5. CLERK'S REPORT ON ITEMS RAISED AT PREVIOUS MEETINGS
    5.1 Park Lane, Harvington:     Despite e-mails and letters no response had been received from the Highways Partnership regarding subsidence and the proposed new footpath. The clerk had telephoned Mr Broom who had promised a report before the meeting, however this had not been received. The clerk was instructed to write to the Director of Environmental Services at Worcestershire County Council complaining about lack of response to our enquiries.
    5.2 Parish Council Website:     Cllr Mr H Grove confirmed that confirmation had been received and the web-site would be set up shortly.
    5.3 Tandy’s Lane, Harvington:     Still no progress on finding the owner of the land. The Clerk was instructed to write to Highways again as it is their responsibility to get this work done and contact the land owner.

6. MATTERS FOR DISCUSSION/DECISION
    6.1 Planning for Gypsy and Cavavan Sites:    A letter had been received from Mr M Parker, head of Planning, Health & Environment Department at Wyre Forest District Council. Mr Parker reported that the Consultation Document came out in December 2004 and set out the ODPM Guidance for Consultation on the replacement circular for 1/94 “Gypsy Sites and Planning”. The consultation set out the ODPM’s expectation of local authorities in planning for the need so gypsies and travellers. He stated that to date in the Wyre Forest District the unlawful siting of gypsy and travellers had not been a major problem and had generally been transitory when it had occurred and therefore had not responded to the Consultation Document.
In preparing its Local Development Framework, and in particular the Core Policy Development Plan document, and in meeting requirements under the Housing Act 2004, the Council have to undertake a survey of gypsy and traveller needs in the District in order to develop its future long-term policies.
In the meantime the Local and Country Structure Plan policies will apply. He commented that in the case of an illegal site being set up, if it is of a transitory nature as most have been to date, the necessary orders and action is usually handled by officers within the Cultural, Leisure and Commercial Services Division in order to move them on as efficiently as possible within the law. Where a more longer term illegal site was set up within the District, the Council would have to apply the normal planning process and consider its position regarding the instigation of enforcement action were planning permission not to be granted.
Cllr Mr R Higgins had undertaken to look into this matter in more detail and tabled two documents issued by the NFU on how to deal with an illegal site. It was noted that land was being purchased locally by travelling families and occupied illegally, and in some cases had received planning approval from the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister. Residents were urged to be vigilant and it was agreed that the Parish Council should formulate its own policy on emergency procedure and publish this on the Parish web-site. This matter would be tabled for further discussion at future meetings.
    6.2 X33 Bus Service:     Bus stop opposite the Talbot Inn: A request had been received for a bus stop at this location and a place to display time-tables and notices. There was insufficient room on the Parish Notice Board and the clerk was asked to seek permission for this to be placed on the Church Notice Board.
    6.3 Cross Boundary Planning Applications:     This initiative was raised at a recent Parish Forum. The document was passed to the Chairman of the Planning Committee for consideration.
    6.4 Parish Notice Boards:    The clerk indicated that the Village notice board was in poor condition and needed replacement. Cllr Mr M Gibbs was asked to look at possibilities and make a recommendation to the Parish Council.

7. ITEMS FOR INFORMATION/CONSULTATION
    7.1 South Staffordshire Local Development Framework:     Consultation documentation had been received and was noted.
    7.2 Clean Neighbourhoods and Environment Act 2005:    A timetable for the implementation of the new provisions had been received from DEFRA. However, CALC had advised that the new powers, which would affect parish and town councils, were welcomed although the benefit would depend upon how councils can deal with the powers in practice. Consultations were continuing on the regulations and would set out training standards for those issued fixed penalties, retention of receipts and guidance notes.
    7.3 Minutes of Rushock Parish Council Meetings:     Noted
    7.4 Parish Plan:    Cllr Mr J Swift briefed the Council on progress with the re-drafting of the Parish Plan. He advised that more information was required on the issue of affordable housing, the village school, parking, etc and a small supplementary survey was being considered. Several members of the Steering Group had resigned and a new Chairman was required. Residents were invited to join the group to help complete the plan.
    7.5 Meeting with West Mercia Housing Association:     A meeting was arranged from Monday 11 July at 6.00 p.m. to discuss outstanding matters.
    7.6 Wyre Forest Primary Care Trust:    Cllr Mr H Grove reported that the recent Showcase for older people had received positive feedback and a significant number of people had benefited. Further events would take place in Bewdley, Stourport and Kidderminster. It was agreed that the dates of these events should be published in the Parish Newsletter.

8. CHAIRMAN'S REPORT:
    8.1 The Chairman reported that several letters of complaint had been received and would be answered by the clerk after consultation with himself.
    8.2 A report had been received that new residents of Chaddesley Corbett had received anonymous letters stating that they were not welcome in the Parish. The Chairman had advised them to pass these letters to the Police. The Parish Council unanimously denounced this behaviour.

9. REPORTS FROM COUNCILLORS REPRESENTING OUTSIDE BODIES:
    9.1 Village Hall:     The new booking secretary has been appointed. The village hall will be closed for two weeks in August for redecoration.
    9.2 Chaddesley Corbett First Endowed School:     Cllr Mr C Rowberry reported on a meeting of the Trustees. An architect had been appointed for the development of a new school and David Mills had been appointed Project Manager. Helen England and Alison and Nigel Evans had been appointed to the Trustee’s team to look at possible sites. No site had yet been chosen, but surveyors had visited the rhubarb field and would be looking at other sites. They had not received any funding from the County Council at the moment. A full consultation meeting would be held in the Village in September and all parties would be involved.
    9.3 Charity Trusts:     Alms Houses – meeting held in Village Hall. Members quite happy with the facilities provided.
    9.4 Wyre Forest Area Calc:     No meetings had been held.
    9.5 Police Consultative Committee:     Meeting at Kidderminster Library on Thursday 14 July 2005, clerk to find out time of meeting.

12. WORCESTERSHIRE COUNTY ASSOCIATION OF LOCAL COUNCILS:     No information.

13. FINANCIAL REPORT
    13.1 Audit:    The internal auditor had completed his audit and reported a small amount of VAT which for petrol for the grass mower had not been reclaimed. It was agreed this would be included on the next requisition. In addition changes made to Minutes should be recorded and cheque book studs should be initialled. It was noted that this was normally done.
    The Auditor had been approached regarding an allowance in the accounts for any potential legal claim against the Parish Council, but under the Receipts and Payments method of accounting there was no provision for this. However, a written report on the circumstances had been submitted.
    The Financial Statement had been completed and sent to the Auditor.
    13.2 Receipts and Payments.
A schedule of receipts and payment was tabled and approved:

    13.3 A copy of the Receipts and Payments schedule was tabled showing balances up to June 2005.
    13.4 Clerk’s Remuneration:    In line with the current hourly rates recommended by the National Association of Local Councils it was agreed to raise the Clerk’s remuneration by £133.20 per annum, to £2,530.80 per annum based on 27¾ hours per month

14. ALLOTMENTS:
    14.1 The tenant of Plot 17 had confirmed his intention to use the allotment, although extensive work was required to clear it of rubbish etc.
    14.2 Cllr Mr C Rowberry undertook to clear the rest of the allotment shortly. The clerk asked for a small area to be set aside for new tenancies.

15. BURIAL GROUND:
    15.1 The Chairman reported that a new groundsman had been found to maintain the burial ground and initial clearance had been carried out. The work would be done at the same rate as previously, i.e. £500 per annum.
    15.2 The rubbish had been cleared and work on new pathways would proceed shortly.
    15.3 One bench was in place and the second would be sited shortly. Memorial plaques would be positioned. Cllr Mr Rowberry was asked to present his account for the benches.

16. PARISH PATHS SCHEME: Report from the Footpaths Warden for June:-
    16.1 Reports Received/Actioned: · Bridge access overgrown (path not defined) · Locked field gate (Landowner created pedestrian access) · Tree obstructing bridleway · Heavy overgrowth on bridleway limited access by foot · Request by landowner for furniture (forwarded to County Council awaiting response) · Footpath 4 by Rushock – 2 stiles unsafe (forwarded to County Council awaiting response) · Request to landowner to define path across crop (action promised)
    16.2 Paths walked. Highway access checked: 6 + 10   
    16.3 Volunteer Hours: 20 This includes 650 yards of undergrowth clearance and strimming, repair to steps at highway access.
    16.4 Work Actioned/Completed: Heaver undergrowth and surface clearance/strimming of 6 paths and 300 metres. Replace highway access signpost and install 2 way mark posts.
    16.5 General: · Attended half day and full day courses. Very interesting, first hour covered a lecture on the landscape from end of ice age to 19th century. Awaiting back up notes. · Meeting with History Group members to update information on reprint of ‘Steps into History’. ·  Meeting with County Access Manager to resolve queries regarding funding for 2005/6. · Letter received from Countryside Agency confirming Grant for 2005/6, of £1,160. This is 50% more than verbally indicated, but still far short of requirements. Total budget for all the footpaths in the County was £7,000. Possible further funding at the end of the year if any money is available. · It was agreed that the allocated should be accepted, but a letter should be sent to the Chief Executive of Worcestershire County Council regarding under-funding of this scheme. It was also noted that July was too late to start agreeing funding for the year as this was the busiest time of the year and a lot of work has already had to be carried out.
    6.7 Account: £125 plus VAT was approved for payment.