Parish
Council meeting
November 13, 2006
Belmont Community Centre
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BELMONT
RURAL PARISH COUNCIL
Parish
Council meeting |
Nov06 |
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Present: Mrs. V. Robinson Chairman Apologies: Mrs. B. Brown In attendance: Mrs. E. Kelso Clerk
There were no declarations of interest.
The Minutes of the meeting held on 9th October had been circulated. It was noted that the draft Minutes circulated to Members contained an error in Minute 109/06 which incorrectly identified one of the locations for the larger litter bins as adjacent to the notice board in Westholme Road. The correct location is adjacent to the notice board in Abbotsmead Road. The draft Minutes presented to the meeting had been corrected. Members agreed that the Chairman be authorised to sign
the Minutes as a true record of proceedings at that meeting. 119/06 Matters arising (a) Shrub Planting between Northome Road and A465 The Clerk reported that the Highways Agency has invited the Parish Council to sponsor the roundabout and surrounding grass verge and then submit a planting scheme in order to provide low level planting on the junction between Northolme Road and Belmont Road to prevent illegal car sales at that location. Members expressed concern at the potential implications of “sponsorship” and requested that further details be obtained before moving forward. It was also noted that there has been no response to our request to the Highways Agency that the trees on the roundabout be thinned. The Clerk was instructed to follow this up. (b) Sydwall Road Litter Bin This has now been replaced. (c) Shrubs in Stanbrook Road Work has now been completed. (d) Tesco Landscaping Members noted that Herefordshire Council’s planning enforcement officer has advised that the majority of work on the Tesco snagging list, including landscaping matters, should be completed by the end of November. However, half way through the month there seems to be little evidence of work taking place. In his District Councillor role, Councillor Phil Edwards is pressing for Herefordshire Council to take enforcement action against Tesco if the work is not completed. (e) Kerb Weedspray The Clerk reported that she had been unable to meet with the Herefordshire Jarvis Services operative on site as suggested at the last meeting but the work has now been completed and an improvement has been noted. However, it is evident that a road sweep is now required and the Clerk was instructed to request that this work be carried out. (f) Bulbs 70kg of bulbs purchased by Councillor Ian Robinson were planted by Councillor Ian Robinson, Councillor Phil Edwards and Conrad and Roderick Robinson over the weekend of 4th and 5th November. Members thanked all the volunteers for their hard work. (g) Litter by Bus Stop outside Belmont Community Centre The headteachers of both Kingstone High School and Fairfield High School have responded to our letter regarding pupils dropping litter at the bus stop by promising to raise the matter with those pupils who use that bus stop. An improvement has been noted. The litter bin by the bus stop has been recently damaged (the top having been lost some time ago). Councillor Phil Edwards reported that the bin is of the Glasdon Topsy design and approval was given to purchase a replacement at an approximate cost of £150. The Clerk was instructed to make the necessary arrangements. (h) Replacement barrier between Eastholme Avenue and Yarlington Mill The replacement barrier between Eastholme Avenue and Yarlington Mill has now been installed although Members noted that it is unlikely to prevent motorcyclists riding through the narrow footpath. Councillor Edwards in his District Councillor role is pressing for an “A” frame design barrier to be installed which hinders motorcyclists and cyclists but allows prams etc. to pass through. (i) New Litter Bins An order has been placed for the new litter bins but is currently pending delivery instructions. (j) Lamp posts It was noted that no response has been received from the Highways Agency to our letter requesting that the lamp posts along the Belmont Road be repainted. (k) Car Parking on Grass Verges Members noted that despite efforts by Herefordshire Council cars are still parking on the grass verges around the Parish but in particular at the lower end of Dorchester Way with the result that the grass verge in several locations is now substantially damaged. Members were requested to note the date, time and registration number of any vehicle seen parking on the grass verge which the Clerk will pass on to Herefordshire Council so that action can be taken against those responsible to recover the cost of repairs.
Although there was no representative from West Mercia Police at the meeting, Councillor Phil Edwards provided a neighbourhood watch update on local issues, including: • CSO Sarah Powell has now been moved to another area and has been replaced by CSO Jason Merrick. Members noted that there has been little evidence of active policing within the Parish other than some vehicle patrols. • There have been three burglaries in the Flaxley Drive/Whitefriars area. Two people have been arrested in connection with these burglaries. •· An increase in anti social behaviour associated with underage drinking and spraying of “silly string” on buildings etc. Tesco are selling cans of string at 24p a can and have now removed the product from the shelves. They have also agreed not to sell eggs to under 18s.
The Chairman adjourned the meeting for a short period of public participation during which the following items were raised: • Mr. Cox, a resident of Brook Farm Court, said he was concerned that the increase in the amount of slow moving traffic following the installation of traffic lights on the new junction adjacent to the new Asda Store had led to an increase in airborne pollution. He has telephoned Herefordshire Council and been told that routine monitoring of air quality did not take place at Belmont but measurements taken closer to the City were “satisfactory”. It is not know what constitutes a “satisfactory” reading. • It was noted that damage to the road surface adjacent to the roundabout results in increased noise levels particularly from lorries and vans crossing the uneven road surface. Members noted that the Highways Agency, who are responsible for this trunk road, have indicated that resurfacing will take place along this stretch of road during the night commencing 20th November.
There were no items of correspondence other than items routinely circulated or discussed elsewhere on the agenda.
(a) Payments Authority was given to make the following payments: Dawn ‘til Dusk Printers South Wye Community Association Herefordshire Jarvis Services Mr. I. Robinson Mrs. E. Kelso Inland Revenue Cash UHY Hacker Young
The second instalment of the precept (£10,000) was received on 16th September 2006. Bank interest amounting to £136.94 was received as at 30th September 2006. (c) Balances Current account: £309.49 (d) Other financial matters External Auditors have returned the Annual Return duly signed. No issues have been raised which are required to be brought to the attention of the Parish Council.
(a) Applications received since the last meeting The following application has been received since the last meeting: Ref: DCCW2006/3543/F (b) Observations passed to Herefordshire Council since last meeting None. (c) Notification of planning decisions received since last meeting Ref: DCCW/2006/2548/F Ref: DCCW/2006/2802/F Ref: DCCW/2006/2743/F
Members were delighted to note a written report from Northolme Community Centre Association in which confirmed that NCCA has been successful in securing sufficient funding to sign the lease and plans to commence work on the building refurbishment early in the New Year.
Members considered an application for funding from the South Wye Community Association for £150 towards the cost of providing gifts for children visiting the “Santa’s Grotto” at the Community Centre over two weekends in December. Members noted that a press article in the Hereford Journal indicating that SWCA required funding to run the Grotto has been updated the following week by an article indicating that a local businessman has provided the required funding. It was not clear, therefore, whether the application by SWCA was still required and with no representative in attendance at the meeting, members were unable to check the situation. It was agreed that no grant would be offered as it seemed to be the case that money has been made available for this project elsewhere.
Members noted that this agenda item aims to help identify expenditure for 2007/8 as part of the precept setting for the forthcoming financial year and that inclusion in the list of projects proposed for support does not guarantee funding for any of those projects which must be considered in accordance with our procedures for granting funding for projects. It was also noted that whilst consideration can be given in future to projects not discussed now, money for large projects might not be available. After some discussion, members identified the following projects for consideration for 2007/8: •
Provision of an all terrain cycle track Budget costs are to be obtained for inclusion in the discussion on precept request for 2007/8. 128/06 Precept request for 2007/8This item was deferred to the next meeting.
(a) Councillor Brian Hubbard reported that a number of water meter covers were loose in the area of Glenstall Close and Abbotsmead Road. It was thought that water meter covers are the responsibility of the householder but Councillor Hubbard agreed to check this. (b) It was noted that members of the public have damaged the fencing on both sides of the A465 between Belmont Abbey and Tesco by creating access points onto the main road from Parish roads and public open space. There was some discussion regarding the provision of a formal access but it was agreed that this should be left for Herefordshire Council to resolve. (c) The following items for repair were noted: •
Pavement sinking outside no. 20 Chichester Close (d) Councillor David Cook raised his concerns that refuse collectors had opened black bin bags left out for collection and not collected those bags. He was advised to contact Mr. Clarke of Herefordshire Council. (e) Councillor Phil Edwards provided an update on his activities as District Councillor, including: •
Pressing for grass cutting and an improvement in poor quality of work
previously experienced (f) Councillor Loft reported on damage to a tree adjacent to the walkway from Sydwall Road to Belmont Road. (g) Councillor Loft reported on his attendance at the most recent PCCT meeting. Papers from the meeting to be distributed by the Clerk.
During the final period of public participation, District Councillor Glenda Powell reported that she has been approached by residents in Silver Fir Close wanting to see a “return of their bus service”. Members reported that residents in the Westholme Road/Silver Fir Close area have never had a bus service but any extension to the service to include this area would be welcomed. Ms. Powell, in her role with the Wyesmoves project said it was intended to extend the service to Westholme Road.
The next meeting will be held on 11th December 2006 at Belmont Community Centre, Eastholme Avenue, Belmont, commencing at 7pm.
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