ANNUAL REPORT 2007/2008

Councillors and Officers:

Dulas

Councillor Mrs Liz Overstall

Little Cwm, Dulas HR2 0HL  

01981 240122

Councillor Mr Bill Preece

Little Walk Mill, Dulas. HR2 0HJ

01981 240706

Ewyas Harold

Councillor Mrs Jean Addis

5 Gilberts Wood, Ewyas Harold. HR2 0JL

01981 240073

Councillor Mrs Madeleine Bradley

Home Farm, Dulas. HR2 0HJ

01981 241108

Councillor Mr Derek Harries                     VICE CHAIRMAN

2 Cedar Mews, Dark Lane, Ewyas Harold. HR2 0EZ

01981 240936

Councillor Mr John Middle

Hall Meadow, King Street, Ewyas Harold. HR2 0HA

01981 240540

Councillor Mr Richard Mailes

Priory Vale, King Street, Ewyas Harold. HR2 0HA

01981 240476

Councillor Mr Peter Jinman

Spring Bank, Ewyas Harold Common. HR2 0JD

01981 240409

Councillor Mr Ron Weaver

Weir End, Ewyas Harold. HR2 0ES

01981 240553

Vacancy

Rowlstone

Councillor Mrs Mary Williams

Rowlstone Court, Rowlstone. HR2 0DW

01981 240322

Councillor Mr Paul Sheen      CHAIRMAN

Primrose Cottage, Pudding St, Rowlstone. HR2 0DN

01981 240041

Llancillo

Vacancy

Parish Clerk

Mr Andy Shipp 

Berry Bach, Llanvihangel Crucorney. NP7 8EG

01873 890974

Parish Footpaths Officer

Dr Peter Overstall

Little Cwm, Dulas HR2 0HL

01981 240122

Annual Finance Report 2007-2008

A more detailed report will be presented as an agenda item at the Annual Meeting of the Parish Council

Income

Balances brought forward

£26,257

Annual Precept 2007/2008

£16,959

Grant awards

£42,425

Vat reclaim

£11,486

Other Income

£5,761

TOTAL

£102,888

Expenditure

Major areas identified

Play Area Development

£70,399

Recreation Ground

£2,089

Staff costs

£5,925

Lengthsman

£2,501

Insurance

£2,797

Parish Freighter/Litter

£1,615

Parish Paths Scheme

£1,030

Artmarkers

£1,292

Other

£4,227

TOTAL

£91,875

Balances carried forward

£11,013

Annual Precept 2008/2009

£18,803

Activity during 2007-2008

Parish Meetings

Period from April 2007 to March 2008

12

Attendance

Planning

Applications reviewed

22

Applications requiring site meeting

2

Parish Plan

Review meetings

1

Capital Projects

New play area

Parish Footpaths

Lengthsman

Minor local highway maintenance now in its 6th year

Newsletter

4 issues published and distributed

Website

Maintained and improved  (see www.ewyasharoldgpc.org.uk)                  

                                                Chairman’s Report May 2008 

In preparation for my first report as Chairman I thought it would useful to read previous reports, which was most pleasing as it has highlighted how many issues/items have been progressing at a steady pace.

The first major change over the last year has been the installation of the new play area equipment.  I feel this has in the main been well received by the community, but we are well aware of the issues/concerns about providing something for the teenagers of our community, and this is an on-going project and perhaps things might happen in the coming year.  Continuing with the Recreation Ground, we have also seen the creation of a new notice board which keeps within the character of the “new look” play area.

Secondly the Parish Paths Scheme has finally being utilised to the full and I am pleased to see that we are using the capital which has been assigned to us from Herefordshire Council to keep our many footpaths in good order. Obviously it goes without saying that we welcome any information from the general public about work that needs to be carried out, therefore ensuring that this annual cash amount is spent, or we might be in danger of losing it.

Thirdly our quest to gain “Quality Parish Status” has continued to move forward and I feel this would be a welcome achievement for the group.  As mentioned in previous reports obtaining this will open more doors for the Group Parish Council in particular possible access to additional grants for future projects.

New items/projects to get off the ground over the last 12 months have comprised of the following:

1          Village Warden Scheme

This was initiated in 2007and I think we would all agree has been a huge success, initial feedback provided by existing users stated that the scheme has made a lot of difference to their quality of life and individuals were now more confident of remaining independent in their own home.  The funding for this project initially lasted until March this year and we believe that the Red Cross has recently made a bid for extra funding but currently only have enough money to continue until June this year.  Let’s hope money can be made available for this valuable service to continue.

2          First Responder

Following a request for volunteers in 2007 this scheme was initiated by EHGPC and co-ordinated by Councillor Liz Overstall. The training has now been completed and the potentially life saving service went live at the end of April 2008. This scheme is run by unfunded volunteers and it is a credit that so many local people are prepared to freely give up their spare time.

3          New Neighbourhood Watch System

The revamped system introduced by CSO Rosina Cathcart seems to be working well and the network of email contacts ensures that local security issues are quickly broadcast throughout the community.

It was noted last year that two of our long standing Councillors, Margaret Tovey and Graham Sprackling, were stepping down and we therefore needed to find replacements not only for them but also the outstanding vacancy for Llancillo.  We did receive two new Councillors, but unfortunately one has since resigned, it has therefore highlighted once again the difficulty to fill these vacancies.  Somehow we need to try and generate more interest from the community to get involved.  

Moving forward, I hope we continue with the challenges ahead, in particular the continuation of our successful Newsletter/Group Parish Website. In addition we need to address issues concerning our existing Parish Plan and see what we achieved so far and also what still needs to be done.

I would like to thank all Councillors for their support over the last year which has made my roll as Chairman much easier, we are fortunate to have a group of people trying their best to make things happen and often this goes unrewarded. I would particularly like to thank again our Clerk, Andy Shipp, whose dedication to the role helps all of us and without him I do believe we would be a ship without a rudder.

Councillor Paul Sheen

Chairman

Ewyas Harold Group Parish Council