Parish
council meeting
December 3 2009
Northolme Community Centre
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BELMONT
RURAL PARISH COUNCIL
Parish
council meeting |
125/09
Declarations of Interest Councillor Andy Myatt and Councillor John Newman both declared a personal interest in agenda item 14 (minute reference 138/09) as members of the Management Committee/trustees of the South Wye Community Association.
These had been previously circulated. It was agreed that the Chairman be authorised to sign the Minutes as a true record of proceedings at that meeting. (a) Repairs and maintenance A number of outstanding items have now been resolved. It was agreed that the Clerk circulate the list of items for Members to note those which need further attention. (b) Parish Freighter As requested two additional bookings have been made in February and March. Details of dates and times will be placed on notice boards. (c) Parish Plan Update A series of public events offering computer access to members of the public to contribute to the parish plan consultation have been running throughout South Wye during the week, although it was noted that uptake so far has been fairly low. Events have been held at the Northolme Centre and Belmont Centre amongst other venues. The next stage is for the Parish Plan Steering group to prepare the paper questionnaire for circulation after the New Year. It was agreed that a draft of the questionnaire be made available to Members for the next meeting. (d) Abbey View Park footpath extension The order has been placed for the extension agreed at the last meeting. Contractors have indicated that due to weather conditions, the work is unlikely to take place until March or April next year.
PC Fiona Farrington reported that instances of anti social behaviour have reduced locally. In addition, police have completed two separate road policing exercises along the Belmont Road in recent weeks. The Parish Watch report also confirmed much reduced instances of anti social behaviour. Several comments were made by members of the public in attendance regarding the playbuilder proposals, discussed under agenda item 9 (minute reference 1333/09). These have been incorporated under the relevant minute below. In addition to these comments, the following items were raised: · Following a request regarding replacement trees for those that have died during the year, the Chairman reported that although it was unlikely that Herefordshire Council would replace trees this year, tree planting around the land behind Dorchester Way was planned as part of the planning application granted some years ago. It was hoped that additional trees might be available through this planting scheme. · It was noted that recent references to “Haywood Country Park” had been made. Members were reminded that the original proposals for this country park referred to “Belmont/Haywood Country Park”. There was general support to retain the reference to “Belmont” in the title. · Concern was expressed at a comment left on the Localeyes website as part of the Parish Plan consultation regarding the use of land for “family use”. Other than routine items of correspondence which have been circulated, the Clerk has received a letter from Kraftimonkeys Holiday Club (previously supported for summer activity sessions for children at the Northolme Centre during the summer holidays) requesting financial support to run an Activity Day on Sunday 20th December. The request arrived too late to be included on the agenda for this meeting and therefore cannot be discussed in accordance with standing orders and Local Government Act requirements. The Clerk was instructed to notify the applicant accordingly and to ensure that the applicant is made aware of forthcoming meeting dates and the proper procedure for seeking funding for activities by the Parish Council. (a) Payments In addition to the routine items authorised to be paid by standing order, approval was given to make the following payments:
Herefordshire Council Herefordshire Council Society of Local
Council Clerks NCCA Cash (b) Receipts None since the last meeting (c) Balances – including adjustment for transactions above Current account
£500.00 Reserves for commitments amount to £5,332.00 for footpath extension and installation of notice board. (a) Applications received since the last meeting The following application was discussed: Ref: DMCW/091612/F (b) Observations passed to Herefordshire Council since the last meeting Application reference DMCW/092562/TH was discussed at the last meeting but members were invited to visit the site and advise the Clerk of any further concerns before observations were passed to Herefordshire Council. No additional comments were made other than those expressed during the previous meeting and noted in the Minutes thereof and the Clerk has advised Herefordshire Council accordingly. (c) Other planning matters It was noted that an application by Tesco Stores Ltd., for permission for the hand car wash operation within the car park was expected shortly. It was agreed that the Clerk’s delegated authority to respond to planning applications on behalf of the Parish Council where such applications are received in between full Parish Council meetings be used. The Clerk agreed to circulate details of the applications to Members for comment. Rob Hemblade, Parks and Countryside Manager, was welcomed to the meeting and gave a brief presentation on the playbuilder scheme, a government funded scheme to encourage child development through play, and proposals to resite play equipment adjacent to the Northolme Centre whilst a more natural play area to be extended via the Playbuilder scheme at the end of Abbotsmead Road. It was noted that consultations had taken place at the Parish Plan event held at the Northolme Centre in May earlier in the year and also with children and young people locally, in the design of the proposed provision which is aimed at 8 – 13 year olds. In response to questions raised by Members and members of the public in attendance, it was confirmed that some of the existing fencing is to be removed in accordance with Play England’s specification and that no proposed structure would be higher than anything currently in place. Although West Mercia Police preference was for additional lighting, no lighting was being proposed and some Members expressed concern at disturbance to neighbours if lighting were installed. Some concern was expressed that neither the Parish Council nor local residents had been given the opportunity to approve the final design but Members were generally supportive of the proposals. It was agreed that more detailed plans and a timetable for installation would be made available to Members for information before the next meeting. The Chairman thanked Mr. Hemblade for taking the time to explain these proposals to Members.
The Clerk reported that she had become increasingly dissatisfied with the level of service offered by the current bankers, Royal Bank of Scotland and suggested that a review of provision should be considered. Members agreed to consider a review of banking providers and it was suggested that Lloyds Bank were included in the review as Members reported no problems with personal banking arrangements with this institution. The Clerk was authorised to make the necessary arrangements and report back to the next meeting. Members had received within their Agenda packs a schedule showing 2009-10 budget and expected expenditure plus a proposed budget for 2010 – 2011. Members noted that operating costs of approximately £14,000 were anticipated and reserves were expected to be reduced to some £6,000 following the construction of the Abbey View Park paths and bridges and the contribution towards the purchase of Belmont Pools this year. After some discussion, an overall budget of £32,150 for additional expenditure was suggested and it was proposed that the precept for 2010 - 2011 be set at £45,000.00. Following a show of hands vote, the Chairman declared the resolution tied at 3 votes for and 3 against. In accordance with Standing Orders, the Chairman’s casting vote was cast in favour of the resolution which was declared carried. It was agreed that a detailed budget and cash flow be prepared for consideration at the next meeting.
After a brief discussion, it was agreed that the proposal for signage for Abbey View Park would not be progressed at this time, pending Herefordshire Council’s decision regarding the upgrade of the public footpath CH7 towards Belmont Abbey.
This item was deferred from the previous meeting pending receipt of additional information. After a brief discussion it was unanimously agreed not to offer a donation this year.
Members noted that St. Francis Mums and Tots group are requesting financial assistance towards the costs of hire of a room at the Belmont Community Centre for a period of three months, a total anticipated cost in the region of £252.00. It was unanimously agreed to meet the cost of room hire and the Clerk was instructed to liaise with the Belmont Centre to request that invoices for the room be sent directly to the Parish Council for payment. a) It was confirmed that the trees are being cut back in Waterfield Road after many requests. b) There is a continuing problem with dog fouling along the streets and in particular in Dorchester Way. The Clerk was instructed to contact enforcement officer Craig Sandiman and suggest an early morning visit to the area. c) It was noted that the keep left arrows on the bollards in the safety areas of the feeder roads into the Tesco roundabout are missing. There is also glass in the safety areas from minor traffic accidents which has not been swept. The Clerk was instructed to contact the highways department. d) A resident has asked why the yellow plastic goal posts adjacent to the Northolme Centre have replaced the wooden ones. It was agreed to investigate this further. e) The Chairman gave a brief report on his activities as District Councillor, including: · Requesting
that the Yarlington Mill walkway be swept f) It was noted that a farmer has agreed to the creation of allotments on land at Allensmore g) Members were advised that there is to be a consultation on the Local Development Framework commencing in January. During the final period of public participation it was noted that a request for the levelling of a raised hump of tarmac (replacing a damaged bollard opposite the Abotsmead Road post box) along the CH7 footpath between Abbotsmead Road and Northolme Road has not yet been actioned and is considered a hazard for cyclists. The next meeting will be held on Thursday 7th January 2010 at Northolme Community Centre, Northolme Road, Belmont, commencing at 7.15pm.
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