Minutes of the Ordinary Meeting of Ewyas Harold Group Parish Council

held on Tuesday 5th January 2010

In the Memorial Hall at 7.15 p.m.

Minutes of the Ordinary Meeting of Ewyas Harold Group Parish Council

held on Tuesday 5th January 2010

At the Memorial Hall at 7.15 p.m.

Present

Councillor B Krige in the chair

Councillor D Harries

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 Mrs M Williams, P Sheen

Declaration of Interests

None declared

Minutes

The minutes of the ordinary meeting of the council held on Tuesday 1st December 2009 were approved without amendment.

4.1

Contractor Advert

Draft contract is still with HALC (sent 25th Nov 2009) and despite telephone and email reminders there has been no response. Several maintenance jobs have been outstanding for 2-3 months which were hoped to be carried out by an identified contractor.

Resolved

That if no response is received from HALC within the next week the Clerk should place the advertisement for this role.

ACTION CLERK

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.

Resolved

That this is noted.

4.3

Toilets

Letter has been sent to the person believed to be holding extra key, explaining the responsibilities of key holder and GPC and requesting confirmation of key possession, but as yet no response has been received.

Resolved

That Councillor B Krige would remind the key holder of the need to contact the Clerk.

ACTION BK

4.4

Dog Orders

Believed that CSOs are working in conjunction with Community Protection Team (HC) and that this is being co-ordinated by the Enforcement Officer (Craig Sandman). After speaking to Craig Sandman the Clerk will inform Councillors on how best to use this system.

ACTION CLERK

4.5

Parish energy reduction

It was not possible to identify a local lead contact for this scheme therefore the Clerk did not register interest on behalf of the GPC.

Resolved

That this is noted.

4.6

Water Usage

The Clerk has yet to locate the water meter but will investigate the likely area after an improvement in the weather.

Resolved

That this is noted

ACTION CLERK

4.7

Parish Freighter

No response yet as to how other local PCs are addressing this increased cost with regards to precept setting.

HALC Forum page has also proved non-productive.

Resolved

That the Clerk should continue to investigate the possibilities.

ACTION CLERK

Recreation Ground

5.1

Monthly Audit.

Several defects were recorded that had previously been reported. (It was noted that these had been identified on the list for the contractor when appointed).
Double gates to the Play Area needed further adjustment as one had dropped and was catching.
Sign on main gate needs cleaning. (Cllr B Krige will see to this).

ACTION BK

Football Club changing room door was found open. (Clerk to report to the Club).

ACTION CLERK

Information on notice board is out of date. (Clerk holds keys and will update board before handing keys on to Cllr B Krige).

ACTION CLERK

5.2

Play Area

Roundabout

Anchoring bolt is loose and needs resetting. This is outside the warranty but Martin Woods of HAGs has agreed to have this work carried out FOC.

Resolved

That this is noted.

Local Security Matters

Councillors were concerned to note in “Policing West Mercia” that there will no longer be Response Officers working from Peterchurch.

Resolved

That the Clerk should write to the Chief Inspector and question how the Golden Valley is being effectively policed.

That the Clerk should find out Peterchurch PC’s views on these changes.

ACTIONS CLERK

Correspondence

	Herefordshire Council
4th Dec	Public Rights of Way Wardens
10th Dec	Anthony Bush – December update for No Wrong Door Project
11th Dec	Amey Herefordshire – Information Pack
18th Dec	Anthony Bush – War Memorial maintenance, repair and protection.
21st Dec	Register of Electors 2010
24th Dec	Bus + Train Timetable Update – Area 1 Hereford and Bromyard

	Local Council Associations/SLCC
10th Dec	NALC – Invitation to subscribe to DIS
14th Dec	SLCC – Practitioners’ Conference 27.2.10
14th Dec	NALC – 2009 conferences and events survey.
23rd Dec	HALC – Information Corner 21.12.09
23rd Dec	HALC – Herefordshire Training Partnership Core Programme 2009/10
23rd Dec	HALC – West Midlands Regional Assembly update

	Other
3rd Dec	Ringmaster – Fatal RTC on A49 Marlbrook, Leominster
3rd Dec	Ringmaster – Christmas Presence Campaign 2009
9th Dec	Martin Wood (HAGS) – Notice of repair work necessary on children’s roundabout in play area.
10th Dec	Ringmaster – Assault in Station Approach, Hereford
10th Dec	Herefordshire Biodiversity Partnership – Biodiversity Action, November 2009
18th Dec	West Mercia Police – Policing priorities 2010 and beyond (consultation evening at Council Chamber, Hereford Thurs 14th January 2010 from 7pm)
18th Dec	Festival Housing – Festival News, December 2009
18th Dec	Herefordshire Voluntary Action – HVA News, December 2009
23rd Dec	Herefordshire Museum + Art Gallery – Eric Geddes: still moments 16th Jan to 10th Mar 2010
3rd Jan	Policing West Mercia – Newsletter January 2010 Copies to Councillors
4th Jan	HR4 Technologies (electrical testing service) It was noted that to undertake PAT testing for the pavilion would cost £55.00 inclusive. Resolved That the Clerk should arrange for an order to be raised. ACTION CLERK
4th Jan	Peter Overstall – Archaeology Group News identified that an application to the Heritage Lottery fund for £50,000 has been successful. Archenfield Archaeology will be leading the Group in a search for the Priory and an exploration of archaeology in the Dulas valley this summer.

Lengthsman Scheme

8.1

Lengthsman work undertaken in December.

Date	Work	Hours
16/12	Check drains and gullies and clear as required	240/60
31/12	Clear drains and empty gully by EH School	300/60

	TOTAL	540/60

Resolved

That this is noted and approved

Financial Report

9.1

Payments for approval

Clerk salary	£	578.31
Stationery/Office Expenses	£	81.03
Clerk postage	£	6.54
Clerk travel	£	23.93
HM Inland Revenue (PAYE £21.20 NI £15.26 employee £17.76 employer) Employer NI not paid as GPC is in credit following notice of incentive credit payment	£	36.46
Glasdon – Litter bin lid replacement	£	104.55
Amey Wye - Road sweep Dec 09	£	69.00
Golden Valley Insurance – Newsletter copies	£	80.00
Martin Roper – Lengthsman work December	£	159.60
Martin Roper - Waste collection November	£	78.28
Brian Ball – Parish Footpath Works	£	213.00
Brian Ball – Recreation Ground Hedge Trimming	£	220.00
Brian Ball - Flower Beds (replacement shrubs)	£	11.98
Herefordshire Council - Parish Freighter	£	80.00

9.2

Balances as at 5th January 2010

NatWest Current account

3007.03

Unpresented cheques

116.88

Cheques/cash to be credited

150.00

NatWest Business Reserve

6,289.70

Alliance + Leicester Current account

676.50

Alliance + Leicester Deposit account

7773.56

Total cash assets

Consisting of:

17,779.91

Precept funds

16,557.61

Lengthsman Scheme

Balance available but not yet claimed

1,910.25

Administration charge outstanding

63.63

Available funds for remainder of financial year

(annual allocation £2,547.00)

1,732.77

-113.85

Parish Path Funds

882.40

Parish Plan Funds

453.75

9.3

Payments Received

Lock’s Garage – Newsletter advert	£	25.00
Colin Finnie – Newsletter advert	£	25.00
HM R&C – Incentive credit payment for on-line filing	£	100.00

9.4

Funds Transfer

Transfer From:	Transfer To:	Amount
Budget Code 2 Insurance	Budget Code 6 Stationery/Office	£50.00
Budget Code 2 Insurance	Budget Code 12 Hedge Trimming	£20.00
Budget Code 2 Insurance	Budget Code 17 Flower Beds	£1.98

Resolved

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

Carried unanimously

Planning

10.1

Planning Application DMSW/093015/F

Site:	The Stone Barn, Walterstone, Herefordshire. HR2 0DT
Description:	Removal of section 106 planning obligations contributions for DCSW2008/2274/F (Conversion of redundant agricultural stone barn to residential dwelling)
Application Type:	Planning Permission
Applicant:	Mr Tom Brierley, Upper House Farm, Walterstone, Herefordshire. HR2 0DT

Resolved

That the GPC has no objections to this application (plans viewed prior to meeting)

10.2

Planning Application DMSW/092513/F

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)’
Application Type:	Planning Permission
Applicant:	Ms Marta Cherrill, Ecoban Farm, Ewyas Harold, Herefordshire. HR2 0JE

Resolved

That, after attending a site meeting on 18th December 2009, the GPC objects on the following grounds:

There is no legal access without permission from the Lord of the Manor.

The site is too small for an agricultural residence and cannot support the activities listed.
It is contrary to Planning Policy in open countryside
It lies outside the village envelope on the skyline of a particularly sensitive natural area, adjacent to a butterfly reserve and Ewyas Harold Common.
Herefordshire Council does not have a Low Intensity Development policy (LIDs).

(Plans viewed prior to meeting)

Planning Application DMSW/091810/F

Site:	Ewyas Harold Primary School, Ewyas Harold, Herefordshire HR2 0EY
Description:	The erection of a covered canopy area to the rear of mobile.
Application Type:	Planning Permission
Applicant:	Ewyas Harold Primary School (Herefordshire Council), Ewyas Harold, Herefordshire HR2 0EY

Resolved

That the GPC has no objections to this application (Plans viewed prior to meeting)

Planning Application DMSW/093115/F

Site:	Lincoln House, Walterstone, Herefordshire. HR2 ODT
Description:	Erection of a steel frame agricultural building to be used as a dry muck store.
Application Type:	Planning Permission
Applicant:	Mr R C Smith, Lincoln House, Walterstone, Herefordshire. HR2 ODT

Resolved

That the GPC has no objections to this application (Plans viewed prior to meeting)

Notice of Decision

Planning Permission Required

Site:

Rowlestone Court, Rowlestone, Herefordshire HR2 0DW

Description:

Roof over silage store and use as covered store for solid manure.

Planning Application DMSW/092728/F

Notice of Planning Permission

Site:

Rowlestone Court, Rowlestone, Herefordshire HR2 0DW

Description:

Proposed building for visitor centre and walk-in freezer associated with ice cream production.

Planning Application DMSW/093293/F

Site:	Rowlestone Court, Rowlestone, Herefordshire HR2 0DW
Description:	To cover existing silage pit and use as a covered manure store.
Application Type:	Planning Permission
Applicant:	Mr Mark Williams, Rowlestone Court, Rowlestone, Herefordshire HR2 0DW

Resolved

That the GPC has no objections to this application

Road Maintenance and Related Matters

11.1

It was noted that there were many problems with local roads through lack of gritting and snow clearance in the current extreme weather. However, it was also thought that the situation had been made worse through the failure to address drainage problems previously reported by the GPC. These road surfaces are breaking up very badly and the run-off water has formed treacherous icy patches. The general state of roads is very poor and this has been further compounded by the increase in size of tractors and lorries using the lanes.

Resolved

That an audit should be made of all the problem areas and these should be logged through the Clerk.
That follow-up reports should be given to the Clerk by Councillors and Lengthsman to identify actions or lack of them.
That people should be encouraged to also use the Community Fix website (www.communityfix.co.uk) Details can be made available through the Newsletter, website and notice boards.

ACTION ALL

Footpaths

12.1

Footpaths Officer’s Report

Nothing to report

12.2

EH37?

The footpath running beside Weavers Cottage is blocked by two parked trailers.

Resolved

That the Clerk should report this to the FPO.

ACTION CLERK

Newsletter

13.1

February Issue

Editor for this issue is Cllr Mrs E Overstall.

Proposed Items:

Derek Harries – Borderline Film Festival
Peter Jinman – Exmoor ponies on the Common
Maddy Bradley – Pavilion promotion
Bennie Krige – subject to be decided

It is hoped that items for inclusion can be with the Editor within the next two weeks.

Parish Website

It was suggested that a version of the footpath map be added to a webpage.

Resolved

That the Clerk approaches the FPO to see if funding from the P3 Scheme could be used.

That, assuming funding in place, the Clerk arranges for the necessary work to be undertaken.

ACTION CLERK

The Meeting closed at 8.20pm

Chairman

Date

NEXT MEETING February 2nd 2010

Future Meetings :

March 2nd

April 6th (Rowlestone Village Hall)