1.
Annual meeting of parish of Belmont Rural
2.
Annual parish council meeting
3. Parish council meeting
May 6 2010
Northolme Community Centre
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BELMONT
RURAL PARISH COUNCIL
1.
Annual meeting of parish of Belmont Rural |
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1. Annual meeting of parish of Belmont Rural Present: P. J. Edwards
Chairman In attendance: Mrs. E. Kelso Clerk 1/10 Welcome The Chairman welcomed all members of the public to the meeting and explained the format for the evening. 2/10 Report from Belmont Rural Parish Council An annual review of the work of the Parish Council was given by the Chairman, a copy of which is attached to these Minutes.
(a) West Mercia Police PC Fiona Farrington reported on recent face-to-face meetings with residents in Dorchester Way and a further meeting planned for the Northolme area in the near future. These meetings and PACT surgeries will continue and in future be linked to themes such as shed crime. Locally the number of reported incidents was low although there has been a broken window in Dorchester Way, some antisocial behaviour linked to the play area in Canterbury Close and a report of eggs being thrown at cars in Dorchester Way. Changes in policing teams and methods of work now mean that officers can be sent to any area where trouble is reported and not just remain within the locality. The importance of reporting incidents was stressed. The Chairman thanked PC Farrington for attending and stressed the importance of local police teams’ local knowledge. (b) Kraftimonkies holiday club A brief report from Kraftimonkeys holiday club was read by the Clerk, noting that the planned Easter activities had been curtailed due to low number s attending. This would be discussed further during the Annual Parish Council meeting. (c) South Wye Partnership A report was given on activities by the South Wye Partnership, particularly with reference to the Belmont Pools, noting that a volunteer group had been formed and a litter pick and tidy up will take place shortly. Details will be on noticeboards. (d) St. Francis Mums and Tots Councillor Andy Myatt, on behalf of the South Wye Community Association, reported that the St. Francis Mums and Tots, who meet at the Belmont Community Centre, were thriving with some 16 children regularly attending. (e) South Wye Community Association Councillor Andy Myatt gave a report on the current progress at the Belmont Community Centre. A copy of that report is attached to these Minutes.
Opening the meeting to comments from those in attendance, the following points were raised: (a) Abbey View Park Councillor Heather Davies, in attendance, asked if the Parish Council has any plans for Abbey View Park other than the footpaths. On behalf of the parish council, the Clerk replied that the Parish Council had not discussed any other developments. (b) Hedge laying A number of residents expressed concern about the recent pleaching of hedges maintained by Herefordshire Council along the CH7 footpath which affected the view from their property. The Chairman explained that the hedge laying, carried out as a training project by the Wye Woods Project in conjunction with Herefordshire Council, would encourage stronger growth of the ancient hedgerow and had been carried out partly in response to requests from footpath users for overgrown areas to be cut back, for safety reasons and in response to an individual living rough in the hedgerow. There were no plans to continue with the hedge laying which had now stopped. Some residents felt that they should have been consulted prior to work commencing and concern was expressed that parts of the hedgerow were too mature to undergo pleaching. In response to a question as to whether the parish council had requested that the hedges be cut back, the Chairman responded that this activity was not at parish council request although Belmont Rural Parish Council had been advised of the activity.
Some residents in attendance expressed concern at a perceived lack of consultation by Herefordshire Council and the parish council whenever any activity was carried out within the parish such as the cutting back of hedges or tree thinning on the Tesco roundabout. There was also criticism of the standard of work by Herefordshire Council contractors. It was suggested that the Parish Council invite representatives of Herefordshire Council Parks and Countryside Department to attend a forthcoming parish council meeting so residents could raise their concerns directly. Details would be placed on notice boards. There being no further business, the Chairman declared the meeting closed at 8.10pm 2. Annual parish council meeting 43/10 Election of Chairman It was unanimously agreed that Mr. P. Edwards be elected as Chairman to hold office until the next Annual Parish Council meeting. Councillor Edwards signed a declaration of acceptance of office 44/10 Election of Vice Chairman It was unanimously agreed that Mr. D. Cook be re-elected as Vice Chairman to hold office until the next Annual Parish Council meeting. 45/10 Election of Parish Council representatives The following were appointed as parish council representatives to the following roles: · Tree wardens
Councillor A. Myatt and Councillor R. Loft 46/10 Declarations of Interest and Apologies Councillor Brown declared an interest in agenda item 11 (Minute reference 53/10). Councillors Myatt and Newman declared an interest in agenda item 12 (Minute reference 54/10) and Councillor Schoffer declared an interest in agenda item 8 (Minute reference 50/10).
Minutes of the meeting held on 1st April had been previously circulated. It was agreed that the Chairman be authorised to sign the Minutes as a true record of proceedings at that meeting. (a) Parish Councillor Vacancy Clerk has received verbal notification from Herefordshire Council that a valid request has been received for an election although formal confirmation of the date is awaited. It is likely that the bye-election will be held in mid-June so that the elected Parish Councillor can take his/her seat on the parish council at it’s meeting at the end of July. (b) Footpath The spell of good weather has meant that work on the footpath extensions could be brought forward and has now started. (c) Update on Mulberry Close development Members noted that a new bridge leading to the development appears out of character with the remaining development although the bridge is not yet completed. It was also reported
that during wet weather in particular, wheel cleaning operations appear
ineffective and a substantial amount of mud is being deposited on roads
with little evidence of road sweeping. The Clerk was instructed to write
to Herefordshire Council’s Development Control section to report
these issues. Members to note that only one day of the Holiday Club took place at Easter due to low attendance. Other than items discussed elsewhere on the agenda or circulated as routine items, the following items of correspondence have been received: · West Mercia Police monthly newsletter – copies were made available at the meeting · Invitation to the South Wye Community Association Annual General Meeting being held on 18th May at the Belmont Community Centre, commencing at 7pm. (a) Applications received since last meeting Ref: CW100634/FH Ref: CW100764/FH (b) Observations passed to Herefordshire Council since last meeting None. (c) Notification of planning decisions received since the last meeting Ref: CW1000066/FH (a) Payments Authority was given to make the following payments: Northolme Community
Centre (b) Receipts The following amounts have been received since the last meeting: Bank Interest £3.56 First precept instalment £22,500.00 (c) Balances Current account
£500.00 (d) Other financial matters · The VAT return for 2009-10 has been submitted. A VAT repayment of £3,119.87 has been claimed. · The PAYE return for 2009-10 has successfully been submitted online. · The Annual Return for 2009-10 will be considered at the next meeting.
Having been provided with a copy of the renewal invitation for 2010/11, members noted that the policy has been transferred to Aon by Allianz this year and there are some amendments needed to the schedule which the Clerk reported she was dealing with. The amendments are not expected to lead to an increase in the premium quoted. However, the Clerk was authorised to renew the policy at a maximum premium of no more than £850.00 for the year.
Members considered a request for funding from the Kraftimonkeys holiday club for funding for the summer holiday period, amounting to £1,012 for a total of 12 days offered throughout the summer holiday period. After some discussion, it was agreed that the cost of room hire for the period could be met, provided that the holiday club ensure that residents be given the opportunity to book places on the club and that a full report be made to the parish council detailing the numbers attending and where those children reside. It was suggested that advertisements/posters be put in notice boards to encourage local children to attend. 54/10 Funding request – St. Francis ladies @ Belmont Members considered a request for a donation from the St. Francis Ladies @ Belmont, who meet on a weekly basis at the Belmont Community Centre. After some discussion it was proposed by Councillor Edwards and seconded by Councillor Taylor that a donation of £200 be offered. On a show of hands vote, three members voted for the resolution, two against and two members abstained. The Chairman declared the resolution carried and the Clerk was authorised to make the necessary arrangements for the payment of the donation. Members considered a draft of a revision to the model standing orders and several amendments were proposed. It was therefore agreed to defer a decision until the next meeting when a full set of standing orders, incorporating the proposed amendments can be produced to the meeting. Members considered a number of amendments to the communications policy and agreed to defer a decision until the next meeting so that a final version of the communications policy could be put before the meeting for consideration. The schedule of meeting dates for 2010 – 2011 as attached to these minutes were agreed. The Clerk was authorised to make the necessary arrangements to book the venue and put notices on notice boards advising members of the public of the agreed dates. The next meeting will take place on Thursday 17th June 2010 at Northolme Community Centre, Northolme Road, commencing at 7.15pm. (a) Members noted that a pothole has reappeared in the roundabout on the junction with Waterfield Road. A similar pothole was also reported on the roundabout at the junction between Dorchester Way and Northolme Road. Both potholes have been reported to Herefordshire Council previously, without action. It was agreed that the Clerk be instructed to report these to Herefordshire Council again and also to request that a representative from Highways be invited to attend the next Parish Council meeting with regard to the ongoing requests for repairs and maintenance. (b) Concern was expressed that within the Parish there are no play areas for children on the Eastern side of the Parish, particularly as children are being discouraged from playing in the designated play area in Coppin Rise. It was agreed that this be raised with the Parks and Countryside Unit of Herefordshire Council who have responsibility for play areas within the area. (c) It was reported that traffic exiting the main Tesco roundabout into Southolme Road is frequently observed at excessive speed. It was agreed that this be raised with Highways. (d) It was also agreed that Highways be requested to sweep the main A465 and the immediate Tesco roundabout area as both have quantities of broken glass etc. from minor road traffic collisions. (e) Members noted that many residents have expressed concern at having to travel into Hereford to Garrick House to purchase Green Waste Bags. Green Bags were previously available at Belmont Community Centre but the requirement for the point of sale to purchase the bags has prevented this continuing due to the financial commitment required. The Clerk was instructed to write to Richard Wood at Herefordshire Council to ask if the bags could be sold through the library service. (f) In reporting activities within his District Councillor role, Councillor Edwards reported that he had been checking Tesco delivery time restrictions following a report from the Vice Chairman on advertised delivery slots and had been liaising with Herefordshire Council’s planning services with regard to the new bridge installed in Mulberry Close. During the final period allowed for public participation, the following items were raised: (a) Concern was expressed at a lack of communication between the District Council, Parish Council and members of the public when hedging along the CH7 footpath was cut back. Nearby residents felt they should have been consulted, rather than simply told, that hedging close to their property was to be pleached. There was also concern that the hedge was not suitable for laying and damage had resulted. A similar concern was raised with regard to grass cutting on public open space adjacent to Dorchester Way and the cutting back of brambles next to fencing at the perimeter of public open space behind Dorchester Way, and it was alleged that a house was subsequently burgled with access being gained over the rear fence where brambles had been removed. It was, however, noted that brambles had been removed in part to protect properties from the overgrown brambles, to highlight where some properties had installed access routes (gates etc.) without permission and to help prevent illegal tipping of garden and other waste on public open space. It was agreed that a representative from Herefordshire Council Parks and Countryside Unit be invited to attend the next Parish Council meeting to address these concerns. (b) Continued concern was expressed at the poor condition of Haywood Lane which is used by many residents to access South Herefordshire and the Ross area. It was noted that speed restrictions were in place as a result of the poor road surface but these have now been taken down. (c) Concern was expressed about the links between SHARP, Northolme Community Centre and Herefordshire Council with particular reference to a recent consultation carried out by SHARP and Northolme Community Centre into a possible ball court for the Northolme area which a member of the public felt was inappropriate given that the Parish Council had previously decided not to support the proposal. It was pointed out that the Parish Council had no authority over any voluntary body working within the parish, which could chose to hold a public meeting on any subject it wished. (d) Concern was expressed at the traffic congestion being experienced almost all day every day along the Belmont Road, leading into Hereford. It was reported that traffic flows more freely along the Ross Road and that journey times were noticeably shorter if residents travelled along Haywood Lane to the Ross Road and then into Hereford. The Clerk was instructed to write to Clive Hall at Herefordshire Council to ask for the traffic light sequence and timings at the Asda roundabout to be reviewed (e) It was noted that the footpaths in Abbey View Park were welcomed by users and that parents etc. were pleased to find the seats by the children’s play area in Northolme had been re-installed.
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