5. CLERK’S REPORT ON ITEMS RAISED AT PREVIOUS MEETINGS
    5.1 Park Lane, Harvington: Discussions had taken place with Wyre Forest Highways Partnership, who had indicated that it would take some time to obtain planning permission and funding to extend the footpath at the entrance to Park Lane. County Councillor Mr S Clee was doing everything possible to expedite this work. A communication link has been set up between the Parish Council and Harvington Hall in relation to construction work being carried out, in order to avoid inconvenience to local residents.
    5.2 Parish Council Elections: Wyre Forest District Council had confirmed the cost of a contested election in the Parish would be around £1,100.
    5.3 Annual Report: This had been produced and distributed to all households in the Parish. Thanks were extended to everyone who had contributed and to Cllr Mr M Gibbs for arranging the printing and postage.
    5.4 Briar Hill: Road surface reported to Wyre Forest Highways Unit and Cllr Mr S Clee who confirmed re-surfacing was urgently required. Mr C Broom of Wye Forest Highways Partnership had also confirmed the repairs were urgently required.
    5.5 Allotment Land: Document passed to NALC for comment by their legal department.
    5.6 Parish Plan: Cllr Mr H Grove reported that at a previous meeting of the Steering Group general agreement had been reached for a supplementary questionnaire to be sent out and that funds were available. However, at the meeting held on 25 October, it was discovered that certain funding had been withdrawn and it would therefore not be possible to do this. In view of the fact that the Education Foundation had recently held a Public Consultation, up to date information was already available and permission was obtained to use this in the Parish Plan. Therefore the Plan was nearing completion and a draft would be circulated to the Parish Councillors for consideration at the next meeting. A detailed Action Plan would follow next year.
    5.7 Parish Council Web-Site: Now operative. Copies of Standing Orders, Codes of Conduct and Adopted Policy documents would be available for inspection. Cllr Mr H Grove reported loss of service for a short time due to technical problems with BT.

6. MATTERS FOR DISCUSSION/DECISION
    6.1 Planning for Gypsy and Caravan Sites: Cllr Mr R Higgins had studied all the various policy documents and reported that residents should be vigilant and report sightings, in the first instance, to Wyre Forest District Council, who will take the necessary action if they are on Council land. If not, land owners should contact their solicitor, or, if they are members, the National Farmers Union.
    6.2 Statements of Community Involvement – Development Frameworks: Documents had been received from Wyre Forest, Bromsgrove, South Staffordshire and Wychavon District Councils and had been studied by the Executive Committee. It was generally felt that the documents were only concerned with presentation and consultation for future plans for the District and Councillors regretted that so much time, effort and money had been expended on this exercise, and that it was being repeated in every District in the Country. There appeared to be very little real interest in involving the community in the planning process, particularly as the Parish Council had not been consulted on some things that really matter, such as the proposed introduction of a Hub in Kidderminster, or the disbandment of the Wyre Forest Highways Partnership Unit.
    6.3 Funding St Cassians Church Toilets/Kitchen – and The Clock: A request had been received for a contribution to the cost of these works, estimated at around £40,000. Most Parish Councillors were in favour of supporting this scheme, but it was felt that more information was required and a decision was deferred to the next meeting. The PCC would need to provide a specific quotation, and confirm that the facilities would be available for use by the public before their application could receive further consideration. If approved, the Parish Council would pay the account direct and recover the VAT.
    6.4 The Council’s Charter: Councillors did not wish to sign up to this Charter without further advice from CALC and the matter was deferred to the next meeting.
    6.5 Character Appraisal for Chaddesley Corbett Conservation Area: This document had been published without the knowledge of, or consultation with, the Parish Council and was available on the District Council website. Copies were distributed to Councillors for further consideration.

	Printing and distribution of Annual Report: Cllr Mr Gibbs had been originally asked to produce and post 1500 copies, which had been estimated at £750. This was later amended to 641 copies, and a cheque for the sum of £280.39 was returned.The cost of each report, posted, was therefore 71p, representing a considerable saving and excellent value for money.
	Removal of trees on allotment site: Cllr Mr Rowberry pointed out that he had vacated the allotment land 2 years ago, when he had been asked by the Parish Council to leave the trees in situ. He had recently “topped” the area and had also removed the trees, all free of charge to the Parish Council. Mr Rowberry was thanked for all his work in the past on the allotments and for removing the trees, all of which had been without cost to the Parish Council.
	The Clerk, as Responsible Financial Officer, reiterated that she was completely satisfied with the procedures adopted by the Parish Council and that expenditure represented value for money, which had been confirmed by audits carried out by internal and external auditors. A full report is available to view upon application to the clerk.

    8.2 The Chairman and the Clerk had met with Mr C Broom, acting head of Wyre Forest Highways Partnership. Detailed discussions took place and although Mr Broom was unable to make any firm commitments he would try to arrange for regular road sweeping of Tandy’s Lane to improve drainage, and progress the requirement for a footpath at Park Lane, Harvington. Mr Broom indicated that the Wyre Forest Highways Partnership Unit was to be disbanded and merged into one unit for Worcestershire, probably located in Bromsgrove. Communications would be via the new Hub in Kidderminster where messages would be taken and relayed to the officers covering our Parish. The Chairman stressed that this development had not been notified to the Parish Council, nor had they been consulted on what would surely lead to a further deterioration in the service.
    8.3 Cllr Mr M Gibbs suggested that a self defence course should be arranged for residents who wished to attend. The clerk was asked to find out more information.
    8.4 Cllr Mr M Gibbs expressed concern about a new tenant’s contract prepared by Wyre Forest Housing and which tenants had been asked to sign. It was suggested that representations on behalf of tenants should be made at a Consultative Committee meeting to be attended by Mr Gibbs.

9. REPORTS FROM COUNCILLORS REPRESENTING OUTSIDE BODIES:
    9.1 Village Hall: Nothing to report except that the cleaner had resigned and a replacement was being sought.
    9.2 Chaddesley Corbett First Endowed School: Nothing further to report since the notice in the Parish Magazine.
    9.3 Charity Trusts: The Oaks had been refurbished.
    9.4 Wyre Forest Area Calc: None
    9.5 Police Consultative Committee: None
    9.6 Parish Forum: Minutes circulated.

13. FINANCIAL REPORT
    13.1 The clerk presented each Councillor with a copy of the Receipts and Payments schedule from 1 October 2005 showing current balances and reserves.
    13.2 Receipts and Payments. A schedule of receipts and payment was tabled and approved for payment, as follows:
Receipts:        Central Networks Wayleaves £4.24
Expenditure:   P W Cardall Repairs to bus shelter £260.00
                  CC Village Hall Room Hire £ 33.00
                  BT Broadband Clerk £ 48.48 + VAT
                  M C Walker Make and fit new notice £450.00 - board and repair benches

16. PARISH PATHS SCHEME: Report from the Footpaths Warden for October:-
    16.1 Reports Received/Actioned - 1: · Rotten stile; tidied and landowner advised. · 5 damaged/vandalised sign posts – probably due to flail hedge cutting.
    16.2 Paths walked 10 Highway access checked 18
    16.3 Volunteer Hours: 6
    16.5 Work Actioned and Completed: Only minor repairs due to weather and delivery in October of incorrect furniture.
    16.6 General: · Site meeting with landowner to discuss fence erection adjacent to footpath · Resident reported path causing flood problems; investigation showed not a footpaths responsibility · September Issue of ‘Worcestershire Warden’ featured articles on cropping, contractors delivery system, area access update. 25 more Parishes have joined the P3 scheme, which appears to mean grant reductions per parish. · New Definitive Map issued. · PPW attended several training days. · Fruit trees available from Worcestershire County Council - £15 each. · Countryside Access leaflets available from Village Hall

18. HIGHWAYS ISSUES:
    18.1 Need to stop cars parking under the Chestnut tree at the entrance to the Village. Suggestions to be considered.
    18.2 Waste bin in bus shelter at Harvington needs replacing (since replaced by the District Council).