PARISH COUNCIL -- The August meeting of Ewyas Harold Group Parish Council was held at the Memorial Hall with Councillor E Overstall in the chair. Hereford councillor JB Williams and one member of the public was also present.

BOUNDARY STONE -- The Lord of the Manor, John Rogers has replied to the clerk's letter about the parish boundary stone, he agreed to re-erect the fallen stone and will liaise with Coun Bill Preece for correct positioning.

FOOTWAY -- Agreement has been reached with the owner as regards the footway at Elm Green Road, this matter has now been resolved.

VILLAGE PLAN -- Coun Overstall said that the design statement was ready for printing and it was agreed members would distribute copies to households.

ROUNDABOUT - Coun R Weaver has contacted Spencer Duggan who agreed to remove and store the children's roundabout; a revised village sign design has been obtained from WI president Gill Reece with permission to erect it in the surgery grounds.

FOOTPATH SIGN -- The Jarrold footpath sign has been replaced and re-erected on the gate of the recreation ground, Downey Engineering will be fixing the gate spring.

VALUATION -- A second valuation will be sought for insurance cover for the buildings, the first deemed unsatisfactory.

CHILDREN'S PLAY AREA -- A new order for bark will be placed with Pontrilas garden centre and the previous order revoked.

DONATIONS -- The matter of charitable donations has been deferred until the promised analysis is received from councillor P Jinman.

PARTNERSHIP -- No reply received as yet from Kentchurch Parish Council concerning suggestions of a partnership in funding with Ewyas Harold Memorial Hall and the use of the parish freighter service.

ALTERATION -- Due to several complaints it was agreed to change the erected road sign 'Chemist Lane' to 'School Road'.

ELMDALE HOUSING -- Coun Mrs J Addis reported that some residents were unhappy with planning procedures to Elmdale housing, a reply from Hereford Council will answer any misleading information previously given.

TRAINING -- Couns Rickards and Sheen are to be booked on a core training programme at Brockington on September 17.

VIDEO -- Councillors are invited to an informal meeting at Little Cwm on September 2, 7.30pm to view 'The Code in Practice' video.

DEFRA-QUALITY PARISH COUNCIL SCHEME -- Councillors were asked to consider a name for a proposed Group Parish Council newsletter. Costing for delivery of the newsletter will be provided by the clerk from Royal Mail, and the clerk will give Coun N Williams the specification of the Website so a second costing can be obtained.

RISK ASSESSMENT -- Agreement to implement the proposed Halc Model Risk Assessment sheet be adopted with the frequency of inspection changed from weekly to monthly will be discussed at the next meeting.

PLAYGROUND AUDIT -- Sub-committee to assess and report to the October meeting.

ROWLESTONE PARISH NOTICE BOARD -- Coun Mrs M Williams presented a costed proposal from Falcon Woodwork. It was agreed to place an order for the notice board costed at £380.

CORRESPONDENCE -- Included, notice of planning permission for Bethal Barn, Penyworlod Farm (barns) in Rowlestone parish. 1 Temple Terrace, vehicular access and parking. A reply had been received from John Rogers following a letter sent to him expressing concern over issues on the common. A letter had been received from West Mercia Housing Group offering to accept input from the GPC on the Elmdale Development Play Area. Acceptance was agreed. Cross and James' valuation of Memorial hall and pavilion received and noted. Another valuation to be obtained.

FINANCIAL REPORT -- The Clerk's report approved and payments authorised.

INTERNAL AUDITOR -- It was proposed and approved that Derek Kelso be appointed on the agreed fee basis of £25.

PLANNING -- The following planning applications were considered: EWYAS HAROLD: Caeflwyn (EH common) Change of use from engineering workshop to woodcarving business - part business part vocational (full). After considering advice that any grant of change of use should be on a personal basis for sole use of the applicant. Approved.CASTLE LANDS FARM - Proposed conversion of disused milking parlour into holiday let cottage (full). Rejected on the grounds that it is an inappropriate development on a Grade 1 Ancient Monument site. Not capable of conversion, footpath running close by. No vehicular access at present would entail carving a road across the front of an ancient monument. DICK'S PITCH: ABBEYDORE - Change of use from agricultural to storage of timber and wood chips. Application rejected. Would introduce unnatural features, visually damaging to the landscape, inappropriate development. LANCILLO PARISH - Pool farm conversion of barns to four bedroom dwellings (full) with swimming pool. Approved.

ROAD MAINTENANCE -- The clerk reported two quotations for extra road sweeping. Instruction to Tom Head Ltd. for a single sweep (£25/ hour) should be issued. Commence September.

RECREATION GROUND -- Couns J Middle and G Sprackling reported a break in and vandalism in the pavilion. A window was broken to gain entry and a dry powder fire extinguisher discharged on the eve of Thursday, July 31. Vandals would have had white powder on their clothes and hair. Footprints left. Forensic officer took fingerprints. Cleaner called in to clear up considerable mess. Instruction issued for repair of window.

CRICKET PITCH -- Councillor Weaver reported a request by Sat Cricket Club to the parish council for top soil. Club members would spread it over an uneven area of the outfield at no cost to the GPC. It was agreed that Councillor Weaver should obtain the cost of the topsoil from club member Les Dallow.

CAR PARK SIGN -- It was decided to get a reflective sign saying "Please use car park" shaped as a left hand arrow, to direct motorists to the car park on the recreation ground.

RISK SCHEDULE -- It was agreed to adopt the risk schedule with the proviso that inspections change from weekly to monthly.

No business meeting in September. Next meeting at the Memorial Hall on Tuesday, October 7 at 7.30pm.