A Meeting of Dorstone Parish Council was held in Dorstone Front Room, Dorstone on Thursday January 9th2020 at 7-30pm Present: Present; Councillor T Usher, Chairman, Councillor T Arnott, Councillor L Aubrey-Cosslett , Councillor B James Councillor A Phillips, Councillor D Phillips & Mr C Hendy Parish Council Clerk. Also present for part of the meeting; Ward Councillor J Hewitt, one parishioner, two officers West Midland Police Apologies were received from Councillor M Hession, unwell. Meeting Venue, the Village Hall was not available on January 8th, alternate date offered January 9th, this then became unavailable and the meeting changed to Dorstone Front Room. No declarations of interest received. Representation from the public Mr Wright raised the problem of speed of traffic through the village, whilst probably within the current speed limit, concerned about the speed and he suggested additional signage, as displayed at Westbrook, was provided. The minutes of meeting December 11th 2019 were approved and signed by the chairman Reports; Ward Councillor gave a verbal report, the leaders report had been circulated Golden Valley Police, PC J Rouse & PCSO F Witcher in attendance, PC Rouse has recently transferred onto the Golden Valley Safer Neighbourhood team and gave an update, and they both answered questions raised. The monthly report had been circulated. Planning Application Number: Planning consultation 193642 Site Barn north of Dorstone Hill, Dorstone Hereford Description; Prior approval for a proposed change of use of an agricultural building to one dwelling Prior Approval granted with conditions. Noted the applicant had a traffic survey carried out, over a seven day period average of 448 vehicles daily use the road of with speeds up to 40 mph recorded. Neighbourhood Planning Questionnaire had been circulated, councillors discussed and agreed answers to the questions raised, the completed form was sent to Herefordshire Council. Finance Clerks salary £125 Payment authorised Highways Balfour Beatty is considering their approach to verge maintenance for the coming year to try to improve the biodiversity on the roadside verges. Rural roadside verges are cut twice a year in May/June and again in August/September. The first cut being omitted where there are sites of special plants, or habitats or where parishes request it, except where there are junctions or other safety concerns. Some parishes have requested on C and U roads within their parishes these uncut until August/September in 2020. Councillors discussed the verge maintenance, whilst agreeing the need to improve the biodiversity on roadside verges last year there had been dense growth of the verges which caused problems on the C and U roads for all users, agreed to monitor verges this year to identify any areas where only a yearly cut is made. Footpath D02, to receive an update report of injury to walkers by dogs Speed of Traffic through Village Councillors discussed the concern raised, obtaining the 30mph speed limit had taken many years, no report of any accidents, and the signage at Westbrook was not approved. Agreed clerk to obtain information if suitable signs were available Climate Emergency: Chairman reported Mr B Mclean had agreed to continue as Climate Change Champion a recent meeting had been held, which he had attended along with Councillor Aubrey-Cosslett & Councillor Arnott, they received an update on research undertaken by Mr Mclean, in particular on community level projects, reviewed the DNP Renewable Energy Policy RE1, discussed options going forward including others to join the group as needed, Information Resource to help individual parishioners, liaising with community groups with a view to facilitating community –level project and the possibility of grant funding. Discussed the wording for the parish council to consider; “Dorstone Parish Council declares support for Herefordshire Council’s aspiration of carbon neutrality by 2030”. Herefordshire Council; a) Flooding, Herefordshire Council appreciates what a difficult time this has been for people recently and has launched hardship schemes to residents and businesses whose homes or businesses have been flooded. Information circulated. www.herefordshire.gov.uk/floods b) Training with Fastershire information circulated Hereford Association of local Councils Training in March The session will be between 19.00 and 21.00) in the Hall, available to all current councillors. The cost is £175 plus mileage and VAT. Date agreed; Monday 9th March Councillor Aubrey-Cosslett gave her apologies for the next meeting. Date of next meeting February 12th 2020. No further business the chairman thanked those who had attended and closed the meeting.