Parish Council meeting
January 24 2006
Belmont Community Centre
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BELMONT
RURAL PARISH COUNCIL INFO Parish Council meeting January 24 2006 Belmont Community Centre |
Jan06 |
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Present: Mr. I. Robinson
(Chairman) Apologies: Mrs. J. Clare In attendance: Mrs.
E. Kelso (Clerk)
Councillor Phil Edwards declared an interest in agenda item 7, payments and receipts (minute no. 07/06).
The Minutes of the meeting held on 6th December had been previously circulated. After a small amendment the Chairman was unanimously authorised to sign the Minutes as a true record of proceedings at that meeting.
(a) Road safety signs The Clerk reported that these had not yet been installed as a result of an apparent misunderstanding within Herefordshire Jarvis Services. This has now been resolved and installation has been promised by half term. Members expressed concern at the delay in installation since the project was discussed with Herefordshire Council and instructed the Clerk to ensure the signs were installed as agreed. (b) Tesco A letter has been received in response to ours and is in circulation. It was agreed that Members would indicate their comments to this letter when circulated so that the Clerk can draft a suitable response, in consultation with the Chairman. (c) South Wye Foundation Ltd. The Clerk noted that despite a second request, a copy of the invoice for legal expenses claimed by SWF has not yet been received. This may lead to adverse comments by the auditors at the end of the financial year if not forthcoming. (d) Litter bins The new bin has now been installed opposite Byland Close, as authorised at the last meeting. (e) Bank account Changes to the bank mandate to allow new Parish Councillors to sign cheques have been been made although the bank require a second signature on the paperwork before finally recording the changes. New signatories will be required to attend at the bank to give evidence of identity before the new mandate can be activated. (f) Westholme Road Street Sign This is still outstanding and the Clerk reported that she was aware that Herefordshire Council has not yet placed the order for the new signage. The Clerk was instructed to write to the head of Engineering Services to complain about the delay.
PC Andy Larkin gave a brief report on activity within the Parish, noting that there have been six crimes reported in the past three months. An e-mail from Councillor Joyce Clare quoting a neighbour had been forwarded to West Mercia Police and Members received a copy at the meeting. PC Larkin said he was aware of the allegations and that he and his colleagues had spent some time investigating these. He was aware that children playing football in the street had been the cause of some disturbance but he confirmed that neither the police nor council were working towards issuing anti social behaviour orders on any family within the Parish. PC Larkin also confirmed that he had looked into the allegations of under age drinking but found that those individuals he had encountered drinking within the open space areas were adults over the age of 18. He was aware of some young people using the open space areas as a meeting place during the evenings as there were little or no facilities for people to meet, but in the absence of any criminal activity, the police would not move them on. The police were supportive of proposals by Youth Services to provide organised activities for youngsters. Councillor Phil Edwards as neighbourhood watch co-ordinator volunteered to discuss the matter further with the lady in question. Councillor Ron Loft reported that he had reported to the police and Herefordshire Council the poor state of the road as a result of lorry activity in Sydwall Road. During wet weather the road had become extremely muddy and slippery and when it had dried, it was particularly dusty. Despite writing to West Mercia Police with photographs, this information had not been passed to PC Larkin. Councillors and Members of the public were assured that any call to West Mercia Police was treated seriously. It is not necessary to request an incident number to ensure that a call is logged as this happens automatically but PC Larkin stressed the importance of calling so that a pattern of data can be put together to ensure resources are directed to where they are needed.
The meeting was adjourned for a period of public participation during which time the following items were raised: · Roderick Robinson reminded those in attendance to visit the parish website where a full copy of Parish Council Meeting Minutes was available together with other items publicising events within the parish etc. · Members were reminded that Eastholme Community Centre has been renamed to Belmont Community Centre.
There were no items of correspondence other than routine items previously circulated or dealt with elsewhere on the agenda.
(a) Payments (i) The following previously authorised payments were made:
South Wye Community
Association Northolme Community
Centre Association South Wye Community
Association
South Wye Community
Association MA Edwards Swintex Limited Herefordshire Council Society of Local
Council Clerks Herefordshire Jarvis
Services Mrs. E. Kelso Inland Revenue Petty cash £35.25 (b) Receipts The following amount has been received since the last meeting: 30.12.05 Bank interest £179.30 (c) Balances Current account
£1,667.77 The Clerk noted that the figure reported as the balance on deposit excluded payments made at this meeting.
(a) Applications received since the last meeting None. (b) Observations passed to Herefordshire Council since last meeting None. (c) Notice of applications granted/refused since the last meeting None received.
Clive Evans, in attendance, gave a brief summary of progress to date with regard to the Northolme Community Building. Northolme Community Centre Association has now become a company limited by guarantee and is progressing with it’s application for charitable status. Negotiations with Herefordshire Council over the lease of the building have progressed although the lease has not yet been signed. A detailed specification of work to be undertaken has now been drawn up and NCCA members have been meeting with contractors to finalise the specification, which will be used to obtain detailed quotations for work. It is anticipated that work will take place in phases in accordance with funding constraints.
Sarah Melia gave a presentation to Members on the work of the Youth Services and in particular proposals to work with the young people within the Parish. She has visited the area and met with young people to ascertain what activities might be of interest and proposed running a two hour session at Belmont Community Centre from 4 – 6pm once a week. Where similar groups were run elsewhere, sporting activities, crafts and music proved popular. If, as was suggested, it proved difficult to attract young people from the northern side of the Parish to the Belmont Community Centre, activities would be moved to that area. Members suggested activities and possible sources of materials and equipment. Councillor Brian Hubbard enquired whether the former Belmont Abbey School playing fields could be used for organised sporting activities. Councillor Edwards recalled that a planning application by a sporting club had been refused some years ago for the site, which had then reverted into the ownership of Belmont Abbey. It was agreed that Brian Hubbard make further enquiries about this land.
Members noted that Heart Start provide free CPR training for residents at a 2 hour training session. It was proposed by Councillor Veronica Robinson and seconded by Councillor Phil Edwards that support be given to run a heart start course at Belmont Community Centre at a total cost of not more than £70, to include room hire and a donation to Heartstart. The resolution was passed unanimously. Councillor Beryl Brown agreed to contact Heartstart to make the necessary arrangements.
The Clerk proposed that a mobile telephone be purchased to improve the level of service to residents who chose to telephone the Parish Council and to ensure that appropriate cover is available to answer telephone calls if/when the Clerk is absent on holiday. Having circulated information proposal prior to the meeting, it was proposed by Councillor Brian Hubbard and seconded by Councillor Veronica Robinson that a telephone be purchased for use by the Clerk up to a maximum value of £40. The resolution was unanimously agreed.
(a) Newsletter It was noted that when the South Wye Community Development Team is disbanded in March 2006, the free photocopying of the Parish Newsletter, prepared on a voluntary basis by Roderick Robinson, would no longer be available. Quotations have been obtained for printing the double-sided single A4 sheet newsletter in the region of £85, bringing the cost of producing and distributing the newsletter to £195. After a brief discussion it was agreed that a newsletter be published after the March meeting at a cost of no more than £200 and that further consideration be given to the future use of the newsletter as a means of publicising Parish Council work at the next meeting. (b) Summer Event It was proposed by Councillor Veronica Robinson that a summer event be held to promote the work of the Parish Council, give an opportunity to local residents to see the proposals with regard to the Northolme Community Building, provide an update on progress with the Parish Plan and identify any changes required to the Parish Plan. The event could be run in conjunction with a front garden competition. It was agreed that a working party be set up to include all interested parties with a view to making costed proposals for consideration at the next meeting.
Councillor Phil Edwards noted that the road rep scheme originally promoted through councillor Brian Hubbard was still in operation although on a smaller scale than originally envisaged. He was keen to promote the concept of the community volunteer looking after the immediate vicinity of his/her residence and proposed providing litter pick equipment to volunteers. The Clerk reported that if volunteers were to be provided with equipment for litter picking it would be necessary to ensure that a proper documented risk assessment is made and appropriate training and protective equipment provided to the volunteers. It was proposed by Councillor Phil Edwards and seconded by Councillor Veronica Robinson that up to 4 litter pickers be purchased by the Parish Council for use by councillors and volunteers. The resolution was carried unanimously and Councillor Ian Robinson volunteered to carry out the necessary risk assessments.
(a) Councillor Ron Loft reported that he had written to both Herefordshire Council and the police regarding the condition of the road surface in Sydwall and Whitefriars Road as a result of lorry traffic in and out of Barwood House. Photographs have been provided to both the police and Council noting that on some days up to 8 lorries in an hour are travelling the road. During wet periods the road becomes very slippery with mud and during the current dry spell, the road is particularly dusty. It was unanimously resolved that the Clerk be instructed to write to both the police and Herefordshire Council regarding this issue. Councillor Phil Edwards abstained from the vote having declared an interest in this subject. (b) Councillor David Cook noted the poor road surface on the Belmont Road as a result of poor maintenance by the Highways Agency. The surface is particularly dangerous for road users on motor and push bikes. The Clerk was instructed to raise the matter with the Highways Agency. (c) Councillor Beryl Brown noted that a loose kerbstone in Cranborne Close remains loose despite first requesting repair last August. The Clerk was instructed to pursue this matter with Herefordshire Council. (d) Councillor Beryl Brown provided an update on the success of the Christmas Party held at Belmont Community Centre and noted that she had received a large number of letters of thanks from those who attended. (e) Councillor Brian Hubbard expressed concern that owners of property in Dorchester Way have cut back hedgerow and appear to have extended their fence onto the landfill site. The Clerk was instructed to contact Herefordshire Council’s Development Control Team to request that this be looked into. (f) Councillor Brian Hubbard noted that most of the children’s play areas within the Estate have swing seats which are for older toddlers. As a new grandfather, he suggested that some be changed for those more suitable for very small children. The Clerk was instructed to raise this with Herefordshire Council. (g) Councillor Veronica Robinson noted that the pavement around the top of the Tesco site has not yet been repaired and is still crumbling. The Clerk was instructed to raise this with Herefordshire Council. (h) Councillor Phil Edwards reported that problems with the sewerage pumping station in Sydwall Road had arisen recently but the problems were quickly dealt with and the road cleaned. (i) The path connecting Sydwall Road and Golden Post will be closed from this day for essential work in connection with the new development off Golden Post. (j) Councillor Veronica Gummer noted that heavy vehicles have damaged the grassed area adjacent to the entrance to Barwood House.
The next meeting will be held on Tuesday 14th March 2006 at Belmont Community Centre, commencing at 7pm.
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