BRIEFS

NEW COUNCILLOR
Three candidates for the PC vacancy caused by the resignation of Veronica Gummer were invited to give verbal presentations at the January 2008 meeting. After a ballot Mark Schoffer was co-opted.

LITTER PICKED
Individual volunteers under the Pride in Parish scheme have each collected six bags of litter from the estate during a six-week period. Six “picking sticks” have been ordered to help with this work.
Volunteers also cleaned graffiti from the Abbotsmead Road bus shelter and the Northolme Road electricity sub-station.

PATH TO BE FENCED Following the breakage of two windows at the Belmont Community Centre Cllr J. Newman discussed closure of the privately owned footpath between the medical centre and the community centre with the owner, Polly Andrews. Mrs Andrews has agreed that the path may be fenced off.

GOALS MOVE
Because the grass has been worn on the kickabout area close to Northolme Community Centre Dist Cllr has requested Hfds Council to re-position the goalposts there.

IT NEWS
A laptop computer, together with a 36-month maintenance agreement, Office Professional Suite sofware and anti-virus protection has been acquired at a cost of £1640 for use by the PC clerk.

CAB DONATION
Having contributed £100 to the Citizens’ Advice Bureau in previous years, the PC voted to increase the donation to £150 this year.

FENCE BURNED
The Parish Watch reported that a fence between Glastonbury Close and McDonalds had been burned down - possibly to create illicit pedestrian access.

The BMX track yet again plus
comments on survey methodology
The possibility of a BMX track on Abbey View Park continues to generate misgivings among the public - now with regard to causing an increase in traffic in the vicinity.
Fran White, present at the January 2008 meeting, reminded the public that a BMX track is a series of earth mounds for the entertainment of bike riders and not a constructed skate park which many people seemed to imagine. Skate facilities exist elsewhere in South Wye and new play facilities have been created in areas such as Luard Walk without leading to additional parking problems or attracting children from other areas.

• In a related matter the PC was asked how, or if, residents had been chosen for a follow-up visit in connection with the open space survey. The chairman said he had visited 60% of the parish, encouraging people to complete the questionnaire if they had not already done so, as he felt it important that the survey represented the view of the whole parish.

• At an earlier meeting when the open space survey was discussed Brian Hubbard, a member of the public, said he did not accept there was a lack of play facilities within the parish and that he felt it unreasonable that the whole parish be consulted about the use of Abbey View Park.

Councillors who did not live close to the Park said they did use and value the Park and would wish to be consulted on any proposals for the area.

Public rights at PC meetings
The PC’s standing orders have been amended so that the rights of members of the public contributing to PC meetings are clearly defined. Notably that members may give a statement lasting up to 3 min, or raise an issue (verbally or in writing) “provided that the matter is relevant to the business of the PC... and provided that no more than 15 minutes (are devoted to the issue).”

This new clause does not provide “members of the public with the automatic right to speak on any subject at any meeting”.

Speed checkers to be installed
Locations for three speed indicators (Southolme, Northolme and Abbotsmead Roads) have been agreed following discussions with Hfds Council. These will be progressed as soon as possible. Existing speed sign posts are to be used and boxes have already been installed.

Three applications turned down
Three refused planning applications, of interest to the parish, were reported:

• Erection of 69 dwellings to the rear of Mulberry Close. Reasons: Access through the Close would be detrimental to local amenity and because of the risk of flooding

• Installation of two refrigerated storage units at Tesco. Reasons: The units would affect access to the site by delivery lorries, obstructing the carriageway and causing a road safety hazard.

• Demolition of Tesco rollover carwash and erection of a conveyor carwash centre. Reasons: The site is in a prominent position at the gateway to the city and would be overly dominant and visually discordant.

Cash for Kidz
The Belmont Kidz Club applied to the PC for funds covering one year’s room hire (amounting to £1638) at the Belmont Community Centre. This was allowed by the PC with the proviso that the money be paid directly to the Centre on submission of monthly invoices from the club.

New path to take more logical route
A paved path between Chichester Close and Northolme Road has been ignored by pedestrians who, in taking a more direct route, have worn away the grass and created muddy, slippery conditions. The PC is to fund the installation of a path along this route for which a quotation of about £1800 has been received from Amey Wye Valley.

Next best thing to a crossing
In attempting to find out whether vehicle speed data qualified Northolme Road for a pedestrian crossing, Dist Cllr Phil Edwards was told that the data gathered falls below the necessary criteria for a crossing. As a result he requested Hfds Council to provide dropped kerbs and a tactile surface; this work is scheduled to happen in the next financial year.

On into 2009
Because dates for the Parish Freighter (refuse removal) service are quickly booked up by other parishes, the clerk was authorised to extend the 2008 booking into 2009 on the same basis as at present - on the first and third Saturday of the month, 2 - 4 pm.

This year’s precept set at £30,000
A draft budget for 2008 - 9, based on actual expenditure for the previous year, together with allowances covering additional requests from the two community centres, was presented by the clerk as a guide to setting the precept.

A proposition to keep the precept at the 2006 - 7 level was rejected. On a five to two vote, the precept for the current year was set at £30,000.

The clerk stressed that inclusion in the budget at this stage does not guarantee funding for any organisation, nor does it signify agreement with any proposal.