MINUTES OF THE GENERAL MEETING OF MARTLEY PARISH COUNCIL HELD ON MONDAY 7th OF SEPTEMBER 2009 AT THE MEMORIAL HALL

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Present: Cllr. Mrs. D. Goodyear Cllr. Mr. R. McHugh  Cllr. Mr. T. Gale Cllr. Mr. M. Nott

In attendance: Mrs. S. Williams (Clerk).

There were 10 members of the public present.

The Chairman welcomed everyone to the meeting.

The Democratic Period/Public Question Time

Parishioners raised:

• Garden waste being left outside St. Peters Court and grass not being cut. The Clerk is to write to the occupier(s).
• General poor condition of the weighbridge. Councillors, Lengthsman and possibly the tree officer will have a look at improvements that could be made to the weighbridge, including the overgrown trees by the weighbridge.
• Questions were asked as to why the police surgeries have moved from the Weighbridge to The Chantry when it was felt that the weighbridge is far more accessible.  The Clerk will write to the Police asking why and asking whether there is any funding available to improve the weighbridge and bring the surgeries back to the centre of the village.
• A need for a map in Martley, similar to that in Lower Broadheath. This map could then also show Councillors areas of responsibility within Martley. The Clerk is to agenda this for the next meeting and also to discuss an appropriate and relevant location.
• Concerns over the overgrown hawthorn hedge on the footpath on the opposite side of The Crown Inn. A parishioner had a fall on fete day due to the overgrown hedgerow. The Clerk is to arrange for this hedge and possibly some others within Martley to be cut back.
• The Clerk confirmed that Worcestershire CALC were looking into the legal aspects of allotments as they had been approached by a number of parishes; Martley being one. The Clerk has also been in touch with other Worcestershire parishes that have recently set up allotments and is waiting responses. The Clerk will now contact the land owner who expressed interest to ascertain further detail as to rent, requirements, etc. The Clerk will agenda this item for the next meeting.
• Concerns over the new path up to The Chantry from The Weighbridge. The seat and path are very overgrown. The Clerk will arrange for this area to be improved.
• The crows in the trees on the entrance to Mortlake Drive. The Parish Council confirmed that Environmental Health have said unfortunately no action can be taken against the crows.
• The bottle banks. It was clear from the meeting that some parishioners are disturbed by the bottle banks whereas others are not. The Clerk has been in touch with MHDC and is waiting for some advice from them as to whether any solutions to reduce the noise have been used in other parishes. The Clerk will agenda this item for the next meeting.
• The Exchange of packages taking place outside Heaton House. The Clerk is to notify the Police.
• The need for a sign at the top and bottom of Hillend Bridge Lane to stop confused drivers delivering to the wrong address.
• A success – Flood alleviation work is finally being undertaken in Jury Lane; thanks to the perseverance of residents.

Nigel Potter, Community First then spoke to The Parish Council and parishioners. He confirmed that the findings of the Housing Needs Survey undertaken last year were a need for 8 homes; 6 affordable and 2 shared ownership. These houses would be for people with a local connection to Martley. They tend to be on agricultural land on the edge of villages that would usually not be eligible for planning. Nigel Potter has been contacting land owners within Martley over the last few months to seek any interest in selling land for affordable housing. Nigel has had two positive responses. The Parish Council will now set up a working party to work alongside Nigel to look at Housing Associations, next steps, etc. Nigel Potter did convey that there would be plenty of public consultation further down the line but at this current stage he is legally unable to confirm with parishioners the land owners name and location within the village.

There are 14 affordable houses being built at Clifton Upon Teme at present that Martley could apply for. If you are interested in applying for any affordable housing then you need to check Choice Lettings on a Tuesday, as this is when they are advertised and only for a week. You can then put a bid in so long as you have previously registered with a housing association.

Chair opened the meeting at 20:45pm.

128-09 Apologies: Apologies were received on behalf of Cllr. Mr. N, Stammers, Cllr. Mr. G. Coombey-Jones and County. Councillor. Mr. A. Davies.

129-09 Declarations of Interest: Councillors were reminded to check their register of interests were up to date. No declarations were made.

130-09 Minutes: It was resolved to accept the minutes as a true record.

131-09 Progress reports:

• The Clerk)
• The Clerk clarified the co-option process to fill the current vacancies on The Parish Council.
• The Clerk confirmed that Worcestershire CALC is offering training to Councillors free of charge. Clifton Upon Teme are now arranging their own training. Martley will do the same as soon as the vacancies are filled.
• The Clerk is awaiting a response from MHDC as to whether they can notify Martley Parish Council prior to a cycling association event so that parishioners can be notified in advance.
• Councillors expressed a preference to continue receiving their minutes and agendas in the post as opposed to e-mail.
• Landowners support – ditch clearance)
  After receiving advice from MHDC the Clerk is to write to Highways asking for permission to be given for the ditches to be cleared at Hollins Lane, Pudford Lane and Berrow Green (from the bungalows to Maylite).

• Lengthsman)

The Clerk will ask the Lengthsman to install the new bins (locations were agreed)

Once Martley Parish Council is a full council the area of Martley will be allocated amongst all Councillors in terms of work for the lengthsman. Each Councillor will be responsible for their area and will report any work needed to the Clerk, who will in turn contact the lengthsman. The lengthsman will then be asked to report when the work is complete and the Councillor will then return to the area to ensure that it can be removed form the works list.

(D. Allotments)

Discussed under democratic time.

(E. Highways)

The Clerk is going through the previous Highways report and is splitting it into areas. Councillors will then need to inspect the area and confirm if the work has indeed been completed. An amended report will then be submitted to Highways. The Clerk is to agenda this for the next meeting.

(F. Bottle banks)

Discussed under democratic time.

(G. Affordable housing)

Discussed under democratic time.

132-09 District and County Councillors’ reports:

District. Councillor. Mrs. Williams reported that she was now Youth Champion for Hallow. She went on to confirm that Emma Rothwell would very much like to continue with her YIMMS work, to which Emma has received full support from Martley Parish Council.

County. Councillor. Mr. Davies had sent his apologies.

133-09 Planning:

Malvern Architects are happy to attend an open public meeting to discuss the application they are currently formulating on behalf of Marsten Developments Ltd to develop the land adjoining The Crown Inn. Therefore, The Clerk is to organise a public meeting for Thursday 15th October at 7.30pm. Once this is confirmed a notice will go up on the village notice board confirming this meeting.

New

09/01182/TCN Martley Court Barns – Fell trees and reduce hawthorn.

Pending

09/00752/OUT Horsham Court, Horsham – Erection of dwelling

09/00751/FUL & 09/00750/LBC Stables at Horsham Court – Conversion to create new dwelling with new garages

09/00749/FUL The Old Court, Horsham – Refurb. Of derelict former house with 2 storey extn. & new garage

09/00662/FUL & 09/00663/LBC Rodge Hill Farm, Hillside – Conversion of barns to form staff and guest accommodation

Permitted

09/00789/HOU Old House Farm, Horsham – Proposed first floor roof light to courtyard elevation.

09/00748/FUL The Old Smithy, Hillside – Change of use of land to domestic cartilage and erection of building for storage

Refused

09/00837/FUL Adj Three Acres, Willow Road – Proposed 2 no 4 bedroom detached dwellings.

Appealing to Secretary of State

08/01169/FUL Treetops Bungalow, Hillside – Replacement of existing dwelling (on-going)

08/01498/FUL Longside, Hipplecote – Replacement dwelling (on-going)

09/00423/FUL Bramblewood, Hipplecote – Replacement dwelling (on-going)

134-09 MHDC Malvern Flood Study:

Cllr. Mr. G. Coombey-Jones had kindly read the study and reported that it was a basic assessment of known flood areas, none of which are in Martley. There was no action proposed for Martley Parish. 

135-09 Martley Show and Fete:

A Councillor had requested clarification as to what the Parish Council’s previous donation of £300 was spent on. After consideration Martley Parish Council confirmed that this one off donation was not given with any stipulations or conditions and therefore clarification would not be sought from Martley Show and Fete.

136-09 Speed signs:

Hallow Parish Council have purchased two signs, one from Westcotec and one from 3M. Both have their advantages and disadvantages. The Clerk has had a quote from Westcotec of £2625.00 per portable 300mm 20/30/40MPH speed sign. The Clerk is to contact 3M for a price and agenda for the next meeting.  

137-09 Children’s play area:

The Clerk is to seek advice on grants that may be available to assist in improving the play area such as more bark, etc. The Recreation Association and Martley Parish Council are to meet to discuss responsibilities and a more effective way of working as a partnership.

138-09 Finance:

• There were 6 cheques totalling £2619.24, 5 of which were approved. The Clerk is to gain further information with regard to the invoice for the Library electricity.
• The Clerk is to draw out the lettering required for the boards. The Clerk will agenda this for the next meeting.
• The Clerk has heard nothing further from The Bank of Ireland. The Clerk will now arrange for a Solicitors letter requesting immediate payment of funds from the account.

139-09 Correspondence:

Items for decision

1. Clerk, Lower Broadheath – Evening transport proposal

Items for information

• Malvern Hills Partnership – Annual Report 2009
• CPRE - Newsletter September 2009
• WCC - Word on Worcestershire magazines
• CALC – Update 9-24
• CALC – Update 9-25  

140-09 Clerks report on any Urgent Decisions since the last meeting:

No decisions had been made since the last meeting.

141-09 Councillors reports and items for future agenda :

• The Clerk will put together a list of requests that the parish may wish to be considered if the planning was to go ahead with Marstens, such as allotments, play area, etc.
• The Clerk is to contact Karen Metcalfe who has kindly volunteered to be Martley Village Co-ordinator.
• The Clerk is to agenda the possibility of 10 hours for hedge cutting within Martley. The Clerk will firstly speak with residents who have hedges that are causing public access issues to see if this is something they require the Parish Council’s assistance with.

142-09 Date of next meeting: The next meeting will be held on Monday 5th October 2009.

Meeting finished at 10pm.

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John Layton