PARISH COUNCIL: Minutes of meeting held in Lower Moor Village Hall on December 6. The Chairman announced with regret the resignation of Cllr J Everall. A presentation was made to Mr R Miller for his work within the village and especially his interest in the village green throughout the year.

Village Green: Sponsorship has been received for bench seats on the green. The council is very appreciative to the Springs Holiday Park for their generous support.

Highways: The Salters Lane surface water issue has now been addressed. Repair work has now been completed on the repairs to Throckmorton Road. Cllrs have a Parish Programme Review with the Highways Department in January 2002.

Village Enhancement: Plants and containers have now been placed around the village. A unanimous vote of thanks was carried by the parish council to Mrs Hewson who personally carried out all the planting, etc.

Police: A reply has been received from the police in response the letter sent by the clerk with reference to last month's minutes on anti-social behaviour.

Village Entrance: A detailed layout for the planting of trees and shrubs has been received from Halcrow and reviewed by Parish Council representatives. Cllr Marshall and Ron Miller have kindly agreed to co-ordinate with Halcrow on the planting.

Street Signs: Following a recent audit of Hill & Moor Street Signs, the WDC are to replace or repair signs throughout Hill & Moor. The possibility of a signpost to St. Thomas's Church is actively under consideration.

Christmas Card: A Christmas card designed by Mrs B McDonald has been adopted for distribution throughout Hill & Moor.

Special WDC/Parish Council Meeting: At a meeting on November 20 at the Civic Centre Cllr McDonald gave a presentation to WDC and other local government agencies, structured towards ''Neighbourhood and Locality Planning Issues.'' The presentation included inputs from all our Cllrs and a local residents group. Invited guests included our District Councillor, County Councillor and a representative from the Council for the Protection of Rural England (CPRE). This was a positive meeting that will lead to better awareness and communication and as a result all parishes will now see a change to WDC procedure reference visibility of Enforcement Notices.

Parish Council Election: Mrs J Pickett and Mrs A Williamson have been elected as Councillors to fill two vacancies.

Planning Applications: W/01/01637/PP - Mr C Gottfried, The Old Cottage - Church Lane. Erection of a Garden Wall has now been withdrawn

W/01/01756/AB Mr F Roberts - Bridge Street - Lower Moor Excavate Pool and Plant

W/01/01713/PP - Mr S Burlingham -Anvil Cottage - Blacksmiths Lane - Lower Moor First Floor extension above existing kitchen to provide bedroom with en suite bathroom.

W/01/01834/PP - Mr R Newman - Barlwych Cottage - Hill Furze - Single storey extension to create ground floor bedroom and double garage.

There were no objections to these applications.

Precept: After much discussion it unanimously agreed the precept for the year 2002/2003 be held at the current level.

Youth Forum: The sum of £250 was unanimously sanctioned to assist in the setting up of the Youth Forum.

Golden Jubilee: A discussion paper prepared by Cllr McDonald has been passed to the Village Hall Committee.

n By-pass: WC Cllr Liz Tucker spoke on the matter of access from Wyre Piddle through to Lower Moor and the proposed traffic calming. A further exhibition (venue and date to be decided) is to be held and a second questionnaire to be distributed to those residents most affected. Cllr Gordon raised concerns with respect to the distribution of this questionnaire. Cllr Tucker noted these concerns and kindly agreed to investigate and report back to the Parish Council. The next meeting of the parish council will be on January 3.