Minutes of a Parish Council meeting held on Monday 25th September 2023 in the Memorial Hall commencing at 7.30pm.
Present – Cllrs. Tierney, Barnes, Jones and Loveridge.
Also in attendance were Colin Davis, Peter Constantine and the Clerk.
An apology for inability to attend had been received and approved from Cllr. G. Kirk.
Agenda item 2 – The Minutes of the meeting held on 31st July 2023 were taken as read, approved and signed by the Chairman.
Agenda item 3 – Declarations of Interest in items on the Agenda – none were received.
Agenda item 4 – Open Session – Colin Davis commented on the excellent responses by parishioners in submitting comments on Planning applications but suggested that these would carry more weight if they referred to official planning policy documents such as the Neighbourhood Development Plan.
The response prepared by Cllr Kirk does this. He intended to put something in the next Newsletter about this and this was considered a good idea. It was suggested that this might also be a topic to be discussed at the Annual Parish meeting.
It was noted that Severn Trent had carried out the repair to the sink-hole in the road at Beggars Ash.
Agenda item 5 – Update reports on outstanding matters and agree further action as necessary –
(1) Speeding – Cllr Loveridge had been asked to form a “road safety” group which now includes Colin Davis, Peter Constantine, Beccy Poyser, Pat Davies, Pat Kelly and himself as Chairman of the Group. The first meeting to be held in the Memorial Hall items to include speeding by cars, lorries and motor cyclists and HGVs using inappropriate roads. It was suggested that an article could be included in the Newsletter advising what is happening and seeking any input. Cllr Loveridge advised he had contacted Callum Bush at Herefordshire Council. His reply has been received which advised that Herefordshire Council is procuring a consultancy report to look at County wide policy with regard to 20 mph speed limits, and that once the project is complete, he expected Parish Councils will be made aware of the outcome. Cllr Loveridge has advised him that we are interested in a 20 speed limit on certain roads in the Parish.
(2) Lengthsman – Cllr Barnes advises ditches have been cleared out, the new drain at Pool Piece has not been done during the recent tidy up of the site and provision of a skip as the work on the ditches/drains would need to dry out before any traffic crosses it. The notice board at the top of the Common has been varnished and it was agreed to undertake work on the board outside Old School House. Our application to join the Lengthsman scheme has been submitted. The Chairman and Clerk signed the Contract. Hereford Council will now pay the Parish Council to carry out the Lengthsman duties, but Councillors were advised that this does not cover everything. It was confirmed that Hereford Council are responsible for cleaning out the gullies.
(3) Bench at Little Pleck – the old bench on site has been removed as it is damaged and repair would be less cost effective than buying a replacement. It was agreed the site should be cleared and Council to ask for a donation towards the cost of a new seat out of funds from the 3 Shires Rally”.
(4) Ochre Hill – Cllr Barnes advised he had met with Agent from Public Rights of Way at Hereford Council and had discussed the request by Mrs. Davis to extend concrete on end of driveway. This was approved and Mrs. Davis has been advised accordingly. Lengthy discussion took place on any options to improve the flow of water down Ochre Hill, and Councillors were advised that the option of a soakaway into the field was definitely not available. Cllr Barnes agreed to contact Balfour Beatty, and arrange a meeting with the Locality Steward Neil James as they are all aware that there is a problem at Ochre Hill. During the meeting he would advise of the work which the Parish Council would like carried out and see if there was an offer of any input into the problem, for instance whether a new gully could be installed at the bottom of Ochre Hill linking to the main drain. Any work to renew the steps would be considered once there was an improvement to the drainage issue.
(5) Ash Tree – Still no decision reached, told tree is safe. Parish Council advised this is not a highways problem and Cllr Barnes is following up with the PROW team at Herefordshire Council. It is definitely not the responsibility of the Parish Council.
(6) Telephone Kiosk – work completed and item taken off the Agenda.
(7) Hedge Problems – have been resolved. Hedge opposite Mortar cottage has been cut giving the effect of widening the road. Cllr Barnes questioned whether the hedge around the Plecks could come under the hedge cutting scheme and the Chairman agreed to ask Cllr Kirk whether this work could be included.
Agenda item 6 – items for consideration
Finance meeting to take place on 13th November in the Memorial Hall to propose budget and precept for year 2024/25.
Newcomer event will take place on 18th November in the Memorial Hall between 10 am and 12 noon. Parish Council Chairman will have a formal table with handout. Memorial Hall representative will also be attending. Parish Council will provide refreshments.
Drainage problems at Pool Piece and Pub Lane – dealt with under Lengthsman report.
Agenda item 7 – Financial matters.
The following accounts had been paid during August when no Council meeting took place –
- Clerk’s Salary – August 2023 £316.63.
- HMRC – PAYE to 5th September 2023 £79.20.
- Gizmo Press – printing newsletter £267.00.
- Viking – ink jets £57.48 + £11.50 vat.
- Skinner – grass cutting at Pool Piece £80.00.
The following Accounts were presented for payment at the meeting –
- Clerk’s salary – September 2023 £316.63.
- HMRC – PAYE to 5th October 2023 £79.20.
- Lengthsman – ditch work and repair notice board £540.00.
- Miles Waste – skip at Pool Piece £225.00. + £45.00 vat.
- HALC – website hosting and domain £285.50 + £57.10 vat.
- Clerk – allowances and expenses for 2 months £88.16.
- Cooke – Lengthsman – bench at top of The Common £105.00
On a proposal by Cllr Jones seconded by Cllr Barnes all the above Accounts were approved for payment and cheques signed as necessary.
Agenda item 8 – Reports from Council representatives –
(1) Memorial Hall – Meeting held at the beginning of the month included new benches put in place, car park tidied up providing fire point area. Front garden will be mowed in part where people will sit. New proposals for 200 club, a slight increase in fees was proposed, bookings are down, Craft fayre will be held in October and the flag will only be displayed on special occasions.
(2) The Plecks – no Councillor responsible at present on the Pleck – Chairman will look for volunteers to carry out some work at Little Pleck.
(3) Pool Piece – Skip had been hired during tidy up of site – Hamish Skinner kindly mowing the grass this year but advises he does not wish to take it on next year. It was hoped John Tearle might take over the job once his health has improved. Clerk to book annual inspection with Wicksteed and Cllr Loveridge agreed to attend during an accompanied inspection. Clerk to arrange asap.
(4) Planning – In the absence of Cllr. Kirk, a written report was supplied. See Page 18A.
Agenda item 9 – brief update on any important items or correspondence –
The Clerk reported on bank balances.
Councillors Declarations of Interest are now on the PC website. Clerk seeking clarification regarding two Declarations which had not needed to be updated in May in accordance with guidance received from Herefordshire Council to the effect that if there were no changes, Councillors did not need to submit new DOI’s.
Letter from Herefordshire Council regarding electric charge points in the Parish. Clerk to submit expression of interest form.
Next Council meeting to take place on 27th November 2023.
Agenda item 10 – Cllr reports on minor matters of information – It was agreed to advertise the vacancy of a Parish Councillor in the next Newsletter.
There being no further business, the Chairman declared the meeting closed at 9.10pm.
H.Tierney 27/11/23
Signed………………………………………………………………….. Dated………………………………
Chairman.