PARISH COUNCIL: At the November 21 meeting the chairman, coun John Worby, welcomed all present and allowed a short discussion to take place, before the parish council meeting, on the subject of business growth at Woodfield Farm. Many villagers expressed their concern that the business had changed in essence over recent years and that our village roads were not meant for the 44 tonne HGV lorries now entering the village on a daily basis to go to Woodfield Farm. The chairman read a resume of events leading up to the application by Redstar for a Certificate of Lawfulness for an Established Use at Woodfield Farm. It was thought that, after much discussion, a solution would be for the Distribution Depot at Woodfield Farm to be moved to a main road or an industrial estate. Villagers mainly were quite happy to accept the former position of transporting produce grown in Birlingham on tractor and trailer and small 7.5 tonne lorries, to an elsewhere sited Distribution Depot. However, there were opposing views that matters should be left as they are in that farmers are having to carry on their businesses in very difficult times. The chairman assured the meeting that all deliberations would be taken into account when the parish council decided on what action it would recommend. Welcome by chairman to fellow councillors Winnard, Williams-Thomas, Crowther, Hiden and Gill. Also present were district councillor Peter Wright and 13 villagers. Apologies received from coun Kirkland. Minutes of the last meeting were taken as read and signed as a true record with the exception of one word wrongly spelt.

Matters arising:

potholes: It was noted that there were now many potholes and the clerk was instructed to write to the Highways Department with an enclosed map showing the areas of concern. A complaint was also received regarding flooding outside Court Cottages and it was decided to make Highways Department aware too of the problems and to advice complaint accordingly.

Sewerage Treatment Plant/Pumping Station: Coun Williams-Thomas said we would be hearing soon of commencement, so any planned events should be mentioned to Severn Trent so that they can be put into their work schedule.

Proposed enhancement of village hall: Nothing to report other than a reminder to councillors that they unanimously committed the parish council to £2,500 in support of this venture.

Trailer parking: Has now been resolved and a thank you was given to the councillor concerned.

Hall Farm: Problem activities have supposedly moved away but it was reported by one councillor that large lorries were still going down to the farm breaking off branches of trees along the way.

Waste bins: Kiosk/village green - situation to be monitored.

Mobile phone mast: No reply to our letter of August 6 - clerk instructed to contact Wychavon to see what action had been taken.

Correspondence: Housing strategy - Wychavon/Flood News/Pershore Matters - fifth public forum/delegation of land drainage responsibilities - Worcs CC/Standards Board - local code...all circulated to councillors and council tax 2002/2003 - it was decided to request £1,500 (in view of commitment to village hall) for this year and next.

Wychavon - maintenance of local water course - copy of letter to Mr Daymond-King for parish council's notation.

Any other business: Wreath was laid on parish council's behalf by chairman ably assisted by Coun Gill. The chairman advised the meeting that he would not be standing for the parish council at the next AGM.

Next meeting: January 16, 7.30pm.