MINUTES OF A MEETING OF ROSS-ON-WYE TOWN COUNCIL HELD
ON MONDAY, 13 JANUARY 2014 AT 7.00PM IN
THE CORN EXCHANGE, HIGH STREET, ROSS-ON-WYE
Present: Cllr C Bartrum – Chairman
Cllr A Atkinson, Cllr P Cutter, Cllr Mrs J Davis, Cllrs J Edwards, Cllr C Gray, Cllr I Henderson
Cllr R Mayo, Cllr C Morgan, Cllr D Ravenscroft, Cllr Dr J Roberts, Cllr Mrs C Utting
In attendance: Mrs D Mason, Town Clerk, Mrs R Lewis, Deputy Town Clerk
Five members of the public and press
14/01 1 APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE
None – all members were present.
14/01 2 DECLARATIONS OF INTERESTS
None
14/01 3 APPLICATIONS FOR DISPENSATIONS
There were no applications
14/01 4 PUBLIC PARTICIPATION
· PCSO Alison Dore reported that there had been a spate of burglaries but the culprit had been put on remand. Bill Longmore has recently been diagnosed with lung cancer and will be off during February to receive treatment.
· Cllr Atkinson thanked the Safer Partnership for providing speed cameras in Ledbury Road which had made a great difference. He asked whether this could be extended to Gloucester Road and Walford Road.
· Cllr Gray expressed concern over cyclists using the pavements and causing danger to others.
· Mr Rob Brain brought up Neighbourhood Planning and asked that the steering group be aware that the housing level had already fallen seven years behind schedule. He stressed the importance of the document which would become planning policy for many years to come. Cllr Ravenscroft added that this will be an exciting opportunity for the people of Ross and a public meeting would be held with an opportunity to join the steering group.
14/01 5 MINUTES OF THE FULL COUNCIL MEETING HELD ON MONDAY, 9 DECEMBER 2013
IT WAS RESOLVED that the Minutes of the meeting held on Monday, 9 December 2013
be signed as a true record of the meeting.
14/01 6 MINUTES OF THE PLANNING AND SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE MEETING HELD ON
TUESDAY, 17 DECEMBER 2013
The Chairman of the Planning and Sustainable Development Committee, Cllr Dr Roberts, presented the minutes and agreed to answer any questions arising from them. Cllr Roberts spoke briefly about Neighbourhood Planning, explaining that the steering group was considering its objectives which would then be put out for consultation. Cllr Cutter reported that the roundabout on the bypass was now complete and working well.
14/01 7 MINUTES OF THE POLICY & MANAGEMENT COMMITTEE MEETING HELD ON MONDAY, 16 DECEMBER 2013
The Chairman of the Committee, Cllr Bartrum presented the minutes and agreed to answer any questions arising from them. Cllr Mayo asked when the “brainstorming” exercise would take place – a date would shortly be arranged.
The Council had appointed Mrs Joanne Skelton as an administrative assistant after a process of shortlisting and interviewing by Cllrs Edwards and Ravenscroft.
14/01 8 MINUTES OF THE EVENTS COMMITTEE MEETING HELD ON MONDAY, 6 JANUARY 2014
The Chairman of the Committee, Cllr Mrs Utting presented the minutes and agreed to answer any questions arising from them. She pointed out that since the meeting, expenditure would be less than stated as a group had withdrawn their offer.
14/01 9 MINUTES OF THE YOUTH COUNCIL MEETING HELD ON MONDAY, 6 JANUARY 2014
The minutes of the Youth Council were noted.
14/01 10 MAYOR’S REPORT
The Mayor paid tribute to the volunteers who provided Christmas dinner at the Larruperz Centre and who gave their time to help the Food Bank.
The Mayor reported on progress in asset transfers including the Old Chapel. Condition surveys are currently being carried out by the Town Council’s surveyor on the buildings being considered. An article explaining asset transfer will be published in the Council’s Newsletter at the end of January and a public meeting will take place at the Larruperz Centre on 7 February.
The Mayor intends to table a resolution to enable the Council to take a formal decision as to whether or not it wishes to take over assets
14/01 11 TOWN CLERK’S REPORT
The Town Clerk reported that she was reconsidering the format of her report. There was no written report this month because there had been no time to update it.
14/01 12 REPORT FROM THE PARISH RESILIENCE OFFICER
Cllr Gray was pleased to report that there had been no major problems in the recent heavy rain. Over 1000 sand bags had been taken from the Ashburton Depot. He had checked water levels several times a day and was please that surface water had been kept to a minimum due to recent work by the Parish Lengthsman.
14/01 13 INVOICES PAID/TO BE PAID
IT WAS RESOLVED that the invoices to the value of £11,657.45 as detailed on the
circulated list would be paid.
14/01 14 BUDGET REPORT AND ACCOUNT BALANCES
The budget report was accepted.
14/01 15 REPORTS FROM OFFICIAL REPRESENTATIVES ON OUTSIDE BODIES
(i) Association of Ross Traders - Cllr A Atkinson had nothing to report.
(ii) Basement Youth Trust – Cllr Bartrum reported that Keith Wilding would be attending the next Amenities regarding plans for the Skate Park.
(iii) Betzdorf Twinning Association – Cllr Morgan had been welcomed by the Committee and was to meet with the chairman this week
(iv) Board of the Community Association - Cllr Edwards had nothing to report.
(v) Condé Twinning Association - Cllr J E Edwards had nothing to report
(vi) Education Foundation - Cllr C Gray had nothing to report
(vii) Friends of St Mary’s - Cllr P Cutter had nothing to report
(viii) HALC Executive Committee – Cllr Ravenscroft had nothing to report
(ix) HALC Southern Area Committee - Cllrs D Ravenscroft/Mrs C Utting – nothing
(x) Market Towns Forum - Cllrs D Ravenscroft /Dr J Roberts /Mrs C Utting – Cllr Ravenscroft had nothing to report
(xi) Namutumba Twinning Association - Cllr Dr J Roberts – nothing to report.
(xii) Parochial Church Council - Cllr P Cutter had had nothing to report
(xiii) Ross Charity Trustees - Cllr C Gray had nothing report
(xiv) Ross Fairtrade Group - Cllr Dr J Roberts reported that there would be a fashion show on 28 Feb by JKHS with profits going to the school’s next trip to Namutumba.
(xv) Ross-on-Wye Town Plan Progress Group - Dr J Roberts reported that the group was discussing how to liaise with the Neighbourhood Plan Group.
(xvi) Sports Federation - Cllr J E Edwards had nothing to report.
(xvii) Town Team – Cllr Atkinson reported that plans to produce a Visit Ross website were being discussed.
(xviii) Walkers are Welcome - Cllr I Henderson reported that ticket sales for the next Walking Festival in October had gone online and already six had been sold.
14/01 16 CORRESPONDENCE
(i) Herefordshire Council – Parish Tax Base & grant allocation – this was noted
(ii) Deb Stringer - Herefordshire CCTV – this was referred to the Police Liaison Working Party
(iii) Mrs G D Lodge – Pigeons – this was referred to the Amenities Committee
14/01 17 PUBLICATIONS RECEIVED
The Clerk and Clerk & Council Direct had been received since the agenda had been circulated
14/01 18 ASSET TRANSFERS
The Chairman had spoken about asset transfers in the Mayor’s report (item 10).
Cllr Mayo asked what structure would be in place for the public meeting on 7 February. The Chairman explained that Cllr Roberts was drafting a prospectus which would give all the options with figures for each service and asset. This would be sent to councillors prior to the meeting.
It was then agreed councillors should have the opportunity to discuss the prospectus and an informal meeting of the council would take place for this purpose.
Cllr Cutter informed members that the AONB had offered their expertise to the council.
14/01 19 LUCAS MEMORIAL FUND
Cllr Atkinson agreed to speak to Nigel Griffiths regarding the possibility of presenting an annual award to a young person for their contribution to the life of the town.
14/01 20 BUDGET 2014-15
Discussion took place regarding the proposed budget but it was agreed to defer the decision until the February meeting.
There being no further business, the Chairman closed the meeting at 8.40pm.
Chairman…………………………………………………..
Date ……………………………