Wickhamford

Present: P Bastow, M Smith, J Poulter, Mrs Beavan, Carol Smith, Sherry Webb, district councillor Noyes and county councillor Birchley. The minutes of the meeting held on June 14 were signed as a true and correct record.

Matters arising: Standing orders - councillors had looked through the standing order booklet. Resolution 00/14 it was unanimously agreed to follow the NALC standing orders and refer to them when necessary.

Play area - councillor Sherry Webb has been inspecting the play area regularly and reported a fault in the equipment which would be repaired when the new slide is put in and that it is not dangerous. Nothing has been heard from ROSPA and the clerk was asked to chase this up.

Gas reinstatement of verge - the ditch at the back of the verge by the site of the gas regulator station has been reinstated.

Grass cutting - Information had been given to the council regarding the grass in Combefield Road which is owned and cut by the housing association. The county council has made an offer for the parish council to cut the highway grass and the council agreed the clerk should write and accept the offer.

Skips - the skip had not fitted into the area requested so had been put on the path in between and it was reported that one resident was not happy with this and a suggestion was made that we should apologise. Councillors agreed that maybe they should consider two smaller skips next time. There were items left which had to be cleared by Wychavon once the skip had been removed.

County and district council items: County councillor Mrs Birchley reported that the county council has adopted a revised structure which conforms with central government requirements. She had attended a cross boundary meeting last week to discuss lorry problems in the Vale of Evesham. The chairman handed over details of the South East Worcestershire traffic forum so that Mrs Birchley could also contact them, as they meet regularly to discuss the traffic problems.

The county council had overspent by £2.1 million on children's services and had agreed to under spend by £1.1 million on the elderly next year.

Details were given to councillor Birchley of roadwork signs which are left in a dangerous condition when they fall over or are left when work finishes.

District councillor Noyes had received a questionnaire about polling stations and asked for comments, all councillors agreed that the current arrangements are satisfactory.

Planning: New applications - there were no new applications.

Decisions - 99/0217/COU Mr T Bennett, land at rear of Deelish, Willersey Road - certificate of lawfulness for an existing use of the property for processing of meats - refused.

00/0606 Vale Volunteer Centre, change of use for recycling of cans and paint and retail and wholesale sale of surplus household goods - refused.

00/0743 Mr and Mrs Butters, 34, Sally Close - demolish garage and construct single storey extension with garage - approved.

Planning appeals time for submission - the chairman reported that when we received the last notice of appeal asking for our comments the date for making representations had already expired, councillor Noyes agreed to look into this.

New business: Conservative party proposals for Local Government - This had been circulated at the last meeting and councillors agreed that although past the closing date comments should be made relating to 1 audit requirements, 2 heavy good vehicles.

Directory of voluntary organisations - this was circulated to councillors who were asked to check the list of organisations in the village and let the clerk know of any changes.

A circular from the county council was also passed on to councillors.