81/09 Declarations of Interest

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 Newman declared a prejudicial interest in agenda item 12, an application for funding by the Citizens Advice Bureaux, as a non executive director of Herefordshire Citizens Advice Bureaux.

82/09 Minutes of previous meeting

These have been previously circulated. It was agreed that the Chairman be authorised to sign the Minutes as a true record of proceedings at that meeting.

83/09 Clerk's Report

(a) Notice Board

It was noted that the notice board for Dorchester Way has now been delivered. The Clerk has received two quotations for installation amounting to £200 - £300 and £195.00. Both quotations deliver the project within the agreed budget. The Clerk was authorised to accept the lower quotation and arrange for installation.

(b) Repairs and Maintenance

Items reported at the last meeting have been referred to Herefordshire Council. A date for completion is awaited. Members expressed considerable concern that items referred for repair several months ago are still awaited; some having been outstanding for over 12 months. Of particular concern were the following:

· Trees and shrubs overhanging Waterfield Road obscuring visibility for those exiting Yarlington Mill
· Footway from Yarlington Mill to Belmont Medical Centre not swept with rubbish and leaves building up
· Trees requiring thinning on the Belmont/Tesco roundabout
· Loose bricks on the traffic calming area in Dorchester Way.

The Clerk was instructed to write to the Director of Environment and Community Services to express this Parish Council’s concerns, and to circulate the response to Members.

(c) Belmont Pools Update

It was noted that negotiations on the purchase of the Belmont Pools is progressing. A study has shown some degree of pollution of the water which is to be investigated further but is unlikely to delay the matter, once negotiations are completed.

84/09 Report from West Mercia Police/Parish Watch

There were no representatives from West Mercia Police in attendance.

Councillor Edwards presented the Parish Watch report in which he highlighted the following incidents since the last meeting:

· Anti social behaviour and vandalism have been reported around the Barwood House area. Barwood House is currently owned by a financial institution as is for sale but the grade 2 listed building is falling rapidly into a state of disrepair, attracting further vandalism. It was agreed that the Clerk write to Herefordshire Council to request consideration of a section 215 notice, requiring the owners to maintain the property. At the same time it was agreed to request that the existing mature trees on that site be properly maintained.

· There has been clear evidence of drinking around the CH7 footpath between Abbotsmead Road and Northolme Road with bins and hedgerows becoming full of cans and bottles. Police have been informed and are monitoring the situation.

· An incident of egg throwing has been reported in Wyedean Rise.

· The glass in the bus shelter in Abbotsmead Road has been smashed. No request for replacement has been made as the glass panel is next to a brick wall and not considered an essential item for replacement.

· Fencing has been damaged again at the end of Glastonbury Close and fence panels thrown in the brook. Macdonalds are working with enforcement officers of Herefordshire Council and have installed a new metal fence around their property.

· Fencing panels have also been damaged in Romsey Drive recently.

· Tyre valve caps have been stolen from a vehicle in Yarlington Mill.

All of these incidents have been reported to West Mercia Police.

85/09 Public Participation

During a period of public participation, the following items were raised:

· Weed growth has been noted around kerbs, gulleys and walls. A weed spray did take place earlier in the year which was effective at the time but weeds have taken root again in the damp conditions. The Clerk was instructed to ask Herefordshire Council if a further weed spray is to take place this year. Of particular concern is the mini roundabout at the entrance to Tesco in Abbotsmead Road.

· A request was received for a wild flower meadow to be created in the land between the brook and Dorchester Way on Abbey View Park. The Chairman responded by advising that this site had been purchased and gained planning approval for public open space active use but he believed that the elevated surroundings could form natural landscaping and wild flowers are already flourishing. It was noted that public views on this suggestion could be sought as part of the Parish Plan consultation currently being planned by the Parish Plan Steering Group.

· A question was raised regarding the monitoring of agreed building works on listed buildings. The Chairman responded that Herefordshire Council Planning Services are responsible for monitoring work against agreed plans for listed buildings and other work under approved developments.

· The Clerk was instructed to follow up a suggestion raised at an earlier meeting with regard to a reduction in lighting levels at the roundabout on the junction between Abbotsmead Road, Belvoir Court and Broadholme Road.

86/09 Correspondence

There were no items of correspondence other than routine items which have been previously circulated since the last meeting, other than those dealt with elsewhere on the agenda.

87/09 Payments/Receipts

(a) Payments

The following payments were agreed:

Northolme Community Centre Association
Room hire for Parish Plan event and meetings £77.00
Room hire for Parish Council meetings May & July £28.00
Total Payment: £105.00

Border Signs & Graphics Ltd.
Notice board for Dorchester Way £1,650.00
VAT thereon £247.50
Total payment: £1,897.50

Cash
Petty Cash reimbursement £75.67

Citizens Advice Bureaux
Donation – see Minute 92/09 £200.00

(b) Receipts

Since the last meeting, the following has been received:

Bank interest £4.79
VAT reimbursement £633.87

(c) Balances

Current account £500.00
Deposit account
(excluding reserves) £18,764.73
Petty cash (£25.67)

Reserves: £28,315.11
(notice board, footpaths,
bridges and Belmont pools)

88/09 Planning Matters

(a) Applications since the last meeting

There were no planning applications for consideration since the last meeting.

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

None.

(c) Notification of planning decisions

Notification had been received that the following applications have been approved:

Ref: DCCW2009/1184/F
Site: 18 Northolme Road, Belmont
Development: Single storey rear extension with new side entrance, block paving for parking
Comments: Approved with conditions

Ref: DCCW2009/1283/F

Site: 31 Eastholme Avenue, Belmont
Development: Two storey extension to side and single storey over garage
Comments: Approved with conditions

(d) Other Planning Matters

The Chairman outlined changes to the planning committee system for Herefordshire Council.

89/09 Parish Plan Update

It was noted that members of the Parish Plan Steering Group have met with Nick Sherwood from Local Eyes, an IT based project, to discuss use of an electronic questionnaire for local residents to participate in the planning process. It is hoped that in providing an online option for comment, young people locally will be encouraged to participate in the consultation process.

Members expressed some concern that the opportunity to contribute via a website requires some marketing, details of which need to be discussed by the Steering Group with Mr. Sherwood. The opportunity for consultation via a paper questionnaire is to be retained for those who prefer not to contribute online. Overall, however, it was agreed that any method of encouraging those who would not routinely contributed towards a consultation to take part was to be welcomed.

90/09 Abbey View Park Footpaths and bridges—Update

It was noted that there was no further news on progress since the Chairman and Vice Chairman had met with contractors prior to the last meeting. The Clerk was instructed to request an update on this project from the contractors and to circulate this to Members.

In response to a question, the Chairman confirmed that the work envisaged a natural surface similar to that in Newton Coppice which will provide a solid surface for walking during wet periods but will be sufficient robust so that it cannot be damaged easily by children riding bicycles etc. The load bearing materials below surface had to be capable of accepting rainfall and assisting natural drainage.

91/09 Funding Request—Dolloway Dancers

Members discussed a request for a contribution towards the cost of running a summer club at the Northolme Centre, noting that the summer activities have started and that financial support for the activities that have already taken place could not be offered. After some discussion it was proposed to offer to meet the cost of room hire at the Centre for the remainder of the booking, provided that details of the numbers of children attending each session is provided by the applicant. Following a vote on the proposition, the Chairman declared the resolution carried with seven votes for and two against.

92/09 Funding Request—Citizens Advice Bureaux

Following a request for a donation from Herefordshire Citizens Advice Bureaux, it was proposed by Councillor Edwards that a grant of £200.00 be provided. The resolution was agreed unanimously.

93/09 Parish Matters

(a) It was noted that some bushes are becoming established on Abbey View Park and concern was expressed that the roots might present a threat to the membrane below. The Clerk was instructed to advise Herefordshire Council accordingly.

(b) Members noted that a Streetscene meeting will be held at the Belmont Centre on 12th September, to which members of the public are invited.

(d) There are several areas along the main Belmont Road where the tarmac is crumbling. The Clerk to report this to Herefordshire Council.

(e) Several manholes along Whitefriars Road, notably opposite the junctions with Flaxley Drive and Chancel View, have the concrete around them crumbling and potholes appearing.

(f) The Chairman gave a report on activities as District Councillor, including:

· Requesting that the Newton Book behind the Three Counties Hotel be cleared of rubbish/fence panels etc.
· Reporting overhanging trees and shrubs requiring cutting back
· An additional air quality monitoring point has been installed by the entrance to the City as a result of District Councillor request
· Noting that Herefordshire Council are to draw up a list of priorities for speed restriction orders which hopefully will reflect BRPC and District Councillor requests for speed restrictions to be extended to beyond the Abbey complex.

94/09 Public Participation 2

During the final period for public participation, no further items other than those raise elsewhere on the agenda, were discussed.

95/09 Next meeting

The next meeting will be held on Thursday 17th September at Northolme Community Centre, Northolme Road, Belmont, commencing at 7.15pm.

Further update (1) Abbey View Park Paths and Footbridge. Following requests from residents over several "parish planning" events, BRPC agreed earlier in the year to pursue a project to improve the drainage and provide a more consolidated surface along the well trodden routes around Abbey View Park. The first stage is to improve the drainage along the longest section which is adjacent to the Abbey View Park boundary closest to the privately owned river bank area. This is a route that becomes unusable quickly during wet weather as the former landfill drains towards the river. Herefordshire Council contractors, Amey, will be working on draining and footpath improvements along that section within the next few days.

Another phase of this project is to provide a rustic pedestrian footbridge across the brook, leading from the public footpath CH7 to the children's play area at the top of Canterbury Close. Again, this is due to start within the next few days.

Further update (2) Installation of a new notice board in Dorchester Way, following a request from residents who wanted to be kept better informed of events, etc. around the area. A rustic roof styled notice board will shortly be installed on the grassed area adjacent to the entrance to Abbey View Park in Dorchester Way, where the public footpath crosses the road. The new double-sided board will be set a little way back from the road and can be used for notices of any events, etc. as well as the more formal statutory notice. Copies of notices/posters, etc, for display can be left with the clerk.