ALVELEY AND ROMSLEY PARISH COUNCIL
COUNCIL MEETING 5th Novemebr 2024
MINUTES OF MEETING
Present: Councillor Isley Jakeman (Chair) and Councillors Ian Braithwaite, Kieran Chambers, Sam Potter, Richard Narburgh, Christine Brown, Colin Taylor, Russ Dowson and James Taylor (from 7.40 pm) 
Also Attending: Steve Kerry Parish Clerk and Mike Haddon (British Cycling)
2024/25.79	APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE
	None although it was noted at the start of the meeting that Cllr James Taylor would 	be late.
2024/25.80	DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST
	None.
2024/25.81	OPEN FORUM
	Cllr Brown raised the issue of some works done by Shropshire Council on the road 	defects previously reported, this had been to a very poor standard. It was a matter 	of concern that with money so tight it was being spent on short term work that had 	to be repeated over and over again, which was not cost effective. The Clerk would 	raise this in his continuing correspondence, including a request to meet with a 	responsible officer to try and agree a phased programme of permanent works.
	It was again confirmed that Shropshire Council owns the Cooks Cross parking area as 	part of the public highway. 
2024/25.82	MINUTES OF PREVIOUS MEETING
	It was proposed by Councillor Potts, seconded by Councillor Brown and unanimously
	RESOLVED That the minutes of the meeting of 8th October 2024 be agreed as an 	accurate record and signed accordingly by the Chair.
2024/25.83	SUSTRANS AND CYCLE ROUTE 45
	It was agreed to suspend standing orders to vary the agenda and take this item next.
	The Chair welcomed Mike Haddon from British Cycling to the meeting. He explained 	that SUSTRANS have no money to maintain Route 45 and this will fall entirely on the 	Severn Valley Railway, who also do not have the resources to take it on without 	support. Councillor Colin Taylor reported his email conversation with Leonie 	Goodwin, the Network Development Manager, who has been canvassing for funding 	from Severn Valley Railway, Highley and Chelmarsh PC's and ourselves. Most cycling 	funding is now for urban developments and not for maintaining rural routes, even 	when they are part of the national network.
	(Councillor James Taylor arrived at this point.)
	In further disucssion it was noted that the three county councillors were supportive 	of funding proposals, but given thh parlous state of Shropshire Council's finances this 	was unlikely to yield any significant contribution. Highley and Chemarsh Parish 	Councils have resolved in principle to assist. The most serious issue is the 	section of the path which is on timber supports which need to be checked and 	maintained annually, at least.  Also the path is too narrow for most machinery so this 	is a hand work job, which is time consuming and, if paid for with contractors, is 	expensive. With the River Severn on one side and the Severn Valley Railway on the 	other this is a strategic pathway and a tourist attraction. There is a good case for 	public funding for its ongoing maintenance. Some criticism was made of SUSTRANS 	for taking on staff and major rpoject commitments without securing the 	maintenance and operation of existing important assets. They have also been 	notably unsuccesful in securing any of the post Covid funding for cycling. 
	Members agreed we could offer to host a meeting of interested parties including the 	other parishes, Severn Valley Railway, the county members and local cycling groups 	if no-one else was doing this. In principle we have no objection to contributing to 	funding this work and offering to support our P3 volunteers if they wanted to 	expand their numbers and range of operations into Highley.
	The Chair thanked Mike Haddon for attending and for his helpful contribution to the 	discussion.
2024/25.84	FINANCIAL MATTERS
	The Clerk presented the report on transactions since the last meeting. A query was 	raised about bank charges and whether these had occurred before, the Clerk would 	advise members by email of the result. 
	The report was accepted without further comment.
	The Clerk also reported the annual pay award had been confirmed. Councillor Brown 	stated that every year this comes through late, usually in November, and is 	backdated. It has been the policy of the ouncil in the past to honour that award and 	maintain the Clerk's pay at the agreed rate on the national salary levels, known as 	the spinal column. The hourly rate for SCP 22 had risen from £16.30 to £16.90.
	It was proposed by Councillor Brown, seconded by Councillor Jakeman and 	unanimously
	RESOLVED That the Local Government Services Pay Award for 2024/2025 be 	accepted and applied to the Clerk's remuneration at SCP 22, backdated to April 	and that the Clerk instructs the Council's payroll service provider accordingly.
2024/25.85	PLANNING MATTERS
	There were no new aplications to conisder. It was noted that the application 	regarding the barn at Church Farm had been agreed.
	The correpondence with the developers of the proposal for the Clekcers was 	reported and it was agreed to meet at 7 pm on Tuesday 26th November to hear their were awaited. there	proposals.
2024/25.86	UPDATES ON ACTIVITIES
	Noted that Nick Potter has done most of the works required under the Play Area 	annual report, including replacing the tyres on the rope slide. It also noted that the 	meeting regarding village hall development plans had shown that at this stage these 	did not impinge on the space used for the play area.
	Councillor Brown reported that she was making a list of what needed to be done for 	the Council's entry into the Christmas Tree festival. The Clerk has loaned his tree for 	the purpose and hand made or bought decorations were acceptable. The festival 	starts on 28th November. 
	On the Christmas Tree for the parish and lighting the Clerk reported that he had met 	contractors and quotes were awaited, there were no dates fixed yet. It was agreed 	that the lights would be switched on from 3 pm to midnight.
	On Chapel Road bins the Clerk confirmed he had received quoted from Glasdon and 	just needed to confirm if they did the installation work or this was an extra cost to be 	found.
	On street lighting services Eon have quoted the same price as for the previous 	contract and this has been accepted. 
	On the Hapton Loade shleter resurfacing the Clerk is waiting for a quote from Andy 	Causer. 
	On the wesbite the Clerk will be undertaking some direct training with Adrian 	Voysey to get up to speed on how to operate it. 
2024/25.87	SHROPSHIRE COUNCILLOR'S REPORT
	Councillro Colin Taylor reported that Shire Hall is now almost closed with staff 	ordered to work from home to save money. Some meetings are still taking place at 	the Hall. 
	Pre-booking for waste tips is now in place and seems to be having some teething 	troubles. 
	Pot holes and ongoing concerns with highway defects and speed controls had been 	discussed and were a continuing problem. He is meeting Police and Crime 	Commissioner Paul Campion to disucss speeding controls on teh A442 and other 	key areas. 
	There is no news on an office for SALC follwing the closure of the Shire Hall.
2024/25.88	ROMSLEY MATTERS
	Coucnillor Potter reported that the poppies are up and Councillor Jakeman 	confirmed there are a few left which can be added in Romsley if required. The 	potholes near the county line have been done, not very well but at least they are 	filled for the time being. Severn Trent have cleaned up the mud which has leached 	from their works and have generally done a tidy job.
2024/25.89	REMEMBRANCE AND ARMISTICE DAY OBSERVANCES
	Sunday 10th Novmber, assemble at St Mary's Church by 10-15 am
	Monday 11th November, assemble at the parish memorial at 10-45 am
	It was noted that on Monday we could consider informally the issue of a 	replacement plaque.

2024/25.90	DATES OF FUTURE MEETINGS
	Tuesday 26th Novemebr at 7 pm (Note earlier time) meeting with the developers 	regarding Cleckars followed by a preliminary review of the budget options for 2025.
	Tuesday 3rd December 7.30 pm Council 
	Tueday 7th January 7.30 pm Council

There being no further business, the meeting closed at 9 pm.

Signed ............................................

Date .......................................