Annual
parish meeting, May 11 2009
Annual parish council meeting, May 11 2009
Belmont Community Centre
|
BELMONT
RURAL PARISH COUNCIL
Annual
parish meeting, May 11 2009 |
|
ANNUAL PARISH MEETING MINUTES Present: Mr. P. Edwards
Chairman In attendance: 001/09 Chairman’s welcome The Chairman opened the meeting by welcoming those present and explaining the format for the evening. 002/09 Report from Belmont Rural Parish Council The Chairman read the report from Belmont Rural Parish Council on the work of the Parish Council over the preceding year, as attached to these Minutes. 003/09 Reports from local organisations (a) West Mercia Police. PC Fiona Farrington reported on her first year as local police officer for the Belmont area and anticipated activities for the forthcoming year which included more face-to-face surveys amongst local people. Turning to recent incidents locally, notably minor vehicle damage and theft from vehicles, particularly in the Sydwall Road area. All in attendance were reminded of the next PACT meeting.The Chairman thanked West Mercia Police for their efforts over the year. (b) South Wye Community Association. A report from the South Wye Community Association was presented by the Treasurer, Andy Myatt who highlighted a successful year at the Belmont Centre which will show a small profit on activities for the year when the final accounts are presented at the forthcoming AGM. Financial support from the Parish Council and surplus income from activities is being used to improve the Centre and to make charitable donations. The Chairman thanked the Management Committee and volunteers at the Belmont Centre for all their efforts on behalf of the community. (c) Community First Responder. On behalf of Mrs. Marie Robinson, the Clerk reported that Mrs. Robinson has now completed her training as a volunteer Community First Responder and was now able to respond to emergencies locally as directed by the Ambulance Service, using equipment part funded by the Parish Council. (d) Northolme Community Centre Association. A report from Northolme Community Association noted that the Northolme Centre now has bookings for most weekday evenings, having taken several bookings from organisations affected by the closure of the hall at St. Francis church. The Centre is now financially stable and is starting to build a small financial reserve. Funded partly through a donation by the Parish Council, outside lighting is to be improved shortly. (e) SHARP. The Chairman provided a brief verbal report from the South Herefordshire Area Regeneration Project, explaining that SHARP is a small, entirely voluntary organisation which has engaged in some bulb planting and has completed a bench and seating project in a neighbouring parish during the last year. There being no further business, the Chairman declared the meeting closed at 7.40pm.
The Chairman opened the meeting and called for nominations for the office of Chairman for the forthcoming year. It was proposed by Councillor Cook and seconded by Councillor Schoffer that Mr. P. Edwards be re-elected Chairman of the Parish Council. The resolution was carried unanimously and Councillor Edwards signed a Declaration of Acceptance of Office. 50/09 Declarations of Interest Councillor Edwards declared a personal interest in agenda item 9, payments and receipts (Minute reference 57/09). 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. 51/09 Election of Vice Chairman It was proposed by Councillor Edwards and seconded by Councillor Newman that Mr. D. Cook be re-elected Vice Chairman of the Parish Council. The resolution was carried unanimously. 52/09 Election of Parish Council Representatives The following representatives were duly elected · Tree Warden
– Councillor Ron Loft 53/09 Minutes of the last meeting Minutes of the meeting held on 20th April had been previously circulated to Members. Approval was given for the Chairman to sign the Minutes as a true record of proceedings at that meeting. (a) Footpaths and Bridges, Abbey View Park Clerk confirmed that, having ascertained that the price for the footpath section as agreed at the last meeting remains as originally quoted, an order for this work can now be placed. For the record the cost amounts to £16,117.52. Confirmation has also now been received that the final price for the rustic style footbridge leading to the children’s play area off Canterbury Close is £2,697.59. This is within the budget agreed at the last meeting so the order for this work can also now be placed. (b) Parish Freighter Clerk is awaiting an opportunity to book freighter sessions beyond current final session in July and confirmation of price for those sessions. It was noted that the Parish Freighter is for household waste only. Items that might be considered to be trade waste or hazardous items will not be accepted. The Clerk agreed to ensure that this statement is included in any advertising. (c) Notice board Nothing further to report after the last meeting. (d) Repairs and Maintenance Despite evidence that some outstanding items have been completed by Herefordshire Council contractors, it is clear there are several items still awaiting completion. The Clerk is to circulate the list to Members to highlight those items still to be dealt with. (e) Kerb Weedspray A routine kerb and pavement weed spray took place on Tuesday 28th April. (f) Abbey View Park Grass Cutting A request has been made to cut the grass on Abbey View Park. Herefordshire Council has indicated that the grass will be cut in September to avoid disturbing ground nesting birds. In the meantime, the informal pathways will be cut. (g) Parish Plan Update The Parish Plan consultation event took place on Monday 4th May. Unfortunately, poor weather led to less than expected attendance although there was a steady stream of visitors throughout the day. Initial indications are that about 75 individuals attended and indicated a range of ideas which will now be used to form a parish wide survey during the early summer. There is one further opportunity for those who did not attend to take part on 16th May at the Belmont Community Centre. A total of £511.00 was spent on the event, against a budget of £500.00. (h) Street Lighting on Abbotsmead Road roundabout Street lighting officers have confirmed that lighting levels on the mini roundabout on the junction of Abbotsmead Road and Broadholme are in excess of that required under regulations although Herefordshire Council are hesitant in approving a reduction in lighting as they fear that local residents are now used to the increased lighting and any reduction may lead to liability on the part of Herefordshire Council should an accident occur at that junction. They have, however, suggested three possible actions from the request to reduce lighting levels: Option 1 is to switch off one or two lights on the roundabout. They have taken photographs of the effect of this proposal although the photo to reduce lighting by two lights will not print! Option 2 is to switch off all lights at, say, midnight until 5am. Option 3 is to leave as is. They have suggested a consultation process with local residents and the question was put to those who attended the Parish Plan event. Only three responses were received which is unlikely to be considered sufficient. Suggest perhaps that the views are sought of a wider range of residents in the immediate vicinity of the roundabout. It was agreed that Herefordshire Council be asked to consider a combined approach of option 1 and 2 and that the proposed consultation take place with this option. A notification for Parish Councils on plans regarding Swine Flu has been received. A copy is available from the Clerk if required. There are no planning matters to report since the last meeting. (a) Payments Authorisation was given to make the following payment: HALC MA Edwards Cash (b) Receipts None since the last meeting. (c) Balances Current account
£500.00 Belmont pools reserve £7.500.00 (d) Other financial matters PAYE return has been completed online within the specified time which will lead to an incentive payment of £100.00. VAT return also completed and repayment of VAT is awaited. Annual accounts for the year to 31st March 2009 will be presented for approval to the next meeting, as will the annual return for 2008-9. 58/09 Risk Management/Insurance Review It was noted that following difficulties in the risk management working party being able to meet, it was agreed that this item be deferred to the next meeting. In the meantime, it was agreed that the insurance renewal offer by Allianz Insurance be accepted, subject to possible future amendment of sums insured etc. following the recommendations of the risk management review. This item was deferred to the next meeting. The Chairman reported that in his role of District Councillor, he was concerned at reports from local doctors surgeries that conditions such as asthma are prevalent in the Belmont Ward and suggests that perhaps one reason might be poor air quality along the A465 Belmont Road resulting from vehicle emissions, particularly from vehicles queuing back towards the Clehonger/Madley turn at busy periods. It was agreed that this Parish Council supports District Councillor Edwards in his efforts to highlight this important issue. 61/09 Meeting dates for 2009-10 It was agreed that future meetings will be held on Thursdays at the Northolme Community Centre, Northolme Road, commencing at 7.15pm: 2009 2nd July 2010 7th January (a) It was noted that trees and shrubs are still overhanging Waterfield Road on the Parish Boundary, restricting the view of motorists exiting Yarlington Mill, thereby creating a road hazard. Trees and shrubs are also growing over the footpaths in Abbotsmead Road and although previously reported to Herefordshire Council have not yet been cut back. The Clerk was instructed to write to Mr. Mike Gill at Herefordshire Council. (b) Councillor Cook reported that he had telephoned the police non emergency telephone number to report an incident and subsequently found that the matter had not been referred to the local policing team. (c) It was reported that the residents of Mulberry Close are concerned at the activity taking place by the developers of the adjacent site. Councillor Edwards advised that he had ascertained from the Planning Department that a senior planning officer was to clarify the situation with the developers concerned. (d) The Clerk was instructed to check with Herefordshire Council regarding drain clearing. Although drains have been cleared throughout the area recently, Silver Fir Close appears to have been missed. (e) Councillor Edwards advised that a Local Development Consultation will take place throughout the summer and autumn in Herefordshire. During the final period of public participation a question was raised regarding the adoption of roads in the Barratt development. The Chairman responded that although the roads have been adopted by Herefordshire Council, the sewers in several areas have not yet been adopted. The next meeting will be held on Thursday 2nd July 2009 at Northolme Community Centre, Northolme Road, Belmont, commencing at 7.15pm.
|