Present

Councillor Mrs E Overstall (Dulas) in the chair

Councillor Revd L Rickards     

Councillor Mrs M Williams (Rowlstone)

Councillor P Sheen (Rowlstone)

Councillor G Sprackling

Councillor W Lloyd (Llancillo)

Councillor P Jinman

Councillor Mrs J Addis

Councillor Mrs M Tovey

Councillor D Harries

The Clerk

In attendance:

Councillor Berris Williams (Pontrilas Ward Councillor)

1 member of the public

1

Apologies for Absence

Councillors J Middle, R Weaver, W Preece

2

Declaration of Interest

Councillor Mrs E Overstall declared an interest in item 12.1

Councillor P Jinman declared an interest in item 4.8

Councillors Mrs J Addis,, Mrs M Tovey and G Sprackling as members of the EHPCC declared an interest in items 7.10, 7.12 and 9.1

3

Minutes

The minutes of the ordinary meeting of the council held on Tuesday 6th September 2005 were approved with the following amendment:

Item 1 should include apologies from Councillor W Lloyd

Proposed: Councillor P Jinman

Seconded: Councillor G Sprackling

4

Matters for report (Not covered by separate agenda items)

4.1

Rowlstone Village Hall and Land

Councillor Mrs M Tovey reported that the diocesan solicitor had informed her that no paperwork existed but agreed that the land belongs to the community and not the diocese. It appears that the deeds may have been destroyed in a fire. The Clerk confirmed that no records had been placed at the County Records Office.

Councillor P Jinman suggested that the appropriate action should now be:

• Define ownership
• Define trustee status
• Clarify insurance. (Clerk to see copy of existing insurance and inform the PC’s insurers if necessary.

Resolved

That the Clerk should contact the County Solicitor so that the ownership could be properly recorded. Also the Clerk should clarify the situation of insurance with the village hall committee.

ACTION CLERK

4.2

Ragwort

Herefordshire Council are looking into the concerns raised over the amount of ragwort seen earlier this year on land that was their responsibility.

Resolved

That this is noted

4.3

BT Payphones

The phone in Ewyas Harold has been vandalised and is in need of repair.

Resolved

That the Clerk should report this to BT

ACTION CLERK

4.4

Licensing Powers

The Clerk has been informed by HC’s Licensing Office that officially from 24th November 2005 this function moves from Magistrates to County Councils, although in practice the move has already taken place. Parish Council’s are not involved and only if objections were raised would the CC possibly contact the PC.

Resolved

That this is noted

4.5

Village Artmarkers

The Clerk informed Councillors that a specific website was not available but limited information could be obtained through HC’s website. The Artmarkers Newsletter gives contact details if people have specific queries.

It has been confirmed that the funding application is in place and the Clerk will be contacted at end of year when situation should be clearer. It seems likely that money will be available to cover EHGPC’s registration costs.

Resolved

That this is noted.

4.6

Parish Plan

4.7

Llancillo Signs

Councillor W Lloyd reported that, despite Herefordshire Council being unwilling to instal place name signs, the residents of Llancillo would like EHGPC to continue with this work.

Resolved

That the Clerk would request costings from HC

ACTION CLERK

4.8

Access to Ewyas Harold Common

Copies of the questionnaire results supplied by Rhys Millar of Wildlife Trusts – Herefordshire were distributed to Councillors

Resolved

That the Clerk should send a letter of thanks to Rhys Millar, asking that the Council be kept informed of developments and offering any help that may be required.

ACTION CLERK

4.9

The sustainable Communities Bill

The intention of this bill is to help reverse Ghost Town Britain and promote sustainable communities according to the wishes of local councils and communities.

Resolved

That this Council supports this bill and passes the draft local authority resolution.

 See Appendix 1

Proposed: Councillor P Jinman

Seconded: Councillor Mrs M Tovey

Carried unanimously

5

Recreation Ground

6

Local Security Matters

There were no issues raised under this section

7

Correspondence

8

Lengthsman Scheme

8.1

Lengthsman work undertaken in August

Resolved

That this is noted

Lengthsman work undertaken in September

Resolved

That this is noted

8.2

Other Lengthsman Work

8.3

Lengthsman Funding

The Clerk informed Councillors that, given the reduced funding available, it was important that the level of lengthsman work was reviewed at Precept setting. It would also be helpful for the Lengthsman to be aware of the likely monthly hours available for this work.  Resolved

That this is noted

9

Financial Report

9.1

Payments for approval

9.2

Balances as at 24th September 2005

9.3

Lengthsman Scheme

9.4

Payments received

Resolved

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

Proposed Councillor Revd L Rickards

Seconded Councillor G Sprackling

Carried unanimously

9.5

Review of Parish Accounts

The Clerk presented the half-yearly report of the accounts. 

See appendix 2

10

Planning

10.1

Application number DCSW2005/2571/F

Planning Permission

Resolved

That this is noted

10.2

Application number DCSW2005/2221/F

Planning Permission

Resolved

That this is noted

10.3

Application number DCSW2005/2465/F

Refusal of Planning Permission

Resolved

That this is noted

11

Road Maintenance and Related Matters

12

Footpaths

13

Parish Newsletter

The draft copy of the autumn edition was approved

Resolved

That this is noted

It was agreed that the quality of the printing needed to be improved and that this may then lead to extra advertising revenue.

Resolved

That the Clerk should cost various options for consideration when setting the Precept for 2006/2007

ACTION CLERK

14

Parish Website

It was agreed that funding for improvements to the site should be considered when setting the next Precept. However, usage should be assessed to ascertain whether the site justified any extra expenditure.

Resolved

That this is noted.

15

Matters for Further Discussion

The Meeting closed at 9.50pm

Chairman

Date

Draft Local Authority Resolution

That Ewyas Harold Group Parish Council

i) expresses its concern at

• the decline of local services and facilities which affects local communities and in particular the elderly and people on the lowest incomes;
• the resulting decline of local jobs and local economies and the resulting extra traffic and pollution caused by the need to travel further

(ii) and notes that this combination of factors increases people’s feelings of exclusion and lack of involvement; and so

(iii) supports measures to reverse this process and

(iv) supports the concept of local sustainability as envisaged in the Sustainable Communities Bill, namely;

• the promotion of local economies
• the promotion of local services and facilities
• the protection of the environment
• the reduction of social exclusion and
• measures to increase involvement in the democratic process

(iv) and accordingly resolves to support the Sustainable Communities Bill which

• requires the government to assist councils and communities in promoting local sustainability in ways decided by them; and
• sets up a participative process whereby councils and communities can drive the way in which government uses its power and influence to assist with the promotion of local sustainability; and
• notes that this Bill is therefore fully in accord with current thinking in local government in that it impacts on central authorities and does not impose any new duties on councils but instead enables them to influence how government uses its resources and influence to help councils and communities; and
• specifically provides that where councils themselves decide to take action to promote local sustainability that they should be given the resources to do so; and so

(v) resolves to write to

• local MPs, asking them to support the Bill; and sign EDM (Early Day Motion) No. 641; and
• Local Works, the campaign behind the Bill, (at 94 White Lion St, London N1 9PF) expressing its support.

ANALYSIS OF EXPENDITURE 

 2005-2006

Spend (A)

Budget (B)

Remainder

Predicted

Comments

(B-A)

1st 6 months

End of Year

Fees/Subscriptions

1

£387.00

£440.00

£53.00

-£64.00

1

Insurance

2

£2,106.56

£2,097.72

-£8.84

-£8.84

Newsletter

3

£0.00

£250.00

£250.00

£0.00

Training

4

£30.00

£110.00

£80.00

-£70.00

2

Postage + Travel

5

£253.91

£400.00

£146.09

-£107.82

3

Stationery/Office Equipment

6

£151.68

£350.00

£198.32

£26.64

Salaries

7

£1,111.91

£3,541.28

£2,429.37

£144.53

4

Members Expenses

8

£0.00

£30.00

£30.00

£0.00

Hire of Premises

9

£39.00

£180.00

£141.00

-£9.00

Recreation Ground Grass Cutting

10

£0.00

£1,250.00

£1,250.00

£0.00

Hedge Laying/Trimming

11

£0.00

£200.00

£200.00

£0.00

Strimming

12

£0.00

£0.00

£0.00

£0.00

Water

13

£47.03

£120.00

£72.97

£25.94

Electricity

14

£100.58

£200.00

£99.42

-£1.16

Play Area Maintenance

15

£489.05

£1,200.00

£710.95

£221.90

5

Repairs

16

£68.02

£100.00

£31.98

£0.00

Cleaning

17

£0.00

£100.00

£100.00

£0.00

Maintenance of Flower Beds

18

£0.00

£50.00

£50.00

£0.00

Contingency/Signs

19

£119.13

£300.00

£180.87

£61.74

Verge Strimming

20

£0.00

£0.00

£0.00

£0.00

Parish Freighter/Litter Control

21

£535.31

£600.00

£64.69

-£355.31

6

Village Halls

22

£0.00

£150.00

£150.00

£0.00

Burial Grounds

23

£400.00

£550.00

£150.00

£0.00

Community/Youth Groups

24

£200.00

£50.00

-£150.00

-£200.00

7

Charities

25

£0.00

£50.00

£50.00

£0.00

Elections

26

£0.00

£250.00

£250.00

£0.00

Hire of Equipment

27

£0.00

£0.00

£0.00

£0.00

Capital Projects

28

£0.00

£1,950.00

£1,950.00

£0.00

8

Miscellaneous Expenditure

29

£0.00

£250.00

£250.00

£0.00

Parish Plan

30

£87.25

£0.00

-£87.25

9

Totals

£6,126.43

£14,769.00

£8,642.57

-£335.38

10

Comments: Only necessary if spend differs from budget by 10%

1

Increased fees to auditors, HALC and Community First

2

Training costs for Clerk so that Quality Council can be achieved (Cost of registration for CiLCA (£70) and part of training will be covered by grant)

3

Last year's spend £512. Hoped for savings have been somewhat eroded by increased postal charges and change in travel allowance payments.

4

Underpayment to Clerk of £661.29. This carry over would lead to employers stamp of £106 (without £40)

5

This figure a likely  overestimate given work currently be undertaken in play area

6

PF recharge means predicted overspend = £235. Precept figure set before aware of £150 charge from MH. Extra collections and increased hourly rates contribute to rest of overspend.

7

Cricket club grant not allowed for in precept

8

Embankment slide has cost £1000 (£250 over budget). This leaves £950 for safety surface around roundabout.

9

Any costs here will be covered by £891.02 remaining from Parish Plan grant

10

Repayment of £1,060 from Parish Plan will cover predicted overspend; together with income from lettings, adverts, interest, + sports club fees

Parish FootpathOfficer’s Report                   October 2005

DU8

I was pleased to see the letter from Paul Ratcliffe saying that the bridge over the Dulas brook is to be installed in 2006/07.

DU7

This needs a bridge across the ditch at the Home farm end, a stile over the fence in the first field and further work at the Common end of the path.

To be discussed first with the landowner.     

Jonathan Roger will supply materials for our contractor to install.

EH14

Walkers with barking dogs caused cattle to stampede in the field at the

Great Walk Mill farm end of the path. Some animals tried to leap over the new gate installed by Herefordshire Council this summer, landed on top and bent the top two rails. The gate is serviceable and there is no urgency to replace it but if the landowner, Mr B Parry, wishes to put in a new one he may do so and claim 25% of the cost of the gate and labour from Herefordshire Council.