Minutes November 2023

Minutes of a meeting of Wellington Heath Parish Council held on Monday 27th November 2023 in the Memorial Hall commencing at 7.30pm

 

In attendance – Cllrs. H. Tierney, J. Jones, R. Barnes, G. Kirk and S. Loveridge.

Also in attendance was County Cllr. Liz Harvey and the Clerk.

Agenda item 2 – The Minutes of the Parish Council meeting held on 25th September 2023 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 Cllr Liz Harvey advised as follows –

  • The land drain by Ledbury Station had been causing flooding problems on the Bromyard Road. Balfour Beatty had been asked to check the gullies, this was done but the highway drain and the land drains were also affected. Network Rail had cleared their drain.
  • One of Bloor lights at the newly formed roundabout on the Bromyard Road had been causing problem as it was set too high. Highways Officer had looked at problem and hoped to get something done to reduce the height of the light.
  • AONB are being rebranded by Government, now called “National Landscapes” with a new logo. Gradual approach being undertaken by MHDC.
  • County Council budget consultation just been launched. On line consultation enquiring about level of Council tax.
  • Cllr Barnes queried whether Hereford Council were considering doing an item on broadband similar to that being undertaken by Gloucester Council. Cllr Harvey agreed to make enquiries.

Agenda item 5 – Update Reports –

  • Road Safety Group – Minutes of first meeting are on the website. Group had looked at previous projects which had been carried out and has obtained the data. Another Group meeting will take place next week, and Cllr Loveridge also has a meeting planned with Calum Bush from Herefordshire Council on the 18th December to discuss various options which might be available. General feeling is that speeding is a problem in the Parish but care needs to be taken not to alter the aesthetics of the Village.  Items mentioned included installation of white gates (Bosbury gates have reportedly had the desired effect when coupled with maintenance of surrounding verges), use of handheld speed recorders, speed limit of 20mph through the Village other than on the Ledbury Road where a 30mph limit could be imposed and width restriction on Horse Road with sign indicating “no through route for HGVs”. There now appears to be a new issue with encroachment onto the verges on Horse Road making the corner difficult to negotiate. SL will provide BB with information and ask them to follow up. The Annual Parish meeting in April 2024 will be used to present findings and seek opinions from the village.
  • Lengthsman – Cllr Barnes advised all notice boards have been renovated, ditches cleared and covered with wire mesh to catch debris, work on Pool Piece might have to wait for better weather.  Debris problem on Ochre Hill has improved since laying tarmac, but rainwater remains a problem.

RB agreed to contact Neil James to discuss.

  • Little Pleck – Successful tidy up taken place. Hamish Skinner could take down the sycamore sapling tree in exchange for the cordwood – the Council agreed to this. The new bench should hopefully be installed before the snowdrops appear in mid January secured in a way that allows it to be moved whilst sycamore removal is taking place.

RB agreed to look at cost of replacement bench.

  • Ash Tree – this has now been felled.
  • Electric Point at Memorial Hall – Parish Council “Expression of Interest” has been registered. Project is countrywide so timescales are tied in with the progress of that wider project which is still in the early stages.  Further updates as and when received.

 

Agenda item 6 – New items for consideration –

(1 ) Grit bins – Cllr Barnes has carried out a survey and Neil James has supplied a location map of existing bins. Photographs have been taken and all material forwarded to Balfour Beatty who will be reporting back in due course.

(2) Bridge repair following Wicksteed Report at Pool Piece – The Inspector had immediately reported by telephone to the Clerk that some of the posts on the one bridge in Pool Piece were urgently in need of repair, and advised her that as a safety precaution, he had taped off both the bridge and the gate into Pool Piece.  On receipt of his call, the Clerk appreciating the urgency of the matter had contacted the Lengthsman to inspect as at that time Cllr Barnes was away on holiday.

Following Dave Darwood’s resignation as co-ordinator at Pool Piece, John Tearle had been appointed to take his place, but unfortunately following ill health John had retired from the Council and there had been no one to take on the role of co-ordinator.  Hamish Skinner had looked at the bridge and was of the opinion that it was safe.

Concerns were expressed about complying with the Parish Council Insurance which includes cover for Pool Piece.  Cllr Barnes agreed to get in touch with both Hamish and the Lengthsman.

(3) Councillor Roles – following the recent Parish Council changes, the Chairman had prepared a new list of “Councillor Roles” for consideration. These were discussed and she agreed to circulate a revised amended schedule.

Agenda item 7 – Financial matters –

The Finance Group had met and published a draft Budget for 2024/25 on the website and notice board.  No adverse comments had been received and on a proposal by the Chairman seconded by the Vice Chairman and carried, the Budget was adopted for 2024/25.

The Finance Group had also met and put forward a Precept level for 2024/25, with no increase proposed for the year. These figures had also been advertised locally and on a proposal by the Chairman, seconded by the Vice Chairman and carried, the Precept for 2024/25 was agreed at £11,500.

The following Accounts had been paid in October when there had been no Parish Council meeting –

Clerk, Salary – October 2023                                                                    £316.63.

HMRC – PAYE to 5th November 2023                                                     £79.20.

Gizmo Press – newsletter printing                                                          £267.00.

Dave Cooke, lengthsman                                                                           £749.00.

The undermentioned Accounts were presented for payment at the meeting –

Clerk, Salary – November 2023                                                               £316.63.

HMRC  – PAYE to 5th December 2023                                                     £79.20.

Hamish Skinner, grass cut at Pool Piece                                                £60.00.

Dave Cooke, Lengthsman                                                                          £345.00.

Clerk, allowances and expenses 2 months                                           £83.90.

Wicksteed, Pool Piece inspection                                                           £132.00 + £26.40 vat.

Memorial Hall, hire fees                                                                           £59.30.

Herefordshire Council, election expenses                                            £149.80.

On a proposal by JJ seconded by RB and carried, the above Accounts were all approved for payment and cheques were signed.

 

Agenda item 8 – reports from Council representatives for –

Memorial Hall – Cllr Barnes advised

  • Work progressing on part of the grounds and bulbs planted.
  • Grass at side will be cut to lawn, other side left to wild flowers.
  • Car park done to provide pedestrian exit in an emergency.
  • Windows had been replaced in the hall.
  • Committee wish the Parish Council filing cabinet to be removed from Committee room. RB and HT agreed to meet together with the Clerk in January to go through the filing cabinet and see if they need to be retained.
  • 200 club will change.
  • Report on electric vehicle points.
  • Hire charges will be increased for non regulars by 10%
  • Craft Fayre and the Newcomer events were successful.
  • Cllr Jones agreed to send all newcomers letters with information on Smartwater and ask if they would like to participate.

 

Planning applications – Cllr Kirk had provided written report to all Councillors. Rock’s Field only outstanding application. It was hoped the footpath situation at Becks Orchard had been finalised, although Councillors not happy about the footpath going through Little Pleck. Cllr Kirk agreed to look at the NDP and Cllr Harvey will look into the situation to see what was agreed by the Planning Committee, as it was felt that the cost of this footpath should not be a burden upon the Parish.

Agenda item 9  – Brief update on important items or correspondence.

The Clerk reported donation of £300 for the benefit of the Parish from the Three Shires Rally. This donation would provide the new seat for The Plecks.

Healthy Bank balances were reported.

New rules for reporting and advertising vacancies on the Parish Council were now being handed down by Hereford Council to Parish Clerks.

Cllr Barnes advised that the Parish Council Footpath Officer was retiring with effect from the end of the year. She has kindly offered to see if anyone on the Group wishes to take over the role.

There being no further business, the Chairman declared the meeting closed at 9.45pm.

 

H.Tierney                                                                                     29th January 2024.

Signed………………………………………………………………………..    Dated………………………………………..

Chairman