FOREIGN PARISH COUNCIL Minutes of the Annual Parish Assembly Meeting held Monday 16th April 2018 at Trimpley Village Hall Present Councillor J. Gammond Councillor B. Phillips Councillor C. Grainger Councillor Mrs. L. Green Councillor G. Yarranton Mrs. E. Whitehouse (Clerk) Councillor Mrs. C. Gammond 4 members of the public were present Welcome by Parish Council Chairman to public present 1. The Chairman welcomed the members of the public present and invited them to raise any matters of concern. Matters raised by members of the public 2. Japanese Knot Weed The problem of the outbreak at Mount Pool was again discussed. It was stated that cutting and strimming it aids spread of the weed, and therefore it would be necessary to instruct the Lengthsman not to cut the weed. It was understood that the weed was last treated in the Autumn of 2016, and it now has about 50 new shoots coming up District Council had advised that they could inject it in June but that this would be chargeable as it is not on Council ground, but it definitely needed spraying in the Autumn. Councillor Grainger stated that a patch on his ground was being controlled by regular spraying. Clerk to check about injection during June, or whether it was best to leave it now until the Autumn, and it was to be discussed as to who would pay for it. Councillor Yarranton had taken this matter up with Alan Fuller at the District Council who had advised that the best time to tackle the weed was by injection in June, but Clerk was requested to contact Steve Brant at the District Council to enquire if this was possible, and to get an indication of cost. Police Report – no police present. 3. Clerk tabled a report sent by the police, giving information about dogs worrying stock locally, and also information about Bike Marking to take place on 21st April in Low Habberley and . Newsletters – were given out for distribution. 4, There being nothing further for the annual assembly it was immediately followed by a Parish Council meeting. KIDDERMINSTER FOREIGN PARISH COUNCIL Minutes of the Meeting of the Parish Council held on Monday 16th April at 7.30pm at Trimpley Village Hall Present Councillor J. Gammond Councillor Mr. B. Phillips Councillor C. Grainger Councillor Mrs. L. Green Councillor Mr. G. Yarranton Mrs E Whitehouse (Clerk) Councillor Mrs. C. Gammond 4 Members of the public 1. Apologies For Absence: County Cllr. I. Hardiman and Dist. Cllr. B. Vale - apologies noted. 2. DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST: Cllr. Mrs. Gammond and Cllr. J. Gammond declared an interest in being members of the Village Hall committee. Cllr. Mr. Grainger declared an interest in any item in connection with Riddings Brook. Cllr. Phillips declared a pecuniary interest in respect of the Churchyard grant. 3. Approval of the Minutes The minutes of the Meeting of the Parish Council held on 16th March 2018 were approved and signed with two small typographical errors corrected. 4. District and County Councillor Reports - inc. progress reports on other matters Items reported for attention by District & County Councillor and other matters arising. District Cllr. Becky Vale & County Cllr Hardiman – No reports sent. Discussion on attendance issues Clerk reported that Ian Miller from the District Council had telephoned her after having spoken to both District Councillor Vale and County Councillor Hardiman. Both were elected members to represent this parish, and Parish Councillors felt this could best be done by their attendance at the meetings, and addressing queries raised directly. However, the Clerk was advised by Mr. Miller that Ian Hardiman had stated he would not attend again, and that Becky Vale would not attend unless a letter of apology was sent to her, as they both had said they felt unwelcome at the meetings having had an unpleasant verbal exchange. The Clerk advised Mr. Miller that she did not know what the Parish needed to apologise for – but Mr. Miller added that Becky Vale had felt humiliated by some comment made, which councillors found amusing. However, on further discussion at this meeting, it was decided that the Parish did not feel they needed to apologise for anything. It was, however, felt that the local councillors attendance was important, - 1 - particularly when contentious issues (similar to the Low Habberley Golf Club application) were discussed, and where a large number of parishioners were present. Therefore, it was decided on a majority vote that the Clerk should write, asking if all concerned could move forward in a spirit of reconciliation, and ask that District and County Councillors attend once more. Cllr Yarranton did not vote in favour of this. 5. PLANNING AND DEVELOPMENT CONTROL: a) Previous planning applications 18/0059 - Extensions and alterations to existing dwelling (Retrospective application) at CRUNDALLS COTTAGE, CRUNDALLS LANE, , DY121NB Awaiting Decision – although going to committee with officer’s recommendation for approval. 18/0150 – Agricultural building for machinery/fodder store at Honeybrook Cottage, Road DY11 5AP Awaiting Decision 18/3019/AG – Proposed Agricultural Building at The Riddings, Crundalls Lane, Awaiting Decision b) New planning Applications None received. c) Compliance Issues /Appeals. – nothing further to report – details as known: i) Easter Cottage – an enforcement notice was due to be issued in May 2018. However, there had been a delay as the owner has evidence that a former Wyre Forest employee had said that the development they have effected could go ahead without permission. However, Clerk had been advised that the District Council were proceeding to enforcement. ii) Sandy Lane – Barn conversion – a contravention notice had been issued, and it would now go to enforcement committee in May. d) Holy Trinity Church – Clerk to enquire when the public meeting will be held re the proposed extension plans. e) Chalet Certificates of Lawfulness - Clerk was requested to contact Paul Round re chalets where a certificate had been issued for 12 month occupancy, ask for a list of these, and a cross check on council tax to be made. Clerk was also asked to contact the District Councillor and County Councillor for assistance with this investigation. 6. Progress Reports / Correspondence, and other Outstanding Items  Website – Clerk advised this was progressing, and that a training session was being arranged.  Jetting – Clerk to report Trimpley Lane, Shatterford, and Low Habberley Lane for attention. • Trees on roadside above Golf Course entrance – Some cutting back had been done, but not up high to the level where high-sided vehicles were forced into the middle of the road. • Eymore Lane lay-by – deferred for further discussion as opinion was divided on whether to proceed with this. Clerk was therefore not to ask for blocks to be put in the layby. • Sump – Hollies Lane – Hub Number 473142 – Clerk advised that an order had been raised to clean out the sump. However, it was reported that Cllr Becky Vale had previously reported that this sump would be cleaned out at the same time as the main A442 was to be cleaned of overgrown roadside gutters – ( and Shropshire Counties reportedly working together on this some 6 months ago). • Japanese Knotweed control – as discussed in the Parish Assembly meeting (above). • De-registration application of part of Trimpley Green Common – nothing further had been received.  Casual Vacancy Procedure – Clerk advised that as no election had been claimed, the Parish Council would now move forward to co-option. She supplied notices for the noticeboards, and had sent electronic application forms to each councillor for them to give out as appropriate. It was decided to interview candidates, and that this would be arranged for 14th May should there be more than one applicant. As at the date of the meeting, only one application had been received.  Crundalls Lane - Councillor Grainger reported that this has been resurfaced.  Sat Nav error – Trimpley Lane, Shatterford, - track adjacent to Glovewood. It was reported that vehicles were going down this track, which belonged to Arley Estate, and getting stuck, causing nuisance to local residents. After discussion, it was felt that a usable gate at the entrance to the track would solve this problem. Clerk had contacted Arley Estate in respect of this matter, who would be looking in to it. 7. Lengthsman, Footpath work & Litter collection – : a) Lengthsman Worksheets –.None submitted Contract for 2018/19 – Clerk had received this today, after chasing this up, as no invoices for reimbursement could be lodged until this is agreed and signed. There had been no increase in - 2 - contract amount for 2018/19 and Clerk reported that she had advised disappointment with this to County Officers. Clerk would sign and return the contract, and raise a contract for the year with Archers reflecting the new rate of £11 per hour. b) Litter Collection – Cllr Phillips had advised that the bin at Eymore Wood Car Park was still being abused, with earth and scrap wood being deposited in there. This was partially due to the fact that the lid was missing, assumed broken. Clerk had negotiated with Adam Stockhall at Wyre Forest to replace the bin (free of charge). It would however be a black bin (not green) with a side opening, and integral top, which could not be removed. Hopefully this would eliminate the abuse of items deposited. c) Visit to Hartlebury Incinerator - Clerk to read out e-mail where a visit could be accommodated from August onwards. It was decided for the Clerk to arrange this for a Monday, sometime in October, starting at 10a.m. in the morning. The visit typically takes 2 hours. 8. Financial Reports a) Payments – Chq 974 – Trimpley Village Hall – Annual Fee for siting of Litter Bin at hall - £260 Chq 975 – Vision ICT – Website Creation and 1 year’s support/servicing/hosting - £600 Chq 976 – HMRC – Clerk’s PAYE - £65.60 Chq 977 – Zurich Municipal Insurance – Annual premium - £320.02 Chq 978 – Cancer Research – Donation in memory of Cllr. R. Jennings - £250 b) Churchyard Grant – Councillors would make investigations as to whether this could be granted to the Village Hall re “upkeep of grounds”. To be advised at next meeting following discussion by the Village Hall committee. Alternatively, the Clerk suggested that a Parish Environmental group could be set up to deal with the upkeep of the environment, including looking after the churchyard and the pools. Councillors Grainger and Green had recently attended a “pollinators” course, where churchyards had been advocated as a good place for planting wild flowers. Cllr. Phillips advised that in the course of his work in the churchyard, he always tried to preserve the areas rich with wildflowers. 9. Signing of Annual Accounts for 2017/18 Clerk had prepared and circulated balanced accounts for 2017/18. These were duly considered, and it was resolved that the Chair sign these as approved. 10. External Audit - Signing of Annual Governance Statement for 2017/18 (Section 1) and Annual Accounting Statement (Section 2) – The Chairman duly signed these. 11. Defibrillator provision – the machine for the village hall had been delivered (yet to be installed) and the machine for Crundalls Lane had been installed. Free training was offered by a gentleman in connection with the provision of these machines for up to 16 people. Advantage was to be taken of this kind offer, but it would be necessary to involve a cross section of village hall users. This was to be arranged. Financial contributions towards the cost of the defibrillator to be determined. 12. Worcestershire CALC Data Protection –Clerk had downloaded some of the templates, but felt she needed training before she could complete these. It was agreed that the Clerk should book in for training when available. 13. County and District and other Correspondence Flag Flying Ceremony – Honouring Armed Forces – to take place on Monday 25th June in Stourport, with replies re attendance required by 11th June. Volunteer Fair – Event to showcase local volunteer groups tieing into Wellbeing – to take place on Thursday 20th September in Kidderminster Town Hall. 14. Road Accidents - None noted. 15. Other matters Clare Witnell Blount Charities – Mrs Sally Merritt-Collins had now taken up post of representative for the Parish Council on this charity. With a meeting imminent, she asked if Parish Councillors had any questions they would like posed with the Charity officials. The Clerk was to advise that the Parish Council usually had a copy of the annual accounts of the Charity, and it was suggested that enquiries were made on how people apply to become a tenant in the Charity properties, and what criteria, if any, tenants had to comply with. 16. Date of Next Meeting – confirmed as 21st May 2018 at 7.30p.m Extraordinary meeting to interview potential Councillor applicants to fill Casual Vacancy – 14th May. Meeting closed at 10.10p.m. Chairman :

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