Councillor Edwards and Councillor Powell, as District Councillors, declared a personal interest in all matters relating to planning applications and noted that comments expressed are preliminary views taking account of information currently available to BRPC whilst reserving final views for decision taking by District Council Planning Committee where all relevant and final facts can be available prior to making a decision.

36/08 Minutes of the previous meeting

It was agreed that the Minutes of the meeting held on 25th February 2008, which had been previously circulated, be signed by the Chairman as a true record of proceedings at that meeting.

37/08 Clerk’s Report/Matters arising

(a) Parish Freighter

Herefordshire Council has confirmed that the requested dates are being held for BRPC but will not confirm the booking at this stage as a change to the contractor or service may be considered shortly.

(b) Footpath – Chichester Close to Northolme Road

Work is expected to be carried out towards the end of this month.

(c) Bushes leading to CH7

Members noted that one resident is concerned at the removal of bushes adjacent to the short footpath leading from Grantham Close and has asked that they be replaced. The Chairman advised that the police had been supportive of these bushes being removed as they felt they provided a hiding place for potential criminal activity. There had also been an issue with lack of visibility for pedestrians and cyclists using the footpath. The cutting back was, however, considered rather drastic but some.

(d) Footpath adjacent to Belmont Community Centre

Councillor Newman advised that he has been in discussion with stakeholders around the Belmont Community Centre, Health Centre and others regarding the possibility of closing the privately owned footway between the medical centre and Belmont Centre. The footpath is perceived as encouraging anti social behaviour. A meeting between police, representatives from the Medical Centre etc. will take place on 29th April to discuss this further. One possible project might be the installation of CCTV in the area.

(e) Obstruction to premises in Abbotsmead Road

Councillor Powell advised that she has been pursuing the complaint that a homeowner is obstructing entrance to properties with vehicles at the end of Abbotsmead Road, and has ascertained that the land currently being used to park a number of vehicles is not owned by the resident so should not be used for parking. The resident has been advised.

(f) Overgrown hedges in Southolme Road

Members noted that these have now been cut back.

38/08 Report from West Mercia police/Parish Watch

CSO Jason Merrick in attendance introduce CSO Alison Licqurish as the new CSO for the Belmont area and noted that PC Greenwood’s replacement is not yet in post but it was hoped he would be appointed shortly. Both CSOs now undertake cycle patrols of the area and anti social behaviour has reduced with just a few minor incidents notably around Belmont Golf Course, Newton Coppice and Home Farm as the main exceptions.

In response to questions from the meeting, it was confirmed that CSOs currently work between 8am and 10pm. It was also confirmed that the main desk at the South Wye Police station may re-open in the summer when the staff member returns from sick leave.

Through Parish Watch and a report from a resident, CSOs noted that there have been some minor incidents with broken glass and soft drinks bottles in Wyedean Rise. It was also noted that one vehicle known to regularly park in Abbotsmead Road close to the junction with Wyedean Rise had been struck by another vehicle one morning. The van was being parked on a bend in the road at a spot where it is difficult to see when the sun is particularly low in the morning.

Other issues reported to CSOs at the meeting relate to incidents outside the parish.

39/08 Public Participation

In addition to the comments reported above or noted elsewhere during the meeting, members of the public in attendance raised the following point during this period of public participation:

Concern was expressed about the erection of a fenced area immediately outside the Northolme Centre before the survey results were available. It was noted that the land has been leased by the Northolme Centre and fencing erected as part of their plans to encourage a playgroup or nursery to use the Centre. Councillor Powell, as District Councillor, stated that she has been advised by Herefordshire Council that the fencing has been provided by Herefordshire Council as an infant play area. Other District Councillors in attendance at the meeting noted that they had not been advised of this.

40/08 Correspondence

In addition to any routine items of correspondence that have been circulated, the following items of correspondence were noted:

(a) a letter has been received from the South Wye Regeneration Partnership inviting a member of the parish council to sit on the board as an observer. Members were invited to consider this and advise the Clerk if they wished to attend South Wye Partnership meetings.

(b) An application for grant has been received from South Wye Community Association but too late to be considered at this meeting. A copy of the application will be circulated to members who should request any further information through the Clerk prior to the next Parish Council meeting when the matter would be considered as an agenda item.

(c) It was noted that an invitation to renew the Parish Council insurances had also been received and would be considered at the next meeting. However, it was now necessary to convene a risk management working party to review Parish Council risks with a view to making recommendations at the next meeting. Councillors Cook, Myatt and Schoffer volunteered to form a risk management working party to meet prior to the next Parish Council meeting.

41/08 Payments/Receipts

(a) Payments

Authority was given to make the following payments:

Ms. G. Powell
Reimbursement of travel expenses to attend
Training event at Brockington £14.10

Amey Wye Valley Limited
Shrub Planting Project £771.64
VAT thereon £135.04
Total payment: £906.68

Herefordshire Council
2007 Election costs £20.53

South Wye Community Association
Room hire for Kidz Club – Feb & Mar. £283.50
Room hire – Feb. meeting £26.25
Total payment: £309.75

E A Kelso
Salary (net) – March 2008 £488.52
Expenses – stationery purchased £52.47
- Home/office annual payment £100.00
Total payment: £640.99

Inland Revenue
Tax & National insurance due as above £197.50

Cash
Petty cash reimbursement £24.50

(b) Receipts

None since the last meeting.

(c) Balances

Current account: £500.00
Deposit account: £38,100.56

Petty cash: £25.50

(d) Other Financial Matters

The Clerk reported that a review of the Internal Audit processes would be required prior to Parish Council approval of Accounts and Annual Return for the year to 31st March 2008. It was agreed that a working party be formed to conduct a review and make recommendations to the next Parish Council meeting. Councillors Cook, Myatt and Schoffer volunteered to form the working party.

42/08 Planning Matters

(a) Applications received since last meeting

Ref: CW2008/0630/A
Site: Belmont Community Centre
Development: Advertising hoarding
Comments: Plans have been circulated. Members had no objections to this development. Herefordshire Council has been notified accordingly.

Ref: CW2008/0715/A
Site: Tesco Stores Ltd., Abbotsmead Road
Development: New Gantry Sign, goal post and site signage
Comments: Plans currently in circulation. Members noted that the term “goal post” refers to the signage which appears above the main entrance to the store.

(b) Observations passed to Herefordshire Council since last meeting

None other than noted above.

(c) Notification received of planning decisions since last meeting

None other than noted above.

(c) Other Planning Matters

Notification has been received that an appeal has been made to the Secretary of State by Persimmon Homes, against refusal of application reference CW2007/2834/F, which is for the proposed erection of 69 dwellings and delivery of Haywood Country Park. The appeal is to be decided on the basis of an inquiry and a site visit by an Inspector. Observations already passed to Herefordshire Council with reference to this application will be passed to the Inspector but there is currently an opportunity for further observations if required. The Clerk will circulate a copy of the previous observations to members for information.

43/08 Arrangements for Annual Parish Meeting to present survey results

The Clerk reported that the results of the Parish Survey were to be presented by Parks and Countryside Manager, Tony Featherstone but unfortunately Mr. Featherstone was unwell and unable to attend. An overview of results was handed to Members, and members of the public in attendance. Members noted that the results had been presented to show overall responses derived from 3 postcoded zones which included the whole Parish into the considerations. A copy is attached to these Minutes.

The Chairman invited comments from Members and Members of the Public in attendance, when the following points were raised:

· Some Members and members of the public questioned the structure of the survey, the way questions were phrased and the graded responses that could be given. It was noted that Parish Councillors were given the opportunity to review the survey questionnaire prior to it being sent out and had approved the format after some questions during that earlier meeting.

· Concern was expressed that the plan contained in the survey was a foregone conclusion, although it was also reported that there had been no budget or funding for any of the items on the survey.

· A request was received from a Member of the public that the Parish Council support minority views against any of the proposals in the survey. The Chairman noted that the Parish Council should support the views and interests of all residents within the Parish.

· A member of the public felt there were no suggestions on the survey for older people. The Chairman responded that he felt the footpaths, bridges and landscaping items were suitable for all age groups to enjoy.

· Some members of the public in attendance felt there should be no more play facilities within the parish as it was felt they could not be adequately policed.

· The BMX track had been included in the survey because it was an item specifically requested by a group of children following complaints two years ago when those children had been digging on the landfill and damaging the grass on public open space by using that land as a cycle track.

· Clarification was requested as to how comments made as part of the survey would be taken into consideration. It was also suggested that the the survey should be weighted in favour of those who responded who live in zone 1 (immediately adjacent to Abbey View Park).

· District Councillor Heather Davies, in attendance at the meeting, asked why supporters of the survey had not attended this meeting.

· Councillor Powell wished it to be Minuted that she does not agree with the Abbey View Park Survey, rejects the results and will not support the survey or the provision of play equipment in the proposed areas, but does support the bridges and footpaths. Councillors Schoffer and Newman also wished to indicate their rejection of the survey results.

· It was proposed that the survey be the subject of debate at the next Parish Council meeting with a view to rejecting the survey results and conducting a new survey with a yes/no response rather than the graded response.

· The Chairman advised that the Survey format mirrored UK and County Best Practice on public surveys

The Clerk noted that a commitment had been made to members of the public to present the results of the survey at a public meeting. She had therefore brought forward the Annual Parish Meeting, normally held on the same day as the Annual Parish Council Meeting, to Monday 21st April at the Northolme Centre, commencing at 7pm. Members ratified this action by the Clerk and confirmed that a representative from Herefordshire Council’s Parks and Countryside Department and the Herefordshire Partnership, who had advised on the survey format and collated the results of the survey, be asked to attend the meeting to answer any questions that might arise.

44/08 Parish Matters

(a) It was agreed that the next meeting consider the provision of an additional litter bin in Holmfirth Close as empty soft drinks cans, litter and supermarket trolleys are strewn around the area. Herefordshire Council Streetscene are aware of this and have also been made aware of the ongoing litter problems along the A465 trunk road.

(b) Councillor Newman suggested tha the lampposts be repositioned away from Brook Farm Court perimeter walls. It was agreed that the Parish Council supports the use of anti vandal paint on lamp posts adjacent to Brook Farm Court which are being used by children to climb the walls and enter private property.

(c) Some repairs to parish grass verges at Atherstone Close and Sydwall Road had taken place at the request of the Chairman in his District Councillor role. The standard of top soiling and reseeding was not considered to be of particularl good quality.

(d) The Chairman gave a report on a successful litter pick session by pupils from Riverside Primary School and supported by Herefordshire Council’s Streetscene and the Parish Council’s Pride in Parish volunteers.

(e) It was agreed that consideration be given at the next meeting to the use of the small plot of public open space at the end of Glastonbury Close as possible land for housing to reduce anti social behaviour that has been occurring at that site.

45/08 Public participation

During the final period of public participation the following items were raised:

· Although not against development of Abbey View Park, one resident expressed concern at potential unruly behaviour and the safety of older people using the area.

· Councillor Myatt read an extract from Herefordshire Council’s website where it was indicated that there are regular security patrols around Council owned/maintained parks within the County.

46/08 Date of next meeting

The next Parish Council meeting is the Annual Parish Council meeting which will take place on Monday 19th May at Belmont Community Centre, Eastholme Avenue, Belmont, commencing at 7pm.

There being no further business, the Chairman declared the meeting closed at 8.50pm