Minutes of the Parish Council Meeting of Clehonger Parish Council held on 19th October 2022 from 7.30 pm at the Clehonger Village Hall
NB- The minutes are “draft” until ratified at the following parish council meeting.
Present: Cllrs S Savory, C Protherough (Chair), J Jones, W Watkins, K Langdon, J Whittal and N Rider
In attendance: Mrs A Wright (Clerk), Footpath Officer Blue Davies, Lengthsman Paul Wright, PC Jeff Rouse and two members of the public.
1. Open Session with any parishioners who have joined the Meeting (to include any update from West Mercia Police – if in attendance
Cllr Carole Protherough (in the Chair) welcomed everyone to the meeting.
PC Jeff Rouse explained that a considerable quantity of diesel had been stolen from a site behind “the Bines” and that an arrest for this had been made. There was also a report of a ten year old child found to be carrying a knife on the playing field.
PC Jeff Rouse advised that there would be a bi-monthly newsletter, going forward, instead of a monthly one.
2. Co-option of councillor and signing of forms
There were no candidates presented for co-option at the meeting.
3. To receive Apologies for Absence
There were apologies for absence received from Cllr A Davies plus Ward Cllr David Hitchiner. Cllr A Davies had requested a period of sabbatical leave, due to ill health, for an initial period of three months and this was resolved as agreed by the parish council. It was agreed that the Clerk would send best wishes to both councillors.
4. To note Declarations of Interest
There were declarations of interest made by Cllrs Watkins and Jones in relation to the Village Hall plus Cllr Whittal in any matters relating to the Church.
5. To approve Minutes of the Parish Council Meeting held on 20th July 2022 plus the Minutes of the Extraordinary Parish Council Meeting held on 12th September 2022
The Minutes of the Parish Council Meeting held on the 20th July 2022, and the Extraordinary Meeting held on the 12th September 2022 were approved, following two points of clarification, re the payment for hall hire by the Platinum Jubilee Celebration event and what was meant by “adjacent field”.
6. Finance and Policies
(6.1) Resolved: The following list of payments were approved:
Clerk paid in accordance with contract (October)
Expenses £91.10
HM Revenue & Customs (tax) refund to A Wright £201.60
HM Revenue & Customs (Ers NI and tax) due the HMRC £19.41
Longfield Services (Lengthsman/Bins/repairs etc) £213.10
Clehonger Village Hall (Hall hire 12/09/22) £14.00
Eyelid Productions Ltd. (web services) £30.00
Clehonger Village Hall (Herefordshire Helpers) £42.00
Resolved: The bank balance was noted at £44990.71 (new statement received dated 10/10/22)
6.2) To confirm adoption of amended Standing Orders (April 2022 version)
The parish council resolved to adopt the revised Standing Orders (April 2022 version)
6.3) To begin consideration of parish precept request for 2023 – 2024
The parish council discussed the parish precept requirement for 2023 – 2024 and given the current reserves resolved that no increase should be made and the amount requested would £22800.00. The Clerk would submit the precept request to the Finance Department of Herefordshire Council.
It was commented that Herefordshire Helpers were not currently able to hold their stop food waste service in the Clehonger Hall so the donation from the parish council was placed on hold. The Helpers had received a total of £119.00 towards hall rental expenses out of a possible £210.00.
7.0 Playing Field
(7.1) Update on matters relating to the playing field
It was commented that there had not been a playing field working party meeting for a number of months. It was agreed that the whole parish council was responsible for the playing field asset. It was proposed by Cllr Watkins and seconded by Cllr Rider that the playing field working party should be disbanded. The motion to disband was carried by a majority vote. The playing field would be controlled by the full parish council going forward.
It was agreed that the Clehonger Map, that had been commissioned, would be uploaded to the Clehonger website. The Clerk would arrange this.
8. Planning.
To consider response to Planning Applications, as notified, and then determined by Herefordshire Council
One application for consideration of comments this time:
APPLICATION NO & SITE ADDRESS: Planning Consultation – 222725 – Clehonger Manor, Clehonger, Hereford, HR2 9SD
DESCRIPTION: Proposed erection of Border Oak ancillary outbuilding comprising pool, gym and carport, incorporating PV solar panels, battery storage and air source heat pump, on site of existing outbuilding.
GRID REF: OS 3446328, 238094
APPLICATION TYPE: Full householder
The parish council discussed the application 222725 and resolved to support the proposals for the ancillary outbuilding at the property.
9. Clehonger Parish Church
To hear update on any Church related items
Cllr Jenn Whittal advised that there was no further update.
10. Questionnaire (Survey) for 106 money research with residents – to progress
It was agreed that the kind offer, by a local resident, to help with the construction of the survey and the online option would be taken up and a meeting arranged with the parish council to progress the survey. A Wednesday evening was thought to be favourable and a convenient date and time for all would be sought.
11. Clehonger Village Hall
The Village Hall Secretary gave a comprehensive update on recent hall events and activities. A tribute evening, for the late Audrey Evans, had raised a £1000 donation for hall funds. Hall terms and conditions had been revised and new terms circulated for users. Advice had been taken regarding fire safety also. The hall was very well booked for lots of different users and events. There was a lot of work involved with running the hall and this was performed on a voluntary basis. It was also commented that relevant food hygiene safety, and other appropriate qualifications, had been undertaken by hall committee members and volunteers.
12. Parish roads and footpaths, trees and land
12.1) To note any defects to be reported to Balfour Beatty
White lining around the village required renewal, particularly at the end of Gosmore Road, near the school, where people were “shooting across the junction” without possibly realising that they should give way first. It was agreed that a 20 mph zone around the school would be desirable. It was commented that the 30 mph sign was still in a private garden on the approach from Birch Hill Road to Birch Hill. This had been reported a number of times and Balfour Beatty had advised that they were dealing with the issue.
The drains on the B4349 near to the Glasnant houses were still blocked.
Noted – issue of no pedestrian pavement at Syers Croft, end of Gosmore Road, path runs out?
Noted – two stick bollards with tape on at the newly created opening at the roadside near Harpacre. This had been taken up with the builders by the Ward Cllr.
12.2) To consider any issues in relation to footpaths
No update this time.
12.3) To put forward work for the Lengthsman
To clean signs and general upkeep plus bins and to strim the pavement around the weed patch at the end of the village hall.
12.4) To receive any update regarding trees
There were no further updates from the Tree Warden but concern was expressed about the welfare of the birch tree planted by the school for the jubilee. The specimen had been noted to be in a poor condition previously.
12.5) To consider any matters relating to speeding in the village
There was a further discussion about the ongoing issues of speeding in the village. It was resolved that enquiries should be made about the installation of a speed indicator device near to the public house and entrance to the new housing development. The Community Speed Watch Co-ordinator advised that he had collected the details of five volunteers for the Speed Watch Team and he needed six in total to proceed. A sixth volunteer was potentially identified at the meeting. The parish council confirmed that the Community Speed Watch was community driven and not parish council led. The parish council had helped with getting the “ball rolling” but the initiative to proceed was with the community.
13. Information Sheet, Correspondence plus Ward Councillor Report
13.1) To note Information and Correspondence sheet:
Herefordshire Council:
Talk Community bulletins
Rural Settlement Hierarchy – Revised settlement audit
Parish Council Update – The Role of Neighbourhood Planning with the emerging Local Plan
HALC
Information Corner
PKF Littlejohn – External Audit
Following correspondence from the external auditor, regarding provision of the external audit service, the parish council resolved not to make any changes in regard to the provision and to remain with PKF.
Innesfield Parking Issue for resident
The Clerk had received a request for help from a local resident who was experiencing difficulties with parking and mobility in Innesfield. It had been explained to the resident that the parish council could not control the parking there, but the parish council agreed that the clerk would write to Connexus to see if there was anything that could be done to assist.
Facebook – information re website
It was agreed that the Chair would publish a link to the Clehonger website on Facebook.
14. Matters to be raised on the Agenda of the next Meeting
All usual matters would be included.
15. Confirmation of date of next Parish Council Meeting
The next Meeting of the Parish Council would be held on Wednesday 16th November 2022, from 7.30pm, at the Clehonger Village Hall.
The Meeting closed at 8.50 PM.