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The Annual Meeting of the Council was held in Cradley Village Hall on 13 May. All Councillors were in attendance and there was welcome representation from members of the parish. As a mark of respect on the death of Mrs E Hunt who had served as a Parish Councillor for over 20 years Mr M. Allfrey opened the meeting with a minute’s silence.

The first task of an Annual Meeting is to appoint a Chairman for the coming year. Voting was held by secret ballot, the candidates being Mr J Rowe and Mr D Creed-Newton. Mr Creed-Newton was duly elected Chairman of the Parish Council to serve for one year. Mrs P Fairfax was voted unopposed as Vice Chairman. As the incoming Chairman Mr Creed- Newton welcomed the members of the public, thanked all past Council members for their service, and looked forward to a rewarding year with all Council members old and new working together.

The Council then agreed membership of the various committees, and other posts, see details below.

Training for Councillors: we met Colwall Parish Council’s offer of joint training with enthusiasm. The Clerk was asked to arrange early dates.

Council Procedures: a series of Special meetings was agreed, to determine the Standing Orders and other rules under which we will work as we move towards being a Quality Parish Council.

Finances: £4000 has now been received from Herefordshire Council, 6months worth of the precept. Arrangements were made to bank reserved funds at the best rate of interest and in line with the Auditors recommendations

Playingfield: the Playingfields Committee responded to letters outlining further examples of bad behaviour by some young people on the Huntingdon playfield area by agreeing to meet on 19 May and to make arrangements for upgrading the fencing.

Planning Matters: the Herefordshire Planning Office has asked for any development work on the land south west of the A4103/B4220 junction to cease until a planning application has been submitted and considered. Mr P Hunt asked at Question Time for clarification on the Council’s response to the planning application at the Crown Inn. The Clerk will give Mr Hunt a copy. With a number of new councillors also being members of the local pressure group, the Cradley Crown Crusaders, the question of Prejudicial Interest was raised. This would prevent these particular Councillors from participating in Parish Council discussion where matters involved the Crown Inn. The Clerk has made some preliminary investigations but further clarification will be sought from the Monitoring Officer.

Highways: the Council has challenged Herefordshire’s policy on the siting of Village Signs as applied to Cradley. We gave the go ahead to fund a sign to Cradley Village Hall.. We were unable to consider further the request for a bus shelter at Oaklands as the only suitable site turns out to be on private property. At Question Time, Mr H Bond raised the matter of speeding on the A4103. We supported his call for an Open Meeting with the Police and Highways . The Clerk is trying for a July date. We welcomed the report from the Herefordshire Association of Local Councils that they are lobbying Herefordshire Council to reinstate the concept of Lorry Routes.

Footpaths Officers: Mr T Hackling and Mr T White have kindly agreed to take on this voluntary role for the parish

Tree Warden: in response to Mrs W Hunt’s question at Question Time, the Council will confirm the nominated officer next month. We also reassured Mrs Hunt that the Council remains a member of the Council for the Preservation of Rural England.

The Council now comprises:

Mr D Creed- Newton, Chairman, ex officio on all committees,

PC representative Cradley Village Hall, Parish Plan

Mrs P Fairfax, Vice Chairman and ex officio on all committees

Mr M Allfrey Planning Committee

Mrs R Berry Churchyards Committee, Playingfields Committee

Mr G Cooper Planning Committee, Playingfields Committee

Mr J Edgar Footpaths Committee, Parish Plan

Mr R Gill Planning Committee

Miss J Pilling Planning Committee

Mr J Rowe Churchyards Committee, Planning Committee

Mr J Thomas Footpaths Committee , Parish Plan

Ms K Turnbull. Playingfields Committee

Mrs P Courtney is Clerk to the Council and can be contacted on 01886 880410 and at Thistledown, Pixiefields, Cradley, WR13 5ND.

Everyone is free to read the minutes of Parish Council meetings. They can be viewed at Cradley Post Office.

Sally Ramsden