Minutes of a meeting of Wellington Heath Parish Council held on Monday 29th September 2025 in the Memorial Hall commencing at 7.30pm.
In attendance were Cllrs. H. Tierney, G. Kirk, R. Barnes, T. Lott, S. Harries and J. Jones.
Agenda item 1 – Apologies – County Cllr. Liz Harvey had advised she was unable to attend the meeting due to health problems.
Agenda item 2 – Minutes – The Minutes of the meeting held on 21st July 2025 were taken as read, confirmed and signed by the Chairman subject to two slight amendments.
Agenda item 3 – Declarations of Interest – Cllr. S. Harries declared an interest in the planning application for 3 Staplow Cottages and signed the Declaration of Interest Register.
Agenda item 4 – Open Session – No members of the public in attendance.
Agenda item 5 – Update Reports –
(a) Road Safety – Cllr Lott made a power point presentation – see attached.
(b) Lengthsman – Cllr. Barnes advised steps at Pool Piece now completed with minor alterations including gravel footpath with concrete boards which are all set in concrete as sleepers can get very slippery when wet even with non-slip pads fitted. A new entrance from the Pub car park has been created at top of steps down to the bridge using an old gate with new fence posts. New hedging will be required as the existing hedge could not be saved. It was considered that a sign should be fixed to the gate advising “caution steps”. Discussion with Pub owners will take place about clearing silt from the area around Pool Piece which they are happy for us to do, as this will help with drainage and expose curb to allow any water from pub lane to be directed into the culvert away from steps and Pool Piece.
Cllr Barnes advised Grant applications lodged with Herefordshire Council as follows –
- Steps at Ochre Hill – total requested £4,800.00.
- Drainage work at Pool Piece £2,800.00
- Ditching work throughout the year £1,600.00.
Ongoing work for Lengthsman includes internal board for notice board at Dogberry and also to repair the seal on notice board at top of The Common.
Following discussion it was agreed that only silt could be deposited in The Pleck and it was definitely agreed no hardcore or similar could be left on The Pleck for future use.
(c) Registration of Memorial Hall documents – Cllr Kirk advised acknowledgement of documents had been received which indicated there would be no official reply until after the 6th October 2025
(d) Farmers Arms registration as Asset of Community Value – Cllr Kirk advised the paperwork had been lodged. An acknowledgement had been received asking for more information about events on the He advised he has collected many details and submitted them to H/Council – now awaiting a reply.
(e) Review of NDP – Cllr Kirk commented that it was not possible for us to lodge our NDP requirements until we know precisely what Herefordshire Council requirements are and their estimated timeline. Queries raised about the position when our existing NDP runs out in 2026. Cllr Lott agreed to see if there are any discussions on line to help with the process, and to see if the issue was raised at the Parish Summit which he is attending and report back to the Parish Council.
Agenda item 6 – New items for consideration –
(1) Finance meeting fixed on 10th November to agree Budget and Precept for year 2025/26. This would enable figures to be published on both the website and notice boards prior to presentation for agreement and approval at the Parish Council meeting on 24th November 2025.
(2) Rent for Memorial Hall – Neither the Parish Clerk nor a representative from the Memorial Hall Committee could find any trace of the rent charged to the Memorial Hall Committee having been paid in accordance with the Lease at the sum of 5p a year. Figures were discussed and agreed. Cllr Barnes agreed to advise the Hall Committee that payment should be made from 1975 up to 2035 to bring the matter up to date and in credit. The Parish Clerk agreed to issue an Invoice to the Memorial Hall Committee for the amount due.
Agenda item 7 – Finance The Clerk advised the following payments had been made during July and August 2025 when no Council meeting had been held. September Accounts were also presented for payment as follows –
July – Gizmo – printing Newsletter £267.00.
Lengthsman – Inv. No. 78 £995.00. – Chq No. 1480.
Viking – inkjets £52.13 – inc vat @ £8.69.
Clerk – £349.90.
Clerk – expenses and allowances £248.99 – inc repairs to printer
HMRC – PAYE £87.60.
D.Darwood (at oak tree) £111.60.
(oak tree credit balance in hand now totals £409.41)
The Practice – pay roll £14.40 – inc vat @ £2.40.
August – Lengthsman – Inv No. 27) £1,485.00 – Chq No. 1487.
Wicksteed (Pool Piece inspection £180.00. -inc vat @ £30.00.
Clerk £350.10.
HMRC – PAYE £87.40.
Gizmo – printing Newsletter £267.00.
The Practice – pay roll £14.40. – inc vat @ £2.40.
September – Lengthsman – Inv Nos 29 & 30 £1,520.00. Chq No. 1493.
The Practice – pay roll £14.40. – inc vat @ £2.40.
HMRC –PAYE £87.60.
Clerk £349.90.
Lengthsman – Inv No. 31 £620.00 – Chq No. 1497.
On a proposal by the Chairman seconded by Cllr Jones all the above payments were agreed and approved and cheques signed.
Agenda item 8 – Reports from Council representatives for the following items
(a) Memorial Hall – Cllr Barnes advised the decoration to the Committee Room continued with new tables and chairs provided and TV to be fixed on the rear wall to include facility for power-point presentations. A treasure hunt has been planned and the new comer meeting would be held on 22nd November 2025 between 10am and 12 noon. The Chairman agreed to provide refreshments.
(b) Green Spaces – Cllr Kirk advised all matters were in hand, Hamish had uncovered many rotting posts.
(c) Planning applications – One new application received that day and Cllr Kirk advised he would circulate his proposed response in due course.
Agenda item 9 – Brief update on important issues – The Clerk advised on bank balances, and also circulated all Councillors with details advising that the current account bank name was to be changed to a “Community Account” which involved charges of £4.25. a month plus various other charges as indicated by them in the Bank circular. The Clerk was to take up the matter with HALC regarding the statement from the Bank that “the Parish Council business is not eligible for FSCS deposit protection”.
In closed Session – The Clerk was to undergo an annual appraisal with the Chairman and Cllr Barnes and as part of this they would discuss with her the contracted hours.
There being no further business the Chairman declared the meeting closed at 9.45pm.
………………………………………………………………………………. Dated……………………………………………..
Chairman.