Over the past year, your Council has dealt with several new regulations on Council affairs. In addition to the Freedom of Information Act, which led to this publication, we have also adopted Model Financial Regulations and Standing Orders and, as a team, aim to follow the guidance set out in "The Good Councillors’ Guide".

In addition to attending to all the important routine work that comes before all Parish Councils, including planning and potholes, your Parish Council has also been active in community affairs. Members have taken very active editorial and facilitating roles, with other Parishioners, in preparing the Village Design Statement and Parish Plan (see article below). This four-year task is now complete. For the first time, our Parish has a forward plan to guide its activities. The Parish Council will continue its role as a facilitator and mentor to support local initiatives to implement projects arising from the Parish Plan and otherwise.

In shaping policy and getting things moving, we have made good use of Working Groups comprising experienced and "new" Councillors. One example of this was the Working Party to establish the Precept (see below and next page). The Playing Fields Committee has co-opted local residents in to its meetings, to excellent effect. Parishioners also worked with Councillors in cutting back the Chapel Lane boundary hedge one weekend.

During the year we were addressed by guest speakers from the Camera Safety Partnership, Herefordshire Council and Aquila (network power supply Company). There have had disappointing results so far in terms of outcomes with Herefordshire Council transportation department but we are convinced that we must continue to ensure that our voice is heard in forceful but constructive partnership. There have been very positive responses from Herefordshire Council in relation to footpaths and forward planning issues.

In June, we will appoint a "lengthsman" – a splendidly archaic term for the person who will look after our minor roads and lanes – everything except potholes! The aim is to get a more speedy and preventative service than the County is able to provide centrally.

In 2001 we began work on a Village Design Statement (VDS) funded by the Countryside Commission (CSC). During 2002 the Government through the CSC introduced the concept of the Parish Plan (PP). The VDS and the PP were later combined into one plan

The Parish Plan aims to preserve valued local features and to map out the facilities which the community need to safeguard for the future; it is based on identifying key facilities and services and setting out the problems that need to be tackled. The PP together with the VDS were researched by the community with the use of projects like "Planning for Real" © and the parish survey, which was delivered to each house in the parish with a record 60% response.

From "Planning for Real"© and the survey, the community expressed a range of needs covering: traffic, lanes banks and hedges, housing, community facilities young people’s perspective, and environment and wildlife. We have budgeted £6000 covering various items under these headings as achievable in the medium term; this sum is funded from reserves. (continued overleaf)

The money need not be spent this financial year and can be rolled over and used as our strategy develops. Those who gave their time to the working groups and indeed all who express an interest will be encouraged to partake in the planning and the application of the budget; as this is a Parish effort facilitated by the Council.

Herefordshire’s Blue-Print for development and future land use, the Unitary Development Plan, has now reached it second stage of public consultation. Back in November 2002 your Parish Council responded to the original proposals, with a raft of comments and we now have an opportunity to respond to the changes to the original proposals. Comments can only be made to changes in the Plan

The most significant issue for Cradley in the original proposal was the change to the planning settlement boundary around St James’s Church and in the St Katherine’s area. This change would increase the amount of land that could be considered for housing development.

As a result of our efforts, and those of many people in the village, Herefordshire Council now proposes protecting some (but not all) of the land in those locations from development (HBA9 Protection of open areas and green spaces). We welcome these proposals but do not feel that they go far enough and will be making representations on this basis.

There is one important distinction between the Precept and Council Tax. That is, the Parish Council does not need to spend the whole amount of the Precept. Each item of expenditure is approved by the Council in advance and then is subject to second approval before payment.

Over the last 7 years, the Precept has been £15,000 for three years, £8000 for the following three and £17,500 for the current year. The precept for this year per band D household is just below the average for town and parish council precepts through the County last year

May Annual Council Meeting and election of Officers and Committees

June Cradley and Storridge Reporter issued

July Annual Return prepared for public inspection and audit.

August Cradley and Storridge Reporter issued

November Spending Plans for 2005/6 considered and Precept level agreed

February Cradley and Storridge Reporter issued

March End of Financial Year

July Tuesday 6^th 7.30pm Storridge VH

August Tuesday 10^th 7.30pm Cradley VH

September Tuesday 14^th 7.30pm Cradley VH

Some of you may not be aware that Pat Fairfax, our vice-chairman, has had a serious operation. She is now home and making steady progress. We wish her well and are looking forward to seeing her back at Council meetings in the near future.

Lengsthman Jeremy Moore is now our contractor ensuring that minor roadside verges and ditches are safely maintained, and signs are clearly visible. Herefordshire Council remains responsible for basic road maintenance including pot-holes!

Parish Council Spending 2004/5

This is a great opportunity to say what your issues are with housing and what your family’s needs are likely to be. All responses will be strictly confidential and anonymous.

The policy for housing development in Herefordshire is to achieve a mix and range of housing opportunities. Your Parish Council supports these aims. Cradley itself is seen in planning terms as a main village but no land has been specifically allocated to development. Should affordable housing be needed it is likely that land outside the settlement boundary will have to be made available.

The results of the survey will help Herefordshire Council in developing their housing and planning policies, and for us, locally, to lobby on your behalf.

We had reports from the Charity of Richard Hill and Others, and from Storridge and Cradley Village Halls.

The guest speaker was Mr Jim Lambert, Secretary of Herefordshire Football Association. He explained with infectious enthusiasm how a village football club, working with the local school and Parish Council could access funds for improvement of grounds, new kit and coaching.

At the May Annual Parish Meeting the following were elected to office:

Over to You: We will be more than pleased to have your reactions, ideas for future issues, and comments on improvements. Send them please to our Clerk, Mary Barnett at 2 New Cottages, Clenchers Mill Lane, Eastnor, Ledbury, Herefordshire, HR8 1RR or email at marbar @ pccrad.fslife.co.uk, or contact any Councillor.