Parish
council meeting
May 19 2008
Belmont Community Centre
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BELMONT
RURAL PARISH COUNCIL
Parish
council meeting |
47/08 Declarations of Interest Councillor Myatt declared a prejudicial interest in agenda item 13, Application for funding from South Wye Community Association. Councillor Edwards declared a personal interest in Minute 55/08(a). Councillor Edwards and Councillor Powell, as District Councillors, 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. It was proposed by Councillor Brown and seconded by Councillor Loft that Councillor Edwards be elected Chairman of the Parish Council for the forthcoming year. There being no further nominations and Councillor Edwards having indicated his willingness to act, Councillor Edwards was duly elected Chairman and signed a Declaration of Acceptance of Office. 49/08 Election of Vice Chairman The Chairman thanked Councillor David Cook for his work as Vice Chairman for 2007/8 and proposed that he be re-elected Vice Chairman for the forthcoming year. This was seconded by Councillor Myatt and there being no further nominations, Councillor Cook was duly elected Vice Chairman. 50/08 Election of Parish Council representatives for 2008/9 It was resolved that the following officers/representatives be elected: · Footpaths Officer – Councillor Andy Myatt 51/08 Minutes of the meeting held on 7th April 2008 The Minutes of the meeting held on 7th April having been previously circulated, Members agreed two small amendments which were initialled by the Chairman. It was agreed that the Minutes as amended be signed by the Chairman as a true record of proceedings at that meeting. The Clerk reported on items raised at the last meetings as follows: (a) Footpath – Chichester Close to Northolme Road Now completed with additional dropped kerbs to facilitate wheelchairs and pushchairs. (b) Training It was noted that Councillor Glenda Powell attended a HALC training event on 13th March. Councillor Powell’s attendance at this event was ratified by the Parish Council. It was further agreed that the Clerk be authorised to arrange a further informal training session at which Members who have attended recent HALC training can provide feedback for Members. Any other items for discussion can be passed to the Clerk as soon as possible. In addition to the routine items of correspondence circulated to Members since the last meeting, or items addressed elsewhere on the agenda, the following items were noted: · Letter from Herefordshire Local Access Forum signifying the end of the Discovering Lost Ways Project · Letter from Herefordshire Council regarding the parish requirement for sandbags. It was agreed that the Clerk respond requesting that sandbags be available for Newton Cottages (Belmont Road) and for properties in Glastonbury Close, as and where required. · Information for the Society of Local Council Clerks regarding the regional conference taking place at Walsall on Thursday 26th June at a cost of £45. It was agreed that the Clerk be authorised to attend this conference on behalf of the Parish Council. · Letter from Mr. & Mrs. Cottom regarding use of the survey results. This item was addressed elsewhere on the agenda. 54/08 Planning Matters(a) Applications received since the last meeting None (b) Observations passed to Herefordshire Council since the last meeting Ref: CW2008/0715/A (c) Notification of planning decisions received since last meeting None (a) Payments In accordance with financial procedures, the Clerk will report that two cheques have been raised since the last meeting, being the Clerk’s salary for April 2008 and the corresponding payment of tax and national insurance to the Inland Revenue. Authority was given to make the following payments: Dawn ‘Til Dusk
Printers MA Edwards South Wye Community
Association Northolme Community
Centre Association Amey Wye Valley Limited HALC Ms. G. Powell Mrs. E. Kelso Inland Revenue Cash Allianz Insurance
The following amounts have been received since the last meeting: Bank interest £233.86 (c) Balances Current account:
£500.00 (d) Other financial matters It was noted that the Clerk has completed the VAT return and PAYE Annual Return (online) since the last meeting. VAT repayment of £424.63 is expected shortly and a small grant, estimated to be in the region of £150, will be receivable for successfully completing the PAYE return online. 56/08 Accounts and Annual Return for the year to 31st March 2008 It was noted that although draft accounts were provided to Members for the year to 31st March 2008, the internal audit has not been completed. It was agreed, therefore, that this item be deferred until the next meeting. The Chairman will review minor financial transaction details when convenient with the Clerk. 57/08 Risk Management Review/Insurance Renewal (a) Risk Management Review It was noted that the working party to review risk management met on Thursday 15th. A copy of the report and recommendations was briefly discussed. It was resolved that the report and recommendations of the working party be noted. (b) Insurance Renewal After discussion, it was agreed that the invitation to renew the Parish Council insurance policy as presented to the meeting, and in accordance with the risk management review noted above, be accepted at an annual premium of £674.84. Members noted that the working party set up to consider and make recommendations regarding the Internal Audit processes had met on 15th May. However, as this item relates to the approval of the Annual Return and Accounts, it was agreed to defer further discussion until the next meeting. 59/08 Application for funding – South Wye Community Association Councillor Myatt introduced this item and explained the background to this request which is for a contribution towards the cost of replacing some of the windows at Belmont Community Centre in order to reduce heating costs and provide some protection against vandalism. Councillor Myatt then left the room whilst this item was discussed. Mr. Richard Johnston, on behalf of South Wye Community Association, answered Members questions regarding the proposed project. After some discussion, it was proposed by Councillor Edwards and seconded by Councillor Powell that a contribution of £4,000 towards the cost of the project be offered to the South Wye Community Association on the following terms: · That the
project be completed within six months, and receipted invoices be provided
to the Parish Council as evidence of spend 60/08 Belmont Survey Results/Abbey View Park The Chairman reported that the survey results had been formally made public at the Annual Parish Meeting which took place on Monday 21st April at the Northolme Centre where some 50 plus residents had attended and generated a lively debate on suggested options for Abbey View Park and its surroundings. Opening this meeting for members of the public in attendance to comment, a number of issues were raised, including: · Recent anti social behaviour along Dorchester Way was noted, including the theft of a bicycle which was then thrown into the brook at the top of Dorchester Way and eggs being thrown at vehicles one evening · There has been a lack of response by young people and their parents to attempts to set up a youth club locally, despite a request for a youth club made at the Annual Parish Meeting. Similarly an attempt to run a youth football club from the Northolme Centre had not attracted any participants. · Slow police response times when called about youths misbehaving mean that the culprits have dispersed by the time police arrive. · A query was raised at the partial removal of the larger climbing frame from the play area adjacent to the Northolme Centre. It was noted that the removal of the final sections of this equipment could only take place once the ground has dried sufficiently to allow heavy lifting gear onto the site. The area would then be re-seeded on a temporary basis prior to more suitable play equipment being installed. · Several comments were made questioning whether a former landfill site would be an appropriate location for “development” of leisure facilities, with particular concern being raised regarding health and safety issues. The Chairman cautioned one speaker twice with regard for the need to be factual to avoid leaving themselves open to legal challenge. · Concern was expressed at the suggestion that the survey data be appended to the Parish Plan as this was perceived as acceptance of the suggestions contained in the survey. After considerable debate it was suggested that the data from the survey be used towards the update of the Parish Plan which was first published in 2003 so that the Parish Plan be then used as guidance for future projects. It was proposed by Councillor Myatt and seconded by Councillor Schoffer that a working party be set up to again revisit the Parish Plan with a view to making recommendations to the Parish Council at a later date. It was further proposed that members of the public be co-opted to the working party and that advice be sought from Mr. and Mrs. Robinson who had steered the original publication of the Parish Plan in 2003. These proposals were agreed and the Clerk was instructed to make the necessary arrangements. Members indicating their willingness to take part in the working party were: Councillors Schoffer, Powell, Myatt, Brown and Cook. Members of the public willing to take part were asked to contact the Clerk within the next few days, noting that the working party numbers would need to be kept to a minimum to aid timely process. 61/08 Land behind Glastonbury Close The Chairman suggested that a small parcel of public open space at the end of Glastonbury Close be disposed of and the proceeds be used to fund improvements to the local environment. He explained that the area was not generally recognised as public open space and has attracted some anti social behaviour. Fencing had been destroyed several times to create a shortcut between Glastonbury Close and McDonalds and/or Belmont Road. Neighbouring properties had indicated they would view use of the land for one or two houses favourably. It was agreed to support the proposal to put the land to an alternative use and the Clerk was instructed to write to Herefordshire Council’s Parks and Countryside Division accordingly. 62/08 Litter bin for Holmfirth Close Councillor Butler proposed that a litter bin be provided adjacent to the Leylandii hedge off Holmfirth Close as the area frequently attracts litter. It was agreed that a bin be provided at a cost of no more than £200.00. The clerk was instructed to make the necessary arrangements. 63/08 Proposed meeting dates for 2008/9 It was agreed that the pattern of six weekly Parish Council meetings be continued for 2008/9, with meetings to be held at Belmont Community Centre on the dates as attached to these minutes (See What's On). All meetings to commence at 7pm. The next meeting, therefore, will take place on Monday 30th June. (a) It was noted that Belmont Lakes are for sale. (b) Councillor Powell adviced that the planning appeal enquiry relating to Mulberry Close will be held at the Town Hall in Hereford at the end of June. Dates to be confirmed. (c) It was reported that hedgerow has become overgrown along Abbotsmead Road. The clerk was instructed to ask Herefordshire Council to write to the landowner. (d) The loose manhole cover in Dorchester Way, opposite the junction with Stanbrook Road, has been reported but not yet repaired. The Clerk was instructed to pursue this with Herefordshire Council. (e) Under the report from Parish Watch, it was noted: · A cycle
had been stolen locally and thrown into the brook adjacent to Abbey View
Park (f) The Chairman reported on activities in his role as District Councillor, including: · Reporting
overgrown hedges (g) Considerable concern was expressed at the state of grass verges in the Parish. Urgent cutting is now required and weeds have been allowed to seed with the result that kerbs need to be sprayed. The Clerk was instructed to raise this with Herefordshire Council urgently. There being no further business, the meeting closed at 9.20pm.
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