|
|
|
Present |
|
Councillor P Sheen in the chair
Councillor Mrs M Williams (Rowlstone)
Councillor D Harries
Councillor G James
Councillor Mrs J Webb
Councillor B Krige
Councillor P Jinman
Councillor R Baker
Councillor Mrs M Bradley
Councillor Mrs E Overstall (Dulas)
In attendance:
The Clerk , 1 member of the public
|
|
Public Forum |
|
No items raised |
|
|
1 |
Apologies for Absence
None received
|
2 |
Declaration of Interests
Cllr Mrs E Overstall item 7.14
Cllr Mrs M Williams item 10.1
|
3 |
Minutes
The minutes of the ordinary meeting of the council held on Tuesday 3rd November 2009 were approved without amendment.
|
4.1 |
Parish Freighter |
|
Provisional bookings have been placed with Herefordshire Council for February 20th and March 27th 2010 at 2 pm.
Resolved
That this is noted.
|
4.2 |
Contractor Advert |
|
Draft contract is with HALC for approval. Advertisement will be placed once this is returned.
Resolved
That this is noted.
|
4.3 |
Power of Well Being
Training session has been booked for Thursday February 4th 2010 at 7.30pm in the Memorial Hall.
Resolved
That this is noted.
|
5 |
Recreation Ground |
|
5.1 |
Monthly Audit.
- Perimeter fence – As previously reported there are areas that need repair.
- Litter by pavilion continues to be a problem.
- Toilets – require cleaning.
- Planted area – bottles and cans dumped here.
- Flat Seat Swings – small portion of seat broken off
- Play Area Sign – this requires replacing.
- Leaking drain valve – on outside tap of pavilion (will be on list for appointed contractor)
- Damaged bin – lid has been ordered for bin by Play Area
- Dave Gladwin – letter highlighting state of footpath by picnic area and rubbish in brook
ACTIONS CLERK |
5.2 |
Play Area
Roundabout
Hags still to arrange for engineer to visit but they have promised to book this for the coming week.
Resolved
That this is noted.
|
5.3 |
Toilets
Clerk reported that he believed that a spare key has been cut but the key holder had not been identified to him. Internal bolts had been repaired by persons unknown but with no method for opening in an emergency other than forcing secured door.
Resolved
That the Clerk finds out who holds the new spare key and reminds them of the responsibility of leaving the locked toilet clean and tidy so that it is available for private bookings of the pavilion.
That the Clerk should arrange for the internal bolts to be replaced with ones suitable for emergency access.
That a key should be made available for the Councillor undertaking the monthly audit so that they could monitor the situation.
ACTIONS CLERK
|
5.4 |
Dog Control
Costs have been obtained from Amey (registered contractor with Herefordshire Council) for installing and emptying dog bins
- Installing and supplying bin £248+vat (per bin)
- Collection £33.30+vat (per visit) – meaning if:
Fortnightly collections - cost £865.80 per year
Weekly collections - cost £1,731.60 per year
The majority of Councillors felt that these costs were too high to justify the expense. Alternatives were considered but the approach of better signage and encouraging owners to take their bags home for disposal was adopted.
Resolved
That Clerk should get details of suitable signs
ACTION CLERK
Robert Barnett (West Mercia Police) has replied in response to the request to the Chief Constable. The attachment identified powers of Community Support Officers (CSOs) including issuing of fixed penalty notices for dog fouling.
Resolved
That Clerk should clarify the situation with the local CSOs, as it was claimed that this was not possible without appropriate tickets.
ACTION CLERK
|
|
6 |
Local Security Matters
No items raised other than those reported in communications from police
|
7 |
Correspondence |
|
|
Herefordshire Council |
7.1 |
Copy of Cllr Jarvis’s letter re future of Parish Freighter Service.
Resolved
That this was noted under item 9.5 |
7.2 |
Anthony Bush – response re BT’s latest “Adopt Your Red Phone Box”
It was noted that the advice was to ignore BT’s latest campaign |
7.3 |
Herefordshire Compact - Volunteering Code of Practice |
7.4 |
Amey – Acknowledgement of road maintenance requests raise under Parish Initiative |
7.5 |
Anthony Bush – project to support parish energy reduction (respond by 15th December)
Resolved
That the Clerk should register an interest on behalf of the GPC
ACTION CLERK |
|
Local Council Associations/SLCC |
7.6 |
SLCC – The Clerk, November 2009 |
7.7 |
SLCC – CPD courses Nov/Dec 2009 |
|
Group Parish Council |
7.8 |
Bill Preece – written confirmation of his resignation from the GPC |
7.9 |
Dave Gladwin – condition of Recreation Ground after Bonfire Night
Resolved
That this was noted under item 5.1 |
|
Other |
7.10 |
Environment Agency – notice of intention to change internal operational boundaries.
Resolved
That this was noted |
7.11 |
Hereford Museum & Art Gallery – Ana Maria Pacheco sculpture and small prints, 11th Nov 09 to 6th Jan 10 (poster) |
7.12 |
Community First – Newsline, Autumn 2009 |
7.13 |
Clerks & Councils Direct, November 2009
|
7.14 |
Community First Responders(CFRs) – Application for funding and information relating to organisation
Resolved
That the Clerk should write a letter of support to the CFRs
ACTION CLERK
That the request for a donation should be considered at precept setting |
7.15 |
Robert Barnett (West Mercia Police) – Community Support Officer powers
Resolved
That this was noted under item 5.4 |
7.16 |
Herefordshire Wildlife Trust – Ewyas Harold Common Update – Exmoor Ponies introduction, Habitats for grass snakes
Resolved
That this is noted.
|
7.17 |
Marmax – catalogue of outdoor furniture made using recycled plastic |
7.18 |
Christine Griffiths – Credit card scam (caller requests security number) |
7.19 |
HM Revenue & Customs – Employer Talk |
7.20 |
DC Gardening Services – request to be considered for ground maintenance works. |
7.21 |
Herefordshire Ringmaster – Hit and run incident on A49 (Much Birch) on 26/11/09 |
7.22 |
Herefordshire Ringmaster – Leominster Rural Beat Bulletin |
7.23 |
Herefordshire Ringmaster – Community Safety Trailer – Hereford High Street 4-8pm on Wed 9th December 2009 |
7.24 |
Christine Griffiths – Golden Valley Policing Newsletter, Dec 09
Paperwork to Councillors |
|
8 |
Lengthsman Scheme |
|
|
8.1 |
Lengthsman work undertaken in November. |
|
Date |
Work |
Hours |
14/11 |
Check drains and gullies and clear as required |
480/60 |
23/11 |
Clear drains and empty gully by EH School |
60/60 |
|
|
|
|
TOTAL |
540/60 |
|
|
Resolved
That this is noted and approved
|
9 |
Financial Report |
9.1 |
Payments for approval |
|
|
Clerk salary |
£ |
535.78 |
Stationery/Office Expenses |
£ |
32.77 |
Clerk postage |
£ |
5.47 |
Clerk travel |
£ |
18.78 |
HM Inland Revenue (PAYE £8.60 NI £8.45 employee £9.83 employer) |
£ |
26.88 |
Graphic Pavement Signs Ltd - Notice board |
£ |
207.00 |
Amey Wye - Road sweep Nov 09 |
£ |
69.00 |
Black Hill Computer Software – Website hosting 09/10 |
£ |
84.00 |
Martin Roper – Lengthsman work November |
£ |
159.60 |
Martin Roper - Waste collection November |
£ |
80.00 |
Martin Roper – Tidying Play Area November |
£ |
17.73 |
SLCC – Membership renewal 2010
|
£ |
95.00 |
|
9.2 |
Balances as at 1st December 2009 |
|
NatWest Current account |
£ |
3007.03 |
Unpresented cheques |
£ |
10.00 |
Cheques/cash to be credited |
£ |
50.00 |
NatWest Business Reserve |
£ |
6,289.70 |
Alliance + Leicester Current account |
£ |
481.63 |
Alliance + Leicester Deposit account |
£ |
9,273.00 |
Total cash assets
Consisting of: |
£ |
19,091.36 |
Precept funds |
£ |
17,695.28 |
Lengthsman Scheme
Balance available but not yet claimed |
£ |
1910.25 |
Administration charge outstanding |
£ |
63.63 |
Available funds for remainder of financial year
(annual allocation £2,547.00) |
£ |
1786.69 |
|
£ |
59.93 |
Parish Path Funds |
£ |
882.40 |
Parish Plan Funds |
£ |
453.75 |
|
|
|
|
9.3 |
Payments Received
|
|
Golden Valley Construction – Newsletter advert |
£ |
25.00 |
Rowlestone Farmhouse Icecream |
£ |
25.00 |
|
|
|
|
Resolved
That the monthly financial statement is accepted and that payments should be made.
Carried unanimously |
9.4 |
Six Monthly Budget Report |
|
The Clerk presented an analysis of expenditure for the year so far (see Appendix 1). All expense codes are likely to remain within budget except water costs. The Clerk will review usage and report to Councillors in January.
ACTION CLERK
|
9.5 |
Precept 2010/11 |
|
After discussion the figures presented in November remained unaltered apart from the budgets for:
- Litter Control/Parish Freighter. The withdrawal of the subsidy from Herefordshire Council will mean an extra cost to the GPC of £340 per visit.
Standing Orders were suspended temporarily to allow the views of the member of the public to be heard.
Resolved
That the value of maintaining this service was recognised but to manage costs the number of visits would have to be reduced to 4 per year – budget increase from £1,400 to £2,700.
That the Clerk should find out what other Councils are doing and that the Council should review this service throughout the year
ACTION CLERK
The importance of the CFRs was acknowledged and it was felt that this service should be supported financially
Resolved
That a one-off award of £500 should be identified within the precept – budget increase from £100 to £600
Proposed
That precept for 2010/11 should be set at £18,189.18 (see Appendix 2)
Carried unanimously
It was noted that it was important that residents were made aware that the reason for the increase in precept was to maintain the parish freighter service.
|
10 |
Planning |
10.1 |
Planning Application DMSW092728/F
|
|
Site: |
Rowlestone Court, Rowlestone, Herefordshire HR2 0DW |
Description: |
Proposed building for visitor centre and walk-in freezer associated with ice cream production. |
Application Type: |
FULL |
Applicant: |
Mr Mark Williams, Rowlestone Court, Rowlestone, Herefordshire
HR2 0DW |
|
|
Resolved
That the GPC has no objections to this application |
10.2 |
Planning Application DMSW092791/S
Agricultural Operations Prior Approval Not Required |
|
Site: |
The Vedw, Rowlestone, Herefordshire HR2 0DR |
Description: |
Roof over existing cattle handling area. |
Application Type: |
FULL |
Applicant: |
Mr D J Farr, The Vedw, Rowlestone, Herefordshire HR2 0DR |
|
|
Resolved
That this is noted
|
11 |
Road Maintenance and Related Matters |
11.1 |
The following issues have been logged with Amey:
- U74419 (Hill Lane) - Erosion of pitch stones
- Elmdale Estate – lack of dropped kerbs
- C1213 junction to Lower Cefn – safety check required on footbridge
- Signpost opposite Temple Bar – lettering worn and indistinct
- Rowlstone Lane – (Grid ref 3386-2270) – blocked road drain logged as urgent due to extensive flooding – Lengthsman has been asked to monitor situation
The following blocked drains and pipes have been reported after the Lengthsman has been unable to effect a repair:
- C1213 (Castle Orchard)
- U74418 (The Wigga)
- U74413 (Grid Ref 3354-2259)
- C1219 (Grid Ref 3376-2269)
- U74420 (Grid Ref 3376-2267)
- U74420 (Grid Ref 3377-2263)
- C1219 (Pen-y-Lan)
Resolved
That this is noted
|
11.2 |
Potholes Rowlestone
Deep potholes have formed in the C1219, U74420 (Pudding Street) and U74421 (Vroe Road)
Resolved
That the Clerk should report these to Amey
ACTION CLERK |
11.3 |
B4347 Abbey Dore Road
Gulley is eroding back under road surface opposite to footpath EH7 resulting in unsupported section. This has been reported on two occasions but no remedial work has been undertaken.
Resolved
That the Clerk should report this to Amey
ACTION CLERK
|
12 |
Footpaths
|
12.1 |
Footpaths Officer’s Report |
|
Nothing to report
|
13 |
Newsletter
|
|
13.1 |
December Issue - The draft was approved for publication with minor amendments.
|
13.2 |
Role of Editor – The current editor stated that undertaking this post had given him a good insight into the difficulties of gathering enough information to produce an interesting Newsletter. He commended Cllr Mrs E Overstall for having managed to produce such a Newsletter for so many issues.
After a discussion on the possibility of a rotating editor Cllr Overstall agreed to edit the next publication in March provided that other Councillors would undertake to write articles for the issue.
Cllrs Krige, Harries, Jinman and Sheen indicvated that they would be prepared to be contributors |
|
14 |
Parish Website
- Community diary – no uptake as yet other than updates from Clerk.
- Some more changes have been made to the Freedom of Information page.
Resolved
That this is noted.
|
|
The Meeting closed at 9.30pm |
|
Chairman
Date
NEXT MEETING January 5th 2010
Future Meetings :
February 2nd
March 2nd
April 6th
|
|
Appendix 1 |
|
ANALYSIS OF EXPENDITURE |
|
|
2009/10 |
2008/9 |
Budget Heading |
Budget No |
Spend
(£) |
Budget (£) |
Projected (£) |
Spend
(£) |
Fees/Subscriptions |
1 |
626.27 |
800.00 |
715.00 |
1,024.73 |
Insurance |
2 |
2,385.92 |
2,935.89 |
2,385.92 |
2,954.70 |
Newsletter |
3 |
80.00 |
480.00 |
320.00 |
385.00 |
Training |
4 |
0.00 |
120.00 |
0.00 |
300.00 |
Postage + Travel |
5 |
298.70 |
525.00 |
450.00 |
510.96 |
Stationery/Office Equipment |
6 |
137.34 |
200.00 |
200.00 |
184.63 |
Office Equipment Reserve |
7 |
51.46 |
500.00 |
51.46 |
0.00 |
Salaries |
8 |
4,331.44 |
6,568.14 |
6,581.62 |
6,527.58 |
Members Expenses |
9 |
0.00 |
30.00 |
0.00 |
0.00 |
Hire of Premises |
10 |
60.00 |
300.00 |
280.00 |
226.00 |
Recreation Ground Grass Cutting |
11 |
1,284.27 |
1,284.27 |
1,284.27 |
998.54 |
Hedge Laying/Trimming |
12 |
0.00 |
200.00 |
200.00 |
210.00 |
Water |
13 |
110.66 |
120.00 |
160.00 |
105.43 |
Electricity |
14 |
298.56 |
400.00 |
400.00 |
390.68 |
Play Area Maintenance |
15 |
59.64 |
500.00 |
100.00 |
411.30 |
Repairs |
16 |
305.14 |
620.00 |
620.00 |
992.19 |
Maintenance of Flower Beds |
17 |
70.00 |
80.00 |
80.00 |
80.00 |
Contingency/Signs |
18 |
0.00 |
300.00 |
300.00 |
175.00 |
Parish Freighter/Litter Control |
19 |
868.67 |
1,380.00 |
1,303.01 |
1,267.07 |
Village Halls |
20 |
0.00 |
150.00 |
150.00 |
150.00 |
Burial Grounds |
21 |
600.00 |
600.00 |
600.00 |
600.00 |
Community/Youth Groups |
22 |
0.00 |
3,093.21 |
1,015.00 |
1,015.00 |
Charities |
23 |
0.00 |
50.00 |
50.00 |
50.00 |
Elections |
24 |
0.00 |
1,449.68 |
0.00 |
0.00 |
Capital Projects |
25 |
0.00 |
948.96 |
0.00 |
1,051.04 |
Miscellaneous Expenditure |
26 |
180.00 |
500.00 |
300.00 |
549.39 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Appendix 2 |
|
Spending Proposals 2010/11 |
|
|
|
Expenditure |
Projected |
Proposed |
|
Precept |
Budget |
To Date |
Expenditure |
Budget |
Item |
09/10 |
09/10 |
09/10 |
09/10 |
10/11 |
ADMINISTRATION |
|
|
|
|
|
Fees/Subscriptions |
800.00 |
800.00 |
626.27 |
715.00 |
775.00 |
Insurance |
3,120.16 |
2,935.89 |
2,385.92 |
2,385.92 |
2,385.92 |
Newsletter |
130.00 |
480.00 |
80.00 |
320.00 |
480.00 |
Training |
0.00 |
120.00 |
0.00 |
0.00 |
0.00 |
Postage + Travel |
525.00 |
525.00 |
298.70 |
525.00 |
525.00 |
Stationery |
200.00 |
200.00 |
137.34 |
200.00 |
200.00 |
Office equipment reserve |
0.00 |
500.00 |
51.46 |
51.46 |
0.00 |
Salaries |
6,568.14 |
6,568.14 |
4,331.44 |
6,581.62 |
6,713.26 |
Members Expenses |
0.00 |
30.00 |
0.00 |
0.00 |
0.00 |
Hire of Premises |
300.00 |
300.00 |
60.00 |
280.00 |
300.00 |
Sub total = |
11,643.30 |
12,459.03 |
7,971.13 |
11,059.00 |
11,379.18 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
RECREATION GROUND |
|
|
|
|
|
Grass Cutting |
1,100.00 |
1,284.27 |
1,284.27 |
1,284.27 |
1,200.00 |
Hedge Laying/Trimming |
200.00 |
200.00 |
0.00 |
210.00 |
210.00 |
Water |
20.00 |
120.00 |
110.66 |
160.00 |
120.00 |
Electricity |
200.00 |
400.00 |
298.56 |
400.00 |
400.00 |
Play Area Maintenance |
500.00 |
500.00 |
59.64 |
250.00 |
500.00 |
Recreation Ground Maintenance |
420.00 |
620.00 |
305.14 |
500.00 |
620.00 |
Maintenance of Flower Beds |
80.00 |
80.00 |
70.00 |
80.00 |
80.00 |
Contingency |
0.00 |
300.00 |
0.00 |
0.00 |
0.00 |
Sub total = |
2,520.00 |
3,504.27 |
2,128.27 |
2,884.27 |
3,130.00 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
COMMUNITY TIDYING |
|
|
|
|
|
Litter Control/ Parish Freighter |
1,280.00 |
1,380.00 |
868.67 |
1,569.15 |
2,700.00 |
Sub total = |
1,280.00 |
1,380.00 |
868.67 |
1,569.15 |
2,700.00 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
GRANTS/DONATIONS |
|
|
|
|
|
Village Halls |
150.00 |
150.00 |
0.00 |
150.00 |
150.00 |
Burial Grounds |
600.00 |
600.00 |
600.00 |
600.00 |
600.00 |
Community Groups |
100.00 |
3,093.21 |
0.00 |
4,000.00 |
600.00 |
Charities |
50.00 |
50.00 |
0.00 |
50.00 |
50.00 |
Sub total = |
900.00 |
3,893.21 |
600.00 |
4,800.00 |
1,400.00 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
SPECIAL CONTINGENCIES |
|
|
|
|
|
Elections |
0.00 |
1,449.68 |
0.00 |
0.00 |
0.00 |
Capital Projects |
0.00 |
948.96 |
0.00 |
0.00 |
0.00 |
Miscellaneous Expenditure |
500.00 |
500.00 |
180.00 |
300.00 |
500.00 |
Sub total = |
500.00 |
2,898.64 |
180.00 |
300.00 |
500.00 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
TOTALS |
16,843.30 |
24,135.15 |
11,748.07 |
20,612.42 |
19,109.18 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Likely Income TOTAL |
1,270.00 |
|
|
|
920.00 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Proposed precept |
|
|
|
|
18,189.18 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
