DRAFT MINUTES OF THE MEETING OF ECKINGTON PARISH COUNCIL HELD ON TUESDAY 10 JUNE 2008 - OPEN PUBLIC FORUM

There was no attendance at the Open Public Forum.

Minutes of the Meeting of Eckington Parish Council held on Tuesday 10 June 2008

101/08 Present - Cllrs. Ore, Walker, Williamson, Wood, Wilkes and Brazier.

102/08 Apologies - Apologies were received from Cllr Cameron, Lodey and Wood.

103/08 Declarations of Interest - There were no declarations received.

104/08 Adoption of the Minutes of the meeting held on Tuesday 13th May 2008 - The meeting agreed that the minutes of the meeting held on 13th May were a true and accurate record and a proposal was made by Cllr Wilkes, this was seconded by Cllr Williamson. All present were unanimous in their agreement, and the minutes were duly signed.

105/08 Progress Reports - Clerk:

It was reported that the £40,000 loan applied for to the Public Works Loan Board in respect of the Eckington Recreation Centre newbuild has now been received. The fixed loan would be for a period of 15 years with instalments being paid in ½ yearly amounts.

It was reported that Network Rail are proposing to replace the existing railway fencing which runs from the corner of the playing field to the new development.

Blocked culvert - The Clerk reported that this issue was still ongoing as Network Rail are currently liaising with Wychavon District Council, as it appears that the culvert will now need replacing.

Eckington Bridge - Worcestershire Council Council have confirmed that the bridge has been inspected by their bridgeworks consultants and whilst in their view the repairs required are not of an urgent nature, they will continue to monitor its overall condition.

The Police have confirmed they will look into the mis-use of the bridge car park during the evenings.

Additional waste bin - Wychavon District Council are currently in the process of making the necessary modifications so that the bin can be erected on to the telegraph pole outside The Bell.

Dog waste bins - Wychavon District Council will not be installing any additional dog waste bins until September/October, however Eckington are on the list to receive at least 2 new bins.

The annual cemetery check was carried out on 3 June by Cllr Wilkes and the Clerk. The Graveyard check is yet to be completed.

Recreation Centre - It was reported that demolition of the existing building is set for 21st July. Following this there would be no entrance to the car park for 1 week. The date set for commencement of the building work is 21st July.

Footpaths - A letter of complaint had been received regarding the general state of footpaths in the village. It was agreed that the Chairman would respond to this.

It was reported that the path at Eckington Bridge had recently been strimmed.

CALC - Cllrs Cameron and Walker attended the Annual Meeting. The main topic discussed was the proposed 'eco town' at Honeybourne. A talk was also given by a speaker from the Standards Board.

106/08 - Planning - The following planning matters have been brought before the Clerk and/or Wychavon District Council since the last Parish Council meeting held on Tuesday 13th May:

Planning Application Approvals:

W/08/00329/PP & W/08/00330/LB Whitehouse, Church Street - Modification to boundary wall to improve visibility splays.

W/08/00957/PP Court Gate Nursery, Station Road - Extension to dwelling to form garden room with bedroom over.

W/08/00579/LB Glebe Cottage, School Lane - Alterations to 6 no. infill panels, alterations to staircase due to safety concerns and replacement of windows to match existing.

Planning Applications to be considered at the meeting:

W/08/01540/PP Haga, 3 Station Gardens - Conservatory to rear - No objection

W/08/01406/PP Aragorn, Tewkesbury Road - Proposed pitched roof garage, conversion of existing store room into a utility room and replacement and extension of existing flat roofed porch - No objection.

107/08- Eckington Wharf - Lease Renewal - Cllr Wilkes gave an overview of the current situation for the benefit of Cllr Hardman. It was reported that ownership of the land is still unclear and further discussion with Worcestershire County Council will have to be undertaken.

108/08 - District & County Councillor Reports - Cllr Hardman discussed the complaint received regarding the accumulation of litter at the Wharf. However it was felt that due to the fact that litter is cleared twice a week in the area concerned, resources would not allow for any additional clearance.

Cllr Hardman reported that application for grant monies could be made until 21st July in relation to positive activities for children.

109/08 - Removal of Telephone Box - The meeting concluded that the telephone box was very much a part of the village scene and that due to the fact that additional housing has recently been erected in the village, it was still a valuable asset to the community. It was agreed that the Clerk would write to Wychavon DC in favour of keeping the telephone box and to make a request to have it listed.

110/08 - Flood Recovery Grant Scheme - Following a report given by the Clerk regarding the gel sand bags, Cllr Williamson proposed and was seconded by Cllr Walker that the grant money would be split between the purchase of 3 submersible water pumps with the remainder to be spent on the re-useable gel sand bags.

111/08 - Cemetery Tree Inspection and Reduction of Copper Beech - The meeting discussed the quotes received for the intended work. The meeting agreed that the Clerk should instruct Adrian Hope to undertake the work, this being the most reasonable quote received.

112/08 - CPRE Worcestershire Branch Annual General Meeting - None of the Councillors present were able to attend the meeting. It was agreed that the invitation would be offered to Cllr Cameron (who was absent from the meeting).

113/08 - Urgent Matters Delegated to the Clerk - None

114/08 - Correspondence for Information - The meeting noted the file of correspondence available for inspection at the meeting.

115/08 - Finance - Cllr Walker proposed and was seconded by Cllr Brazier that the following payments should be approved:

Payments for approval:

Clerk's salary £270.27

Admin expenses & mileage £9.22

BT (reimbursement of Clerk's BT line) £63.20

Lengthsman salary & exps £124.80

Village Hall Hire (May) £10.00

Community First Membership Renewal £38.00

Ellis Dawe & Son Ltd (wooden tree stakes) £42.16

New Farm Grounds Maintenance (grass cutting May)£388.93

Eckington Recreation Centre (New Build) £40,000.00

Nils Wilkes (war memorial plants) £39.00

Payments already made:

Eckington Recreation Centre (litter pick bursary) £500.00

The meeting agreed to inspect and approve the year end accounts at the July Parish Council Meeting.

116/08 - Councillors reports and items for future Agenda

Cllr Walker reported that the annual village fete had been cancelled this year due to a lack of support.

The next meeting will take place on Tuesday 8th July.

The meeting was closed at 8.55pm

CARIBBEAN SUMMER PARTY

Sunday 27 July from 4.00pm onwards

•BBQ - pig roast

•live steele band

•Fun and games

•Cocktails

•Raffle

RAISING MONEY FOR THE COUNTY AIR AMBULANCE

"Free admission"

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ECKINGTON CHURCH IS OPEN

EVERY THURSDAY MORNING FROM 10 -12

TEA, COFFEE AND BISCUITS

EVERYONE IS WELCOME

There are toys and books for your children to play with- squash and biscuits too..

COME WITH YOUR FRIENDS- OR JUST FOR A QUIET MOMENT ON YOUR OWN..

WE LOOK FORWARD TO WELCOMING YOU!

No charge is made for refreshments, though we do accept donations towards our costs

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WI

Wednesday 2 July, 7:30 in the Village Hall

My Life with Hats

A talk by Catherine Clark

Competition: Word Game

Non-members welcome - £2.50

For more information call Nadine on 751119

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ECKINGTON BABIES AND TODDLERS

Every Tuesday. 10-11.45pm

Do you have children age 0-4 years or are you expecting?

Parents and carers welcome; feel free to come along and join the fun.

Have a coffee and a chat whilst the children play.

Toys, messy activities, singing and plenty of fun!

For more information, call Sarah on 07929 736478

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1ST ECKINGTON SCOUTS AND GUIDES GROUP

Eckington Scouts and Guides Group

£20 No 137 Pete Huband

£10 No 192 Audrey James

£5 No 96 Mrs Walton

£5 No 146 Nicki Henderson

Many Thanks to all our 200 Club Subscribers who have supported us once more. Good Luck to them all in the draws.

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CAR BOOTS

•Sunday 13 July - for Eckington School

•Sunday 17 August - for Eckington Scout & Guide Group

FOES CAR BOOT SALE (raising funds for Eckington School)

ECKINGTON RECREATION CENTRE

SUNDAY 13th JULY

SET UP MIDDAY, START 2PM

BOOTERS £5

ADDITIONAL CAR PARKING £1

SIMON ON 07754276468 OR ALEC ON 07918882845

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ECKINGTON SCHOOL

BHMS & PHHS Uniform Sale

If anyone has any Bredon Hill Middle School or Prince Henry's High School uniform that they would like to donate for a sale at Eckington First School, with donations going towards First School, then please drop it in to Helen South, 750791

We are to hold the Sale on Saturday 16 August, just in time for buying uniform for September.

Thank you

Eckington School are a collecting station for unwanted shoes!!

If you have any shoes please drop them into the collecting bin for 'The Variety Club', a children's charity, that will be outside the main doors from Monday to Friday.

Thank you

News from Eckington School

It has been a hectic month for the school….but we have made it!

If you have visited school recently you will have noticed our new Sensory Garden. It has a stage, musical instruments, seating and two little huts. We use it for playtime and Golden Time. Bob Green from Bishops Wood came to our school for six days to help us make the garden. We children think it's great and the teachers can't wait to play on it!

In the last few days Year 5 walked up Bredon Hill to make friends with children from other schools that are going to Bredon Hill Middle School in September. We did problem solving activities and sculpting with the things we found around us. We made loads of friends and will be seeing them very soon.

This week the Year 5s have been doing their cycling proficiency tests. We started on the playground and then went out onto the roads. It's been hard work but I think we'll pass the test.

It's going to be another week of the Enterprise Club - Yr5 have already made more than £70 for the school! Hopefully we can make that more before the end of term.

Miss Jones, our student, joined us for another 8 weeks this term; we hope that she does well in her new job.

Last week Years 4 & 5 went Bell Boating on the Avon with Andy Train and the teachers. We went from Eckington Bridge to Nafford Lock. Most of us stayed dry apart from three year 5s (not naming names!).

Tomorrow the Robins' Class is going to perform their assembly - we're sure they'll do a good job.

Lauren Smit, Year 5

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AUCTION OF PROMISES

A Date for Your Diary

Eckington School fundraiser: Auction of Promises

On Saturday 15th November

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FETE AND DOG SHOW

ECKINGTON'S VERY OWN 2008 VILLAGE FETE AND DOG SHOW

Sunday 6 July at 2.00pm

All the usual fun of the fair including craft stalls, kids play area, tombola, tea and cakes, funfair games and lots, lots more.

Dog show classes to include "The prettiest bitch" and "dog most like its owner".

What would you like to do to be part of the Great Event? Come and help or come and have fun?

For information call Anna on 751936.

Organised by Eckington Under Fives

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MUMS AND MINNOWS

We meet in the North Aisle at Church for a short service, toys, 'making' and refreshments.

All pre-school children with parents/carers welcome.

The collection goes to the Children's Society.

Tuesday 1st July and Tuesday 15th July at 2.00 - 3.00pm

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VAUGHAN'S CHARITY WALK

Vaughan is there!!

At about 12.30 on Wednesday 18th June, the date of my son Arthur's 22nd birthday, I strode over the finishing line at Lands End. Well to be honest I hobbled somewhat! I had made it, my journey's end and the conclusion of a 900 mile walk from one end of the country to the other.

Friends and family gather round for photos, hugs of delight and general merry making. My sponsored walk in aid of Spinal Injuries Treatment has made over £22,000 towards Oswestry Hospital and the charity Spirit. Some donations are still coming in at www.vaughanscharitywalk.co.uk or via our ever-splendid Eckington Village Stores. However small, every penny is really appreciated and with no expenses being taken out it will all go to the grand total. More details next month.

During the course of my eight-week walk I have crossed hills, mountains, valleys and dales. Walked along lengths of grass verge, road and tracks. Struggled through snow, mud, brambles and some soft stuff left behind by local cattle….yuck!

The team of volunteers that have helped and supported me have been simply terrific. They have driven the support car as well as providing food, accommodation and constant encouragement. It might have been possible to have done this on my own but it would have been much harder and a lot less enjoyable.

Now back home I had a short 24-hour lull in proceedings before a hum-dinger of a party that my Mrs had organised. After my adventures this was one party that I was going to attend in my slippers.

A big thank you to everyone in the village that helped out. Your efforts were very much appreciated.

Vaughan Williams

The Sling, Mill Lane

Vaughan's Charity Walk Website

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CHURCH SUMMER HOLIDAY CLUB, JULY 21ST- 25TH

We will be running a summer holiday club for the first week of the holidays. The club will be held at the School, and will run from 9.30am- 12.30pm every day.

It is open to any child who will be in Y1 to Y7 (as of September 2008).

There will be crafts, stories, outdoor activities, cooking, role play and generally having fun!

The church is very generously subsidising the club, so we expect the cost for families to be no more than £10 per child for the week to cover materials, snacks etc.

All the leaders have current CRB checks.

Places are limited to 40, so please, if you would like your child or children to come and join us, let one of us know as soon as possible!

Thank you!

Kalantha Brewis 750115 and Karen Sagar 750401

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