Minutes of the Ordinary Meeting of Ewyas Harold Group Parish Council

held on Tuesday 2nd February 2010

In the Memorial Hall at 7.15 p.m.

Present

Councillor P Sheen (Rowlestone) in the chair

Councillor Mrs M Williams (Rowlestone)

Councillor G James

Councillor Mrs J Webb

Councillor R Weaver

Councillor P Jinman

Councillor R Baker

Councillor Mrs M Bradley

Councillor Mrs E Overstall (Dulas)

In attendance:

The Clerk

Public Forum

No items raised

Apologies for Absence

Cllrs D Harries, B Krige

Declaration of Interests

None declared

Minutes

The minutes of the ordinary meeting of the council held on Tuesday 5th January 2010 were approved without amendment.

4.1

Contractor Advert

Advertisement has been placed on notice boards and posted to two local tradesmen but as yet no written application has been received.

Resolved

That this is noted.

4.2

Power of Well Being

Councillors were reminded that a training session has been booked for Thursday February 4th 2010 at 7.30pm in the Memorial Hall.

4.3

PAT Testing

Postponed because of poor weather but will be carried out in February.

Resolved

That Clerk should check whether this can be done by local electrician before confirming order with selected Hereford firm.

ACTION CLERK

4.4

Segonzac Twinning

It is hoped that a proposed visit by a small number of representatives from Segonzac will take place in the spring. Arrangements for the visit will be discussed within the group who visited France in 2009, and the proposals reported back to the GPC.

A report has been sent to Segonzac for their annual twinning meeting, keeping them informed of the progress with the twinning process at Ewyas Harold.

It was recognised that without more community involvement and a strong twinning committee it would not be possible to achieve a formal twinning arrangement. Funding was recognised as a problem given that all costs so far had been met from personal finances.

More information with regards to the twinning process has been obtained:

Promoting Local Councils

Local councils may meet costs of making and receiving official visits to and from overseas – Local Government Act (LGA) 1972 s176
Local councils have power to provide or contribute to facilities for conference and exhibitions – LGA 1972 s144
Support from the community as a whole is important for a twinning to be effective
It is best to start the process of twinning with initial exchange visits of a few key people (assuming local support)
Twinning Handbook “Take Your Partners – International Report Number 10” has been requested from Local Government House, Smith Square, London SW1P 3HZ Tel 020 76643000

4.5

Parish Freighter

Clerk of Abbey Dore + Kentchurch has indicated that the increased cost for this service has made these parishes review their requirements, and they are interested to know EHGPC’s plans.

Numerous options had been raised before the meeting for discussion:

Run the service as a group of parishes
Spend the money on other community services while encouraging “Good Neighbour” approach where people help others who are less able to dispose of larger waste items.
Use the money to pay for the individual removal of large waste for the elderly and infirm using HC’s £15 collection scheme. Incorporate this as part of a wider “Good Neighbour” scheme.

It was pointed out that £15 for the collection of 3 bulky items offered good value for money, and that it might be an opportune time to consider greener ways of dealing with waste.

Resolved

That the Clerk would make Councillors aware of the appropriate standing orders with regards to rescission of previous resolution made in item 9.5 of the minutes from December 1st 2009.

ACTION CLERK

That an article should be included in the Newsletter identifying the possible loss of this service and promoting the £15 collection scheme.

ACTION EO

Recreation Ground

5.1	Monthly Audit. Continuing problem of mole hills especially around swings area. Damage to play area fence exposing fixing nails (repaired) Broken bottle (removed) Boundary fence becoming more unstable (identified as work for general contractor when appointed) Fixing pegs around mats require securing (completed but need to be monitored) Rubbish behind pavilion requires removing (Football Club to be approached) ACTION CLERK Litter around play area. 4 x 4 witnessed driving across to play area before parking in car park and occupant returning to his children in the play area.
5.2	Play Area No items were raised other than in monthly report
5.3	Dog Fouling and Signs
	The following information has been obtained from the Community Protection Team and Dog Warden: A Dog Order for the whole of Herefordshire was due to be passed in January but unfortunately this is now not likely until April2010. What this means is that until this new order is in place only designated areas are covered by powers to prosecute. The Recreation Ground is a designated area but not all public highways are covered. While the police/CSOs are not able to issue penalty notices they are able to speak to the offending dog ownerandissue a statement to the Protection Teamwho will then serve a fine notice. At the moment these fines are only valid for designated areas and anywhere else could be challenged. Still only two dog wardens for Herefordshire but after March 1st they will have more time for dealing with offences as stray dog work (75% of their work) is being tendered out to private kennels. The Community Protection team have 5 Enforcement Officers and our EO is Donna Watkins. The role of the Enforcement Officers is wider than Dog Wardens as they will also cover other anti social behaviour such as fly tipping and car dumping. The hours of work of the CPT and Dog Wardens are mainly 9-5 Mon to Friday, but they need to be informed of problems even if they occur outside these hours so that they can build up a picture of where best to target their resources. Reports from PCs and member public are important to them. The CPT is keen to promote their activities and a presentation is due in our area (possibly at a PACT Meeting) in February. 2 standard dog fouling signs could be provided at no cost but these would effectively become obsolete in April if Dog Orders are in place for the whole of the county. More informative signs could be designed and purchased but legal boundaries would need to be checked e.g. £50 spot fine or up to £1,000 if taken to Court. Resolved That an article be placed in the Newsletter to cover changes and the problems associated with intimidation from dogs ACTION EO That the Dog’s Trust is approached about signage. ACTION PJ
5.4	Toilets
	The following was reported: All key holders have now been identified. Recent leak (believed to be the result of the severe weather) has been fixed. Dripping tap (has been turned off via internal stop cock) Toilet pan – local plumber who fixed the above leak has indicated that he is willing to price the work Tiles – local builder has offered to carry out tiling in the toilets at no cost. Locks – local builder has offered to install internal locks at no cost if GPC pay for the materials. Resolved That the Council is happy to accept the three offers of improvements to the toilets, and that the Clerk should make the necessary arrangements. ACTION CLERK

Local Security Matters

Following Councillors concerns over the notice in “Policing West Mercia” that there will no longer be Response Officers working from Peterchurch, a statement identifying the changes was received from Sergeant Tim Dugmore.

Local response officers are now based at Ross but will be deployed to the Golden Valley when required.
Staffing of the front office at Peterchurch will cease in the near future. If an officer is required they will be directed to Peterchurch to deal with a visitor’s query.
Peterchurch team’s hours are to be reviewed.
Inspector McLaughlin will be attending the PACT meeting at Peterchurch Community Hall at 7pm on 18th Feb 2010

Resolved

That the full copy of his letter be published in the Newsletter.

ACTION EO

Correspondence

	Herefordshire Council
7.1	Feedback from Amey re snow clearing arrangements after request from Clerk.
7.2	Anthony Bush – Services and weather update
7.3	Anthony Bush – Update on Roads and Schools
7.4	Register of Electors Monthly Update
7.5	Amey Herefordshire – Winter Gritting Map Resolved That this is noted
7.6	Anthony Bush – Update on Roads and Schools
7.7	Amey Herefordshire – Parish Council’s Satisfaction Survey Resolved That this is noted
7.8	Copy email from Roger Philips re pothole damage. It was noted that this request should be supported as it would improve the possibility of access to national emergency funds. Paperwork to Cllr Mrs E Overstall for inclusion in the next Newsletter.
7.9	Anthony Bush – Village Hall Energy Challenge Paperwork to Cllr Mrs E Overstall for inclusion in the next Newsletter.
	Local Council Associations/SLCC
7.10	HALC – Agenda for Southern Area Meeting on 25th Jan 2010
7.11	NALC’s Local Council Awards 2010
7.12	National Training Review
7.13	NALC Leadership Academies 2010
7.14	Quality Parish dissertation - “Does QPC status produce Quality Councils?”

	Group Parish Council
7.15	Ann Bradley – Letter of support from GPC for photographic display in Memorial Hall (from Millennium Archive) has been sent Resolved That this is noted
7.16	Segonzac – request for update on Twinning progress (email) Resolved That this was noted in item 4.4
7.17	Peter Overstall – PFO’s February Report Resolved That this was noted in item 12.1
	Other
7.18	Herefordshire Ringmaster – Police Consultation Evening 14th Jan 7pm Council Chamber, Brockington ( Feedback also online at ww.westmerciapoliceauthority.gov.uk/index.php?p=1000545)
7.19	Barry Thomas – Copy email re problems of gritting and snow clearance at Gilberts Wood.
7.20	PC Christine Griffiths – Community Safety Evening 19th Jan in Longtown – Offer to arrange similar evening in other communities
7.21	Clerks & Councils Direct
7.22	The Clerk – Jan 2010
7.23	PC Christine Griffiths – Suspicious vehicles part 1
7.24	Herefordshire Ringmaster – Stolen vehicles within Herefordshire
7.25	PC Christine Griffiths – Suspicious vehicles part 2
7.26	Herefordshire Ringmaster – Internet Safety (visit www.getsafeonline.org for advice)
7.27	Tim Dugmore – Policing changes Resolved That this was noted in item 6

Lengthsman Scheme

8.1

Lengthsman work undertaken in December.

Date	Work	Hours
16/01	Check drains and gullies and clear as required	300/60

	TOTAL	300/60

Resolved

That this is noted and approved

Financial Report

9.1

Payments for approval

Clerk salary	£	540.30
Stationery/Office Expenses	£	nil
Clerk postage	£	13.59
Clerk travel	£	21.64
HM Inland Revenue (PAYE £10.20 NI £9.21 employee £10.71 employer) Credit of £82.24 therefore employer NI not paid	£	19.41
npower – Pavilion electricity used to 20/1/10	£	87.40
Amey Wye - Road sweep Jan 10	£	70.50
Memorial Hall – Booking 4th Feb 2010	£	22.00
Martin Roper – Lengthsman work January	£	90.59
Martin Roper - Waste collection January	£	40.00

9.2

Balances as at 2nd February 2010

NatWest Current account

3,007.03

Unpresented cheques

80.00

Cheques/cash to be credited

661.75

NatWest Business Reserve

6,290.71

Alliance + Leicester Current account

586.94

Alliance + Leicester Deposit account

6,274.22

Total cash assets

Consisting of:

16,740.65

Precept funds

14,846.21

Lengthsman Scheme

Balance available but not yet claimed

1,273.50

Administration charge outstanding

42.40

Available funds for remainder of financial year

(annual allocation £2,547.00)

1,576.39

345.29

Parish Path Funds

669.40

Parish Plan Funds

453.75

9.3

Payments Received

Lengthsman quarterly payment	£	636.75
Falcon Woodwork – advert in Newsletter	£	25.00

Resolved

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

Carried unanimously

Planning

10.1

DMSW/092513/F

Refusal of Planning Permission

Site:

Site at Weavers Cottage, Ewyas Harold, Herefordshire. HR2 0JE

Description:

Change of use of land to include temporary agricultural dwelling. The dwelling will be provided by log cabin (retrospective application)

Resolved

That this is noted

10.2

DMSW093015/F

Notice of Planning Permission

Site:

The Stone Barn, Walterstone, Herefordshire HR2 0DT

Description:

Removal of section 106 planning obligations contributions for application DCSW2008/2274/F

Resolved

That this is noted

Road Maintenance and Related Matters

11.1

Following on from the letter on potholes under item 7.8, Councillors were reminded that serious and long standing problems with the road surfaces should be logged under the system agreed under item 11.1 of the January meeting.

Resolved

That this is noted

11.2

U74418 Drain at The Wigga (grid ref 3365 2280). Lengthsman reports that this is still not cleared.

Resolved

That Clerk re-reports this fault

ACTION CLERK

11.3

U74413 Ditch adjoining farmland near Penyworlod (grid ref 3364 2267). Ditch is feeding water and debris onto the road and therefore needs diverting to ditch on farmland.

Resolved

That the Clerk reports this to Amey

ACTION CLERK

11.4

U74420 Pipe at entrance to Pudding Street (grid ref 3376 2269). Following cabling work by BT the pipe is blocked and the Lengthsman cannot rod beyond the telegraph pole. Water is coming out of conduit on telegraph pole.

Resolved

That the Clerk reports this to Amey

ACTION CLERK

11.5

B4347 Abbey Dore/Ewyas Harold border. At the bad bends the drainage water comes out onto the road and flows back into the entrance to the Army Camp.

Resolved

That the Clerk reports this to the Lengthsman

ACTION CLERK

11.6

C1219 Rowlestone Road. Village sign needs to be re-fixed

Resolved

That the Clerk reports this to the Lengthsman/Amey

ACTION CLERK

Footpaths

12.1

Footpaths Officer’s Report

EH37/EH18. There are two trailers parked where these two paths cross near Weaver’s Place. Access to EH18 is not impeded but the official line of EH37 is blocked where the old stile used to be. However, there is a gate immediately adjacent which gives un- hindered access to walkers and the landowners are happy for walkers to use this. After discussion with Jonathan Roger we have taken the pragmatic view to leave things as they are. The alternative would be for us to put in a new pedestrian gate next to the landowners gate.

Footpath map for website. Hereford is in the process of making up a complete set of large scale (1:8000) digital parish maps that covers the whole county. There are still a few gaps and unfortunately our group parish is one of them. The work will be finished when a new map officer is appointed. Apparently the new Geographical Information System officer starts work in a fortnight and all being well our maps should be sent to us in a couple of months.

Peter Overstall

Newsletter

Next issue will be emailed to Councillors for approval

Items for inclusion

Besides those identified throughout the minutes:

Good Neighbours Campaign

Community First Responders

Parish Website

Nothing to report

The Meeting closed at 9.00pm

Chairman

Date

NEXT MEETING March 2nd 2010

Future Meetings :

April 6th (Rowlestone Village Hall)

May 4th

June 1st