Minutes of the Ewyas Harold Group Parish Assembly

held on Tuesday 2nd May 2006

in the Memorial Hall at 7.30p.m.

Present

Councillor Mrs E Overstall (Dulas) in the chair

Councillor D Harries

Councillor J Middle

Councillor R Weaver

Councillor G Sprackling

Councillor Mrs J Addis

Councillor Mrs M Tovey

Councillor Mrs M Williams (Rowlstone)

Councillor P Sheen (Rowlstone)

The Clerk

Record of Attendance

No members of the public were present.

Apologies for Absence

Councillors Revd L Rickards, W Preece

Minutes

The minutes of the Annual Group Parish Assembly held on Tuesday 10th May 2005 were approved without amendment

Matters Arising.

There were no matters arising

Annual Financial Report.

The Clerk presented the report attached as Appendix 1

Resolved

That the financial report be accepted

Carried unanimously

Chairman’s Report

The Chairman’s report is attached as Appendix 2

Public Forum

7.1	The Parish of Ewyas Harold There were no matters raised.
7.2	The Parish of Dulas There were no matters raised.
7.3	The Parish of Llancillo There were no matters raised.
7.4	The Parish of Rowlstone There were no matters raised.

The Meeting closed at 7.55pm

Appendix 1

ANALYSIS OF EXPENDITURE
			2005-2006
			Spend £	Spend £	% Variation	Comments
			2005-2006	2004-2005
	Fees/Subscriptions	1	506.00	498.00	1.61%
	Insurance	2	2,106.56	1,946.86	8.20%
	Newsletter	3	-	-
	Training	4	180.00	-		1
	Postage + Travel	5	488.53	512.16	-4.61%
	Stationery/Office Equipment	6	212.53	380.06	-44.08%	2
	Salaries	7	4,160.96	4,047.23	2.81%
	Members Expenses	8	-	-
	Hire of Premises	9	199.00	195.00	2.05%
	Recreation Ground Grass Cutting	10	899.76	1,006.02	-10.56%	3
	Hedge Laying/Trimming	11	156.00	202.00	-22.77%	4
	~~Strimming~~	12	-	-
	Water	13	183.25	336.44	-45.53%	5
	Electricity	14	214.91	226.95	-5.31%
	Play Area Maintenance	15	1,071.57	716.87	49.48%	6
	Repairs	16	206.02	253.35	-18.68%	7
	Cleaning	17	-	-
	Maintenance of Flower Beds	18	-	30.00
	Contingency/Signs	19	339.69	557.50	-39.07%	8
	~~Verge Strimming~~	20	-	-
	Parish Freighter/Litter Control	21	836.32	741.65	12.76%	9
	Village Halls	22	150.00	100.00	50.00%	10
	Burial Grounds	23	450.00	500.00	-10.00%	11
	Community/Youth Groups	24	200.00	-		12
	Charities	25	50.00	-		13
	Elections	26	-	-
	Hire of Equipment	27	-	-
	Capital Projects	28	1,216.00	921.71	31.93%	14
	Miscellaneous Expenditure	29	655.66	891.50	-26.45%	15
	Parish Plan	30	87.25	1,153.63	-92.44%	16
	Parish Paths Scheme	31	510.00	-		17
Lengthsman			2,941.00	5,313.81	-44.65%	18
	Totals		18,021.01	20,530.74	-12.22%	19
Comments Only necessary if spend differs from budget by 10%
1. Clerk training undertaken for CiLCA qualification
2. Better sourcing of supplies together with reduced outlay on ink/master sheets for Gestetner

3. Fewer number of cuts required as drier summer
4. Less trimming/laying required
5. Water leak in 2004/2005 bills gave artificially high comparitive cost

6. Expenditure increase due to necessary refurbishment of swings
7. Fewer maintenance issues
8. Slide removal costs in 2004/2005
9. Extra collections, increased hourly rates and higher Parish Feighter costs
10. Extra payment to Rowlstone Hall
11. No payment made to Llancillo churchyard
12. Donation of £200 to cricket club
13. Payment to Dore Community Transport
13. Payment to Dore Community Transport
14. Groundwork for embankment slide
15. Notice board costs in 2004/2005
16. Expenditure on Parish Plan nearing completion
17. First year of this scheme
18. Reduction in work in line with funding from Herefordshire Council
19. Reduction mainly due to reduced funding for Lengthsman work

BANK RECONCILIATION

EWYAS HAROLD GROUP PARISH COUNCIL

Financial year ending 31 March 2006

Prepared by A P Shipp, RFO					Date		2nd May 2006
Approved by Councilor Mrs E Overstall, Chairman					Date		2nd May 2006

Balance per bank statement as at 31 March 2006

Current account (NatWest)					144.22
Current account (Alliance & Leicester)					1,029.04
Reserve account (NatWest)					80.42
Instant Reserve account (Alliance & Leicester)					5,586.82
Lengthsman account					585.39
							7,425.89
				Cheque no	Amount
Less unpresented cheques
(Current Accounts)				700038	-425.47
				700047	-30.00
				700048	-50.00
				700050	-40.00
				700051	-450.00
				700052	-355.75
				700053	-75.18
				700054	-45.00
				700055	-100.00
				700056	-50.00
							-1,621.40
(Lengthsman Account)				63	-25.07
				64	-123.77
				66	-101.26
							-250.10

Net bank balances as at 31 March 2006							5554.39

Income to bank							173.75

Value of stock							12.00

Total cash and Stock 31 March 2006							5740.14


RFO				__________________________________________

Chairman				__________________________________________


	Annual Return for the year ended 31st March 2006

	Statement of Accounts
		Year Ending				% change

		31-Mar-05	31-Mar-06

1	Balances brought forward	£4,802	£2,915			-39.30%

2	(+) Annual precept	£12,435	£14,769			18.77%

3	(+) Total other receipts	£7,703	£7,721			0.23%

4	(-) Staff costs	-£4,047	-£4,160			2.79%

5	(-) Loan repayments	nil	nil

6	(-) total other payments	-£17,978	-£15,126			-15.86%

7	(=) balances carried forward	£2,915	£5,740			96.91%

8	Total cash & investments	£2,915	£5,740			96.91%

9	Total fixed assets	nil	nil

10	Total borrowings	nil	nil

	Explanation of significant variances

1	Balances brought forward	The reduction was a consequence of unbudgetted spending in 2004/2005 on setting up the website (£1,000), together with expenditure on replacement xmas lights (£350) and notice board (£380).




2	(+) Annual precept	Extra funding required to cover planned capital projects (£1950)


3	(+) Total other receipts	No change in overall funding but change in sources. Loss of Lengthsman income (£2400) and one-off refunds for electoral charges and water costs (£370). Replaced by grants for Parish Plan (£2000) and Parish Paths scheme (£1200)





6	(-) total other payments	Reduced Lengthsman costs (£2400)

7	(=) balances carried forward	The increase was the result of agreement to carry over money in budget codes for elections (£250), capital projects (£734), newsletter (£250), parish paths scheme (£690), and parish plan (£852) to cover planned expenditure in 2006/2007.





8	Total cash & investments	As above

Appendix 2 CHAIRWOMAN’S REPORT 2006

Over the last year there have been plenty of articles in the press about the decline of the rural countryside and its villages. Across the country, bus services are disappearing together with all the facilities that make rural life workable.

Here in South Herefordshire, we are very fortunate. Ewyas Harold is still a thriving community with a shop, a couple of pubs, a doctors’ surgery and even a school. Although 60% of the population is retired, we are not a retirement village. Neither are we blighted by large numbers of second homes. We are in fact “a nice mix” of long-term residents and newcomers, of young and old.

One of the things that has struck me this year, is how keen the newcomers are to contribute to community life. I’d like to say a special thank-you to them, because I know it’s not always easy when you move to a new place to make new friends, to settle down and to feel “at home”. There are a lot of newcomers here. Some have started new businesses, some have come here to retire. They are a fantastic source of energy and imagination, of skills and resources. We urgently need new, lively go-ahead councillors and I welcome the benefits that newcomers are bringing to this community.

Quality Parish Council. This council continues to work towards achieving Quality Parish Council Status. The Clerk has completed his training and is currently writing his portfolio which – hopefully – will result in him receiving the Certificate in Local Council Administration in about four months time. This means that we shall be eligible to apply for Quality Parish Council status in the early autumn. Qualification will enable us to obtain additional financial aid because it shows the world that we are a well-run and efficient council.

Councillors. Bill Lloyd, Councillor for Llancillo, retired this year and I would like to take this opportunity to thank him for over thirty years of service to the Community. Derek Harries was co-opted onto the GPC during the year and he has been getting up to speed as a councillor by attending HALC training courses. I should like to take this opportunity of thanking all councillors for their work during the year.

The Parish Plan. Thanks to the hard work of the Parish Plan Group we have completed our Parish Plan which may be found on our website www.ewyasharoldgpc.org.uk

We shall be supplying a printed version to residents shortly. The Parish Plan acts as a guide and a point of reference for this GPC and for other councils and interested organisations. It’s been a lot of work but we are seeing the benefits as action has been taken on many of the suggestions made by the community. I wish to thank everyone who has participated.

The Recreation Ground and children’s play area is our biggest financial commitment. The GPC follows RoSPA’s guidance in maintaining the equipment but it is hugely expensive to meet 21st century expectations and I do not believe local ratepayers should foot the bill. Grant Aid is the way forward. The GPC has received a £5000 grant from the Lottery and we are hoping for help from Herefordshire Council. The newly-formed Ewyas Harold Playground Users’ Group is assisting with additional Grant Aid applications. Our priority is to provide an up-to-date “Wetpour” safety surface. I know many children and their parents were disappointed when the slide had to be removed for safety reasons but I would like everyone to know that we have plans for some exciting new play equipment.

I would like to thank Isabelle Devereaux, the volunteer editor of our popular free newsletter, for her work over the last year. With a mix of local stories, useful information and local advertising it’s been a great success. I should also like to thank those councillors who have made an effort to contribute to the newsletter. It is important that we explain to taxpayers what the GPC is doing and why.

Parish Paths Partnership

This was our first year to maintain our own footpath network as part of the P3 scheme. Herefordshire Council has continued to deal with footpath problems leaving our Footpaths Officer, Peter Overstall free to walk the rights of way and identify maintenance problems. Many local people use the footpaths network on a daily basis and it is an important visitor attraction. We plan to produce a Ewyas Harold footpaths map shortly.

The Parish Freighter service continues to be much appreciated and I would like to thank Mr. Bowen at Pontrilas Garden Centre for providing space for Glass Recycling. It is hoped that this service will be extended to other materials in due course.

The Lengthsman Scheme continues to give us local control over small roadworks that make a big difference to the quality of our environment. The work is done at no extra charge to local taxpayers and our main problem is spending the money! I’d like to remind everyone to bring suitable jobs to the Clerk’s notice so that the community can make the most of the scheme.

The Memorial Hall

The Chairwoman of the Memorial Hall Committee, Caroline Jenkins, reports that it is the firm opinion of all that the Hall must move with the times and improve facilities. Last year’s VE and VJ Day Celebrations raised a considerable amount of funds and provided the opportunity to obtain black-out blinds, display boards and catering items for future use. Further fundraising by the Committee has involved monthly Bingo evenings, Hall Lottery and a Pudding Party.

The roof has been repaired with grant aid. The main hall, the ladies toilet and cloakroom have been redecorated and the main hall floor has been restored. It is planned to fit a grille to the Bar and to obtain new heaters for the lounge, a new cooker and new curtains for the hall windows. A seat in memory of Reg Michael will be put in place. The Village Events Committee have also agreed to buy new round tables for the Hall

On behalf of the Group Parish Council I would like to thank Caroline Jenkins and the Memorial Hall Committee for their work. I would like to take this opportunity to also thank the Village Events Committee and those who contributed to the VE & VJ Day Celebrations for their invaluable fundraising efforts. Rental income is no longer enough to maintain this ageing building. Fundraising is essential to keep our village hall going and bring it up to date.

The Ewyas Harold Castle Archaeological Group has been awarded a grant of just under £25,000 to investigate the history of the castle which is a Scheduled Ancient Monument and possibly a nationally important site. The group intends to involve the village in the investigations and has started with a course on Archaeology at the school. I congratulate them and look forward to learning more about the fascinating history of Ewyas Harold as the project develops.

Thank you to our councillors and Clerk

A council is only as good as its members and I would like to thank you all for the work you have done over the last 12 months. It all takes time, and I know that some councillors have put in a lot of time. I should like to thank our Clerk Andy Shipp who has become an invaluable and wise support to this council.

Councillor Liz Overstall

Chairwoman,

Ewyas Harold Group Parish Council

Annual Meeting of the Council – Tuesday 2nd May 2006

	Present
	Councillor Mrs E Overstall (Dulas) in the chair Councillor D Harries (took the chair after item 6) Councillor J Middle Councillor R Weaver Councillor G Sprackling Councillor Mrs J Addis Councillor Mrs M Tovey Councillor Mrs M Williams (Rowlstone) Councillor P Sheen (Rowlstone) Councillor P Jinman The Clerk

1	Apologies for Absence Councillors Revd L Rickards, W Preece
2	Minutes The minutes of the Annual Meeting of the Council held on Tuesday 10th May 2005 were approved without amendment
3	Matters Arising. There were no matters arising
5	Election of Chairman Councillor Mrs M Williams proposed Councillor Revd L Rickards and this was seconded by Councillor R Weaver. There were no other nominations. In the absence of Councillor Rickards the Clerk read out a letter on his behalf in which Councillor Rickards indicated that he was willing to stand but would be unable to carry out his duties until July 2006. Councillor Revd L Rickards was unanimously elected as Chairman for the ensuing year.
6	Election of Vice Chairman Councillor Mrs E Overstall proposed Councillor P Sheen who declined the nomination. Councillor D Harries proposed Councillor Mrs M Williams who declined the nomination. Councillor Mrs M Williams proposed Councillor D Harries and this was seconded by Councillor E Overstall. There were no other nominations. Councillor D Harries was unanimously elected as Vice-Chairman for the ensuing year.
7	Retiring Chairman Councillor J Middle proposed a vote of thanks for all the hard work that Councillor E Overstall had undertaken during her 3 year tenure as Chairman. He also noted the number of grants that Councillor Overstall had obtained for the community. This was unanimously supported by all Councillors
	The Meeting closed at 8.10pm

Minutes of the Ordinary Meeting of Ewyas Harold Group Parish Council

held on Tuesday 2nd May 2006

In the Memorial Hall at 8.10 p.m.

Present

Councillor D Harries in the chair

Councillor Mrs E Overstall

Councillor J Middle

Councillor R Weaver

Councillor G Sprackling

Councillor Mrs J Addis

Councillor Mrs M Tovey

Councillor P Jinman

Councillor Mrs M Williams (Rowlstone)

Councillor P Sheen (Rowlstone)

The Clerk

Apologies for Absence

Councillors Revd L Rickards, W Preece

Declaration of Interest

Councillor Mrs E Overstall declared an interest in item 12.1

Councillor P Jinman declared an interest in item 4.4

Minutes

The minutes of the ordinary meeting of the council held on Tuesday 7th March 2006 were approved with the following amendments:

Item 5.3.1 should read “Playground user group was formed in October 2005”

Item 7.37 should read “Mr R Mailes”

Carried unanimously

4.1

Rowlstone Village Hall

Application for registration is with the Land Registry. This process may take several months because of lack of deeds.

Resolved

That this is noted.

4.2

Improvements at EH Football Club

Councillor Revd L Rickards reported via email that the football club are hoping to develop their club with young people in mind. They are currently seeking accreditation from the FA to run youth football and are in conversations with various schools and businesses about the future. It is hoped that they will make a presentation to EHGPC when the plans are more developed.

Resolved

That this is noted.

4.3

Village Artmarkers

The planned consultations in May have been advertised via posters and the Newsletter. Flyers are also to be distributed.

Resolved

That this is noted.

The planned cheese and wine meeting will require funding of approximately £30.

Resolved

That EHGPC would donate this money.

4.4

Access to Ewyas Harold Common

Councillor Jinman reported that there have been several objections raised to the plans for a car park at the Cwm Hill Entrance. He also reported that unfortunately there appear to have been several incidents of people driving vehicles across the Common.

Resolved

That this is noted

Recreation Ground

5.1

Monthly Audit (March)

Public WC could do with a bleach clean

Resolved

That the Clerk would ask Martin Roper if he could do this work.

ACTION CLERK

5.2

Litter Bin

Extra litter bin has been delivered. It was agreed that this should be sited at the far side of the parking area adjacent to the nearest picnic table.

Resolved

That the Clerk should request that Martin Roper installs this bin.

ACTION CLERK

5.3

Play Area

5.3.1

Grants

Awards for All: £5,000 awarded

Small Funds Project: An application has been made for a grant of just under £1,000 to fund safety surfacing.

Network Fund: An application has been made for a grant of just under £7,000 to fund safety surfacing around the rotarider.

Resolved

That this is noted

People’s Millions: It is hoped to make a more ambitious application for up to £50,000 towards play equipment.

Resolved

That EHGPC supports this application

ACTION LO + CLERK

5.3.2

Play Surface

Quotations have been requested for wetpour safety surface

Wicksteed outstanding

DCM: Small Children’s area £11, 725, Large Children’s area £19,301. If both done together £26,970 (£4,000 saving)

Playquest require further information but as worst case would estimate £15,000 for small area(140 sq m) and £28,000 for large area (256 sq m)

Resolved

That this is noted

5.3.3

Embankment Slide

Martin Roper will cut the grass on the new mound ready for installation of the slide.

Quotations have been requested for the embankment slide

Mclays: £2690

Wicksteed: £2690,

Sutcliffe: quote still outstanding.

Resolved

That this is noted and that the Clerk should pursue the Sutcliffe quote.

ACTION CLERK

Local Security Matters

Quad Bike

Councillor Mrs M Williams reported that at the end of April a child’s quad bike had been stolen from a farm at Rowlstone. The police were aware of the situation.

Resolved

That this is noted.

Correspondence

	Sender	Content
7.1	Awards For All	Notification of success in obtaining grant of £5,000 towards play area resurfacing. Resolved That this was noted in item 5.3.1
7.2	Herefordshire Voluntary Action	Voluntary Sector Assembly News – April 2006
7.3	Allianz Cornhill	Renewal of Local Councils Insurance The Clerk reported that he had been unable to find a suitable insurer to provide a competitive quote. Resolved That this is noted
7.4	HC Adult & Community	Parish Plans Surgery Event
7.5	HC Adult & Community	Disability Consultation Poster
7.6	HC Adult & Community	Notice of public meetings
7.7	HALC	Information Corner – 10.4.06 Paperwork to given to Councillors at meeting
7.8	HALC	Legal Topic Note - Section 137
7.9	HALC	Legal Topic Note – Local Councils and Trustees
7.10	HALC	Ian Howard Associates – Herefordshire Parish Plans
7.11	HC Environment	Details of Lengthsman contract for 2006/7 Resolved That this was noted in item 9.3
7.12	HC Adult & Community	Details of P3 scheme funding for 2006/7 Resolved That this was noted in item 9.4
7.13	Community First	Membership renewal for 2006-2007
7.14	Glasdon UK	Street Furniture catalogue
7.15	Rowlstone Hall	Acknowledgement of £50 donation
7.16	EH Memorial Hall	Acknowledgement of £100 donation
7.17	HM Tax Office	On-line registration papers
7.18	CPRE	Reminder of lapsed membership
7.19	HC Corporate	Paperwork for Councillor vacancy HC notices of vacancy have been posted Resolved That this is noted
7.20	HALC	Agenda for Southern Area Meeting 24th April 2006
7.21	PCCG	Notice of Public Meeting at Ledbury 25th April 2006
7.22	Herefordshire Voluntary Action	Approach for entry into Parish Newsletter Resolved That this should be discussed as an agenda item in June
7.23	HC Adult + Community	Acknowledgement of application to Small Funds Project Resolved That this was noted in item 5.3.1
7.24	HC Register of Electors	Notice of alteration for Dulas Parish (email)
7.25	HC Register of Electors	Notice of alteration for Ewyas Harold Parish (email)
7.26	Wicksteed	Embankment slide quotation (email) Resolved That this was noted in item 5.3.3
7.27	Mclays	Embankment slide quotation (email) Resolved That this was noted in item 5.3.3
7.28	Lloyd Rickards	Email communication for Annual Meeting Resolved That this was noted in the Annual Meeting and in item 4.2
7.29	Pontrilas Timber	Renewable energy plant. Resolved That the Council were interested in this venture and that the Clerk should request more details. ACTION CLERK
7.30	DCM	Quote for resurfacing play area Resolved That this was noted in item 5.3.2
7.31	Dore Community Transport	Leaflets for notice board Paperwork given to Councillor G Sprackling
7.32	Wicksteed	Catalogue 2006
7.33	Paul Ratcliffe	Dulas Brook Footbridge Resolved That this was noted in item 12.2
7.34	Play Quest	Response to request for play area safety surface quotation Resolved That this was noted in item 5.3.2
7.35	HM Revenue & Customs	Employer Bulletin – April 2006 Issue 23
7.36		Clerks & Councils Direct – May 2006 Issue 45
7.37	West Mercia Constabulary	Golden Valley News Beat April 2006-05-03 Paperwork to Councillors with minutes
7.38	Computershare	Annual Statement of interest from William Pye Charity

Lengthsman Scheme

8.1

Lengthsman work undertaken in April

Date	Work	Hours
10.4.06	Roll new grass in Priorsfield	45/60
13.4.06	Mow verge in GilbertsWood	15/60
20.4.06	Mow verge in Priorsfield	15/60
22.4.06	Cut grass surround in Playing field	60/60
27.4.06	Mow verge in Gilberts Wood	15/60
27.4.06	Mow verge in Priorsfield	15/60
28.4.06	Clear trees from brook by chip shop
	Paint railing	225/60
	TOTAL	390/60

28.4.06	I LITRE BLACK PAINT	£14.50

Resolved

That this is noted

8.2

Painting of Ironwork in Ewyas Harold Village Centre

Herefordshire Jarvis Services declined to provide a quote but Martin Roper has now begun the work

Resolved

That this is noted

8.3

Ditching

Ditching identified in King Street and Rowlstone will be carried out in May. It was noted that the ditching in Rowlstone crossed a footpath and stile.

Resolved

That the Clerk would request that access to the stile was made good after the ditching was completed.

ACTION CLERK

8.4

Gulley at Methodist Church

It was reported that the gulley at the gateway opposite the Methodist Church required clearing.

Resolved

That the Clerk would ask Martin to undertake this work.

ACTION CLERK

8.5

Dark Lane Gullies

Several gullies in this lane including the one at the junction with School Lane appear to be blocked

Resolved

That the Clerk would ask Martin to check the gullies in this area

ACTION CLERK

Financial Report

9.1

Payments for approval

Clerk salary	£	439.65
Clerk stationery/office supplies	£	14.25
Clerk postage	£	18.45
Clerk travel	£	25.30
HM Inland Revenue (PAYE £3.80, NI £2.90 employee £3.37 employer)	£	10.07
Mr James Bailey – Printing of Newsletter	£	46.00
Glasdon – Litter bin for Recreation Ground	£	191.80
npower – Electricity for pavilion 2/1/06 to 7/4/06	£	41.24
Allianz Cornhill – Renewal of EHGPC’s insurance policy	£	2208.78
Herefordshire Council – Parish Freighter 2006/2007	£	232.68
Herefordshire Jarvis Services – April Roadsweep	£	70.50
Martin Roper – replacement for spoiled cheque 000064 (It was noted that a credit would have to be recorded for this returned cheque)	£	123.77
Community First	£	34.00
Martin Roper – Lengthsman work in April	£	120.38
Martin Roper Rubbish collection and grass cutting in April	£	43.05

9.2

Balances as at 25th April 2006

NatWest Current account	£	5141.22
Unpresented cheques	£	1000.47
Cheques/cash to be credited	£	937.88
NatWest Business Reserve	£	7844.83
Alliance + Leicester Current account	£	1108.11
Alliance + Leicester Deposit account	£	5065.46
Total cash assets Consisting of:	£	19,097.03
Precept funds	£	12,044.28
Parish Path Funds	£	1,200.00
Parish Plan Funds	£	852.75
Awards for All Grant	£	5,000.00

9.3

Lengthsman Scheme

Balance (25th April 2006)	£	335.29
Unpresented cheques	£	nil
Balance available but not yet claimed	£	2,229.95
Available funds to cover Lengthsman work Apr 06- Mar 07 (annual allocation £2,229.95)	£	2,565.24

9.4

Payments received

Clerk’s Bursary	£	195.00
Parish Paths Scheme	£	510.00
Precept (Apr to Sept payment)	£	7,764.41
Awards for All Grant (Safety Surface)	£	5,000.00
Sale of Electricity + Water to EHFC	£	232.88

Resolved

That the financial statement is accepted and that payments should be made.

Proposed Councillor J Middle

Seconded Councillor Mrs E Overstall

Carried unanimously

Planning

10.1

Application number DCSW2006/0339/F

Notification of Planning Permission

Site:	Doyre House, Pontrilas. Herefordshire HR2 0EH
Description:	Conversion of mixed residential/retail use building to four residential units.

Resolved

That this is noted.

10.2

Application number DCSW2006/0792/F

Site:	2 Harold Cottages, Ewyas Harold. Herefordshire. HR2 0EZ
Description:	Two storey extension to the side of the existing cottage.
Application type:	Full
Applicant:	Mr + Mrs M Price, 2 Harold Cottages, Ewyas Harold. Herefordshire. HR2 0EZ

Resolved

That EHGPC have no objections to this amended application.

(plans viewed prior to meeting)

Road Maintenance and Related Matters

11.1	Street lighting in Gilbert’s Wood The faulty light in Gilbert’s Wood has now been repaired. Resolved That this is noted
11.2	Litter on A465 A team revisited Pontrilas on 13/4/06. Resolved That this is noted
11.3	Trees in EH Village Centre Martin Roper has cut back some trees but there still some on the bank next to the Post Office which require attention. Resolved That the Clerk asks Martin Roper to undertake this work. If this is not possible the Clerk should report the necessary work to HC. ACTION CLERK.
11.4	Prill Lane Potholes The potholes have been repaired. Resolved That this is noted.
11.5	Pothole on Dulas Mill to Abbey Dore Road The pothole has been reported to HC. Councillor Mrs E Overstall stated that until the drainage was sorted this pothole would keep re-appearing as there was a spring in the road. This problem together with an excessive number of salt containers had been reported to HC several months ago and nothing has been done to improve the situation. Resolved That the Clerk would take up these issues with HC ACTION CLERK
11.6	Rowlstone Road Markings HC have agreed to look into this problem. Resolved That this is noted
11.7	Pudding Street Drain A storm water drain grid has dropped leaving a potentially dangerous hole in the road above it. This has been reported to HC but the work is still outstanding. Resolved That this is noted
11.8	Drains near Little Walk Mill Farm The improvement works agreed with HC last year have still to be undertaken. HC have agreed to report back on this problem. Resolved That this is noted
11.9	Priors Field Two areas of subsidence on the footway have been reported to HC and the work completed. Resolved That this is noted
11.10	Dulas- Longtown Road C1213 There are a series of vertical posts that warn drivers not to stray off the road on the small hill that lies above the big field known as The Lawns, between Dulas Court and the Old Trout. Many of these posts are now broken or fallen down and need attention. This was reported to HC in 2005 and the work is still outstanding. Resolved That the Clerk would remind HC of this problem ACTION CLERK

Footpaths

12.1

Parish Footpaths Officer (PFO)

No report was received this month.

Resolved

That this is noted

12.2

Dulas Brook Footbridge

Paul Ratcliffe of Herefordshire Council has informed the Clerk that work on replacing this missing bridge will not be funded until at least 2007/2008.

Resolved

That this is noted

12.3

Access from Recreation Ground

12.3.1 Liabilities re Sports Clubs

There has been discussion on liabilities associated with access to Mr Parry’s Land resulting from sporting/social activities on the Recreation Ground.

Cricket Club believes their insurance would cover these liabilities but the company believes it would be a test case.

Football Club do not believe their insurance would cover this liability

Allianz Cornhill would only guarantee covering liabilities of EHGPC and their legal helpline thought that all insurers would be called in to settle dispute as per car insurance. Every incident would be seen as a test case.

Resolved

That the Clerk requests additional information from Herefordshire Council and the Playing Fields Association. It may also prove helpful to discuss the issue with NFU Mutual.

ACTION CLERK

12.3.2 Access to Dulas Brook

A temporary lock has been fitted to the gate on the Recreation Ground.

Resolved

That the gate will remain locked until the issue of liability associated with access to the brook is resolved.

That the Clerk will view EHGPC’s original deeds held at the County Records Office.

ACTION CLERK

Parish Newsletter

Councillor Mrs E Overstall reported that it was hoped to include local school input in the future but better printing quality would be required.

Resolved

That Councillor Overstall look into the possibility of this being funded through grant money

ACTION LO

Parish Website

The Newsletter page requires updating.

ACTION CLERK

The Meeting closed at 9.45pm

Chairman

Date

NEXT MEETING June 6th 2006

Future Meetings

July 4th

Aug 8th

Sept 5th

Oct 3rd

Nov 7th

Dec 5th