DRAFT MINUTES OF AN ORDINARY MEETING OF KENSWICK & WICHENFORD PARISH COUNCIL HELD ON MONDAY 10TH MARCH 2008 IN THE MEMORIAL HALL WICHENFORD
Unapproved abbreviated draft minutes .
Councillor G Britten Long chaired the meeting. (Chairman)
Present were
Mrs.J Panton Mr M Andrews Mrs H Rendall Mrs C. Woodward
Mr R Latham Mr N. Oldfield
In Attendance: Mrs S Sanders (Clerk to the Parish Council) County Councillor A Davies.
The chairman welcomed the newly elected councillor Mr R Latham who was introduced to the council.
Democratic half hour/public question time.
The chairman invited all present to ask questions or make statements about parish business .
APOLOGIES and APPROVAL of absence.
Councillor K Randall (Accepted) Councillor D Stinton (Accepted) County Councillor B. Williams
DISTRICT AND COUNTY COUNCILLORS REPORT
Councillor Williams sent a report in which she reported that MHDC share of TAX increase is 4.5%
She has spoken to the planning officer about the permission for the new access at The Masons and said that the highways department are happy with the situation but have put on certain conditions; if the parish council are not happy with the highways recommendations they can employ an independent highways safety officer.
County Councillor Davies reported a 4.3% increase on the council tax which is 6% less than last year.
The Regional Spatial Strategy workshop in Sinton Green was attended by 2 of our council and the date has been extended to 30th June. The results of the workshops are not yet known.
At the moment the Concessionary Bus Fare will only allow travel within the district but from April it will allow you to go all over the country.
The National Audit Commission awarded the County 4 stars for the 3rd year in a row.
The County Councillor has been told about the letter written by the clerk to the neighbouring parishes regarding the highways and has been asked to attend. The clerk will inform him when a date has been set; she is waiting to hear from all of the parishes concerned for their feelings.
The clerk said that the letter she wrote to the County Council Directorate on 8th Feb has been passed on 4 times and still no answers have been reached.
DECLARATION OF INTEREST.
There was no declaration of interest.
MINUTES
The minutes of the meeting held on 14th January 2008 were read. Minutes were accepted and signed as a true record.
PROGRESS REPORTS
Festival Housing (Hedge and Fence)
An email was read out from Festival which said that a maintenance inspector has visited the site and arranged for the fence to be repaired and asked the tenant to cut back the hedge.
Mini Digger.
The chairman has tried on several occasions to get to the bottom of the article which was advertising free digger hire, but has not had any luck as no one knows anything about it. She will try again to chase them up with an email.
Litter picking.
The clerk has contacted Malvern Hills and asked for the Litter Pickers to come to our parish. She will keep chasing them up.
PLANNING
Applications considered since the last meeting.
The clerk brought to the councils attention an application 08/00244/AGR for an agricultural barn and storage unit. The clerk was asked to speak to the planning officer to find out what viable agricultural practice is going to be on 40 acres.
08/00008/FUL First floor extension and ground floor lean to utility for Kenswick Manor Lodge. The parish council has no objection to this application.
08/00121/FUL .Three Bedroom Dwelling at Coalbrook House. Although the parish council appreciates there is a clear need for this dwelling; it is outside the village settlement boundary and contrary to all planning regulations. The plans of the dwelling seem unsuitable for an elderly couple and their requirements.
08/00131/FUL Provision of additional window in south elevation. Woodbine Cottage. The parish council would like this window to be over 2M from floor level to allow light but not to overlook the neighboring gardens.
08/00172/FUL-00173/LBC . Demolition of modern farm buildings and the conversion of the traditional buildings to 4 residential units at Woodhall Farm. The parish council have no objection in principle to this application but as these buildings will in effect be ‘new builds’ care should be taken to promote the development of renewable energy; geo-thermal heating; reduction of heat loss by insulation and the re-use and recycling of waste water. The parish council has concerns that the development will generate more traffic using the single track road to join the B4204 Martley to Worcester Road
Decisions made by MHDC
07/01688/FUL . Proposed garage/carport with studio and storage above for Cob House Farm. Approved.
07/01423/FUL .Provision of improved highway access for The Masons, Wichenford. Approved.
The Councils letter to C Bocock regarding this decision was discussed. No reply has been received and the council agreed they would like it chased up. Highways have a duty to cut back hedges that are obstructing the visibility onto the carriageway.
The parish council thought that if there was a lot of opposition to an application it should go to the planning committee and not be delegated.
Applications to be considered. (Received after agenda sent out)
07/01934/ FUL. Erection of steel portal framed building for storage of grain; produce; tractors; and agricultural implements for Woodhall Farm.
The parish council discussed this application and is unhappy with the sighting of the proposed barn. It will be visible from the main road; also by the residents of Kenswick Manor and more importantly right in view of 2 of the proposed barn conversions. It is extremely large yet not big enough to cater for the size of the farm. We would also question where the surface water will drain as there is no brook nearby.
08/00278/FUL .Outdoor exercise area for horses. At Sledgemoor House.
The parish council has no objections to this proposal.
FINANCE
The income/expenditure accounts were discussed and accepted.
The current balance up to 29th February 08 stands at £15,553.70.This includes the remainder of the Nora parsons Day Centre Management Account of £819.94 and £2,336.00 from Awards For All lottery Funding. There were two cheques totaling £1,053.052 for agreement and signature.
The Lengthsman has been paid from August-January 08.
MHDC election fees came to £93.20.
The acceptance of the finances was resolved.
MASONS ARMS RURAL RATE RELIEF.
The parish council has been asked if they would consider an application by the Masons for Rural Rate Relief .The parish council agreed that the business is of benefit to the local community, and although we support the application have declined to support it financially as our budget for this year has been allocated. We would like to consider supporting it with a financial contribution in the next years rating period.
NORA PARSONS DAY CENTRE (For information )
The Diocesan Board of Finance is not going to claim rent arrears or negotiate the lease for some time.
The Diocese has taken over from the parish council as landlords. They are getting a second quote for repairs and applied for a lottery grant. The County Council has approved a small grant.
REGIONAL SPATIAL STRATEGY REFFERED OPTION . (Report for information)
Councillors reported that the meeting at Sinton Green was only a consultation and no answers could be given. The infrastructure to support more housing is not good enough. The consultation period has been extended to June. The CPRE are asking to petition the government as to how they came to the figure for the amount of houses they say are needed.
SMARTWATER SECURITY SYSTEM. (For Information)
The clerk was asked to distribute this in the correspondence folder and put it on the next agenda. Cllr Panton will be attending a meeting in April about this and will report back at the next meeting.
AWARDS FOR ALL.
The parish council have been successful in receiving a grant from the lottery funded Awards For All. We have been awarded £2,336 for notice boards. To find out more on Awards for All or to apply for a grant www.awardsforall.org.uk.
COUNCILLORS TRAINING
Councillors could not attend any of the training dates.
TO REPORT ANY URGENT DECISIONS SINCE THE LAST MEETING
There was nothing to report.
CORRESPONDENCE
For decision by the parish council.
The Malvern Hills District Police and Community Consultative Group Meeting on March 26th. No one can attend.
For information only.
All correspondence listed on the agenda has been distributed in the folder to each councillor.
Children and Young Peoples Plan, Letter and Response regarding Rosses Lane
Local Council Services., Filmscene, Calc update 7-47, 8-01, 8-02; 8.04
WCC Workwise Scheme, WMRSS Phase 2, MHDC Application for Rural Rate Relief
Audit Commission; Newsline Magazine; Letter to Directorate of Environmental Services
Calc Mail 47; Partnership Matters magazine; consultation on Orders and Regulations Relating to the Conduct of Local Authority Members in England
Parish Plan newsletter; Letter to Neighboring parishes regarding Highways.
Community E Newsletter; MHDC SWJCS feedback and next stages.
COUNCILLOR’S REPORTS and ITEMS FOR FUTURE AGENDAS
Councillor Rendall reported that 2 dozen apple and plum grafts have been asked for but we didn’t get any. If the apple grafts take she will pay for the stock and ask for sealed bids. They will then be given to the highest bidder at the village fete.
DATE AND VENUE OF NEXT MEETING
Next Meeting 28 th April 2008. This will be the Annual Parish Meeting and an Ordinary Meeting. To start at 7.45/8pm.
Meetings were arranged for 16th June; 28th July; 8th September; 20th October and 1st December 2008.
All will be in the Memorial Hall Wichenford at 7.30pm.
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john layton March 2008