Wickhamford

Play Area: Councillor Sherry Webb has been inspecting the play area regularly and the clerk was asked to get a book to record these inspections in. Councillor Bastow proposed that ROSPA be asked to do the first annual inspection liaising with Carol and Sherry. The clerk was asked to pass on a list of equipment received from Jean Ford to insurers for amendment to policy.

Gas reinstatement of verge: The ditch at the back of the verge by the site of the gas regulator station has not been reinstated and the clerk was asked to chase this up.

School Governor: The clerk has spoken to Badsey Council and the current governor is prepared to continue for a further period but councillors were asked to send any further nominations to Badsey.

County and District Council Items: The clerk reported that councillor Noyes had attended a planning meeting and the plans to change of use at Happylands Pig Farm were refused. Councillor Webb asked about the bus shelter for Pitchers Hill and the clerk was asked to make inquiries.

Finance: Invoices to pay - Mileshield Commercial Funding £797.12, Mileshield Commercial Funding £462.95, M Welch salary and expenses £430.73, Wickhamford Play Area Association £5,000 and Hightrees Landscape Services £387.75.

Payments received: £50 has been paid in to the account from Astwood for memorials.

Balance: The balance of the account on May 31 was £17,656.85.

Loans and Debts: A letter has been received from the Public Works Loan Board who are charging us £22.28 interest. The clerk was asked to get in touch with PWLB to clarify this. A letter has also been received from Lee Crowder revising their rates and requesting specimen signatures which have now been passed on. A letter had also been received today from Sir Timothy Harford who has written to the chairman of Lloyds Bank telling of our dissatisfaction and amounting costs with an appeal to Sir Brian Pitman to step in.

Rural Rate Relief: Wickhamford Post Office - Councillor Beavan declared an interest. Councillors supported the application on principle without financial support.

Planning: New applications - W/00/0606 Vale Volunteer Furniture Centre, Units 4 and 5 Bond Industrial Estate - change of use to accommodate storage and distribution of furniture and household goods and sale of surplus - A letter of objection was received from Mr Brooks and passed on to Wychavon. Councillors agreed to support Wychavon in principle but have reservations about signs on the main road and further advertising material. There would also be increased traffic on the single access. W/00/0733 Mr and Mrs D Whiting, The Finnick, Pitchers Hill - Manege for turn out and riding - no objections providing that it is for personal use. W/00/0743 Mr and Mrs Butters, 34 Sally Close - single garage to side of dwelling - no objection. Notification of appeal - T Waldron, Orchard Farm, Pitchers Hill - removal of agricultural occupancy restrictions. Councillors support Wychavon's comments.

New Business: Review of grasscutting - The Housing Association tried to pass on to us the cutting of some of their areas of grass in front of Coombefield Road and also outside the flats. Regarding the county council verges we have not yet received a figure from the county for repayment if we take this work on. Councillors unanimously agreed to inform the Evesham and Pershore Housing Association that we will not be cutting in front of Coombefield Road any more as they now claim this area belongs to the association. The clerk was also asked to write to the county council to obtain figures and Hightrees to amend the mowing contract by omitting the area of land in Coombefield Road and also add in the two half moon areas in Sally Close.

Wickhamford Friendship Club: The club are applying for a grant and asked for support from the parish council although not monetary support. All councillors agreed to support them.

Skips: It was suggested that the skip be moved to the spare piece of land by the flats in Sandys Avenue. Councillors unanimously agreed to request the skip for the weekend of July 22 to be put in between 11 and 15 Sandys Avenue and that if this is not possible for it to be put in the usual car park in Coombefield Road. Councillors asked that the skip be taken away before midday on Monday.