Minutes September 2022

Minutes of a Parish Council meeting held on Monday 26th September 2022 in the Memorial Hall commencing at 7.30pm.

(Including a Planning Report Update from Cllr G.Kirk)

 

Present – Cllrs. J. Jones (in the Chair) J.  Tearle and G. Kirk.  Two members of the public were also in attendance.

Apologies for inability to attend had been received from Cllr. H. Tierney and R. Barnes. Apologies were also received from County Cllr. L. Harvey and Parish Correspondent. P. Constantine.

Minutes – The Minutes of the meeting held on 25th July 2022 were taken as read, confirmed and signed by the Chairman.

No Declarations of Interest in items on the Agenda were received and there were no requests for dispensation.

Open Session –

  • County Cllr. Liz Harvey – apologised for inability to attend for health reasons.
  • The two members of the public in attendance raised no queries.

Update reports –

  1. Notice Board adjacent to Pool Piece – This Board had been erected and donated to the Parish Council many years ago. It was agreed to obtain a Quotation from the Lengthsman for the supply and fitting of two new doors to the Board.                               Action JT.
  2. Lengthsman – It appeared lack of action was the result of the Lengthman’s digger being out of service. There remained a considerable amount of work required to be done, particularly now with regard to drainage work which it was hoped would be carried out before the winter months.
  3. Damaged seat at top of The Common– Upon collection, the suppliers of the seat had advised that it was damaged beyond repair. The gentleman who accidentally hit the seat in his car had forwarded to the Parish Council the sum of £150. which had been the sum quoted to make the repair. A new seat had now been ordered from which the sum of £150. was deducted and it was agreed that the commemorative plaque would be added to the new seat using one from one of the previously damaged seats if possible. A decision on this to be made once the new seat had been delivered and measurements could be taken off one of the damaged seats one of which is stored at Swallow Farm, the other at Loxter Cottage, Raycombe Lane.
  4. Councillor vacancy – a vacancy remains on the Parish Council and it is hoped that the Council will be in a position to co-opt a new member in the not too distant future.
  5. Speeding restrictions – Two quotations had been received (a) one for £225.00 from Streetwise Plus vat and (b) one for £375. from Transport Surveys plus vat, both being for “stand alone” displays giving traffic numbers and speeds during a one week survey. Discussion took place regarding where it was thought best to situate the Surveys and for how long a period. It was finally unanimously agreed for this to take place and for the monitor to be placed in the Swallow Farm area to be able to monitor traffic coming from Ledbury Road, Burtons Lane, Hollow Lane and Church Lane. It was also agreed one monitor should take place during school term time and another when work had commenced on the development adjacent to the Viaduct.   Action –  Clerk to arrange for this to take place as soon as possible.

 

  1. Cancellation of Three Shires Rally – this had been postponed as it would otherwise have occurred during the period of national mourning linked to the death of HM Queen Elizabeth II and it had since been cancelled for the current year as the organisers had been unable to

find a convenient date for everyone concerned in the event.  They advised us they now plan to make arrangements for the event to take place in 2023.

Item for consideration –

Fix date for Finance meeting to agree Budget and Precept for 2022/23 –  The date of the next Parish Council meeting is 28th November. It was therefore agreed to hold Finance meeting on 14th November 2022, venue to be agreed at a later date.  This would enable proposed figures to be advertised on notice boards for any comments prior to agreement at full Parish Council meeting in November and for the proposed Precept to be forwarded to Herefordshire Council by 31st December 2022 as requested by them.

Financial Matters –

  • It was agreed to adopt revised Standing Order No. 18 to reflect revised procurement level LTN87 as recommended by HALC. All Councillors had received a copy of the revised Standing Order for their advice.
  • It was unanimously agreed that the Parish Council agree NOT to opt out of the current external auditor appointment which will run from 2022-23 until 2026-27. In accordance with instructions received no further action is required by the Clerk as the Council has agreed to remain Opted in with the current audit arrangements.

To approve payment of the following Accounts which were paid during August 2022 when no

Council meeting took place –

  • Clerk salary for August 2022 £314.20.
  • HMRC – PAYE to 5th September 2022 £60.80.
  • Garden Furniture (repair to damaged seat) £125.00 + £21.66 vat.

To approve payment of the following September 2022 Accounts –

  • Truprint Media, printing Newsletter                £255.00.
  • Garden Furniture -Balance for new seat at The Common £108.33 + £21.66 vat.
  • Clerk’s Salary – September 2022                £314.20.
  • HMRC – PAYE to 5th October 2022                £60.80.
  • Clerk’s allowances and expenses to 30/09/22                £70.72.

 

On a proposal by the Chairman seconded by Cllr. Tearle and carried the above payments were confirmed for payment and cheques signed as necessary.

 

                                                                                                                    

Reports from Council representative –

  • Memorial Hall – Cllr Barnes advised by e-mail that he had attended the Memorial Hall meeting and confirmed that the newcomer event was booked for Saturday 19th November 2022 at 10am until 12 noon. Cllr Tearle agreed to make arrangements for refreshments.

It had also been queried whether the Parish Council filing cabinets situate in the Committee Room were required or if they could be stored elsewhere.

  • The Plecks – Cllr Tearle advised nothing to report. Assistance had been sought from the public but little response had been received. The two members of the public in attendance at the meeting kindly offered to assist if possible.
  • Pool Piece – Skip had been ordered for the current week.
  • Planning – The Chairman of the Planning Group had circulated an update to all Councillors and this is attached to the Minutes for confirmation.

 

Information – brief update on important items or correspondence.

  • Receipt of second instalment of Precept.
  • Receipt of VAT for part year including work to oak tree.
  • Letter of thanks from Paul Esrich, AONB for Parish Council’s donation.

(d)         Clerk to enquire of Balfour Beatty whether a second Lengthsman can be appointed to assist in heavy workload.

 

There being no further business, the Chairman declared the meeting closed at 9pm.

 

 

 

 

 

Jennifer Jones                                                                28th November 2022.

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

Chairman.

 

 

 

Planning Report Update from Cllr G.Kirk

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