36/06 Election of Parish Council Officers

The following were unanimously elected as representatives on behalf of the Parish
Council:

• Tree Warden Brian Hubbard
• Footpaths Officer Beryl Brown
• HALC representative Phil Edwards

37/06 Minutes of the meeting held on 14th March 2006

The Minutes of the meeting held on 14th March had been previously circulated.
Some minor amendments were agreed regarding the correct identification of
Herefordshire Council officers. Subject to these amendments, the Minutes were
signed by the Chairman as a true record of proceedings at that meeting.

38/06 Matters arising

(a) Heartstart Training

The date for this training has been changed to Saturday 10th June at 10.30am. Posters will go in the notice boards shortly.

(b) Litter pick equipment

Not yet delivered. Clerk to pursue this order.

(c) Kerbstone Repairs

The Clerk has ascertained that this was originally identified by Herefordshire
Council as a low priority item to be repaired. It is to be re-surveyed following
the Clerk's request. Councillor Hubbard expressed concern at the delay in
completing this repair with the result that the kerb stone has now broken.

(d) Vehicle parking on grass verges

Although an initial approach has been made to Herefordshire Council, there
has been no progress on this item since the last meeting. A further report will
be made at the next meeting.

39/06 Correspondence

No items to report other than those items routinely circulated to members prior to the the meeting

40/06 Planning Matters

(a) Applications received since the last meeting

The following applications have been received since the last meeting:

Ref: DCCW2006/1115/F
Site: 11 Tavistock Drive, Belmont
Development: Conversion of garage into a habitable room
Comments: Plans in circulation.

Ref: DCCW2006/1127/F
Site: 10 Deerhurst Drive, Belmont
Development: Single storey extension to rear of house
Comments: Plans in circulation.

(b) Observations passed to Herefordshire Council since the last meeting

None.

(c) Other planning matters

Notification has been received that application reference DCCW2006/0869/F
which refers to an application by Tesco stores to permit dot.com operations
on a Sunday, is to be heard by the Central Area Planning Committee on
Wednesday 3rd May. In accordance with agreed procedures, the Clerk has
approached four Parish Councillors prior to the meeting, all of whom have
voted in favour of the Parish Council being represented at the planning
committee meeting. It was agreed that Councillor lan Robinson should attend
the meeting on behalf of the Parish Council.

41/06 Payments/receipts

(a) Payments

The following payment was agreed at the previous meeting:

Citizens Advice Bureaux
Donation £100.00

Authority was given to make the following payments:

Herefordshire Jarvis Services
Road Safety Signs, including installation £771.25
VAT thereon £134.97
Total payment: £906.22

South Wye Community Association
Room hire - March meeting £25.00
Room hire - Mums & Tots - March £125.00
Room hire - Youth group - March £42.00
Total payment: £192.00

Fast Business Limited
Stationery (magnetic pins for noticeboards) £60.00
Delivery charge £14.95
VAT thereon £13.12
Total payment: £88.07

MA Edwards
Delivery charge for newsletter £110.00

Dawn 'til' Dusk Printers
Printing of newsletter £85.00

Mrs. E. A. Kelso
Salary for April 2006
Gross salary: £534.63
Less: tax and national insurance (£130.09)
Total payment: £404.54

Inland Revenue
Tax and national insurance due: £144.76

Petty cash reimbursement £47.75

(b) Receipts

The following amounts have been received since the last meeting:

Bank interest paid 31.3.2006 £128.40

First half of precept payment received 16.4.2006 £10,000.00

(c) Balances

Current account: £318.12
Deposit account: £37,008.03
Petty Cash: £2.25

42/06 Accounts for the year to 31st March 2006

(a) Approval of draft accounts

Draft accounts for the year ended 31st March 2006 had been previously
circulated. There were no queries on the draft accounts and it was agreed
that the Clerk and Chairman be authorised to sign these accounts subject to
the internal audit report which has yet to take place.

(b) Approval of annual report

The draft annual report as required by external auditors had been previously
circulated. The Clerk drew attention to the Statement of Assurances
contained in the Annual Report and each statement was discussed separately
by Members with appropriate responses noted as attached to these Minutes.
It was unanimously agreed that the Clerk and Chairman be authorised to sign
the Annual Report on behalf of the Parish Council.

43/06 Insurance renewal

Details of the invitation to renew the Parish Council's insurance package had been
previously circulated. It was noted that some minor adjustments to the sums insured were still required with regard to the bus shelters and change of notice board. Subject to these changes, it was unanimously agreed that the insurance policy be renewed with Allianz Cornhill at an annual premium for 2006/7 of £636.01.

44/06 Summer Fun Day

A written report from the recent working party meeting was noted. The Clerk
requested details of arrangements made so that payments can be agreed at the next meeting. It was further noted that the next working party meeting would be held on 9th May.

45/06 Public Open Space

Councillor Joyce Clare explained that several children had approached her regarding the long grass on the landfill and asking if the grass can be cut so that they can practice golf on the area.

Councillor Phil Edwards explained that although it is the long term intention of Herefordshire Council to acquire the landfill site as public open space, it is currently owned by a consortium of companies and there were a number of complex legal issues surrounding the maintenance and potential acquisition of the site; current legal advice being that Herefordshire Council should not take steps to cut the grass or undertake any maintenance of the land. The Clerk will obtain an update on the current situation from Herefordshire Council and report back to the next meeting.

In the meantime, it was suggested that Sarah Melia be advised that several young
people might be interested in activities involving golf and golf practice and perhaps
land at Belmont Abbey might be more suitable for such activities.

46/06 Bulbs/shrubs

(a) Bulb Planting

Councillor lan Robinson that there are some gaps in the areas planted with
daffodil bulbs some few years ago and suggested that some additional bulbs
be purchased in the autumn to fill those gaps. It was proposed by Councillor
lan Robinson and seconded by Councillor Beryl Brown that bulbs be purchased up to the value of £100.00 for autumn planting. The resolution was carried unanimously.

(b) Shrubs

Councillor lan Robinson suggested that additional shrub planting adjacent to
the roundabout on the junction with Northoime Road might serve to deter the
parking of cars for sale on that area. Councillor Brian Hubbard suggested
dogwoods or possibly groundcover plants at that location.

Councillor Phil Edwards noted that in previous years, the Highways Agency,
police and Herefordshire Council have refused permission for further planting
on that site, mainly on the grounds of visibility for motorists on the busy
junction. It was agreed therefore that the Clerk seek the views of these
agencies before any further action is taken.

47/06 Application for funding - South Wye Community Association

Councillors Beryl Brown and Veronica Gummer, having declared an interest, left the room during discussion of this agenda item.

This application was for funding towards the cost of repairs to the roof of Belmont
Community Centre, details of the project having been circulated to Members prior to the meeting. Mr. Andy Myatt, Treasurer of the South Wye Community Association, was in attendance and answered questions raised by Members in connection with the application. Some concern was expressed that SWCA had not approached any other source of funding for this and other refurbishment work taking place at the Centre and that refurbishment plans appear to have changed since the first application was made last year for funding. Mr. Myatt stressed the importance of the Centre within the community and, being run entirely by voluntary support, the practical difficulties involved in making external funding requests.

After some discussion, it was proposed by Councillor Phil Edwards and seconded by Councillor lan Robinson that the application for up to £1,500 be agreed, subject to receipt of evidence of expenditure in the form of receipted invoices when these funds are claimed. The resolution was carried unanimously.

48/06 Meeting dates for 2006/7

It was noted that due to a prior booking, Belmont Community Centre would no longer be available for Parish Council meetings on a Tuesday evening and only be available on the first and second Monday of each month. After discussion, it was agreed:

• To retain the present arrangement of a meeting approximately every six
weeks where possible, and

• To move meetings to a Monday evening, commencing at 7pm as usual.

The next meeting will therefore be held on Monday 12th June at Belmont Community Centre, Eastholme Avenue, Belmont, commencing at 7pm. The Clerk will circulate proposed dates for the remainder of the 2006/7 year with the agenda for the next meeting.

49/06 Parish Matters

(a) Councillor Ron Loft reported that the three new trees planted in Sydwall Road were growing well, thanks to regular watering by Councillor Veronica Gummer.

(b) Councillor Loft reported that he had recently attended a meeting of the PCCT
and would be circulating papers from that meeting.

(c) Councillor Brian Hubbard reported that he was not satisfied with the recent
standard of grass cutting in the public open space and in particular that there
had been no evidence of strimming. Councillor Edwards noted that he too
was dissatisfied with the standard of grass cutting and as District Councillor
had been in discussions with Herefordshire Council's Parks and Countryside
Department. It was agreed that the Clerk also write on behalf of the Parish
Council to express concern at the poor quality of work.

(d) Councillor Hubbard noted that having reported his concerns that the owner of
a property in Dorchester Way appeared to have moved his fence onto the
landfill site, a skip had been placed at this location recently. The Clerk was
instructed to raise this matter with Herefordshire Council.

(e) Councillor Phil Edwards reported that he has investigated issues relating to
the ownership of the mini roundabout between the Tesco filling station and
store entrance and found that the roundabout is subject to a section 278 order
which refers to adoption of adjusted works. There is ho condition stipulating
what should be planted on the roundabout, if anything and Herefordshire
Council officers recommend that there is no planting because of maintenance
difficulties, and that there should be a hard surface.

Councillor Edwards also reported that having investigated the outstanding
matters delaying the adoption of the Westbury/Barratt developments, he has
ascertained that the new owners, Persimmon, have agreed to the remedial
work required prior to adoption but no dates have yet been set.

(f) Councillor lan Robinson reported that he has received a letter from the
owners of 30 Dorchester Way and asked that a reply be drafted by the Clerk
in consultation with the Chairman and Vice Chairman.

(g) Councillor Veronica Gummer reported that a wall has been damaged
adjacent to the bus shelter in Abbotsmead Road. She also reported that the
keep left bollard in Abbotsmead Road by the junction with Belvoir Court is
continually being knocked over as it appears not to be bolted to the ground.
Cobbles on the roundabout there have also been damaged. The Clerk was
instructed to notify Andy Byng at Herefordshire Council.

(h) It was noted that the litter bin adjacent to the footpath linking Sydwall Road to
Golden Post has been removed by the developers of the new bungalows in
Golden Post. Both the Clerk and Councillor Edwards are aware of this and
have been in discussions with the site manager, Mr. Felton, of Lovells.

(i) Concern was expressed at the continued poor condition of the Tesco Store
site with empty bags and other rubbish continuing to pile up and litter both the
site and surrounding areas.

50/06 Public Participation

During the final period of public participation, Mr. Roderick Robinson, advised that he was pleased with the quality of printing of the newsletter by Dawn 'til Dusk printers; this being the first time they have printed the newsletter. The better quality paper also made the newsletter easier to deliver.

Members thanked Mr Robinson for his work in producing the newsletter on a voluntary basis.

There being no further business, the Chairman declared the meeting close at 8.35 pm.