MINUTES OF THE ANNUAL PARISH MEETING OF MARTLEY
HELD ON SATURDAY 15TH. MAY 2010 AT THE MEMORIAL HALL

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In attendance: Cllr. Mrs. D. Goodyear (Chairman of the Parish Council and Chairman for this meeting), Cllr. Mr. R. McHugh, Cllr. Mr. T. Fearnehough,
Mrs. S. Williams (Clerk to Martley Parish Council and Clerk to this meeting) and one parishioner.

The meeting was opened at 6.30 p.m.

• Apologies: Received from Cllr. Mr. T. Gale, Cllr. Mrs. K. Metcalfe and District Cllr. Mrs. B. Williams.  

PC Hood confirmed that West Mercia Police have been contacted by a number of concerned parishioners with regard to the number of cycle events being held in Martley and also the conduct of the most recent event. There are 6 cycle groups who use routes through Martley, PC Hood has contacted 3 of them and plans to contact the remaining 3 over the next few days to remind them politely of how they should conduct the events.

PC Hood advised that parishioners are within their rights to photograph cyclists when they are travelling 4 or 5 abreast and pass these photographs to PC Hood and/or the Manager at Highways who is responsible for the authorisation of the cycle events to show misconduct. Parishioners are also within their rights to ask marshals which cycling club is hosting the event.

The Clerk is to write to the Highways Partnership asking for notification of any planned cycle events in the future. PC Hood strongly urged parishioners to keep advising the Police with regard to misconduct at cycling events.  An issue was also raised with PC Hood in terms of parking on the top of Ankerdine. PC Hood is to look into this.

• Report by Martley Parish Council Chairman: The Clerk tabled this report which is reproduced in Addendum.1. 

• Report by District Councillor Mrs.B. Williams: The Clerk tabled this report which is reproduced in Addendum. 2. 

• Report by County Councillor Mr. A. Davies: The Clerk tabled this report which is reproduced in Addendum. 3. 

• Memorial Hall Report: The Clerk tabled this report which is reproduced in Addendum 4. 

• Martley Primary School Report: This report is to be deferred until a later meeting. 

• Old Grammar School Foundation Report: The Clerk tabled this report which is reproduced in Addendum 5. 

• Penny Hill Liaison Committee Report: There was no report requested. Cllr. Mrs.D. Goodyear confirmed that the site is still producing electricity for the main grid.

• Martley Parish Council Finance Report: The Clerk tabled this report which is reproduced in Addendum 6.

• Parish Path Wardens Report: The Clerk tabled this report which is reproduced in Addendum 7.

• Nora Parsons Day Centre: The Clerk tabled this report which is reproduced in Addendum 8.

• Parish Matters: There were no matters arising.

The Chairman Cllr. Mrs. D. Goodyear closed the meeting at 7:05 p.m.

Addendum 1

Chair’s report on 2009/10

After the resignation of Dave Cropp in August 2009, as Vice-Chair I was put into the position as Chair of the Parish Council on a temporary basis. I agreed to undertake this role on a temporary basis, as I was unsure I would be able to manage the workload. With the employment of a Clerk to the Parish Council however, I was assured that there would be suitable support for the role of Chair, and accepted the position in November after receiving an overwhelming majority of votes from other Councillors.

There were a number of jobs that I and others thought needed prioritising immediately. Many of these concerned the appearance of the centre of the Village around the Post Office, garage and pub and some around the wider area under the Parish Council’s boundaries.

• In September we took an outstanding decision to order three litter bins costing just over £800. These were placed at the bus stop, weighbridge and next to the seating opposite the gardens of the pub;
• In October I decided that the appearance of the only bus shelter in the village needed to be improved. Together with family and friends, we cut back the overgrown ivy and plants from around the shelter and cleared it of two bags of rubbish. We brushed down and stained the front of the shelter;
• In late October we tackled the weighbridge. The trees were cut down by Mike Nott and Richard McHugh over a couple of days, before a larger group of us gathered to clear the overgrown ivy and plants. Alan Gosling provided a trailer to dispose of all the rubbish.
• At the same time, with the assistance of the Milestone Association, the milestone coming into the village, just after Taylors old yard along Martley Road was moved to the other side as it was constantly being knocked down when the verges were cut;
• In December we used existing unspent monies together with some of the highways grant from the Council to hire local contractors to clear all of the ditches within the village. This took a total of three days and cost just under £1100;
• In December/January we were loaned a trial mobile speed sign installed along Hillside to remind people that it was a 30mph area. The sign lit up and indicated if a vehicle was travelling any faster.
• In February, we employed a hedge-cutter for several hours to deal with those hedges that we had received complaint about.
• Throughout my time as Chair of the Parish Council, I have continually involved myself wherever I can with the matter concerning additional housing in the village. As a response to the many comments I had received verbally, together with those I have read on the website concerning local objections, the Parish Council held an extraordinary meeting to discuss the position of the Parish Council on the matter. In January, we submitted an account of the objections we had regarding the proposals. This account included objections in respect of policy, infer-structure, environment and design amongst others and is available to view in full along with everyone else’s on the website.

Looking forward

• Monies have been agreed to re-roof the weighbridge.
• Looking into potential funding to secure our own mobile speed sign for the village.
• Following progress on the issue of additional housing in the village and to work with a local group that is currently being established with the village.

All-in-all I have had a very enjoyable and challenging time in my position of Chair for the past nine months. I believe that with the support of so many fellow councillors, family and friends, that we have achieved much for the village of Martley. Some may consider some of what we have done to be minor and unimportant, but I believe it is total of all that has been achieved, and not the individual parts, that has made a difference.

I would like to give special thanks to my husband Tip for providing me with continual support throughout my time as Chair. I hope to have everyone’s continued support as we look ahead to any challenges that may face us; in the knowledge that we can overcome them together.

Councillor. Mrs. D. Goodyear  May 2010

Addendum 2

Cllr Barbara Williams – Malvern Hills District Council  2009/10 APM Report

Dear Chairman and Members,

I have had yet another very busy year as your ward member for MHDC, partially with regard to planning issues, I was re-elected as Chairman to Northern Area Planning Control Committee yet again for another year, I also serve on the main planning committee which deals with applications that have been referred from area committees, it also deals with planning policies.

We have managed to keep our share of the council tax low at 2.5% this year.

The new recycling plant at Norton is up and running taking our recyclables. I went on a tour of the plant and found it very impressive.

I’m still Chairman of Sport Martley management committee, representing MHDC, Sport Martley continues to flourish.

I still represent MHDC on the Old Grammar School Foundation.

I’m also president of Martley Young Farmers.

Finally I would like to say how much I enjoy working with you parish council, Chairman and members alike, also my close working relationship with your County Councillor, Alwyn Davies.

Cllr Barbara Williams  May 2010

Addendum 3

Martley Parish Council Annual Parish Meeting

County Council Report 2009-2010

Last June, I was re-elected as the County Councillor for the Hallow Electoral Division, which I have now represented since 1993. So I return again to present my Annual Report.

I completed my year as the Chairman of the Council, a role I found most rewarding, and whilst expecting to return to the backbenches I was invited and accepted an invitation to become Chairman of the County Council Planning and Regulatory Committee.

The County Council continues to serve its population and, in national terms, in its Annual Review was assessed to be performing strongly in most areas. The recent impact of global finances will impact on Local Government and whilst the current financial year is the third year of our fixed budget levels, the funding to Local Government and our Council in the short and medium term is unknown.

We, as a Council, have taken the view that in the three years 2011-2014 we will receive an estimated 85% of our current Council grant leaving us to make a reduction of £45M over those three years. It will necessitate efficiency savings across all services, likely staff reductions and the need to work jointly with our District Councils to achieve further savings by working together in defined areas. This work has already commenced and will be showing savings to all the councils over the next few years.

At the start of the Council four year period, a Corporate Plan is prepared and has been approved for the years 2009-2013. The County Council will offer:

• Quality and value for everyone, keeping its Council Tax as low as prudently possible.
• Improved Community Safety, including the continued reductions in the numbers of those killed and seriously injured on our roads.
• Improve Highways, footways and transport services, including a growth in the current budget of £26M particularly improving rural roads.
• Raising standards in schools, continuing to educate our 75,000 children in 246 schools and to include improving facilities throughout – as evidenced by the recent extension to the Chantry School at Martley. The Council will also continue opening its Children’s Centres throughout the County.
• Supporting older people to live independent lives. The demography of the County shows continued increasing numbers in the elderly and the need to support them with home care is vital.
• Strengthen Worcestershire’s economy by working with all partners to tackle the effects of recession and ensure that Worcestershire creates jobs to protect its future. The success of the University of Worcester is core to the County’s wellbeing.

At a more local level, issues arise and have been dealt with.

The maintenance of highways - £36M in 2009-2010- continues. Currently repair of potholes leads, 10500 since mid January, flood alleviation projects are still being completed with much to do. Your Parish Council contact is the Highways Liaison Officer John Wallace who I know is committed to support your Council. Surface dressing planned for various U roads, footpath work adjacent to the Crown Inn and flood alleviation work in Martley village.

The speed Limit Review is underway and reports are starting to come through and recommendations shared with Parish Councils and will continue throughout 2010-2011.

Disposal of waste remains a priority. The recent opening of the Envirosort Unit at Norton will receive District Council collections for sorting and together with recycling will continue the reduction in landfill.

A small amount of funds have been made available to County Councillors and in the last year I have been pleased to contribute:

£575 to your lengthsman account towards highways work

£3200 to the Nora Parsons’ Day Centre

Planning for new homes West of Worcester is a major concern to the directly affected parishes. Malvern Hills District Council, as part of the South Worcestershire Joint Core Strategy, will be considering options as part of their Local Development Framework Plan. The County Council position is that any new development must be supported by the proper infrastructure and my role is to actively reflect Parish Council views. A change of Government may result in a change in planning policy as to the numbers of new homes. The cost of infrastructure will be affected by the support from Central Government at a time when other economic decisions will no doubt take precedence.

I thank you Chairman for your welcome to your Parish Council meetings and I continue to attend as time permits with my usual premise of being able to help and advise. As normal, I am happy to attempt to answer any questions.

Always Davies  County Councillor – Hallow Electoral Division   

Addendum 4

Last year's Village Hall AGM minutes record that would I be approached about the possibility of taking on the role of chair and that the committee would like to meet me. When the role was outlined to me I was told that Hall was in good order, well used and on a sound financial base. The chairman's role was just to bang the table and announce the next item on the agenda.   The committee met me and, scraping the bottom of the barrel, decided I had to be better than nothing! What I was told to be the case is correct. The hall is (broadly) in good order. It is well used. There is not a financial crisis. There is much that existing and previous committee members have achieved. However there have been issues to address, including:- Hall committee membership. I was concerned that the existing committee was not sufficiently broadly based and adequately representative of users and other potential stakeholders. We addressed this at this year's AGM when the committee was strengthened by an additional member and an electronic consultation method was agreed for keeping in touch with stakeholders. Constitutional matters. The Hall was set up with holding trustees and a management committee. Of those most recently appointed as holding trustees, only one is still alive and he wants to step down. After consultation it is clear that there is a consensus that the Official Custodian of Charities should be approached to be the holding trustee and this is in process.   Issues the management committee are currently dealing with include:- Bookings - After several years of service for which the community as a whole has reason to be grateful, John Woolley has stood down from doing the bookings. As a short term interim measure, Dave Cropp is handling bookings. We intend to have a system that makes it as easy as possible for people to book the hall and where double bookings are avoided! Maintenance - Neil Stammers recently returned to the management committee and has agreed to take responsibility for smaller maintenance work. There is an "issues log" - a book in which users can record any problems they found with the hall so we know what needs fixing.   Forthcoming events and things to anticipate include:- Race night Saturday 5th June. All the glamour and excitement of Ascot in Martley village hall. Tickets are available from committee members Heating system - Subject to getting the grant agreed (a good turnout for the race night would help too) we will be installing an air source heat pump heating system.   Robert Barlow Chair Martley Hall Management Committee 15/5/10 

Addendum 5

Martley Old Grammar School Foundation was constituted by Deed of Trust dated 24 October 1911 and is a registered charity (number 527114).

The assets of the trust are administered by the trustees who are appointed by the governors. The trustees are:

P D Kirby Esq (Chairman)  J Walker Esq  C Tiarks

There are nine governors of the charity. Five are nominated governors of whom two are nominated by Worcestershire County Council, one by Malvern Hills District Council and two by Martley Parish Council. Four are co-opted governors who have knowledge of the Parish of Martley.

Governors meet regularly and decisions are made by majority vote.

The principal funding source of the charity is dividend from the endowment assets. Income for the year amounted to £8,044, charity grants etc paid in the year amounted to £10,632 and the cost of administering the charity amounted to £1,792.

The market value of investments held by the charity at 31 December 2009 amounted to £216,898. Total net assets of the charity amounted to £233,576 of which £224,188 is attributable to the endowed fund and £9,341 to the unrestricted income fund.

The charity’s net assets have increased during the year from £230,112 to £233,576.

No remuneration has been paid to any trustee and no expenses have been reimbursed to any trustee. There were no employees during the year.

Grants totalling £10,486 were made to 46 individuals in support of their education during the year. In addition institutional grants were made to Martley Village Hall – (£96) and Chantry High School, Martley (£50).

Extracts taken from unaudited financial statements for the year ended 31 December 2009

Addendum 6

Martley Parish Council  End of year accounts  2009/2010

Started April 2009 with £7663.95 carry forward from previous year in Lloyds.

Started April 2009 with £8300.00 in the Bank of Ireland account.

Income

Carry forward £ 7663.95

Precept payments (April & September 2009) £ 18000.00

Other (Smartwater & E-on) £ 40.81

Transfer from Bank of Ireland £ 8386.93

Total Income £ 34091.69

NB Still expecting £2368.25 for lengthsman re-imbursement.

NB Still expecting £414.34 for PPP re-imbursement.

Payments

PPP £ 414.34

Lengthsman (including ditch clearance costs) £ 2544.25

HMRC £ 1088.42

Clerks salary £ 4418.52

Donations £ 2220.00

Village facilities £ 1976.81

Insurance £ 540.17

Subscriptions £ 504.40

Rural rate relief £ 311.45

Litter warden £ 360.00

Village Hall Electric £ 684.79

Village Hall phone £ 186.83

Admin. Costs £ 1219.61

Total expenditure £ 16469.59  

Income – expenditure £ 17622.10  

Balance £17622.10

Bank of Ireland - £ 8386.93

Carry forward - £ 7663.95

Remaining £ 1571.22

Add still expected £ 2782.59

Total remaining £ 4353.81  

Addendum 7

The Path-or-None’s continued to meet each month as usual, repairing damaged or missing furniture, and clearing undergrowth. Highlights of the year included our hosting of the ceremony to re-launch the re-worked Martley and Abberley Loops of the Worcestershire Way. We entertained a party from Worcestershire County Council as well as local invitees, with tea and an exhibition in the Memorial Hall. At the same time we celebrated the award of Walkers are Welcome status, the first in Worcesteshire and a confirmation of our practice over many years of making Martley's paths the best signed and looked after in the county. In addition, the GeoTrail was launched--109 miles from Bridgnorth to Gloucester, passing through Martley--along with the excellent guide produced by The Earth Heritage Trust based at Worcester University. We held a Saturday afternoon 'walk-in' and around 20 took advantage of tea, biscuits and a choice of routes to enjoy on rather a blustery afternoon.  

John Nicklin  May 2010  

Addendum 8

NORA PARSONS DAY CENTRE

REPORT TO MARTLEY PARISH COUNCIL – ANNUAL PARISH MEETING

In the year to 31st March 2010 the income of the Centre amounted to approximately £26,000 which included 3 grants which were awarded for specific purposes, to renew the central heating system, Extend exercise classes and for other activities. The expenditure amounted to approximately £20,500. However 2 grant amounts totalling £4,200 have not yet been used. Excluding grants the surplus for the year was £500. Included in income is approximately £4,000 raised by the volunteers.

For the first time this year we sold our own Christmas Cards and held a Grand Christmas Raffle and these 2 items alone brought in £1,500.

We have finally managed to find a very good meal supplier and we have therefore as a result of this increased the charge to members from £5.00 to £7.50. This increase will generate approximately £3,000 per year which will be used to build up reserves as well as providing additional entertainment. The new charge is the same amount charged by Age Concern for their Day Centres.

Forgetting the financial side, the Centre is very vibrant. We are getting new members regularly. The activities they enjoy include talks, exercise classes, musical entertainment, painting classes; outings to the pantomime, Chantry play etc. Plus they have 2 outings per year which are funded by their bingo sessions.

From July of this year the Centre will also be open on Tuesdays and Wednesdays being run by another charity “Friends of the Elderly” who will be operating a specialist dementia centre. Again this will bring in a small amount of additional income.

At Christmas we were very fortunate that Cath Mackie, BBC Midlands Today Reporter agreed to act as our Patron and she is being involved in several activities during the year to help to raise the profile of the Centre. Cath was introduced to the Centre when she attended our Christmas lunch and she helped Father Christmas hand out the presents.

We are always looking for volunteer drivers and as we add new members this becomes even more a priority as well as volunteers to help at the Centre.  

J Dale  Secretary – Nora Parsons Day Centre  14 May 2010