|
Present |
|
Councillor R Baker (Llancillo) in the chair
Councillor Mrs E Overstall (Dulas)
Councillor R Weaver
Councillor B Krige
Councillor Mrs M Williams (Rowlestone)
Councillor P Baker
Councillor A Burgoyne
Councillor M Wrigglesworth (Dulas)
In attendance:
The Clerk
C. Cllr J B Williams
1 member of the public |
|
Public Forum
John Hook spoke in support of the Parish Freighter and asked the GPC to reconsider its decision not to extend this service beyond the current financial year. It was agreed that it would be reviewed at budget setting. |
1 |
Apologies for Absence
Cllrs P Jinman, P Sheen, Mrs J Webb. |
2 |
Declaration of Interests
None declared |
3 |
Minutes
The minutes of the ordinary meeting of the Council held on Tuesday 7th December 2010 were approved without amendment. |
4 |
Matters for Report |
4.1 |
Spending Cuts |
|
The Clerk and Chair will be attending meeting with Roger Phillips and Chris Bull of HC on 26th January 2011 to receive feedback in the light of the Localism Bill and spending cuts.
|
4.2 |
Affordable Rural Housing |
|
It has been provisionally arranged for representative from Home Point to attend the ordinary meeting on March 1st 2011 from 7.15pm
Resolved
That the Clerk should confirm this appointment, and that notice of this item should be included on the notice boards and in the Newsletter.
ACTIONS CLERK + RB
Councillor Burgoyne provided some brief feedback on the contents of the practical guide produced by the Rural Housing Alliance, which offers guidance on the creation of affordable housing in a rural community. |
4.3 |
Football Club Developments |
|
The Chair will identify some dates with representatives from the Football Club, so that a meeting can be held during January to discuss proposals ahead of the finalisation of precept setting. It is suggested that a small number of Councillors attend this meeting and report back to full Council. |
4.4 |
Superfast Broadband |
|
The GPC has received documents on this subject from Graham Powell (see items 8.7 and 8.15) and a request to organise a meeting between the chairs of the parish councils within Golden Valley South. However, it was thought that more information needs to be gathered before the kind of meeting suggested. Jesse Norman MP is to hold a public meeting but as yet details are not available.
Resolved
That this item should be carried forward to a future meeting. |
5 |
Local Security Matters |
|
- There have been 3 cases of tyre slashing in Ewyas Harold over the Xmas period. The police have been informed but as yet have not provided any feedback.
|
6 |
Parish Plan /Design Statement |
|
Update
There have been recent meetings at Rowlestone and Dulas to gather information from the residents. The Steering Group will be meeting at Dulas Court at 7pm on 12th January and a Parish Plan Quiz is to be held in The Dog at 7.30pm on Sunday 16th January.
The next concentration of effort will be on targeting the hard to reach groups and schools. Chris Gooding (HC) is still to provide information on the provision of an advisory youth worker and Cllr Mrs E Overstall will send him a reminder.
There was then a discussion on the concern that the process of the creation of the Parish Plan was still not understood by a small section of the community, and that this was leading to false assumptions. It was emphasised that the Plan was still to be written, and that this would only be undertaken after an independently reviewed questionnaire had been completed and analysed. In December it was made clear by Chris Gooding, (Co-ordinator for Herefordshire Council), that the questionnaire would be written to ensure that parishes could not initiate support for items such as housing developments within other parishes of the Group.
The GPC encourages attendance of the public to the Parish Plan meetings and welcomes all contributions.
County Councillor Beris Williams spoke on behalf of Herefordshire Council on the reason why large scale development will not take place within Ewyas Harold.
|
7 |
Recreation Ground |
|
7.1 |
Monthly Audit |
|
Problems centre on pavilion and water supply, and following responses from Councillors the Clerk has instructed Tim Howells to purchase materials necessary to replace copper piping with suitable plastic pipes and fittings. After recent repairs it has become apparent that the existing pipe work is not sound and therefore the water has been turned off until permanent replacements are available.
It was noted by Cllr Wrigglesworth that drain-off points should be included in the new system.
In light of the problems during the recent adverse weather, it was also noted that responsibilities with regards to repairs to the showers etc in the changing rooms should be clarified with the Football Club
Resolved
This was noted and the plumbing alterations were approved.
ACTION CLERK |
7.2 |
Inspection Rota |
|
Following recent resignations a new rota has been drawn up and will be sent out with the minutes. |
|
8 |
Correspondence |
|
|
Herefordshire Council |
8.1 |
Anthony Bush – Notice of vacancies for Census 2011 |
8.2 |
Register of Electors 2011 |
8.3 |
Gritting update from Amey Herefordshire |
8.4 |
Notification of Parish & Community Plan payment |
|
|
|
Local Council Associations/SLCC |
8.5 |
HALC - Information Corner – December 2010
Copies to Councillors
|
8.6 |
NALC – Policy briefing on Localism Bill
Copies to Councillors |
|
|
|
Other |
8.7 |
Graham Powell – updated document on superfast broadband
(see item 4.4)
|
8.8 |
West Mercia Police Authority Consultation
|
8.9 |
Festival Housing Group News – Dec 2010
|
8.10 |
Barry Thomas – Copy email to Amey Herefordshire re gritting and snow clearance.
Resolved
That this was noted |
8.11 |
RBS – Software solutions for Town and Parish Councils |
8.12 |
Came + Co – Factsheet on property protection during adverse weather
|
8.13 |
Bob Curtis (EHAG) – Copy letter to Peter Yates re Localism Bill and planning which was distributed to all Councillors.
It was noted that the GPC was waiting on guidance from HALC and Herefordshire Council, and that it would comment upon the effect of this bill when it had considered this advice.
|
8.14 |
Cllr Burgoyne – update on roads and pavements (email copies to Cllrs) - see items 12.1 to 12.5
|
8.15 |
Graham Powell – Update on Superfast Broadband trial in Cumbria
(see item 4.4) |
8.16 |
Request for Grit Bins in Llancillo Parish – see item 12.6 |
|
|
|
9 |
Lengthsman Scheme |
9.1 |
Lengthsman work undertaken in December |
|
Date |
Work |
Hours |
9.12.10 |
Check salt bins in Rowlestone area and attempt to defrost |
60/60 |
21.12.10 |
Trimming overhanging branches on public access (Recreation Ground/Priorsfield) |
225/60 |
24.12.10 |
Trimming overhanging branches on public access (Recreation Ground/Priorsfield) |
315/60 |
28.12.10 |
Check and clear as required – drains, gulleys and slips |
345/60 |
30.12.10 |
Trimming overhanging branches on public access (Recreation Ground/Priorsfield) |
390/60 |
|
|
1335/60 |
|
|
Resolved
That this is noted and approved. |
10 |
Financial Report |
10.1 |
Payments for approval |
|
|
Clerk salary |
£ |
546.50 |
Stationery/Office Expenses |
£ |
21.09 |
Clerk postage |
£ |
0.00 |
Clerk travel |
£ |
9.62 |
HM Inland Revenue (PAYE £4.00 NI £9.21 employee £10.71 employer) Credit of £28.44 therefore employer NI not paid |
£ |
13.21 |
Peter Overstall - Parish Plan Meeting expenses |
£ |
69.74 |
Black Hill Computer Software – website hosting |
£ |
84.00 |
Black Hill Computer Software – domain name renewal |
£ |
28.49 |
Herefordshire Council – Parish Freighter booking |
£ |
380.00 |
Martin Roper – Lengthsman work December 2010 |
£ |
415.21 |
Martin Roper – Waste collection December 2010 |
£ |
100.00 |
|
10.2 |
Balances as at 4th January 2011 |
|
NatWest Current account |
£ |
2,902.78 |
Unpresented cheques |
£ |
nil |
Cheques/cash to be credited |
£ |
nil |
NatWest Business Reserve |
£ |
12,485.25 |
Alliance + Leicester Current account |
£ |
4,016.99 |
Alliance + Leicester Deposit account |
£ |
544.03 |
Total cash assets
Consisting of: |
£ |
19,949.05 |
GPC funds |
£ |
16,631.98 |
Lengthsman Scheme
Balance available but not yet claimed |
£ |
1,273.50 |
Administration charge outstanding |
£ |
63.63 |
Available funds for remainder of financial year (annual allocation £2,547.00) |
£ |
2,246.79 |
|
£ |
1,036.92 |
Parish Path Funds |
£ |
1,184.00 |
Parish Plan Funds |
£ |
1,096.75 |
|
10.3 |
Payments Received |
|
Lengthsman Scheme (quarters 1 + 2) |
£ |
1273.50 |
Parish Plan Award (50% advance) |
£ |
750.00 |
|
|
Resolved
That the monthly financial statement is accepted and that payments should be made.
Carried unanimously |
10.4 |
Precept 2011/12 |
|
As noted in the December minutes, the cut-off date for submission had been extended until January 31st 2011. The GPC has been further advised by HALC that, to allow discussion following the meeting with Herefordshire Council (HC) on 26th January 2011, it is lawful to inform HC that submission will not be made until the week of GPC’s meeting on February 1st.
Resolved
That the Clerk writes to HC and confirms this action.
ACTION CLERK
Items to be considered/costed
- Upgrade heating and outside lighting for pavilion
- Install sink to second toilet
- Footpath extension
- Traffic control measures
- Recycling
|
11 |
Planning
No items received under this section
|
12 |
Road Maintenance and Related Matters |
|
12.1 |
Overhanging Hedges
Action still to be taken following letters sent out in November. |
12.2 |
Elmgreen Road Pavements
Following the recent spell of frost nearly all the pavement that runs down Elmgreen Roadhas been lifted by up to 1 1/2 inches above the kerb; one person has already tripped and sustained an injury.
|
12.3 |
Pontrilas Road Pavements
The pavement surface on Pontrilas Road is breaking up from at leastSilverdale to the Prill Lane junction. |
12.4 |
Elmgreen Road
This area has suffered quite badly, with most of the patchwork that has been done now lifted and breaking up, it is particularly bad just below the Fire Station and out through the army camp.
|
|
Resolved
That the Clerk reports the above items to Amey Herefordshire
ACTION CLERK |
12.5 |
Obstructions in Village Centre
There have been several complaints made about buckets of wet cigarette ends standing on the pavement, and people are also complaining about blackboard signs and picnic benchesblocking the pavements.
Resolved
That the Chair would discuss these issues with the businesses involved.
ACTION RB |
12.6 |
Gritting
Following complaints over icy pavements, two options were considered:
- Install extra grit bins in agreed areas. These would be purchased through Lengthsman money and would be filled by Amey Herefordshire as per routine.
- Install extra grit bins in agreed areas as above but employ Lengthsman to grit areas. This would involve carrying out a risk assessment and ensure suitable backup where reasonable.
Resolved
That option 1 should be adopted, and notice included in current Newsletter to request suggestions for areas requiring bins.
ACTION RB
From feedback to Councillors it may be possible to identify areas that are critical when targeting gritting/snow clearance during adverse weather. |
12.7 |
Road Sweeper
It was noted that certain areas on main roads through Ewyas Harold (e.g. Trappe House Pitch) are never swept.
Resolved
That the Clerk obtains map of sweeper route and requests that overlooked areas are treated. It was noted that given the 60 minute contract this may require additional payment or alternate routes on different months.
ACTION CLERK |
12.8 |
Speed Assessment
There was notice given by police in 2010 that a speed assessment would be carried out within the area.
Resolved
That the Clerk should ask for an update.
ACTION CLERK |
12.9 |
Parking
After an initial improvement, it was reported that the situation was raising concerns again including in areas such as Dark Lane.
Resolved
That the Clerk should highlight these concerns to the police.
ACTION CLERK |
12.10 |
Community Fix it (www.cummunityfix.co.uk)
The Chair reminded the meeting that issues could also be logged on this website if other routes proved unsuccessful. |
12.11 |
Amey Herefordshire Contract
County Councillor Beris Williams informed the GPC that he would be attending a meeting to review Amey’s performance, and that he would raise any reasonable concerns identified to him. |
|
13 |
Footpaths |
13.1 |
Footpaths Officer’s Report |
|
No report this month
|
14 |
Newsletter
Councillors approved the current draft with the extra items identified during this meeting.
|
15 |
Parish Website
Nothing to report. |
16 |
Matters for Future Discussion
- Safety Assessment of Pavilion
|
|
The Meeting closed at 9.00pm |
|
Chairman
Date
NEXT MEETING February 1st 2011 at Memorial Hall
Future Meetings :
Mar 1st, Apr 5th, May 3rd 2011
|
