PARISH COUNCIL: At the annual meeting of the parish council councillor Tony Wilkins was re-elected chairman, with coun Fred Edmunds as vice-chairman.

The clerk reported that the Jubilee stone was completed and was now in the village.

The chairman reported that he had met the divisional surveyor and been round the village with him. Mr Hancox had written with a list of various items which they had discussed. He had offered Ilmington the opportunity to take part in a trial of the Village Improvement Team initiative, whereby a small gang equipped with hand tools would spend up to a day in the village carrying out minor maintenance works. He had asked for a list of jobs with sites marked on a plan, and he would then arrange for the gang to visit the village.

The matters raised at the recent annual parish meeting were then discussed. The chairman reported that he had contacted the Environment Agency and explained the sewage problems in Armscote Road. The Agency spokesman had said that a storage tank, which had been suggested by Severn Trent, if properly designed could be a possible temporary solution, and he would report back when he had looked into the matter.

The problems of vandalism and drugs had been raised at the annual parish meeting, with the bus shelter being mentioned in this connection. The chairman reported that he had done small repairs to the shelter, and had put the notice board back in position. The graffiti should be blacked out. Both the landlord of the Red Lion and a resident who lives opposite had said that they did not think there were any drugs involved, and the chairman felt that the problem had been exaggerated. It was agreed that Neighbourhood Watch should be asked about a meeting with other organisations to discuss the matter.

The chairman reported on a complaint about horses on Middle Street and Ballards Lane. It was also reported that horses were using Middle Street above Ballards Lane. This was a narrow lane used frequently by elderly residents and mothers with pushchairs, and it was too narrow for horses and pedestrians. This also applied to the end of Ballards Lane where it joined Middle Street. The chairman agreed to speak to the owners of the horses concerned.