WELLIINGTON HEATH PARISH COUNCIL
Minutes/ Meeting on 30thMarch 2026.
Minutes of a meeting of Wellington Heath Parish Council held on Monday 30th March 2026 in the Memorial Hall commencing at 7.30pm.
Present – Cllrs. H. Tierney (in the Chair) G Kirk, J. Jones. R. Barnes and S. Harries. Also in attendance was County Councillor Liz Barnes and Mr. Crawford Christie.
Agenda item 1 – An apology for inability to attend had been received from Cllr. Tim Lott who also announced his resignation from the Parish Council on this date.
Agenda item 2 – Minutes – The Minutes of the meeting held on 26th January 2026 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 – also in attendance was County Cllr. Liz Harvey –
The County Councillor commented on the water/drainage problems at Becks Orchard which she continues to monitor. Many changes taking place following the appointment of a new work force and the changes taking place during the transition from Balfour Beatty. She advised that the Locality Steward was being brought in house. She confirmed that the water problem at Becks Orchard had not been dealt with correctly by Planning Officers and was of the opinion that Herefordshire Council will not do a lot about the problem, leaving the Parish Council to take the matter up and seek an assurance that this will not happen again which is not acceptable for anyone who lives on The Common. Cllr Harvey suggested the Parish Council write filing a complaint in the strongest possible terms. Cllrs. Barnes and Kirk agreed to write and provide Cllr. Harvey with copies of their correspondence.
It was reported that the planning application for Lidl had gone back to Planning Committee when the decision to go ahead was squashed until after Easter as Planners were not happy about the effect on other traders in Ledbury Town. Cllr Harvey also advised on the problems regarding work at Ledbury Station with parking being improved with the funding which was not spent in Bromyard and looking at new proposed parking on the land between the Station and the wayside. Cllr Barnes also commenced on the development of three thousand houses to the South of Ledbury which is part of Hereford Council’s development plan.
Agenda item 5 – Update Reports – In his absence Cllr Lott had written advising the current position on road safety prior to his resignation. Cllr Harries advised he had continued to obtain prices for various traffic calming at Staplow and it was agreed that the group go forward with an application for a grant of £10,000 in relation to Ledbury in addition to the other funds which had been offered including the sum of £2,000 from the Parish Council which was suggested for the forthcoming financial year of 2026/27.
Main items outstanding were to monitor 20 is plenty on Horse Road and consider offering these to people living on Horse Road and in addition to talk to Ledbury Town Council as regards Beggars Ash to reduce the speed limit with warning signs. Hereford Council are monitoring traffic to obtain information. All these items had been set up by Cllr Lott to be followed up on an ongoing basis and sincere thanks were expressed to him for his work on road safety issues in the Parish. Cllr Harries said that he would take forward work on Wellington Heath village together with his work on Staplow until someone else can take it on.
Agenda item 6 – Planning – Cllr Kirk hade forwarded an up to date list to all Councillors prior to meeting. He reported there were no outstanding issues of any significance but advised that an Enforcement Notice had been issued due to the fact that work had commenced last week at the top of Rocky’s field.
Lengthsman – Cllr Barnes advised work on steps at Ochre Hill was almost complete apart from concreting the steps in place. Some funds remain payable with approval for a claim for additional funding to be claimed before 10th April to be included in the Accounts for 2026/26.
Important note – that the Parish Council have an approved current claim in with Herefordshire Council for £2,400 which must be recorded in the Minutes for the Auditor’s information.
Cllr Barnes advised there were no major works proposed for the Lengthsman during this current new year and that he would discuss the future situation with him. It was suggested the Parish Council could advertise for a replacement Lengthsman if this becomes necessary.
Registration of Memorial Hall documents – Cllr Kirk advised nothing further to report.
Review of NDP – Cllr Kirk advised nothing further to report as we have not been advised of Herefordshire Council’s targets, but it was agreed to keep this item on the Agenda for the time being.
Agenda item 6 – Farmers Arms – to consider exercising of moratorium under our ACV rights – It was confirmed that the Parish Council or any other eligible community group has a right to exercise a moratorium on the sale for six months in order to put together a bid for the property. Cllr Barnes had discussed the matter with a number of villagers and the item had been advertised on the agenda but very little interest, if any, had been shown in taking it on. The Parish Council decided not to exercise the moratorium which it was felt would hinder the process of getting a new owner for the pub. If there was a planning application for change of use, the Parish Council could object through the planning process.
Arrangements for Annual Parish Meeting – to be attended by MP Ellie Chowns on the 7th April. Chairman to purchase refreshments and Cllr Barnes, his wife and Cllr Jones agreed to deal with handing out refreshments.
Cover for funds under FSCS at Lloyds Bank – The Clerk advised that cover had now been reinstated on funds held by the Bank on behalf of the Parish Council.
Annual inspection of equipment on Pool Piece – Clerk asked to arrange inspection for an unaccompanied basis.
Finance – The Clerk advised the following Accounts had been paid for January 2026 –
The Practice (payroll for three months) £36.00 plus £7.20 vat.
Clerk salary £349.00.
HMRC – PAYE £87.60.
Accounts paid in February 2026 –
- Cooke – (Inv No. 44) £815.00. Chq No. 1519.
Gizmo Press – printing Newsletter £267.00.
HMRC – PAYE £87.40.
Clerk salary £350.10.
Hire fees for Memorial Hall. £87.00.
Accounts presented for payment in March –
- Cooke (Inv. No. 48) £2,400.00. Chq No. 1524.
Clerk salary £349.90.
HMRC – PAYE £87.60.
Clerk expenses and allowances to year end £243.12.
Glasdon – Dog faeces bin £188.67 + vat @ £37.73.
Lengthsman – no Invoice received for payment to date for this month.
Resolved – On a proposal by the Chairman seconded by Cllr Kirk and carried the above accounts were all approved for payment.
Agenda item 8 – Reports from various Council representatives –
Memorial Hall – Cllr Barnes advised it had been agreed not to purchase any new tables; chairs had been recovered, Memorial Hall representatives unhappy about the trees on the boundary with The Copse. It was again confirmed that that piece of land did not belong to the Memorial Hall. The land is not included in the Parish Council documents but it is hoped that the matter can be resolved once we receive confirmation from the Land Registry. Other activities continue in the Hall.
It was also confirmed that the rent payable by the Hall Committee representatives has been brought into credit with a payment of £5.
Agenda item 9 – In readiness for audit by External Auditor to formally adopt the following policies – copies of which has been forwarded to all Councillors –
Once adopted the policies will be put on Parish Council website to comply with instructions from HALC reference “requirements for Annual Governance Statement – assertion 10.
Complaints Policy, Delegation Police, Equality and Diversity Policy, Freedom of Information Policy, Filming of meetings, Code of Conduct and IT Policy.
These were adopted by the Parish Council.
In closed Session – employment contract for Parish Clerk – The clerk left the meeting when this took place.
There being no further business, the Clerk left the meeting at 9.30pm.
Signed………G. Kirk………………………… Dated 18th May 2026
Chairman.