Guarlford Parish Council

Chairman's Report for 2007/8

The Parish Council met on five occasions during the year. There was no requirement for extraordinary meetings. Each of our meetings observed the requirements of both the Race Relations Act and the Crime and Disorder Act.

In May 2007 at the Annual Meeting the Chairman, Vice-Chairman and Planning Committee were re-elected. The new Code of Conduct was adopted. (This meeting was held in St Mary's Church by kind permission of our Rector, the Revd Susan Irwin.)

In July the Parish Council decided unanimously not to participate in the Parish Lengthsman Scheme or to produce a Parish Plan. (The extra cost to our parishioners was considered unjustifiable.) The Bus Shelter was vandalised, and Dennis Hewins repaired it. Health & Safety regulations require a 'No Smoking' sign within, despite the fact that buses no longer call in the village. This sign was stolen within a day of placement.

In September we welcomed Harriet Baldwin, the prospective Conservative Parliamentary candidate. She answered several questions from Councillors and emphasized her belief in the importance and value of Parish Councils. Our Parish Paths Warden, Peter Hughes, tendered his resignation due to pressure of work and other commitments. He was thanked for his very valuable contribution to the parish. The Council unanimously agreed to nominate our volunteer, Mike Partridge, to replace him.

In December I was forced to miss my first Parish Council meeting for a decade. So the Vice-Chairman took the chair to welcome:-

• our Parish Paths Warden, Mike Partridge, to his first meeting.

• Guarlford's newly elected representative on the Board of the Malvern Hills Conservators, Richard Channing, who was elected following the retirement of David Masters, to whom we give our profound thanks for his service.

• Tom Wells, our MHDC and County Council representative, who gave a report on the Regional Spatial Strategy and the South Worcestershire Joint Core Strategy. Our Council very much appreciates his regular reports.

At the March 2008 meeting Richard Channings and Mike Partridge gave detailed reports.

P C Naulls, our local Police Officer, gave one of his regular reports on Police activity. He will carry out a speed check on the B4211 through the village. Our Tree Warden, Janet Lomas, continues to give sterling service to the parish. She has cleared the bulrushes from the village pond with Mike Partridge during the autumn.

FINANCE COMMITTEE

he Committee has reviewed detailed accounts and found them to be in order.

PLANNING

The Planning Committee has considered 14 Planning Applications and made appropriate recommendations to the MHDC Planning Authority - all ignored! The Council was dismayed to hear that Baroness Andrews, Under Secretary of State, had rejected the original proposals for local housing in Worcestershire, made by the West Midland Regional Spatial Strategy. This rejection makes a mockery of local democracy and is a vast waste of ratepayers' money, especially when added to the expense of the unelected quango, West Midlands Regional Authority. The village Tyre Depot continues to blight the countryside and is a monument to the failures of the existing planning system and the impotence of local democracy.

GUARLFORD HISTORY GROUP

We have received regular reports from the Chairman, Cllr Eric Jones. The village photographic competition was a great success. 'The Guarlford Scene' is on schedule for a further launch at Cherry Orchard later in the summer.

OFFICERS

The Parish Council very much appreciates the work and efforts of all our officers, already mentioned, and also - our internal auditor David Kuun, our internal finance monitor Cllr Eric Jones, our executive officer (clerk) Michael Skinner. I am personally very appreciative of the continued hard work and friendly guidance of Michael. Finally, may I thank my fellow Councillors for their attendance and support.

Peter Mayner

11th May 2008