PARISH COUNCIL: A meeting was held in the Lower Moor Village Hall.

On behalf of the parish council the chairman presented a rose bowl to coun J Marshall to mark his retirement after six years of valuable service with this parish council. For his initiative and services by introducing and maintaining a Web Site for the Hill and Moor Parish, a Certificate of Recognition was presented to Mr D Floyd.

West Mercia Police: Acting Inspector Paul Crumpton addressed the meeting on a previously supplied agenda that covered concerns associated, with anti-social behaviour, drugs and speeding offences. It was generally recognised that there was an improvement in the village with respect to anti-social behaviour. No drug related problems had been noted following a police surveillance exercise. Councillors continue to remain dissatisfied with speeding offences in specific areas and have asked for these to be further reviewed.

Wyre Piddle and Upper Moor Bypass: A further letter calling for road calming is being sent from the parish council in response to a recent Main Road, Wyre Piddle Prohibition Order 2002. It says: "This parish council is unanimous for road calming with access for those who have a need to use the village of Wyre Piddle. Hill and Moor take this position in recognition of the sustainability of relationships between our parishes, in terms of local businesses, shops/post office, inns, schools, churches and for the important day-to-day communication links".

Local Plan Review: A parish council working party has reviewed the first deposit of the Local Plan and made representations to WDC.

Meeting with Evesham Vale Growers: The chairman and parish clerk with representatives of the WDC Planning Authority and a Fladbury parish councillor meet with EVG operational management. With respect to future planning applications it was stressed that controls must be in place that are realistic to this parish and within the capability of the surrounding highways infrastructure.

Landfill: Permission has been granted for the annual tonnage delivered to the Severn Waste landfill site to be 400,000 tonnes for a period of three years. After that period the tonnage is to revert to 356,000 per annum. An access road is to be built to the west alongside Georges Lane. The parish council does not approve of the escalation decision and as such has noted the reasons and caveats that have led to this decision in the event that a future review is called for.

Councillor Vacancy: Coun Lampard proposed and Coun Gordon seconded the election of Mrs Olivia Smith, who has kindly offered to serve on the parish council to fill a vacancy.

Bypass: A proposal has been made to WCC Highways dept to have the 40-mile limit sign on the main road relocated to the east side of the Salters Lane junction. The current speed limit is considered excessive to traffic entering and or leaving Upper Moor, Throckmorton Road and Salters Lane and the council has requested this be reviewed.

Financial: The chairman has secured a further sponsorship of £300 from Severn Waste Services to provide flowers/shrubs at the entrance to the village or as and where appropriate.

PACT Parish Fund: The chairman as a PACT Steering Group member declared an interest and left the room. The vice-chairman Coun Lampard took over the meeting to discuss the proposal for a sum to be donated to the PACT Group. Approval was agreed unanimously by the council to sanction the sum of £250 towards PACT operational costs.

The next full parish council meeting is scheduled for Thursday, October 3.