PARISH COUNCIL - The January meeting of Ewyas Harold Group Parish Council was held in the Memorial Hall with Councillor Mrs E Overstall in the chair. Hereford councillor JB Williams was present, also two prospective candidates for the advertised post of parish clerk and a member of the public.

DECLARATION OF INTERESTS - Councillors J Middle, L Rickards and G Sprackling declared interests in any matter relating to the Memorial Hall.

SPEED LIMITS - A465 speed limit - The clerk has written to the West Mercia Police Authority asking for a 40 mph speed limit to be considered. A copy of the letter sent to the Highways Authority been sent to them. Advice has been received stating that the Highway Agency sets the speed limit in conjunction with the police. DFT Circular 1/93 states that speed limits should not be used in place of road improvements. It was agreed that councillor Mrs E Overstall would write to Hereford MP Paul Keetch and Councillor Mrs M Williams would record instances of 'near misses' on this stretch of road at Pontrilas. Consultation has begun on extending the 30mph speed limit to the top of Castle Pitch. Speed and volume surveys have been requested for the B4634 adjacent to Gilberts Wood and Cherry Tree Close.

PLAYGROUND AUDIT - Members of the recreation ground sub-committee had studied the document and decided that much of it was highly complex and not relevant to the situation in our play area. It was agreed to ask a consultant, Neil Bradford to meet members on site and discuss what could be done in a practical and inexpensive way.

RURAL TRANSPORT PARTNERSHIP - The clerk had been advised that £2,000 of recurring funding had been secured and a bid has been prepared from Hereford Lottery Fund. Any grant would be very acceptable. It was agreed that a grant of £300 should be paid by the parish council to Dore Community Transport.

CLERK ADVERTISEMENT - An advertisement for this post of parish clerk to Ewyas Harold GPC has been placed in The Clerk - the journal of the Society of Local Council Clerks.

SANDBAGS - Councillor G Sprackling reported that there was now some urgency about the non-arrival of sandbags ordered some time ago to prevent flooding of properties. It was agreed that an approach might be made to Kentchurch Parish Council as to whether they were delivered to the Kentchurch store by mistake as had happened on a previous occasion. Since this meeting HC have delivered the sandbags to the Ewyas Harold store.

PLANNING PERMISSION - Permission granted for Pwll yr Hwnt Rowleston for a garage and car port. Permission granted for Fire Station, Ewyas Harold, for a extension to watch room.

LENGTHSMAN SCHEME - The clerk circulated a report on the work completed in November. Work in January to include clearing of visibility fencing near Penyworlod Farm, Rowleston, and clearing of leaves from a passing place near the Ark. Steps would also be taken to undertake completion of a section of retaining wall on Traphouse Pitch, Ewyas Harold.

FINANCIAL REPORT - The clerk presented his financial report which was approved and payments authorised.

RECREATION GROUND - Following an inspection of the field it was agreed that councillor G Sprackling should approach the chairmen of both football and cricket clubs about repair and maintenance of various structures and items of equipment on the recreation ground for which they are responsible.

CHRISTMAS LIGHTS - Councillor R Weaver reported that much trouble had been experienced through water getting into the lights. It was agreed to authorise the spending of £300 on replacement lights. A letter of thanks would be sent to Ron Cooper for repairing the lights. Letters of thanks for their help also to be sent to John Collins and Nick Eynon. The next meeting of the parish council will be on Tuesday, February 3, 2004.