MINUTES OF A MEETING OF CHADDESLEY CORBETT PARISH COUNCIL
Held on Monday 9^th January 2006 at the Chaddesley Corbett Village Hall at 7.30pm

Present: Councillors: Chairman, Mr C Dodge, Mrs S Holding, Mr D Spencer, Mr H Grove, Mrs P Pardoe, Mr J Swift, Mr R Higgins, Mrs V Adams, Mr C Rowberry, Mr M Gibbs,
District Cllr Mr S Williams, County Cllr Mr S Clee,
Mrs Y L Scriven (clerk).
Members of the public also attended the meeting.

1. APOLOGIES: Cllr Mr J Millington

2. MINUTES OF THE MEETING held on 5 December 2005 were approved and signed by the Chairman.

FORMAL APPROVAL OF THE AGENDA – Approved, except for additional items
6.9, 6.10 and 6.11 listed below.

3. DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST: None

4. REPORT BY WEST MERCIA POLICE: None

5. CLERK’S REPORT ON ITEMS RAISED AT PREVIOUS MEETINGS
5.1 Speeding Checks – Worcester Road, Harvington: Cllr Mr M Gibbs reported that some speed checks had already taken place and had been successful. The clerk was asked to thank the Police for action taken and to suggest that the exercise should be repeated overnight and at weekends when goods vehicles use the road at high speed.
It was also suggested that improved speed restriction signage was required, possibly flashing signs as used in other areas, or camera/signs.

6. MATTERS FOR DISCUSSION/DECISION
6.1 The Council Charter: Mr Keith Perkins, Chairman of Rock Parish Council, and Area Chairman of CALC attended the meeting to discuss and encourage the Parish Council to sign up to the Charter. Rock Parish Council had signed the Charter as it gave an opportunity of local Councils to co-operate in a working arrangement with District and County Councils. Councillors believed that ,many of the principles in the Charter were good practice, but there was no evidence that the principal Councils had, or would, involve Parish Councils in the preparation of community strategy. This was demonstrated by the recent Character Appraisal of Chaddesley Corbett Conservation Area, which had been prepared and issued without the knowledge of, or consultation with, the Parish Council.
Often there was inadequate time allowed when Consultation documents were distributed, as was the case with the Worcestershire Transportation and Development Control Guide recently circulated, which contained 28 separate documents on a CD, with no hard copy. Mr Perkins acknowledged that the present systems could be improved, and the Charter provided an opportunity to address these and other issues, but Parish Council’s needed to be part of the process.
Councillors still felt that this private civil contract was unnecessary and bureaucratic, but they would be happy to join in a successful, proven and sound scheme, which this might be, in the future.
Mr Perkins expressed his disappointment that the Parish Council were not willing to sign up to the Charter at this time, but nevertheless he was prepared to try to make this document work.
6.2 Parish Plan Funding: A detailed breakdown of costs to date had been provided:
    Actual Expenditure £2,761   
    Estimated Final Printing Costs £2,377
    Total actual expenditure £5,138
    Funding by Community First £4,000
    Funding by Parish Council £ 700
    Deficit £ 438
The Parish Council was asked to fund the deficit in order to proceed with the printing and distribution of the Parish Plan. After discussion, it was felt that the Parish Council could only provide further funds if the Action Plan was published at the same time as the Plan.
6.3 Worcestershire Transportation and Development Control Guide: A CD had been provided with no paper copy, which contained more than 28 separate lengthy files. The clerk had requested a paper copy but was advised that this was not possible. Cllr Mr Swift undertook to view the Executive Summary and provide comments to the County Council.
6.4 Logo for the Parish Council: Suggestions were circulated to Councillors and members of the public present, and the most popular choice was approved. This would be used in the Parish Plan and on Parish Council letters, etc.
6.5 Bus Service: A complaint had been received from a resident about damage to the road caused by the bus travelling through the village and along Briar Hill. This had been passed to Highways for a highways appraisal to be carried out.
6.6 West Mercia Police Authority Consultation Meeting: - To be held at Hindlip Hall on 17 January 2006. Cllr Mr J Millington to attend.
6.7 Proposed Caveat in Standing Orders and on web-page: Cllr Mr H Grove submitted his proposed wording. It was agreed this should be used on the web-page with immediate effect but comments would be taken at the next meeting.
6.8 Worcestershire County Council – Pre Budget Meeting: To be held at County Hall on 19 January 2006. Cllr Mr C Rowberry to attend.
6.9 Standards Board: The clerk had provided Councillors with a precise of the Consultation Document, who welcomed the observations and recommendations for amendment of the Code of Conduct and were generally in agreement in principle with the findings of the review committee.
With regard to the Code of Conduct for Employees, it was felt that this should respect civil liberties.
6.10 Affordable Housing/Starter Homes: The clerk was asked to write to Mr M Parker, head of Planning at Wyre Forest District Council, to complain about remarks made by the planning officer regarding the selection of a site for affordable housing. It was reiterated that although the Parish Council approved the proposal for a small development in the Parish, they did not select the site, which had been decided by Wyre Forest District planners and the Housing Assocaiton. Most of the original sites selected by the Parish Council had been ruled out by Highways or Planning. It was noted that on several occasions the planning officer had been known to state that the allotment site was her preferred site, despite identified problems with access which had been pointed out by the Parish Council at an early stage. The Parish Council felt that someone should be accountable for wasted time and money.
6.11 Parking under the Chestnut Tree at entrance to Chaddesley Corbett Village:
Further incidents were reported and the clerk was asked to contact Highways to see if reflecting bollards could be placed around the tree area.

7. Items for General Information
7.1 Parish/Town Council Precepts 2006/7 – Provisional Council Tax Base for Wyre Forest District Council calculated to be 34,210, and Tax Base for Chaddesley Corbett was 717.
7.2 Dates of Wyre Forest District Council meetings.
7.3 Minutes of Rushock Parish Council meeting.
7.4 CALC training diary. Agreed Clerk to attend Clerks’ Gathering on 30 January – subject new Definitive Map.
7.5 Services provided by Worcestershire County Council.

8. Chairmans Report
8.1 Potholes – Briar Hill: The Chairman had personally telephoned the Manager of the Highways Partnership Unit and potholes had been repaired within 48 hours, although Councillors questioned the quality of the work. Many other areas were reported around the Parish and an inspection would be carried out shortly.
8.2 Refuse Collection: Complaints from residents at early collection time. Could these be re-scheduled to avoid peak traffic congestion?

9. REPORTS FROM COUNCILLORS REPRESENTING OUTSIDE BODIES:
9.1 Village Hall: None
9.2 Chaddesley Corbett First Endowed School: Nothing further to report.
9.3 Charity Trusts: None
9.4 Wyre Forest Area Calc: Minutes of meeting.

10. REPORT FROM DISTRICT COUNCILLOR: Cllr Mr S Williams did not give a report as it was the policy not to do so prior to an election.

11. REPORT FROM COUNTY COUNCILLOR:
11.1 Cllr Mr S Clee reported that Worcestershire County Council’s budget had been reduced by £12m over the last two years, and they were looking for areas where cuts could be made without job losses.
This year’s budget was £550m, 50% of which was allocated directly to schools and education.
The present Highway Partnership Units would be dissolved and key personnel would be transferred to County Hall, although six manager’s positions would disappear. Other operatives would work from the headquarters of the appointed highways contractor. This would release funds for much needed road maintenance and improvements.
11.2 Catchment Area – Chaddesley Corbett school: Consultation document would shortly be issued on whether Stone catchment area should be split between Spennels and Chaddesley Corbett.

12. WORCESTERSHIRE COUNTY ASSOCIATION OF LOCAL COUNCILS:None

13. FINANCIAL REPORT
13.1 Receipts and Payments.
A schedule of receipts and payment was tabled and approved for payment, as follows:
Expenditure:   WFCH Lengthsman Scheme £343.00 +VAT
     Clerk Broadband £48.48 + VAT
     CCVH Room Hire £22.00
Receipts (invoiced not yet paid):
     Worcestershire CC Annual Grass cutting Contract £1052.00
     Burial Fee A B Webly £ 56.25
     Allotment Fee C Stockford £ 8.00
13.2 Requests for funding: Councillors had been provided with a list of applications for consideration. Cllr Mr J Swift did not agree that any donations should be made at this time pending production of the Parish Plan. Other Councillors felt that some of the requests were urgent and should be considered immediately. After discussion it was agreed that the Parish Council should make the following donations:

A proposition was made and seconded and a vote taken to make these donations, with 8 for, 1 against and 1 abstention. The motion was carried.
13.3 Precept 2006/2007. A schedule of expenditure and budget forecasts was provided by the Clerk and it was agreed that a precept of £11,040 would be requested, representing a 2.5% increase over last year. In addition there would be a 15% contribution by the District Council of £1,656 under Section 136 contributions.

14. ALLOTMENTS:
Chairman and Clerk to meet to decide on size and cost of new allotment plots. Now 4 requests for allotments.

15. BURIAL GROUND: It was decided that the remaining plots would not be presold at this time.

16. PARISH PATHS SCHEME: Report from the Footpaths Warden for Nov:-
16.1 Reports Received/Actioned - 0:
16.2 Paths walked 4 - Highway access checked 8
16.3 Volunteer Hours: 0
16.4 Work actioned and completed in December: Nil, due to late delivery As requested, CALC newsletter for September received via clerk on 23 December. It was confirmed that the present Parish Paths Partnership scheme would continue although the budget available would limit the grants provided and the number of parishes that could join the scheme – 25 more had joined in 2005. It was noted that supplementary grants were available for urgent, unexpected work. It was agreed there should be a three way communication between the Countryside Agency, Parish Footpath Warden and Parish Clerk to meet annually.
Annual PPW meeting scheduled 31 January; attendance confirmed; requested to identify in advance any issues/queries – four questions submitted.
No account submitted. Outstanding work will be actioned January/February providing necessary furniture orders received.

17. LENGTHSMAN SCHEME
Instruction 13 completed. Instruction 13A still outstanding. New instructions to be issued by Highways Partnership unit shortly.

18. HIGHWAYS ISSUES:
18.1 Park Lane, Harvington – Extension to footway: Letter from Worcestershire County Council indicating they were unable to allocate funding to this project in the current financial year. In any event planning permission would be required and the land owner would need to be approached to discuss whether a licence could be agreed to build the footway on his land prior to a planning decision. The work was estimated at £16,000 and funding would be partly from the Parish Council, Wyre Forest Community Housing and the Dame Mary Yates Charity Trust. The clerk indicated that the Parish Council would expect the County Council to be the major funder as this footway is ultimately their responsibility. Negotiations with interested parties was proceeding.
18.2 Tandy’s Lane: Still problems with flooding. Action being taken to clear gullies of debris.
18.3 Tanwood Lane: Speed restriction sign needs replacing.

19. ITEMS FOR NEXT MEETING - Next Meeting Monday 6 February 2006
Minerals and Waste Planning – Statement of Community Involvement