Bishopstone

FIRE BRIGADE - On Thursday, March 18, before the start of the parish council meeting, Mr R. Rogers the district commander for Hereford gave a short, precise talk on how his service operates within the new Integrated Risk Management Plan and how it affects those living in a rural area. The aim was to have two pumps to a vehicle accident in the county within 20 minutes. The Fire Brigade have a duty to provide water and each tender carries 400 gallons. They provide a free of charge service to provide each house with a Home Safety check. It was reported to Mr R Rogers, of Hereford Fire Brigade, that the water hydrant in Kenchester was leaking, that the hydrant sign in Byford was

damaged and that Mansell Gammage appeared not to have a hydrant. The clerk would write and confirm and all three would be checked. Councillor S Hubbard reported that she and the clerk attended Pembridge Village Hall on January 26 to listen to a talk on how Pembridge produced their Village Plan because it was hoped this would help in Bishopstone producing theirs. It was very helpful and a number of points were to be adopted.

COUNCIL TAX - Hereford Councillor C.Mason reported to Bishopstone Parish Council that there is no reform or remedy in sight to change the burden of having to pay Council Tax. He reported that the Government had deducted £8m from Herefordshire Council and that the only way they can retain existing services is to recoup that money from householders. It is possible, he reported, that

Herefordshire Council may be capped and that will force them into making

economies.

SPEEDING TRAFFIC - A letter from Mrs G Bufton of Mansell Gammage highlighted the dangers of large heavy goods vehicles speeding on a narrow road through a small village. She reported that it was an accident waiting to happen. The occurrence was during the Letton floods. The drainage work on the C1098 from Bishopstone crossroads down to the A438 are completed as is the new vehicle passing place in Bishopstone it was reported to the meeting.

BUILDING RENEWAL - Two members from Bishopstone Council attended a meeting held in Bishops Frome Village Hall on Thursday, March 18, when the Government's review for their change of support for community building was examined. The two counties of Herefordshire and Worcestershire will jointly submit their proposals to this Government paper through the services of Community First who are based in Malvern. It was reported to the parish council meeting that the visit was very well worth while.

ELECTIONS - Bishopstone Group Parish Council received an invoice from Herefordshire Council for £500 to cover their charges for the uncontested elections on May 1, 2003. This invoice was contested with Herefordshire Council and it was reported to the meeting that the charge had been reduced to £250.

VILLAGE PLAN - Councillor P Redshaw reported to the council that a completed Village Plan had been sent to Hereford shire Council in the hope that it would be accepted. Copies of it and a small leaflet, that summarises the full plan, were

distributed to all present in the room for them to see for themselves what

the final version may look like. It is proposed that all households in the

Parish Group will receive a leaflet. Councillor Redshaw advised that the

final part of the grant had been extended to June and that when it is

received it will cover all the costs of printing. The consensus of opinion

was that the final document was more than very good.

PLANNING - Backing was given to the The Weir at Kenchester for conversion of part a stable block to provide accommodation for National Trust.

BYFORD ROAD - Councillor C Draper reported that the road on Byford Common was full of pot holes and in a poor state. The clerk would report this fact to Herefordshire Council.

NEW BRIDGE COMMUNITY CENTRE - Councillor Hubbard requested a discussion on what should be done about the Byford Village Hall bank account and suggested that it could be moved into the account of the New Bridge Community Centre's account. This was unanimously approved.

COUNCIL ADMINISTRATION - The parish clerk was given permission to purchase a copy of the 6th edition of Local Council Administration which was available reduced from £47 to £37.60 because the council are members of HALC. The next council meeting is on Thursday, May 20, with the venue to be arranged.

WACKY WALKERS - Walkers are being asked to meet at the Bateman Arms, Shobdon by 10.30am on Saturday for a two hour walk through the Shobdon Court Estate.