97/10 Declarations of Interest

Councillor Edwards declared a prejudicial interest in agenda item 9, Minute reference 105/10.

98/10 Minutes of the previous meeting

Minutes of the meeting held on 29th July had been previously circulated. The following amendments were agreed:

• Minute no. 81/10 on the top line of page 2, the word “supported” be deleted and the word “requested” added, and
• Minute no. 94/10, page 7, should read .... “Councillor Myatt noted that this was action carried out ....”.

Subject to these two amendments, the Chairman was authorised to sign the Minutes as a true record of proceedings at that meeting.

98/10 Clerk’s report

(a) Broadband Conference

As authorised at the last meeting, two Members – Councillor Schoffer and Councillor Killeen attended the broadband conference held at the Three Counties Hotel on 6th August. Papers from the conference are to be circulated to Members.

(b) Website

Following circulation of notes from HALC on parish council websites, Members had no further comments so no further action was required on this subject.

(c) Kraftimonkies Holiday Club

This BRPC funded activity has now concluded and has been well received and Members were please to note the display of photographs of the event displayed in the hall. A breakdown of the numbers and areas of residence had been provided to the Clerk but not yet analysed so would be circulated separately to Members.

It was also noted that a request has been made for further funding for the autumn half term but as this was received too late for inclusion for discussion at this meeting, would be discussed at the October meeting.

(d) Repairs and maintenance

It was noted that repairs and maintenance items as requested/noted at the last meeting have been assed to Herefordshire Council and/or Amey for attention.

(e) Parish Councillor Training

The Clerk reported that it has not been possible to schedule the parish councillor training to be delivered by Lynda Wilcox of HALC over the summer holidays but the Clerk will contact Members with suggested ates as soon as possible.

99/10 Report from West Mercia Police/Parish Watch

With no representative from West Mercia police in attendance, Councillor Edwards gave a report on behalf of Parish Watch and noted that PC Fiona Farrington will be moving on to another post soon and replacement is being sought.

Members noted that there has been some anti social behaviour, particularly around the Northolme Centre area and playbuilder site with smashed glass in the car park and on the footways, particularly on a Saturday night/Sunday morning. It was also noted that someone seems to be sleeping in a white van in Wyedean Rise. These matters have been reported to West Mercia Police.

100/10 Correspondence

The following items of correspondence were received since the previous meeting:(a) Details of forthcoming PACT meetings. The next meeting being held locally is the meeting being heldon 2nd November at Belmont Community Centre. Details of all meetings to be circulated.

(b) A copy of the Highways and Transport Satisfaction Survey for public representatives is currently eing circulated. Members are reminded of the importance of input into local surveys and requested to forward comments to the Clerk so that a formal BRPC response can be drafted. Deadline for submission of comments to the Clerk is 15th October 2010.

(c) A Funding Fair is being held at Whitecross High School on Wednesday 27th October to provide an update on funding opportunities. Members to advise the Clerk if they wish to attend.(d) Notification has been received from Northolme Community Centre Association that room hire rates ill increase from £7.00 per hour to £7.50 per hour with effect from 1st September.

(e) Information on the nomination process for the Queens’ Award for Voluntary Service.

(f) A letter has been received from a member of the public which specifically relates to one named Member of the parish council. In accordance with Standing Orders and current recommended practice, this matter was discussed in closed session at the end of the meeting. It was agreed that the Clerk be authorised to respond to the correspondent with the advice that the Parish Council is currently taking steps to improve communications with all Ward Councillors and is intending to complete the Parish Plan in the near future which will aid policy in future years.

101/10 Payments/Receipts

(a) Payments

Authority was given to make the following payments:

Northolme Community Centre Association
Room Hire for Kraftimonkies Holiday Club during July £84.00
Room Hire for Kraftimonkies Holidday Club during August £378.00
Room Hire for July Meeting £21.00
Total payment: £483.00

HALC
Annual Subscription £556.64

Cash
Petty Cash Reimbursement £73.83

(b) Receipts

None since the last meeting.

(c) Balances

Current account £500.00
Deposit account £20,815.72
Petty cash -£-23.83

(d) Other Financial Matters

It was noted that an interim financial report will be presented at the next meeting as a prelude to discussions on precept setting for financial year 2011-2012. However, Members were invited to begin considering projects for that period so that adequate financial provision can be built into the precept. The Clerk advised that she would be able to advise on broad budget requirements if adequate notice is given.

102/10 Planning Matters

There were no planning matters to report since the previous meeting.

103/10 Presentation on Air Quality on Belmont Road

Members noted a presentation by Sally Homden and Mark Willimont from Herefordshrie Council about air quality monitoring and results along the Belmont Road. It was noted that emission levels have been falling in recent years and are within accepted limits although it was confirmed that levels reported were an average over a 24 hour period and as such it could be said that during peak periods, levels immediately adjacent to the carriageway may exceed accepted levels for short periods. It was noted in particular the effect this might have on children walking to school from within the Parish.

The reason for falling emission levels was discussed and felt to be a combination of modern car design coupled with reduced vehicle usage for economic reasons. Ultimately further reductions might be achieved through management techniques such as re-routing vehicles along a ring road, the use of traffic free zones or staggering vehicle movements to avoid a peak build up.

The Chairman thanked the Herefordshire Council officers for attending the meeting and for the informative presentation.

104/10 Commemorative benches

Councillor Edwards introduced this item, offering one or two commemorative benches and/or trees up to a budget price of £2,500 in commemoration of the life of the late Mrs. Edwards. Having declared a prejudicial interest, Councillor Edwards then left the room and Councillor Myatt took the chair. After a brief discussion members agreed to thank the Edwards family for their kind offer which was accepted, with the location and details to be agreed between the Edwards family, the Parish Council and Herefordshire Council’s Parks and Countryside Officers.

Councillor Edwards returned to the room at the conclusion of this item and resumed as chair.

105/10 Training

Members were reminded of forthcoming training opportunities offered by HALC and indicated a preferred day for inhouse training as being either Monday evening or Thursday evening.

106/10 Dog Fouling Notices

Following a request for no dog fouling notices on lampposts in Westholme Road in the pools area, the Clerk approached Amey to request notices and had been directed to purchase the notices independently. Accordingly, several designs were made available to Members.

There was some concern that any sign purchased might not meet any local standards and the Clerk was instructed to approach Herefordshire Council’s enforcement officers before purchasing any signs. In the event that the Clerk is unable to obtain signs from Herefordshire Council, a budget of £200.00 was agreed for the purchase and installation of up to five signs.

107/10 Additional Litter Bin

Members noted that two litter bins have been requested, one in the Belmont Pools area of Westholme Road and a second by the timber gateway into the Dorchester Way Open Space area. One bin is currently held in stock.

After some discussion it was agreed that the stock bin be installed by the entrance to the Dorchester Way Site, subject to obtaining permission of the landowner, Herefordshire Council, for this installation. It was also agreed that properties immediately adjacent to the site be consulted before installation. A budget of £75.00 was suggested.

With regard to the second bin, Councillor Schoffer suggested that the bin currently located further down Westholme Road could be relocated to the pools area as the current location is not favoured by residents. It was agreed that Councillor Schoffer seek local opinion regarding moving this bin. In the meantime, the Clerk would seek the landowners permission to site the bin closer to the pools and make the necessary arrangements for the move, with a maximum budget of £75.00 for this work.

108/10 Kerb Weed Spray

A quote for a kerb weed spray was requested at the last meeting. However, since that meeting spot spraying has been undertaken by Amey at District Councillor Edwards request and weeds are now dying. It was, however, agreed that the Clerk now request a kerb road sweep to remove the dead weeds which were at risk of clogging drains in bad weather.

109/10 IT Equipment

The Clerk reported that the parish council laptop requires repair following a hard drive failure and she had been advised that the cost of repair, including replacement software and labour charges would be in the region of £650.00. As this repair was felt to be as a result of wear and tear, this would not be covered under the insurance policy purchased with this equipment. A new laptop with appropriate software, would costs in the region of some £700.00, excluding VAT, but would include at least a one year warranty and have a longer lifespan.

After some discussion, it was agreed that the Clerk be authorised to purchase a new replacement laptop at a maximum budget of £700 (excluding VAT) to include required software.

Members also noted that no data was lost as a result of the laptop failure as all data is backed up in accordance with agreed procedures.

110/10 Parish Matters

(a) A number of trees and bushes need cutting back generally around the parish but in particular:

• A Rowan tree in Holmfirth Close
• Trees and hedgerow along Waterfield Road, obscuring visibility for those exiting Yarlington Mill, and
• Along Westholme Road towards the Pools, including the planter which needs weeding

The Clerk was instructed to request this work through Amey.

(b) Fly tipping of garden and other rubbish was noted in several areas including the Pools area and in Benjamin Park. The Clerk was instructed to notify the enforcement officers and to request guidance on what can be done to prevent further fly tipping.

(c) It was noted that following a polite request, a householder in Sydwall Road has cut back bushes that had become overgrown.

(d) Members noted work currently taking place at Belmont Pools towards bringing the pools up to a standard suitable for fishing and to improve access for visitors with disabilities. The effectiveness of these works was yet to be assessed.

(e) It was noted that a funding advice clinic for small groups was to be held on 24th September at the Belmont Centre

(f) Herefordshire Council are to commence a “bag it and bin it” campaign aimed at encouraging dog owners to pick up after their dogs

(g) The bricks on the traffic calming area of Dorchester Way are working loose. This was reported some months ago but not yet repaired. The Clerk was instructed to pursue the repair of this item.

(h) A request was made for holes dug by children on Abbey View Park to be filled in.

(i) Black bags for litter picking can be made available through Councillor Edwards under the Pride in Parish initiative.

(j) It was noted that green bags can now be purchased in rolls of 10 bags at a cost of £6.00 from the library at the Belmont Centre.

(k) Following a number of power cuts within the Parish, those most seriously affected – over 12 power cuts in a short period - have been offered compensation by Eon. Recabling of the area is scheduled to take place in 2011.

(l) Councillor Edwards provided a report on his activities as District Councillor since the last meeting and in particular highlighted his responses to a survey regarding services provided by Amey.

(m) Members were reminded that Herefordshire Council was about to start another six week consultation on Shaping Our Place 2026 icluding the recent announced proposal for an Inner Western Route for the Hereford Outer relief road.

111/10 Public Participation

During the final period for public participation, the following items were raised:

• Water laying by the petrol tanker entrance to the Tesco filling station in Northolme Road. This was reported last year but no action taken. The Clerk was requested to following this up prior to winter weather commencing.

• A manhole cover adjacent to the Tanker entrance noted above is also loose and requires repair

• A resident noted that local residents should be consulted with regard to the name of any area referred to within Abbey View Park rather than the current practice of different descriptors being used.

112/810 Date of next meeting

The next meeting will be held on Thursday 21st October at Northolme Community Centre, Northolme Road, Belmont, commencing at 7.15pm.

There being no further business, the Chairman declared the meeting closed.