MINUTES OF A MEETING OF CHADDESLEY CORBETT PARISH COUNCIL
Held on Monday 9 May 2005
at the Chaddesley Corbett Village Hall

Present: 
Councillors: Chairman, Mr C Dodge, Mrs S Holding, Mr D Spencer, Mr H Grove, Mrs P Pardoe, Mr J Swift, Mr R Higgins, Mr J Millington, Mrs V Adams, Mr C Rowberry, 
& Mrs Y L Scriven (clerk).
22 Members of the public also attended the meeting.

1. APOLOGIES: Cllr Mr M Gibbs (ill)
2. MINUTES OF THE MEETING held on 4 April 2005 were approved.
FORMAL APPROVAL OF THE AGENDA – Item 6.4 Added to the Agenda.
3. DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST: None
4. REPORT BY WEST MERCIA POLICE
A representative of the Police did not attend the meeting.
5. CLERK'S REPORT ON ITEMS RAISED AT PREVIOUS MEETINGS
5.1 Calor Gas Village of the Year Competition: Cllr Mr H Grove had completed the application form and it had been dispatched in time to meet the deadline.
5.2 Code of Conduct: Cllrs Mr J Swift and Mr H Grove had commented on the Consultation Document, which had been returned duly completed.
5.3 Parish Forum: The Clerk had attended the Forum and notes had been circulated. It was noted that a motion had been passed to write to the Highways Partnership requested an improvement in highway maintenance in the District, particularly in rural areas.
5.4 AQA Accreditation of Clerk: This had been achieved which would enable the Parish Council to further their application for Quality Status in the future. Congratulations were extended to the Clerk.
5.5 Clean Neighbourhoods and Environment Bill: Worcs CALC had indicated that formal procedures were being drafted for consultation.
5.6 Worcestershire County Council - School Re-Organisation: Correspondence had been received and circulated regarding the decision to move to a 2-tier education system in Worcestershire.
5.7 Rushock Parish Council: Minutes were available.
5.8 Morton Road Modernisation Scheme: Complaint about poor quality fittings had been investigated and faulty baths would be replaced.
5.9 Fishers Lane, Chaddesley Corbett: Whilst this was not a matter for the Parish Council, they had been pleased to respond to a complaint regarding use of Fishers Lane to access the allotment site. This had been investigated and apologies were extended by West Mercia Housing Association, who gave assurances that Fishers Lane would not be used for access again.
6. MATTERS FOR DISCUSSION/DECISION
6.1 Affordable Housing:
The Chairman reported that the Executive Committee had met with Mr David Hislop of the Friends of the Village Association for a productive meeting and it was hoped that negotiations would continue amicably. In response to a question from a Cllr the Meeting was informed that correspondence from David Hislop (FVA) had been received too late to discuss at this meeting.
6.2 Gypsy Caravan Parks: Still awaiting documentation.
6.3 Community Involvement – Local Development Framework – Consultation Paper: Documents received and passed to the Chairman for analysis.
6.4 Parish Council Website: Cllr Mr H Grove reported on costs for setting up a web-page. It was noted that he would carry out the design and maintenance of the website free of charge. It was unanimously approved that a website should be set up and named chaddesleyparishcouncil.org.uk. It was noted that the clerk was now available by e-mail on chaddesleyclerk@btinternet.com.
7. ITEMS FOR INFORMATION/CONSULTATION
7.1 Sharelink: Information provided about Worcestershire Sharing Scheme. Agreed to display poster on notice boards and in Parish Magazine. It was noted that volunteers would need to ensure they have adequate insurance if this scheme was adopted.
7.2 Worcestershire County Minerals and Waste Development Scheme 2005: Now available on website at 
www.worcestershire.gov.uk/homes/cs-envplanning/strategic.htm.
7.3 Rights of Way: It was noted that there was no common land in the Parish and from October 2005 when the Countryside Access Rights Act is applied to this area, there is no additional access in the Parish of Chaddesley Corbett. Flyer displayed in Chaddesley Corbett Post Office and on Parish Notice Board.
7.4 Trafalgar Weekend - 21-23 October 2005: Information available from the clerk should any organisation wish to celebrate this event.
8. CHAIRMAN'S REPORT: None
9. REPORTS FROM COUNCILLORS REPRESENTING OUTSIDE BODIES:
9.1 Village Hall: A meeting had taken place, but there was nothing to report.
9.2 Chaddesley Corbett First Endowed School: Cllr Mr C Rowberry reported that discussions had taken place with architects and planners regarding the possible size, shape, facilities etc of a proposed new school. A planning application for siting of a temporary classroom to replace an existing temporary building would also be submitted shortly. This was necessary as the existing classroom was not suitable for the Government’s curriculum.
It was noted that Cllr Mrs Phyliis Pardoe was elected, and Cllrs Mr C Rowberry and Mr D Spencer were re-elected to the Educational Foundation as Parish Council representatives Trustees for 3 years until May 2008.
9.3 Charity Trusts: No reports.
9.4 Wyre Forest Area Calc: No meetings had taken place.
9.5 Police Consultative Committee: No information on meetings had been circulated in the last year and the Clerk was asked to ensure that the organising body was aware of who represented the Parish Council.
10. REPORT FROM DISTRICT COUNCILLOR: None
11. REPORT FROM COUNTY COUNCILLOR: None
12. WORCESTERSHIRE COUNTY ASSOCIATION OF LOCAL COUNCILS:
No information.
13. FINANCIAL REPORT
13.1 A schedule of payments and receipts was presented and approved. 
13.2 The draft Financial Statement was prepared, approved by the Parish Council and signed by the Chairman. The Chairman was unable to sign the Statement of Assurance on Page 2 in view of the possibility of a Legal Claim against the Parish Council. It was agreed to defer this matter until the next meeting.
13.3 The Notice of Annual Audit would be placed on the Notice Boards from 11 May indicating the procedure for inspection of the accounts prior to audit. 
13.4 It was agreed that in order to get the best possible interest rate, funds should be transferred from the Treasurers Account to the Deposit Account at the Clerk’s discretion.
13.5 The Annual Risk Assessment was reviewed and agreed.
14. ALLOTMENTS:
14.1 A request had been received from a resident for a new plot. It was agreed to carry out the annual inspection prior to the next Parish Council meeting to decide which part of the land to let for allotments.
14.2 The annual inspection would also review possible uses for the remaining land.
15. BURIAL GROUND:
15.1 Repairs had been made to 25 plots. One complaint had been received and would be investigated.
15.2 A Memorial application for E7 was approved.
16. PARISH PATHS SCHEME: Report from the Footpaths Warden for March:-
16.1 Reports Received/Actioned:
    Extensive muddy conditions due to heavy rainfalls and clay soil.
    Footpath 72 access checked/scalpings provided by landowner. Work completed by volunteer
    Drainage pipes blocking Footpath 51; checked; request to developers to clear; checked and cleared
    Fly tipping in Dobes and Curslow Lane - WFDC informed and rubbish cleared.
    Point to Point Meeting; notices fixed - no stewards available, but no problems.
    Enforcement report that request made to Landowner re stile maintenance; checked; work completed.
    2 Landowners agreed ‘Permissive’ Path way-marking as alternative to definitive paths.
16.2 Paths walked. Highway access checked: 6 + 10
16.3 Work (Emergency) Actioned and Completed:
Nil. Awaiting confirmation of 2005-2006 grant.
16.4 Volunteer Hours: 8
16.5 General:
    April 12 - half day training ‘ Promoting Parish Paths’.
    Enforcement due to check Parish on ‘ploughing and cropping’ scenario by June. Landowners reminded.
    Worcestershire ‘PROW’ leaflet displayed - anyone interested invited to contribute/participate.
    Consultation on World ‘ROWIP’ Rights of Way Improvement Plan for next 10 years.
    Countryside Access’ - None in Parish; Lowland Heath around Kidderminster, Stourport on Severn. Feature in local paper using horse power.
    Issue 3 of Worcestershire Warden issued.
    Volunteer Week at Worcestershire - Countryside Park - various activities.
    Year End report completed - 2 days work.
16.7 Account: No emergency work completed. Awaiting new grant.
17. LENGTHSMAN SCHEME
    Advised that the scheme would be renewed this year. Awaiting full details.
    New instructions to be issued and work commences in June.
    The Parish Council approved a reserve of £1,000 towards costs for the scheme for the year 2005/2006.
    It was noted that all costs had been reimbursed by the Highways Partnership for work carried out in the last financial year.
18. HIGHWAYS ISSUES:
    Letter received from acting Manager indicating that no major road repairs would be required in the Village at Chaddesley Corbett for the next few years. Potholes would be repaired as required.
    Tandy’s Lane - overhanging trees were the responsibility of the landowner of the adjacent land.
19. ITEMS FOR NEXT MEETING
    Gypsy’s and Travellers – new legislation
    Declaration of Potential Claims - Annual Audit
    Inspection of Burial Ground and Allotment Sites (prior to meeting)