Parish
Council meeting
Monday July 30 2007
Belmont Community Centre
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BELMONT
RURAL PARISH COUNCIL
Parish
Council meeting |
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Present: Mr. P. J. Edwards In the Chair In attendance: Mrs. E. Kelso Clerk
The Chairman welcomed Councillors Beryl Brown and Wendy Butler to the meeting, having been co-opted at the last meeting and confirmed that both have signed a Declaration of Acceptance of Office. 97/07 Declarations of Interest As District Councillors, Councillor Phil Edwards and Councillor Glenda Powell declared a personal interest in all matters relating to planning applications and noted that comments expressed are preliminary views taking account of information currently available to BRPC whilst reserving final views for decision taking by District Council Planning Committee where all relevant and final facts can be available prior to making a decision. 98/07 Minutes of the previous meeting The minutes of the meeting held on 25th June had been previously circulated. Councillor Myatt asked that Minute reference 94/07(d) be amended to reflect that South Wye Community Association would be interested in pursuing a strategy for combined working within the area. The amendment was agreed and subject to this amendment, the Chairman was authorised to sign the Minutes as a true record of proceedings at that meeting 99/07 Matters arising(a) Litter bins No further progress on this item as Herefordshire Jarvis Services are insisting upon written confirmation from Persimmon Homes that they have no objection to a litter bin being placed on land owned by that company. The clerk confirmed that she has had verbal authority but no written confirmation but was attempting to obtain written confirmation. The Chairman noted that adoption of this area had stalled due to two minor outstanding issues. (b) Bench in Coppin Rise Members were asked at the last meeting to consider a new location for the bench in the open space in Coppin Rise. It was suggested that a site within the proposed Belmont-Haywood Country Park might be more acceptable and the Clerk was instructed to discuss this option with Tony Featherstone of Herefordshire Council. (c) Repairs These have been passed on to Herefordshire Council for action. (d) Clerk’s pension arrangements The Chairman noted that at a recent HALC training event it had been noted that no known Parish Councils within Herefordshire have made pensions arrangements for their Parish Clerk. The Clerk reported that one option was for a pension scheme to be established under the Local Government Pension Scheme of which she was already a member and additional contributions hat that scheme were possible. Up to date contribution rates were being obtained so that a costed proposal could be considered at a later date. 100/07 Report from West Mercia Police & Parish Watch West Mercia Police were not in attendance at the meeting so there was no report presented to Members. On behalf of Parish Watch, the Chairman reported on some incidents that he was aware of since the last meeting, including: · Further
damage to fencing at the Health Centre A press report of injuries to three young girls on the Abbotsmead Road crossing was also noted. Although details of this incident were not known, Members noted the dangers of vehicles exceeding the speed limit. Councillor Powell noted similar incidents in neighbouring Parishes. The Chairman adjourned the meeting for a period of public participation during which no items for discussion were raised. Other than items raised elsewhere on the agenda, the only other items of correspondence received since the last meeting were: · Information
from South Wye Community Association on SWCA’s financial situation
together with further details on the plan to refurbish the Belmont Community
Centre, as requested by Members prior to this meeting. The Clerk confirmed
that this was a requirement of funding and that other organisations requesting
substantial funding from the Parish Council had provided such information;
and (a) Payments Authority was given to make the following payments: Dawn ‘til
Dusk Printers South Wye Community
Association E. Kelso Inland Revenue Cash (b) Receipts Bank interest paid 30.6.2007 of £204.20. (c) Balances Current account
£500.00 (a) Applications received since last meeting Ref: DCCW2007/2325/O (b) Observations passed to Herefordshire Council since last meeting None since the last meeting. (c) Notification of planning decisions since last meeting None since last meeting. (d) Other planning matters (i) Notification has been received that the Planning Inspector has allowed the appeal in respect of application reference DCCW2006/2743/F – fencing at 3 Yarlington Mill. A copy of the Planning Inspector’s Appeal Decision was given to Members and it was noted that the Planning Inspector had chosen ignore both the Parish Council and Herefordshire Council’s objections to this development. (ii) Councillor Cook reported that since approval was given by the Planning Inspector to allow 1 Coppin Rise to be divided into two dwellings, 1(a) is now for sale. 105/07 Internal Audit Report/Annual Return The Clerk reported that the Internal Auditor, Ray Rose, has completed his internal audit and, as usual, raised no matters which he feels should be brought to the attention of the Parish Council. Members then considered the final Statement of Assurances contained within the Annual Return, considering each of the statements in turn and indicating the Parish Council response as attached to these Minutes. Finally, the Chairman and Clerk were authorised to sign the Annual Return on behalf of the Parish Council and the Clerk was instructed to make the necessary arrangements for the external audit to take place. The Chairman reported that the Parish Plan Review Working Party had met with Veronica and Roderick Robinson and proposed offering residents the opportunity to express and preference for use of the now adopted Abbey View Park, provide further information on the proposed cycle track and options for upgrading play equipment, Partnership and community Together (PAT) and the Pride in Parish scheme. These proposals were approved. Although the working party did not envisage any expenditure in connection with the Review, it was agreed that a contingency budget of £100.00 be approved for this event should it be required. The Chairman outlined the route of footpath CH7 and advised members that the upgrade of this footpath to a cycle way to Ruckhall Lane and beyond had been requested some years ago and was still planned by Herefordshire Council. Clive Hall of Herefordshire Council has stated that the cycleway is now top of the list of projects but he did not envisage funding being available for this until 2009. In the meantime, the Chairman, in his District Council role, has requested that the traditional “styles” be replaced with “kissing gates” to allow those with limited mobility access to the footpath. After a brief discussion, it was agreed to support Councillor Edwards’ proposal and the Clerk was instructed to write to Herefordshire Council accordingly. The Clerk was asked at the last meeting to ascertain a budget figure if the Parish Council were to supply all the equipment required for the Clerk. The Clerk presented a summary of minimum equipment required, indicating which items were already provided by the Parish Council. She estimated that a minimum budget figure of £1800 to £2000 should be allowed for within the Parish Council reserves. The Clerk’s report was noted by Members and she was requested to enquire whether any discounts were available for such purchases through HALC or West Mercia Supplies. (a) Members reported a number of hedges that were overhanging road and foot paths requiring cutting back, including: · Along footpath
CH7 and adjacent to nos. 25-27 Northolme Road The Clerk was instructed to report all areas to Geoff Tarring of Herefordshire Council. (b) Councillor Powell noted that she has recently reported non-functioning lights to the Lights Out line which have now been resolved. (c) Councillor Gummer reported that a manhole cover requires repair at the junction of Buckfast Close and Whitefriars Road. (d) It was noted that a resident is leaving black refuse bags outside after the refuse collection time with the result that refuse is being left out in the street for several days. The Clerk was instructed to establish whether Herefordshire Council has a policy on refuse bags left in the street. (e) Councillor Butler noted that she had reported rubbish in the Newton Brook and this has now been cleared. (f) Councillor Brown asked if the lamp posts in Abbotsmead Road can be repainted. The Clerk was instructed to make enquiries. (g) It was noted that the gates to Abbey View Park have been chained. There was some oncern that grass cuttings etc. have been dumped there. (h) Cars are continuing to park on grass verges, in particular outside no. 5 Dorchester Way although other areas are also affected. The Clerk was instructed to contact Herefordshire Council accordingly. The Chairman offered to take this issue on board, in conjunction with similar ongoing parking problems elsewhere within the Parish. (i) Members noted that Matthew Bourne is the new store manager at Tesco. (j) Continued anti social behaviour from youths and older people accessing Tesco late at night or in the early hours of the morning was noted. Councillor Cook reported many instances of large quantities of alcohol being carried away from the store in the early hours of the morning by rowdy youths.(k) Councillor Newman reported similar incidents of anti social behaviour from children and adults using the walkway between the medical centre and the Belmont Community Centre, which is not a right of way, and asked if the walkway could be fenced off. Councillor Powell reported that she has spoken to the landowner who has been unresponsive to similar requests in the past. Members who are also members of the South Wye Community Association suggested that the daily volunteer litter pick not take place at this location so that the landowner becomes aware of the ongoing problem. Members noted that the right of way/maintained footpath runs from the crossing towards Brook Farm Court and runs to the side of Broom Farm Court. It was thought that members of the public would be unwilling to use the proper footpath and if the side path between the medical entre and community centre were closed, would use the path to the immediate front of the community centre which might cause further difficulties for the Centre. (l) The Chairman reported that a new grid has been installed by the Highways Agency and Herefordshire Council to keep the Newton Brook below the Belmont Road clear. It was noted that grid will need regular clearance to avoid blocking up and causing further flooding. (m) The Chairman reported that he has been pressing for Abbotsmead Road and pavement to be cleaned after the problems with lifting sewer covers during the torrential rain earlier in the month. This has now been cleaned by Welsh Water and an investigation requested to ascertain why the manhole covers have lifted. 110/07 Public Participation There were no further items raised during the final period of public participation. The next meeting will be held on Monday 10th September at Belmont Community Centre, Eastholme Avenue, Belmont commencing at 7pm.
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