Minutes of a meeting of Wellington Heath Parish Council held in the Memorial Hall Committee Room on Monday 25th March 2024 commencing at 7.30pm.
Present – Cllrs. H. Tierney (Chairman) S. Loveridge, G. Kirk and J. Jones.
An apology for inability to attend the meeting was received and approved from Cllr. R. Barnes.
Also in attendance was County Cllr. Liz Harvey and the Clerk.
Minutes – The Minutes of the meeting held on 29th January 2024 were taken as read, confirmed and signed by the Chairman.
Declarations of Interest in items on the Agenda – none received.
Agenda item 4 – Open Session – Cllr Liz Harvey advised that two consultations will be commencing on 25th March 2024 which include Herefordshire Local Plan Regulation 18 consultation and the local transport plan early engagement. The Local Plan 2021-2041 will set out the planning framework for the county for the period to 2041 and will cover such issues as housing provision, the economy, retail and two centres, infrastructure provision and the environment. Early engagement with members of the public and key stakeholders on a new local transport plan for the county to understand people’s priorities for improving transport in the county, including both rural areas as well as larger areas and she advised she is concerned for a fair county wide split. Road Show displays will be taking place and she felt that this might be an excellent opportunity for a display at the Parish Council Parish meeting in April. She also advised on traffic proposals in the area, with particular regard to access for huge vehicles on Ledbury bypass which would not be a permanent feature. Works to the junction by Ledbury Station will follow in the autumn and opening up the canal. Drainage plans have shown drains narrowing under the road in the area where the network rail land drains discharge, causing flooding near Sequanii and Cllr Harvey has requested that work to rectify this takes place whilst other works are carried out. Difficulties during work to Top Cross was discussed and she was advised that the Parish Council have heard nothing other than a response “that this was not what they consider was their responsibility”. Cllr Harvey agreed to take this matter up.
No members of the public in attendance.
Agenda item 5 – Update Reports.
Road safety – Cllr. Loveridge advised that he was still trying to arrange the village walk through with Bruce Evans but he has obtained some information from him which is helpful in putting together a draft plan to go forward, including history of the village, illustrated map of the village, walk through, photographic evidence, safe walking route into Ledbury, traffic survey data from a study done in 2013 regarding speeding in the village indicating a wish for a 20 mph speed limit along Horse Road and The Common. It was agreed the safe walking route was unlikely to occur, but we do have the necessary point for a speed indicator device on the Ledbury Road above Twinkelow Cottage. Cllr Harvey suggested obtaining a map from National Archive Office which would be helpful as they have maps of England and Wales on line.
She also agreed to look into a local plan display for our Parish meeting and suggested perhaps the Locality Steward Neil James might attend the meeting to give a talk , but if he was not available a Team Leader might be able to attend.
Update Reports continued –
Lengthsman – In his absence, Cllr Barnes had submitted his report on Lengthsman activities including Bridge at Pool Piece demolished and removed; toy box moved to new site; top gate blocked off; grill installed over outlet pipe as requested; main gate at Pool Piece repaired; some drains cleared where identified as blocked off, more to be done once advised of any issues, grit bin on junction of Hollow Lane and Burtons Lane repositioned; steps into Pleck to be made safe and refitted. Forthcoming jobs include bench in The Pleck to have a coat of teak oil, non-slip surface to be put on steps into The Pleck and Pool Piece drainage across access gate into stream. Work on Ochre Hill drainage work to start as soon as weather permits.
Hollow Lane – Need to get water checked in Hollow Lane for raw sewage, it has been highlighted to the Lengthsman by Cllr Jones indicating that it may be coming from a nearby property and causing problems. Suggested to ask BB for sample water check before we start any work.
Cllr Barnes also confirmed he had submitted an expression of interest in the communication from Talk Community regarding the forthcoming Lengthsman Scheme, PROW funding and local drainage funding.
Little Pleck – The sycamore tree has been taken down by Hamish Skinner and the wood and brash has been removed. The Bench has been purchased with the funds donated by the Three Shires Rally.
Ochre Hill – The Chairman has met with Mrs. Davis and others on site. The preference was for Ochre Hill to be a grassed lane but they had accepted that the steps are not going to be taken away, with reference to be able to walk down the right hand side of the rail. Cllr Barnes/Lengthsman will continue with their plans to improve the drainage, and if funds remained, to improve the state of the steps.
Church Road Verge – Cllr Jones has inspected the problem which was exacerbated by wild life uncovering some of the roots of the tree which she now considers to be in danger of falling across the main road. Cllr Jones agreed to get Balfour Beatty to have a look at the tree.
Electric Point at Village Hall – The Memorial Hall Committee had commented that they felt there was insufficient parking at the Village Hall to accommodate an electric vehicle charge point, and the Clerk has notified Hereford Council accordingly that the Parish Council did not wish to proceed with this proposal.
Pool Piece – The bridge considered dangerous during the routine yearly inspection has been taken down and removed.
Grit Bins – Several new grit bins have been located around the Village.
Planning issues – Cllr Kirk had forwarded update to all Councillors prior to the meeting. He had forwarded a reply to Planning regarding vehicles parking on the road during work in progress at White Cottage.
Agenda item 6 – new items for consideration –
Appointment of representative to Ledbury Consolidated Charities – following the retirement of Hamish Skinner as a Trustee – Cllr. Jennifer Jones kindly agreed to be appointed to become a Trustee and the Parish Council Representative. Clerk to advise accordingly.
Arrangements for Annual Parish Meeting to take place on 22nd April 2024 and it was hoped Cllr. Harvey would be able to arrange for display boards regarding the Local Plan Regulation, and also for a display by Cllr Loveridge regarding the Parish Council’s road safety project. Refreshments would also be available. Clerk to enquire if the Locality Steward Neil James would be free to attend.
Agenda item 7 – Financial matters –
The Clerk advised the undermentioned Accounts had been paid during February when no Parish Council meeting took place –
(a) Clerk’s salary for February 2024 £316.63.
(b) HMRC – PAYE to 5th March 2024 £79.20.
© Dave Cooke – Lengthsman duties £670.00.
The Clerk advised the following Accounts were due for payment to end of March 2024 –
(d) Clerk’s salary for March 2024 £316.63.
(e) HMRC – PAYE to 5th April 2024 £79.20.
(f) D. Cooke – Lengthsman duties £350.00.
(g) Clerk’s allowances and expenses to 31 March 2024 £148.25.
On a proposal by Cllr Jones seconded by Cllr Loveridge and carried, all the above payments were approved for payment and cheques signed accordingly.
Agenda item 8 – Reports from various Council representatives –
Memorial Hall – Cllr Barnes had been unable to attend the latest Memorial Hall Committee meeting. Following receipt of a copy of the Trust Deed from the Parish Council Solicitors – R & CB Masefield. the Clerk was to request confirmation from the Solicitors that they hold the original deed of Conveyance of the land dated 23rd December 1926 and also to enquire the cost of registering the land documents with the Land Registry.
Road Safety Group – see above.
The Plecks – see above.
Planning – Cllr Kirk had supplied an up to date list of the present situation regarding outstanding and previous planning applications.
Agenda item 9 – Brief update on any important items or correspondence –
The Clerk reported on the Bank balances at the end of February 2024.
Dates and content for both the Annual Parish Meeting and the Annual Meeting of the Parish Council were agreed.
The Parish Council Payroll Officer had been notified by HMRC that the existing arrangement for collection of PAYE would be changing with effect from April 2024. The Employer Payment Booklet would cease, with payment reverting either to Standing Order or Direct Debit via the Council’s Bank Account. Both of these options presented problems due to two signatures required on Council payments and/or the varying amount of Tax from month to month albeit by a few pence.
The matter was discussed, and unanimously agreed that the Parish Council would continue with the existing arrangement, ie cheque payments every month, with the Clerk keeping a careful record of dates of payment. The Accounts office reference of 120PV00289244 clearly written on the back of each cheque commencing from April 2024.
Agenda item 10 – Councillor reports –
The Chairman advised that she would include in the advertisement for Councillors in the Newsletter that persons with particular skills such as fund raising would be extremely beneficial to the Parish Council.
There being no further business, the Chairman declared the meeting closed at 9.30pm.
H.Tierney 20th May 2024
Signed…………………………………………………………………. Dated…………………………..
Chairman.