PARISH COUNCIL - The Parish Plan Steering Group and the parish council met at the village hall on Thursday, January 22. David James, National Trust and three members of the public were in attendance. Apologies were received from ward councillor Bob Mathews and one member of the parish council. Mr James reported that arrangements had been approved for land management of Trust land within Breinton Parish. Discussion then ensued as to how land owned by the church and the trust might best be served for use by the public. It was agreed that this was a matter for the landowners, although the parish council would wish to support matters wherever possible. Herefordshire Council, as the planning authority, might also need to be involved. The steering group decided that, at this stage, matters should be left in the hands of the landowners and that no action need be taken until maps, showing possible changes, became available. The steering group decided that a start should be made on drawing up the draft Parish Plan and it was agreed that the members originally charged with examining the main topics of transport, environment, footpaths, young people, village hall and planning should each forward a document to the parish clerk by Sunday, February 29. The clerk reported that a request for written clarification as to whether the parish council had any responsibility for charity land had been forwarded to the Charity Commissioners and that a reply was awaited. There was some doubt as to whether a decision had been made regarding the inclusion of the Breinton Plan within the Quiet Lanes project because there appeared to be conflicting views within Herefordshire Council. The clerk was instructed to ascertain the exact position. The clerk reported the licensing position in respect of the premises to which there had been complaints regarding noise. After discussion regarding the strength of evidence available it was resolved that the Licensing Justices and the Police should be informed of the current situation and that detailed evidence would be collected throughout the coming year. If the circumstances warranted it then formal objection to any licenses held could be made. It was noted that the Environment Agency was contemplating a number of special projects regarding canoeing and boating, one of which included that portion of the River Wye down river from Mordiford that had been designated an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. It was felt that the time was now right to possibly extend the area up river as far as the Welsh border. It was resolved at this early stage that Herefordshire Council should be asked to note the parish council's interest. The next meeting of the parish council will be held on Thursday, February 12, at Breinton Parish Church at 7pm.