Minutes of a meeting of Wellington Heath Parish Council held on Monday 26th January 2026 in the Memorial Hall commencing at 7.30pm
Attending the meeting were Cllr H. Tierney (in the Chair) G. Kirk, T. Lott and R. Barnes.
Agenda item 1 – Apologies for inability to attend had been received from Cllr. S. Harries.
Agenda item 2 – The Minutes of the meeting held on 24th November 2025 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 – There were no members of the public in attendance.
Agenda item 5 – Update reports on outstanding matters and agree further action.
Road Safety –
Cllr Lott gave a summary of what he has done and asked for approval to carry out a pilot test on Horse Road. He advised that Operation SNAP is not the responsibility of the Parish Council and reported that there appeared little support for other proposals other than the “20 is Plenty” scheme. Cllr Lott sought approval for a pilot test of 20 is Plenty on Horse Road and this was approved. Discussion took place about the type of signs required.
The Chairman mentioned the traffic count scheme which had previously taken place on Raycombe Lane at the request of the Parish Council which could be repeated if Councillors considered it to be beneficial. Cllr Lott agreed to continue talking to Ledbury Town Council but does not consider it is the right time for the Parish Council to do anything further with regard to purchasing a Telraam system to monitor traffic as Highways advised they would carry out a traffic count early in the New Year.
Planning – Cllr Kirk provided a report on “planning applications status” prior to the meeting. It noted that: there is nothing to report on Rocky’s Field; the application by Woodfield to replace their garage by a house extension was approved; a TPO application on Floyds Lane was rejected; a TPO application on Horse Road was approved subject to a satisfactory replacement plan.
As regards the proposals for steps at Becks Orchard lengthy discussion took place. The Council recognised the potential benefit of steps in helping to manage pedestrian movement at the top of the Common. However, the Council did not consider the build quality acceptable. There was also concern about the implications of adopting the steps, particularly in relation to safety risks (slips, trips, and falls) and ongoing costs (maintenance, seasonal leaf clearance, and general wear and tear). The Council agreed it did not want to adopt the steps. Cllr Kirk would check to see if there was any contractual obligation to adopt them and if not would advise the landowner that we did not agree to transfer of the land. Cllr Barnes would approach Herefordshire Council to see if they would be prepared to adopt the steps as a PROW.
Planning – other considerations
Activities on the land at the top of Rockys Field. Cllr Barnes agreed to forward copies to all Councillors. The activities include laying gravel on the land classed as a “green space” without consultation with the Council.
Drainage on The Common – visit by Hereford Council Representative –
Cllr Lott also requested a copy of the response following the visit by a representative from Hereford Council on 17th December asking what the plans are. A resident in Pub lane has asked whether she can lay tarmac at her property but had been advised that this was nothing to do with the Parish Council. Cllr Barnes agreed to contact Jason (H/Council to see what solutions he could propose following his visit.
Lengthsman – Cllr Barnes advised some trees had been felled at The Pleck. Maintenance of drains continues; building site still blocking the ditches. He also reported that work on Ochre Hill Steps will commence shortly and advised we await receipt of monies offered from Hereford Council as follows but to date these are not to hand –
Hereford Council funding £1,476.00.00;
Lenghtsman scheme £2,000.00.
Ditching grants £3,745.00
Totalling £7,221.00.
Cllr Barnes advised it is Possible further grants might be available amounting to £4,80.00
Registration of Hall documents – Cllr Kirk advised nothing further to report to date. The Chairman advised that the Parish Council again confirmed that the Parish Council do not own the piece of land between the Memorial Hall and the adjoining bungalow and that the Council would not cut down or include in felling or removing any of the trees on the site.
Review of NDP – Cllr Kirk advised nothing further to report.
Payment of rent by the Memorial Hall Committee – It was agreed to bring the matter up to date the Parish Council agreed the proposal for the Hall Committee that rent should be paid from 1976 to 2076 which is 100 years. The Clerk would submit an Invoice to the Hall Committee for the peppercorn rent of five pence a year in the amount of £5 from 1976 to 2076.
Agenda item 6 Items for consideration –
Insurance of Parish Council monies held at the Bank – following advice from the Bank that Council funds do not now receive protection for FSCS bank deposit protection, the Clerk to contact HALC who had previously advised that this was an incorrect decision by the Bank, and the Clerk had also received confirmation from the Parish Council Insurance Company that they do not include any indemnity cover.
Supporting elderly residents in the Parish – The Chairman advised she had discussed this with type of project with Debbie Harrison and Councillors agreed that something of this nature could prove very beneficial for some local residents.
Joining Parish Council Charter – The Parish Council agreed to join the scheme.
Capital Investment Grant – The Paris Council decided not to apply for the grant.
Position of additional dog bin – It has been agreed to buy an additional dog bin to be positioned on the slope on Ledbury Road before Floyds Lane once a volunteer to empty the bins had been found.
Agenda item 7 -Finance – To approve payment of the following Accounts for November 2025 –
The Practice Payroll £12.00 + vat @ £2.40 = £14.40.
Clerk Salary £349.90
HMRC PAYE £87.60.
Clerk allowances and expenses £321.92. including new printer.
HALC Domain and hosting £225.00 + £45.00 vat =£270.00.
To approve payment of the following accounts for December 2025.
Clerk Salary £350.10.
The Practice Payroll £12.00 + £2.40 vat = £14.40.
HMRC PAYE £87.40.
Lenghtsman Inv. No 41 £480.00 – Chq No. 1515.
Accounts for January 2026 – The Clerk confirmed no accounts had been received to date for payment for January 2026.
Agenda item 8 – Reports from Council Representatives for the following items –
Memorial Hall Cllr Barnes advised it had been suggested that the Hall Committee would pay the rent of 0.5p a year for one hundred years – Clerk to submit Invoice on receipt of the Hall Secretary’s address from Cllr. Barnes.
Newcomer event would now take place in September every year.
Green Spaces – Cllr Kirk advised nothing to report but confirmed that the work to the culvert in Pool Piece had not yet been carried out.
Agenda item 9 – brief update on any important issues and correspondence not covered elsewhere on the Agenda –
Cllr. Lott was advised that the annual tractor run did not require permission from the Council and that the Annual 3 shires rally would hopefully take place again this year following the cancellation during 2025. The Clerk confirmed she received regular update/information from the Rally organisers.
The Clerk confirmed bank balances.
Dates for important meetings –
The Annual meeting of the Parish Council would take place on May 18th 2026.
Annual Parish Meeting – The Clerk was asked to approach Ellie Chowns to see if she could attend and a date would be decided dependent upon Ellie’s response. The Chair made the point that the Annual Parish Meeting was usually held in April so that it was not confused with the Annual Meeting of the Parish Council.
There being no further business the Chairman declared the meeting at 9.45pm.
H. Tierney 30/03/26.
Signed…………………………………………………………………………… Dated………………………………………
Chairman