Upton Warren Parish Council Meeting

Held on Wednesday 29^th July 2009 at 7.30pm

PRESENT.  
Councillors C. Scott - Chairman, T. Daly, Mrs. A. Haywood.

APOLOGIES.  
Councillors C. Poole, J. Cartwright, District Councillor Mrs. J. Pearce,

County Councillor M. Broomfield.

DECLARATION OF INTEREST.

MINUTES.  
The Minutes of the Annual General Meeting held on Wednesday 27^th May 2009 were approved by the Council and signed by the Chairman as a true record.  Minutes of the Ordinary Meeting which followed the AGM were approved by the Council and signed by the Chairman as a true record.

PUBLIC QUESTION TIME.

FLOODING - SWAN LANE.  
The land owner was present and informed the Council that flooding in Swan Lane was not caused by water flowing from his land.  Following a site meeting with Worcestershire County Highways assurances were given that the work was scheduled for 2009/10 budget.

PROGRESS REPORT.

CODE OF CONDUCT ISSUE.  
The Chairman was keen to put an end to the issue concerning Councillor Cartwright, therefore the following statement was issued:-

UPTON WARREN PARISH COUNCIL CHAIRMAN'S RESPONSE TO MILL HOUSE RETROSPECTIVE PLANNING APPLICATION.

Objective of this statement.

This statement closes any further debate with the Parish Council about the retrospective planning application made by Councillor Cartwright at his residence Mill House.

Further information.

The details about the retrospective planning application can be seen on the Wychavon planning website.

Statement from the Chairman.

The Parish Council was divided as to what action if any should be taken against Councillor Cartwright for his retrospective planning application.  Some views are that the Councillor needs to be reported for his code of conduct by the Council and some that it is simply a mistake and the matter should be closed.

Councillor Cartwright admitted to the Council that he had made a mistake and wasn't aware of the public planning laws in this case.

It's important that the Parish Council moves on from this incident and focuses on what it should be doing, keeping Upton Warren a beautiful place to live.  Other Councils near us have and are still wasting time and energy on internal disputes that bring no benefit to the Parish.  All planning issues for Mill House are now being managed by our experts at Wychavon Council who will take the appropriate actions with the help of Councillor Cartwright.

It's important to state that this unfortunate incident hasn't happened on the Council in their memory and it musn't happen again in the future.  It has upset some Council members for the example it gives.  It does not set in any way a precedent for Council members or any member of the parish to follow.  The Council still does not agree with retrospective planning and will always work hard to achieve our missions statement (see below).

Summary.

The Councillors have a duty to set an example and as always the electorate from the Parish can make their decision, at the next election opportunity, who they would like to represent them. CS.

Upton Warren Parish Council - Mission statement.

The aim of Upton Warren Parish Council is to support the people of Upton Warren Parish by protecting the natural environment, the Green Belt and the Conservation Area for future generations, whilst enabling developments that maintains the rural nature of the Parish.

As a Parish Councillor will endeavour to:

Support the council planning community in keeping building planning decisions fair, consistent, within the law and in line with the mission.

Seek to encourage small-scale commercial development appropriate to and in keeping with the agricultural background of the Parish.

Support Wychavon District Council's existing District Plan that seeks to develop the southeast margins of the District in its accommodation of the Regional Spatial Strategy.

Seek to maintain the roads, hedge, verges and ditches in the Parish so that they are safe for all users, free of litter and minimise the risk of flooding or other environmental hazard.

Influence and support Wychavon District Council and Worcestershire County Council in maintaining a safe environment, reducing crime and the fear of crime.

Encourage community activities including Neighbourhood Watch and other initiatives aimed at improving the quality of life for all Parishioners.

Encourage the use of public transport, minimise harm caused by excessive speed or weight of vehicles on all roads in the Parish.

Encourage visitors to use appropriate and safe parking, and influence the relevant agencies to ensure that all roads are maintained as safely as possible for pedestrians and other road users.

Encourage the participation of Parishioners in Council forums and maintain excellent communications of notice of dates and minutes of meeting.

OVERHANGING LEYLANDII TREES. 
The owner of the trees had failed to respond to the Council's request to make the trees safe.

It was agreed the Council had fulfilled their obligation, it was now the responsibility of the owner.

BUS SHELTER A38.  
In acknowledgement to the Council's letter "Webbs" were willing to discuss the matter further.

SWAN INN.  
No response to the Council's request to improve the appearance of the overgrown area adjacent to the Swan Inn.

FINANCE.

APPROVAL OF ACCOUNTS.  
The Accounts and Annual Return were approved by the Council and signed by the Chairman and R.F.O.

ACCOUNTS FOR PAYMENT.  
Cheques were drawn in favour of:-

David Miles Gardening Services  £168.00 (Lengthsman). 

Worcestershire Council Council £10.00 (Room Hire).  

Michael Beckett (Website) £275.00. 

Iain Selkirk £80.00 Internal Audit. Proposed by Councillor Haywood, seconded by Councillor Daly.

PARISH MATTERS FOR DISCUSSION.

The overgrown boundary hedge at the narrow section of Swan Lane was again cause for concern, the Council took the decision to approach the occupier with the suggestion that the Council meet the cost of hedge cutting as a safety measure.

There being No Further Matters for Discussion the Chairman closed the Meeting at 8.10pm.

The next Meeting on Wednesday 30^th September 2009.