Wellington Heath Parish Council
2 New Cottages, Clenchers Mill Lane, Eastnor, Ledbury HR8 1RR
Minutes of a meeting of the Parish Council held on Monday 31st March 2025 in the Memorial Hall commencing at 7.30pm
Minutes of a meeting of the Parish Council held on Monday 31st March 2025 in the Memorial Hall commencing at 7.30pm.
In attendance were Cllr. H Tierney (in the Chair) Cllr Jennifer Jones, Cllr. G. Kirk and Cllr R. Barnes.
Also in attendance were County Councillor E. Harvey, D. Williams, S. Ghosh, Steve Harries and the Clerk.
Agenda item 2 – The Minutes of the Council meeting held on 27th January 2025 were taken as read, confirmed and signed by the Chairman.
Agenda item 3 – Declarations of Interest – Cllr Barnes declared an interest in the Memorial Hall as the Parish Council’s representative and signed the Declarations of Interest register.
Open Session Agenda item 4 – Cllr Harvey advised that she had that day received a report concerning the blocked pipe on The Common and had been told that the matter would be looked at on the 1st April with a mini digger in an effort to restore the flow. She further advised that resurfacing on the Bromyard Road and New Street Ledbury was scheduled and the Chairman commented on proposals being looked into by the Parish Council in both Staplow and Wellington Heath.
Cllr Harvey recommended no action be taken at this point in time regarding the Parish Council’s NDP as Hereford Council had been given a horrendous housing target to consider, but wished to look into the project at the same time as the transport Local Plan thus enabling them to consider where to position the requested housing development. She recommended engaging with the Consultation of the Local Plan and considering what this means to the Parish.
Overhanging hedges on some properties in Wellington Heath were mentioned and Councillors agreed to look into the matter.
Cllr Harvey further advised a Parish summit was taking place in April including a vote on the Parish Charter. Transport doing investigation on bus services including a Questionnaire which Hereford Council should be supporting. MHDC landscape and AONB meeting on Friday and Cllr Harvey agreed to deal with any queries which the Parish Council wished taken up. She further advised that the “safe walking route” into Ledbury remains on the list, albeit being dealt with slowly.
David Williams questioned whether any one person on the Parish Council was responsible for clearing various notice boards in the Parish including out of date notices, cleaning the glass if required. The Chairman replied that she had undertaken this in the past. David Williams advised that his wife was prepared to take on this role for the notice board at the bottom of The Common and Councillors welcomed this kind offer.
Open Session Agenda item 4 continued –
Missing Defibrillator – David advised he had made some progress albeit very slowly regarding the Defibrillator which had been in place for seven years had recently gone missing but at this point of time the whereabouts of the defibrillator are now known. He had spoken to the West Midlands Ambulance Service who advised they had not removed it, nor did they know it’s whereabouts. He was now waiting to see what the Police had to say and hoped to throw some light on the problem within the next few days. Further enquiries will take place, but apparently once the machine has been removed from the box it has to be checked before it is replaced. He advised that if the Parish Council have to replace the machine the new one should be fitted with a means of identification or a tracker.
Agenda item 5 – Update reports on outstanding matters and agree further action –
(a) Road safety – The Chairman advised that following agreement to look into some road safety issues, Herefordshire Council Traffic Management (TM) officers had attended to look at positions for Speed Indicator Devices (SIDs) and these had been approved. The Council no longer do a rental scheme. Investigations had revealed there were grants available from West Mercia Police for road safety with a new application form applicable for the year 2025/26 about to be issued. Chairman agreed to fill in the form and recommended that as we are seeking funds, we should also include for provision of white gates at the same time. The TM officers felt that white gates would work together with the SIDs to create an environment to reduce traffic speed. There has also been research by the Department of Transport showing a reduction of between 3 and 13 mph with the use of white gates. The Chairman enquired whether anyone was against white gates and Cllr Barnes queried the width of the road. The Chairman explained that she was discussing Staplow not Wellington Heath village, and white gate sites had been agreed with TM. Two speeding devices for Staplow were recommended with one at each end of the Village. It was felt that coloured tarmac was not necessary. S. Ghosh commented that white gates and speeding devices had apparently made a huge impact on the traffic in Bosbury. The Chairman agreed to apply for a grant for road safety measures in Staplow and will also speak to Bosbury Parish Council. An attempt will be made to find out what SIDS Ledbury has, but it was agreed the Parish Council must ensure that there were not too many signs in the Parish.
Within Wellington Heath HGV signs were agreed at a cost of about £800 to be erected by the Lengthsman once the Parish Council have checked whether he has the necessary insurance to work on the roadside. The TM team also met in Wellington Heath village and discussed ways to improve safety on Ledbury road through the village. TM advised against a marked walking route (which would require crossing the road at a number of points. They said it tended to discourage walkers from taking responsibility and being alert to their environment and it also raised liability issues. Pedestrian warning signs were suggested by TM. The Chairman has asked the National Landscapes for advice on these. The positions and financial position were discussed and agreed to be looked at in detail and a decision made at the next meeting.
Ledbury Town Council is also being approached about improving road safety on Beggars Ash.
The hedge at The Copse is now growing out into the road, but the owner does not want it cut back until the end of the bird nesting season. The Chairman agreed to meet with her and discuss what she is planning and how soon after the end of the bird nesting season this will be done.
- b) Lengthsman – Chaiman checked position regarding current expenditure for Lenthsman services and also what grants remained outstanding for lengthsman expenditure from Hereford Council.
Agenda item 5 Update Reports continued.
(b) Lengthsman – A local resident had been in touch with the Chairman about the steps at Ochre Hill and advised that the Parish Council may well receive a letter of complaint.
It was queried whether steps or a concrete path was both cheaper and more substantial and it was hoped to get this matter done in June. Cllr Barnes agreed to look at the steps with the Lengthsman, remove dangerous steps and produce an e-mail about what is proposed to be done. In the meantime, the Lengthsman continues to keep an eye on drainage in the Parish.
Cllr Kirk raised the issue regarding either repair of the existing entrance to Pool Piece or being replaced with steps which he felt made life difficult for people with pushchairs etc. However, the lengthsman has advised that if we repair the existing entrance it will continue to be vulnerable to erosion and will not last. The Chairman sought a vote on the proposal for either replacement of existing or replaced with steps. Two Councillors in favour of the steps, one in favour of the entrance slope – the Chairman abstained. Cllr Barnes to discuss matter with the Lengthsman. It was agreed there was no need to obtain a skip on site during work in progress
© Registration of Memorial Hall deeds – The Clerk advised she had received no reply to her e-mail following the meeting in January. The land on which the Memorial Hall stands belongs to the Parish Council but is subject to a 99 year Lease to the Memorial Hall Committee who pay a nominal amount of rent of 5p a year. Ownership has not been registered with the Land Registry and the Parish Council Solicitors have failed to get back to us for over a year. The deeds are not in good order and Cllr Kirk has kindly offered to take over this project, having had experience and dealt with a similar case in the past. The title would in the first instance be a “possessary title” for a period of 12 years before it can be properly registered. The Chairman sought Councillors views on the matter and it was formally agreed that Cllr. Kirk go ahead with this matter rather than any further attempt at getting the Council’s Solicitors to deal with the matter.
It was agreed the small rectangular strip of land including the car park is the boundary between the hall and the adjoining property and that this piece of land should be included in the registration process and included on the Hall title land for future reference.
(d) Cllr Kirk had prior to the meeting circulated a list of the situation regarding various planning applications. Following information received at the PC training session, Councillors agreed that the Clerk is delegated to respond to Planning applications on behalf of the Parish Council and may carry out expenditure up to budget levels in an emergency without obtaining prior approval, for example as this already exists whereby the Clerk can carry out payment of accounts for the months when no Parish Council meeting is held.
Agenda item 6 New matters for consideration –
(1) Review of NDP – Following advice from Cllr Harvey it was agreed to do nothing further with the NDP for the time being until the position had been clarified for how Hereford Council are proceeding in reply to the housing demands levied on them.
(2) Arrangements for Parish Meeting on 14th April – four local Police attending to cover local issues including speed watch. E-mails have been sent out to residents who said they were interested in taking part in this project. The Chairman will do her usual report including what has been undertaken and achieved during the year. Refreshments will be available which Cllr Jones agreed to arrange.
Agenda item 7 – Financial Matters –
The Clerk reported the following Accounts had been received and paid during February when no Council meeting took place –
Clerk – Salary £333.26.
HMRC – PAYE up to 5th March 2025 £83.40.
John Tearle, grass cut at Pool Piece £113.07.
Viking Direct, stationery £82.00 + £16.40 vat.
Gizmo printing – Newsletter £244.00.
Accounts presented for payment at meeting –
Clerk, Salary £333.47.
HMRC – PAYE to 5th April 2025 £83.20.
Lengthsman (Inv No. 48) £200.00. Chq No. 1458.
Lengthsman (Inv No.49)- £175.00. (Chq No. 1458.
HALC – Training for all Councillors £250.00. + £50 vat.
Marion Griffiths, payroll officer £100.00.
Clerk – allowances and expenses for 4m. £286.11.
All the above accounts and Invoices were available for inspection by Councillors. It is confirmed there was no payment to the Lengthsman during February 2025.
Proposed – on a vote by the Chairman seconded by the Vice Chairman and carried all the above were approved for payment and cheques signed accordingly.
Note – Marion Griffiths has now retired as the Payroll Officer for the Council and the Clerk confirmed that “Cel The Practice” in New Street, Ledbury had now taken over this roll from April 2025 on behalf of the Parish Council.
Agenda item 8 – Reports from Council Representative.
(a) Memorial Hall – Cllr Barnes declared an interest in this item. He advised he had been unwell and unable to attend the last meeting. Funds being raised including a Quiz night. He advised that Gemma Palmer was now the new Treasurer. And that the 100 Club will continue for another year.
(B) Green Spaces –the Clerk advised that she had arranged for an unaccompanied yearly inspection of Pool Piece to take place.
Agenda item 9 – Brief update on any important items or correspondence –
The Clerk advised on the current balances on the Council’s Bank accounts.
The Clerk confirmed she had notified Hereford Council that the Parish Council wished verge cutting to take place in the Parish twice during the year.
As seen above, the defibrillator had gone missing out of the old phone box.
The Chairman had been advised that the new Newsletter correspondent did not wish to maintain the list of parish contacts which goes on the website. Councillors had been asked if they wished to take this over. Cllr Barnes agreed to ask at the next Memorial Hall Committee meeting if anyone is interested in taking on this role.
There being no further business, the Chairman declared the meeting closed at 9.45pm.
H Tierney 19th May 2025
Signed…………………………………………………………………. Dated……………………………………….
Chairman.