Minutes of a meeting of Wellington Heath Parish Council held on Monday 29th January 2024 in the Committee Room at the Memorial Hall commencing at 7.30pm.
In attendance – Cllrs. H. Tierney (in the Chair) J. Jones, G. Kirk, R. Barnes and S. Loveridge.
Also in attendance were Colin Davies, Peter Constantine, Mrs. P Davies, Mrs. R. Adams, County Councillor Liz Harvey, Bruce Evans (Hereford Council Senior Highways Engineer) and the Clerk.
Agenda item No. – Minutes – The Minutes of the meeting held on 27th November 2023 were taken as read, confirmed and signed by the Chairman.
Agenda item No. 3 – Declarations of Interest in items on the Agenda – None received.
Agenda item No. 4 -Open Session –
County Councillor Liz Harvey had submitted Report to all Councillors via e-mail prior to the meeting.
- She advised that road works were due to start in the summer at the railway junction in Ledbury but these will not now start on time.
- Some houses on the main road on the Bloor site have been completed, but there needs to be agreement on outstanding issues before any are occupied.
- She agreed to chase the Trust regarding what is being done about the new route for the canal.
- County Plan consultation taking place until 8th February and urged Councillors urged to look at the County level plan as consultation period was being extended.
- Long diversion on A roads during planned work at Top Cross, Ledbury.
- Council tax being increased up to 4.99% with proposed up-lift for the assistance given to families experiencing financial hardship.
Bruce Evans, Herefordshire Council Senior Highways Engineer in attendance –
Local issues raised including (1) use of HGVs on Horse Road (2) closure of Top Cross for one week resulting in possible rat-run through the Village and (3) possibility of village deciding to seek a 20mph speed limit through the village for slowing traffic down. He kindly agreed to forward us a link to a booklet on Villages which he advised has information and useful examples of how to survey a village and produce a management plan which could then be used to get support and funding and used in connection with our NDP. There are a number of “funding pots” available. We should have a baseline for the amount of traffic through the Village as the developers themselves had estimated an additional 9% during works on infrastructure for the Viaduct site. The Parish Council had already collected some data for this. His advice was that the best approach was to collect as much information as possible and develop a map of road usage, traffic speeds, who the users are and why they are using the roads in order to develop appropriate traffic management solutions for example if deliveries were for the Farmers Arms, ask the pub to direct them to avoid Horse Road. He discussed speed limits and signage (but which would include access for larger vehicles such as removal vans). Mr. Evans fully agreed that more consultation was required and he agreed to ask Calum Bush or another officer to get in touch with Cllr Loveridge and arrange a walk through the village during daylight hours when it is possible to see problems and discuss what could be done to try to eliminate these. They could also check the condition of branches from trees which are overhanging the road down to Beggars Ash as mentioned by Colin Davies.
Top Cross – This will be closed from 11th February until 6am on 17th February with additional traffic lights for the week before and two weeks after. Knapp Lane and Cut Throat Lane will also be closed at the same time for safety reasons and to prevent traffic build up in Ledbury. Large plans were circulated to Councillors showing road closures and alternative routes advising that A routes can only be diverted on to other A Class roads. Some roads within Ledbury will be manned for 24hrs and Mr. Evans advised that residents in Ledbury will get letters advising of various diversions and plans. Parish Councillors expressed their concerns about the likelihood of increased traffic due to cars using the village as a diversion route instead of following the official diversion which is lengthy. He was advised of the problems experienced in the Parish which took place during works on the Storesbrook bridge which included damage to sunken lanes. The Parish Council requested a video survey of the state of roads before the works which could be compared to a video survey taken after the works so that any damage could be repaired. Mr. Evans agreed to arrange this and asked that the Parish ~Council send him a list of the roads to be surveyed, including road numbers (done by Cllr Loveridge).
- It was suggested the Parish Council write to Paul Esrich seeking his support during the problems which may occur during works at Top Cross and on the viaduct site.
- Parish Council could also write to Welsh Water copied to Herefordshire Council regarding the route taken by tankers when supplying water to local events, for example at Eastnor Deer Park.
- Enquire if representative from Balfour Beatty and the Developers at the Viaduct site could attend the Annual Parish Meeting to respond to Parishioner concerns.
- Defects can be reported on the Herefordshire Council website. but if there is a safety issue, Mr. Evans suggested we should phone it through – number is on the website.
- Davis asked about works at Ochre Hill – Cllr Barnes advised we are looking at various options to alleviate the problems including a soakaway at the top of the steps to catch some of the water. Cllr Barnes agreed to meet with Mrs. Davis to discuss what is being considered for the site. Cllr Kirk also invited if he wished to attend this meeting.
This part of the meeting closed at 8.45pm.
Agenda item No. 5 – Update Reports –
- Road safety – see Minutes under Open Session.
- Lengthsman – Steps at the Pleck have been done and suggestion made to take action to stop slippage when steps are wet. Bridge in Pool Piece is rotten and a heavy cost of repair was mentioned. It was suggested to move the toy box to another area within Pool Piece and take the bridge down. Cllr Barnes agreed to discuss matter with Hamish Skinner to ascertain his views on this action. In the meantime, the gate is padlocked.
- Little Pleck – Some works carried out. Sycamore tree has been left for the time being. Cllr Barnes will order new bench out of funds generously received from 3 Shires Rally.
- Ochre Hill – Cllrs Barnes and Kirk to have meeting with resident Mrs. Davies over proposals under consideration.
- Electric Charge point at Memorial Hall – Clerk advised no further news received to date.
- Pool Piece – Following report of extra hidden damage to bridge, Cllr Barnes to discuss removal with Hamish Skinner.
- Grit Bins – Some replacements have been agreed as per advice received from Neil James but we have no indication of timescale. Cllr Barnes advised that we can buy grit bins and if they are agreed replacements Herefordshire Council will fill them. He will get some prices.
- Cllr Roles – Following amendments agreed at last month’s meeting, new Roles have been agreed. Cllr Kirk has kindly agreed to take on The Pleck and also Pool Piece in addition to planning.
- Cllr vacancy – Vacancy advertised in the Newsletter – remove from Agenda.
- Footpath Officer – This vacancy has also been advertised in the latest edition of the Newsletter.
- Planning – At the request of the Chairman, planning issues are now to be discussed under the heading of “Update Reports”. Following a meeting on site, the question was discussed as to whether the Parish Council wished to take over ownership of the land at the back of “Becks Orchard”. The path would not now go through Little Pleck and Cllr Kirk was of the opinion that it does not represent any large expense to the Parish Council. On a proposal by Cllr Kirk with everyone in agreement, it was agreed that the Parish Council would take over ownership of this strip of land which is proposed as a donation from the current owner as part of the development of the site.
Agenda item No. 6 – Items for consideration –
- Malvern Hills National Landscape setting position – Cllr Kirk advised he has replied to this item.
- Church Road Verge – Cllr Barnes advised earth and leaves are encroaching onto the Road. Cllr Jones will discuss matter with Gavin James.
- Change date for May 2024 annual meeting of the Parish Council –
- The Annual Parish meeting would take place on 22nd April 2024.
- The Annual Meeting of the Parish Council will take place on 20th May 2024.
- Ledbury Top Cross road works – See item on Page 2024/01.
- Hire Contract – This was signed by the Chairman. No increase proposed in hire charges for regular users.
Agenda item No. 7 – Financial matters – To approve payment of the following Accounts when no meeting was held in December 2023 –
- Clerk, Salary – December 2023. £316.63.
- HMRC – PAYE to 5th January 2023 £79.20.
- Lengthsman £255.00.
The following Accounts were presented for payment at the meeting –
- Clerk, Salary – January 2024 £316.63.
- HMRC – PAYE to 5th February 2024 £79.20.
- Lengthsman £370.00.
- Gizmo Press, Newsletter £267.00.
- Clerk – allowances and expenses for two months £76.00.
On a proposal by Cllr Loveridge seconded by the Chairman the above Accounts were all approved for payment and cheques signed.
Agenda item No. 8 -Reports from Council representative for –
- Memorial Hall – Filing cabinets have been removed from Committee Room into the storeroom. Date to be agreed for contents of the cabinets to be checked during week commencing 12th
- Road Safety Group – See Reports above.
- Management of the Plecks – sycamore tree will be removed by Hamish Skinner in late February and a bench will then be purchased.
- Planning applications – List and update circulated by Cllr Kirk prior to meeting.
Agenda item No. 9 – Information update –
Clerk reported on Bank balances.
HALC Affiliation fee increased (above Budget level for year 2024/25).
There being no further business, the Chairman declared the meeting closed at 9.40pm.
H.Tierney 25th March 2024
Signed…………………………………………………………………. Dated…………………………………………
Chairman.