Parish
Council meeting
Monday April 16 2007
Belmont Community Centre
|
BELMONT
RURAL PARISH COUNCIL
Parish
Council meeting |
|
Present: Mrs. Veronica Robinson (Chairman) In attendance: Mrs. Liz Kelso Clerk Apologies: Mrs. Beryl Brown 35/07 Declarations of Interest There were no declarations of interest. 36/07 Minutes of the previous meeting The Minutes of the meeting held on 5th March 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. 37/07 Matters arising (a) Painting of lampposts and tree thinning on roundabout The Clerk reported that she has sent copies of previous correspondence to the Highways Agency as originals appear to have been mislaid. (b) Litter bins + new liners Two of the litter bins as originally requested are now in place but permission is still awaited for the third bin to be repositioned onto land owned by Persimmon Homes. As this permission is unlikely to be withheld, it was agreed that this project now be completed and that the bin currently located adjacent to the notice board in Abbotsmead Road be relocated to the grass verge by the junction of Hartland Close and the final new litter bin be used to replace the bin removed from adjacent to the notice board. It was also noted that the new litter bin liners to replace those damaged have been received and installed by our contractor on a voluntary basis! (c) Parking on Grass Verges There have been some additional instances of parking on grass verges since the last meeting which have been forwarded to the Highways Department of Herefordshire Council. A date for when the repair work is to take place is being obtained. It was agreed that Herefordshire Council be requested to repair the verge in Northolme Road where a contractor’s vehicle has been parked close to the entrance of the Northolme Centre. (d) Parish Freighter The Clerk reported that the booking has been made for 2008 as agreed at the last meeting. (e) Repairs It was noted that the roundabout at the junction of Dorchester Way/Northolme Road has been repaired. Repairs to the manhole covers reported recently have not yet taken place. 38/07 Report from West Mercia Police This agenda item was discussed with agenda item 14, the Abbotsmead Road bench. Members heard that there has been an increase recently in instances of anti social behaviour within the Parish arising out of numbers of youths, not all from the Belmont area, who gather in groups in certain locations, often with alcohol, and create a nuisance and/or vandalise property. Problems in the vicinity of the Belmont Centre, Northolme Centre and adjacent children’s play area, in and around other equipped play areas and on benches were noted in particular. Mr. David Dunsford, a resident of Whitefriars Road asked that the bench at the end of Whitefriars Road be removed as he felt it attracted anti social behaviour at night. Inspector Gebbie advised that increases in youth related anti social behaviour were noted in all areas and that he has successfully bid for temporary additional Community Support Officer time which was already leading to a reduction in reported incidents. He felt it unlikely that removing the bench in Abbotsmead Road, or any other bench, would lead to a reduction in incidents. Past experience suggested that the young people concerned would gather in the same locations with or without something to sit on! As the bench is well used during the daytime by adults and children for legitimate purposes, the general consensus was that the bench should remain in place. Discussion then turned to the general belief that 24 hour access to alcohol is leading to an increase in anti social behaviour. Although repeated checks on whether the local supermarket is selling alcohol to underage drinkers had not revealed any instances where this is happening, many people have identified older people clearly buying alcohol for youngsters waiting outside. Generally this was said to occur late in the evening, when police presence was minimal as Community Support Officers working with West Mercia Police do not work after 10pm. It was suggested that there is little in the way of formal activities for young people in the evenings as this is thought to lead to groups wandering the streets. However, Members noted that the Parish Council had funded a youth worker to work with young people to arrange activities last year and sessions had been poorly attended, although the timing of these sessions was not ideal. Finally Inspector Gebbie suggested that the Parish Council considers Section 30 Dispersal Orders and suggested some further research although he was personally not in favour of these orders. Members thanked Inspector Gebbie and his officers for their efforts and support within the parish. 39/07 Public Participation The Chairman adjourned the meeting for a brief period of public participation. There were no further matters raised at this time. 40/07 Correspondence The following items of correspondence were noted:. · Information regarding a planning for real event
on 5th & 6th June at Withington Village Hall – it was suggested
that this item be discussed at the next meeting when a new Parish Plan
working party would be set up 41/07 Payments/Receipts (a) Payments In accordance with Financial Standing Orders, it was reported that two payments were made since the last meeting: Cheque No. 400 Cheque No. 401 Authority was given to make the following payments: M A Edwards HSBC Invoice Finance Limited (Swintex Ltd) E A Kelso Inland Revenue Cash (b) Receipts £151.35 in bank interest has been received since the last meeting. It was also noted that the first instalment of the precept for 2007/8 was due for payment to be paid on 17th April - £12.500.00. (c) Balances Current account: £500.00 (d) Other Financial Matters Notification has been received from the Audit Commission that the external auditor for financial year 2006/7 will be UHY Hacker Young, as in previous years. The audit date has been set at 29th June 2007. 42/07 Planning Matters (a) Applications received since the last meeting None. (b) Observations passed to Planning Authority since last meeting None. (c) Notification of planning decisions received since last meeting None. 43/07 Cycle track – Update It had been expected that the young people who have been requesting the cycle track would be presenting a petition at this meeting. However, no one was in attendance. The petition would be very useful when applying for funding for this project. Councillor Ian Robinson noted that he has investigated the possible cost of providing the cycle track and noted that perforated steel plating (PSP) is available at a reasonable cost and might enable the former landfill site to be used as a site for the track. The material is available at a reasonable cost, as are other materials required for the track. Fran White said that it was her intention to make an application to the Innovations Play fund of the Big Lottery Fund which would include provision for improving the kick about area adjacent to the Northolme Centre, replacement equipment for the children’s play area, to include separation of equipment for toddlers and older children, and improvements to the former landfill site to facilitate areas for walking. The application would be made in the name of the Parish Council and completed forms would be made available for comment at the next Parish Council meeting. In connection with this item, Members noted that it was hoped that Herefordshire Council would acquire the former landfill site (A and B) by the end of April. 44/07 Insurance Renewal Members had received copies of the invitation to renew the combined insurance policy prior to the meeting. It was unanimously agreed that the policy be renewed in accordance with the renewal invitation. The Clerk was authorised to make the necessary arrangements. 45/07 Planting on junction between Northolme Road and A465 Councillor Ian Robinson reported that the formal “permission to cultivate” the land on the junction of Northolme Road and the A465T was still awaited. However, in the meantime an approximate cost of £2 - £3 per plant was envisaged. It was agreed that quotations be obtained for a professional contractor to prepare the 80m x 13m (approx) site, plant and maintain the site for 12 months until the plants are established, with a view to planting in this coming autumn. 46/07 Funding request – NCCA Fran White provided an update on progress with the building work at the Northolme Centre and explained that it was intended to hold a summer fete/opening ceremony in August and invited the Parish Council to take part on the day. Members agreed that this might be an opportunity to combine the opening with a Parish Planning event – this to be discussed further at the next meeting. Mrs. White outlined plans for the August event and Members expressed reservations at the proposal to include a fireworks display. A request had been received from the Northolme Community Centre Association for a donation of up to £500 towards the cost of the summer opening event. After some discussion, this was unanimously agreed with the proviso that funding not spent on this event be returned to the Parish Council. 47/07 Abbotsmead Road Bench As noted above, this item was discussed under Minute 38/07. 48/07 Parish Matters (a) Members noted that the Electoral Registration Office has announced that 5 nominations were received within the appointed time period for the 9 vacancies on this Parish Council. There will therefore be no contested election and those individuals nominated with be deemed to take office as Parish Councillors with effect from four days after the day of the elections (7th May), subject to a Declaration of Acceptance of Office being signed and a Declaration of Financial Interests Form completed. The Clerk reported that the Parish Council would not be able to apply for “Quality Status within the next term of office as there is a requirement for 80% of members to be elected (even if there is no actual contested election). It will also now be necessary to make arrangements to co-opt Members to fill the remaining 4 vacancies. One person has already indicated to the Clerk that they would be willing to offer themselves for co-option and was agreed that the Clerk place notices on the notice boards as soon as possible to seek other volunteers with a view to co-opting at the Annual Meeting in May. Members were reminded that it is not necessary to co-opt someone simply because they offer themselves – co-option is through a majority vote of the Parish Council. Those present thanked the Parish Councillors who are not standing for re-election for all their efforts over their last term of office. (b) Councillor Ian Robinson noted that this is to be his last meeting as a Parish Councillor as his is not seeking re-election. He thanked the Clerk and Members for their support and offered to help on a voluntary basis with any health and safety issues in the future. (c) Councillor Brian Hubbard also noted that he would not be seeing re-election and offered to assist the future Tree Warden, if required. (d) Members noted that a bath appears to have been dumped on private property in Sydwall Road. The Clerk was requested to seek advice from Herefordshire Council’s office responsible for fly tipping. (e) An 18 year old tree has been chopped down between two properties in Sydwall Road and it was assumed that authority to remove the tree was given by the management committee of the property. (f) Rubbish is again collected by the footpath entrance to Tesco. Streetscene will be contacted to clear the area. (g) It was noted that lamp posts along the CH7 footpath have now been painted with their identification numbers so that any non functioning lights can be accurately reported to the “lights out” line. The defective lights in Abbotsmead Road and Northolme Road have now been repaired. (h) The bottle bank at Tesco has been moved (and subsequently replaced) following complaints about noise from a member of the public. (i) Tesco vehicles have been reported for parking on the pavement/footpaths. There have also been reports of a delivery vehicle leaving a trailer parked in Abbotsmead Road whilst delivering to another store. (j) It was suggested that an early request for a kerb weedspray be made. (k) It was noted that a tree reported as broken last year in Sydwall Road has not recovered and now needs to be removed. 49/07 Date of next meeting It was agreed that the next meeting would be the Annual Parish Council Meeting which would be adjourned for the Annual Parish Meeting. Both meetings will take place on Monday 14th May 2007 at Belmont Community Centre, Eastholme Avenue, Belmont. The Annual Parish Council meeting will commence at 7pm and the Annual Parish Meeting will start at 7:15pm and will be followed by the re-convened Parish Council meeting. 50/07 Public Participation During the final period of public participation, Members learned that a link to the Parish Council website is now available through Herefordshire Council’s website. There being no further business, the Chairman declared the meeting closed. |