Minutes of the Parish Council AGM held at Bromsberrow Village Hall on Tuesday 13th May 2008.

Present:- Vice Chairman. Cllr D Hunter, Cllr. Mrs E Westmacott,  Cllr. P Watkins, Cllr. G Watson Cllr. J Stephens, 10 members of the public including Mr J Meredith, Neighbourhood Watch Coordinator

1)  Election of Chairman
     Cllr John Stephens was proposed by Cllr David Hunter and seconded by Cllr Peter Watkins.

2)  Election of Vice Chairman
     Cllr David Hunter was Proposed by Cllr John Stephens and seconded by Cllr Glyn Watson.

3)  Apologies were received from District Cllr and Mrs. R. Long, and Mr Bill Lake

4)  Formation of Planning Sub Committee
     Cllr Stephens, Watson and Hunter were re-elected

5)  (a) Payment to Colin Jones, Pave your Way, not sanctioned as he has not presented a bill. 
     (b) Payment to Queensbury Shelters: Payment was approved, for the bus shelter, of  £4147.75. 

This is made up of £3500 for the shelter, £30 for the inscription, and £617.75 VAT.
     (c) Payment to GAPTC for clerk's preparation and traveling costs were approved. Total amount £75.96 .

6) The next meeting to be held on Tuesday 10th June at 7.30pm.



Minutes of Parish Meeting held on Tuesday 13th May 2008 at Bromsberrow Village Hall.

1)  The Vice Chairman's report.

The Vice Chairman gave a brief synopsis of the year with the difficulties in retrieving the assets, the resignations of the new clerk and two councillors and the current investigations with the Information Commissioner and the Standards Board.  The Council has lobbied the County Council about repairs to the roads and pavements with some success but are getting nowhere with the noise on the M50!  It was also unsuccessful with the CLD and Bromsberrow Sand and Gravel despite a visit to the MP and the hard work done by Mrs Val Robertson.  However one positive event is happening with the erection of the bus shelter. The Vice Chairman added that he hoped the village would see that the Parish Council cares and more
importantly is demonstrating that it is spending the precept wisely and to the benefit of the community.

2)  Finance Report for the year ending 31st March 2008.

The Vice Chairman, as acting RFO, reported that the account stood at about £2300.

3) Presentation from Village Agent The Parish meeting heard from the Village Agent, Sallyanne Batchelor, who outlined her work.  It would appear that she is able to help in lots of areas particularly with older people by providing easier access to information and services.  She is a mine of information and is worth a call if there is something you need to know or need help on.  Sallyanne can be contacted on 07810630212.

4)  Presentation from The Housing Enabler

Keith Chaplin from the Forest of Dean District Council outlined the council's plan on Affordable Rural Housing.  The idea is to provide affordable housing so that local people can remain in their home village. The process will start by identifying whether there is a need for such housing through a survey and if there is also local support.  The Parish Council will be hearing more in the not too distant future.

5)  Presentation from Rev. Dr. P. Newing (extra to the agenda)

The Rev. Dr. P. Newing highlighted the year at St. Mary's Church.  There are 38 people on the Church membership roll with an average attendance, on Sundays, of 12 or 13 people.  There has been 1 baptism, 5 marriages and 7 funerals during 2007.  Dr. Newing spoke of the need for some repairs to the church, some of which had been done.  The church was also awaiting an architectural report on the building. He also said that the churchyard is now well maintained but cost nearly £700 a year to do it.

6)  Matters arising from the Parishioners

A short discussion about what was heard, but there were no pressing items.

The Vice Chairman thanked all of those who contributed to the evening and for those who attended.

Meeting closed at 9pm.