew the members' attention to a proposed scheme to integrate Neighbourhood Watch activities with Parish Councils (see appendix-a) and said that she would be attending the meeting to discuss this on Thursday 18^th September. It was agreed that the council would support this initiative and asked her to report back to the next meeting on 21^st October.

Public Lighting - npower quarter acct £10.44.

Hedge Cutting etc - Playing Field £200.93

2 New Notice Boards - best quotation £447 (J Roberts - Leigh)

All three items agreed.

The following Planning Applications were reviewed

03/01145/LBC&FUL, Conversion - 2 Barns at Folly Farm Alfrick - no objections but the council drew the MHDC Planning Office's attention to the need to consider the close proximity of Alfrick Bridle Path 4 and the requirements placed on the previous applications of this site for the need to install passing places on the narrow approach road.

03/01362/FUL, Extension - Cheapside Cottage, Alfrick Pound, Although this was a considerable increase in the size of the property it was decided not to offer any comment.

03/01355/FUL, Extension Steep Holm, Old Storridge, Alfrick - No comment

03/01412/LBC, Replace Windows, Yew tree Cottage Alfrick, The owner Mr P Gilbert withdrew from the meeting during the consideration of this item. - No comment

03/01415/FUL, Shed and Stables, Green Street Barn Lulsley, no objection but the council drew the MHDC Planning Office's attention to the size of the barn compared with the remainder of the property.

The clerk reported that due to demand he had increased to 10 the copies of the Countryside Agency's 'Parish Plans A Guide for Parish Councils' in the Village Post Office. The meeting in Village Hall on Tuesday 23^rd September would be a Parish Meeting and would be recorded accordingly. Karen Humphries - Field Officer for Vital Villages - Worcestershire would make a presentation on Parish Plans. Invitations to this had been sent to all houses in the parish and all local organisations. Refreshments would be provided after the formal proceedings to encourage informal discussions to take place. Mr C Tolley pointed out that the work towards a Parish Plan had to be undertaken by parishioners and not by the Parish Council.

Broad Dingle Viaduct;

The clerk reported that access would not be permitted by the owners of the old railway track on the southern side and access via Broad Dingle on the eastern side was not acceptable to the owner of that land. However access from Footpath 16 which passes under the southern arch of the viaduct to Footpath 15 in Lulsley via a new path through the Broad Dingle and along the old railway track was a possibility and he was still to meet the landowner concerned to discuss this.

The Footpaths Officer, Mr J Goldsmith reported that the following work was to be done during the autumn/winter:

Additional steps at Green Street, Improved access - north of Alfrick Court, Lulsley Hill Road, Whitehouse Lane, Brookbatch Farm, Alfrick Pound, Bridge reconstructions at Brookbatch Farm and Ravenhills,

The clerk reported that the Highways Partnership had agreed to install warning signs at Ravensbank, Lulsley.

The clerk read a letter received from Mr R A Cook relating to noise from the Summer Ball after the Alfrick and Lulsley Show on 6^th September. He was asked to reply pointing out that the show and the evening event in the marquee afterwards are regular annual features of village life but members of the council are concerned that the music should not be excessively loud. He was asked also to advise the Show Committee and ask them to note these comments.

The clerk advised the council that it was necessary to appoint four trustees to the Alfrick Charities. The following were proposed and agreed: G M Brewin, L Higginson, P Brown, P Gilbert.

Details are attached to the agenda. All publications are available from the clerk on request.

The clerk advised the council that as part of the 'Quality Parish Council' initiative it was preferable that the council should adopt Standing Orders for Meetings, Financial Procedures and a Job Description for the Clerk. He had obtained draft procedures from NALC and was preparing suitable drafts for use by the council. It was agreed that Mrs C Williams, Mr C Tolley and Mr L Higginson would review these proposals.

Mr Higginson drew the members' attention to an event at the village hall on 10^th October when the final plans for the development of the hall would be presented.

Date of the next meeting;

The next meeting of the council was confirmed as 21^st October at 7.30pm in the Village Hall.

The meeting closed at 9.10pm.

Chairman