Parish
Council meeting
October 9, 2006
Belmont Community Centre
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BELMONT
RURAL PARISH COUNCIL
Parish
Council meeting |
Oct06 |
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Present: Mrs. V. Robinson (in the Chair) In attendance: Mrs. E. Kelso (Clerk) Apologies: Mr. I. Robinson 100/06 Declarations of Interest There were no declarations of interest.
The Minutes of the meeting held on 4th September had been circulated and were briefly read by Members. It was agreed that the Chairman be authorised to sign the Minutes as a true record of proceedings at that meeting.
(a) Vehicles parking on grass verge Herefordshire Council officers have inspected those areas highlighted to them where vehicles are parking on grass verges and they have re-issued letters to those responsible where they have observed them. It is clear, however, that in some cases inappropriate parking only occurs outside normal business hours. Councillor Phil Edwards has been pressing Herefordshire Council officers to confirm they will require that those responsible pay for the repair to the verge. (b) Shrub Planting between Northolme Road and A465 It was noted that a reply from the Highways Agency as to who is the owner of the land is still awaited. (c) Sydwall Road Litter Bin It was noted that the bin has now been collected from the clerk and the sum of £200 received from agents for Herefordshire Housing. The bin has not yet been installed and Members noted that installation by the “second week in October” has been promised. The Clerk was instructed to write to Herefordshire Housing if the bin is not installed by the end of the month. (d) Shrubs – Stanbrook Road It was noted that these have still not been cut back although there is a dispute as to who owns the land in question. Herefordshire Council are carrying out a legal search to establish ownership. (e) Kerb Weedspray Work not yet completed as contractors were pulled off the work because of other commitments and where work has taken place, the new machine has damaged the road surface. Members expressed dissatisfaction that the work, first requested in July, has not been completed to a satisfactory standard. It was agreed that the Clerk would attempt to meet with the contractors on site to identify the damage to the road surface and that a formal letter of complaint be sent to Herefordshire Jarvis Services. On a related point, the Clerk confirmed that HALC will not provide list of “approved contractors”, but has offered contact details of some parish lengthsmen who are able to undertake minor maintenance work. As this list is still awaited, it is not clear if any can undertake a kerb weedspray. (f) Abbotsmead Road Notice Board Now repaired although vandalised again shortly after repair and voluntarily cleaned by Councillor Phil Edwards. (g) Tesco landscaping Mark Lane at Herefordshire Council has reported that contractors will be on site to complete landscaping snagging list for approximately two weeks beginning on 9th October. (h) Children’s Christmas Party The Clerk reported that South Wye Community Association has indicated that it’s initial plan was to run two Santa’s grottos on consecutive Saturdays in December to coincide with library opening hours and available for children aged 9 and under. They are happy for the Parish Council to arrange a children’s Christmas party and have agreed to the make the Santa grotto available for the event although Santa himself will not be available. After some discussion it was agreed that in the absence of people available to help on the agreed date, the Parish Council would not run the children’s Christmas Party this year. (i) Lamp Posts Highways Agency have been requested to consider repainting lamp posts along A465. No response has been received to date. (j) Bulbs Members approved the purchase of additional bulbs for planting (Minute 46/06) in May. Councillor Ian Robinson has obtained costs from two organisations and recommends purchasing 4 x 20kgs mixed at £24.99 per bag but the other quotes are available at the meeting. After a brief discussion, it was agreed that Councillor Robinson’s suggestion of purchasing mixed bags is acceptable and those who are available to help with the planting will make themselves known to Mr. Robinson. (k) Tesco roundabout It was noted that a reply is awaited to the letter sent to the Highways Agency requesting that the trees on the roundabout be thinned.
Apologies were received from PC Paul Greenwood who was unable attend the meeting. In his absence, Councillor Phil Edwards provided a neighbourhood watch report, identifying the following incidents within the Parish: · Damage to the roof of the Northolme Centre on three occasions · Main sewer manhole cover upturned by the Northolme Centre · Graffiti in four locations, one of which was very similar to the tag used by an individual who was charged recently · Fencing damaged in various locations, including adjacent to the Health Centre (for which two individuals are being charged) · Window smashed at the Belmont Community Centre · Buildings and streets sprayed with “party string” in various locations throughout the Parish · Litter bins uprooted · Instances of illegal and underage drinking · Two houses broken into in the Hartland Close area · Paint stripper thrown on a car in Coppin Rise · Noise, litter and illegal drinking resulting from Tesco operations. 104/06 Public Participation The Chairman adjourned the meeting for a brief period of public participation during which a member of the public in attendance, Mr. Cox, reported on the problem of litter, particularly in the vicinity of Brook Farm Court and the bus shelter opposite Tesco. It was evident that school children using the bus stop were the main culprits and it was agreed that the Clerk write to Mr. Barton, Head of Street Scene at Herefordshire Council to request that fixed penalty notices be levied on those responsible. It was also agreed that the Clerk write to the head of the schools using that stop asking that matter be raised with the children in the school.
Other than routine matters circulated to Members or discussed elsewhere on the agenda, the only other items of correspondence were: · information for the 6th Annual Funding Fair being run by Herefordshire Council this year on Wednesday 25th October at Aylestone School from 9.30 – 4.30. · letter from Herefordshire Council under the Local Authoirities (Alcohol Consumption in Designated Public Places) Regulations 2001 indicating their intention to include the open space at Coppin Rise within those regulations. Members expressed surprise at this move as there have been only isolated instances of drinking in that location. It was also noted that since being designated a “no alcohol” area, instances of drinking around the Belmont Centre have increased. 106/06 Payments/Receipts (a) Payments Authority was given to make the following payments: South Wye Community
Association Mrs. E. A. Kelso Inland Revenue (b) Receipts Payment for supply of litter bin £200.00
Current account
£443.99
(a) Applications received since the last meeting None since the last meeting.
The following observations have been passed to Herefordshire Council since the last meeting: Ref: DCCW2006/2743/F Ref: DCCW2006/2802/F Ref: DCCW2006/2827/F (c) Notification of planning decisions received since last meeting Ref: DCCW2006/2548/F Ref: DCCW2006/2250/F (d) Other planning matters Notification has been received that application reference DCCW2006/1815/F, 1 Coppin Rise, which was refused by Herefordshire Council, is to be considered on appeal by the planning inspectorate on the basis of written representations and a site visit by an inspector. It was agreed that the Clerk write to the Planning Inspectorate to reiterate objections raised by Members and to highlight concerns that the proposed development would result in an increased housing density in the area which would not be in keeping with the design of the street.
Councillor Phil Edwards provided a verbal update on progress by the Northolme Community Centre Association, indicating that the lease is likely to be signed shortly. 109/06 Litter bins This item was deferred from the last meeting. Some members reported that they have now walked around the locations proposed by Councillor Edwards for new bins and reported that although they felt new bins were not required, some bins do appear to become full before they are due to be emptied. The Clerk confirmed that Herefordshire Council has indicated that ad hoc emptying of bins is not available. After some discussion, it was agreed that three bins would be replaced with larger 110 litre capacity bins (the Topsy Jubilee, manufactured by Glasdon) at an approximate cost of £250 per bin (including installation). The bins replaced were identified as: · adjacent
to the pedestrian crossing The existing bins removed from these locations would be relocated to: · the top
of Westholme Road, by the Belmont Pools The Clerk was instructed to make the necessary arrangements. 110/06 All weather pitch Clerk reported having had only limited success in researching this further. It was suggested that the cost might range from £50,000 to in excess of £350,000 depending upon the surface chosen. It was noted that the cost of the pitch in Waterfield Road was in the region of £25,000.00 It was agreed that Herefordshire Council be approached with the request that this be taken up by them for further consideration with the offer of assistance with fundraising by the Parish Council.
(a) Logo Competition It was agreed that the logo competition, originally raised by Councillor Cook, will be launched in the next Parish newsletter. Entrants will be advised that copyright in the successful design will pass to the Parish Council on acceptance of the prize money and that the Parish Council does not guarantee to adopt the prize-winning logo. (b) Newsletter It was agreed that future newsletters will be produced using one colour (in addition to black) and noted that this will increase the production cost from £85 per issue to £120 per issue. It was further noted that a Parish Plan update would be issued shortly, a draft of which has been circulated to Members for comment, please. 112/06 Financial report The Clerk presented the interim financial report for the year to date indicated operating expenditure largely in line with budget and a lower than anticipated expenditure on capital projects. The report was noted by Members. 113/06 Proposed projects 2007/8 It was agreed that this agenda item be deferred to the next meeting to enable Members to identify projects for consideration during the next financial year.
It was agreed that this item be considered at the next Parish Council meeting.
(a) Councillor Joyce Clare reported that children have damaged the grass surface within the public open space alongside her home by riding their bicycles around a makeshift track. She had reported the matter to the police and Herefordshire Council but both had stated that the children were permitted to use the open space. Councillor Edwards has spoken to the children who wanted to be able to use their bicycles for play and it was agreed that provision of an area for all-terrain cycling should be considered at the next meeting. It was further agreed that the Clerk arrange a meeting between Mr. Featherstone of Herefordshire Council, the Chairman and Vice Chairman to discuss options for play for young people in the Parish. (b) Councillor Cook reported that despite assurances from Herefordshire Council that a replacement motorcycle barrier between Eastholme Avenue and Yarlington Mill would be installed “within a fortnight”, some three weeks later this has not yet taken place. Members noted that the requirement for the barrier to be moved came as a result of another incident in Hereford when a wheelchair user overturned whilst negotiating through a similarly designed barrier, resulting in all such barriers being replaced with a more modern design. When the work was taking place, the current owner of the adjacent property, number 12 Yarlington Mill, claimed that the land alongside the pathway was in her ownership and requested that the litter bin, installed by the predecessor Clehonger Parish Council many years ago, be removed from her land. It had been agreed that the bin would be relocated onto Herefordshire Council owned land at one end of the footpath. Councillor Edwards agreed to follow up both the barrier installation and the relocation of the litter bin. (c) Councillor Cook noted that the road and pavements are now being swept in Yarlington Mill every week. (d) Councillor Brown reported that she has ordered ten seed bags under a National Plant a Tree initiative. The bags are to be used to collect tree seeds. (e) Councillor Hubbard reported that the children’s play area in Kennilworth Close has been closed because of vandalism. The circumstances are not yet known. (f) Car parking on the grass verge outside numbers 3, 5 and 7 Dorchester Way is still occurring. (g) Councillor Hubbard reported that he had covered the “for sale” signs on vehicles illegally offered for sale on the grass verge opposite the Tesco garage. (h) Members were reminded that Parish Council elections are to be held in May 2007. It was suggested that all Members encourage local people to become involved in the Parish by offering their services as a Parish Councillor. (i) Councillor Edwards outlined his efforts within his District Council role, including: · pursuing
landscaping adjacent to the new bungalows in Ann Carter Close on the Parish
boundary (j) It was suggested that future meeting dates be placed on Parish notice boards. (k) Councillor Gummer reported that the cycle barriers along the CH7 footpath had been removed as part of the work on Ann Carter Close and have not yet been reinstated. (l) Members noted that the damaged tarmac by the pedestrian crossing between Tesco and the Belmont Community Centre has not yet been repaired. Members noted that the Highways Agency have not responded to requests for repair.
The next meeting will be held on Monday 13th November at Belmont Community Centre, Eastholme Avenue, Belmont, commencing at 7pm.
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