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This was our last meeting this year as traditionally no meetings are scheduled for December. We welcomed our new Clerk, Mrs Mary Barnett, see separate notice.

Precept: for the last two years the Council has been able to set the precept at £8000 whilst costs ran at around double that level. The reserves that funded the additional spending are now dwindling. We considered it prudent to keep some funds in reserve so the time has come to increase the precept in line with forecast spending. We forecast that we will spend £20,991 this financial year and propose a precept for next year of £17,500. This will be explained in more detail at the Annual Parish Meeting in May.

Priorities for the next four months were agreed as being: to set out a strategy for implementing the Parish Plan, to work, where appropriate, with the School Governors to help deliver their Travel Plan for the new school site, to progress our readiness for Quality Council status and to implement the Model Publication Scheme.

Traffic Matters are recognised as a major concern within the Parish. In the absence of the promised response from Mr John Colyer of Herefordshire Transportation Dept. the Council readily agreed to escalate the matter to the Chief Executive, the cabinet member for transport, and our two local councillors. In response to a question at public question time we agreed to reinstate the Parish Log of Traffic Accidents. This will be updated monthly at Council meetings.

Community Groups: there are many grant funding sources available in Herefordshire and you may find Parish Council support useful in accessing those sources. Come and talk to us, we are keen to help.

The Fire Brigade have sent us a map showing the location of hydrants in the village area. This will be available to view at the Post Office along with the Council minutes.

A grant of £1,106.73 was agreed to Cradley Village Hall.

Unitary Development Plan update was received from Hereford. Each chapter is being reviewed in details against the 3,081 objections received. A report will be presented to Herefordshire Council in March 2004.

The Agenda for Parish Council meetings is displayed at Finchers Corner, the Butchers, the Post Office and on the notice board at Storridge Village Hall at least 3 clear days before each meeting. Copies of the minutes for the last 2 years are held at Cradley Post Office. Mrs M Barnett, Clerk to the Council can be contacted on 01531 635 103.

Sally Ramsden