Minutes Meeting 08/01/2024

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Minutes for Cropthorne Parish Council meeting held on Monday 8th January 2024

7 pm in the Village Hall.

2023/22

Present: Chairman B Annis, Cllr J King, Cllr W Clive, Cllr K Styan, Cllr Hall,

District Cllr A Crump, CC Cllr L. Eyre Clerk : Richard Timney

  1. Apologies Cllr Smythe
  2. Declarations of Interest. Cllr Hall, Cllr King – village hall.
  3. Approval of minutes from meeting Monday 6th November 2023 – acceptance agreed. Proposed Cllr Styan, Seconded Cllr Clive.
  4. Planning
  5. W/23/02387/FUL Location: Land At (Os 0048 4483), Blacksmiths Lane, Cropthorne Description of Proposal: Change of use from orchard only to orchard and 5 glamping/ bell tent camping pitches plus the erection of other ancillary buildings and car parking. Cllrs felt that the impact of extra traffic and disruption to an orchard would be too great. OBJECT
  6. W/23/02427/FUL Location: Clives Of Cropthorne, The Heath, Main Road, Cropthorne Description of Proposal: Extension to Tea Room. NO OBJECTION
  7. W/23/02216/FUL Location: The Cliffs, Brook Lane, Cropthorne, Pershore, WR10 3JY Description of Proposal: Replacement dwelling NO OBJECTION
  8. HIGHWAY MATTERS (TO INCLUDE FLOODING)
  9. Middle Lane Flooding. Gulley pipes cleared and now working much better.
  10. Field opposite Bell Inn has been thought of as a source of run off onto the highway and into the brook. Cllr Styan has spoken to the farmer about some measures to reduce the run off – including the planting of grasses at the border to slow the flow.
  11. The PC to seek a meeting with Mr Barnes, from the County Council, to discuss speed sign sites in the village and passing places in Field Barn Lane.
  12. BALDWINS BANK. A quotation for the works identified in the report was approved and TC Contracting Ltd – from Cropthorne, will carry out the works shortly. Cllr Styan will investigate bat boxes and bird boxes for placement at the site.

2023/23

  1. WYCHAVON RURAL FUND.
  2. The PC’s expression of interest in the fund in favour of works to local footpaths near the school was accepted. Footpath 506B was identified as a key target for improvement. The PC favours the placement of gravel or other material to make the path less muddy in winter and less overgrown in the summer. The County Council will be approached to help with the project.
  3. Basil Brook bridge is not safe and will be reported to the Rights of Way Officer and the County Council’s reporting web page.
  4. The village hall will look at costs for improving their roadside parking areas.

2023/20

  1. COUNTY COUNCILLOR’S / DISTRICT COUNCILLOR’S REPORTS
  2. Cllr Eyre submitted her report. Topics covered included local footpaths, road repairs and the County Council’s poor financial position. Clerk to look into the One.Network website to see if it is helpful in notifications about roadworks and closures.
  3. Cllr Crump reported on funding opportunities for a community orchard, improvements to toilets in Droitwich Lido, and the ongoing project to monitor the state of local rivers.

10. PROGRESS REPORTS / UPDATES

  1. Clerk’s Report

Clerk to arrange a meeting with Mr Barry Barnes from the County Council Highways Department to look at speed sign locations and options and passing places in Field Barn Lane. Cllrs asked if Mr Barnes could advise on whether signs could be moved from post to post on occasion.

  1. Lengthsman –

The Lengthsman has just got back to work after a serious illness and will be spending a lot of time catching up after two months of disruption.

The new bench will be installed in the next few weeks.

  1. Speeding / Traffic : Combined with use of CIL money

The collection of speed data through the village has started. The results will inform the proposals for Speed Watch and other speed control measures, including red road markings and warning signs.

New quotes have been received for solar powered vehicle activated speeding signs. Consideration will be given to their purchase and positioning in the coming weeks.

2023/24

11. FINANCE / GOVERNANCE

  1. Payments for approval/made since November 6th 2023
Clerk’s salary Standing Order 28th each month £325.36
Lengthsman Standing order paused after Nov 20th payment 20th each month 176.40
Wychavon DC Dog bin service Approved/paid 4/1/2024 110.24
PATA payroll Payroll services To approve 25.80
PKF LittleJohn End of yr audit To approve 252.00
HMRC PAYE tax due To approve 113.40

To note income.

WELCOME TO OUR FUTURE Grant for Baldwins Bank 16th Nov 1500.00
WCC Lengthsman payment 20th Nov 176.40
Meakins Randolf Charity Bench funding 30th Nov 695.00

Current balance £ 23,030.47 in Treasurers Account. Approved

  1. Budget for 2024 – 25 was proposed with a 5% increase. Equating to a 3.1% increase in the precept for the Parish Council. Approved

12. VILLAGE HALL – Report from Cllr King and Cllr Hall.

Junior Football Team and the Village Hall are working to secure some funding for pitch improvements – particularly in relation to drainage – from the Football Foundation.

13. ITEMS FOR FUTURE DISCUSSION / AGENDAS

  • Speeding and signs updates
  • Field Barn Lane passing places
  • Bridge at Basil Brook
  • Footpath 506B improvements

14. DATE OF NEXT MEETING – Monday 4th March 2024

Signed ………………………………………….

Cllr B Annis