BRIEFS

OBSTRUCTION A homeowner causing obstruction with vehicles at the end of Abbotsmead Road has been advised that he does not own the land and is not entitled to use it for parking.

FENCE CONCERN In response to concern expressed about fencing erected outside the Northolme Centre, Hfds Council advises that this was provided as an infant play area as part of the Centre’s plans to encourage the setting up of a playgroup or nursery.

ANTI-ASB PAINT The PC supports the use of anti-vandal paint on lampposts close to Brook Farm Court to prevent intruders climbing the walls and entering the property.
AUDITOR?Ray Rose was re-appointed internal auditor to the PC for the forthcoming year.

ON. WEBSITE As the PC is not eligible to seek accreditation as a Quality Council at present, the annual report is to be presented to the public via the website and a copy made available at Belmont Library.

SPEED DEVICES Both the chairman and the clerk have been pressing Hfds Council for an update on the progress of installing speed indicator devices on the estate. No response had been received by the June meeting.

RESIGNATION Coun. Wendy Butler indicated her wish to resign and was thanked for her efforts for the PC

LAND DISPOSAL The chairman suggested that a small parcel of land at the the end of Glastonbury Close be disposed of, with the proceeds used to improve the local envirnment. The area has attracted anti-social behaviour and fences have been torn down. Nearby residents would view favourably the use of the land for one or two houses.

PC offers conditional £7500 grant
towards Belmont Pools purchase
Hfds Council, in conjunction with the South Wye Partnership, proposes entering into negotiations with the landowners to purchase Belmont Pools and associated land valued at approx. £62,000. Hfd City Council has pledged £15,000 and others may plan an auction of promises aimed at rasing extra cash. A public appeal is also being launched.
The PC generally agrees on public ownership for the land/pools and is offering a grant of £7500 subject to the following:
• The grant be used solely for this purchase.
• The money be held by the PC until requested by Hfds Council and/or the South Wye Partnership.
• The PC does not accept any liabilities associated with the purchase and - especially - any liabilities for future or ongoing maintenance of the land.
• The offer should remain open until March 31, 2009. If the purchase has not then been achieved a new application for funding must be made to the PC.
• Funding drawn down but not used for the purchase should be returned to the PC.
• An update on the progress of the negotiations should be provided at the PC’s request.

Funds for new windows granted
An application for funds to help with the cost of replacing windows at the Belmont Centre was made by the South Wye Community Association. The aim being to reduce heating costs and to provide some protection against vandalism.

The PC agreed to provide £4000 on the following terms:
lThat the project be completed within six months and receipted invoices be provided as evidence of spend.
lThat the full £4000 be made available immediately.
lAny funds not used for the project be repayable to the PC on demand.

Now two CSOs and PC for Belmont
CSO Alison Licqurish joins CSO Jason Merrick, sharing responsibility for the Belmont area. Both CSOs undertake regular cycle patrols and anti-social behaviour has dropped, except for minor incidents near Belmont Golf Club, Newton Coppice and Home Farm. The CSOs usually work between 8 am and 10 pm.
PC Fiona Farrington introduced herself at the June meeting as the new local police officer covering the Belmont area.

Officers/reps elected
Both the PC chairman (Phil Edwards) and vice-chairman (David Cook) were re-elected at the May meeting. Other officers/representatives elected: footpaths officer, Andy Myatt; tree warden, Ron Loft; HALC meetings representative, Phil Edwards; South Wye Partnership rep/observer, Glenda Powell.

Conditioning the A465 ‘detrunk’
The Highways Agency proposes to “detrunk” the A465. The PC noted that Hfds Council does not welcome this until the road and grass verges are brought up to an acceptable standard. The PC agreed to support Hfds Council in this.

Housing survey
Hayley Crane (Hfds Council) explained a proposal to conduct a housing needs survey among Belmont residents. The survey could be part of a survey of Hereford city or could be linked with Clehonger. Members agreed that a separate survey of the Belmont parish would be more appropriate and requested that the results of the survey be made available to the PC.

Parish Survey results led to
strong, even radical, reactions
First impression reactions to the Parish Survey emerged at the April meeting:
• Aspects of the methodology were questioned. In fact, councillors were able to review the questionnaire and to approve its format.
• It was suggested that the plan in the survey was “a foregone conclusion”yet there was no budget or funding for any of the items.
• The public requested that minority views be supported. PC response: all points needed consideration
• It was claimed that there were no suggestions for older people. The PC chairman pointed out that footpaths, bridges and landscaping could be enjoyed by all ages.
• The public attending suggested extra play areas would be difficult to police, so these were not required.
• The BMX track was requested by children following complaints, two years before, that those children had dug on the landfill and damaged public open space by using it as a cycle track.
• It was suggested that the survey be weighted to favour residents in Zone 1 (nearest Abbey View Park).
• The PC was asked why survey supporters had not attended the meeting.
• Coun. Powell did not agree with the survey, rejected the results and would not support the survey or the provision of play equipment in the proposed area but did support the bridges and footpaths proposals. Couns. Schoffer and Newman also rejected the survey results.

The annual parish meeting would be advanced to aid understanding of the survey.