Parish
council meeting
January 29 2007
Belmont Community Centre
Note amendments
in red
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BELMONT
RURAL PARISH COUNCIL
Parish
council meeting |
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Present: Mrs. V. Robinson (Chairman) Apologies: Mrs. J. Clare In attendance: Mrs. E. Kelso (Clerk)
Councillor Phil Edwards declared a personal interest in one payment to be authorised under agenda item 7.
The Minutes of the meeting held on 11th December 2006 had been previously circulated. It was agreed that the Chairman be authorised to sign the Minutes as a true and accurate record of proceedings at that meeting.
(a) Shrub planning between Northolme Road and A465 Councillor Ian Robinson reported on progress with regard to this subject and in particular the results of a meeting with Clive Hall, of Herefordshire Council Highways Department. The suggested notice to be erected on the land in question would not be possible as the bye law to which it would refer is a Hereford City bye-law and therefore unenforceable outside the City boundary. However, a number of options now seemed possible and Councillor Robinson agreed to present a costed proposal to the next meeting. The Clerk reported that there had still been no formal response from the Highways Agency and she would again send copies of previous correspondence and request a response. (c) Kerb Weedspray The kerb sweep requested at the last meeting was started before Christmas and completed during January. (d) Litter bins The Clerk reported that two of the requested bin relocations have been completed and the third awaited permission of the landowner, Persimmon. Although the new bins had been promised for installation last week, this had not taken place and the Clerk would follow this up with the contractor. (e) Precept request 2007/8 The Clerk reported that the formal request for a precept of £25,000 for 2007/8 has been passed to Herefordshire Council in accordance with a decision at the last meeting. However, she was disappointed to receive a letter apparently drafted on the final day for submission of precept requests, indicating that likely election costs for parishes might be as high as three times the amount previously indicated to Parishes.
PC Paul Greenwood introduced himself to the members of the public in attendance and briefly outlined the incidents reported within the Parish since the last meeting, including: · Four incidents
of bag snatching from trolleys in the Tesco store. The individual responsible
is reported to be in the region of 18 to 20 years old, 5ft 5inches tall
wearing a beige top and cap. Members of the public were warned to be aware
of their belongings whilst loading purchases into their cars. Finally, PC Greenwood noted that the next Community Forum meeting which offers members of the public the opportunity to discuss matters of importance with representatives from West Mercia Police would take place at Belmont Community Centre on 12th February commencing at 7.30pm. Councillor Phil Edwards then reported on other incidents reported through his Neighbourhood Watch role, including: · Damage to
a telephone box
The Chairman adjourned the meeting for a brief period of public participation. At this point, a number of residents raised matters relating to a prospective planning application for land adjacent to Mulberry Close. This is addressed separately under agenda item 10 (Minute 10/07)
Other than items of correspondence addressed under other agenda items, the following items of correspondence have been received since the last meeting: (a) Notice by Community First to a celebration of parish planning to be held on Wednesday 21st March at the Left Bank, commencing at 5.30pm. It was agreed that the Chairman and Mr. Roderick Robinson attend this event on behalf of the Parish Council. (b) A letter from Louise Hoyle of Northolme Road, who has been selected to attend a guiding jamboree in New Zealand in July, asking if the Parish Council are able to provide a donation towards the cost of this trip. Although Members would have liked to provide support, regulations prevent a Parish Council from providing funding that benefits one individual. The Clerk agreed to write to Miss Hoyle to explain the situation and help her to find alternative sources of funding for her trip.
(a) Payments Authority was given to make the following payments: MA Edwards South Wye Community
Association Dawn ‘til
Dusk Printers Mrs. E. Kelso Inland Revenue Cash (b) Receipts Bank interest of £171.66 has been received since the last meeting. (c) Balances Current account:
£226.20
(a) Applications received since last meeting The following application has been received since the last meeting: Ref: DCCW2006/3950/F (b) Observations passed to Herefordshire Council since last meeting Comments on the following application have been passed to Herefordshire Council since the last meeting: Ref: DCCW2006/3786/F (c) Other planning matters Notification was received since the last meeting that application reference DCCW/2006/3671/F, an application by Tesco Stores for a temporary refrigerated storage facility, was to be heard by the Central Area Planning Sub Committee on 17th January. In accordance with Parish Council agreed procedure, the Clerk consulted three Parish Councillors and the consensus was that attendance at that sub committee meeting was not required.
In the absence of the Tree Warden, an e-mail from Herefordshire Council indicating where tree planting is to take place within the Parish was read out. Some concern was expressed that new planting would be taking place and there had been no consultation with the Parish Council and/or residents regarding these proposals and the Clerk was instructed to seek further clarification and report back to the next meeting.
A number of residents residing in Mulberry Close were in attendance at the meeting to express concern at a potential development of housing off Kingfisher Close where the developer, Persimmon Homes, has carried out limited local consultation and where it has been indicated that access to the new development might be through Mulberry Close. Residents felt that this small cul-de-sac is unsuitable as an access route and expressed concern at the future of the trees, ponds etc. in the immediate area. Dr. David Nicholson, Forward Planning Manager for Herefordshire Council had been invited to attend this meeting to explain the role of the Unitary Development Plan and the planning processes, but had been unable to attend. He had, however, sent a formal statement in which he indicated that although access to the development land had been raised during the consultation stages of the Unitary Development Plan, the Planning Inspector had not specified access, leaving the normal planning processes to determine any application when submitted. It was noted that no formal application has been received but there would be an opportunity for all residents to raise their concerns during the consultation stage of the planning application process. Residents were advised that a copy of the planning application would be made available for inspection at Belmont Library and the Clerk agreed to contact residents when, or if, an application is submitted and is open for observations. As the proposed development site is outside the Parish boundary, the Clerk was instructed to indicate to Herefordshire Council’s Planning Services Department that the Parish Council would wish to be consulted on any application for this land and to remind Planning Services that a copy of any application should be held at Belmont Library for inspection. · Minute 10/07 – Noted that the Clerk be instructed to write to Persimmon Homes to express concerns that the Parish Council was not notified of the public consultation regarding the proposed development off Kingfisher Rise. 11/07 Funding Application – South Wye Community Association An application from the South Wye Community Association for a grant of £500 towards the cost of repairs to a central heating header tank at the Belmont Community Centre was considered. Members raised a number of questions relating to the nature of the work required, the cost of required repairs and the procedures adopted for obtaining quotations for the work. However, in the absence of any representative from the South Wye Community Association to respond to these concerns, it was agreed to defer a decision on this application until the next meeting. The Clerk was instructed to request that a representative from the South Wye Community Association attend the next meeting so that Members can clarify the situation prior to making a decision.
The Chairman welcomed a number of young people to the meeting who had attended to request that consideration be given to the provision of facilities for an all terrain cycle track within the Parish. The Chairman advised that although some provision had been made within the budget for the forthcoming financial year, a project such as a cycle track would depend upon many factors such as a suitable site, permission of the landowner, local neighbour consultation etc. before it could go ahead so no promises could be made at this stage. Mrs. Fran White of Herefordshire Council’s Parks and Countryside Department in attendance at the meeting advised Members that the owner of the land behind Dorchester Way (the former pond area) had agreed to enter into negotiations to sell this land to Herefordshire Council and this area might provide a better location for a cycle track than a small plot of land adjacent to the Northolme Community Building. Mrs. White indicated that she was willing to work with the young people, the Parish Council and others to put together a proposal and help with funding bids etc. Councillor Ian Robinson agreed to set up a working party to include the young people of the Parish, parents etc. to look into this further and would report back to the next meeting. 13/07 Parish Matters (a) It was noted that planning permission to divide 1 Coppin Rise had been granted despite the concerns of the Parish Council. · Minute 13/07(a) note that planning permission granted by Planning Appeals Inspector despite the concerns of the Parish Council and Herefordshire Council. (b) Councillor Ian Robinson expressed deep concern that despite repeated complaints, Herefordshire Council appeared not to be taking action against Tesco for the continued littering of the Parish and in particular the A465 trunk road, as a result of poor management of litter on the Tesco site and the removal of the mature trees and shrubs that had originally helped ontain litter on the site. Councillor Phil Edwards declared an interest in this matter as District Councillor and Cabinet Member for the Environment but noted that legal processes were continuing.It was agreed that the Clerk write to Graham Dunhill of Herefordshire Council to request clarification of Herefordshire Council’s position with regard to this matter. It was also agreed that the Clerk write to Tesco again with our concerns regarding the continual littering of the area. (c) Members noted some reduction in the number of vehicles parking on grass verges around the Parish but in some areas, notably Dorchester Way and Northolme Road, damage to the grass verge was substantial. The Clerk was instructed to ask Herefordshire Council what action is being taken to require those responsible pay for the cost of repairs to the verges. (d) It was noted that a planning application has been submitted to remove a condition applying to the flying of microlight aircraft from Madley. The Clerk was instructed to seek clarification from the Planning Officer at Herefordshire Council. · Minute 13/07(d) to note that the location of the flying club site is Broadmeadow Field landing strip at Haywood Lane. (e) It was noted that Herefordshire Council has no budget for hedgelaying for this financial year. (f) It was noted that a response is still awaited by Herefordshire Council from Welsh Water regarding services beneath land linking Yarlington Mill with the Medical Centre area in Eastholme Avenue. (g) Councillor Phil Edwards reported on his activities as District Councillor which are attached to these Minutes. (h) Councillor Phil Edwards reported that he and Councillor Hubbard had attended a site meeting at the Kenilworth Close play area when the proposals for the new equipment to be installed there were outlined. (i) It was noted that shrubs are becoming overgrown in Glastonbury Close, Abbotsmead Road and Wyedean Rise.
During the final period of public participation, the following items were raised: · Concern was expressed at the proximity of mobile telephone masts located on Highways Agency land adjacent to the main roundabout and Tesco site, to the petrol station, given the advice that mobile phones can lead to an explosion if used at a petrol station. Councillor Edwards explained that mobile phone mast suppliers state that there is no danger from mobile phone masts being close to petrol stations. · It was noted that there seems to be an unusually high number of vehicles that cross the pedestrian crossing between the Belmont Community Centre and Tesco when the lights are red. A question was raised as to whether the design or location of this particular crossing was responsible. It was suggested that this might be a good subject to raise at the PACT meeting on 12th February. It had been reported that the Highways Agency, who are responsible for this road, had indicated its intention to install an anti skid surface and to upgrade these lights last November, but work had not taken place. · A question was raised as to why the bus stop in Abbotsmead Road outside Tesco had been removed? It was noted that this was on the advice of the police who felt it was in an unsafe location following the road layout alterations when the petrol station was relocated. · Councillor Edwards reported that Mr. Ray Rose had sent an e-mail with a number of items to be raised at the meeting. The e-mail had not been received until just before the meeting, with little time to look into the matters raised so Councillor Edwards agreed to deal with the correspondence as District Councillor. 15/07 Date of next meeting The next meeting will be held on Monday 5th March 2007 at Belmont Community Centre, Eastholme Avenue, Belmont, commencing at 7.00pm.
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