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Parish Clerk: Janet Chester Mapleside, Ashperton, Ledbury, HR8 2RZ Tel: 01531 670036 |
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Minutes of the Parish Council meeting held on Thursday 6th September 2012 at 7.30pm
Present
Councillors S Bosley (Chairman), Mrs J Boyle (Vice Chairman), G Blandford, J Hayes, J Joyce-Townsend, Mrs D Preece, B Taylor and P Whitehead
In attendance
C Attwood & A Johnson – Ward Councillors, James Boyce – Footpath Officer, Janet Chester – Parish Clerk
Public: 1
Action
108/12 Apologies Received – none
109/12 Declarations of Interest – none
110/12 To approve minutes of the meeting held on 2nd August 2012 (previously circulated) The minutes were approved as a true and accurate record and signed by the chairman.
111/12 To receive a report from Ward Councillor: Cllr Johnson had been asked to give an update on the Buchanan Trust. He reported that this trust was established in 1918. It was given as a gift to Bosbury by the Buchanan family after a son was killed in the war. This contribution to the village required an Act of Parliament to pass it. In 1972 the land was vested with Herefordshire Council who subsequently in 1998 became trustees. Herefordshire Council appointed a board with the objectives of giving a farming start to ex-service men with 2 years farming experience or deserving people who qualified: eg 5 years farming experience. There have been no new appointments since 1998. There are 8 farms, 3 cottages and 1 caravan site covering approx. 396 acres. Each unit ranges from 40 to 100 acres averaging 60/70 acres which these days is not large enough to make a profit, so most tenants have other jobs. Single Farm Payment is not applicable. Tenancies can be passed to spouses but not siblings. Some properties have been sold off because the old houses needed renovation and were not suitable for injured tenants etc. The cash raised from the sales can be put to better use. Cllr Johnson will send the clerk a copy of the rules and regulations together with maps of the estate. The trust was initially a 99 year lease and there are 6 years left. The charities commission would decide what happens to the trust but it is unlikely that the family want it back. The communication between the agent and the parish council has stopped and councillors would like this reinstated. Cllr Johnson is to provide information of changes, minutes etc to the parish council to keep the council in the loop. Cllr Attwood advised that there are up and coming issues and consultations as Herefordshire Council have to consider a £1.9 million shortfall in council tax. A decision will be made in October on the funding of adult social care. The old cattle market contract should be signed in the next two weeks. Martin Jackson may contact the ward councillors to discuss the flooding issues in Bosbury. There are some s106 monies remaining from Cottons Corner. Cllr Johnson and Attwood were asked to advance our cause regarding our letter of speeding concerns sent to Clive Hall.
112/12 Open forum for Local Residents to raise matters relevant to the Parish Council The drain opposite The Firs is blocked. The ditches in Brook Lane need clearing. Lorries are filling the ditches by Dowdings Brook Cottage. The salt box at the bottom of Harbour Hill needs replacing. Rubbish is still gathering under the bridge behind Old Court – the clerk is to contact Herefordshire Council and Environment Agency. The clerk is also to chase Amey re potholes by Old Court.
113/12 Highways and Footpaths a) Traffic Speed Management / SID Data – Amey are having trouble obtaining the April data. The July SID data shows an average speed of 34.6mph at the Hall, Speeds at the Vicarage were higher. It was suggested to perhaps move the location of the Sid further out beyond Bosbury House. Thanks to Cllr Joyce-Townsend for interpreting the data. b) Letter to Clive Hall – no response has been received to date although he has acknowledged receiving the letter. It is understood that Herefordshire Council should reply to all letters within 7 days of receipt. It was decided to give him another two weeks to reply, if reply is then still not received more drastic action is to be taken and complaint to go higher. c) Update from Footpath Warden – maize cutting is due, one fingerpost has been damaged by a hedgecutter. All other jobs are being kept on top of. d) Works for the Lengthsman – RESOLVED that the clerk will advise/chase lengthsman to:-
114/12 Finance 114.1 Finance Report RESOLVED 114.2 Payments RESOLVED:
115/12 Update on the Parish Plan – deferred to the October meeting
116/12 Correspondence a) The annual requirement for sandbags letter was completed to be returned to Herefordshire Council by the clerk. b) The Parish Paths Partnership 2012/13 contract was signed by the chairman and footpaths officer for the clerk to return to Herefordshire Council. c) An update letter on The Planning Application Process had been received and circulated by email to all councilors by the clerk.
117/12 Communications a) Website – a new website co-ordinator is needed. We are still waiting to hear from Annie Kay. Cllr Whitehead was authorized to formally approach Frank Seabright.
118/12 Consultation/Discussion a) Emergency Resilience Plan – deferred to October meeting b) Cluster Group Meeting – at the recent meeting Patrick Whitehead had been elected Chairman, Martin Field Vice-Chairman and Janet Chester secretary. The meeting was to formalize the structure of the cluster group. There are to be four meetings per year with the AGM in June. Minutes of the meetings will be circulated to all councillors. The Mayor of Ledbury, P Bettington, would like to attend a meeting of each parish council once a year. Cllr Whitehead was congratulated. c) Coddington Notice Board – Cllr Taylor has commissioned the new notice board. d) Play Area repair – work has been completed. Thanks to Cllrs Blandford, Hayes and Bosley. e) Jubilee Coins – the council have leftover commemorative coins. It was RESOLVED that they will be available for sale at cost price. Pat Matthews Bosbury Village News is to be contacted to put a note in the local paper. f) Councillor Vacancies – RESOLVED that details of the vacancies are to be put in Village News and Network 5.
119/12 Policies and Procedures 119.1 Donations Policy – deferred to October meeting
120/12 Training – a) HALC training dates were noted. Cllr Whitehead wishes to attend the AGM. The clerk is to book him a place.
121/12 To note HALC Information Sheet (circulated) – RESOLVED
122/12 To note Planning Record (circulated) – RESOLVED
123/12 Items for next meeting
124/12 Date of Next Scheduled Meeting – Thursday 4th October 2012
Councillors who were not members of the planning committee left the meeting at 9.30pm.
125/12 Planning
125.1 Planning Applications to be considered 125.1.1 N122110/FH & N122111/L Hill House Farm, Bosbury, HR8 1HE Part demolition of side extension and replace with a garden room. Rebuild small toilet extension, remove stainless steel flue and other minor improvements PC Comment: The parish council fully support this application
125.2 To confirm response to Considered Applications – NOTED as per planning record
125.3 To note decisions from Herefordshire Council – NOTED as per planning record
Meeting closed at 9.45pm
Signed……………………………. Dated………………………………. Chairman
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CLLR JOHNSON
CLERK
CLERK
CLERK
CLERK
CLLR WHITEHEAD
CLERK
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