Further, Councillor Edwards declared a personal interest in an item considered under agenda item 8, Payments.

83/08 Parish Councillor Vacancy
The Clerk reported that a valid request for an election has been received by the Elections Office which means that the formal election process must now be followed to fill this vacancy. Notices will go on notice boards inviting nominations at the end of the month. If no candidate comes forward, an election will not take place but nominations will have to be sought a second time. If one candidate comes forward, that candidate will be automatically elected. If more than one candidate comes forward, there will be an election on 2nd October.

Members noted that the right to request an election has been in existence for some years, this is the first time an election has been requested by members of the public since the parish council was created. This is thought to be largely as a result of the new practice by the Elections Office of sending letters to all households advising of the vacancy. There was some evidence that members of the public did not fully understand the letter and what was required of them and it is unlikely that electors would realise that cost of an election would be met directly from the Parish Council precept thus diverting funds away from local projects.

It was noted that two individuals had expressed an interest in standing for co-option, Mr. Adrian Bridges and Mr. Stuart Taylor. Both were present at the meeting and would need to submit a formal nomination in due course.

The Clerk reported that the full cost of an election to fill a casual vacancy would fall to the Parish Council and could lead to a charge in the region of £6,000 per advice last year from the Elections Office.

84/08 Minutes of the previous meeting
The Minutes of the meeting held on 30th June have been circulated to members. It was noted that the draft Minutes state that Councillor Newman was absent for the item discussed under Minute reference 76/08. However Councillor Newman returned to the meeting during that agenda item and the Minutes were amended to reflect this. Subject to this amendment, it was agreed that the Chairman be authorised to sign the Minutes as a true record of proceedings at that meeting.

85/08 Clerk’s report
Clerk provided an update on items raised at the previous meeting and not addressed elsewhere on the agenda.

(a) Litter bin for Holmfirth Close

Now received and installed.

(b) Speed Indicator Devices

Clerk has received correspondence from Herefordshire Council regarding preliminary data on vehicle speeds at the chosen locations indicating that as less than 10% of vehicles exceed the speed limit, the locations do not meet the criteria for installation of a speed indicator device. The Parish Council had not been made aware of any criteria that had to be met before a speed indicator device could be hired and instructed the Clerk to write to Herefordshire Council regarding this lack of communication from the outset of this project.

(c) Weeds

A kerb weedspray has now taken place with good results in most areas although there are some areas that require further treatment, notably Westholme Road.

(d) Library consultation

It was noted that several members attended the site visit in July when Herefordshire Council Library Services staff explained the nature of the consultation which had been taking place with stakeholders and local children. It was generally felt that the consultation was premature as funding had not been confirmed for the extension to the library.

Since the site visit there has been no further correspondence from the Library Service and the Clerk was instructed to write to ascertain the current status of this project.(e) External Audit

The Clerk reported that the Annual Return has been sent to the external auditor. There were no requests to the Clerk in exercise of electors rights to view the accounts or supporting papers within the specified time.

86/08 Report from West Mercia Police/Parish Watch
West Mercia Police were not in attendance. A report on the recent PACT meeting was provided by Councillor Edwards who noted that there has been some success by the police in dealing with the mini motos locally. Residents at the meeting had raised the issue of cars parking on junctions and pavements, particularly in Dorchester Way. Although this practice is illegal, an informal approach was thought to be more appropriate initially to deal with this problem.

Members noted that some weeks ago there has been some anti social behaviour at Abbey View Park, particularly by the Oak Tree, with drinking and abusive language over a Saturday evening/Sunday morning. Smashed glass and litter has been cleared by volunteers. It was also reported that children have been climbing onto the roof at Belmont Community Centre. The footpath at the side of the Centre is likely to be closed within the next few weeks.

87/08 Public Participation
During a period of public participation, the following items were raised:

· The Wesholme Road litter bin has not yet been repaired. The Chairman noted that he has requested that the bin be repaired by Streetscene

· There is evidence of fly tipping of household and garden refuse by the lower pool area of Belmont Pools. The Clerk was instructed to contact the Environmental Health Officer to request clearance.

· A notice board was requested for the upper area of Dorchester Way. After some discussion it was agreed that this be an agenda item for the next meeting and in the mean time the Clerk be instructed to obtain costs for a suitable notice board for consideration.

· The Parish Council was urged by a member of the public to consider financial assistance for the purchase of the Belmont Pools. The Chairman advised that the Parish Council had, at its last meeting, agreed to make a donation of £7,500 towards the acquisition of the Pools.

· A member of the public in attendance requested Parish Council support for a meeting to promote neighbourhood watch. Councillor Powell reported that she has recently arranged such a meeting as District Councillor which was extensively advertised but only 3 people attended, including Councillor Edwards as District Councillor and Chairman of Herefordshire Neighbourhood Watch.

· Concern was expressed at the speed of traffic on the mini roundabout in Northolme Road. Cars have also been seen driving across the mini roundabout.

88/08 Correspondence
There were no other items of correspondence other than routine items circulated to members since the last meeting.

89/08 Payments/Receipts
(a) Payments

Authority was given to make the following payments:

MA Edwards
Installation and repairs to litter bin £75.00

SLCC
Purchase of papers from conference £45.00
VAT thereon £7.88
Total £52.88

South Wye Community Association
Room hire for June’s meeting 26.25
Kidz Club 94.50
Total payment: 120.75

Cash
Petty cash reimbursement £35.55

(b) Receipts

Bank interest of £243.39 was received on 30th June 2008.

(c) Balances

Current account: £500.00
Deposit account £27,853.50
Belmont Pools Reserve £7,500.00
Petty Cash £14.45

90/08 Planning Matters
(a) Applications received since the last meeting

Ref: DCCW2008/1659/F
Development: Proposed erection of 69 dwellings and delivery of Haywood Country Park
Site: Land to the rear of Mulberry Close
Comments: Plans have been circulated. Members had a number of objections. Herefordshire Council has been notified accordingly.

Ref: DCCW2007/2834/F – Revised layout plan
Development: Proposed erection of 69 dwellings and delivery of Haywood Country Park
Site: Land to the rear of Mulberry Close
Comments: Plans have been circulated. Members felt original comments on this application were still valid and had further concerns regarding the reduction in parking provision.

The Enquiry into this application has now taken place, attended by Councillors Edwards and Powell as District Councillors. The Chairman reported that Herefordshire Council chose not to defend the appeal. The traffic officer had noted that they could find no reason to refuse the single access point through Mulberry Close. A site visit had taken place during the second day of the Enquiry with residents of Mulberry Close in attendance. The Inspectors decision is now awaited.

Ref: DCCW2008/2002/f
Development: Proposed first floor extension to rear and wind turbine on gable
Site: 8 Abingdon Drive, Belmont
Comments: Plans have been circulated. Members had no objections o the extension but expressed concern at the potential noise from the wind turbine.

Ref: DCCW2008/1925/F
Development: Bedroom en suite over existing garage
Site: 14 Dorchester Way, Belmont
Comments: This application was considered at the meeting. Members had no objections to the proposals. The Clerk was instructed to advise Herefordshire Council accordingly.

Ref: DCCW2008/1966/F
Development: Proposed additional 3 storey bedroom wing
Site: Three Counties Hotel
Comments: This application was considered at the meeting. Members expressed some concern at the height of the development and it was suggested that residents in nearby dwellings might be over looked. The Clerk was instructed to advise Herefordshire Council of these concerns.

(b) Observations passed to Herefordshire Council since the last meeting

None other than those noted above.

(c) Notification of decisions received since the last meeting

Ref: DCCW2008/1329/F
Development: Proposed glazed lobby to front of store to stop rain/wind blowing into store entrance. Site: Tesco Store, Abbotsmead Road
Comments: Application approved.

Ref: DCCW2008/1394/F
Development: Demolish existing garage and replace with single storey extension and minor alterations to off road parking area
Comments: Application refused on the grounds that the proposed development, and in particular the proposals with regard to the changes to parking, are contrary to highway safety.

91/08 Shrub Bed
A suggestion had been received from a member of the public that the shrub bed at the junction of the A465 and Northolme Road be maintained and bulbs added. The Chairman advised that contractors for Amey Wye Valley Limited had damaged the bed by mowing across when the grass was left particularly high. He had obtained contractors agreement to replace six shrubs free of charge and had weeded the bed as a volunteer. Bulbs were not considered appropriate because of the additional maintenance required.

92/08 Parish Matters
(a) A number of areas were identified where the pavement is dropping/sinking leaving a hazardous surface. The Clerk was instructed to notify Herefordshire Council and to request repair.

(b) It was noted that some tree ties in Romsey Drive require replacement.

(c) Some of the overhanging trees/shrubs have been cut back.

(d) It was suggested that cars parking on paved or grassed areas should have a polite notice placed on the car requesting that the vehicle is not parked at that location. Some concern was expressed at the potential for claims for damage to the vehicle and it was noted that where similar notices are used, there has been an incident when the individual placing the notice was abused by the car owner.

A highway code for mobility scooters might be suitable to offer to motorists who park on pavements/grass verges.

(e) It was noted that there will be changes to the bus service in September. Wyesmoves and other hopper buses serving Belmont will begin and terminate at the Shire Hall, calling a the Tesco City Bus Station on the way towards Belmont only.

(f) The Chairman provided a report on his District Council activities since the last meeting, including:

· Reporting fly tipping in Newton Coppice
· Working towards improvements to the paving at the junction of Haywood Lane
· Reporting overhanging trees for cutting back
· Reporting litter along the A465

93/08 Public Participation
During the final period of public participation it was noted that the highway code for users of mobility scooters is available from Shop Mobility.

94/08 Date of next meeting
The next meeting will be held on Monday 22nd September 2008, at Belmont Community Centre, Eastholme Avenue, Belmont, commencing at 7pm.