The most important item for discussion this month was that of the precept for next year, this is the sum of money to be added to next year’s Council Tax. But as usual there were also other pressing items:

Our Lengthsman, Jeremy Moore, is now following a programme of work put together by the Parish Council with help from Brian Hall of Herefordshire Council. We are still looking for a supervisor for him. In the meantime David Creed-Newton, our Chairman, carries this task.

The Council continues to be concerned by the state of the road and general safety in front of the new school. We had hoped that the issues would be resolved before the school moved. Following representations we are asking Herefordshire Council to confirm that the position of the kerbs and the bus pull-in are as originally planned.

Information on winter gritting routes are now available at the Post Office. We have asked for Vinesend Lane to be added to the gritting schedule until such time as the remedial work to control the water flow has been completed.

We are pleased to report that the Birch Lane water flow has been tackled, and the gullies by the Crown corner, cleared.

As well as general maintenance work the Council has been looking at the longer term cost implications of maintaining the play equipment on the Chapel Lane playing field. To replace the safety matting will cost seventeen thousand pounds! This work is not urgent but we need people’s views on the whole issue, see also under "precept".

A reminder to everyone, both the Chapel Lane and the Buryfields play areas are for children; they are NOT for exercising dogs. There are particular concerns for the Buryfields playing field as it will be additionally used by the school children. We agreed to leaflet the area to explain the matter in more detail to local residents

John Rowe, who also represents Neighbourhood Watch, reported back on the Community Speed Watch trial. We can expect a decision in summer 2005! It is likely that Parish Councils will be asked to fund their own speed watch schemes if they consider them worthwhile. We know that speeding is an issue across the parish, but if the decisions for action are devolved to Parish Councils we shall need to decide what is the most cost effective way of tackling the problems. In the meantime, the local Traffic Police have been alerted to the concerns and we ask again that everyone keep an eye on their speeds through the village. Slower speeds make it safer for pedestrians and a more pleasant place in which to live.

We were cheered by the news on several fronts of activities we were sponsoring within the parish:

• The Cradley clock-winding volunteers now have matters under control
• A group of young Cradley people have really impressed Ledbury Youth First with their determination and enthusiasm. They are seeking funds on our behalf to further the young people’s ambitions on drama, heritage and footpaths.
• We shall soon be able to access Lumbridge Wood and Cockshot Hill via Churchfields without having to climb stiles. Local team- work and generous funding by Herefordshire Footpaths Dept. has been brought this about.
• Herefordshire Council has chosen us to be one of the eight parishes for the Artmarkers project with a start date of October 2005

More details on this will appear in our next issue of the "Reporter". In brief we discussed and agreed the following

• This year we forecast to spend £20,600. This is £2,000 below budget.
• Next year’s spend is forecast to be at a similar level of £20,400.
• We will hold our reserve levels at £24,400. This does not represent holdings against specific capital projects but it will allow some flexibility in meeting future costs eg play equipment upgrades for legislation etc.
• The level of precept was a consequence of this discussion at £20,000.

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.

The next Parish Council Meeting We do not have a meeting scheduled for December. The next meeting will be on Tuesday January 2005 in Storridge Village Hall at 7.30 pm. In the meantime the Parish Council would like to wish everyone in Cradley and Storridge a very Happy Christmas.

Mrs M Barnett, Clerk to the Council, can be contacted on 01531 635 103.

Sally Ramsden