Parish
council meeting
December 15 2008
Belmont Community Centre
|
BELMONT
RURAL PARISH COUNCIL
Parish
council meeting |
|
125/08 Declarations of Interest Councillor Myatt and Councillor Newman declared a prejudicial interest in connection with an application by the Belmont Community Centre for a grant. 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. Councillor Edwards declared a personal interest in agenda item 7, payments. 126/08 Minutes of the previous meeting Minutes of the meeting held on 3rd November 2008 had been previously circulated. It was agreed that a small amendment be made to minute 116/08 to the effect that the Minutes record that Councillor Brown proposed the resolution to the resolution and Councillor Myatt seconded the amendment. Subject to this amendment, it was agreed that the Chairman be authorised to sign as a true record of proceedings at that meeting. 127/08 Clerk’s report(a) Repairs and maintenance Contractors have cut back some of the overgrown shrubs within the parish in recent weeks but several areas still remain uncut, notably around Benjamin Park and adjacent to the bus shelter in Abbotsmead Road. Where bushes are believed to be in private ownership, Herefordshire Council has written to the owners requesting that the bushes be cut back. The Chairman asked for an update on the Parish Initiative Scheme so that the outstanding list of street and highway works could be rechecked by Members, the Clerk would circulate this. (b) Litter bins The litter bin has been replaced in Westholme Road and two bin liners have been replaced. The Clerk requested that Members advise her of any litter bins that require repair or replacement. (c) Grant to Sharp Sharp has been requested to supply accounts as requested at the last meeting. Clerk has been advised by e-mail from Australia where Mr. Dowling is on holiday that there is no problem with this but this cannot be supplied until he returns from his holiday. Payment therefore has not yet been made. (d) Training Members were reminded that currently in circulation are details of HALC training events in January/February and were encouraged to attend. Any member wishing to attend should notify the Clerk so that a place can be reserved. 128/08 Report from West Mercia Police/Parish Watch PC Fiona Farrington reported that incidents of anti social behaviour have dropped as the weather has become colder. Staffing levels for the spring/summer months are being considered now and in the summer months CSOs will work until 12 midnight on weekends. Members noted a new telephone number to use for reporting minor incidents to the police – 0300 333 3000. Under Parish Watch, Councillor Myatt reported that CCTV cameras have been installed covering much of the perimeter of the Belmont Centre. The Chairman thanked West Mercia Police for their help and support during the year. During this period
of public participation, no items were raised by members of the public
present. The Clerk reported that a letter had been received from Herefordshire Council requesting details of any flooding experienced in the parish as a result of the heavy rainfall in the early part of November. She was instructed to respond that 1 and 2 Newton Cottages and 7, 8 and 9 Mulberry Close had reported localised flooding. (a) Payments Authority was given to make the following payments: South Wye Community
Association Mazars Society of Local
Council Clerks HSBC Invoice Finance
(UK) Ltd. MA Edwards Cash
There were no amounts received since the last meeting.
Current account:
£500.00 (d) Other Financial Matters The external audit has been completed with the Annual Return signed by the external auditors with one comment – there was a typographical error on the bank reconciliation, although the totals were correct. This was clarified by telephone before the audit was signed. (a) Applications received since the last meeting Ref: DCCW2008/2775/F Ref: DCCW2008/2869/F Ref: DCCW2008-2884/F (b) Observations passed to Herefordshire Council since the last meeting In addition to those noted above, the following observations have been passed to the planning authority since the last meeting: Ref: DCCW2008/2685/F (c) Notification of planning decisions received since the last meeting None since the last meeting. (d) Other planning matters · Planning Application Procedure Members noted that there have been two occasions recently when planning applications have not been returned to the Clerk with the time specified on the form with the result that on one occasion objections could not be raised with the planning authority. Members were reminded of the statutory procedures for consultations on planning applications and the Parish Council agreed procedures to meet statutory requirements, and were requested to ensure that any absences from home be notified to the Clerk so that they can be omitted from the circulation list for that period. The Clerk advised that two budget prices have been obtained for a roofed notice board as instructed at the last meeting. Prices indicated were from £1,500 – £6,000. After a brief discussion it was agreed to authorise the Clerk to proceed with a double sided notice board to be installed at a location to be agreed between the Clerk, Chairman, Vice Chairman, Councillor Taylor and Herefordshire Council (as landowners) in Dorchester Way up to a maximum price of £2,000.00. It was further agreed that gravel or concrete slabs be placed around the noticeboard. 134/08 Parish Plan Update and application for funding A copy of the notes from the most recent parish plan steering group meeting were noted by Members. In particular it was noted that following advice from HALC, an application for funding could be made to Awards for All to meet the costs of the Parish Plan review. It was agreed that the Clerk be authorised to make an application to Awards for All for £5,000.00 in the name of the Parish Council. 135/08 Request for Funding – Belmont Community Centre The Chairman explained the procedure for considering agenda items in which Members have a prejudicial interest and invited Councillor Myatt to introduce the application for funding on behalf of the Belmont Community Centre. Councillor Myatt explained that the funding was requested to meet some of the costs of upgrading the library area within the Belmont Centre. Mr. Ligema, from Herefordshire Council Library Services in attendance at the meeting, explained the proposed project which includes improvements to the library reception desk, improved compjuter access and an enlargement to the Childrens’ section. Work should start towards the end of January. Members were then invited to raise any questions on the work or application. When questionned, Councillor Myatt reported that building works had been planned in consultation with Herefordshire Council’s property services and a total of 4 quotations received. It was also noted that the South Wye Community Association are unable to reclaim VAT on building works. Councillor Myatt and Councillor Newman then left the room whilst the application was discussed by Members. After a brief discussion, it was proposed by Councillor Edwards and seconded by Councillor Taylor that a grant of £3,000.00 be offered to the South Wye Community Association towards this project on the following terms and conditions: · That a report
be made to the parish council within six months detailing how the grant
money has been spent, with evidence in the form of receipted invoices
and The Chairman declared the resolution carried. Councillor Myatt and Councillor Newman then returned to the meeting. 139/08 Request for Funding – Northolme Community Centre Details of an application by Northolme Community Centre for a grant towards the cost of certain improvements to the Community Centre, including a notice board, outside lighting and signage, had been provided to Members. Mrs. Fran White from the Northolme Community Centre Association explained the proposed project and responded to questions from Members. After some discussion it was proposed that subject to sight of a second written quotation for work, a grant be offered to Northolme Community Centre Association in accordance with their request up to a maximum value of £1,826, on the following terms and conditions: · That a report
be made to the parish council within six months detailing how the grant
money has been spent, with evidence in the form of receipted invoices
and The Chairman declared the resolution approved. Councillor Powell asked that it be noted that she abstained from voting. 140/08 Freedom of Information Act 2000 – adoption of publication scheme The Clerk advised that the Information Commissioner has now released details of the model publication scheme to replace the scheme adopted by the Parish Council in 2002. After a brief discussion, it was unanimously agreed to adopt the compulsory model scheme with effect from 1st January 2009. Members then considered a revised publication scheme, based upon the approved model scheme, as prepared by the Clerk. It was unanimously agreed to adopt the scheme as attached to these Minutes. The Clerk was instructed to ensure the revised scheme is published on notice boads. The Clerk advised that a letter has been received from Herefordshire Council indicating that the cost of the Parish Freighter service is to increase from £38.75 per visit to £380.00 per visit. Members instructed the Clerk to request attendance at the next Parish Council meeting of Cabinet Member for Environment, Councillor Jarvis, to explain the change in this service which has been particularly well used by residents. The Clerk was also instructed to seek an alternative service provider for consideration at the next meeting. (a) Members noted that a hole has developed in the mini roundabout on the junction of Waterfield Road and Southolme Road. The Clerk was instructed to notify Clive Hall at Herefordshire Council to request a repair and at the same time to remind Herefordshire Council that a similar repair is still awaited on the Northolme Road/Dorchester Way roundabout which is now becoming hazardous for cyclists. (b) It was noted that vehicles are still parking on grass verges, in particular in Dorchester Way and on the junction of Ford Lane and Broadholme Road. The Chairman reported that at a recent PACT meeting it had been reported on t Worcestershire County Council’s approach to cars parked on grass verges and that as District Councillor he had urged Herefordshire Council to adopt a similar approach. The next meeting will be held on Monday 26th January 2009 at Belmont Community Centre, Eastholme Avenue, Belmont, commencing at 7pm. There being no further business, the Chairman declared the meeting closed.
|