Minutes of a meeting of Wellington Heath Parish Council held on Monday 27th January 2025 in the Memorial Hall commenting at 7.30pm
Present – Cllrs. J. Jones (in the Chair), G. Kirk and R. Barnes. Also in attendance was County Councillor Liz Harvey and the Clerk.
Agenda item 1 – An apology for inability to attend was received and approved from Cllr. H. Tierney.
Agenda item 2– Minutes – The Minutes of the meeting held on 25th November 2024 were taken as read, confirmed and signed by the Chairman.
Agenda item 3 – Declarations of Interest in items on the Agenda – none received.
Agenda item 4 – Open Session – County Councillor L. Harvey advised as follows –
- She advised she had reported Balfour Beatty to the Cabinet Members with regard to the drainage issues which had affected Wellington Heath during the summer months. BB had attended on site on two occasions, agreed there was a blockage but nothing had been done. Cllr Harvey asked for copies of any photographs which are available to be sent to her. The gullies on the Bromyard Road had been cleared.
- Finance/Budget – Hereford Council will continue to fund Lengthsman schemes. Extra monies in capital programme for road maintenance. The proposed Budget has been passed by Council last week and would go before full Council for approval on 5th February 2025. She commented on provision which is available for households experiencing hardship.
- Viaduct housing site – a crack had appeared in the wall at the station which had been logged with Network Rail. A long snagging list exists affecting this new road junction, and also many complaints about the housing development. Cllr Barnes asked about road repair schemes and enquired how the Parish Council can apply for a share of these funds. Cllr Harvey asked Councillors to let her know if they consider anything needs to be done in this area.
- Cllr Harvey reported there are many issues raised in the Ledbury area and that comments on the proposed planning application by Lidl remain open. County still looking for additional housing sites as they do not have the required land bank supply. She advised this might well affect Wellington Heath as our NDP is more than five year’s old and which may be set aside. Parkway in Ledbury is under threat.
Cllr Barnes enquired about “devolution” where it is proposed that you lose the middle team and merge up with other authorities. Cllr Harvey advised Hereford do not wish to be merged with another authority. She talked about the advantages and disadvantages in the overall proposal and also indicated other authorities which could be included in the merger should this go ahead.
There were no members of the public in attendance.
Agenda item 5 – Update Reports on outstanding matters.
- Road Safety – A report had been circulated by the Chairman prior to her departure on holiday.
- Lengthsman – Cllr Barnes advised work continues at Pool Piece and he advised on the current situation regarding work on the steps at Ochre Hill. Ditches are kept clear in the Parish as and when required and claims had been submitted to Hereford Council for additional funding under the Lengthsman scheme.
- Memorial Hall title registration – The Solicitors had advised the Clerk that they would need to know the full names and addresses of two Councillors authorised to enter the Parish Council into legal requirements. This was discussed and agreed that the Council representatives should be the Chairman and Vice Chairman – this was agreed on a vote.
- Clerk to advise Solicitors.
- Training for Councillors – New date agreed for the 11th March 2025 –
- Clerk to advise HALC .
Agenda item 6 – -New items for consideration –
Council vacancies – Following the resignation of Stephen Loveridge two vacancies now exist for Councillors. Prior to departing on holiday the Chairman had thanked Stephen for his work on the Parish Council, and in particular with reference to his position of Chairman of the Road Safety Group. In the meantime the Chairman had agreed to take over chairmanship of the group. The vacancy has been reported to Hereford Council, and the notices supplied by them are posted on two notice boards in the Parish. There was a unanimous vote of thanks to Stephen for his time in office, with particular reference to the road safety group which was appreciated by everyone. Hereford Council will advise us when we are free to co-opt should there be no call for an election.
Agenda item 7 – Finances –
The Clerk advised the following Accounts had been received for payment during December 2024 when no Council meeting had been held.
Lengthsman – Invoice Nos. 33,34 & 37 £595.00. Chq No. 1433.
Memorial Hall, hire fees £31.50.
Clerk – Salary £333.47.
HMRC – PAYE to 5th January 2025 £83.20.
The Clerk advised the following Accounts were presented for payment for January 2025 –
Clerk, Salary £333.26.
HMRC – PAYE to 5th January 2025 £83.40.
Lengthsman – Invoice Nos. 39 and 40 £405.00. Chq No, 1446.
On a proposal by the Chairman seconded by Cllr Kirk all the above Invoices were approved for payment and cheques signed accordingly as all Invoices were available for inspection.
Agenda item 8 – Reports from Committee members –
Memorial Hall – Cllr Barnes advised that the Committee Room was to be re-decorated and curtains changed. TV on the wall in the Committee room rather than the screen and new lighting. Both the Treasurer and the chairman have resigned and a new Bank Account opened which deals with charities.
Recent events had been successful, and a Quiz evening will take place on the 5th April. Charges for use of the Hall had been slightly increased.
Planning – Cllr Kirk had submitted a Report to all Councillors giving appropriate updates.
Green Spaces – Cllr Kirk advised he had attended a webinar “Nature recovery Mapping in Herefordshire – Webinar for Parish/Town Councils” on 22nd January 2025. There are some actions which will arise when the Minutes are published.
Pool Piece – the recent flooding damaged the entrance path from the car park which can be avoided in future by some work to be carried out by the Lengthsman. There is nothing to report on either The Pleck or Little Pleck.
Agenda item 9 – Brief update on minor matters.
The Clerk reported on current Bank balances.
An e-mail had been received enquiring whether it would be possible for the black sign on the corner of Jacks Lane to be changed from “best kept village” to actually read for a sign posting to Jacks Lane. This was discussed and it was agreed a reply should be sent by the Clerk to the effect that the Parish Council will not agree for the sign to be removed as the sign as it stands is considered to be part of the heritage and history of the Parish.
Pool Piece – a suggestion had been received from the Lengthsman to improve the existing pathway into Pool Piece with a new entrance formed with steps. A discussion followed and It was agreed that this should be discussed with the Chairman on her return from holiday and to possibly hold a site meeting to either repair the entrance as is, or to construct a new entrance.
There being no further matters arising the Chairman declared the meeting was closed at 8.50pm.
H Tierney 31/03/2025
Signed………………………………………………………………………. Dated…………………………………..
Chairman.