Councillor David Cook declared a general interest in agenda item 12(a), Coppin Rise.

67/06 Minutes of the previous meeting

The Minutes of the meeting held on 13th June had been previously circulated. One amendment was agreed to reflect that the correct address for planning application reference DCC2006-1299-F is 6 Belvoir Court and not 8, as noted in Minute no. 56/06(a). Subject to this amendment, the Chairman was authorised to sign the Minutes as a true record of proceedings at that meeting.

68/06 Matters Arising

(a) Vehicles parking on grass verge in Dorchester Way

Despite the correspondence that has been sent to householders in the immediate vicinity, it was noted that vehicles have still been observed parking on the grass verge at a time when parking space was available within the property boundary. The clerk was instructed to inform Herefordshire Council.

(b) Landfill

No formal response has been received with regard to this item although it was noted that Herefordshire Council officers are awaiting information from the consortium that owns the land.

(c) Shrub planting between Northolme Road and A465

Councillor Ian Robinson has been pursuing this with agents for the Highways Agency. There appears to be a question over ownership of the area in question and the Highways Agency are making enquiries.

(d) Sydwall Road Litter Bin

As no response has been received from Lovells (who have now left the site), the Clerk has ordered a replacement litter bin and will invoice Lovells for the cost of supply and fitting the bin.

(e) Shrubs – Stanbrook Road

A request for the shrubs to be cut back has been made to Herefordshire Council, but not yet actioned.

69/06 Report from West Mercia Police

PC Greenwood gave a brief overview of changes in the policing structure within the region and confirmed that in addition to the two Community Support Officers currently covering the area, an additional two CSOs would eventually complete the police team.

With regard to criminal activity locally, there had been a small number of minor incidents, including:

· Theft of a bicycle from a garden in Chichester Close
· Items removed from an unlocked car in Dorchester Way
· Garden furniture stolen from a home in Dorchester Way
· Two fires on the landfill
· Parish notice board damaged in Abbotsmead Way
· Telephone wires cut to a property in Yarlington Mill
· Some anti social behaviour in three areas, including Coppin Rise which was discussed further under agenda item 12(a) (Minute 77/06(a)).

70/06 Public Participation

The Chairman adjourned the meeting for a period of public participation during which time, events within Coppin Rise were discussed. This discussion is included within Minute no. 77/06(a), below.

71/06 Correspondence

In addition to the routine items of correspondence circulated to members since the last meeting, or dealt with elsewhere within the meeting, It was noted that correspondence has been received from the Newton Farm Town Green Action Group which has formed in response to a proposal by Herefordshire Housing Ltd. to build homes on an area of land off Argyll Rise currently used as public open space. This land just outside the Parish boundary and there is no formal registered planning application for consideration at the moment but Herefordshire Housing is consulting with “interested parties” on the proposal. It was agreed that the Parish Council would wish to be included in that consultation as these proposals were likely to affect residents of this Parish, and the Clerk was instructed to enquire of Herefordshire Housing when, as a neighbouring Parish, we were likely to be consulted.

72/06 ayments/Receipts

(a) Payments

Authority was given to make the following payments:

South Wye Community Association
Room Hire – Mums & Tots (June) £100.00
- BRPC June meeting £25.00
Total payment £125.00

Dawn ‘til Dusk Printers
Printing Leaflets for Summer Event £45.00

MA Edwards
Distribution of Leaflets for Summer Event £110.00

Signs & Labels Hereford Ltd.
Banner for marquee
for summer event £80.00
VAT thereon £14.00
Total payment £94.00

Mr. I. Robinson
Payment in respect of gas cylinder
for Summer Event £11.75

Mrs. E. Kelso
Salary (net) for July 2006 £404.54

Inland Revenue
Tax and national insurance – July 2006 £114.76

HALC
Subscription for 2006/7 £492.93
See Minute ref: 74/06

(b) Receipts

The following amount has been received since the last meeting:

Bank interest £133.35

(c) Balances

Current account £839.30
Deposit account £32,737.74
Petty Cash £31.50

73/06 Planning Matters

(a) Applications received since the last meeting

The following planning applications have been received since the last meeting:

Ref: DCCW2006-1815-F
Site: 1 Coppin Rise
Development: Separation of existing dwelling to form two dwellings
Comments: This is the second application for this property, the first having been refused by Herefordshire Council. Plans have been circulated and members reinterated objections to first application. Herefordshire Council has been notified accordingly and we have been advised that this application is to be heard by the Central Area Planning Committee on Wednesday 26th July. In accordance with Parish Council procedures, those with access to e-mail have been contacted and those responding have indicated they wish BRPC to send a representative. Councillor Veronica Robinson has volunteered to attend.

Ref: DCCW2006-2168-F
Site: 1 Cottonwoods
Development: Single storey rear extension
Comments: Plans have been circulated. Members had no objections to this development and Herefordshire Council has been notified accordingly.

Ref: DCCW2006-2250-F
Site: Tesco Stores Ltd.
Development: Demolition of existing rollover car wash and erection of a conveyor car wash centre
Comments: Plans in circulation. Those members who have already commented upon the plans indicated that they felt the information provided was insufficient to take an informed view. As District Councillor, Councillor Phil Edwards has asked for a site visit by planning officers before a decision is made.

(b) Observations passed to Herefordshire Council since last meeting

None other than those mentioned above.

(c) Notification of planning decisions received since last meeting

Ref: DCCW2006-1299-F
Site: 6 Belvoir Court
Development: Two storey extension to front of property
Comments: Application refused on the grounds that the proposed development would have an unacceptably adverse impact on the character and appearance of the existing dwelling and would unbalance its symmetry with the neighbouring properties to the detriment of the visual amenity of the wider locality.

74/06 HALC Membership

An invitation has been received to renew our membership of HALC (Herefordshire Association of Local Councils). Last year, members resolved to reconsider membership this year as a result of poor service the previous year. The Clerk confirmed that service levels have been satisfactory this year. After a brief discussion, it was agreed that the subscription to HALC be renewed this year at a cost of £492.93.

75/06 Northolme Community Centre - Progress Report

A written progress report had been provided to Members prior to the meeting and was formally noted. Members congratulated the NCCA Chairman, Fran White, on the professional report provided and suggested some alternative souces of funding that might be explored.

76/06 Summer Event

Members briefly discussed the summer event and noted that a total of £505.00 had been raised by the NCCA group through the event. All who had attended thought the event had been very well received and it was noted with pleasure that Herefordshire Council Youth Services had signed up some 10 children for activities during the summer holidays.

The results of the landfill naming have been passed to Herefordshire Council and reported in the local press with the prospect of further follow up press attention when the area is formally named.

77/06 Maintenance and use of public open space

(a) Coppin Rise

This item was highlighted at the last meeting when District Councillor Glenda Powell advised that she had been approached by some residents in Coppin Rise who were unhappy with some incidents when vehicles were damaged as a result of ball games on the public open space/area designated for play in Coppin Rise.

Letters were sent out to a small number of residents living immediately around the public open space by Tony Featherstone, a copy of which has been circulated to members for their information. Subsequently a public meeting was held which was attended by the Chairman and others. At that meeting, residents noted that since the initial correspondence by Tony Featherstone and subsequent meeting, instances of anti social behaviour have been reduced and the older children are taking their football games to a more suitable location. Tony Featherstone proposed writing to residents locally to advise that the area is intended as a play area for children but property damage or anti social behaviour will not be tolerated. If the situation deteriorates, further action such as the banning of ball games be taken. Local residents in attendance stated that they were happy with the suggested action.

Members discussed Mr. Featherstone’s proposals, noting that the play area has been in existence for local children for some 20 years now and that if it were withdrawn as a result of the behaviour of a very small number of young people, there would be nowhere for families and children to meet, socialise and play. Finally, it was resolved, with six votes in favour and one against, to support the proposed action by Mr. Featherstone and the Clerk was instructed to notify Mr. Featherstone accordingly.

(b) Other areas of public open space

It was agreed that a review of all the available public open space, and which areas could be used for play, should take place. The Clerk produced a map which had been provided some time ago which shows areas equipped for play but it was noted that a second may indicating which non-equipped areas were indicated as areas designated for play was awaited.

It was noted that Mr. Featherstone has requested a meeting with the Chairman and Clerk. As a result, it was agreed that the map be put on display at the Community Centre, if possible, and this subject be discussed further at the next meeting.

78/06 Lengthsman Scheme

The Parish Lengthsman Scheme is a scheme whereby Parishes can assume responsibility for certain minor maintenance functions usually carried out by Herefordshire Council. Such maintenance functions usually include grass cutting, gully clearance, kerb repairs etc. A grant is made available to the Parish based upon the length of adopted roads within the Parish, which in the case of Belmont Rural would be based upon a total of 10.5km of roads. The scheme was considered by the Parish Council some two years ago and rejected on the basis that the grant available would not be sufficient to carry out the functions currently provided by Herefordshire Council. However, as the scheme is again being offered to Parishes, Members considered the value of this scheme again. After some discussion, it was agreed that the scheme would not be of benefit to this Parish and the Clerk was instructed to write to Herefordshire Council accordingly.

79/06 Weed Spray

The Clerk read an e-mail from Herefordshire Jarvis Services regarding their proposed action for a kerb weed spray at a cost of £567.41. After some discussion, it was agreed (with five votes for and two against) to accept this quotation but to request spot weed treatment on several areas were weeds were growing from the base of walls adjacent to the pavements, or through the pavements themselves, as well as the kerb spray. Details of the proposed cost for the spot treatment would be circulated to Members as soon as available.

80/06 Parish Matters

(a) Councillor Joyce Clare noted that rubbish left on the play area in Northolme Road is not being cleared by Jarvis. She will follow this up.

(b) Councillor Phil Edwards gave a brief overview of his activities as District Councillor, including:

· Requesting more stringent checks by Trading Standards on sales of alcohol during school holidays
· Reporting lights out of action in Abbotsmead Road
· Requesting white lines at road junctions be repainted
· Requesting action on foul drains in the Newton Brook/Glastonbury Close area

(c) Councillor Hubbard reported that he was frustrated and disappointed that again newly planted trees within the Estate are not routinely being watered with the result that he no longer intended requesting replacement trees for any that die or are damaged.

(d) It was agreed that the Clerk write to Planning Services with regard to the undertaking by Tesco to provide an irrigation system to support landscaping at the Tesco Site. There appears to be no evidence that this system is either installed or in use as much of the new landscaping is dying as a resutt of lack of water. Furthermore, some areas have still not been landscaped in accordance with plans submitted.

(e) It was agreed that consideration be given at the next meeting for the provision of an all-weather pitch (Astroturf) for ball games adjacent to the Northolme Centre.

(f) Councillor Veronica Gummer asked if there was any further information on developments at Barwood House.

81/06 Date of next meeting

The next meeting will take place on Monday 4th September at Belmont Community Centre, commencing at 7pm.

82/06 Public Participation

During the final period of public participation, it was noted that the website has had nearly 1,000 “hits” since inception and the correspondence section was attracting some attention!

Members were advised that a recent leaflet drop in the area requesting donations of clothing appeared to be from a charitable organisation but was from a private company without any charitable connections.

There being no further business, the Chairman declared the meeting closed at 8.40pm

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